An Historical Heritage
Named after the River Ems which
flows through it, Emsworth is a vibrant town with its own unique and
very special identity. It was recently cited as one of the top 10
home towns with most local identity by the New Economics Foundation
(June 2005) and the huge range of independent shops from bakeries to
ironmongers, butchers to bookshops are testament to its great charm
and character.
Renowned for its oyster fishing and boat building for many hundreds
of years, the town flourished in the 18th century and was the main
port in Chichester Harbour. Soon prosperous village merchants
settled here building larger and more elaborate houses in Queen
Street, King Street and Tower Street, many of which can still be
seen today.
Fishing became so important to the
town that by 1870 over fifty fishing boats were based in Emsworth
and oyster fishing became one of the main industries. However,
disaster struck in 1902 when Emsworth oysters were served to the
Bishop of Winchester and his guests at a banquet, several of whom
died of food poisoning and the oyster industry was ruined.
More recently the Emsworth Heritage Project has been established, working closely with Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Emsworth Museum and other local partners the main aims of the organisation are to:
To
ensure the long term preservation and maintenance of "The Terror" -
Emsworth's only surviving oyster boat
To
establish a Heritage Trail around the village of Emsworth based on
the nineteenth century and early twentieth century oyster trade,
fishing and related industries for which Emsworth was once famous
To
develop the educational use of the Terror and Heritage Trail for
residents and visitors.
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