Our story

Turn the Tide is a registered Community Interest Company, run entirely by volunteers and not-for-profit. We promote care for our marine environment, seaside locations and waterways, while also championing wellbeing. At the heart of our work is the belief in a simple idea: healthy planet, healthy people.

Throughout the year we involve schools, youth groups and libraries in creative, environmentally themed activities. We also work with partner organisations and invite local businesses and community venues to host events with a marine, coastal, environmental or wellbeing focus.

Our first one-day festival took place on 2 June 2022 in Dawlish as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. We are now preparing for our fifth annual event on 23 May 2026.

Our Values for our annual festival:

• That it is free to all members of the public to attend.

• That it is fun.

• The day has an educational element for both children and adults.

• That it embraces both sustainable lifestyles and organisations and businesses which help promote environmentally attuned products and services.

• It is non-political.

• The event is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among all participants and eliminating discrimination.

About us:

Our first event would not have happened without the support of Dawlish Town Council and resources available through them. In order to run and safeguard future events, we formed Turn the Tide Teignbridge Community Interest Company (CIC). We are members of Community Action Groups Devon.

Meet the team:

Scott

Scott moved to the UK and settled in the South Hams with his parents as a child, and enjoyed watersports, geology, and catering. He did a Catering Management HND and worked in Hospitality before swapping his licensee as a Publican for Publishing. After creating magazines for kids, then editing a UK festivals scene website he took over the publication of Reconnect - the free Devon community magazine featuring nature, sustainability, arts, rewilding, energy, community and wellbeing. With his passionate interest in environmental activism, he became a volunteer Wildlife Warden with Action on Climate in Teignbridge. Scott helped organised the first Turn the Tide 2022. In June 2024, Scott was co-opted to be an independent councillor for Dawlish Town Council. Scott is also the founder of WADE (Waterways around the Dawlish Environment).

Peta
Peta is passionate about community, volunteering and participation, with wide experience in bringing people together and creating inclusive opportunities. As part of Turn the Tide, she helps strengthen local connections and encourages positive engagement with the environment and wellbeing.

Georgia

Georgia joined the Turn the Tide team in 2025. A communications and marketing specialist at the University of Exeter, she helps connect businesses with research and innovation while championing the role of storytelling in creating change. Her love of the environment began in Holcombe, where growing up by the sea shaped her connection to nature. That passion later took her to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, where she supported environmental initiatives and saw first-hand the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems. As a Dawlish Town Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Climate Declaration and Biodiversity Working Group, Georgia is excited to help Turn the Tide inspire and involve the community.

Rich

Rich provides safety, medical and security support for Turn the Tide, as well as assisting with project management at events. He is also a member of SWANS (Safety of Women at Night), reflecting his commitment to community wellbeing. 

Get in touch here - info@turnthetidefestival.uk 

Our Policies:

• Data Protection

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Safeguarding