A campaign was started after lighthouse owner Trinity House announced that it could no longer afford to repaint the distinctive red and white stripes and that it would have to be left to return to its natural granite grey
Trinity House stated that because boats now have high tech navigational systems the day marker stripes are no longer essential.
The Campaign to help save the distinctive red and white stripes on Beachy Head Lighthouse was launched on Friday 14th October 2011. It is being run by the Eastbourne Herald, AM Rotary Eastbourne and our Facebook Group.
Check on our News page for the current total plus how and where to donate your pennies/pounds or look for details in the Eastbourne Herald.
We will be working closely with Trinity House at all stages of the Campaign. Our original target was:- We need to raise £27,000 for the work involved & Hempel/Crown Paints are donating the paint.
Trinity House have now had a firm quote from one of their preferred contractors:- "The contractor believes the work will require four weeks to complete with a 3 day rest period mid project, to facilitate this and water re-supply we will require use of the local boat provider. The cost of applying the paint is £24800, the cost of local boats will be £2220 This gives a total cost of £27020"
Eastbourne Borough Council donated £10,000 to the campaign
The Duke of Devonshire donated £1,000 to the campaign
Rob Wassell's new book, 50% of profit will go to the Campaign
WE'VE SAVED THE STRIPES!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Campaign over the past year.
We have raised over £27,000 & the painting will go ahead in Spring 2013. Regular updates will be posted on here, our Facebook group & on Twitter
The support has been truly amazing and it was so heartening that you all felt the same way about OUR LIGHTHOUSE whether you lived down here in Sussex or on the other side of the world!
See Cheryl's photos of the Campaign Team's visit to the Lighthouse with members of Trinity House.
Here's to the new stripes!
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