Salcombe due to light up to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI

Salcombe is going to light up this Saturday, as the Field Of Light art installation is switched on. 

World-renowned artist Bruce Munro has brought his stunning art installation Field of Light to Salcombe to help celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea.

Crewmembers Richard Clayton and Matt Davies 

20,000 fibre optic lights on stems will glow across 35,000 square meters of field opposite Salcombe, with the big switch on happening just after 6.30pm on Saturday, 5 October. 

Two long-standing members of the crew, Richard Clayton, and Matt Davies, spoke of their "pride" at being part of the team at such a momentous time in the RNLI's history. 

Richard, who has been part of Salcombe RNLI for 20 years, said: "The job is still the same as it was then, just the technology has got much better.

"At the beginning they were going out with a rowing boat and cork lifejackets, having towed the boat down with horses, and now we have this incredible machine. We are very lucky."

Matt said: "I think the Field of Light installation is going to be great for the charity and for the whole town as well. I hope the tourists and locals enjoy it for the next three months!" 

The installation will run from dusk until 10pm, daily, until 10 January. 

Philip Ward, chair of the fundraising committee, hit the ground running with the Field of Light project when he took over the role in July. 

He explained: "Bruce Munro had wanted to create this around 10 years ago but it never materialised; this time, we have been really lucky, especially with more than 300 volunteers coming together.

"The farmers have donated the use of the land, the surveys and consultations have been donated, Bruce Munro is donating his time, skill and crew, its been amazing. 

"South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, East Portlemouth Parish Council and Salcombe Town Council have all be really supportive as well. 

"This has all meant that the costs to the RNLI have been minimal and all the fundraising is going directly back to the RNLI to keep us doing what we're doing for the next two centuries."

Volunteers setting up the Field of Light installation 

Philip explained that the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI is to commemorate crew they have lost over the years, celebrate the RNLI and its crews today and inspiring the next generation of boat and shore crew. 

Salcombe is at the forefront of the future of the RNLI, with a young and enthusiastic crew and a high percentage of women serving the local community on both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats. 

Philip added: "Another bonus of the Field of Light installation is we hope it will extend the season for local businesses too. We have Salcombe Live Festival happening on the 4, 5 and 6 October too, so we hope it will be a real catalyst for making Salcombe a hub of arts and culture."

The public can view the light display free of charge from the waterfront in Salcombe, and can also sponsor a light stem for £20 and dedicate it to someone special in their life. All funds raised will go to the RNLI to help save lives at sea for the next 200 years.

Philip added that he has been able to read the dedications coming in from people, which has been "emotional". "People are donating in memory of their loved ones, but also for their grandchildren, and to the crew, both current and future. It's been really lovely to see." 

British artist Bruce Munro is best known for producing large immersive light-based installations, and Salcombe the town holds a special significance for him. Bruce spent his youth in Salcombe working in Dusters Restaurant and living in the community.

During that time, he got to know some of the volunteer lifeboat crew, listening to their stories of rescues around our coast. His passion for the RNLI and the volunteers that make its work possible never left him and this is his way of saying thank you to our crews for their work.

He said: "I am hopeful that in Salcombe, it will also inspire, creating wonderment but also drawing attention to the mysteriousness of the landscape and the darkness that surrounds it."

The Field of Light is a personal symbol for the wonders of nature and the magic of life. For more information about the installation, Bruce Munro and to sponsor a stem please visit salcombefieldoflight.com or visit www.instagram.com/salcombe_field_of_light.