This week's episode of Keeping Watch, hosted by Ed Peppitt and Melanie Charles, features a captivating discussion with Mark Lewis, the ALK Education Officer, on lighthouses and the paranormal. Mark shares his exploration of ghost stories, folklore, and scientific explanations related to paranormal phenomena in lighthouses around the world.

Ed and Mel also talk about last weekend's ALK Digital Archive weekend at Bidston Hill Lighthouse.

Key moments

01:05 Lighthouses and the Paranormal 01:25 Weekend at Bidston Observatory 04:53 Digital Archiving Adventures 07:46 Lighthouse News: Long Ships Fog Signal 08:59 Interview with Mark Lewis: Folklore and Paranormal 26:45 Investigating Paranormal Phenomena in Lighthouses 27:36 Ruling Out Natural Explanations 29:14 Suggestibility and Memory in Paranormal Experiences 33:38 Scientific Theories on Paranormal Activity 39:43 Mercury Poisoning and Lighthouse Keepers 41:59 Famous Lighthouse Mysteries and Folklore 45:08 The Romantic Movement and Lighthouse Stories 47:25 Fiction Morphing into Fact 49:31 Favorite Paranormal Stories and Future Projects 53:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

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