In February 2024, the AIA invited Beach of Dreams Artistic Director, Ali Pretty, to run a weekend of creative workshops at Dreel Halls for six local groups.

Participants came from six communities: AIA Trustees, volunteers from the Dreel Burn water quality monitoring group, Dreel Crafters, St Ayles Rowing Club, the Cellardyke Tidal Pool and Footprint East Neuk/Dreelside Woods.

Ali led the community groups through a process to design and create a silk pennant for each group, that celebrates the beauty of the coastal environment where the Dreel Burn meets the sea, records the group’s connection to this coastline and represents the hopes and dreams the groups have for our local area.

The pennants will form part of a national artwork collection and a UK-wide coastal arts festival.

The groups’ output will be posted on the map on the Beach of Dreams website. The silk pennants will be added to the national collection on 22nd May at Castle Street Beach, when a group of local community representatives will meet the Beach of Dreams coastal walkers, as they pass through Anstruther, and hand them over.

You can join the Beach of Dreams coastal walkers at any point on the Fife walk, which will take place between 14th and 29th May in collaboration with The Big Hoof. The Big Hoof will bring horses and walkers to join the coastal path walk, raising money for charities with a focus on mental health. The walk will pass through Anstruther on 22nd May on its way between Ruby Bay and Crail.