8 minute read
Port of Interest
PORT
OF INTEREST
Waterways discovers why the terminus to the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation has been named the third UK Heritage Harbour, a new scheme to promote and preserve maritime history
In late 2019, the port town of Maldon in Essex, along with nearby Heybridge Basin on the River Blackwater, was declared the third UK Heritage Harbour. This new designation seeks to preserve and maintain historic ports across the country, providing havens for heritage craft and encouraging tourism through an increased awareness of our rich maritime history.
Background
So far unique among its fellow Heritage Harbours, Maldon & Heybridge is the only one to be directly linked to a canal, the Essex Waterways-run Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, as well as the River Blackwater.
It was identified as a suitable site for the scheme by Andrea Raiker, a retired academic and keen sailor who moved to Maldon in 2016. “I joined the Maldon Little Ship Club and set up a heritage subcommittee so that we could contribute to the annual Heritage Open Days scheme,” explains Andrea. “I was put in touch with Brian Corbett (see top right) who introduced me to the Heritage Harbours initiative and we began to have meetings with local interested parties.”
The Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Group, first formed in August 2019, was established as an Association in June 2020. Around 30 people from organisations in the local area, including the lock-keeper at Heybridge Basin and Colin Edmond of Essex Waterways, were among its founding members. “Forming an association was necessary so that we could come together and work with Maldon District Council to develop and promote the scheme,” say Andrea. “While there is more going on in Maldon, we agreed that it should include Heybridge Basin, which has a fascinating history and had a huge impact on the Maldon and its changing fortunes.”
History
In researching the area, Andrea discovered that the ancient port town of Maldon and the small settlement around Heybridge Basin (distinct from Heybridge village slightly to the north) were inextricably linked.
Located on England’s east coast, Maldon’s Hythe Quay has welcomed seagoing ships for over 1,000 years. Once vital for trade, cargo was moved to and from London, Kent, the south coast, Yorkshire and Northumberland, as well as across the Channel to the Netherlands, France and Belgium. Exports included coal and chalk, while dyes, cotton, iron, oil, dried fruits and canvas were among the imported goods.
Maldon prospered until the mid-17th century by monopolising trade routes and placing tolls on all goods passing through its waters to Heybridge and over land to the burgeoning town of Chelmsford. In 1641 a petition was raised by vested interests in Essex to the House of Lords complaining that Maldon could end up starving the country because of its high rates. As the River Blackwater became increasingly shallow due to siltation, larger ships bound for Maldon were forced to stop in Colliers Reach (the section of the River Blackwater between Northey Island and what is now Heybridge Basin) and unload cargo onto smaller vessels, causing tolls to increase further.
A navigation linking Chelmsford to the Blackwater Estuary was first mooted in 1677; it was not until 1797, however, that the canal was completed. Opposition from Maldon meant that the final stretch of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation was made to kink north over the town and exit onto Colliers Reach. The opening of the new canal had an immediate impact on the area with Chelmsford replacing Maldon as Essex’s cheap port. Heybridge Basin at the navigation’s terminus also evolved as a haven for both ships and their crew; its Jolly Sailor pub dates from 1793 when all there was in the surrounding marshland was a windmill pump and a small salt pan.
By the middle of the 19th century, Maldon, Heybridge Basin and Chelmsford began working together, and the area saw healthy levels of trade until World War I. A steep decline in cargo carrying over the last century put the region’s maritime heritage at risk, leaving the waterways, the harbour buildings and local vessels in a vulnerable position. Today, passenger vessels form the main traffic on the estuary.
Maldon’s Hythe Quay is home to a number of Thames sailing barges.
A relatively new initiative, the Heritage Harbours scheme has been spearheaded in the UK by Brian Corbett, trustee at the Maritime Heritage Trust. He was inspired to make Chatham on the River Medway the first Heritage Harbour following the 350th commemoration of the Dutch defeat of the Royal Navy in June 2017, which saw around 200 vessels visit the waterway. Two fleets of modern and historic craft created a tremendous display of Dutch maritime heritage, which wasn’t equalled by British boats.
Working with Martine van Lier, chair of the European Maritime Heritage’s Cultural Council who is leading the way for the Netherlands’ Heritage Harbours, Brian created the criteria for the UK’s scheme. This sets out the long-term benefits to the economy of protecting and preserving ageing ports and harbours, their historic buildings, moorings and facilities for both local and visiting vessels through increasing tourism and encouraging balanced and sympathetic waterside development.
Chatham on the River Medway was made the first Heritage Harbour in December 2018 (later expanded to include Sheerness), followed by Faversham & Oare Creeks in early 2019, Malden & Heybridge later in 2019, and Exeter Quay in December 2020. Future locations could include Royal Docks on the River Thames, Sandwich in Dover and Cardiff Bay, as well as a number of inland ports around the connected network.
The scheme is run jointly by the Maritime Heritage Trust (maritimeheritage.org.uk) and National Historic Ships (nationalhistoricships.org.uk).
Association's Aims
Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Association continued to work throughout 2020, in spite of the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a year with few positives but as people were forced to remain closer to home and explore their local areas, interest continued to grow in the scheme.
The association’s diverse committee, with representation from a wide range of businesses and organisations, has been able to identify a number of key projects, some of which are already being progressed. Andrea explains the organisation’s main aims, which include: u Preserving Maldon’s boat-building and maintenance yards. “Heritage craft – whether made from metal or wood, and powered by engines or sails – need a lot of attention.
The Marine Heritage Foundation currently has three apprentices, but we want to help create more opportunities for young people to get involved. Maldon has five boatyards that are still in operation, so we’re inviting the owners to join the association.” u Improving facilities for visitors to the area arriving by both land and sea. “A new discovery centre will be established in Maldon’s Hythe Quay. A number of Thames sailing barges are moored here, which already attract tourists, and we want the centre to educate people about these and other vessels as a living legacy of the harbour.” u Promoting the importance of Heybridge Basin. “One of the things we want to do is create a window museum at the lock, telling people about the lesser-known aspects of the village’s history, such as its association with eel fishing.” u Creating heritage trails along the River Blackwater and the Chelmer & Blackwater
Navigation. “We’re working with Maldon District Council to create three trails for people to walk or cycle. There will be leaflets to download onto smartphones, and posts displaying QR codes to scan along the routes that will provide more information about points of interest.” u Encouraging membership and raising funds for new initiatives. “We have formed as an association and are going to apply for charitable status so that we can broaden our opportunities for funding. In addition to having local organisations represented on our committee, we’re inviting individuals to become members for a small fee.” u Supporting the Heritage Harbour scheme within the UK and abroad. “Myself, Brian
Corbett and those leading the way on the other Heritage Harbours in England are working with Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships, to get the government to acknowledge the importance of what we’re doing. We’re trying to expand the number of sites in the UK and Europe by sharing information and ideas.
Every location is different but by working together we can identify the similarities.”
Find out more
For more information about Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Association, visit facebook.com/Mand3HA. You can also watch the IWA webinar The UK’s Heritage Ports and Harbours Initiative online at waterways.org.uk/iwa-tv.
The marshy area of Heybridge Basin known as Fish Pet has changed little over the centuries.
Heybridge Basin Lock. The association is hoping to install window museums here to showcase the area’s history.
It’s hoped the scheme will help promote use of the waterways.
Waterway Manager vacancy
Essex Waterways manages and maintains the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation as a subsidiary company of the Inland Waterways Association. There is a current vacancy for General Manager of the Navigation with a salary of up to £50,000. With responsibility for the staff team and the management of a busy waterway, it is a demanding role which will suit applicants with initiative, resourcefulness and life experience. To find out more visit waterways.org.uk/essexjobs.
