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Crossing The Bar Project Celebrates Island Coastal Heritage

New Carnival Company’s Crossing the Bar (XTB) programme has been hailed a huge success.

A record numbers of hikers, artists and schoolchildren took part in coastal walks, creative animations and heritage learning activities between October 14 and 16.

Crossing the Bar is a creative collaboration with IW AONB, the Ramblers and The IW Walking Festival.

It is building towards an Island-wide event in Spring 2024, when the new National Trail — the England Coast Path — will be officially opened.

The England Coast Path will be the longest coastal footpath anywhere in the world at around 2,800 miles.

Initially the Isle of Wight’s coastline was excluded from the trail map — but campaigning by local Ramblers and outdoor enthusiasts soon put paid to that.

Hannah Ray, Director of New Carnival, said:

“It’s been a very busy weekend with some amazing artworks on display created by local children and adults in response to their chosen coastal site.

"We are now looking forward to moving the programme up a step to the next stage.

"This will have a focus specific on the Island’s celebrated Heritage Coastline and a new walks and cultural programme being available to share in the early summer of 2023.”

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