News
New audio Guided Tour!
1st May 2010
Let Dennis Skillicorn
(former BBC Radio Solent presenter)
show you round Hurst Castle with a fascinating insight into its rich and varied history. From its origins under Henry VIII to the imprisonment of Charles I, through Napoleonic times and two world wars, you'll discover how guns and searchlights were developed and learn about the important role of lighthouses. This one and a half hour tour in twenty separate tracks is available for £2 at the entrance.
The audio Guided Tour is also available as a downloadable digital album. By clicking on the link below, you will be able to view all 20 tracks and play a sample of any track simply by selecting it and clicking the 'play' arrow. If you choose, you can then download the entire album for £2, or an individual track for just 10p. Proceeds go towards the restoration and maintenance of the building.
Click here to download the album
If you have any questions or difficulties, please email hurstcastle.audio@ftinternet.co.uk
NEWS ARCHIVE:
ALK Room Grand Opening -
Saturday 4th April 2009
The Association of Lighthouse Keepers' new display room was formally opened by the President of the ALK Gerry Douglas-Sherwood and the Chairman and Founder Member of the ALK Neil Hargreaves on Saturday 4th April, in the presence of ALK members and Friends of Hurst Castle. On the same occasion there was also the dedication of the Northern Lighthouse Board lantern in memory of former Principle Keeper Ray Stone, who served at the Needles lighthouse during his long career with Trinity House.
Remembering Hurst's Soldiers
Sunday 6th July 2008
A Memorial Stone to remember all the service personnel who served in Hurst Castle from 1544 to 1956 was unveiled during a short ceremony on Sunday 6th July at 1430 by Cannon Ray Hubble. The inspiration for a commemorative stone came from Charles McKenzie, the Vice Chairman of the Friends of Hurst Castle, and the stone was supplied by Commonwealth Stones in Bath and engraved by Hoare Banks Stonemasons of Lymington. The Castle Gardeners have positioned the Stone in the Captain’s Centre Flowerbed in the West Wing.
Egypt Point (Cowes) Light:
Thursday 19 June 2008
On Thursday 19 June the Egypt Point light was officially switched on by the Trinity House Executive Chairman, Jeremy de Halpert.
After receiving the Optic from the closed Trinity House museum at Penzance where it had stood for many years in an exposed position and looked rather sad, the Association of Lighthouse Keepers together with the Friends of Hurst Castle have undertaken a complete overhaul of the mechanism, stripped and repainted the metalwork, and the light now provides the finishing touch to the Trinity House lighthouse museum at Hurst Castle.
WW2 Theatre renovation:
The Friends of Hurst Castle have been busy during the winter 2007-08 smartening up the theatre which is now restored to its previous glory. The finishing touches were completed in time for the opening night on Fri. 16th May. The evening was a great success and more events are planned, details to follow.