Seafront tiles are Exmouth's new landmark

EXMOUTH SEAFRONT gained a new landmark this week, courtesy of Exmouth Ceramic Group.

Each year the group hosts the Clay in the Park event during Exmouth Festival week, inviting local youngsters (and young-at-heart grownups) to 'Come and Play with Clay'.

Back in 2008, Clay in the Park offered residents and visitors the chance to decorate a tile with an image of what Exmouth meant to them. The results were 68 amazing pieces of unique artwork which were then taken back to the ECG studio for firing.

As well as such traditional seaside images as boats, fish, shells and ice creams, the tiles feature activities including walking, kitesurfing, fishing and beach volleyball. There are also some more fanciful themes such as sharks attacking windsurfers – fortunately a rare event hereabouts!

The ceramic group were so impressed by the standard of the tiles that they asked the Town Council whether they could offer a permanent site for their display. Eventually it was decided that the bays along the Foxholes end of the sea wall would offer an ideal location, and this week volunteers from ECG installed the tiles in the bay next to the new Lifeboat Station.

The display immediately attracted the attention of walkers, a passing photographer and a visiting school group, all of whom agreed that it makes a most attractive feature – so do take a look next time you're out for a stroll along the seafront.

Were you at Clay in the Park in 2008? Did you or someone you know make a tile? Pop along and see if you can spot your work!

And to see more pictures, go to the Exmouth Ceramic Group gallery.