Changing Horizons oral history project

What was the Changing Horizons project?

Changing Horizons was an opportunity to capture, interpret and share people’s memories of coastal change and the fishing industry in the East Riding. The collection of memories and archival materials resulted in the production of a creative, original film which takes a poignant look at the heritage of coastal change and the fishing industry along the Holderness coast, from Hornsea to Spurn Point.  The 30-minute film is accompanied by a 3-minute trailer version and a 16-page booklet containing original artwork, historical photographs and additional information.  Changing Horizons also involved 14 oral history interviews with local people.

The project aimed to ensure that valuable memories and materials from coastal communities were not lost due to relocation or the passage of time. Similarly, it enabled us to raise the profile of the local fishing industry and its heritage, improve perceptions of the area and help to define a locally distinctive sense of place.

How was the information assembled for the Changing Horizons project?

The oral histories, archival material and research that inform the Changing Horizons films were collected over the summer of 2013. We held a series of drop-in workshops in Hornsea, Aldbrough, Easington, Roos and Withernsea to give members of the public the opportunity to share their memories, stories and folklore, old photographs, maps, letters and other artefacts relating to coastal change and the fishing industry. These workshops were supported by the heritage interpretation expert, Peter Ralley of RALi Studios, and were attended by local residents and regular visitors to the area.

How did the people in the oral history videos become involved?

A number of residents volunteered to share their stories in more detail, agreeing to be interviewed on film or on tape by the heritage interpretation expert.  These volunteers either came forward at the drop-in workshops or were identified through the East Riding Coastal Change Pathfinder project, which involved residents living at the coast.  Excerpts from these interviews have been used in the films.  The interviews are also available for viewing on this site (see below).

How were the films produced?

In autumn 2013, Film Bee Collective won the contract to produce the main 30-minute film and the trailer based on the oral histories, archival material and research information.  Mat Fleming and Christo Wallers from Film Bee worked with the assembled information. They also took new footage of the area and carried out their own research and interviews in order to create the films. In December 2013, the main film was screened at a celebratory event in Withernsea for all those who had contributed to the project.

How can I view the films and booklet?

The full 30-minute film can be seen below:

Changing Horizons - Coastal Change and the Fishing Industry in Holderness - 31 minutes 55 seconds - YouTube (external website) 

The 3-minute trailer of the film can be seen via the link below:

Changing Horizons short film - 2 minutes 56 seconds - YouTube (external website)

A PDF version of the booklet is available to view or download below:

Changing Horizons leaflet - Coastal change and the fishing industry in Holderness (pdf 1mb opens in new window)

 
The full film, with accompanying booklet, is also available in DVD format, copies of which may be viewed and/or borrowed from the East Riding Archives, Family and Local Studies Service in the Treasure House, Beverley; East Riding Library Service; and Hornsea Museum. 

If you would like your own DVD of the film, please contact us by:

Email: coastal.management@eastriding.gov.uk

Telephone: (01482) 391678.

Are the oral history interviews available online?

Yes. The Changing Horizons films use excerpts from a selection of oral history interviews carried out in the summer of 2013.  These interviews may be viewed using the links below:

John Penn interview 17 minutes 32 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Albert Langley interview 16 minutes 57 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Andrea Hunter interview 17 minutes 17 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Ashley Evans interview 8 minutes 44 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Dawn Cantwell and Clarice Jackson interview 29 minutes 44 seconds - YouTube (external website)

John Whittle interview 18 minutes 2 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Joe Gelsthorpe interview 21 minutes 52 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Jack and Hilary Piggott interview 20 minutes 51 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Mike Welton interview 19 minutes 38 seconds - YouTube (external website)

George Traves interview 14 minutes 13 seconds - YouTube (external website)

John White interview 4 minutes 6 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Berna Moody interview 18 minutes 20 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Edith Grantham interview 12 minutes 46 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Kathy Bartle interview 18 minutes 37 seconds - YouTube (external website)

Who was involved in the Changing Horizons project?

We are grateful to all residents who shared their memories, photos and artefacts and assisted in the making of the films.  We would also like to thank Peter Ralley of Peter RALi Studios, who carried out the initial research and oral history interviews, and Film Bee Collective, which provided additional footage, research and interviews and produced the films and accompanying booklet.

During the project, Film Bee Collective carried out film-making and production workshops with sixth-form students from Hornsea School and Language College and Withernsea High School.  These workshops resulted in two original short films which reflect the students’ relationships with the Holderness coast.  We regret that these films cannot be made available due to copyright issues.

Who funded the Changing Horizons project?

Changing Horizons was funded by the Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways (CWWW) LEADER programme and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.  Information about CWWW LEADER can be found on the Rural Programmes East Yorkshire website:

Rural Programmes East Yorkshire - RDPE Leader 2007-2013 (external East Riding website)

The LEADER programme was financed by the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the Rural Development Programme for England.

Can I share my own archival material?

If you would like to share personal photographs, maps or other historical materials which relate to the project, please contact the Coastal Management team:

Email: coastal.management@eastriding.gov.uk

Who do I contact for more information about this project?

For any additional information or to request a DVD of the film, please contact the Coastal Management team:

Email: coastal.management@eastriding.gov.uk

Telephone: (01482) 391678