Wet Leg singer backs Isle of Wight's Town of Culture bid

Sandown is one of 15 finalists, selected from nearly 400 entries across the country, and the only representative from the south coast and Southeast of England.

Rhian Teasdale, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist with indie band Wet Leg, has backed the bid.

She said: "Growing up in Sandown, I don’t think I fully appreciated how much the town would shape me as an artist.

Grammy-winners Rhian and Wet Leg (Image: Alice Backham)

"Looking back now, I can see it for the wonderfully unique place it is, full of character, creativity and potential.

"There are so many talented, creative and ambitious young people in Sandown, and they deserve the opportunity to explore those talents close to home."

The winning town will receive £3 million to host a cultural programme in 2028, with two runners-up each receiving £250,000.

A Tide Turners group in front of Sandown’s derelict Ocean Hotel. (Image: Contributed)

A view of Sandown, the only Town of Culture finalist from the south coast of England. (Image: Contributed)

Sandown’s bid calls on residents to become 'Tide Turners' and help drive regeneration through culture after years of decline.

The team behind the bid has coined the word 'shunderful' — a play on 'shabby' and 'wonderful'.

Their vision includes a six-month programme of arts and science events, culminating in the Tide Turner Festival, which would trace Sandown’s story from dinosaurs to the present day.

Dinosaurs are a big part of Sandown's 100 million-year story (Image: Dinosaur Isle)

Hands-on science for all ages features strongly in the Sandown bid (Image: Contributed)

Talks are also underway with marine artist Jason deCaires Taylor about installing a bioreceptive sculpture on Sandown’s shoreline.

Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson said: "It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity to showcase Sandown and bring together all the wonderful work that is already going on."

'Sandown Sirens', an intertidal marine sculpture concept by Jason de Caires Taylor (Image: Jason deCaires Taylor)

Sharon George of Shademakers UK, the Sandown bid's creative director (Image: Contributed)

Sharon George, creative director of Shademakers UK, has joined the team as creative director.

She said: "The sense of wonder I felt when I first moved to Sandown at the age of 12 has never left me, and I’m delighted to have this chance to celebrate what we already have and shape the next chapter of the town I love."

Island creative agency NOSY is on board to manage the bid’s social media presence and website design.

The team is launching a new website at tideturners.co.uk.