The Corporation of Trinity House will celebrate in May, 2014, the 500th anniversary of the granting by a young King Henry VIII of a Royal Charter to a fraternity of mariners called the Guild of the Holy Trinity “so that they might regulate the pilotage of ships in the King’s streams.”
To mark this milestone event in British maritime history, a magnificent hardback volume ‘Light Upon The Waters’ encompassing the definitive history of Trinity House has been issued and is now available. The book comprises over 320 pages of 350 colour and mono images and illustrations – some of which are published for the first time. The book is authored by Capt. Andrew Adams (a Younger Brother of Trinity House) and Capt Richard Woodman, (an Elder Brother) – the latter with over 50 other published works to his name.
‘Light Upon The Waters’ features a Preface by HRH The Princess Royal, current Master of Trinity House, and a Foreword by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Past Master of The House.
The book is available for purchase from Trinity House at the retail price of £29.95 (plus £4.25 for packaging and postage within the UK). Interested book reviewers can peruse a synopsis of the book by following the link: http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/horizon/book-2013/ .
Please visit the Trinity House website for more details or to purchase a copy online, click on the link below:
http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/commercial/gift_shop/books_patricia_voyages/index.html
Trinity House is today home to the General Lighthouse Authority and although primarily closed to the public, is available for hire on a private basis. The House offers delightful views across Trinity Square Gardens to the Tower of London and is one of London’s most distinguished event venues. The elegant and spacious interiors have the ambience of a grand private residence and are an impressive setting for memorable corporate and social occasions. Behind the building’s imposing neo-classical façade, designed by Samuel Wyatt in 1794, are five graceful banqueting rooms catering for seated events up to 130 places and up to 200 for a reception. To view a brief film on the House and its facilities, please visit: http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/venue_hire
Notes To Editors
About Trinity House
Trinity House is the working office of the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for England and Wales with responsibility for nearly 600 Aids to Navigation from traditional aids such as lighthouses, buoys and beacons to the latest satellite navigation technology. In addition, it inspects over 10,000 local Aids to Navigation provided by port and harbour authorities and those positioned on offshore structures.The venue at Tower Hill pays a rent to the Corporation for its use which ensures, as in all other aspects of the two organisations’ finances, that the accounts of the Corporation and the General Lighthouse Authority are entirely separate and without crossover.
Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1514, the Corporation is also a major maritime charity, wholly funded by its endowments. The Corporation spends around £4m each year on its charitable activities including welfare of mariners, education and training, and the promotion of safety at sea. It is also a Deep Sea Pilotage Authority. Please visit www.trinityhouse.co.uk for more information.
About Trinity House on Tower Hill
The history of the House is omnipresent and throughout the building, valuable paintings and antiques pay tribute to the nation’s remarkable nautical heritage. The Trinity House connection with seamarks dates from Elizabeth I and the Seamarks Act of 1566 which granted powers to set up "so many beacons, marks and signs for the sea whereby the dangers may be avoided and escaped and ships the better come into their ports without peril.”
The first lighthouse was built during the reign of James I by Trinity House at Lowestoft in 1609, and the next 200 years saw a proliferation of light house building around the coast.
In its 200 year history, the building of Trinity House has welcomed royalty, prime ministers and Lords of the Admiralty and is today managed by Deputy Master, Captain Ian McNaught. Reflecting the on-going patronage of the Crown, the current Master of the Corporation is HRH The Princess Royal, filling a role held in former centuries by, amongst others, the diarist Samuel Pepys, the Duke of Wellington, William Pitt the Younger and, more recently, The Duke of Edinburgh.