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 [email protected]. 

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 [email protected]. 

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