About

Big Ideas by the Sea is a new festival that will take place in Scarborough in May 2021. The brain child of artist Kane Cunningham and former City of York archaeologist John Oxley the aim is to bring to Scarborough some of the best speakers from across the UK to talk about the big issues.

Kane Cunningham said, ‘ We have discussed for some while the idea of creating a festival that explores the big ideas related to a whole range of issues and concerns facing communities and people locally and across the globe, to include the environment, education and employment.

Each year will offer different themes; however, we feel with COP26 in 2021 we should focus on the environment and climate change. So, we are inviting experts speakers to tell us the facts and to highlight the issues, but more importantly to offer solutions.”

The festival will be a yearly event with the intention of growing to be a leading cultural festival in the North of England.

John Oxley said, “We are also planning a community archaeological dig in the Old Town of Scarborough. Our intention is to open 20 small trenches and to look for artefacts and objects which tell us more about the history of Scarborough. This ‘Time-Team’ style dig over the weekend will take the festival to communities that would not normally take part in such an event.  And of course,  we have Professor Carenza Lewis of Time Team taking part in the festival!”

The Big Dig will start on the 19th of July, culminating in an exhibition of finds to be displayed at the market hall the following weekend. We will also have Krash Labs working with groups of young people on a Minecraft archaeological dig. 

The festival has already attracted some top speakers to include mountaineer Alan Hinkes, Professor Joann Fletcher, photographer Joe Cornish and adventurer and TV presenter Paul Rose.

Kane said, ‘ We are delighted with the quality of speakers who are all keen to get involved and to travel to Scarborough. These are all experts in their field to include Paul Rose former Vice President of the Royal Geographical Society,  Chair of the Expeditions and Fieldwork Division and currently Expedition Leader for the National Geographic Pristine Seas Expeditions.’

Paul said, ‘ I am delighted to be involved in this new and innovative festival that focuses on the big ideas related to climate change and the environment. Scarborough has the opportunity to be part of the global effort to raise awareness of the issues and therefore attract attention via this important event nationally and internationally.”

The 2021 festival is funded by the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All and Yorkshire Coast BID.