Current Projects

Fishing Sheds restoration complete

FISHING SHEDS PROJECT

The project which has been the chief preoccupation of the Society for the past five years has been the renovation of the former fishing sheds on West Cliff. These sheds were formerly used by longshore fishermen for baiting their lines and storing equipment and provided a social centre for fishermen working from this part of Sheringham's shore. They are a rare survival, one of the few physical reminders of the industry which was once dominant in the town's economy.

This project was originally estimated to cost £115,000 for the building work alone. As frequently occurs, the building costs turned out higher and together with the furnishings and displays the total costs will exceed £150,000. £60,000 of this came from EEDA, the East of England Development Agency and almost £30,000 from the Norfolk Museums and Heritage Partnership, part funded by the EU. Approximately £10,000 came from a specific fund-raising campaign and smaller grants from Trusts etc. with the remainder coming from the Society's reserves in place at the beginning of the project and revenue raised from normal activities over the last five years.

View from West Cliff

As a result of the project three visitor attractions have been created from the formerly redundant buildings, plus an office for the Society. These are the Fishermen's Heritage Centre, incorporating the Henry Ramey Upcher lifeboat shed, previously also kept open by the Society, the Peter Coke Shell Gallery and a small craft shop.

The project is almost completed, apart from on-going development and maintenance, except for the transformation of the garden area on West Cliff alongside the Shell Gallery. It is hoped to turn this into an attractive area with seating and planting and a low flint-faced boundary wall. Funding for this is currently being sought from Sheringham Plus and if it is obtained Sheringham in Bloom will assist with the planting and maintenance of the garden.