Places features

Happisburgh lighthouse, based on the Norfolk coastline between Cromer and Great Yarmouth, has seen some difficult times in its past, but it can now boast a new royal patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

Princess Anne becomes the new patron of the lighthouse starting on Thursday, 1 January, 2009, to ensure it's kept in full working order for the next three years.

Keeping in check

The Princess has been long connected with lighthouses around the UK. She has been being patron of the Northern Lighthouse Board since 1993 and an elder brother of Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

It is not the first royal connection Happisburgh lighthouse has seen. Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother formally handed over the lighthouse from Trinity House to the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust in 1990. 

The Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1998, following a campaign by the local community to save the lighthouse from closure. It is responsible for running the lighthouse, which is the only independent working lighthouse in the UK.

The lighthouse was saved in 1990

"We are delighted that Her Royal Highness has decided to support our lighthouse. Royal approval of our efforts to keep the light shining gives real encouragement to a community determined not to lose its heritage," said Diana Wrightson, chairman of the Friends of Happisburgh lighthouse.

Royal significance

Having a royal patron is very important for the lighthouse and the whole community of Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast.

"Having a royal patron gives the whole of our organisation a more positive image and people will be more inclined to visit the lighthouse," said Diana.

"It's nice to continue the royal connection. The Royal Family have a strong presence around Norfolk and this news gives the lighthouse and the whole of Happisburgh a boost. It certainly puts it on the map," she added.

Close to closure

Happisburgh lighthouse had faced closure in 1990. Trinity House, former owners of the lighthouse, had decided that the sandbanks just off the coast from the village were no longer a major threat, due to satellite navigation on modern ships.

The Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust was eventually passed in Parliament after much protest from residents of the village and fans of the lighthouse.

Diana hopes the newest royal to support the lighthouse will eventually come and visit the site, to ensure it will stay open for people to enjoy for years to come.

"When Princess Anne looks at her 2009 diary, I'm sure she will book in a time to come and visit us," she said.