It has taken four years to complete and has been a very personal project for the 83 year-old owner, who said: “I was born and raised in Wallasey and my own father went to sea so it wasn’t a difficult decision when I was asked whether I wanted to buy it.”
In 1973 Norman Kingham paid just £100 for the Grade II* listed building and has since spent more than £150, 000 on it.
According to English Heritage a lighthouse such as Perch Rock is a very important feature on this part of Britain’s coastline, which is why the organisation decided to help fund its renovation.
“Such buildings are few and far between and its preservation has been a priority for English Heritage,” said English Heritage’s Historic Buildings Inspector, Peter de Figueiredo.
This generous aid has helped take the lighthouse off the buildings at risk register and, as de Figueiredo added: “Just one look at the lighthouse tells you that it was all worth it.”
Perch Rock Lighthouse was the last image of England that thousands of people would have seen as they left behind their homeland for new lives in America many years ago, making it a very valuable and important reminder of Merseyside’s past.
It can only be reached at low tide and the one door into the lighthouse is 30 feet above sea level, which can only be accessed by a long ladder.
The lamp was removed in the 1970s but it still flashes a message to Liverpool. Using light as Morse code, it lists the names of all local people who lost their lives at sea.
Although not the lighthouse’s original use, it is a symbol of remembrance for the local area, and Norman Kingham said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to restore it to its full glory for future generations to enjoy.”
