Your personal memories
Do you have a favourite memory or story about the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse you’d like to share? Perhaps you have photographs you have taken from a boat or the shoreline? If so then we’d love to hear from you. Click to Share your memory.
Here are some recent memories …
Royal Sovereign and light pollution at the Royal Greenwich Observatory
Dr Paul Murdin.In 1971, the lighting of the towns around the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux Castle had caused light pollution to grow and become a considerable factor inhibiting its work. The observatory began public discussion about lighting controls,...
Royal Sovereign Station Record Books
Name: Edward PeppittDate memory submitted: March 25th, 2024 I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend at the lighthouse at Bidston Hill on the Wirral. I was there with around twenty members of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers to work on digitising the ALK's...
It’s Move Day!
The Lantern Tower is moved into its temporary home at Ibstock in BexhillThe Royal Sovereign Lighthouse Lantern Tower arrives at its new temporary home at Ibstock in Turkey Road, Bexhill. We are very grateful to Coussens Cranes and K Drury and Sons for their hard work...
Kitchen
Name: Richard EvansDate memory submitted: November 19th, 2023 The kitchen was spacious unlike traditional lighthouses which are cramped by comparison. Pictures taken May 1994.
Skipper of fishing boat lost at sea
Name: Richard EvansDate memory submitted: November 19th, 2023 My tribute to Peter Hamper, the skipper who took me to Royal Sovereign, who was lost overboard on a sole fishing trip on 20th December 1997. This plaque is mounted by the lock gates at Sovereign Harbour.
Opportunity of a lifetime to board the lighthouse.
Name: Richard EvansDate memory submitted: November 19th, 2023 I met the engineers installing solar panels. Dave Mc Govern lighthouse keeper in the background. May 1994.
Boarding Royal Sovereign Lighthouse
Name: Richard EvansDate memory submitted: November 19th, 2023 Interior photo of the kitchen and lantern in May 1994.
Interview with last keeper
Name: Richard EvansDate memory submitted: November 19th, 2023 In May 1994 I interviewed Davd Mc Govern the last keeper of Royal Sovereign Lighthouse on the phone. Then I had the opportunity of a lifetime of boarding it by climbing the exterior from a fishing boat.
PAINTING IT CLOSER
Name: Tony ShuttDate memory submitted: October 23rd, 2023 I was so fascinated with the view from Bexhill of the distant tiny outline of the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse that I decided to bring it nearer. In 2016 I completed a painting of it, which now hangs in our...
Courtesy Harold Taylor former keeper at Royal Sovereign Lighthouse
Ex Trinity House Lightkeeper “Harold Taylor” personal archives he gave to Roy Thompson & Keith Morton ALK members & their Archives. Photos courtesy Harold Taylor
Harold Taylor former keeper of Royal Sovereign Lighthouse
Ex Keeper Harold Taylor for Trinity House
Photos from Ex keeper Harold Taylor
Ex Trinity House Lightkeeper "Harold Taylor" personal archives he gave to Roy Thompson & Keith Morton ALK members & their Archives. Photos courtesy Harold Taylor
Duke of Kent delivers Christmas fare to Royal Sovereign
Eastbourne lifeboat the Duke of Kent delivering Christmas fare to royal sovereign light tower crew. Each year just before Christmas the Eastbourne lifeboat would deliver gifts from the people of Eastbourne, picture shows lifeboat crewmen George cole and Bob billitch...
Boat trip out to Royal Sovereign with the ALK
Name: Edward PeppittDate memory submitted: September 25th, 2023 I was lucky enough to join a boat trip a couple of years ago, organised by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers. We circled Beachy Head lighthouse before heading out to Royal Sovereign.
