Maritime heritage across the region will go in the spotlight when a historian visits Burnham-On-Sea this week.
Maritime historian Philip Ashford will give an illustrated talk at North Sedgemoor’s local history meeting on Wednesday 14th March at 7pm in King Alfred School Lecture Theatre.
“The focus of the talk will be on maritime heritage activity between Bridgwater and Uphill, including Combwich and Highbridge, where aspects before the age of steam will be presented,” says one of the organisers, John Strickland.
“There will also be some juicy snippets such as ‘illegal goings on’ along the coast in medieval and Tudor times; why pregnant girls passed through Uphill to Wales in the seventeenth century; and why the mouth of the Parrett was so dangerous.”
“The talk will also cover what types of vessel were wrecked along this section of the coast, what personal travel and migration took place under sail from Bridgwater, and the weather problems in the Highbridge area during the eighteenth century.”
The audience will also see the likeness of a person born in the 18th century who died in the channel off Burnham.
Residents can attend the talk for £2 or by becoming a member can hear all future talks in the group’s current programme at a cost of £5. Copies of Philip’s books will be for sale on the night and will be available for signing.
Pictured: Top, Uphill Wharf and Brean Down and, above, a 13th century ship in the estuary
