News
Bat For Lashes music video filmed at Hurst Point Lighthouse
Published: 23 October 2012
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Natasha Kahn, whose stage name is Bat For Lashes, recently filmed her music video ‘The Haunted Man’ at Hurst Point lighthouse. In her latest video, entitled ‘Letting Go Of Ghosts – Creating The Haunted Man’, Bat For Lashes talks about her music and her approach to creating her latest album, with stunning footage shot in and around the lighthouse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3xtin4rzrE&feature=youtu.be
Bofors Gun
Published: 18 November 2011
The recently restored World War 2 Bofors Gun has now been put on display just inside the Castle entrance.The gun which was originaly in Dover Castle was donated to the Friends of Hurst Castle and in such poor condition that only the barrel remained intact. Following a major rebuild by the East Wing team the Bofors is now in pride of place as a reminder of the type of weapon at Hurst in WW11.
Unveiling of New Forest National Park Interpretation Boards
Published: 07 April 2011
Hurst Castle was very pleased to welcome the Chairman Julian Johnson and C.E.O Alison Barnes of the New Forest National Park along with representatives and sponsors for the unveiling of two new interpretation boards. The boards supplied by the NFNP cover areas not included in other exhibitions at the Castle and will prove a valuable guide for visitors.
Poppy Joins The Team
Published: 02 March 2011
A new apprentice has joined the Hurst Ferry and Castle workforce. Poppy who will be 5 months at Easter has just started her apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Honey. It is hoped that she will be ready to meet her first visitors when the Castle reopens full time on 1st April. She has already qualified in Labrador grade A (inspection of lunch boxes).
Echo
Published: 25 November 2010
It is with much regret that we have to announce the death of ECHO the Castle and Ferry Labrador at the age of 15.
Echo spent some time as a puppy living in the cottage at Hurst with her ‘owner’ Jason. She was well known to the many visitors at Hurst and was particularly loved by the school parties. Many pupils were accustomed to her joining the lessons by sitting as part of the circle listening attentively to the teacher. Geography was her favourite subject as it involved walks on the spit. Her behaviour at school was impeccable and prompted one school to award her honorary GCSEs in History and Geography as the best pupil.
She spent her last day at work in the Castle supervising the workers and closely inspecting their lunches.
She will be greatly missed.
Friends of Hurst Castle Rooms Grand Opening
Published: 25 July 2010
The new Friends of Hurst Castle display was formally opened by local BBC television journalist Chris Conybeer. Before the official cutting of the ribbon, the Chairman of the Friends, David Pryer,
thanked local historian Michael Hodges whose generous donation of a large number of historic weapons makes up a significant part of the new exhibition. Also on display in the former WW2 Generator Room is a collection of archive material from the Milford on Sea Historical Records Society who have entered into partnership with the Friends of Hurst Castle.
Audio Guided Tour
Published: 01 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 only £2, or an individual track for just 10p. Proceeds go towards the restoration and maintenance of the building.
Click here to listen to Dennis Skillicorn’s tour of Hurst Castle
NEWS ARCHIVE
Published: 01 April 2009
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.