Interviews with Lighthouse Keepers, Jack Hayes. 1994

An interview with ex Lighthouse Keeper, Jack Hayes. Filmed in 1994

[@yayla86]

My Dad just sent me this video of my Grandad. Thank you for sharing a video that our family didn’t have of him. He was a brilliant man and it is a joy to hear him speak again 🥰

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Mamma Snipes, Lovely to hear from you. So glad you got to see and hear your Grandad again. He was a joy to meet and interview. Whilst I served out my last year as a Keeper at the Lizard, I managed to visit with him on several occasions. He had one of those voices and memories that were just great to listen to. Thank you again, Take care and stay safe.

[@paulwilliams2663]

He couldn't possibly be anything other, than a lighthouse keeper. If I sketched one, it'd be Jack !

[@hayesy9693]

This man right here is my grandfather, he passed away in 2002, i only ever met him once but that was when I was a newborn so I have no memories of him but this video has just allowed me to hear his voice for the first time in my 30 years of being on this earth, I thank you so much for uploading this video, its almost reduced me to tears watching it, from the Hayes family far and wide we thank you so much ❤

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you so much for that Hayesy, so glad you liked it. You've just brought some tears to my eyes, so happy for you. Jack was a really nice guy to meet with, one of the good guys in life. Thanks again and stay safe.

[@hayesy9693]

@Peter Halil bless ya mate, all the stories I've ever been told of my grandad has always meant alot to me so it was pretty surreal to put a voice to the image in my head, I've seen a video he was in from the 70s before but this one was when I was alive, this wasn't long after I was born so it's amazing to see, thanks so much for uploading it my friend and I wish you and you're loved ones nothing but love and happiness going forward ❤️

[@PeterHalil]

@@hayesy9693 You are very welcome. If you or any of your Family is on Facebook and can find and private message me, then I can try and do a more sound enhanced copy of the interview and send it to you. I'm on Facebook under my own name. cheers and stay safe

[@paulsampson789]

Absolutely fascinating, what a great life this man has had traveling all over the UK. Would love to have a sit down with him over a few beers.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, he was great to visit with. Whilst I was stationed down at Trevose, then again at the Lizard, I called in for a chat, take care.

[@pairojeans]

Another great video, thank you so much for the amazing insights these films give us. Jack should be be gentleman Jack wonderful character.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words. On my last ever posting at the Lizard Lighthouse I used to visit with Jack whenever I could and he was definitely a gentleman.

[@shirleycole7854]

Much respect and love to you all lighthouse keepers

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Shirley, much appreciated, take care.

[@wakeoftheflood2]

Its great you took the time and effort to make these tapes. Thanks a lot to you and the other keepers for broadcasting them, theyre fascinating !

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, glad that most people like them, cheers. Have a safe and Happy Christmas.

[@stephendavies923]

Theses insights to the day to day of keeping are fascinating.

[@PeterHalil]

So glad you like them, take care.

[@LoudValves]

what an historical goldmine that you had the foresight to video these unique folk who are now no longer with us..

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for the kind words, much more to come.

[@ronnieadam66]

Great interview Peter, I never get tired of hearing the keepers talking 👍🙂

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, I'm so glad that people actually like them, cheers.

[@adam-spry]

Thank you Peter for gathering this and all the other video you took all those years ago, this is a such valuable historical record.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for liking it all, more to come.

[@Erebusdidnothingwrongish]

I never have even thought about life as a keeper. I'm in my 30s so I missed the boat anyhow. Thanks for the videos, nice and relaxing and best of all interesting. Thanks.

[@PeterHalil]

We were that hidden job that not many people knew about, glad you enjoyed the video's.

[@davidallan1943]

Such an interesting recollection of memories, all the more so because Souter Point is just along the road from where I live and West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly my favourite Summer destination!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you David, glad you liked Jacks interview, he was a real interesting person to get to know and visit, cheers.

[@mattreid859]

Top bloke. Lovely tales. More fascinating stuff. Keep em coming Peyer - cheers!

[@PeterHalil]

Yes I enjoyed visiting with Jack and yes more to come, cheers.

[@davidbutler4363]

Peter that was a great vlog.thank you😁👍👏👏👏

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks, he was a Great guy to talk to.

[@sirronnitram8937]

Excellent story teller, very descriptive, never repeated himself, and all flowed easily.

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks, yes Jack was great to visit with.

[@Urgleflogue]

Another nice interview with a nice and interesting man. Thank you, Peter for that, I am looking forward to the next one, you really open a new world for us, land rats :)

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, I just felt that during the rush to automate and put us Keepers out to graze, that our story of what we did etc was going to be lost forever. That's what galvanized my actions, so glad my video's are being enjoyed.

[@StarWarsJay]

@@PeterHalil all these records would have been lost to time if not for your efforts. Brilliant work Peter. It does make you wonder how much of the past in general is forgotten forever though.

[@PeterHalil]

@@StarWarsJay Thank you for your kind words. I suppose it was a bit of anger in me that I didn't want the life that I and so many others acted out and enjoyed was destined to be forgotten forever, I'm just glad that so many people from around the World have been (mostly) enjoying the video records. Cheers and stay safe

[@StarWarsJay]

@@PeterHalil you guys kept a lot of people safe for a lot of years. Being remembered is the least you deserve. As for those who are negative? Well, you’ll always get them in life. Thankfully they are in the minority and are best ignored. The story about the lighthouse in the Bristol Channel which was down a cliff and never got sunlight for half the year; what was the name of it? I’d like to look it up. Cheers Peter.

[@PeterHalil]

@@StarWarsJay Cheers Mate, that Lighthouse was Lynmouth Foreland, and another peculiarity down there (I believe) was the tv channels that could be picked up weren't local but over the Bristol Channel from Wales.

[@marthaperdew]

I love this video, very interesting and informative, thank you

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you liked it Martha. Jack had one of those voices that you could listen to all day, nice man. Cheers and stay safe

[@marthaperdew]

@@PeterHalil you stay safe too ,Happy Easter 🐣

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Every place this man has been he said he enjoyed to me that says he loved the job would love to have a pint with him cheers

[@chocolatejellybean2820]

great heritage videos sadly few will even know or care about people's lives pre social media if not for such documentaries. I'd be interested in day in the life the mundane what people ate, how they felt, it's so different from life today.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much. If I ever get around to it, all those sort of things I put in some journals that I kept at the time. Even down to my food shopping that I took with me. Cheers and take care.

[@patricktubby5179]

Some more great memories from the Lighthouse Service

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Patrick, much appreciated.

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

Brilliant history love the story telling the old engines oil Buring and gardening so intresting. like the one of old man Rock shaking the tower😃. South Bishop rock I see it when I empty the bin on White Sands beech in the winter. I used to be a volunteer Warden on Skomer Island in the 1980s Island life. Peter has some one interviewed you?

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, and no, I haven't interviewed myself yet for this series, but probably will. I've had the odd bits I've done over the years by others (radio etc) We've had the builders in around us for the last full year and still going strong! so not sure when it will be safe to do my own interview yet.take care.

[@liamkatt6434]

Great video. As previous comments, I would have loved to have had a few pints with him. Brilliant history Peter. did Trinity House ask you to do this or was it your own idea? In any case you have created an archive that will be viewed for centuries.

[@liamkatt6434]

At least!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind comments Liam. This recording of Lighthouses/Keepers etc was all my idea, but I obviously couldn't have done what I have without massive help from Trinity House, Bond Helicopters and others. It sort of evolved as it went. Cheers and stay safe.

[@jackharrison6771]

Another great one thanks Peter. Ever more please haha.

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers Jack still lots more to come, a few Keepers did audio only so will have to see what I can do with those. Also, will try and interview myself sometime? so that will be the very old confused rabbit in the headlights one haha.

[@jackharrison6771]

That's good news. Perhaps for the audio ones, you could show lots of pics of 'The Wolf', Bishop or their other scary friends.

[@SuperOlds88]

This gentleman would have been a pleasure to work with.

[@barrybark3995]

great vid! towards the very end he says "iv had my problems... " and then cuts to "Harwich" , why did he leave so early what was that about can you remember ?

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry Barry, I can't remember. Thanks for your comments, take care.

[@SIONARAFLORIDA]

Just watching "Modern Marvels" on "Lighthouses" on Quest tv in Miami Fl 7/25/19 Thurs 8 PM . They shown the Eddystone, but of course Peters stories are much better.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, I suppose I was in a unique position where my movies are from the inside, take care.

[@pauldodd9986]

High Peter, Is Jack still about ? Thanks.. Paul

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Paul, that I've no idea as I lost his address years ago & we can no longer get Trinity House to give out any details because of data protection!

[@pauldodd9986]

Peter Halil Ah. Thank you. He's my favourite. Are you planning any new films? Thank you. Paul

[@PeterHalil]

@@pauldodd9986 Hi Paul, my films come out roughly once a fortnight and one is coming out today at 10am hopefully, take care.

[@robhayes446]

My dad jack hayes died about 2004 resting in peace at wrabness near harwich ❤️

[@pauldodd9986]

@@robhayes446 hi Rob. Thank you for your response. Your father seemed like a really interesting guy. Wish I could have met him. How old was he when he died? Thank you. Paul

[@sparkydave2783]

What a peaceful-sounding chap!

[@PeterHalil]

Yes he does have a calming voice, cheers

[@isladurrant2015]

Dang! Ask him about the indigenous people photos please

[@PeterHalil]

That was Jacks hobby, he was well into native American tribes, but not sure if he is still with us to ask as the recording was a very long time ago.

[@robhayes446]

Dad wrote a few books on American Indians he also made stuff like tomahawks Indian war clubs and ceramonial dress he specialised in Iroquois

[@snarnok]

These interviews are very interesting! Did you or any of the keepers ever see any UFOs?

[@PeterHalil]

Hi, no I've never seen any UFO's and no other Keeper has ever told me that they have either but to be fair I've never asked.

[@adventureguy4119]

noice

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, Jack was a nice guy. Cheers and take care