Lighthouses of England, Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall. mid 90's

This was filmed mid 1990's on video tape. I went on board with the automation crew that were making the Lighthouse solar powered.
There have been no Keepers on this station since 1934 consequently I haven't found any ex Keepers who have been on here. I have found one story from a Keeper that served in 1924 which can be found here...www.stivesboatservices.com/20...
Also some details of the station from the Trinity House website here...www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighth...

[@mattreid859]

Yet another fascinating one. I remember seeing this place in a proper storm (you could barely stand in the wind) - it must have been intense actually working there at such times! It amazes me how rhe places were unceremoniously gutted. Borderline vandalism! Presumably they're all Listed Buildings? Love your films - keep 'em coming!

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks, yes it makes you wonder how they ever built them, take care.

[@paulwilliams2663]

Excellent aren't they, a real honesty about them. They're not glamourised, you can see the abject beauty and history, yet there's always a slightly sinister, intrigue, as you're aware there's danger in the weather and oceans. Fascinating.

[@pairojeans]

Another fantastic video Peter, thank you. I am a ships navigation officer and still using lighthouses as part of my job every day, to cross check the GPS is working properly and even without the Gps I always know where I am because of lighthouses.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for that, not only your kind words but the fact that ships navigation officers still use lighthouses as well as all the modern bits at their disposal. Take care and safe travels.

[@suspendeddisbelief401]

Just came back from a walk at Godrevy. Beautiful this time of year & the lighthouse so adds to the feel of the whole experience. Will enjoy watching this now. Thank you.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, yes Godrevy is kind of stunning, cheers, stay safe

[@bernardstander7642]

Another awesome history lesson. Thanks Peter!!!

[@PeterHalil]

cheers, glad you liked it.

[@lory2622]

Thank you again Sir for the effort. I enjoy the mystique of these old structures... sad, and gone.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for liking the videos

[@okistewart1359]

Perfectly beautiful! Thanks again! God bless you!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Oki, Take care and stay safe.

[@okistewart1359]

@@PeterHalil ❤

[@neilhargreaves7830]

Nice film Peter, I went out to Godrevy lighthouse last June along with a boatload of my ALK friends. We sailed all around the small island but we were unable to land, so we only got shots of the lighthouse from the boat.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, now there's a name from the past , how you doing Neil? very long time no see. Lot's more coming bit by bit.

[@neilhargreaves7830]

Your welcome, and thanks for asking how I am, glad to report that I'm doing just fine, in spite of turning 72 in January. Where did all those years go. I hope you are keeping well also. I will keep a look out for the further films you mention.

[@Langers.]

Great video once again, i find it really sad that there’s no such job as a lighthouse keeper anymore.....think it might have suited me down to a tee 🙂🙂

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks, you will have to try the Trinity House website for a contact number as there may occasionally be an attendants job for a land station, take care

[@tagyouritification]

Thank you once again Peter, love seeing the soul of these lighthouses. Sad modernization has taken over, but thanks to men like you the history lives on.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind comments, I find it sad too but hopefully these videos will be enjoyed by those that care, cheers.

[@jackbrown4130]

It’s interesting, the history of Cornwall. I use to see structures connected to the cliff, but unfortunately has been swept away by the sea. I even found a smugglers cave once.

[@ajaxa9]

Peter, In our case, the light had been removed and installed on a post south of the light. This was fine for northbound traffic, but the lighthouse hid the light for southbound traffic. After our restoration, the Coast Guard replaced the tower light and we are again an "official light" One of the very rare cases where the light source has been preserved in the original structure. Enjoy your work as usual.

[@PeterHalil]

Sounds interesting, which light are you talking about exactly?

[@31274]

@@PeterHalilthe one that used to shine at night

[@jackbrown4130]

I’m 43 and spent every summer in Cornwall. I’m hoping to go again, if we ever get rid of this Covid 19

[@PeterHalil]

Hopefully, you will get your wish and we can all venture out again to places and people we love. I for one Know what you mean about Cornwall, a beautiful place, that's where I spent the last couple of years of my Lighthouse service. take care.

[@jackbrown4130]

Peter Halil Only a few have experienced the inside of the lighthouse, so I thank you 👍🏻 I’m curious, what inside the little building at the side of the lighthouse? I’ve always imagined a rusty bed. Lol.

[@PeterHalil]

@@jackbrown4130 That would originally have been for the storage of explosive charges for the fog horn, then probably anything flammable, like the fuel when it was an oil fired light.

[@jackbrown4130]

@@PeterHalil I remember the fog horn.

[@jackbrown4130]

It’s still a pleasure to watch again

[@ajaxa9]

This light is in the Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River about 100 miles north of NYC. You can actually spend the night in this lighthouse although it is heavily booked.

[@PeterHalil]

Sounds great, thanks for sharing, take care.

[@31274]

It’s so beautiful

[@PeterHalil]

Yes Godrevy is also in a dream location, cheers and stay safe

[@1976jackbrown]

I’ve always wondered what it looks like inside

[@PeterHalil]

Glad to be of service, stay safe, cheers.

[@jackbrown4130]

Me too

[@alisonhilll4317]

Thank you for recording this , I have really enjoyed watching, I used to work at sea ,so very interesting.

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Alison, glad you enjoyed it, before the Lighthouses I also was at sea. Hope you are staying safe during these mad times, take care, cheers.

[@IKS-Exploration]

Been watching ally of your videos Peter really are fascinating. would love to spend the night on one isolated.

[@PeterHalil]

Some people with kayaks have done just that on some of the Island lights but just camping out and not getting into the buildings lol...glad you like the videos

[@neilhargreaves7830]

Read Lighthouse Accomodation UK and Worldwide, latest edition by Joy Tubby.

[@I-T-S-M-E]

Fantastic Iks And Peter Hall, two great KZbin channels, thanks guys for all the interesting videos

[@jackbrown4130]

I’m hoping that one day

[@fiatunonewsletter6782]

Even back then, Why is technology taking over? Is modern day "stuff" like GPS and whatever fail-safe? As if modern day technology can't break-down! What happen to the great men on lighthouses that saved many disasters! Thanks Peter! Great video again.

[@PeterHalil]

It was quite horrible to hear that word "Redundant" but progress marches on I guess. My opinion is heavily biased because it was a job I loved doing as did many more Keepers before me, and I do agree with you, I just hope they don't rip apart too much of our past because once it's gone it's gone, cheers mate.

[@bryanearthloop2403]

Great video ! The other side of this pandemic emergency I was thinking you could perhaps see about doing videos about the two pier lighthouses at tynemouth . And also st marys lighthouse in whitley bay. I went there when I was a kid and again when the rotating lens was replaced by a rotating set of bowl reflectors. I think the original lens was reinstated after the light went ut forthe last time. Cheers !

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Bryan, I'm editing most days of all the video's that I took and coincidentally there is one of St. Mary's with a walk through but Tynemouth I only got outside shots of , but they will be coming out at sometime, cheers, stay safe.

[@bryanearthloop2403]

@@PeterHalil the port of Tyne authority does public open days which are few and far between....but I was thinking you could maybe contact them in normal circumstances and maybe find the interiors of both towers on the piers. The north pier has a passageway inside

[@bryanearthloop2403]

@@PeterHalil also Sunderland pier was restored and has open days. It got a LED lantern some year's ago

[@uksewingmachineservice7030]

Looking good there mate nice one don 🤠🇬🇧👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers mate, how you doing in all that nice weather, it's raining here today.

[@uksewingmachineservice7030]

@@PeterHalil up the see sied on Friday bit of drone flying with the zino and 501 thanks 👍👍

[@PeterHalil]

@@uksewingmachineservice7030 Sounds Great,Take care mate

[@ruthe71]

My great great grandfather William Gaylard was assistant lighthouse keeper at Godrevy 1885-94

[@PeterHalil]

Brilliant Ruth, If you have any more records of your great great Grandfather, please feel free to tell us. There is an old book, library or second hand book stalls, Ceaseless Vigil, by WJ Lewis that describes his time on Godrevy in chapter 4. Obviously way after your great great Grandfather, but not much out there about life on that Lighthouse. Thanks again and stay safe. PS, try this site as well www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/Keepers

[@nixtax3526]

Thank you for uploading this, so interesting and also sad to see the floors removed and now the light too.

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers, sometimes people seem to mix up the words progress and demolition, it always saddens me to see that some do not care about preserving our History as much as it deserves, take care.

[@gwynnepenny6578]

Peter, thank you so, so much for posting this amazing footage. I've been searching for information about Godrevy lighthouse that I can use for a story that I'm writing and this gives such a valuable insight into what it was like. Some things I am still curious about: I read on the Trinity site that there were two "adjoining cottages for lightkeepers" was there any evidence of those when you visited? had they been removed? or was that the low-roofed structure behind the tower? I'm so curious as to what it would have been like to live there for weeks at a time.... I wonder what the toilet facilities there were, what was the chapel shaped structure used for and like inside, what was the situation for drinking water, power etc.

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Gwynne, thank you for your kind comments. In the time that I was visiting for filming, I concentrated on the lighthouse. The water situation would originally have been caught rainwater and probably topped up by boat from time to time. I'm not up on the history of the site much myself, but the ALK (Association of Lighthouse Keepers) have some great archives and are very helpful. Their contact details can be found here alk.org.uk/ There is also a brilliant book by an ex Keeper WJ Lewis, called "Ceaseless Vigil", and he describes a lot of his time on Godrevy. It is an old book that a local library or ebay may have. its ISBN number is 0 245 50352 8, hope this is helpful, cheers and stay safe.

[@paulwilliams2663]

A beauty that one Peter, not seen this.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Paul. That was a swift couple of hours visit, then race back to another Lighthouse close by to go on watch. Cheers stay safe.

[@paulwilliams2663]

@Peter Halil Can I ask, was this sanctioned, for historical reference etc or Something you personally arranged ? Reason I ask is, it would be quite sad if we didn't have this catalogue.

[@PeterHalil]

@@paulwilliams2663 This was just me trying to record as much as possible before it was gone forever. I used lots of my free from duty time and holidays. Then Trinity helped by using me for fill in duties here and there. Also lots of help from Bond Helicopters who were great at finding me an empty seat for several of these visits. You Tube is my only outlet at the moment but will eventually try and find an archive. I did approach what I now call, The New Trinity Hose, as they don't know me and I don't know them, and they showed no interest at all. Cheers.

[@paulwilliams2663]

@Peter Halil Somewhat different, from the organisation that stood the test of time, and was highly esteemed by Prince Philip (seen video), who was thoroughly upto scratch on the importance of Trinity. Imagine his background, there's little he wouldn't know. Double shame, New Trinity and the fact this is only here by happenstance. I'm certain, it's value will grow exponentially as I find the very old ones fascinating, just not filmed great, unlike your natural approach, allowing everythingto speak for itself. Good on Bond 🚁. Cheers 🍻 👏 ✌️

[@PeterHalil]

@@paulwilliams2663 Thanks a lot Paul, much appreciated, you take care.

[@daviddouglas4200]

That looks more like Halogen light than a L.E.D. from the way it dims when power removed.

[@mattmatty4670]

Cool thanks mate

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you

[@1976jackbrown]

Damn

[@leighkitto8771]

Hi Peter. Do you have any footage coming up for either Wolf rock or Longships light house. Enjoying your fascinating videos. The one you posted when you served on Hanois was excellent and the Bishop rock walkthrough was fascinating. Are these rock lighthouses still maintained internally as I imagine maintenance crews still have to frequent them on occasions?

[@PeterHalil]

Hi, yes I do have both stations on video, but one was a few hours only and the other an overnight. Consequently, no keepers just a walk through of each. I need to be able to either do captions or try for voice overs but they wont be ready for a while as other stuff coming first.

[@leighkitto8771]

@@PeterHalil looking forward to them Peter. Being born and living in Cornwall, obviously lighthouses are a major importance around our county. I had a tour around St Anthony's at St Mawes many years ago and have been fascinated by them ever since. It's amazing that someone like you had the forethought to document and record this fascinating history of our lighthouses. Keep up the great work Peter, your efforts and time are much appreciated.

[@PeterHalil]

@@leighkitto8771 Cheers for that, take care

[@mintysgt]

Fantastic, on another note arthurs askeys film "back room boy" used this light house as back drop to his light house when travelling to it, I often wondered about the mechanics of this lighthouse and I don't mean the light or workings, not sure why I surprised that in real life the light house is not like it was made out to be inside, yet I still want to believe it wasn't a film set instead, and some how, the original wooden light house is hidden inside lol sure it wasn't a made up story, oh dear I best erase this one from memory and choose the films version as reality lol

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that Minty, I shall now have to troll youtube to see if I can find that film to watch. Yes there are a few films like that where they muck about with the editing, I'm thinking of Phantom Light which is another goodun kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYfJooeAj85nd7c Thanks again, take care.

[@mintysgt]

Peter Halil I hope you did watch the film. It’s certainly great viewing like your videos

[@PeterHalil]

@@mintysgt Yes I found it and watched it, thanks, I love those sort of films, cheers, take care

[@mintysgt]

Peter Halil you must look for the ghost train with him in it. Pure genius

[@PeterHalil]

@@mintysgt I will look, cheers

[@hellooldchap]

Now replaced by a street lamp :(

[@glcork]

Cant understand why they didn't just put a LED bulb into the existing lens as has been done in some lighthouses. At least they would have retained the heritage of the lighthouse rather than using a horrible metal stand for the light.

[@PeterHalil]

Just about yes!.lol

[@hellooldchap]

Cost of maintaining the tower. Same done at Hartland Point where access was getting very iffy.

[@edfagan6377]

Sad to see this wasting away. Such is life I suppose. 😔

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers Ed, There are a few that haven't worn well over the years, without the Keepers TLC, but as you noticed, not all progress arrives bearing roses. Thanks and stay safe

[@jackharrison6771]

Another good one thanks Peter. Did you ever visit the two [long dis-used] onshore lighthouses in Fleetwood, Lancashire? The tall one was painted in the traditional colours (Black base, white tower, with red upper section). But for some time, it has been stripped to bare stone. Stone may look attractive to some, but I keep making the case, that even though it's not functional now, if we really care for tradition, heritage and authenticity, it should be painted in traditional colours. It seems it's simply down to yet more low or no maintenance neglect by the Council.

[@PeterHalil]

No I've never been to those Lighthouses and yes it might be the cost of repainting being saved but that is also a coating that protects the stonework underneath. It's time somebody in the Council started thinking outside the box and try and get a paint firm to do it for nothing but the publicity maybe? take care

[@jackharrison6771]

Thanks Peter. Yes agree. I wish I could quote you on that haha. BTW- They often get requests to open them on Heritage Open Days, but the steps are considered too dangerous.

[@31274]

Could you please show a vid of it light going

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry Christine, I was only there for a couple of hours during the day just for the video. I have no night time footage. Take care

[@PuJitois]

Rather, 5 miles (8 kilometres)

[@christopherhampson265]

Looked like halogen bulbs not leds ???

[@PeterHalil]

Not sure on that Christopher, I only did a short visit there, but you are probably right, cheers

[@christopherhampson265]

Hi Peter , I must apologise for my somewhat blunt comment which was made regarding the composition of the bulbs ... !! I would also like to congratulate you on the fantastic subject matter and also your marvellous filming abilities !! Today people spin round with a camera so fast it can make one feel dizzy ! I can imagine the relentless droning of diesel engines drilling into ones soul and the howling winds and rain and isolation would be quite a challenge for most folk . I must take off my cap to you Sir for preserving a bit of our past in such a well presented way . Thankyou..

[@PeterHalil]

@@christopherhampson265 Thank you Christopher for that, much appreciated, glad people are liking the videos, cheers.

[@davidgarston3353]

So they light is no longer in the tower if so why not ?

[@pairojeans]

Modern LED light requires less power so only needs one or 2 solar panels and at most 1 or 2 batteries and a small control box. Compact installation and virtually no maintenance. However it can just as easily be put in the tower, I believe this is what happens with light at either Lizard point or Anvil point, I ensure Peter can explain all of this much better.

[@PeterHalil]

I assume it's all down to ease of maintenance and money...more the money I guess, but no idea what the future holds for abandoned Lighthouses. You would assume that these old buildings would be listed and looked after.

[@jackbrown4130]

Could be a number of reasons

[@shazam3218]

Booo with "automated" Light Houses. Get them manned proper again and become one of the most coveted jobs in the world!

[@PeterHalil]

Would be nice but the men in suits say no!, cheers mate

[@vikingsmb]

it could happen in the future I reckon

[@jackbrown4130]

Unfortunately we have radar, instead of lighthouses.