The Newbiggin by the Sea Harbour and Marina Project
Newbiggin Harbour and Marina. This blog is a foreword for a series of articles covering the history and progress of the Newbiggin by the Sea Harbour and Marina project to be published by Wansbeck Matters. It will include pictures, statements, transcripts and related minutes from various sources. The driving and motivating force behind this project is Cllr Alan Thompson and these are his observations and opinions of the events so far.
Recorded history shows that Newbiggin by the Sea has been a settlement for at least 1200 years. The location offers access to the sea, a tidal range that covers and exposes large rock outcrops which support the natural marine environment offering a variety of sea food. There is also much evidence that the bay has been a base and refuge for vessels and Maritime activity over the centuries. The bay is one of the few south/southeast facing bays on the East coast of the UK and has been a natural asset providing shelter for maritime activity.
In the 18th century, grain from the farmland in Northumberland was transported to Newbiggin by the Sea and loaded onto seagoing vessels to be exported to the South and Europe. Records show that Newbiggin by the Sea was the third most important grain port in the country behind London and Hull.
From the beginning of the 20th Century the fishing industry was a significant part of the economy but it was overwhelmed by the effects of coal mining particularly after the pit shaft was sunk. It was only in the 1960’s and 1970’s that the prosperity of Newbiggin by the Sea fell into sharp decline as the closure of pits accelerated causing a big drop in the size of the population as people moved away. Over the same period the environmental consequences of coal mining were realised. Coastal erosion resulting from the subsidence of the sea bed and the land ravaged the environment and the economy.
The fortunes of the community began to improve after 2007 when the breakwater was built and the beach was replaced. Our potential for prosperity has been in evidence ever since and the time is now opportune for the bay in Newbiggin by the Sea to be used to contribute once again to the welfare of the community by building a Harbour/Marina facility that will be a significant local and national asset.
Newbiggin Harbour and Marina. For more up to date information click: https://wansbeckmatters.org/newbiggin-bay-project/
