Gorleston beach joins rollcall of Danny Boyle’s Armistice Day project

Artist's impression of sand portrait. Pictures: supplied by Bolton and Quinn PR (Image: Archant)

Gorleston Beach will take part in the Pages of the Sea project, which will see a portrait of an individual from the First World War emerge from the sand, before being washed away.

The public is invited to gather at the beach on Sunday, November 11, to mark the centenary of Armistice.

Gorleston joins Brancaster beach in taking part.

The event has been commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK's arts programme for the First World War centenary.

Mr Boyle said: 'Pages of the Sea will be a unique moment, when we'll say goodbye, together, to the millions of men and women who left their shores during the First World War.

'Beaches are truly public spaces, where nobody rules other than the tide. They seem the perfect place to gather and say a final goodbye and thank you to those whose lives were taken or affected by the First World War.

'I'm inviting people to watch as the faces of the fallen are etched in the sand, and for communities to come together to remember the sacrifices that were made by so many that changed our society forever.'

In addition, the public will be asked to join in by creating silhouettes of people in the sand, remembering the millions of lives lost or changed forever by the conflict.

Poet Carol Ann Duffy will write a new sonnet, which will be read by individuals, families and communities on the beaches on November 11.

Mr Boyle previously visited Gorleston beach to shoot scenes for his upcoming Beatles-inspired film.

Some 6,000 extras descended on the beach to take part, with Emma Freud, wife of write Richard Curtis, saying it was the biggest film crowd every shot in Britain.

The as-yet-untitled film is due to be released next year and stars Eastenders' Himesh Patel and Downton Abbey actress Lily James.

For more information visit www.pagesofthesea.org.uk/beaches/