Brighten your day

Forget your normal white-walled gallery setting… HOT reporter Erica Smith rates The Admiral Benbow in St Leonards as her Coastal Currents top tip.

When I went to visit Philip Oakley and Olivia Yip in the Admiral Benbow, they were busy sweeping up lightbulb boxes and making things ship-shape for their Coastal Currents open house for the next two weekends (15–16 and 22–23 September).

Even if you went last year, their lighting show deserves another visit. Philip guided me through the front door, which puts you in the limelight as you make your grand entrance. Above you is a giant “Hello” and a host of glitter balls. If you are lucky, you will be greeted by a life-size model of an ice-cream man… last year he was kidnapped and found abandoned on the beach, but he’ll be back outside the former pub this weekend, weighed down with bags of sand.

New attractions include a zoo of fairground animals, and, in a special workshop to the left of the main room, you can meet the UK’s number one Father Christmas getting ready for the December rush.

Some of the lighting is for sale, with a fairground light starter-kit for £39.00, going all the way up to £10,000+ for the bigger neon pieces.

Even if you aren’t interested in fairground lighting and Father Christmas, this is a great visit for the plain nosey. Philip and Olivia invite you to their first floor living room where some of Philip’s recent work is on show. One is a magnificent tribute to his mother – and mothers everywhere.

Make sure you don’t miss the secret bar hidden behind an oil painting. I’m not saying anymore – it’s up to you to discover the rest – if Joe and Jarvis the cocker spaniels will let you!

The photograph at the top of this article is by Daniela Exley. You can see more of her beautiful photographs of The Admiral Benbow and other things on her website.

The Admiral Benbow (at the bottom of London Road in St Leonards) is open from 11am–6pm on Saturday and Sunday 15–16 and 22–23 September. There is a £3 entrance fee (£1 for concessions and children). All proceeds go to St Michael’s Hospice.

Also in: Arts News