Bulverhythe is the stage for a dramatic tale of coastal change. The boards will help people to discover clues about past worlds on the shore, such as the subtropical flood plain where dinosaurs once roamed, and the 4,000 year old forest.
Dr Peter Marsden said: "Bulverhythe Beach is also particularly special due to the ‘Amsterdam’ 1749 shipwreck that can be seen at very low tides. The shipwreck is the best-preserved East India Company sailing ship known in the world and is of international importance. The wreck is a protected site and is managed by English Heritage."
Dr Peter Marsden also launched a booklet about the shipwreck and this is available from the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre in Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings where there are also exhibitions about the coastline.
Councillor Matthew Lock, Chairman of the Steering Group of the Pebsham Countryside Park Project said: "These information boards are a fantastic addition to the beach which will help people to understand about its history. I’m very pleased to be able to see the marvellous work taking place on the ground at first hand, rather than just hearing about it in meetings."
Andrew Pearce, Kent and East Sussex Area Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency aim to create an enhanced environment for wildlife and a better quality of life for people as part of our work. The funding of the enhancements have followed on from the major sea defences that were built on the Bulverhythe coastline to protect local homes, businesses, and road and rail links from the threat of flooding from the sea. Our understanding of the heritage features along the Bulverhythe coastline and their communication to the public has been improved through working in partnership with English Heritage, the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre and East Sussex County Council. I hope that the booklet and the information boards improve the public's understanding and enjoyment of these historic assets.’
The Environment Agency has worked in partnership with the Pebsham Countryside Park Project and the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre in the production of the boards.
The Heritage Beach which includes the shipwreck and the 4,000 year old forest lies within the boundary of the proposed Pebsham Countryside Park which is a partnership project between Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, and East Sussex County Council. The park boundary also embraces the Combe Haven area.
The boards are entitled ‘Your changing coastline’ and located on the viewing platform by the footbridge over the railway.
Notes to editors
The Environment Agency has recently built major sea defences on the Bulverhythe coastline to protect local homes, businesses, and road and rail links from the threat of flooding from the sea.
As part of the enhancement work for the scheme, the Environment Agency helped to fund archaeological surveys and research undertaken by the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage centre. The work focused on the shipwreck of the Amsterdam and the 4,000 year old forest, and included the production of information for the public. These are presented as exhibitions at the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre and in the form of a booklet entitled ‘The Amsterdam’ (1749) shipwreck which can be seen at very low tides on Bulverhythe Beach. The booklet is available for purchase from the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings.
East Sussex County Council as part of the Pebsham Countryside Park Project arranged for the production and installation of three information boards at Bulverhythe Beach entitled ‘Your changing coastline’. The County Council worked in partnership with the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre and the Environment Agency.
The information boards have been financed by the Environment Agency, the Pebsham Countryside Park Project (East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council) and the EU INTERREG fund.
The boards are located on the viewing platform by the footbridge over the railway.
The information boards will help people:
- discover clues about past worlds on the shore, such as the subtropical flood plain where dinosaurs once roamed, and the 4,000 year old forest.
- explore what makes Bulverhythe so special today.
The official unveiling of ‘Your changing coastline’ interpretation boards and the launch of a booklet about ‘The Amsterdam’ (1749) shipwreck took place on Friday 29 August 2008 at 4.30pm. Dr Peter Marsden from the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre performed the ceremony and led a guided tour of the Amsterdam shipwreck, the 4,000 year old prehistoric forest and the Cretaceous dinosaur age rocks at 5pm. Andrew Pearce of the Environment Agency also made a short speech.
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