Maritime Blyth – website for Sustaining our Coastal Heritage the Value of Local Knowledge project in Blyth Valley, Northumberland

Blyth Valley's Maritime Heritage

Blyth My Home Town
Blyth was once an industrial place
Over the years it’s had quite a change of face
New development going in everywhere
Not so much land left to spare
Everywhere you seem to go
Another few more buildings go up on show
To walk along the river side
Gives us pleasure and a feeling of pride
Years of hard work from people now passed on
Gives us lots of thoughts to dwell upon
Our beautiful park is something to behold
Bringing pleasure to young and old
Flowers in bloom at all times of the year
Children playing and running everywhere
Being near to the beach is a haven to be
Strolling along the shore there’s much to see
Idyllic country lanes and woods not far away
Gives us the chance for a picnic on a sunny day
By Jennifer Parker

‘Sustaining our coastal heritage: The value of local knowledge’

‘Sustaining our coastal heritage: the value of local knowledge’ is a two year project based in Blyth Valley, Northumberland, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Blyth Valley Borough Council, The Sir James Knott Trust and Newcastle University. The project will provide opportunities for the local community to share their memories of the coastal heritage and
environment which has played such an important part in the past and what we see in Blyth today. Memories may include those family days out to the beach and the dunes or perhaps life working down at the bustling riverside.

Photo By Dan Brady

There is certainly a lot to be proud of in Blyth Valley, as there is a wealth of local knowledge connected to the coastal heritage, gained through the dependence on traditional maritime industries such as fishing and shipping. However it is important that this information is retained and documented so that future generations can discover the journey Blyth and its people have travelled over the years, so they too can feel a sense of pride and belonging. Through this project we hope to capture the essence of Blyth Valley’s heritage by exploring the stories and changes people remember. We then hope to raise awareness and improve access to Blyth Valley’s coastal heritage, change people’s perceptions of their coast and generate wider public appreciation of management issues so as to create a lasting benefit for future generations.

Throughout the duration of the project we plan to:

1) Gather local knowledge by talking to members of the community as well as collecting songs, poems or artefacts people may have. As we are particularly interested in the marine environment we are keen to talk to people who have a strong connection with the sea such as fishers, anglers, yachts people, and those who have lived in the area for many years.

2) Information gathered will be used in workshops for community members and school groups where everyone can get stuck in and creatively explore their coastal heritage.

3) Produce a heritage trail and new information booklets to celebrate the coast, industries and wildlife as well as the stories surrounding the environment and local people.

4) Promote discussion among individuals of different backgrounds and age groups to enthuse more people to get involved with their local coastal environment.