Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 51 LIGHTHOUSE POEM by Rykir Rykir’s Pages (continued) In the howling wind on a piece of land near the sparkling shore line a lighthouse stands great and tall, old and rusted. The newly painted red and white like a fresh sheet of snow glazes in the path of the sunlight, off the cliff the light blue water shines below.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 52 Sylvie’s Pages THE OCEAN’S BRIGHT SIDE “I chose this photo because it explains my story and the lighthouse’s surroundings. So I imagine a more live version of this photo, the waves standing still with the seaweed beds clear in your sight.” Sylvie’s Photo Selection:
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 53 I WONDER WHY by Sylvie Sylvie’s Pages (continued) I wonder why I feel so blue. The same emotion as the ocean too. Come along, let’s feel the breeze. Try not to fall on your knees. I wonder why the mountains rise, maybe they have a meaning in disguise. How the clouds live up so high, they fill my heart like frigid minds. I wonder about the rocks, so shiny and cold. They remind me of icicles ready to fold. I look at the plants, swaying back and forth. I wonder why they chose that march. I look up at the lighthouse, what do you see? A large ancient building is facing me. I really wonder about the sand, for a texture it looks quite bland. Sit down on this bench, and let’s find an umbrella to fetch. The rain catches on in the blue, blue sky. Falling down like how a waterfall cries. The puddles form but not for long, before the sun shoots out like one big ray gun. Behind those clouds comes the sky so proud. It makes me wonder out loud. Now come along and enjoy the view, sit down and you’ll see it too.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 54 Thea’s Pages LIGHTHOUSE “I chose this photo because it was a pretty view from the bench, although I’d probably pick a different one I decided to go more simple.” Thea’s Photo Selection:
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 55 Thea’s Pages (continued) L’OCÉAN by Thea The sea was sorrowful and miserable fearing the night, Until the lighthouse was built. Now the ocean fills with hopes of a new life. The waves are calm like a soft breeze, Glimmering in delight. The lighthouse shines under the radiant sun. Smiling to itself with glee.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 56 Valery’s Pages GRASS LAND “I chose this photo because I love green grass and the sunny shine on my hand, and the beautiful flower.” Valery’s Photo Selection:
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 57 Valery’s Pages (continued) HEAR THE MUSIC by Valery As we lay by the lighthouse on the grass long and green short and tall as you see you look up to see a small little tree you see the birds singing to the sea. As you watch the trees you Feel the breeze cold and cool On your skin You feel a tickle And you have a little giggle. As you lay you doze off in a snap Good night little one.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 58 Weston’s Pages SEA SIDE “I chose this photo because I liked the cliff next to the waterfront. The trees are cool. The jet trails from planes look really big. It would be a good view from the lighthouse.” Weston’s Photo Selection:
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 59 Weston’s Pages (continued) LIGHTHOUSE DISASTER byWeston A cute seal swimming through crystal clear water, looking like a flying angel spearing through the air. Old rusted lighthouse, moving around with its only gears rusting, clinking and clanking. Waves crash against the rocks at forceful speeds and all the fish were flying out of the water. Now the birds can feed. While the light keeper watches them from a high. The ocean is calm. Whales come through the water and splash through the waves eating Plankton, while sharks go below and hunt their prey. Almost a thousand meters down, you can find a very old shipwreck. It was trying to come along and it crashed against rocks. Only eight people survived. Well, it was a real crisis until they built the lighthouse. But still it will be a crisis without sea life swimming and eating and breeding. This is how we can eat seafood, like clams, mussels, and urchins. There’s a lot of good food you can find. Some of them you could dry on a mat. It becomes day, crystal clear waters. Ships leaking oil, that’s what’s killing the sea life. So I need to stop this crisis. That’s why if we didn’t have any lighthouses, all the ships will be doomed.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 60 Willow’s Pages MOTHER NATURE’S MASTERPIECES “I like the trees, rocks and the grass. I chose this photo because I like nature and I like green.” Willow’s Photo Selection:
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 61 Willow’s Pages (continued) THE HAUNTED LIGHTHOUSE by Willow As I walk step by step left to right… I hear screaming voices upon the Lighthouse I strolled. Then I hear rocks bouncing off the jagged top of the lighthouse In to the water. SPLASH!!! I see a shipwreck, birds eating clams on the deck. Then I see grass as small as a mouse eating cheese. Trees skinny and not. I walk in to the lighthouse then I see a face… It eats me!!! THE END
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 62 “I’ll be visiting Sheringham Point Lighthouse this summer. How about you?” Check out the website for directions (that’s driving directions, not swimming): https://sheringhamlighthouse.ca/the-lighthouse-2/visit-thelighthouse-site/site-map/
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 63 Exploring the Lighthouse A Big Thank-You And finally, but most of all, we want to thank Principal Krista Leakey and Teachers Rebecca Moore, Marion Stupich, Danielle Duvauchelle, Leanne Gates and Tesla Mayenburg, and in particular the students at Sooke Elementary for making this project so enjoyable. We want to thank Tom Harris - Telus, for donating the cellphone cameras for the students to use. Without this support, the program would not have been possible. This project was carried out by the Society’s partners: Change Canada Consultants Ltd. Our thanks to them: Ian Fawcett (coordinator & photographer), Kathleen Arnason (author and story-teller) and Bill Turner (for helping develop and implement the program). This project was conducted in partnership with the National Trust for Land & Culture (BC), who provided technical assistance and equipment throughout the project. Our thanks also to SPLPS volunteers for helping at the site and with the setup of the program, and to the Society’s members and supporters who provided the financing for the program. Our thanks to the District of Sooke for providing a Community Grant to help finance the program.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 64 Exploring the Lighthouse Raising Funds to Protect the Lighthouse And finally, something a little different... Just like our heritage...don’t discard it, look again! Projects such as the protection and restoration of Sheringham Point Lighthouse depend upon the generosity of people who care about what we are trying to accomplish, and who want to help. Much of the funding for this project so far has been provided by individuals who have stepped forward to make a donation. However, in order to ensure that the Lighthouse can be well cared for in the future, and to enable us to continue providing educational opportunities at the Lighthouse - such as this program - we need to raise additional funds. Can you help? We have set up a fundraising page on the Society’s website to make it easy to donate (all donations over $10.00 will receive a charitable tax receipt). You can find it at: https://sheringhamlighthouse.ca/get-involved-2/make-a-donation/ THANK YOU! Anyone who takes photographs knows that things don’t always turn out as planned. A click at the wrong time, a shake of the camera or a wrong setting can produce something entirely unintended. Often, the results of these situations are simply discarded. But sometimes, with a bit of luck, and with a willingness to look again with a fresh eye and an open mind, the results can be startling. We’ve collected a number of the images created by the children during their visit to the lighthouse that didn’t quite turn out as intended, but that struck us as beautiful abstract images nontheless. We’ve called this collection “UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES”, and we hope they will inspire you to look again at our heritage treasures like Sheringham Point Lighthouse, and make a donation to help us ensure its conservation. Take a look at these few samples on the next page, we think you’ll be amazed!
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 65 “Unintended Consequences”
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 66 www.sheringhamlighthouse.org “A Lighthouse is a beacon of hope; a symbol of human solidarity.” Gary Geddes BC poet & author