The 'Art' in us all Well at least I'd like to think so The urge to create, be spontaneous. A chance for uninhibited 'non corrective' and self indulgent play. At school there is always someone looking over your shoulder, but here the materials are free, the canvas is enormous and you don't need a rubber! According to the HistoryHouse the words Sand Castle, came into use in print in the 19th century and a book entitled 'Conversation of a father and his Children' has the illustration below and was published in 1838. Sand castle building competitions began at seaside resorts by the end of the century. In 1900, one competition created controversy in Rhyl, North Wales. The company of Bovril sponsored a sand castle building completion, and their name had to be used on the castle. A few days later a whisky company sponsored a similar competition, again their name had to be included which did not go down well with the temperance movement! So the pastime has been around for many holidays. Countless children, helped, or not, by countless parents, some enthusiastically instigating projects on a scale worthy of planning permission (see above). Tides will ebb and tides will flow. Desires to hold back the sea will be dashed, and creations on beaches across the world will be wiped clean, a fresh slate for the uninhibited artist of tomorrow. |  The humble sandcastle  Tools for the Beach |
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