From The Eastern Daily Press
04 August 2005 17:20
The future of two of East Anglia’s prominent lighthouses looks bleak after a report recommended they should be turned off in the next five years.
Trinity House, the lighthouse authority for England and Wales, has said the lights from the landmarks at Southwold and Lowestoft, will be switched off if they are no longer relied on by mariners for navigation.
A nationwide review by the authority says that 11 of its 71 lighthouses will close due to advances in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.
And as a result, the lighthouses at Southwold and Lowestoft will close by 2010 providing there is alternative terrestrial radio navigation to back up GNSS. A consultation will now take place with harbour authorities and users groups about the proposed changes.
Jeremy de Halpert, executive chairman of Trinity House said the Aids to Navigation Review had identified the north Suffolk landmarks as possible closures.
“I can confirm Trinity House has contacted local authorities on several occasions to check that there are no objections or comments so as we understand it there are no maritime user objections to these two closures under these conditions,” he said.
“If the consultation finds that mariners do not rely on the light from the lighthouse for their navigation then the lighthouse will be switched off.
“In this case the buildings will remain a prominent part of the coastline as they are listed buildings.”
Peter Austin, a Southwold town councillor who organises public tours of the lighthouse said it would be a “sad day” if it is switched off.
“It will be a very sad day indeed if the lighthouse ceases to be operational,” he said. “There is no doubt something will be lost if the lighthouse is not working as it has been part of the town’s history for so long.”
Southwold Lighthouse, which stands 31 metres high, was built in 1889 and became fully automated in 1938.
It can send a white beam of light 18 miles out to sea, while it’s red light, visible for 15 miles, serves as a warning of the sand banks to the north of Southwold and to Sizewell bank to the south.
Lowestoft Lighthouse was first established in 1609, but has undergone several rebuilds, the most recent in 1874.
It was electrified in 1936, automated in 1975 and stands 16 metres high, with a light beam range of 23 miles out to sea.
A very sad day for East Anglia don’t you think?
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 11:26
Surely he doesn’t plead that loudly?
It’s the howling that bothers the fisherman it frightens the Cod.
That’s why they say there’s a fish shortage in the North Sea.
By: Auster Fan - 5th August 2005 at 11:19
I doubt the foghorn will go as the carnal noises from the Snapper marital chamber probably present a hazard to shipping.
If any ships got close to Snapper’s house, I would be seriously worried as the tide would have to have come in a hell of a long way! Most of Lowestoft would be under water – still, every cloud has a silver lining!
By: Auster Fan - 5th August 2005 at 11:14
It’s amazing what a talented tailor can do when presented with a couple of butchers’ aprons.
Well – there’s always a plus side. While he’s here, he doesn’t have to pay VAT on his clothes that he buys ……………… Mothercare do some lovely stuff these days……
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 10:55
The lighthuse in Lowestoft will no longer beam into my bedroom providing silhouettes of my wife and I getting up to no good? Wonderful. Can they switch the bloody foghorn off as well?
I doubt the foghorn will go as the carnal noises from the Snapper marital chamber probably present a hazard to shipping.
By: Snapper - 5th August 2005 at 10:28
The lighthuse in Lowestoft will no longer beam into my bedroom providing silhouettes of my wife and I getting up to no good? Wonderful. Can they switch the bloody foghorn off as well?
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 10:27
I might try a bit of that myself.
Well, it’s going to hurt but I’ve got to stop the rot.
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 10:06
When she made some of your shirts she must have had a fair bit of material left. I keep seeing caravans with very familiar curtains.
Ever since the Corleone family arrived (and in the previous month too while I was with them in the Americas) my shirts have mysteriously shrunk and now no longer seem to fit.
Austerity starts here Monday.
Cheers
Andy
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 09:44
It’s amazing what a talented tailor can do when presented with a couple of butchers’ aprons.
My Mother had a deck chair made from the same material.
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 09:28
You’ve not watched “The Godfather” recently, Andy?
I never knew they still had ‘thirty bob tailors’ in Hong Kong.
The suit reared it’s ugly head in conversation last night too.
Later
A.
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 08:57
Shoals of Herring???????? :confused: :confused:
By: Andy in Beds - 5th August 2005 at 08:04
It would be nice if a lower-powered illumination could be provided at a reduced cost so that these landmarks could remain lit.
I’m particularly fond of Southwold lighthouse, you can see some of the best morris dancing outside the nearby Sole Bay Inn.
Morris Dancing illuminated by lighthouse?
What does the small American think of that?
A.
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August 5, 2005 at 7:47 am