The Seaside Through Time: Spittal Beach, 1950s, 1960s, 2008 & 2021
Reference: BRO 426/874, BRO 426/871 | Suggested age groups: EYFS, KS1 | Topic areas: At the Seaside, Then and Now
SPITTAL BEACH
In the 1950s and early 1960s, most people went on holiday in this country and didn’t travel abroad. Seaside places like Spittal were a very popular place for people to go for a holiday or on a day trip.
The first photograph of Spittal beach was taken in the 1950s. It shows people sitting on the Beach; a roundabout; a lady selling ice-cream and some ponies.
The second photograph of Spittal beach was taken in the 1950s or 1960s. At this time there were ponies on the beach and most people sat on deck chairs.
The third photograph is of Spittal beach in 2008. It was taken after some stormy weather.
The fourth photograph is of Spittal beach in 2021.
QUESTION PROMPTS
What is different in these four photographs? Is there anything the same in any of the four photographs? What colour are each of the photographs? What types of animals can you see in the photographs?
Have you ever seen ponies on a beach? Have you ever been on a pony?What other types of animals would you expect to see on a beach? How many ponies are pulling carts? What types of activities can you see taking place on the beach? What do you sit on when you’re at the beach? Can you find the roundabout?Have you ever seen a roundabout on a beach?What is your favourite thing to play on at the playground? What are the people wearing on the beach in the 1950s and 1960s photographs?Are their clothes similar to what you would wear to go to the beach? Can you find the people sitting on deck chairs?Do the deck chairs look the same as deck chairs today? What is on the sand in the 2008 photograph? What do you think the ponies might be called?
KEY WORDS
📝 Roundabout – A slowly spinning ride with colourful seats made to look like objects such as animals and cars.
📝 Deck chair – A folding chair traditionally made of wood and fabric, used at the beach.
📝 Storm – Heavy rain, snow or sleet usually with strong winds.
📝 Compare – To find things that are the same and different.
READING SUGGESTIONS
📚 Noni the Pony Goes to the Beach by Alison Lester
📚 Seaside Poems by Jill Bennett
📚 Lucy and Tom at the Seaside by Shirley Hughes
📚 Sally and the Limpet by Simon James
📚 All You Need for a Beach by Alice Schertle
📚 Beach House by Deanna Caswell
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
🪨 Talk about taking care of the beach.
🪨 Talk about erosion.
⛈️ Listen to the sounds of storms on the beach.
⛈️ Make drums and shakers using recycled items.
⛈️ Use the drums, shakers and other items found in the classroom to make stormy music.
⛈️ Make stormy drawings using chalks and charcoal.
🐠 Talk about sea creatures, where they live and how to take care of them.
🐠 Visit an aquarium.
🐠 Make soap bubble prints and draw fish on them to look as though they are under the sea.
🖍️ Practice W shaped patterns of different sizes to draw seagulls.
