Author: Andy Finnegan

Art trail.

/ Andy Finnegan / 8 Comments

From July 2024 you can explore Southampton and Cowes to discover 40- 8ft lighthouses, and 40 mini lighthouses on the Light the South art trail. On the hottest day of the year yesterday, I discovered a few. I hope to find some more in the coming weeks.

Shine on. Paintshop collaborated with Southampton Football Club. A twist to traditional horizontal red and white bars often found on Lighthouses and the iconic red stripes of the Saints football shirts, distorting these in the style of ‘dazzle camouflage’ frequently used on ships by the Navy during WW1 & 2.

Unlike any other holiday! The sponsor of this sculpture is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines hosted a competition for people to design their lighthouse. The winning design was created by Theresa Hartnell and brought to life by Martin Davey and Julien Masson. Interestingly this lighthouse is on one of Southampton’s Titanic memorials.

Shine Bright & Light The Way.  It is sponsored by Princess Cruises – The design combines a tapestry of abstracted maritime-inspired graphic forms with a positive message of optimism about light. The wording connects to the theme of what a lighthouse provides whilst also delivering a more metaphorical message of hope/ optimism to people, encouraging strength in individuality.

Beautiful Oceans is sponsored by DP World – a multinational logistics company. This lighthouse celebrates the beauty hidden in our oceans, this design shows two spiny seahorses entwined. They represent the fragile and protected species that are found here in the English Channel.

The a-maize-ing house. Is a fun design inspired by local produce that Hampshire has to offer. The varied growing conditions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, ranging from the coast to the countryside, river valley to downland, heath to forest, yield an abundance of local produce.this lighthouse is sponsored by Pickwell Farm .

The Future is in Your Hands is sponsored by ABJ Minimix + Concrete2You + PicsUK It is a vibrant call to action, driven by a deep commitment to environmental education. The artwork unfolds as a kaleidoscope of colour, symbolising the energy needed for positive change the artwork prompts viewers to reflect on their role in shaping a sustainable future and engaging in meaningful conversation.

 Love & Stability – Husband and wife duo Reilly Creative’s design has taken inspiration from Southampton’s flag, The lighthouse depicts an anchor and a Tudor rose. They have taken these elements and with a nod to the beautiful windows that can be found in Saint Marys Church, have turned them into a stained-glass effect design.

Chip Chip Hooray. The design is sponcered by Southampton Hospital Charities and inspired by the humble fish finger. This teatime treat was tested in Southampton in the 1950’s by Clarence Birdseye. They proved so popular that on the 26th of September 1955 the Fish Finger was officially launched by Birdseye. Hannah Jayne Lewin’s design shows a delicious fish and chip cone wrapped in newspaper and topped with ketchup.

Solent Ships, is a celebration of ships that can be seen in the Solent, and some things that lurk in the darkness of the sea. Solent Ships is sponsored by our Presenting Partner Red Funnel who run the ferries to the Isle of Wight.

All details about the sculptures are taken from the arttrail website. https://lightthesouth.co.uk/art-trail/

2 Spitfires Today.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

Seeing and hearing a distant Spitfire over the Solent I decided to call into Solent Airport on my way home today. There were two Spitfires on the ground.

Piotr Kuryłłowicz, 1919 -2024.

The name on the side on BS410 got me googling.

Piotr Kuryłłowicz died on March 13, 2024, at the age of 104 the last known veteran of the 315th Fighter Squadron “Dębliński” from a Polish Siberian family, Piotr Kuryłłowicz, like many pilots at that time, began his aviation career with training at the Military Gliding Camp in Ustianowa. Shortly after that, he joined the Aviation Cadet School in Dęblin. As a graduate of the famous accelerated XIII officer promotion course, he was evacuated on September 18, 1939, to Romania, from there he got to France, and then on to Great Britain.

While in Great Britain as a Flying Officer with service number 780962, he underwent training at 55 Operational Training Unit at RAF Aston Down. He fought in the 317th Fighter Squadron “Wileński” and the 315th “Dębliński”. It was while serving in this unit that, on Tuesday, May 13, 1943, he took off from RAF Northolt and was shot down over France, by either a Focke Wulf or ME 109.Kuryłłowicz – parachuting near Occoches, he was captured and sent to the German POW camp – Stalag Luft III in Żagań.

Favourite spot.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

At the Little Bridge at Titchfield Harbour where the River Meon reaches the sea, there is a favourite spot under the bushes where a Grey Heron likes to fish. Often people miss him! If you wait for a while he may come out into full view.