PLANS are afoot for a new festival this summer.

Big Ideas by the Sea is a new environmental and creative festival that organisers say will bring some of the best speakers and performers from across the UK to talk about the big issues related to the environment, climate change, music and history.

It is hoped that the Scarborough festival, which is due to take place in July, will become an annual event, and organisers have the intention of it becoming the leading environmental and creative festival in the North of England.

One of the organising team, Kane Cunningham, said: "We want to connect to people, to explore the idea of the sea as being a passage of ideas globally, a conduit for the exchange of culture, ideas, food, books, language, politics, beliefs and trade.

"An entry point and exit point for people leaving and arriving from all over the world."

Fellow organiser, archaeologist John Oxley added: “We are also planning a community archaeological dig in the Old Town of Scarborough.

"Our intention is to open up to 20 small trenches and to look for artefacts and objects which tell us more about the history of Scarborough. This ‘Time-Team’ style dig over the weekend will take the festival to communities that would not normally take part in such an event.

"And of course, we have Professor Carenza Lewis of TimeTeam taking part in the festival.”

The festival has already attracted some top speakers to include mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE, Professor Joann Fletcher, photographer Joe Cornish and adventurer and TV presenter Paul Rose who will offer a virtual contribution from his home in Switzerland.

The 2021 festival is funded by the Yorkshire Coast BID, TransPennine Express, Big Lottery Fund Awards for All and Anglo American. It will take place from July 16 to 24.

For more information, visit bigideasbythesea.com/festival/index.php/events