The \u2018Sea\u2019s the Day\u2019 project was a partnership project between Selsey Town Council, Chichester District Council and the Fishermen of Selsey Bill. The project aimed to raise the profile of Selsey\u2019s fishing industry in a historical context, but also to emphasise pressures on the current fishing industry from the perspectives of a changing economic scene and a changing climate. It was able to take place thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund (yes, HLF has changed its name) grant of \u00a335,800. Selsey Town Council successfully bid for the money for its Sea\u2019s The Day project in association with the District Council. Support from the Selsey fishery and the Manhood Peninsula Partnership helped secure the grant. The grant was obtained in June 2018. The official end date for the project was June 2020.<\/p>\n
The Selsey fishery in its current form dates to around 1650 though it actually began much earlier. The Venerable Bede\u00a0recorded the presence of a fishery in the 6th century AD,\u00a0and other records go back another 200 years. Carbon dating of willow fish traps has pushed this date back even further to the late Bronze Age, and should dates for recently found traps be confirmed this may date fishing activity back to the Middle Bronze Age, in other words a staggering 3,500 years!<\/p>\n
The fishing industry predates the town of Selsey, so the history of fishing is also the history of the town making it extremely important from a cultural perspective. The town of Selsey used to be a few miles north of its current location, but migrated south over time because the fishing industry employed most of the population and was therefore central to the existence of the town.<\/p>\n
However, the community link between the Selsey fishery and the town of Selsey is greatly reduced nowadays. With social change and an increased ability to travel, there are now many work opportunities other than fishing, most of which are outside Selsey, meaning the fishery is now less connected to many of the local townsfolk. Relatively new arrivals are often unaware of the long tradition dating back to the 4th century AD, and as a consequence do not attach the same social and economic value to the fishery that it once had.<\/p>\n
On a positive note the fishing industry is still very important to local residents, both old and new, who have a strong maritime connection. This is particularly so for those involved with the Selsey lifeboat, marine safety and sailing. Fishermen are strongly associated with the lifeboat, and the recent replacement of the Selsey lifeboat station is a reminder that the maritime scene in Selsey is changing.<\/p>\n
Sea\u2019s the Day has captured the stories and memories from the Selsey fishing beach told by the fishermen and their families to make sure we don't forget the fishing heritage of Selsey, which will also help ensure it has a future.<\/p>\n
On the way we also put together a short film, and made recipe cards using locally caught fish, crab and lobster to bring local food and ideas on how to prepare it, into your own kitchen. The Selsey Fishery advised the project on what would work and who to approach. This is what we did:<\/p>\n
The result of all this activity was a fifteen month long exhibition in Chichester\u2019s Novium Museum that started on Saturday 15 June 2019 and ran until September 2020. West Sussex Record Office holds the oral history and other records on a permanent basis now the project has ended.<\/p>\n
It is difficult to estimate how many people the story of Sea\u2019s the Day reached but it was at least 98,669 people. This is comprised of:<\/p>\n
Initiatives \u2013 63,000 copies issued<\/p>\n
You Tube \u2013 5,102 views of the Sea\u2019s the Day film<\/p>\n
Novium \u2013 30,000 footfall average for the period the museum was open before lockdown<\/p>\n
Events and presentations - 567<\/p>\n
These figures don\u2019t include the number of people who read Fishing News, West Sussex Gazette, Littlehampton Gazette or Chichester Observer; who follow Love British Food; who have seen Selsey Town Council and CDC\u2019s webpages; who receive the Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group magazine; who watch Meridian Television or who listen to Spirit FM. This has been phenomenal coverage in terms of raising awareness, and it is hoped that future projects to support the fishing industry can take advantage of it.<\/p>\n