Artists, musicians and bakers are among those helping to mark two anniversaries relating to Berwick’s maritime heritage over two October weekends.
They are the 200th anniversary of Berwick Lighthouse, under the heading Lighthouse 200, and the 150th anniversary of the Port of Berwick.
The Maltings arts centre and Berwick Harbour Commission joined with other local organisations and community partners to draw up a commemorative programme of public events.
North East sound artist Ed Carter was commissioned to create In The Lighthouse, a sound and light installation inspired by the human stories behind the distinctive structure.
In particular it will remember Robina Burgon who, in the 1920s, twice stepped up when her father Alexander fell ill, thus becoming the first female lighthouse keeper in Berwick and possibly the country.
Robina’s words, taken from historic interviews, will be recorded in light at Ness Gate, overlooking Pier Road and the lighthouse itself.
You can experience the work from 6.30pm to 9pm on October 10 and 11, although the pier will be closed for safety reasons.
But before that there will be cake… inspired by another moment from Berwick’s colourful history.
In 1907, baker John Jacob Simmen made a massive fruit cake in the shape of Berwick Lighthouse, slices of which were sold at his café in town.
Now local baker Jim Ford, of Ford’s Bakers, will emulate him with a new celebratory lighthouse cake which is to be shared with people as part of the Lighthouse 200 celebrations on October 10, coinciding with Berwick Literary Festival (October 5 to 11).
To see it cut by descendants of Robina Burgon, you will have to be outside Berwick Town Hall, Marygate, at 12 noon. There will be live music.
Then on October 17, from 11am, Beadnell-based artist Claire Eason, of Soul2Sand, will be joined by her team to create a large Lighthouse 200-inspired sand drawing on Spittal Point beach.
Claire led a similar enterprise earlier this year, portraying artist LS Lowry on the sand before the incoming tide erased the image.
Members of the public will be able take part from 2pm by creating their own star constellations on the sand via free sessions bookable via The Maltings website.
The day’s celebrations will culminate in an outdoor concert at 4pm at the Lowry Pavilion featuring the premiere of a newly commissioned piece inspired by Berwick Lighthouse.
Berwick Ensembles, umbrella term for various local musical groups, will premiere the piece by Adam Taylor, award-winning composer and conductor of the Rainford Band, from the North West.
To be revealed in due course is another Claire Eason artwork, a drone-created ‘drawing in the sky’ recalling the Audela, the last ship to be built in Berwick and the last to leave the port for the Caribbean while the lighthouse was still in operation.
A final word from David Barrett, chair of Berwick Harbour Commissioners: “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.”