Keeping Watch

In this special end-of-season episode, we bring you two very different — but equally captivating — lighthouse stories. Tony Mills – From the Tower to the Pulpit Ed and Mel talk with Tony Mills, a former Trinity House lighthouse keeper who served in the early 1970s on stations including: The Lizard Longships Round Island South Bishop Tony shares vivid memories of boat and helicopter reliefs, terrifying storms, and late-night fog signals — plus a few unexpected mishaps. He recalls polished brass handrails, paraffin-powered fridges, and makeshift washing routines. And just when you think you've heard it all… he casually reveals his later calling as a priest. A warm, humorous, and heartfelt interview full of rich anecdotes and the realities of rock lighthouse life. Annie Spencer – The Lighthouse Explorer Next, Ed catches up with Annie Spencer, founder of the Lighthouse Explorers YouTube channel and social media presence. Annie shares how her love of lighthouses grew during lockdown — and how it now fuels an ever-expanding community. You'll hear about: Her life on a canal boat The joy of organising lighthouse day trips (with 60+ people joining so far!) Using TikTok and YouTube to make lighthouse heritage accessible Her dream of reaching Iceland's remotest lights Why lighthouses offer more than just great views Annie's passion is infectious, and her grassroots project is proof that lighthouses still capture the public imagination in new ways. Plus: Lighthouse News Mel shares another message-in-a-bottle discovery — this time from Cape Bruny, Tasmania — and news of a Shetland lighthouse cottage up for sale (ideal for hardy renovators with a love of wild weather). Episode Highlights A rare glimpse of 1970s lighthouse life from a former Trinity House keeper Boat landings, storm damage, and why Tony once got hit with a foghorn blast Annie's journey from lockdown explorer to community organiser The power of social media in preserving and sharing lighthouse history Favourite lighthouses, spooky basements, and seagull-proof fridges Links & Mentions Lighthouse Explorers: lighthouseexplorers.com Annie's YouTube: Lighthouse Explorers Instagram: @lighthouse_explorers ALK Membership: alk.org.uk Subscribe & Share That's the end of Season 3 — thank you for listening! We'll be back soon with Season 4. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts, and if you've enjoyed the show, please tell a friend or leave us a review. For comments or to get involved: alksoutheast@gmail.com

In this week's episode of Keeping Watch, Ed and Mel discuss a lighthouse Banksy in Marseilles, before Mel interviews Scottish photographer Conor Gault, who is on a mission to photograph every living Scottish lighthouse keeper and the lighthouses where they served. Conor's heartfelt project is rooted in his family history, his Grandfather having served as a keeper himself. He talks about the artistic process of capturing his images on large-format film, and the emotional stories behind the photos.  You can see Conor's photographs and find out more about the project at his website: https://www.conorgault.com Key moments 01:05 Interview with Conor Gault  01:41 Banksy's Lighthouse Artwork 06:18 Conor Gault's Photography Journey 07:35 The Lighthouse Project 12:48 Memories and Portraits 19:20 Tributes and Future Plans 22:49 Heartwarming Farewell Stories 24:14 Lighthouse Conditions and Photography 25:55 Visiting Lighthouses with Keepers 27:42 Connecting with Lighthouse Keepers 29:11 The Future of the Lighthouse Project 30:35 Making Art Accessible to Communities 33:19 Expanding the Project Beyond Scotland 39:17 Challenges and Funding 42:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this episode of Keeping Watch, hosts Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles bring you up to date with a roundup of lighthouse news. We welcome special guest Jeremy D'Entremont, a renowned author, historian, and host of the US Lighthouse Society's 'Lighthearted' podcast. They discuss various lighthouse-related topics, including Jeremy's extensive career, Scottish lighthouse keeper projects, lighthouse history, and personal stories from lighthouse keepers around the world.   This informative episode also explores Jeremy's passion for lighthouses, key moments from his podcast, and the enduring importance of preserving lighthouse history.   Key moments   01:05 Meet Jeremy D'Entremont 01:38 Lighthouse News Roundup 01:54 Gerald Butler's Wedding Announcement 03:00 Lighthouse Honeymoon Destinations 05:10 Photography Project by Connor Gault 08:14 Interview with Jeremy D'Entremont 14:23 Jeremy's Lighthouse Journey 16:08 Writing and Podcasting Adventures 30:43 Meeting the Light Keeper 31:31 Interview with Barry Porter 32:04 Rescue from Boone Island Lighthouse 33:47 Interview with Eric J. Dolin 35:10 Lighthouse Tours and Travels 39:24 Challenges in Lighthouse Preservation 49:06 Favorite Lighthouses and Future Plans 58:11 Conclusion and Podcast Promotion   KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this week's episode of Keeping Watch, Ed and Mel discuss the community protests against the automation of St John's Point Lighthouse in Northern Ireland, and the recent cliff falls close to Belle Tout in Sussex.   This week's special guest, engineer and television presenter Rob Bell, joins Ed to talk about his fascination with lighthouses and the challenges of producing his three series of lighthouse programs.   They discuss the logistics and challenges of filming at remote locations, the allure and difficulty of capturing such engineering marvels, and Rob's personal reflections on the heritage of lighthouses. Rob concludes with a heartfelt appreciation for the lighthouse community and how they welcomed him so heartily when making his programmes.   Key moments   01:05 Lighthouse News Update 01:36 St. John's Point Lighthouse Controversy 06:38 Bell Toot Lighthouse Erosion Concerns 08:51 Interview with Rob Bell 11:23 Join the Association of Lighthouse Keepers 11:55 Rob Bell's Railway Walk Series 13:41 Behind the Scenes of Lighthouse Series 16:13 Challenges of Filming Lighthouses 18:51 Rob Bell's Favorite Lighthouses 31:35 Future Projects and Closing Remarks   KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

This week's episode of Keeping Watch, hosted by Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles, features a captivating discussion with Mark Lewis, the ALK Education Officer, on lighthouses and the paranormal. Mark shares his exploration of ghost stories, folklore, and scientific explanations related to paranormal phenomena in lighthouses around the world. Ed and Mel also talk about last weekend's ALK Digital Archive weekend at Bidston Hill Lighthouse. Key moments 01:05 Lighthouses and the Paranormal 01:25 Weekend at Bidston Observatory 04:53 Digital Archiving Adventures 07:46 Lighthouse News: Long Ships Fog Signal 08:59 Interview with Mark Lewis: Folklore and Paranormal 26:45 Investigating Paranormal Phenomena in Lighthouses 27:36 Ruling Out Natural Explanations 29:14 Suggestibility and Memory in Paranormal Experiences 33:38 Scientific Theories on Paranormal Activity 39:43 Mercury Poisoning and Lighthouse Keepers 41:59 Famous Lighthouse Mysteries and Folklore 45:08 The Romantic Movement and Lighthouse Stories 47:25 Fiction Morphing into Fact 49:31 Favorite Paranormal Stories and Future Projects 53:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this episode of Keeping Watch, Melanie talks about her recent trip to Tenerife and her review of the local lighthouses. The main highlight, however, is a wonderfully candid conversation with Lou Medlicott, wife of former lighthouse keeper Gordon Medlicott, who recounts her experiences and challenges of raising a family while married to a lighthouse keeper. The episode also features exciting news about potential access to Dungeness (new) Lighthouse for ALK members, and a brief nod to Anna B Savage's achingly haunting new single called Lighthouse.  Key moments 01:33 Melanie's Tenerife Lighthouse Adventures 06:59 The Ugliest Lighthouse in the World 08:37 Exciting Lighthouse News 12:37 Interview with a Lighthouse Keeper's Wife 17:28 Life on the Lighthouse Station 25:55 Life with the Fog Signal 26:43 Challenges of Living Above the Engine Room 28:03 Moving Back to Society 29:09 Children's Perspective on Lighthouse Life 31:30 Female Lighthouse Keepers 37:33 Rumors of Death and Acts of Heroism 44:27 Concluding Reflections and Farewell     KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

This week, Ed and Mel talk about the various lighthouse tours and events planned by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK) for 2025 - including the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Anglesey and Kent.    They also talk with former lighthouse keeper Gordon Medlicott, whose career with Trinity House spanned 32 years, from 1966 to 1998. Gordon regales us with stories from his time in the service, including Gordon's personal interaction with Prince Philip during a special Thanksgiving dinner for lighthouse keepers.    Key moments   00:00 Welcome to Season 3 of Keeping Watch 01:19 Upcoming Lighthouse Tours and Events 02:32 Memorable Lighthouse Visits and Experiences 06:48 Exciting Future Trips and Plans 17:10 Special Interview with Gordon Medlicott 19:24 Gordon's Thanksgiving Dinner with Prince Philip 28:08 The Final Days of Manned Lighthouses 32:16 Public Liability and Promotion 32:49 The Lighthouse Exhibition 33:33 A Week of Success 34:53 The Heart Attack Incident 36:23 Navigating the Storm 37:26 The Boatman's Courage 43:52 Travel Troubles 48:43 Hobbies and Downtime 53:06 Promotion and Reflections 55:19 Conclusion and Farewell     KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

  This episode pays tribute to Ian Duff, former lighthouse keeper and President of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK), who passed away in November.   We share heartfelt memories and stories from Ian's friends, colleagues, and fellow ALK members. Ian's remarkable career spanned from 1976 to 1992, during which he served at numerous Scottish lighthouses. The episode also highlights Ian's deep love for lighthouses, his iconic red jacket adorned with lighthouse patches, and his invaluable contributions to lighthouse history and preservation.   Ian shares his own reflections on his career, making it a poignant homage to his life and legacy.   Key moments   00:00 Introduction to Ian Duff 01:04 Life as a Lighthouse Keeper 01:46 Environmental Observations and Wildlife Encounters 03:42 Tributes and Memories of Ian Duff 04:44 Ian's Legacy and Contributions 06:46 Personal Anecdotes and Stories 10:40 Ian's Passion for Lighthouses 23:33 Final Reflections and Farewell   We are extremely grateful to the Northern Lighthouse Board, Luke Saddler and BBC Blue Planet for allowing to share Ian's personal reflections at the beginning of the episode.  KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this episode of Keeping Watch, hosts Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles discuss new lighthouse stories in the news, including the twinning of the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse in Stranraer with the Inubosaki Lighthouse in Japan, and the discovery of a 132-year-old message in a bottle at Corsewall Lighthouse.   Mel interviews Robert Fong, curator of the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Texas, about the history, challenges, and unique characteristics of three lighthouses in Texas: Sabine Bank, Sabine Pass, and Bolivar Point.   We also pay tribute to the late Ian Duff, the Association of Lighthouse Keepers' friend and president.   Key moments   01:06 Tribute to Ian Duff 02:12 Lighthouse Twinning Concept 02:49 Henry Brunton's Legacy in Japan 03:47 Characteristics of Scottish and Japanese Lighthouses 06:33 Message in a Bottle Discovery 11:01 Interview with Robert Fong 13:54 Sabine Bank Lighthouse History 24:27 Joining the Association of Lighthouse Keepers 25:02 Sabine Pass Lighthouse 25:42 Lighthouse Structural Integrity 26:49 Sabine Pass Lighthouse History 27:35 Civil War Skirmish at the Lighthouse 30:46 Post-War Lighthouse Challenges 36:21 Bolivar Point Lighthouse 38:41 Hurricane Stories and Lighthouse Resilience 43:39 Lighthouse Preservation Efforts 48:48 Museum of the Gulf Coast 51:14 Podcast Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this episode of 'Keeping Watch,' Ed Peppitt and co-host Melanie Charles talk about some of the mysterious and spooky lighthouse tales, including the tragic story of Henry Hall at Eddystone, the eerie Flannan Islands mystery, and a death on Smalls.    Ed meets up at Galley Head lighthouse to talk with former keeper Gerald Butler about the impact of automation on keepers and their families. Gerald reflects on his transition from lighthouse keeper to fisherman and beyond, sharing personal anecdotes about the meaningful aspects of lighthouse life and the changes brought by automation.   Key moments   01:19 Gruesome Lighthouse Mysteries 01:56 The Eddystone Lighthouse Fire 05:35 The Flannan Islands Mystery 07:26 The Smalls Lighthouse Tragedy 09:35 Interview with Gerald Butler 11:14 Gerald Butler's Post-Lighthouse Life 14:43 Reflections on Lighthouse Life 16:16 The Importance of Time 29:15 Loneliness and Companionship 32:25 The Magic of Reading 33:11 The Great Lighthouses of Ireland 35:59 Life as a Light Keeper 41:42 Challenges of Automation 52:42 The Future of Lighthouses 01:01:14 A Lifelong Passion 01:03:50 Conclusion and Reflections   KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

In this episode of Keeping Watch, hosts Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles pay tribute to former ALK patron Captain Richard Woodman, with insights shared by ALK founder Neil Hargreaves.   Ed and Mel discuss a recent BBC television programme about lighthouse keeping, including a maintenance visit to Chicken Rock; Mel discusses Linda McGuigan's recent talk for ALM members; And we are treated to an array of personal and eerie anecdotes from former lighthouse keeper Paul Murton.    Key moments   01:23 Tribute to Captain Richard Woodman 06:45 Catching Up with Mel 17:02 Paul Murton's Lighthouse Adventures 23:49 Exploring the Lighthouse 24:29 Radio Room Duties 25:04 Unsettling Experiences 26:45 A Night in the Radio Room 27:24 Injury and Hospital Visit 28:30 Meeting Mr. Dinsdale Again 28:58 New Assignment at Covesea Skerries 29:28 Life at Covesea Skerries 31:55 Transfer to Tarbert Ness 36:26 Haunting Memories 41:12 Resignation and Reflection 41:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview  

In this opening episode of Season 3 of Keeping Watch, a fortnightly podcast for lighthouse enthusiasts, Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles reflect on the recent Association of Lighthouse Keepers AGM weekend in Stranraer, highlighting the camaraderie and fascinating tours of nearby lighthouses.   Mel chats with Chris Folds, a former lighthouse keeper with Trinity House, who shares captivating stories and experiences from his time serving on 32 different lighthouses between 1971 and 1989.   Chris fondly recalls both eerie and amusing incidents at various lighthouses, along with tales of shipwrecks and peculiar encounters, providing a fascinating glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper.    Key moments   02:10 Highlights from the AGM Weekend 04:09 Exploring the Lighthouses 06:31 Memorable Moments and Reflections 12:58 The Importance of ALK Membership 16:20 Interview with Chris Foulds 32:20 Navy's Intervention and Shell Disposal 32:34 The Wreck of the Mary and Other Shipwrecks 33:51 Hobbies and Pastimes on the Lighthouse 35:48 Exploring Dungeness and Other Locations 38:13 Life on the Lighthouse: Companionship and Challenges 39:47 Memorable Experiences and Adventures 46:10 Collecting and Restoring Vintage Items 54:27 Automation and the End of an Era 56:19 Final Reflections and Farewell   KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

This week we close Season 2 with a tribute to the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse, off the Sussex coast, which following decommissioning was largely dismantled during September and October 2023. I meet and talk to the Royal Sovereign's last Principal Keeper, we'll hear archive recordings of other Keepers who served on Royal Sovereign, and I catch up with ALK member Richard Evans, who shares his own memories of the lighthouse, including the time he attempted to interview the principal keeper during thick fog. On Friday, I drove down to the Ibstock Brickworks in Bexhill, where the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse lantern tower is in temporary storage, awaiting a bright new future as part of a maritime centre on Bexhill's seafront. While there, I met and spoke with Raymond Konyn and Gordon Smith from Bexhill Maritime, the newly formed charity that has been working closely with Trinity House to save the lantern tower from demolition. But we start with a reflection on this second season of Keeping Watch. 01:06 Recap of Season 2 11:48 Interview with Dave McGovern, the last PK at Royal Sovereign 31:08 Interview with Tom Whiston, the first PK at Royal Sovereign 38:08 Stormy weather: Experiencing the Royal Sovereign 40:14 The Royal Sovereign fog horn 40:50 Reflections on Duty: A Keeper's Experience by Peter Halil 43:06 Attempting to interview the last keeper in thick fog 45:50 Richard Evans: Visiting the Lighthouse 57:00 The Lighthouse's New Home: Bexhill Maritime 01:09:57 The Future of the Lighthouse: Plans and Challenges KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Just before Christmas, I was lucky enough to meet up online with music writer, journalist and broadcaster Jennifer Lucy Allen. I first encountered Jennifer as a presenter of Radio 3's Late Junction. If you've never listened to the programme, it's well worth staying up for. I defy you to find a more interesting, diverse and eclectic mix of sounds and music in one programme anywhere! It won't come as a surprise, then, that Jennifer takes such an interest herself in non mainstream and experimental music. As a writer for The Wire magazine in 2013, she received an invitation to attend Foghorn Requiem, an open air performance on the cliffs at Souter Point Lighthouse, involving three brass bands, a flotilla of more than 50 ships in the North Sea and, of course, the almighty Souter Point foghorn. It triggered what we lighthouse enthusiasts are only too happy to call an obsession, and a personal journey into the history of foghorns and the sound they make - something she so beautifully calls the disappearing music of the coast. 2021 saw the publication of her first book, The Foghorn's Lament. Naturally, I wanted to ask Jennifer all about the performance at Souter Point and how it led to her book, but I started by asking her where she first recalls hearing the sound of a foghorn.  KEEPING WATCH is a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 10 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  This week, we're talking books. I meet with artist and author Roger O'Reilly - who has spent the last few years researching and illustrating nearly 350 lighthouses around the UK and Irish coast. Roger's new book - Legendary Lighthouses of Britain - will be published in early Spring by Watkins Publishing, and it's available for pre-order now on Amazon. First, I caught up with prolific author and historian Ken Trethewey to talk about his new book about the breakwater lighthouse in Plymouth. Called Plymouth Breakwater and its lighthouse, it's the most wonderfully detailed history of the lighthouse, with documents and artefacts reproduced in full colour, along with the photographs of the inside (and outside) of the lighthouse that Ken took himself when he was able to take a group of ALK members onto the breakwater earlier in the year. Copies of Plymouth Breakwater and its lighthouse are available from the publisher's website: www.jazzfusionbooks.co.uk Ken's other lighthouse books are also available from the website, including The lighthouses of Cornwall and Devon and Light on the Forelands. To view (and perhaps buy) mounted and/or framed prints of Roger's lighthouse illustrations, go to: www.lighthouse editions.com Roger's book - Legendary Lighthouses of Britain - will be published by Watkins Publishing in April 2024. It is available for pre-order now - on Amazon, or from wherever you buy your books. We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 9 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  This week Mel and I tracked down former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) keeper, John Boath. We discovered John was the last ever keeper on the Bell Rock.  What inspired John to join the lighthouse service? Believe it or not, it was an episode of Blue Peter! John turned out to be a natural and very accomplished public speaker, and the conversation flowed so freely that Mel's and my questions barely seemed necessary. So I took the decision to edit out almost all our input, except where absolutely necessary. Personally, I think It's a lot better as a result.  So settle down with a mug of tea or coffee and enjoy hearing about John's rich and enjoyable career.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 8 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  This week our new co-host Mel makes her full podcast debut, when she talks with Russian born Vasily - a lighthouse lover and ALK member who moved to Europe with his family several years ago. He had been involved in a number of lighthouse projects in Russia, and so was particularly excited when the chance came to take part in a worldwide lighthouse research and mapping project organised by the Chance Heritage Trust.  The project focused on the work of the Chance Brothers Glassworks in Smethwick, a pioneer of British glass-making technology, which operated between 1824 and 1976, before finally closing its doors in 1981. The company became a production hub for lighthouse lenses, which were used in over 2,500 lighthouses around the world.  As you can imagine, records are lost, and of course lighthouse optics are modernised, replaced or installed in other lighthouses - so the project's aims were to map where the Chance Brothers lighthouse lenses ended up, and discover what they are doing now. Are they still in working lighthouses? Have they been decommissioned? How many can be visited today?  With around 2,500 lighthouses to map, the project pulled together lighthouse enthusiasts and willing volunteers throughout the world to explore these connections, and locate them all. From the Cape Race lighthouse that received the SOS call from the Titanic, to the Longstone lighthouse from where Grace Darling and her father William launched one of Britain's most courageous rescues, the lenses that were made at the Chance factory in Smethwick ended up in some interesting places, and in close to eighty countries around the world. Vasily was one of a number of ALK members who took part - and the result is an explorable online map that shows exactly where these lighthouses were located, along with photos, technical details, and the key information about their history that brings each one to life Mel caught up with Vasily last week, who starts by describing his twin passions - of sailing yachts and lighthouses.  Link to the Chance Brothers Map: https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/maps/6241b7a8d63fa5010056589b/map-view    Link to the list of the lighthouses on the Chance Brothers Map: https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/sites?map=6241b7a8d63fa5010056589b   This is one exciting story about Tory Island Lighthouse (see the Chance Brothers Map): https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/sites/62ce053e88d2b90100788882   Link to the video with Vasilisin Lighthouse (with English subtitles) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xYtvxzRFh-A?feature=shared    Location of the Vasilisin Lighthouse on Google maps: https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=8bf09de0-1fcf-47f7-90e3-a05056a33594&cp=61.806144%7E35.686432&lvl=18.0&style=h&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027    LAMP Issue 103 with the Kurbatova lighthouse which I've mentioned (copy is here http://www.mayachnik.ru/node/1230 English text at the end of the page)   We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 7 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  At the beginning of October I attended the Association of Lighthouse Keepers AGM and annual dinner just outside Cromer, in Norfolk. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to two former Trinity House lightvessel keepers - Terry Bullard and John Beamish. After the meal, the three of us headed to the hotel bar to talk about life as a light vessel keeper. We were joined by ALK founder, Neil Hargreaves, who had also served on the lightvessels. I also introduce Keeping Watch's new co-host! We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 6 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  This week we meet David Fraser, who served for the Northern Lighthouse Board - the NLB - at a number of Scottish lighthouses  in the 1970s. In fact, his career spanned three services, David having joined the army on leaving school, and he then spent 30 years in the Northern Constabulary, serving across the Highlands and Islands, after he left the lighthouse service. Now David has published his memoirs, the profits from which he uses to support people and families affected by motor neurone disease - the brutal condition that David's wife Isabel sadly died from.  So having completed tours of duty in Germany and Northern Ireland, David left the army at the age of 23, and joined the NLB in 1973, which is where we pick up the conversation.   Just a quick heads up - We spoke over the phone, and the mobile signal deteriorated from time to time. I have edited out most of the interference, but there are a handful of patches where I'd like you to fill in a missing word or two.  Listen to David talking about where and when the lighthouse service fitted in to his career.  We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  To purchase a copy of David's book, please contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Copies are £10 each, and all profits support MND sufferers and their families.  Visit the Wick Heritage Museum: www.wickheritage.org Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk

Welcome to Episode 5 of the second season of KEEPING WATCH - a fortnightly podcast for enthusiasts of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, light vessels and other aids to maritime navigation.  If you are based in the UK, you'll be aware that Royal Sovereign lighthouse - off the Sussex coast - has been decommissioned and is in the process of being removed. You may have seen footage or images this week of its red and white lantern tower dismantled and standing on a temporary platform ready to be brought ashore to Shoreham in the next few weeks.  Later in this season, we have a special episode dedicated to Royal Sovereign, with a look back over its 50 year life span, and we'll be talking about how the lantern tower itself has been saved, and about the exciting plans for its future. This week though we are indebted once again to former keeper Peter Halil, for allowing me access to his wonderful audio and video archive. I've chosen Peter's interview from the early 1990s with Tom Whiston, who served as a keeper between 1949 and 1986.  As well as some wonderful memories of his career, including the colleagues he worked with, the hobbies that keepers took up, and some of the treacherous storms he endured, Tom was also - I believe - the penultimate Principal Keeper at Royal Sovereign - and was first posted there even before it was lit, whilst the platform and tower were being constructed at Newhaven.    We're keen to talk with other former light vessel and lighthouse keepers and crew - as well as others currently working in the lighthouse service. Again, you can email me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed.  If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis? You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com.  KEEPING WATCH is brought to you in association with the ALK - The Association of Lighthouse Keepers - a charitable trust in the UK dedicated to keeping lighthouse heritage alive.  Visit Peter Halil's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/peterhalil Visit the Association of Lighthouse Keepers: www.alk.org.uk