Litany for the Border is a new light and sound commission by artists Gareth Hudson and Toby Thirling, with music by composer Eleanor Cully Boehringer. For two weeks in February 2026, choreographed beams of light will shine into the sky and a brand-new piece of music created especially for Berwick will resound across the River Tweed in the depths of winter from three iconic sites around the town: the Berwick Barracks, Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre, and Berwick Infirmary.
Rooted in the many voices of the Tweed Estuary, in oral history, field recordings, contemporary conversation and, most importantly, in expression through song, the project explores the past, present, and future of the people who live along the River Tweed, focusing on their ideas of spirituality and what gives their lives meaning.
The sound element of the installation is formed from three choral motets which draw on conversations and workshops with members of the public, as well as research into local sacred music histories. Additionally, artworks and sounds from a role-play workshop led by guest artist Adam James, encouraging residents to imagine the Tweed’s distant future, contributed to the composition of the third motet. The music was sung by local choirs, including a new Berwick Shines ‘community choir’ formed especially for the project.
The music will be available to listen to online at a distance whilst observing the light show, as well as at each of the sites. The light show is not ticketed and can be experienced from many vantage points around Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
For more information, guided walks around the lights and themed workshops, head to Maltings at Hide Hill, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1AB in February 2026.
Litany for the Border was commissioned by Berwick Shines, the cultural engagement programme for The Living Barracks, produced by The (Maltings) Berwick Trust.
Light up Berwick!
Gareth Hudson is an Artist, Filmmaker and video installation artist from County Durham, based in Newcastle. He Lectures in Fine Art, Photography and Film Making and has exhibited work in over 60 shows and festivals across 25 countries.
Toby Thirling is a sound recordist and sound artist from County Durham based on the South Coast; he works with award winning creatives alongside global brands, channels and production companies. They have collaborated for a decade, using cultural immersion and co-creational practices, to create installations that speak to the contemporary sublime, spiritual or transcendent experience, exploring the liminal spaces where one can encounter the numinous.
Eleanor Cully Boehringer is an artist and award-winning composer with a diverse artistic practice encompassing composition, performance, sound art, curation and installation. She has composed for ensembles across the UK including BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, An Assembly and Musarc experimental choir. Eleanor studied Musical Performance at Brunel University, London and holds a Master’s degree in Composition from the University of Huddersfield. Originally from Norwich, she currently resides in Newcastle upon Tyne where she composes, teaches and collaborates with artists and community groups. Eleanor composes music drawing from poetic text, fragments of song, imitation and imagined sound.