Burnham-On-Sea’s famous low lighthouse is set to become even more famous after international motorcycle manufacturers Triumph picked the low lighthouse and beach to showcase their new classic Triumph motorcycle.
The promotional photographs for the firm’s advertising campaign were taken earlier in the year, as pictured here, and the new model made its global debut in mid-November.
Miles Perkins, Head of Brand at Triumph, said: “We have just launched the iconic Bud Ekins Bonneville T120 and T100 Special Editions for 2020. The Special Editions take all of the classic style and modern capability of the standard Bonneville T120 and Bonneville T100 and bring an even higher standard of finish.”
“We were pleased to use the marvellous backdrop of Burnham-On-Sea and the low lighthouse, whose colours complement the new model.”
Tim Mander, Property Management and Income Generation Team Leader at Sedgemoor, said: “We were pleased to be able to help Triumph and delighted that a location credit for Burnham-on-Sea will be will be used as part of a world-wide campaign for Triumph motorcycles on their global website.”
Sedgemoor District Council owns, operates and maintains the Lower Light at Burnham on Sea. In 2014, it was voted as one of the ten most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
Sedgemoor District Council owns, operates and maintains the Lower Light. The low wooden pile lighthouse or Lighthouse on legs is 36 feet (11 m) high; the light being at 23 feet (7.0 m) was built by Joseph Nelson in 1832, in conjunction with the High Lighthouse to replace the original Round Tower Lighthouse, which itself had been built to replace the light kept burning in the tower of St Andrews Church to guide fishing boats into the harbour. It is a Grade II Heritage listed structure.
It stands on nine wooden piers, some with plate metal reinforcement. The structure is whitewashed with a vertical red stripe on the sea side. The lights were inactive between 1969 and 1993 and were re-established when the High Lighthouse lights were permanently discontinued. They have a focal plane of 7 metres (23 ft) and provide a white flash every 7.5s plus a directional light (white, red, or green depending on direction) at a focal plane of 4 m [6].
Externally, the lighthouse is kept in tip-top condition by the Council who last decorated the exterior in 2016 by using specialist paint for use in a marine environment and exposed to salty air, spray and windy conditions. The materials, special equipment needed for working on soft sand and labour cost in the region of £20,000.
Internally, there are two floors and it contains electrical mains equipment in support of the lighting and a battery backup system. For many residents and visitors, the lighthouse is an iconic photographic image, especially set against the dramatic sunsets, courtesy of the quality of light, for which Burnham-On-Sea is well-known.
