by Ted Hide
ISBN/Cat.No... 978 185770 3528
Size... 240 x 165mm
Binding... Paperback
Status... In stock
Publication Date... 28 November 2009
Pages... 388
Price... £15.99 + £2.00 p&p
TOTAL £17.99
Summary
In his second book, Ted Hide, explores in great detail the fishermen of Eastbourne, the families, the boats, the disasters, the successes, all in historical and nostalgic perfection.
Of resolute stock, Sussex fishermen were said by FE Sawyer in 1882 to be a mixed race, partly Spanish partly Norman French and partly Teutonic (Saxon) in origin. The ‘Willicks’ or ‘Willickers’ as the Fishermen of Eastbourne were known of old would fish the herring, sprat and mackerel when in those early days they came round in their seasons from the North.
In their sturdy fine built sailing luggers known as ‘Bourners’ along with the fishing fleets of Hastings and Brighton following and fishing the mackerel down Channel to the west off Devon and Cornwall, finally to the waters off Southern Ireland, being away for months during the season. Other fishing expeditions would take our Eastbourne Luggers to northern waters off Scarborough.
This close-knit community possessed skills and knowledge in the ways of the sea acquired over many generations of hardship with a mixture of bravery and tragedy both at sea and ashore.
From the ancient fishing quarter, ‘The Stade’ at the ‘Sea Houses’, to the forced removal to east of the Great Redoubt, their current Fishing Station home. This book records happenings over the centuries of local fishing families and their important place in the life of Eastbourne. Not to be forgotten are interesting tales of piracy, smuggling and heroism aboard the Lifeboat.
S. B. Publications