A lighthouse is more than a light. It is the people who kept it burning.
For Lighthouse 200, artist Ed Carter has been commissioned to create a new sound and light installation inspired by Berwick Lighthouse and the people who lived and worked alongside it.
At the heart of the work is the story of Robina Burgon, the first female lighthouse keeper in Berwick. Robina took over from her father, the previous lighthouse keeper, following illness. Her story offers a glimpse into the human experience behind the Lighthouse – the isolation, responsibility and extraordinary everyday lives of the people who kept the light burning.
Ed Carter’s installation invites us to look at the Lighthouse not simply as a piece of architecture, but as a place shaped by the people who cared for it and the lives lived around it. The installation can be seen from Ness Gate, along the pier to the Lighthouse, creating a moving visual connection between the town and the landmark that has watched over Berwick’s coastline for 200 years.
In the Lighthouse is part of Lighthouse 200, a programme celebrating 200 years of Berwick Lighthouse, its history and its continuing place in the life of the town.
Lighthouse 200 is a celebration of the people, stories and creativity inspired by Berwick Lighthouse over 200 years – and an invitation to experience this familiar landmark in a whole new light. Thanks to our supporters and funders including North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Northumberland County Council, Harbour Commission, Create Berwick and the Living Barracks Partnership.