A HEARTBROKEN lighthouse keeper’s ghost has taken up residence at a famous North Wales landmark.
The silvery, 7ft figure has made his haunting of Talacre Lighthouse permanent, some 50ft above the popular North Wales beach, following countless sightings by local residents and visitors. But The Keeper is a sculpture made of highly polished stainless steel, being the culmination of a project between the lighthouse owner and Flintshire coastal rangers.
For years there have been reports of an apparition, that of a lighthouse keeper, seen patrolling the balcony or inside the lantern room at Talacre Lighthouse. Many of the sightings have been in broad daylight.
Inspired by the resident ghost, lighthouse owner James McAllister and Flintshire County Council’s coastal unit wanted to bring him to life and commissioned a local artist to create a sculpture.
James said: “As owner of Talacre Beach Caravan Park I often hear stories from residents and guests that they’ve seen something on the lighthouse, or their dogs have reacted strangely around it, as if they sense something.
“We had a medium investigate and she made the connection to a keeper called Raymond, who may have died of a fever and a broken heart. It seems like he was a rather lonely figure, so I’m hoping that his new guest will be company for him and will go some way to soothing his anguish.”
The sculpture idea quickly developed into a serious art project and required listed building planning consent to be installed. It has taken two years to complete.
Angela Smith’s design is inspired by the coastline’s marine life.
Constructed by a local blacksmith, The Keeper is made from hundreds of highly polished, medical-grade stainless steel sea creature shapes, making him rust-resistant.
He reflects natural light and gaps between the shapes allow wind to blow through, potentially allowing him to make a suitably ghostly moaning noise.
Mike Taylor, senior ranger for Flintshire County Council Countryside Services, is delighted the project has come to fruition and hopes the sculpture will become an attraction in its own right.
He said: “We believe The Keeper is a fitting tribute to this coast’s maritime heritage and marine wildlife, and of course to the ghost of Talacre Lighthouse.”