In this opening episode of Season 3 of Keeping Watch, a fortnightly podcast for lighthouse enthusiasts, Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles reflect on the recent Association of Lighthouse Keepers AGM weekend in Stranraer, highlighting the camaraderie and fascinating tours of nearby lighthouses.   Mel chats with Chris Folds, a former lighthouse keeper with Trinity House, who shares captivating stories and experiences from his time serving on 32 different lighthouses between 1971 and 1989.   Chris fondly recalls both eerie and amusing incidents at various lighthouses, along with tales of shipwrecks and peculiar encounters, providing a fascinating glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper.    Key moments   02:10 Highlights from the AGM Weekend 04:09 Exploring the Lighthouses 06:31 Memorable Moments and Reflections 12:58 The Importance of ALK Membership 16:20 Interview with Chris Foulds 32:20 Navy's Intervention and Shell Disposal 32:34 The Wreck of the Mary and Other Shipwrecks 33:51 Hobbies and Pastimes on the Lighthouse 35:48 Exploring Dungeness and Other Locations 38:13 Life on the Lighthouse: Companionship and Challenges 39:47 Memorable Experiences and Adventures 46:10 Collecting and Restoring Vintage Items 54:27 Automation and the End of an Era 56:19 Final Reflections 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