This month, BBC Radio 3 presents Where the Light Sings, a 12-hour broadcasting marathon from lighthouses around the UK.
On 26 September, the station will host live programmes from six locations around the UK's coastline:
- Georgia Mann at Dungeness Lighthouse
- Tom Service on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula
- John Toal at the West Lighthouse on Rathlin Island
- Shân Cothi at Strumble Head
- Kate Molleson at St Aidan's Church in Bamburgh, looking out towards Longstone Lighthouse.
Throughout the day, Petroc Trelawny will also undertake on a solo journey by boat from Penzance to a mystery final destination, where he presents the closing programme as evening falls.
Where the Light Sings celebrates 'the poetry of Britain's shorelines and the enduring relationship between sea, land and song'. The day will feature a number of live performances from specials guests, including:
- Caritas Chamber Choir and accordionist Alise Silina (Dungeness)
- Singer and choral director Mary Ann Kennedy with guitarist Finlay Wells (Ardnamurchan)
- Cellist and composer Neil Martin and harpist Úna Monaghan (Rathlin)
- Folk singer Mari Mathias and harpist Claire Jones (Strumble Head)
- St Aidan’s Church bellringers and the Royal Northern Chamber Ensemble (Bamburgh)
The live broadcasts and on-board updates are interspersed with a specially curated soundtrack of music inspired by the sea, islands and lighthouses.
Sam Jackson, Controller BBC Radio 3, says:
'The response to last year’s Train Tracks - a day of live programmes celebrating 200 years of UK railways - and to our Breakfast broadcasts from locations across the country, has shown us how much our listeners enjoy opportunities to celebrate the people, places and stories that shape life across the UK. Where the Light Sings builds on that spirit, bringing audiences together through music, conversation, and moments of discovery, while exploring the history, heritage and natural beauty of some of the most inspiring and remote locations along our coastline.'
Where the Light Sings is broadcast on 26 September from 8am to 8pm BST.
