Saltash Pupils Decorate Lighthouse for St Luke’s Guiding Lights Trail

Pupils at a Saltash school have just finished decorating a lighthouse sculpture that will cross the Tamar this summer. Look closely at the design and you’ll find the name of a man the Town Council wanted to remember.

A tribute to a former caretaker

Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy completed its “Little Light” sculpture as part of the 2026 St Luke’s Hospice Guiding Lights Art Trail, with sponsorship from Saltash Town Council.

The Council chose to dedicate the sculpture to Grahame O’Donoghue, its former Casual Caretaker. Grahame’s name has been worked into the design itself, and his wife Marjorie was closely involved in the project.

Marjorie visited Brunel School to see the finished piece alongside the Town Clerk, former Mayor Cllr Rachel Bullock, current Mayor Cllr Brian Stoyel, representatives from the school and two of the pupils who took part. The visit happened before the lighthouse was sent on to its display spot at The Box in Plymouth.

A Saltash story painted on the side

The pupils worked with local artist Jo Beer to bring the design to life, and the finished lighthouse reads almost like a tour of the town.

The Celtic Cross is there. So are the two bridges, Mary Newman’s Cottage and Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself. The Cornish phrase ‘Degemer an Jydh’ runs across the piece too, translating as ‘Seize the Day’. It reflects the school’s motto and the sense of aspiration the school encourages among its pupils.

Why it’s happening

The Guiding Lights Art Trail raises money and awareness for St Luke’s Hospice, which provides end of life care for patients and families across the region. The lighthouse symbol stands for the direction, reassurance and support the hospice offers during difficult times.

Brunel’s sculpture forms part of the Little Lights schools trail, which runs alongside the main Guiding Lights Art Trail. The sculptures will be displayed indoors at The Box in Plymouth from 7th July until 13th September.

What they said

Cllr Rachel Bullock said: “It has been a privilege for Saltash Town Council to support Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy in taking part in the St Luke’s Guiding Lights Project. The finished lighthouse is a wonderful celebration of Saltash’s heritage, creativity and community spirit, and the pupils should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. What makes this project especially meaningful is that it has been sponsored in memory of Grahame O’Donoghue, whose contribution to the Town Council and the wider community is fondly remembered. Seeing his memory reflected so thoughtfully within the design makes this a truly special tribute.”

Darren Woolner, Headteacher at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of the St Luke’s Guiding Light Project and thank the Town Council for sponsoring our school. This inspiring initiative, which you can find more information about online, brings together schools, artists and the wider community to create a trail of beautifully designed lighthouse sculptures across the city of Plymouth.”