After capturing the hearts and imagination of thousands of people across Plymouth and beyond throughout the summer, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth spectacular Guiding Lights art trail reached its thrilling auction finale on Thursday night at the University of Plymouth.
Supporters turned out in force as the lighthouses went under the hammer to find their forever homes, generating £200,000 for the charity’s vital work. That’s the equivalent of providing compassionate end of life hospice care at home for more than 200 patients and their families.
For ten weeks, Guiding Lights transformed the city’s streets into a giant outdoor gallery, with 40 beautiful 2.4m-tall lighthouse sculptures, individually designed and decorated by local and national artists. They quickly became landmarks of creativity, conversation and community spirit, each one sponsored by a local business or organisation.
Ten additional mini 1m-tall lighthouses formed a roaming exhibition that toured outside the city in areas where St Luke’s Hospice deliver their care, including Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Tavistock, Dartmoor and Cremyll.
The trail inspired people to discover new places, support local businesses and learn more about hospice care and the support St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provide at the toughest of times for people, mostly in their own homes and also at their specialist unit at Turnchapel.
The auction brought the art trail’s journey to an emotional close, with the lighthouses waiting in the wings at the University’s Rolle Marquee as bidders, sponsors, guests, artists, volunteers, nurses, fundraisers, support staff, trustees and directors gathered.
Auctioneer Anthony Eldred conducted a lively sale, drawing flurries of raised paddles and competitive bidding from across the room and from online buyers as each sculpture was wheeled to centre stage.
The highest bid of the night secured £8,600 for Brian Pollard’s The Tower, while Buildings on the Barbican by Ebony Underwood attracted £5,200, the top bid for a mini lighthouse. Prices achieved overall ranged from £2,000 upwards and all lots were sold.
Sisters Kim Hill and Nicola Oliver bought five lighthouses between them, inspired by their personal experience of St Luke’s and how much they enjoyed the Guiding Lights trail.
Kim’s husband Brian was looked after at home by the St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth nursing teams before he died in June this year. Her, and Nicola’s, mother was cared for at their specialist unit in 2024.
By chance, Kim sat on the front row at the sale, next to a delighted Kim Downer from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, sponsors of the first lighthouse she bought – Light of Plymouth. Designed and painted by twin sister illustrators Rachael and Philippa Corcutt, the sculpture spent the summer outside the historic Duke of Cornwall Hotel and will now take pride of place in Kim’s garden at Woolwell.
“I wanted ones that were connected to Plymouth,” said Kim. “My husband was Scottish, but he loved the city. He was in the Royal Navy and lived here since 1977 or 78. We were together 46 years. He would approve of me buying the lighthouses, I’m sure.”
Her other successful bids were for the city and ocean-themed Mega Murals by Mrs Murals, bought for her daughter, and the taste-tempting Devon Delights by University of Plymouth graduate Dafyd Roberts, which will be travelling up to her son’s house in Worcester to remind him of his home city.
Nicola’s son Harry, who is disabled, loved the Guiding Lights trail so much that he visited every single lighthouse several times, going on two or three expeditions a week over the summer and was very keen to have one to keep. Nicola placed winning bids on the dog-filled Walkies! by Pip Cook, which will now grace her front garden at Elburton, and Just Keep Swimming by Rosalind Harrison, which has a new home in her back garden by her swimming pool.
“The trail has been lovely,” said Nicola. “And the fact that they were lighthouses was such a good connection for Plymouth.”
London artists Mandii Pope and Freyja Howlett, whose Snakes and Ladders-style construction-themed Classic Games lighthouse had been pre-sold, boosted the night’s proceeds by almost £1,000 with a last-minute lot of two exclusive board games based on their design. The evening’s final total included donations from co-producers Wild in Art and Lord Mayor of Plymouth Kevin Sproston.
The auction followed a hugely successful Farewell Weekend at Market Hall, Devonport, which ended on 27 September. The three-day exhibition gave visitors one final opportunity to see all 92 Guiding Lights sculptures, including 42 created by schools to keep, together under one roof for the last time.
The trail also had a wider impact on footfall and tourism. Kim Downer from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said the city was already missing the colour and fun the trail brought to the streets for local people and visitors to enjoy.
St Luke’s Head of Fundraising Penny Hannah quoted one business owner who said he was 80 per cent up on takings over the summer because of Guiding Lights.
Penny told the auction audience: “The whole Guiding Lights project has been absolutely magical and it was possible thanks to the support of our presenting partners Morgan Sindall, co-producers Wild in Art, our sponsors, our artists, our army of incredible volunteers, PL1 Events, Eldred’s, the University, and the incredible St Luke’s team who have all gone above and beyond to make it a resounding success.
“A massive, heartfelt thank you to them all, as well as to the people of Plymouth and beyond who embraced the trail from the moment the first lighthouse appeared on the streets of the city in July.
We are so grateful to everyone who visited the trail, collected sculptures on the app, attended events, volunteered, sponsored a lighthouse, created artwork, bid at the auction or simply shared in the excitement.
Together, you have helped Guiding Lights leave a lasting legacy.
