Keeping Watch

A Lighthouse Keeper's story - Gordon Medlicott

Listen

Description

This week, Ed and Mel talk about the various lighthouse tours and events planned by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK) for 2025 - including the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Anglesey and Kent. 
 
They also talk with former lighthouse keeper Gordon Medlicott, whose career with Trinity House spanned 32 years, from 1966 to 1998. Gordon regales us with stories from his time in the service, including Gordon's personal interaction with Prince Philip during a special Thanksgiving dinner for lighthouse keepers. 
 
Key moments
 
00:00 Welcome to Season 3 of Keeping Watch
01:19 Upcoming Lighthouse Tours and Events
02:32 Memorable Lighthouse Visits and Experiences
06:48 Exciting Future Trips and Plans
17:10 Special Interview with Gordon Medlicott
19:24 Gordon's Thanksgiving Dinner with Prince Philip
28:08 The Final Days of Manned Lighthouses
32:16 Public Liability and Promotion
32:49 The Lighthouse Exhibition
33:33 A Week of Success
34:53 The Heart Attack Incident
36:23 Navigating the Storm
37:26 The Boatman's Courage
43:52 Travel Troubles
48:43 Hobbies and Downtime
53:06 Promotion and Reflections
55:19 Conclusion and Farewell
 
 

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 alksoutheast@gmail.com. 

Please spread the word to friends and family who might be interested in listening. And do like, follow or subscribe to this podcast so that you are notified when each new episode is published. A comment or a splendid review on your podcast platform of choice would be very welcome and really helps us to get noticed. 

If you have an idea for a story you'd like us to cover, or an interesting person with a lighthouse connection we might interview, do please drop me a line. Or perhaps you are a fellow enthusiast and would like to contribute to the podcast either once or on a regular basis?

You can contact me at alksoutheast@gmail.com. 

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