The most northerly part of the Welsh mainland is in Flintshire – Point of Ayr. Point of Ayr gives its name to the 60ft high lighthouse there – we know it as Talacre Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was originally built from brick in 1776 through monies provided by the Chester business community after the loss of two ships, their crews and valuable cargoes in 1775. The lighthouse once had bi-directional lights. The main beam, at 63 feet, shone out to sea towards Llandudno and a second beam shone up the River Dee, towards the hamlet of Dawpool at Thurstaston, Wirral. The lighthouse was originally painted with red and white stripes, and had a red lantern housing.
In 1844 a newer metal-piled construction replaced the older lighthouse and this is the lighthouse we see today. This was superseded by ‘The Dee-Lightship’ in 1883 and so the lighthouse fell into disuse, indeed not too long ago the lighthouse together with two acres, was up for sale with a price tag of £100,000 and has apparently been sold to a local businessman.
A great place for an evening walk with the family and the dogs - even in the depths of winter.
#talacre #flintshire #history #localhistory #pointofayr
The Blenheim Boys
‘The devotion and gallantry… are beyond all praise. The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava is eclipsed in brightness by these almost daily deeds of fame.’
Winston Churchill on the Blenheim Crews - Prime Minister’s Personal Minute, M.852/1, 30 August 1941
