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 [email protected].
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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