ABOUT US
This video highlights the early stages of Beach Creative in 2012. Voiced by Gill Wilson
Beach Creative is a vibrant centre for creativity and wellbeing in Herne Bay with a truly inclusive community focus established in 2012
We are a vibrant creative hub, right in the heart of Herne Bay where you can try new
things, meet new people, share your ideas and talents, and have fun.
We support people on their creative journey, give artists and makers space to create
and show their work and bring people together through creative activities.
Our exhibitions, events and learning opportunities make a real difference to people’s
lives in Herne Bay
Beach Creative, over its ten-year history, has adapted and changed to the
needs and interests of local people. Energised by strong community
involvement, Beach Creative has inspired local people of all ages, all
backgrounds and all abilities to share their talents, exchange ideas and try new
things through courses, events and exhibitions. Everyone is warmly welcomed.
Beach Creative CIC also provides spaces and opportunities for local artists and
makers to develop and deliver their creative services
We support local people on their cultural explorations and our busy meeting rooms and workshop are used by peer support groups, writers, musicians and tutors with art and craft expertise delivering exciting courses and educational opportunities.
Beach Creative’s exhibitions and event programmes have brought many
people together delivered many memorable experiences and played a huge
role in strengthening the profile and identity of Herne Bay. As a CIC, all of our profits are put back into projects at Beach Creative and in the wider community & maintaining the facilities.
Find out what is happening and what might be interesting to you
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WHAT YOU'RE SAYING
DARKROOM PARTICIPANT
The children really enjoyed the cyanotype printing workshop, it was great to see them so immersed. I had to drag them away for home time!
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BAY FEST 2021
SUPPORTER
I believe that Beach Creative has made and continues to make an invaluable contribution to the life of Herne Bay and one that deserves to be fully placed on a solid and permanent footing
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MP ROGER GALE
We love your sweet garden in the sunshine! And how cosy and welcoming indoors is in the colder months!
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2021 VISITOR
Beach Creative is a vibrant, authentic community space always buzzing with activities for all ages and with a cafe that draws in a diverse mix of local people. It is also a vital, affordable base for a range of small arts organisations that serve the community
TOAST CAFE
VISITOR
HISTORY
Census returns for Beach House from 1901 and 1911 © The National Archives
From the website www.britainfromabove.org.uk © English Heritage
Herne Bay Gas & Coke Company - artist impression of Beach Creative
Census returns for Beach House from 1901 and 1911 © The National Archives
Beach House was built in 1899 to provide offices and a home to the local gas manager and his family. The Herne Bay Gas Company was formed by act of Parliament on 1 November 1837, and by the end of the century it had rapidly expanded its activities to service Herne Bay’s building and tourism boom.
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If you look carefully at Beach House you still see that the building always had a dual purpose. The right hand door led into the house where the family lived and the left door led into the gas showrooms and offices. The hatch we are using in our café is original to the building and was used to pay the gas workers wages and take orders for gas fires and appliances. In the 1930s a second showroom opened at 91-95 High Street and eventually replaced the one at Beach House.
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The aerial photograph dates from about the 1920s and shows the two gas storage cylinders and Beach House with a long walled garden running all the way down Beach Street to the corner of the present car park. Some of the original flint wall remains.
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You can download the full history of Beach House written by Sue Austen by clicking the button below
FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS
Beach Creative CIC would like to thank all of the organisation's we work in partnership with :
Barclays
University for the Creative Arts
Take Off (mental health peer support services)
Red Zebra (social prescribing)
Forward Trust (counselling group for Recovering Alcoholics and Drug dependants)
Rising Sun (supporting abused women and children)
Community Liaison Group support.
Herne Bay Historical Records Society
Herne Bay and Wimereux Twinning Association
Royal National Institute for the Blind
The Hygiene Bank (free menstrual/hygiene products for young people within schools)
Stand-up-4-Sitting Down (providing seating for passers-by).
Thank you to our funders & supporters