From a distance, it looked as though a pilgrimage was heading down to the beach at Knott End. Parents could be seen, with arms full of picnic blankets, lunch boxes, beach paraphernalia, escorting excited youngsters down to the vast expanse of sand.
Under bright blue skies and a warm summer sun, families from the Over Wyre Benefice and beyond, gathered together, unpacked their bags and got down to the serious business…of enjoying themselves!
It wasn’t long before some master architects and builders put their plans into action. Moats were dug, foundations laid and some interesting structures emerged. Aspirations were high; one group, was clearly not content with a simple ‘castle’ but set about crafting a whole ‘kingdom’! Another group worked diligently on creating ‘Crab Island’ and yet another dug a moat deep enough to almost swim in! Feathers, shells and sprigs of foliage adorned other creations, creating an opulent look.
With some time out for a lunchtime picnic, and having enjoyed some luxury ice-creams (sauce and sprinkles included), the adults and children resumed their craftsmanship with added vigor, working frantically to meet the ever-expanding ‘deadline’.
After listening to the youngsters explain their ‘vision’, judging the sand creations proved tricky. Deliberations seemed to take an age and animated whispering could be heard amongst those responsible for awarding the ‘goodies’. Finally, the judges reached their decisions and prizes were given out for a whole list of categories covering pre-school, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Adult, Most Creative, Best Decorated and Longest Standing, to name but a few. In short, everyone received a prize!
Play resumed; cartwheels were expertly performed across the sand, Frisbees were thrown and chased, sand craters were dug, all accompanied by beaming smiles and infectious laughter.
Indeed, it had been a grand day out. Friendships were forged amongst adults and children alike, memories had been created and the beauty of the natural world on our doorstep had been celebrated…all at the invitation of the Over Wyre Group of Churches.
