Award for Hurst Castle Museum

The Association of Lighthouse Keepers has gained an award for Conservation and for providing a new Lighthouse related Museum and visitor attraction in Hurst Castle.

 

Anyone interested in lighthouses, museums, or the heritage of the Solent area will love the new museum extension recently opened by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK) at Hurst Castle.

 

Beautiful lighthouse lenses, lighthouse artefacts, a lighthouse interior reconstruction, very large information boards detailing the Needles lighthouse in particular and fascinating interactive displays are all here as an exciting part of the castle experience.

 

The qualities that led the Solent Protection Society to grant a Conservation Award to the ALK Museum at Hurst Castle were the dedication, ingenuity and perseverance of a small number of skilled and enthusiastic ALK volunteers. Lights, lenses and artefacts were found or borrowed, interactive exhibits from other museums were acquired and also a full size replica of a portion of the Kitchen in the Needles lighthouse has been constructed. In the replica, the 1850s furniture that would have been in the Needles lighthouse when it was built in 1859, has been faithfully recreated with many parts being specially made to suit. To contain a vast number of artefacts that the ALK acquired from ALK member Jim Coleman, a redundant conservatory was cannibalised to make a superb display case. This sounds an interesting new place visit, and of course a trip to Hurst castle is always a pleasure.
 

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Association of Lighthouse Keepers

The Association of Lighthouse Keepers was formed in 1988 to specifically record the vast history of lighthouse keeping which stretches back over many hundreds of years, when the automation of lighthouses and consequent redundancy of lighthouse keepers was on the horizon. Records of the history of lighthouse keeping takes the form of an archive, both storing and displaying the vast documental record and also examples of physical hardware from lighthouses; the museum at Hurst Castle fills this latter role.

 

The ALK also provides a forum for everyone interested in lighthouses, lightships and other aids to maritime navigation. The automation of navigational aids and the introduction of modern technologies such as GPS means that the wonderful lighthouses around our coast are under threat. Active, unmanned lighthouses are already becoming increasingly fewer hence the ALK is preserving their history and memories and also seeks to protect these unique structures. There are a number of serving attendants and former keepers amongst the membership who are involved in the day to day maintenance of existing lights. However being an ex-lighthouse keeper is not a requirement for joining the Association! The ALK organises visits to some of the lighthouses throughout the British Isles and occasionally to the near Continent as well.

 

For more information about the Association of Lighthouse Keepers visit: www.alk.org.uk

 

Solent Protection Society

Solent Protection Society exists to ensure the ecological and environmental wellbeing and wise management of the Solent area, its natural beauty and amenities, so that these can be enjoyed by present and future generations. It is a small charity funded by private members (including several bequests), numerous yacht clubs and commercial companies throughout the area. The Society recognises some of the outstanding work in the Solent in two ways:

YA Conservation Award. This is a small plaque that can be displayed by the recipient. The presentation of the award offers a publicity opportunity Small grants, usually less than £5000, to facilitate a project that assists with the protection and conservation of the Solent. The Solent is a complex area that has to satisfy the , sometimes conflicting, demands of its many users. SPS seeks to explain how the Solent works, and to comment on proposed and actual legislation for the benefit of Solent users. A series of winter talks is being planned to take place in various parts of the area, If you would like to help SPS support and encourage people who strive to protect the Solent, you are welcome to join. The current annual subscription is £12. The application forms can be found on the SPS website at http://www.solentprotection.org/join

 

Visiting the ALK Museum at Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle is accessible by ferry from Keyhaven, or on foot along Hurst Spit from Milford on Sea More to do at Hurst Castle In addition to the ALK museum there are numerous other fascinating things to see at Hurst castle. Hurst Castle was the perfect location to defend the western approach to the Solent. The castle was built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses and was completed in 1544. Charles I was imprisoned here in 1648 before being taken to London to his trial and execution. The castle was modernised during the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1870’s when the enormous armoured wings were constructed. Two of the huge 38-ton guns installed in the 1870’s can be viewed in their casemates. During World War II, Hurst was manned with coastal gun batteries and searchlights. Since the castle has been opened to the public many more exhibits and exhibitions have been installed. In addition to the ALK Museum, Trinity House also have a major display. For more information about the venue visit http://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/index.html

Contacts
Association of Lighthouse Keepers: Keith Morton, ALK representative at Hurst Castle

hurst@alk.org.uk | Tel: 01329 843883

 

Solent Protection Society: Jeremy Clark (Chairman)

Jeremy.clark589@btinternet.com | Tel: 02380 402767