‘Life on the Edge‘ is the first of two project in Borth looking at how the village’s history and identity are shaped by the sea. Our second project ‘Stories of Storms’ builds on the work undertaken as part of this project.
Through pictures artefacts and memories we explore how Borth is not just a village ‘beside the sea’ but also a place that it deeply connected to it: the sea has made Borth what it is today as much as the village has influenced and shaped its coastline.
The images and objects in this exhibition show that life ‘on the edge’ means not only responding to the hazards presented by tides, waves and winds, but also finding joy and inspiration in the natural world, whatever the risks that it brings.
‘Life on the Edge’ invited local people to contribute stories, images, texts or objects that illustrate the village’s long and rich history of living alongside the sea. These materials were used to create a exhibition in the village and have also been curated to form a community heritage repository on this website.
Most of the exhibits have been provided by Borth residents and demonstrate the deep-rooted connections between them, their village and the coastline. Some of the exhibited photographs and objects are everyday or ordinary, whereas others are more dramatic. Together, they tell a story of lives lived ‘on the edge’: of a place between land and sea that creates challenges for local residents is also a source of joy and inspiration.
Explore the three themes of the exhibition via links below
Acknowledgements for the Project
‘Life on the Edge’ was produced by Alex Arnall, Kim Williams and Paul Seager. It was based on a research project led by Alex Arnall entitled: ‘Exploring the histories of people’s relationships with the sea in Borth’.
We are very grateful to the people of Borth who gave their time to speak to us and who contributed photographs and objects to the exhibition. We would especially like to thank Hugh Hughes and the Borth Community Council. Special mentions also go to Borth Station Museum and Borth Arts. Contemporary photographs were provided by Alex Arnall, Kim Williams, Paul Seager and Rona Dalton.
In Reading, Stéphanie Mitchell and Sascha Valme provided advice and support throughout the project. Many thanks also to Domonique Davies for research management support.
The project was funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Accelerator Grant administered by the University of Reading.
