The Story of the Coquet Island Lighthouse and its people, on audio cassette.

For over 150 years the Lighthouse on Coquet Island has guided seamen along the Northumberland Coast to the harbour of Amble. It’s now an automatic, unmanned station, but for many years the keepers and their families lived on the island, growing their crops, milking their goats, and tending the lamp.

‘A LIGHT ON COQUET’ remembers those days, and the joys and hardships of island and lighthouse life.

Based on an un-broadcast BBC Radio 4 programme, it features the memories of Bel Shepherd, Laura Sibbald, Paul & Isabel Morrison, Pat Rowley, Cyril & Ella Jones and Neil Griffith, many of whom have direct experience of living and working on Coquet. The programme includes a specially-authorised visit to the island (normally closed as a bird sanctuary), and an exploration of the lighthouse buildings.

The 34-minute stereo programme was recorded, produced and presented by Graeme Aldous, and keeps alive an important piece of lighthouse history. It includes as incidental music the ‘Coquet Lament’, written by Isabel Morrison and Tony Rylance, and performed by the singers and musicians of Coquet High School, Amble. Side 2 of the tape features complete vocal and instrumental versions.