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Happisburgh Lighthouse23 December 2004
Britain's only independently run lighthouse

While some of us are hoping for the kind of weather that brings snow this Christmas, those out at sea must be crossing their fingers for milder conditions.

With strong winds predicted, there will be few sights more reassuring than the friendly beam of Happisburgh lighthouse, the only independently run lighthouse in Britain.

It was built in the 18th century after 70 sailing ships and 600 men were lost off the Norfolk coast in a severe Winter Storm. But in the 1980s the lighthouse was threatened with closure, until a group of local women set up the “Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse” to manage the building.

Jill Hopkins met up with the original Friends, Diana Wrightson, Christine Payne and Mary Trett to find out more about their relationship with this historic structure.

The sea shanty was sung by Gilbert Larter.

Happisburgh Lighthouse


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