New installation puts Berwick’s community crown jewels on display
An interactive installation inspired by the town’s tradition of community crownings will invite visitors to perform their own coronation while celebrating the people who make Berwick what it is today
Visitors to Berwick-upon-Tweed will be invited to crown themselves king or queen for the day this summer as part of a new interactive artwork celebrating the town’s people, heritage and enduring sense of identity.
Taking place from July 11-16, Our Wic will transform The Straw Yard into an elaborate throne room where members of the public can don a specially created crown, declare their own territory and be officially photographed as Berwick royalty.
Created by artist Lucy Wright and produced by contemporary arts agency Arts&Heritage, the project takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon word for “dwelling” and draws inspiration from the North’s long tradition of crowning kings and queens of industry.
It also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Tweed Salmon Queen celebrations, which were first established to celebrate the town’s salmon fishing heritage.
“I’ve always had an interest in the northern British tradition of crowning kings and queens of industry, like the Tweedmouth Salmon Queen, which has a long history in the town,” said Lucy.
“For me, these ‘community crownings’ are examples of how we celebrate each other and claim our own heroes and heroines in the places where we live.”
Alongside the interactive installation, Holy Trinity Church will host an exhibition celebrating six Berwick residents nominated by the community as the town’s everyday royalty. Each has been photographed wearing a bespoke crown created by local artists.
Those featured include Simpsons Malt’s Eva Simpson, long-serving Free Trade Inn employee Brenda Collins, Green Shop founder Roz Haddrill, Pith Papers founder Lyndsey Morris, Berwick Infirmary’s Annaluisa Wood and John Skelly from W.R. Skelly & Son, believed to be the town’s longest-running family business.
Other everyday royalty of the town will be featured in a special publication and on the official Our Wic instagram page.
Andrea Oliver, Create Berwick manager, said the project highlights the town’s growing reputation as a cultural destination.
“Our Wic is the second of three annual art commissions funded by Create Berwick that demonstrates why our small border town is one of the most distinctive cultural destinations in the country,” she said.
The free exhibition (booking required) and installation will be open daily from 11am-6pm, with tickets available from June 5.