Walton's first 'Dolphin derby' is eco-friendly hit

The ‘Wacky Walton-on-the-Naze Beach Races’ took part last Sunday at Walton Pier.

The event was free with races and prizes for children and adults.

These included the mermaid melee, porpoise, seahorse and jellyfish races, as well as a four-person eight-legged octopus race.

Creative - Costumes ranged from crabs to sea horses(Image: Kevin Jay)

Artist Jane Stewart came up with the idea, and received funding from Tending Council to host the event as part of the ‘Extend the Season’ campaign.

Jane worked with Essex University to gather information on sea life, and every child at the event was given a fact sheet.

Jane, whose art focuses on environmental issues, said: “I am so pleased – it was a mental idea.

“It’s harkening back to the days of the donkey derby, a fun event at the end of the summer, and it’s a fun way of educating people about what is going underneath the waves.

“The sea is under threat - that’s the reason why we're doing it”.

Ready - Children competed in races on the beach(Image: Kevin Jay)

Jane hopes to repeat the event next year if funding is available.

She enjoyed people using as much recycled material as possible, including four girls who all wore old woven dinner tablemats.

There was music from Clacton Art Centre who played a sea-themed playlist, with businesses from the area giving out prizes.

Judges included artists as well as Clacton’s Dr Karen Dennis, known also as Karen Ketchup, who owns a sustainable clothing store.

Jellyfish - One boy dressed up as a jelly fish(Image: Kevin Jay)

“Also - you can always make something great out of a cardboard board.”