A Beacon for Brixham - 'Battle's Over' Commemoration at Shoalstone Pool

A Beacon of Culture and Light for Brixham

Brixham Arts & Theatre Society continue their role as arts mentors and creative supporters in Brixham and the surrounding area with the commissioning of a new Beacon for Brixham.

BATS Director, Cecilia Kean, explains, “We realised that the old beacon firebasket on Berry Head had been removed some years ago, following a lightning strike, and thought that the town needed a new one.  Rather than just having a bog standard basket on a pole, we decided it would be better to commission a far more creative, sculptural work to fit several locations.

We have commissioned a new basket and special stand from award-winning Master Blacksmith, Joff Hooper, of Metal Pig Forge at Dartington. The design of the basket is that of a thistle, with additional petal shapes that fix to the top of the spokes, creating a ring of fire at a higher level. It is also reflective of the cuckoo pint and thistles in the wild flowers around Brixham.”

The aim was to have the beacon ready for Sunday 11th November so that Berry Head could be included in the ‘Battle’s Over’ commemoration of the 100 years since the ending of WW1.  However, this proved impossible, with the new rules on protecting the Horseshoe Bats on the headland and the permissions needed from national bodies.

An alternative venue has been found at Shoalstone Pool, where the beacon will be visible across the bay.

The commemorations will start from 6.30 pm, on Sunday 11 November 2018, with readings of war poems, a bugler playing the Last Post, the lighting of the new beacon and ringing of church bells across Brixham, followed by music from local performers.

The event is part of a chain throughout the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations overseas, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Germany, to name but a few.

Members of the public are advised to arrive at Shoalstone around 6.30 pm and to wear warm clothes and bring torches.  The paying car park will be open to raise funds for Shoalstone Pool.