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BeachLife 21 steve legg 750AT
BeachLife outreach returns to Sheringham

Sheringham BeachLife returned last week, in a modified form, and once again enthralled scores of children and young people during one of the closing weeks of the summer holidays. Tony Rothe reports.

The popular activity and outreach week was restricted to an on-line offering in 2020, including a virtual BeachLife video, which also featured in Sheringham’s virtual carnival offering. But live BeachLife made a comeback this year with digital broadcasts in the mornings, activity packs, and family activities in the afternoons or early evenings, including a visit from renowned magician Steve Legg on the last day.
 
BeachLife 21 tide fight 750ATEvery day started with a virtual “Beach Special” broadcast at 10.30am each morning live on the BeachLife YouTube channel, with challenges, songs, drama, the medley and, of course, the gunge tank.
 
Tuesday afternoon saw a return of the popular Tide Fight, pictured right, where around 80 people gathered in family groups to build defences from sand and stones in the hope that the sea would not be able to demolish them. Despite the inevitable triumph by the sea, prizes and trophies were awarded for most creative structure, most determined team and, of course, the last structure to fall.
 
BeachLife 21 logo 750ATThe youngsters returned to the beach on the Wednesday afternoon for sand sculptures and the reproduction of a large scale version of the BeachLife logo using stones and other beach material, right. The sculptures were all creative, and the trophy winners included a turtle, a giant man, Shrek with his castle, and a working helter skelter! The trophies were supplemented, as for Tuesday, by prizes generously donated by Tesco.
 
A putting tournament took place on the Thursday afternoon, held at the unique and very three-dimensional Beeston Hills Putting Green on the eastern edge of Sheringham. Strong northerly winds did not deter the crowd of around 70 people who gathered, most of whom battled the elements in a BeachLife 21 putting 750ATtightly fought contest. Trophies and prizes were awarded in three age groups, including the adult award which went to Peter Skivington with a very creditable score of 50.
 
The climax of the week was on the Friday afternoon with the guest appearance on the Leas of comedian and magician Steve Legg, main picture, top. Steve started as an escapologist in 1988 but his focus is now on comedy and magic with a Christian message, and this unique blend means Steve travels the length and breadth of the UK, as well as internationally, and has made numerous television appearances.
 
The audience of around 125 people on the Leas in Sheringham laughed their way through over an hour of magic tricks and humour, but the Christian message clearly ran through Steve’s accomplished patter as the crowd marvelled at his illusions. The BeachLife team, comprising volunteers from the churches in Sheringham, then enjoyed snacks and chips which had been kindly donated by Seafare the local fish and chip shop.
 
 
beachlifelogo 349 ARPeter Skivington, youth pastor at Sheringham’s Lighthouse Community Church, is one of the organisers. He said, “We’re really pleased to have been able to offer both online as well as “in person” activities as part of this year’s BeachLife.  The interactive YouTube Beach Specials were popular, and we had great fun for all ages in the afternoon events, culminating in a brilliantly creative message of God’s love through Steve Legg’s comedy and magic on the Friday afternoon at the Leas.
 
"We shall be back on August 30 next year, but in the meantime, we will hopefully run a one-day event at February half term. Watch out for the publicity.”
 
To read our previous story about Sheringham BeachLife, click here.
 
To see lots more pictures of this year’s BeachLife, visit the Facebook page.
 
For more information about Sheringham BeachLife visit the website.
 
The photos are all courtesy of Gareth Gabriel film and photo.


 

TonyRothe150Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture. 

Tony Rothe, 30/08/2021

Tony Rothe
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