The new Chair of the organisation behind Morecambe’s popular Baylight Festival says the event will return ‘even more spectacular than before’ in 2027.
Morecambe Sparkle CIC announced in July that the popular 'Illuminations festival' will not happen in 2026 due to ‘’current financial and time constraints".
The 2025 festival, centred around Morecambe Promenade during the February half-term weekend, pulled almost 20,000 people and generated £1.3m for the local economy.
Now, the Board of Directors of Morecambe Sparkle has announced the appointment of Callum Henry as its new Chair.
Callum, who joined the Morecambe Sparkle board in 2022, succeeds Siân Johnson, who led the creation and launch of Baylight. Siân played a pivotal role in securing the festival’s initial funding through Lancashire County Council’s rigorous economic recovery grant process following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under her leadership, the board was formed with a vision to revive Morecambe’s iconic illuminations for the 21st century.
Since 2023, she has overseen three highly successful Baylight festivals each February. Siân will remain an active member of the board.
Speaking about his appointment, Callum Henry (pictured below) said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of Baylight.''
Image credit: Johnny Bean
''It’s a festival I’ve been passionate about since I began working on illumination projects at just 15.
‘’While many will be disappointed that Baylight won’t return next year, we’re using the next twelve months to develop an exciting community programme that will keep the sparkle alive until Baylight returns in 2027 — and I promise it will be even more spectacular than before. We’re committed to shining a light on everything that makes Morecambe so special.”
Callum Henry is an artist and graduate in Politics and Sociology from Lancaster University, currently studying fora Master’s in Cultural and Creative Management at the University of Manchester.
His background includes extensive community engagement experience through roles with YMCA Lancaster, Blackburn CVS, and Preston Volunteers.
Callum is widely recognised in Morecambe and Lancaster for his creative vision to reimagine the town’s illuminations through light art and community engagement. He previously received an Arts Council development grant to deliver Luminate — an innovative project that brought interactive light installations to local spaces.
Luminate launched at Morecambe’s Arndale Centre, where children collaborated with local artists to create illuminated, neon-style words inspired by the bay. These were later exhibited along the seafront in 2020.
Outgoing Chair Siân Johnson commented: “Congratulations to Callum on becoming the new Chair of Morecambe Sparkle CIC.
‘’He brings a wealth of experience in light art and community projects and has been instrumental in the success of our three Baylight festivals. I’m confident he’ll continue to build on the strong foundation we’ve created.”
Morecambe Sparkle CIC is now seeking new Board Members to support the development and fundraising for future Baylight festivals on Morecambe Promenade.
For more information, please contact: morecambesparkle@gmail.com
Read more: Morecambe Baylight festival taking a break but will return in 2027
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