Porthcawl Lighthouse

We walked to the end of the stone pier at Porthcawl to have a look at the old lighthouse which was built in 1860. This 30 foot high lighthouse is still in use as a navigational aid. It was the last coal and gas powered lighthouse built in the UK. In 1997, it switched to North Sea Gas before becoming powered by electricity in 1997. Unbelievably, for many years, the harbour master had to brave the elements  (even in the roughest of storms) to go and feed the gas meter initially with pennies, then some while later, with one shilling coins. Quite amazing!