Mar 2023
A unique, solar-powered artwork is lighting up Weston-super-Mare train station and welcoming visitors to the town with its nature and seaside-themed design.
‘The Lighthouse Garden’ artwork created by artist Andy Jacobs, in collaboration with Weston’s ‘Grow Feral’ initiative, is a horticultural planter and seating structure inspired by the colours of Weston’s coastal landscape and landmarks such as Flat Holm Island’s lighthouse.
Featuring a solar-powered lighting system that shines at night, the new structure was installed at the station to create a warm welcome to the town during the recent GLOW Light Festival and is now a permanent focal point on the station forecourt.
Visitors and residents in Weston can sit and enjoy nature all year round, as planters filled with seasonal plants and herbs will be tended through the seasons by local horticultural group Grow Feral.
Lighthouse Garden has been made possible by grant funding from GWR’s Community Fund, and support from Severnside Community Rail Partnership.
Lead artist Sam Francis said: “‘Lighthouse Garden’ is a wonderful, welcoming space as people arrive in Weston. With its uplifting colours, solar-powered features and thoughtful design, it creates an area of vibrant greenery for everyone to stop and enjoy for a moment before carrying on with their journeys.”
Heather Cullimore of Severnside Community Rail Partnership said: “It is wonderful to see members of the local community create such an innovative feature for the station forecourt by combining art and horticulture. The solar lighting creates a warm welcome to Weston-super-Mare for those arriving after dark, a time when some people feel a little more vulnerable than during daylight hours.”
GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “The Community Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level.
“We’re delighted to support this initiative. The Lighthouse Garden is a wonderful piece of artwork which really does provide a wonderful welcome to visitors using the station. “The installation is part of a wayfinding trail from the station through the town centre, promoted through an Arts Trail flyer of highlighted experiences. The flyer can be picked up at the structure itself or is available as a digital version at cultureweston.org.uk.
