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Not since Dismaland have we been so persuaded to visit Westonsuper-Mare – and even better, the new Weston Arts and Health Weekender is far easier to get into…
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ristolians have been visiting Weston-superMare since before the arrival of the railways. It’s always offered a great day out for kids and an uplifting break for their grown-ups, while retirees often chose to settle here, where they could see the sea. In 2015, Banksy’s Dismaland invited an international and younger crowd to look anew at the traditional kiss-me-quick kitsch through an arty lens. Most recently, North Somerset Council asked local people to think about how their town should be shaped in the 21st century; over 5000 residents have since shared their ‘Weston Wishes’. As house prices in Bristol continue to soar, Weston-super-Mare is fast becoming a primary destination and go-to resort.
9 Million Nobodies draws on real life experiences to explore loneliness, social isolation, and what it means to be human in a world of decreasing community
58 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
And now, just in case its bucket-and-spade, fish-and-chips delights were not enough to lure you down, we are all invited to the new Weston Arts and Health Weekender. So what’s it all about, then? We now know that simple things like daylight, fresh air and outdoor exercise can help us to stay fit and get well. Those who spend their weekdays indoors staring at screens need easy access to big skies at weekends. There is also scientific evidence that doing an engaging activity in good company can boost moods and support mental health. What the medical profession calls ‘social prescribing’ helps by making links between individuals in need and organisations that offer meaningful experiences in supported environments. Fortunately, Weston offers plenty of opportunities to busy our bodies and employ creativity, as well as wide horizons to help us empty our minds of stress. Hence this pioneering new three-day event, showcasing these links between place, the arts, and health. The festival marks two significant events; the joining of two hospital trusts to form
