Buckets and spades at the ready for sandcastle competition at Newark-on-Sea

Budding builders will need their buckets and spades at the ready for the Newark-on-Sea sandcastle competition.

The competition is one of many activities taking place on the urban beach on Newark's market place this summer, including craft sessions and discos.

Sandcastle builders can join between 10am and 3.45pm on Saturday, August 13.

The judging will be based on age, with four categories, including under fives, six to ten year olds and ten to 14 year olds, all judged on imagination and creativity.

Adults and over 15s will be judged on sandcastle building skill.

David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and co-chairman of Newark Towns Fund Board said: "When you thought you’d seen it all, we thought we’d bring the seaside to you. And what a great summer attraction it proving to be. It’s lovely to see so many enjoy the programme of activity on the beach and this sandcastle competition and craft session is a great edition.

"We are committed to ensuring that we encourage as many people into our local town centres as possible and events, such as this, are a brilliant way to help the local economy recover after the pandemic."

Prize winners in each category will be chosen at the end of the day and contacted by email if they leave prior to the prize-giving.

A Castle of the Day prize winner will also be chosen by the Mayor of Newark, Laurence Goff at 3.45pm.

Basic buckets and spades will be provided but competitors are welcome bring their own.

Entry is completely free and children must be supervised by an adult. Anyone with symptoms of covid-19 is asked not to attend.

During the day there will also be a pirate and mermaid headband craft session where little ones can come along and make their own headband to take home with them.

This will take place at the beach between 10am to 4pm.

The beach and the activities throughout the summer holidays are being delivered by Newark Town Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council as part of the Cultural Heart of Newark project, which is aimed at increasing footfall, dwell time and retail spend in the town centre.

This is one of nine projects outlined in Newark Town Funds Board’s successful £25 million bid to central Government under their Towns Fund initiative.