The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch
I love this book and used to enjoy reading it to my own children, as well as the children I taught. Mr Grinling, the lighthouse keeper, has his lunch sent across to him every day on a line by Mrs Grinling. The problem is that the seagulls really appreciate Mrs Grinling’s offerings and she is constantly seeking a way to prevent them stealing her husband’s food.
It was published in 1977, written by Ronda Armitage and illustrated by her husband, David. Ronda Armitage was born in 1943 in Kaikoura, New Zealand. In 1974, she and David and their two children moved to England, and the book was inspired by the lighthouse at Beachy Head on the southern coast of UK.
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Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Beachy Head Lighthouse, in East Sussex, was commissioned in October, 1902, as a replacement for the Belle Tout Lighthouse, which now serves as a hotel.
Belle Tout was built on top of the cliffs, but was never very successful, as the light was obscured by sea mists. That’s a strange thing to say, for surely all lighthouses are subject to the vagaries of the weather. Apparently, under such conditions, the light did not reach far enough out to sea, and ships sailing close to the rocks could not see the light because it was blocked by the cliffs. Coastal erosion solved that problem for a few years, until it was decided to build an alternative on the rocks below.
BelleTout, a Grade II listed building, was moved in 1999 because erosion was threatening the foundations, and after passing through several sales, finally settled as a quaint guesthouse.
The red and white Beachy Head Lighthouse is the last offshore lighthouse to be built by Trinity House, ‘the official authority for lighthouses in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar’. It was also one of the last lighthouses to be electrified, bringing to an end the tradition of lighthouse keepers. For the first eighty years of its existence, three keepers cleaned and maintained the light, living in quarters lit by paraffin lamps.
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Contenders for the oddest lighthouse must include the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse, which marked a sandbank off the coast of East Sussex, near Eastbourne. A single pillar rose from the seabed to support a lighthouse tower and helicopter platform. In 2023, the top section was taken away. The pillar is destined to be removed in 2024.
What a wonderful looking book & a great story line that must be. I am not familiar with that story so I must have a look for it in my local Library as the Grandsons would enjoy it I am sure.
ReplyDeleteKaikoura - the township where the author was born - is very much a seaside town itself & very beautiful. I have wonderful memories of my holiday there & walking amongst the seals on the beach.
There's a series of Lighthouse Keeper stories, but this was the original.
DeleteHow wonderful to walk among seals on the beach :-)
That sounds like a wonderful book, so I have just nipped over to abebooks and popped a copy into my basket. My youngest grandchildren will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThe methods used to construct lighthouses have long held a fascination for me.
Is it because we're an island nation that lighthouses interest us so?
DeleteI love that story and it was a great favourite at school - it was the starting point for a whole project for one year group. The sign of a good book, for sure. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to find a good book to support a project and this one lent itself to so much, not least colourful art work.
DeleteInteresting... I was curious to read your posting about Trinity House not covering the IOM so have just investigated further. I came across this ...
ReplyDeleteThe General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland are:
Northern Lighthouse Board responsible for Scotland and the Isle of Man
Trinity House responsible for England, Wales, Channel Isles and Gibraltar
Irish Lights responsible for the whole of Ireland
Thanks for the prompt to further educate myself!
Gibraltar sits strangely in that group, I think.
DeleteI remember reading that charming book to my children too. I think everyone loves a lighthouse. There is something quite magical about them.
ReplyDeleteThey are magical and compelling.
DeleteHi Janice - thanks for the history of my (!!!!) lighthouse - Beachy Head and the Sovereign platform ... there are lot of reefs out there. Actually I'd say Godrevy, St Ives Bay is my lighthouse ... but as I'm living here now - this is it. I hadn't come across the book or the authors - fun to read ... creative. Thanks - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI thought of you, Hilary, knowing this is your neck of the woods :-)
DeleteI got the book out of the library - and read it through ... it'd excite lots of 'kidlits' ... but I'd never come across it - a delightful one to know about. Fun ... and thanks for remembering me when you wrote up the post - the Sovereign platform is in the process of being deconstructed somehow! Cheers Hilary
DeleteWhy shouldn't we read children's literature - it's often 'deeper' than adult books.
DeleteI don't know the book, but I have been to Beachy Head so many times, it's such a beautiful place. Of course I also know the Lighthouse and Anne's husband told me the story. We did a lot of picnics on Beachy Head and also watched the Eastbourne Airshow! That was something! I thought the planes would take my head off!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely part of the world. You can sometimes be too close to the aircraft!
DeleteI remember this book so well as I was thrown in at the deep end, when the reception teacher at my daughter's school went sick for a few weeks and I was called to take over, as I was supply teaching at the time ! The class teacher had started a project and was using this very book…and as well as this, a student was about to start her teaching practice! Luckily, the book lends itself to plenty of art and craft and the children, the student and myself had a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a lovely book and there are more in the series.
It's difficult stepping in to take over someone else's project, but this super book must have made it easier and more enjoyable.
DeleteWonderful post. Light houses are so cool. I'll have to see if I can find this book.
ReplyDeleteThere is a series of 'Lighthouse Keeper' books, but I think the original is the best.
DeleteThat sounds like a great children's book and I enjoyed the photos of the other lighthouses. I have never seen the second lighthouse quite like this one before. That's very interesting. Thanks for another great post.
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Sovereign was a strange -looking beast!
DeleteI have always enjoyed seeing lighthouses, and have fond memories of childhood holidays in Sussex and seeing the Beachy Head Lighthouse.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the book 'The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch', I'm sure it's an entertaining read.
All the best Jan
Lighthouses are always interesting, I think.
DeleteI love the way the lunch is delivered to the lighthouse keeper. The last lighthouse you mentioned looked very impressive with its heliport.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story - much fun!
DeleteWhat a fun bite of history!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon.
DeleteWe loved that book. And the other one - can't remember the title but it involves losing the key I think.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of Gower, at Whiteford, we have the only wave-swept cast iron lighthouse left in Britain.
All the lighthouses seem to be unique.
DeleteI like the sound of that book. The seagulls stealing Mr. Grinling's lunch doesn't sound too far-fetched :-)
ReplyDeleteRoyal Sovereign Lighthouse is an odd-looking lighthouse indeed. Personally, I prefer the red and white striped variety! xxx
Sea gulls are even bolder these days:-)
DeleteI loved the concept of the book, and now I'm wishing I had a young grandchild to read it to. Yes, I know about seagulls! The Royal Sovereign lighthouse is so unusual for what I've seen in the United States; have never seen one like that.
ReplyDeleteI like children's books - they're fun!
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