South East: “Tide Mills”

Tide Mills, Newhaven (2003-2005)

Tide Mills in Bishopstone  Tide Mills in Bishopstone, Newhaven was the largest tidal mill in Sussex in the 19th century and as such represents an important part of local history. However up until 2003, it had been sadly neglected since it was effectively destroyed by the Royal Artillery at the beginning of World War Two as part of the Coastal Defence Strategy.

 

Through this project English Heritage Outreach and Sussex Probation Community Punishment worked in partnership to increase public access to the site and to clear the site of debris and overgrowth, making the remaining walls far more visible.

Over 60 people on Community Punishment took part, a small group of which developed ICT skills through training in desk top publishing and text panel design. They worked with local historians, ecologists, English Heritage and a graphic designer to produce interpretation panels for the site, exploring the history and ecological significance of Tide Mills.

English Heritage has since supported the Sussex Archaeological Society (SAS) to complete an archaeological survey of the site, forming the basis of the ongoing archaeological research the SAS is currently working on with a large group of local volunteers.

Visitor comment:
“An excellent project, particularly the fact that it is in co-operation with the Probation Service. It brings the site back to life. Well done!”

Participant from Probation Service.
“You go away feeling good in yourself when you’ve done something like this”.