Rhythms of the Tide - Heritage Lottery Fund Partnership Project
Project Overview / Project Summaries & Evaluations / Conference / HLF
Project Overview
Rhythms of the Tide' is the theme that ran throughout Chichester Harbour's Area Scheme. Whether considering the special qualities of the landscape, the rare coastal habitats teeming with bird life or the rich historic heritage, it is the harbour's tide that has been the key influence. Rhythms of the Tide has enabled us to undertake new and exciting initiatives to ensure that this tide-induced heritage, both man made and natural, is conserved and access and education provided.
A range of over 40 practical projects were undertaken to conserve and enhance Chichester Harbour's habitats, landscapes, heritage and environment. They promoted an increased understanding of the need to guard this rare resource for future generations by developing a greater awareness of its special qualities and enabling access throughout the harbour and its villages.
In centuries to come, even into the next millennia, the one constant will be the ebb and flood of the tide, the key influence on the ecology, landscape and cultural heritage of Chichester Harbour. Rhythms of the Tide will help ensure that all the natural features are, as far as possible, maintained and restored and that the natural rhythms of the tide continue unconstrained. The project ran from 2003 to early 2007.
Project Summaries and Evaluations
An overview of each of the projects along with a detailed evaluation of the project costs, outcomes and sustainability of the project can be downloaded as pdf documents. The evaluations are subject to being updated. If you require more information on any of the projects please contact the Harbour Office.
1. Habitat Enhancement (530kb)
Coastal clean up - derelict sea defences / Coastal clean up - derelict vessel removal / Tree and hedge planting / Harbour volunteers / Intertidal vegetation (SKYVEG) / Farmland restoration / Reedbed creation / Coastal woodland
2. History and Archaeology (430kb)
Archaeology framework / Subtidal features / Archaeological investigation of landscapes under threat / Archaeological investigation of changing landscapes / Palaeoenvironment of the AONB / Traditional boat building apprenticeship and boat restoration / Dell Quay wharf restoration / Oyster boat Terror restoration
3. Monitoring and Surveys (200kb)
Geographic information system / Streamwatch / Fish survey / Sub-tidal habitats and species survey
4. Access for All - Responsible Recreation (180kb)
Wheelchair paths / All-terrain wheelchairs / Access upgrades / Sand dune management
5. Sustainable Integrated Transport (200kb)
Coastal rambler bus / Salterns Way cycle and wheelchair path / Dell Quay pontoon / Minibus for outreach and community activities / Emsworth jetty extension
6. Education and Interpretation (360kb)
Mobile information display / Publications / Educational web pages / Interpretation boards / Website www.conservancy.co.uk / Education sea chests for children / Field studies equipment / Free field visits / Solar powered classroom vessel / Migration story / Junior Conservancy
Rhythms of the Tide Conference 28-29 September 2006
A conference was held to disseminate the knowledge and experience gained by the three-year project. It also looked at the way forward for the Conservancy. The full conference proceedings and report can be downloaded here as individual pdf documents. Some of these are quite large and may take a few minutes to download.
1. Introduction to the Conference and Proceedings (48kb)
2. Welcome and Background to the Conservancy - John Davis, Manager and Harbour Master (1.87Mb)
3. Introducing the Heritage Lottery Fund Projects - Philip Couchman (612kb)
4. The Changing Coastal Landscape - Alison Fowler, AONB Manager (1.23Mb)
5. Coastal Biodiversity - The Chichester Harbour Contribution - Steve Gilbert, RSPB (890kb)
6. Science and Sense in Coastal Decision Making - Prof Mike Clarke, Geodata Institute (2.65Mb)
7. Learning from the Past - Planning for the Future - John Mills, Archaeologist WSCC (880kb)
8. Access for All - Social Inclusion - Phil Belden, South Downs Joint Committee (384kb)
9. Reducing Human Impacts - Merrick Denton-Thompson, HCC
10. Education and Interpretation - Engaging with the Community - John Tierney, Education Officer and Judi Darley, Interpretation Officer
11. Summary of feedback from delegates (18kb)
Heritage Lottery Fund
Every year the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) help millions of people throughout the United Kingdom to care for and protect our heritage, to learn about and enjoy our heritage, and improve the quality of life for our own and future generations.
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