Chrys Mellor, chair of the “Friends of the Chalk Tower”, entertained members with an enthusiastic talk about the 350 year old grade 2 star listed chalk tower at Flamborough.

It was built as part of an unsuccessful business venture to safeguard shipping.  Chrys says it could be the second oldest complete lighthouse in the world.  She described its construction.

Although there is no evidence that a fire was ever lit, records suggest it was used as a semaphore station during the Napoleonic Wars, and later in the 1800’s for shipping communications. It may even have been a lookout station for gunners stationed nearby in WW2.

The tower has some interesting graffiti linked to its history.

Chrys described the renovations made since it came into public ownership in 1939 and outlined the hopes for the future, which would include making the internal stairs to the roof safe for visitors.

The vote of thanks was given by Sally Durrans.