As anyone who has taken the East Coast Main Line between the east of Scotland and England will know, one of the finest parts of the journey is when the train curves around the estuary of the River Tweed, giving an incredible view of the ancient and sometime-contested border town on the far bank. If they’re able to see through the permanent rain lashing the carriage windows, travellers in February might be able to see the view lit up by a major new installation from artists Gareth Hudson and Toby Thirling, while those on the banks can also hear musical accompaniment by composer Eleanor Cully Boehringer. The collaboration takes place with light and sound transmitted from Berwick Barracks (designed by the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor), Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre, and Berwick Infirmary. Litany For The Border celebrates the history, present and future of the river, along with the “spiritual” responses to it from people who live in the area. The audio element uses field recordings and three choral motets sung by local choirs, including one formed especially for the installation.
Composer Boehringer explained that her pieces “trace the borderlands of Berwick: the shifting intersections where sea, land, and sky meet. Each work… is shaped by listening to people, places, the Tweed, and the histories that surface when following a voice or a current. Beginning with ancient plainchant woven into a slowed quick march, the music moves through a landscape shaped by words from local residents and settles into a lull of many voices conjuring an imagined soundscape. There have been an incredible number of local singers who have taken part in rehearsals, and the recording sessions have been a real highlight. I’m grateful to everyone involved, it’s been a pleasure to compose for Gareth and Toby’s installation.” Hudson praised the local contribution to the work, saying that “the talent in this region has allowed us to match our creative endeavours with modes of working that would be near impossible if read as ideas on paper and it’s been incredibly moving to hear the results. The co-creation process has been so rewarding.”
Litany For The Border runs until 22 February 2026 and you can find out more here. The project was commissioned by Berwick Shines, the cultural engagement programme for The Living Barracks, produced by The (Maltings) Berwick Trust.
