Hamilton Mas, Pennant 667

I came to live by the sea in Felixstowe twenty-five years ago. Almost my chance. Looking out across the North Sea gave me a sense of connection over the tide and time of ages. To people, to place, to history. The glistening sunlight, the brown churn, the calm of a windless day, the excitement and energy of wind and wave has kept me walking down to the water’s edge every day.

Some years ago I became ill with an incurable pain and energy limiting condition - my daily walk to the beach was a goal and a challenge. The sense of being insignificant and amongst nature, the sand and shingle, the sea, the sky was and remains powerful. In the grand scheme of things this moment will be lost and join many many other lost moments. Turning back towards the promenade I would often wave and be waved to by 'prom friends', hear a 'morning', 'great day', 'aren't we lucky' call. Connection, community. People stop to talk, share stories, their own family health, news and hopes.

My own hope, is hope for recovery and if not full recovery, resilience to continue, to adapt to a new way of living, and living well. As a result of my chronic illness I set up Hamilton MAS as a creative community hub - with a focus on supporting creatives, also living with invisible health conditions, continue and develop their creative practices.

Standing at the water’s edge, personal insignificance is heightened in front of the enormity of the natural world. The sea, the sand and shingle and sky, the sight, the sounds, the smell, the feel. The climate emergency is sensed here, and acutely, shifting, shingle, rising and changing temperatures, seasons oddly out of pattern.

Action is needed. We must use our individual and collective agency to make a positive impact on place, people and planet.

Felixstowe seafront is a space for private wonder and a space to think, talk, to make. To walk by the sea. And to believe that recovery is possible and work towards it, together.

The Suffolk Coast inspires.

Hamilton MAS commits to incorporating climate artivism into our programming. We commit to supporting environmental recovery by adding sustainability to our core ethos and working practices.

We will join Culture Declares Emergency and build on the legacy of Project WAVE and our engagement with Beach of Dreams.