Berwick Lighthouse 200 brought to life through community creativity

The Maltings and Berwick Harbour Commission is bringing together artists, musicians, bakers and the wider Berwick community for a programme of creative events celebrating 200 years of Berwick Lighthouse and 150 years of the Port of Berwick.

On 10 October 2026, Berwick Lighthouse will mark 200 years since it was first lit, with the celebrations also recognising the 150th anniversary of Berwick Port. The Maltings is working with the Berwick Harbour Commission and a range of local creative and community partners to mark the occasion through music, art, storytelling, light and opportunities for people to take part.

The programme reflects the many ways that Berwick’s lighthouse continues to inspire the town – from its maritime history and the people connected to it, to its distinctive architecture, light, landscape and sense of place.

A lighthouse brought to life through light and sound

A major highlight of the celebrations will be In The Lighthouse, a new sound and light installation by North East artist Ed Carter, created to explore the human stories behind the lighthouse.

The work takes inspiration from the selfless human endeavour involved in the work of a lighthouse keeper, focusing particularly on the remarkable story of Robina Burgon, Berwick’s first female lighthouse keeper – and possibly the first in the country.

Robina took on the role in 1927, and again in 1929 when her father, Alexander Burgon, fell ill. Historic interviews with Robina have provided the inspiration for Carter’s work, offering a unique personal perspective on her experience of life in the Lighthouse.

The installation combines light and sound, with Robina’s words appearing in light at Ness Gate, overlooking Pier Road and the Lighthouse. Audiences can experience the work on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October, 6:30 – 9pm.

Please note that the Pier will be closed during the installation for health and safety reasons.

A 400lb Lighthouse made of cake

The celebrations will also bring a curious piece of Berwick history back to life.

In 1907, local chocolatier and baker John Jacob Simmen created a 400lb fruit cake in the shape of Berwick Lighthouse, with slices sold to customers from his Café Royal on Berwick High Street.

More than a century later, local baker Jim Ford of Ford’s Bakers will recreate the tradition with a new celebratory Lighthouse cake, which will be shared with the community as part of the Lighthouse 200 celebrations on Saturday 10 October.

The cake will coincide with the Berwick Literary Festival family programme and Babblin’ Animal Raps by Christian Foley, with music from May Thompson’s mini-band, bringing together food, literature, music and local history in celebration of the landmark.

Remembering the Audela

The Lighthouse’s story is inseparable from Berwick’s relationship with the sea and the ships that have been built and sailed from the town.

The Audela was the last ship to be built in Berwick, making her an important part of the town’s maritime heritage. She was also the last cruise boat to leave Berwick for the Caribbean while the Lighthouse was still in operation.

Artist Claire Eason of Soul2Sand is bringing the story of the Audela back to life with a light drawing in the sky created by drone beside the Lighthouse, celebrating the ships, journeys and people connected to Berwick’s harbour – and the Lighthouse that stood watch over them.

From the Lighthouse to the shore

Soul2Sand will also take Lighthouse 200 to Spittal Point Beach, creating a large-scale Lighthouse 200 sand drawing.

Made by hand and eventually reclaimed by the sea, the temporary artwork celebrates the Lighthouse’s connection with Berwick’s shoreline. Members of the public will also be invited to take part by creating their own star constellations through bookable sessions.

The sand artwork will be created on Saturday 17 October from 11am, with public participation taking place later in the day from 2pm.

Music inspired by the Lighthouse

The celebrations will culminate in a special outdoor musical performance at the Lowry Pavilion on Saturday 17 October.

Berwick Ensembles will premiere a newly commissioned piece inspired by Berwick Lighthouse, performed by a variety of local musical groups including Berwick Schools Concert Band, Berwick Music School, Berwick Brass Quintet, Berwick Concert Band and a children’s chorus.

The performance will take place at 4pm, with the Lighthouse visible from the concert location, bringing together local musicians of different ages to celebrate one of Berwick’s most recognisable landmarks.

The specially commissioned work offers a musical response to the Lighthouse and its place within the town and surrounding landscape.

A celebration shaped by Berwick

The programme has been developed through collaboration between The Maltings, artists, musicians, the Berwick Harbour Commission and local organisations and community partners.

David Barrett, Chair, Berwick Harbour Commissioners, said; “The lighthouse is something that belongs to the whole town, so we wanted the 200th anniversary to feel like a genuinely shared celebration. The Maltings work with local musicians, artists, bakers and community groups allows us to look at this familiar landmark in completely new ways.”

From light and sound to literature, cake, maritime history, large-scale sand art and live music, Lighthouse 200 invites audiences to experience Berwick Lighthouse not simply as a historic building, but as a source of creativity, inspiration and shared stories.

The celebrations offer a chance for the community to come together around one of Berwick’s most recognisable landmarks – celebrating its history while creating new memories and creative responses for the next generation.

Key programme highlights

Saturday 10 October

• 12–2pm: Lighthouse 200 cake by Jim Ford of Ford’s Bakers, alongside the Berwick Literary Festival family event Babblin’ Animal Raps by Christian Foley, with music from May Thompson’s mini-band.
• 6:30 – 9pm: In The Lighthouse, a new sound and light installation by Ed Carter, at Ness Gate, Pier Road and the Lighthouse.

Sunday 11 October

• 6:30 – 9pm: In The Lighthouse by Ed Carter continues at Ness Gate, Pier Road and the Lighthouse.

Saturday 17 October

• From 11am: Soul2Sand Lighthouse 200 sand art at Spittal Beach, with opportunities for the public to create star constellations from 2pm.
• 4pm: Lighthouse 200 Celebration Concert, featuring a specially commissioned piece by Berwick Ensembles, performed by Berwick Schools Concert Band, Berwick Music School, Berwick Brass Quintet, Berwick Concert Band and a children’s chorus, at the Lowry Pavilion.

Sept 26.