MPS Contracts

MPS Contracts Specialist bespoke solutions for multi-sector clients, Project Management, Principal Designer

20/09/2025

Beachy Head Lighthouse
East Sussex, England

Located at the base of Beachy Head chalk cliffs, this lighthouse was built in 1902 by Trinity house under the direction of Sir Thomas Matthews. Using Cornish Granite and standing at 33 m in height, it offers the amazing scenery of the Seven Sisters cliffs and the English Channel.

This summer, the team led by Stuart completed the painting and restoration of this iconic red and white striped lighthouse.
As the base of the lighthouse is only accessible at high tide, the team travelled daily by boat to get to the site. Variable wind direction and swells also meant it wasn't possible to get out each day of the project. Nevertheless, no challenge was too great for the guys to overcome, and we are happy to say the weather was favourable enough to allow us to complete this project in under 2 weeks.

14/08/2025

Behind the scenes - MPS hard at work in beautiful sunny Brighton.

14/08/2025

Sussex Heights, Brighton

This July, MPS embarked on and completed the refurbishment and decoration works to the North elevation of Sussex Heights Brighton- bringing it in line with the rest of the building which was done in 2023.

At the same time as the North elevation works done by cradle, we undertook 4 weeks of maintenance works to the full façade by rope access. This covered checking and repairing all window sealant, any new works to windows and boiler flues, treatment of all rusting sills, headers and balcony balustrades.

This regular maintenance works will be repeated every 2 years - keeping Sussex Heights watertight as well as looking its best. It will also substantially extend the time that a full repaint is required, thereby reducing the costs when finally needed.

02/07/2025

Just a bird's eye view of our first lighthouse of the year - St. Ann's Milford Haven.

02/07/2025

St. Ann's Low Lighthouse Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

This June, MPS completed the painting and decorating work at St Ann’s Head Low Lighthouse in Milford Haven.

St. Anns dates back to the the middle ages, where the earliest light was a chapel which consisted of coal brazier, tended by a monk or perhaps a hermit.
The dissolution of monasteries in 1536 by Henry VIII extinguished the church light which was not lit again until 1660.

Trinity House permitted local merchants to collect voluntary payment from passing ships for the upkeep of the lighthouse but, following accusations of extortion, the Corporation withdrew their permission in 1667 and the light went out once more.

In 1713 two leading lights were built, the Low Lighthouse, and the High Lighthouse. When kept in line these lights guided ships clear of Linney Head, Angle and the Crow and Toes rocks.

In 1814 control for the two lighthouses reverted back to Trinity House. By 1838, the low light was in danger of being undermined as the cliffs were eroding.

The operational low light, only 42ft in height, 157ft above sea level, is not easily obscured by fog.

By the late 1950s, Milford Haven had become Britain’s most significant oil port. The original keepers’ dwellings built with the 1844 lighthouse attached to the low light were demolished, and new accommodation was built in their place during the 1950s. It was electrified in 1958, and automated in 1998.

Thankfully, MPS had one of the best weather conditions at Milford Haven, with works being completed in 3 weeks.

18/12/2024

A Year of Lighthouses

As 2024 draws to a close, we look back at all the amazing lighthouse projects completed that would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our two Teams led by Stuart Brown and Andrew Ritchie.

For navigating the challenging weather, living conditions and even sacrificing his holidays without complaint, we say a very very big thank you to our Irish projects Site Manager - Stuart who went above and beyond to get these jobs done. Thank you Derek, Davie, and Chris who worked tirelessly to ensure the completion of each project in the given time frame.

To Team Andy, (Izzy, Tim, and Jakob), for the great job at Portland Bill and Skellegs, we say a huge thank you!

MPS remains ever grateful to boatmen - Derek at Inishtrahull, Tom at Straw Island, Paul at Maidens, Daryl at Blackrock Sligo and Pat Joe at Skellegs, who ferried us to the various sites and reliably brought supplies while our Team was stationed on the islands.

We also wish to thank our clients Irish Lights and Trinity House and their Teams for giving us the fantastic opportunity to restore these iconic landmarks to their former glory and their support throughout these projects.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Straw Island - Northeast Inishmore, County Galway, Ireland.The Team finished the last Irish lighthouse of the year – Str...
17/12/2024

Straw Island - Northeast Inishmore, County Galway, Ireland.

The Team finished the last Irish lighthouse of the year – Straw Island Lighthouse.

Completed in 1878, it was one of the last four lighthouses built in the 19th century on the Aran Islands and remains an active aid to navigation

26/09/2024

Inishtrahull Lighthouse, Ireland

After a short rest recovering from the hard work on Blackrock Sligo lighthouse, it was time to mobilise to Inishtrahull.

This island, approximately a mile long, lies six miles north of Malin Head and houses Ireland’s most northerly solar powered (2020) lighthouse which was the last glimpse of home for many Irish immigrants bound for the USA in the 1800s. It also contains several ruined buildings including a former school, an old, decommissioned lighthouse and a lonely deer.

Inishtrahull was also home to Inishowen’s most popular singer John Donovan, - the first to commit his songs to record. John was reared, educated and continued living here until 1926. Some family photos can be seen in the old light keepers accommodation.

MPS spent weeks planning the trip with the team at Irish Lights, Laura at Inishowen Boating and Kendrew Colhoun of KRC Ecological Ltd. who have been a fantastic help letting the team use the old lighthouse keeper’s accommodation during the painting project.

After a terrible summer the weather was finally in our favour as we arrived at Culdaff Harbour with a van full of paint, equipment, water, bedding and over 500L of fuel to run the generators for power and heating during the trip.

Derek & Conn had us loaded up in no time and, before the tides fell too far to allow us to land on the island and also assisted us to unload on the quay side.

On our arrival, we were met by the resident seals with a noisy and inquisitive welcome. It was all hands to the pump to get the boat unloaded and all the paint and equipment up to the lighthouse to get our first look at the job in hand.

Just like the weather, the 23 m tower was in fairly good condition and the only challenge remaining was making the accommodation feel homely for the rest of the stay.

The day went like clockwork - the rewards of a fantastic team effort by all involved. Special thanks to Daniel and Mark from the Inishtrahull Bird Observatory who helped us all day to load and unload the boat and assisted with driving and charging of island’s ATV. This was a lifesaver in getting everything up the track to the lighthouse which otherwise was a full 15 minute walk each way.

Thankfully, the weather held fair for us for the 2 weeks of our first trip as we managed to knock out the majority of the externals thanks to the incredible work of Site Manager Stuart Brown and team (Derek, Davie and Chris).

It is now home for a few days rest and then to return next week to complete the internals while planning the next trip to Straw Lighthouse, Aran Islands in the mouth of Galway Bay.

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33 Derby Road
Belper
DE561UU

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