Over the past few weeks pupils have been working in teams to make large salmon lanterns made from willow and paper. Led by sculptural artist Martha Ellis, this creative and interactive activity allows children to explore a range of technical construction and artistic skills and foster teamwork and problem solving.
These willow sculptures are inspired by the history of lanterns and salmon fishing in Berwick-upon-Tweed, many of which can be found in the Berwick Archives. In 1604, Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council decided that everyone in the town should hang a lantern outside their homes between the hours of 6pm – 9pm, during winter months. This was an early form of street lighting, which helped people get home safely, and those who failed to hang a lantern were fined the grand total of 4 pence.
Back in the 21st century, these specially created lanterns will form part of this year’s Christmas Lights Switch on, which is organised by Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council, taking place on Friday 29 November at 4pm at the Town Hall (weather permitting). The lanterns will be carried by local school children as part of a procession led by members of the cast of The Adventures of Sinbad, this year’s Maltings pantomime, that runs from 7 – 31 December 2024.
But that’s not all, look out for the lanterns appearing around the town, in shops and community locations, including Morrisons, Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre, Berwick Library and Berwick Record Office, Berwick Infirmary and host of other venues throughout the month of December 2024. The participating schools and their lanterns will also join and appear at The Big Sing event on Wednesday 4 December at 6:30pm at St. Andrew’s Wallace Green Church.
Let’s make #BerwickShine
Get involved by taking a photo of the lanterns and let us know when and where you saw them at @berwickshines on Instagram and Facebook.
Berwick Shines
Berwick Shines is the Living Barracks Cultural Engagement programme delivered by The Maltings (Berwick) Trust and supported by the Cultural Development Fund, a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) fund administered by Arts Council England.