Stories from the beach hut
Saturday 1st July, Talk 5pm–6pm
Followed by some summer drinks.

To close the Beach Hut People exhibition, writer Nancy Stevenson will be sharing stories from her book which is based on conversations with 60 people who own or regularly visit beach huts. All except one of the stories are gathered in or just outside beach huts. She shares tales about people’s experiences and memories of beach huts and explore feelings evoked by a day at the hut. These tales take us beyond the materiality of the hut — past its scant wooden structure. They uncover intangible aspects associated with time spent in a beach hut which create memories that stir people’s emotions and generates positive feelings.

SHARING BEACH HUT STORIES

‘This book is based on conversations with 60 people who own or regularly visit beach huts. All except one of the stories are gathered in or just outside beach huts. Initially  I approach people randomly but as the project progresses, I am introduced to their beach hut neighbours and other friends with huts who are happy to talk to me and share their recollections.

In the chapters I share tales about people’s experiences and memories of beach huts and explore feelings evoked by a day at the hut. These tales take us beyond the materiality of the hut — past its scant wooden structure. They uncover intangible aspects associated with time spent in a beach hut which create memories that stir people’s emotions and generates positive feelings. As I meet more people, I realise that these insubstantial structures are full of meaning. Sarah captures this when she refers to her hut as: “our shed by the sea” but then goes on to explain “but it is so much more than that. It’s an escape, it reminds me of my childhood. It is just idyllic”.

I discover that these sheds by the sea provide the backdrop to countless imagined, lived and remembered lovely days. Sometimes they are joyful places where people can have fun with friends and family; other times they provide space to be alone, to reflect and just gaze at the vastness of sea and sky. They can provide a sanctuary — a place to tuck away from the cloud bursts, strong winds, blazing sun, and to escape from other people and the stresses of everyday life. Beach huts are bursting with imagination, hope, dreams, and memories.’