NOTIFICATION OF STORM DISCHARGE INTO CHICHESTER HARBOUR

Southern Water have advised that there was a storm discharge of sewage effluent from the Chichester Water Treatment Works at Appuldram between 1232 9 July 08 through to 0547 10 July 08 a total duration of 17 Hours and 14 minutes.

Water Quality - Discharges into Chichester Harbour

There are three Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), at Appuldram, Bosham and Thornham, that discharge treated effluent into the harbour.

These WWTW have recently been upgraded so that all sewage now receives bacteriological treatment and nutrient stripping, and with the exception of Thornham, Ultra Violet treatment before it is discharged into the harbour. Since this work was completed on 1 April 2008 water quality monitoring has shown that the water quality in all parts of the harbour is consistently excellent (Guideline Standard) or good (Mandatory standard) measured against the European Bathing Water Directive.

However, when there are heavy storm water or high groundwater conditions the WWTW may not be able to cope with the volume of water entering the system and in these case diluted sewage which has only received primary treatment (removal of unsightly solids) may be discharged into the harbour. In these circumstances and depending on the volumes released and other factors, water quality may be reduced for the duration of the discharge and for about the next two to four days. Water quality, measured against the Bathing Water Directive, may be poor for this period particularly in the vicinity of the discharge point.

When water quality is poor, measured against the Bathing Water Directive, the advice from Chichester District Council, the Environmental Health Authority, is: Full immersion is not recommended and all cuts, open wounds and abrasions should be covered with a waterproof dressing. Normal hygiene measures are encouraged where physical exposure to water occurs. (eg wash hands before eating).

The telemetry at the WWTW records actual storm water discharges and it is not an 'early warning alert'. Nonetheless, the Conservancy has decided that harbour users should be advised when storm water discharges have occurred. This will be done in future by e-mail and will be placed on the Conservancy's website www.conservancy.co.uk/wind/water_quality.asp where the results of water quality monitoring are also placed.

The Conservancy gives this advice in the context that water quality in the harbour is now better than it has been for many years and there have been no recorded incidents of fatalities in the harbour caused by poor water quality and there is currently no medical evidence linking water quality in the harbour to illness. For further advice on water quality please contact the Environment Agency.

The strategy for East Head recommends a process of Adaptive Management of this important feature for the 100 year life of the CDS. The aim of Adaptive Management will be to maintain the socio-economic, amenity, environmental and navigation value of East Head but it will not try to lock the feature into its current size, shape and orientation. It will be based on regular monitoring of the feature and responding to changes that may damage its socio-economic and environmental value with a suite of measures.

There will be an initial scheme to safeguard East Head in the early years of the strategy and this will involve a significant recycling of beach material into the vulnerable hinge and neck at the southern end of the feature. It will also see the construction of a buried sill behind the recharged area to ensure that, if there is a catastrophic break through into Snowhill Creek, a tidal channel does not develop. It also promotes the controlled management of the groynes and breastworks to allow improved sediment flow into East Head and the development of natural beaches. These and other measures will be available in the medium and long term to manage and respond to the evolution of East Head in the face of predicted sea level rise and increased storminess.

John Davis, Chichester Harbour Master said ‘The Conservancy has worked closely with other agencies to plan for the future of East Head. This proposed scheme has our full backing and we encourage all local residents and harbour users to support the Coastal Defence Strategy for East Head.’

Adaptive Management will be implemented by the existing regulatory authorities, Chichester District Council and the Environment Agency, and they will form part of an Advisory Group consisting of the West Wittering Parish Council, the land owners (West Wittering Estate and the National Trust), the main funders and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Local involvement will be key to the success of the process.

The Conservancy was in no doubt that in order to gain planning permission and other consents, it was essential that the management of East Head formed part of the Coastal Defence Strategy and that Adaptive Management, as described in the Strategy Document, represented the most sustainable and achievable way forward. It noted that central government funding was most unlikely to be available for any works at East Head and any measures to safeguard it for future generations would have to be funded from other sources.

The Conservancy urged the AONB and harbour community to support the Strategy for East Head.

An exciting new exhibition is opening on Saturday at Emsworth Museum . The exhibition dives beneath the surface of our local waters to give a glimpse of the amazing wildlife that lives beneath the waves.

The exhibition called ‘What Lies Beneath' features underwater photography from within Chichester Harbour . All the photographs were taken as part of a recent subtidal survey which discovered 220 different species of plants and animals and 34 different types of habitats. The divers were amazed at both the wealth of life and the healthy condition of the habitats.

In addition to the photographs, the exhibition features information on some of the key species. Video footage also taken by the divers will be on show on the museum's new 32” flat screen television. Chichester Sub-Aqua Club have donated dive equipment and artefacts they have recovered during local dives.

The Snakelocks anemone is one of the species featured in the ‘What Lies Beneath' exhibition

Ali Beckett who has organised the exhibition said, ‘ The divers found that under the water it is crowded with life. Pontoon pilings and mooring chains are covered with a wealth of colourful seaweeds. Reefs of native oysters provide homes for bright red sea squirts, hydroids and sponges. The exhibition goes some way towards providing a glimpse of this fascinating world which is right on our doorstep.'

The exhibition is on at Emsworth Museum from the 5th to the 27th July. The museum is open Saturdays 10:30 – 4:30 and Sundays 2:30 – 4:30 . Viewings can be arranged at other times for groups, call Dorothy Bone 01243 373780.

Do your bit for the environment this month by leaving your car at home. During our 'Harbour Without a Car Week' you can join in two specially planned walks or get a discount on Solar Heritage - one of the greenest ways to see the harbour.

In addition, our annual community art festival - Earth, Air and Water is now underway. Join in one of the workshops and then submit a piece of work for possible inclusion in the final show at Pallant House Art Gallery. Download the full details for more information.

Enjoy the summer!
Ali Beckett

Chichester Harbour Without a Car Week: 2 to 9 July
Discount for Solar Heritage this week: show your bus or train ticket or your cycle helmet to get £1 per person off the normal boat fares.

Sat 5 July Top of the Harbour Walk
10:00 up to 6 hours for the walk
A 10 mile (16km) walk from Chichester to the harbour shoreline at Fishbourne, and then across the top of the harbour visiting Bosham, Nutbourne and Prinsted to finish in Emsworth. Bring a packed lunch and snacks. The walk will finish in the Square at Emsworth where there are cafes, bus stops and a train station close by. For public transport information please see our website for links. Meet: by the Bell Tower next to the Cathedral in Chichester, bus and train stations are close by.

Sat 5 July Terror Sailing Trip
12:30
Come aboard the restored Victorian oyster boat Terror for a 2 hour sailing trip from Emsworth. £10 adults, £5 children. To book please call 01243 513275.

Sat 5 - Sun 27 July What Lies Beneath
An exhibition at Emsworth Museum diving beneath the surface of our local waters to get a glimpse of the hundreds of species that live beneath the waves.
Opening Times: Saturdays 10:30 - 4:30 / Sundays 2:30 - 4:30

Wed 9 July Chichester Festivities: Two Harbours' Habitats Trail
10:00 3 hours
A two-harbour habitats' discovery trail taking time to explore and learn more about the inter-linked habitats within and between Pagham and Chichester Harbours. Dress to get muddy and bring binoculars if you have them. Fee £3 per head to include refreshments. BOOKING ESSENTIAL, phone Harbour Office. Book the Chichester Harbour minibus and leave your car at home, minibus fee £2.50 per person. Minibus will leave from Chichester Railway Station at 09:30 for the Trail start point at Dell Quay. Meet: Grainstore, Dell Quay. Roadside parking.

Sun 13 July Earth, Air and Water: Art Masterclass
13:00 3 hours
Learn more about the prestigious works of art on show in Pallant House Gallery in preparation for this autumn's exhibition of work inspired by Chichester Harbour. A special natural environment-themed tour of the Gallery's artworks is followed by a masterclass led by a professional. BOOKING ESSENTIAL by phoning Pallant House Gallery on 01243 774557, fee £9 per person.Meet: Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

Thur 17 July Sandy Point Nature Reserve
10:00 2 hours
Investigating the natural history and management of this rich coastal heathland. Led by Hampshire County Council's Countryside Rangers (tel. 023 9247 6411)Meet at: entrance to Sandy Point Nature Reserve, Seafarers' Walk, off Sandy Point Road, Hayling Island. Roadside parking.

Sat 19 July Discover Northney Wheelchair Path
10:30 1 hour
Join us to explore the wheelchair path at North Common, Hayling Island and enjoy the splendid harbour views and a complimentary coffee. Meet: in small free car park to North Common, Hayling Island. From bridge on to Hayling, take first left towards Northney Marina and the Langstone Hotel, but follow road round past the entrance to the marina and hotel, shortly you will pass some houses on your left, look out for car park entrance (with height barrier) on your left.

Thur 24 July Stream Walk: Family Fun
10:00 1½ hours
Our wettest session of the year. For all adventurers (recommended minimum age about five), first we dip the stream with nets to observe the creatures living there, then we jump in ourselves and walk down the stream through the tall reeds to the mud on the shoreline. Dress to get wet and muddy and wear wellies or old trainers that fit well (big ones will come off in the mud). BOOKING ESSENTIAL, £2 per person. Meet: in car park to Fishbourne Parish Church, Fishbourne (off A259).

Solar Boat Trips
1 hour trips departing from Emsworth to see the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from the water. Meet on Emsworth jetty 15 minutes before departure. £5 adults / £2.50 children.

Departures:
Tues 1 July 10am
Weds 2 July 11am
Thur 3 July 12 midday
Fri 4 July 1pm
Sat 5 July 12:30pm & 2pm
Sun 6 July 1:30pm & 3pm
Mon 7 July 3pm
Tues 8 July 3:30pm
Wed 9 July 4pm
Thur 17 July 11:30pm
Sat 19 July 12 midday & 1:30pm
Sun 20 July 12:30 & 2pm
Mon 21 July 2pm
Tue 22 July 2pm
Wed 23 July 2:30pm
Thur 24 July 2:30pm
Fri 25 July 3:30pm
Sat 26 July 4:30pm
Sun 27 July 5:30pm
Wed 30 July 10am
Thur 31 July 11am

NOTIFICATION OF STORM DISCHARGE INTO CHICHESTER HARBOUR

Update

Southern Water have confirmed that storm discharges of sewage effluent from the Chichester Water Treatment Works at Apuldram were still being recorded this afternoon Thursday 29 May 2008 .

Please note that the water quality advice issued yesterday has been amended to reflect that water quality may be reduced for up to four days following a discharge.

Water Quality - Discharges into Chichester Harbour

There are three Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), at Appuldram, Bosham and Thornham, that discharge treated effluent into the harbour.

These WWTW have recently been upgraded so that all sewage now receives Ultra Violet and bacteriological treatment and nutrient stripping before it is discharged into the harbour. Since this work was completed on 1 April 2008 water quality monitoring has shown that the water quality in all parts of the harbour is consistently excellent (Guideline Standard) or good (Mandatory standard) measured against the European Bathing Water Directive.

However, when there are heavy storm water or high groundwater conditions the WWTW may not be able to cope with the volume of water entering the system and in these case diluted sewage which has only received primary treatment (removal of unsightly solids) may be discharged into the harbour. In these circumstances and depending on the volumes released and other factors, water quality may be reduced for the duration of the discharge and for about the next two to four days. Water quality, measured against the Bathing Water Directive, may be poor for this period particularly in the vicinity of the discharge point.

When water quality is poor, measured against the Bathing Water Directive, the advice from Chichester District Council, the Environmental Health Authority, is: Full immersion is not recommended and all cuts, open wounds and abrasions should be covered with a waterproof dressing. Normal hygiene measures are encouraged where physical exposure to water occurs. (eg wash hands before eating).

The telemetry at the WWTW records actual storm water discharges and it is not an 'early warning alert'. Nonetheless, the Conservancy has decided that harbour users should be advised when storm water discharges have occurred. This will be done in future by e-mail and will be placed on the Conservancy's website www.conservancy.co.uk/wind/water_quality.asp where the results of water quality monitoring are also placed.

The Conservancy gives this advice in the context that water quality in the harbour is now better than it has been for many years and there have been no recorded incidents of fatalities in the harbour caused by poor water quality and there is currently no medical evidence linking water quality in the harbour to illness.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS NO. 13 OF 2008

INSTALLATION OF NEW NAVIGATIONAL BEACONS IN THE APPROACHES TO CHICHESTER HARBOUR (7)

General

1. Mariners are advised that work to replace and reposition the beacons marking the approach to Chichester Harbour is now complete.

Old West Pole Pile Removed

2. The old West Pole pile has now been removed.

Summary

3. The new West Pole and Bar Beacons are both operational as follows:

West Pole Beacon in position 50º 45´.45 N, 00º 56´.59 W, a tripod structure topped with a red can, designated as a port hand mark. This beacon displays the light character Fl.R.5s14m7M.

Bar Beacon in position 50º 46´.023 N, 00º 56´.380 W, a single pile surmounted by a red can, designated as a port hand mark. This beacon displays the light character Fl(2)R.10s10m4M.

4. Both of the old beacons have now been removed.

5. A leaflet detailing the new navigational arrangements can be downloaded at: http://www.conservancy.co.uk/water/navigation.asp

6. Further minor work to install a tide gauge and other ancillary equipment is ongoing and mariners are requested to proceed with minimal wash while work is in progress.

7. Cancel LNTM's No.4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12 of 2008,

Lt Col JQ Davis OBE
Manager & Harbour Master

28 May 2008

WATER QUALITY IN CHICHESTER HARBOUR

Concerns were raised last year about water quality in Chichester Harbour following reports that untreated sewage was being discharged into the harbour from the Water Treatment Works (WTW) at Apuldram near Dell Quay after periods of prolonged heavy rain. In response Chichester District Council in partnership with Chichester Harbour Conservancy introduced a water-sampling regime within the harbour.

There are no regulatory recreational standards for the harbour's waters, so results have been measured against the EU Bathing Water Standards as a readily interpreted guide for harbour users.

Water samples are taken every fortnight and following analysis the results are tabulated and displayed on the Chichester District Council and Chichester Harbour Conservancy websites. For the latest results please click the link below:

http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5765 and then click Chichester Harbour Water Quality Results 2008.

New treatment facilities have now been completed, at Apuldram WTW, which will improve the quality of water discharged into the harbour and reduce the incidence of storm water discharge. A reporting mechanism has also been put in place and any future storm water surcharges be reported on the above link.

CHICHESTER HARBOUR WORKING BOATS FESTIVAL

Have you ever wondered what it's like onboard a high-speed RIB, a commercial fishing boat or an elegant sailing yacht? At the Chichester Harbour Working Boats Festival you will have the chance to climb onboard nearly 20 different boats and chat with the crews.

The Working Boats Festival on Friday 18 April is a great opportunity for families to come down and see the range of boats that work in Chichester Harbour . Vessels attending will include the Harbour Conservancy's fleet with the high-speed patrol RIBs and the heavy-duty Mooring Barge. The local lifeboat and coastguard crews will be on-hand to show you their boats and the range of equipment they carry. This year we will also have two recently restored classic boats: Terror, who worked with the Victorian oyster fleet from Emsworth and Ocean Pearl a fishing boat from Scotland . In addition there will be the impressive Sussex Sea Fisheries' vessel and local fishing charter boat Silver Fox.

On land will be a range of displays in the Conservancy workshop including an art exhibition and refreshments. John Davis, the Harbour Master said ‘This is the biggest event that the Conservancy organises. It is a celebration of all the boats and their crews that still use the harbour to make a living.' John added ‘This year we have a combination of very modern boats along with some beautifully restored traditional working boats. We hope that lots of local people will come along to support the Festival.'

The Working Boats Festival is held on the public jetty, Itchenor on the 18 April between 10:30 and 12:30 . Entry is free with everyone welcome to climb aboard, meet the crews and complete a quiz for harbour prizes! More details from the Harbour Office on 01243 512301.

Hayling Island Farm 'Walks and Talks' Experience

A fun filled 'Walks and Talks experience' around the beautiful Chichester Harbour coastal grazing marshes and farmland of Northney Farm, Hayling Island, will be held on Sunday 27 th April 2008.

The walk in partnership with Three Harbours Beef, Northney Farm, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and the Friends of Chichester Harbour, will offer the opportunity to see a working farm, with the added bonus of seeing the stunning landscapes of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Speakers will include Farming Advisor John Blamire, Farmers Mary Pike and Simon Wilson, Environmental Advisor and Manager of Three Harbours Beef - Colin Hedley, Conservation Officer and Wildlife Expert Ed Rowsell of Chichester Harbour Conservancy and Alison Fowler of Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Also present will be the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, The Friends of Chichester Harbour and the RSPB.

Colin Hedley of Three Harbours Beef said "These informal walks offer a great variety of knowledge and information including the role farmers and their cattle play in conserving coastal marshes and the important species of wildlife that rely upon them. We will also discuss coastal issues such as sea level rise, inter-tidal habitats and the future of the sea walls. All against the backdrop of a working farm with Three Harbours Beef cattle grazing". He added "On previous walks everyone seems to have had a really great day out and we are looking forward to showing off another stunning area of marsh and explaining the vital role it plays in the conservation of our local coastal environment".

The first walk will leave at 10.00am, with additional walks leaving every half hour up to 12.30pm. Walks will be approximately 1-1.5 hours. Lunch provided by Three Harbours Beef and Northney Farm, will be available for a small charge and complimentary hot and cold drinks will be on offer all day. During the event Three Harbours Beef will be holding a raffle (small charge) to win a box of beef or a voucher worth £40.00 and free promotional discounts and vouchers will also be available

The walk is free of charge but booking is essential as places are limited. Please contact Nicki at Three Harbours beef on 01243 607243 or email sales@threeharboursbeef.co.uk .

Please note no dogs are allowed to the event and although the walk itself is not suitable for wheelchairs, all are welcome to attend the day and use the other facilities on offer.

All photographers are invited to get snapping this summer. The theme for this year's competition is ‘People and Places in Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).'

The theme will encourage photographers to go out and explore the villages within the AONB. These include the much photographed waterside village of Bosham as well as smaller ‘off-the-road' places such as Dell Quay and Prinsted. Chichester Harbour is of course well known for sailing and watersports but in addition many hundreds of people enjoy the area each year as walkers, birdwatchers and artists. All these activities can be captured on camera showing how important the area is for rest, relaxation and sport.

The competition opens on 3 April and photographers have all summer to get their ‘perfect shot'. The closing date for entries is 16 September. Four cash prizes of £100, £80 and two lots of £50 are on offer. In addition Whitby 's Imaging Centre are offering a 40 page Photo Book for each winner.

Mike Repp of Whitby 's who will be one of the judges said ‘Last year there was an excellent range of entries and we look forward to working with Chichester Harbour Conservancy to make this year's competition a success.' Mike added the following advice for competitors, ‘ for competition entries the photo should be printed on good quality paper to show it off to its best. Also, the photo should be recognisable as having been taken within Chichester Harbour AONB.'

Louise Adams, photographer for Chichester Observer will also be judging the competition. An exhibition of the entries will be held at the Old Court Room , North Street , Chichester on 19-20 September. The competition has been generously sponsored by the Friends of Chichester Harbour.

Four days walking some of the most scenic footpaths in West Sussex and Hampshire is on offer in this year's Festival of Harbour Walks. The selection of walks will take in most of Chichester and Langstone Harbours.

The Festival of Harbour Walks is now in its fourth year. This year walkers can enjoy the challenge of completing 36 miles of the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty shoreline and 11 miles around Langstone Harbour. However, it's not all hard work, the paths take in stunning coastal scenery and the ever changing tide means that the view will constantly shift throughout the day as the tide comes in over the mudflats and saltmarsh.

Starting on the 12 May, walkers can enjoy the sand dunes of East Head before heading up the eastern shoreline of Chichester Harbour ending at Fishbourne. The following day (13 May) the walk will start at Nutbourne and cover the 13 miles back to Fishbourne via Chidham and Bosham. To complete the Chichester Harbour section on the 14 May, walkers will start at Nutbourne and follow the shoreline path around Thorney Island, through Emsworth and across Langstone Bridge. Back at Northney they will be welcomed with a tea party to celebrate three full days of walking. The final day of the Festival (15 May), walkers can compare harbours by crossing over to Langstone Harbour and walking the 11 miles from Ferry Point, through Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve and back along the old oyster beds.

Judi Darley who will be leading the Chichester Harbour walks said, 'I'm really looking forward to this year's Festival. May is a lovely time to walk around our local shorelines and get the most from our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Festival means that like-minded walkers can enjoy each others company whilst also taking time to enjoy the views and learn a little more about our two harbours.'

Walkers can book one or more of the Festival walks. Walks are charged per day to cover transport costs and range from £5 - £10. Where possible breaks have been arranged at local sailing clubs.

This 84-page full colour booklet is packed with news features, information and local tide tables. It is an interesting and informative read for local residents and visitors alike. The Harbour News has the latest information on what is happening in Chichester Harbour and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with reports from the Harbour Master and his staff and a number of feature articles.

This year there is a break with tradition. Rather than having a boat on the front cover, there is a beautiful picture of the sand dunes at East Head. The photograph was taken by Emma Millen, it won second prize in the harbour photography competition held in 2007.

The feature articles in this issue include 'Lending a Helping Hand'. Local journalist Janet McMeekin has interviewed five people who help out around the harbour. The diversity of their work is interesting; it ranges from conservation tasks to archaeological digs and helping with school trips.

Janet has also taken her family out to explore great days out in the AONB. They report back on their favourite activities which include cycling on the Salterns Way and taking a trip on Terror, the restored oyster boat.

Regular contributor Ian McIntyre poses the question 'What do Fishbourne Roman Palace, Warblington Castle and Tournerbury Fort have in common?' He then delves back into the history of these scheduled ancient monuments and what they tell us about how people have used this area over the last 2,000 years.

The specifics of how climate change will affect those who live near or use Chichester Harbour is explored by AONB Officer Nicky Horter. Using a wealth of facts and figures, she looks at the changes we can already see, such as the appearance of seahorses, and also discusses what can be done in our area to address climate change.

Racing Tips this year has been written by Olympic sailing coach Mark Rushall. Mark explains the techniques required for sailing in waves. He claims that by following his advice, all dinghy racers will be 'looking for the biggest wave' rather than avoiding it!

As well as the regular articles giving updates on projects throughout the Harbour, there is an informative guide section and twelve months of tide tables. This is particularly useful for visitors and those new to Chichester Harbour.

The Chichester Harbour News and Guide is produced by Chichester Harbour Conservancy and has a circulation of 32,000 copies. If you pay harbour dues you will receive a copy shortly, otherwise copies will be available this weekend free of charge from the Harbour Office and local tourist information centres and libraries.

NEW FOOTAGE OF HARBOUR MARINE LIFE

Exciting new footage of life under the waves of Chichester Harbour will be shown this month.

The film was taken recently as part of a sub-tidal survey funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A team of divers went down in various places in Chichester Harbour recording the species found and taking video. The survey revealed the wealth of life under our waves. The divers were surprised at the clarity of the water and were able to bring back good images of species including sea squirts, sea anemones, pipefish, sea slugs, oysters and crabs.

The footage is being shown for the first time to the public on Wednesday 23 January. The video will be presented as part of the Harbour Creekies session at the Harbour Education Centre, Dell Quay. The 'Creekies' sessions are occasional events for those who want to learn more about Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from the warmth and dry of the Education Centre.

This month the session will be led by Nicky Horter, Chichester Harbour's AONB Officer. Nicky said 'the footage reveals the variety of life in the harbour water's. It is stunning to see all the plant life, fish and shellfish. The video shows what a fascinating marine environment we have.'

The Harbour Creekies session starts at 10:30am. Entrance is £2 per person to include refreshments and will be on a 'first-come, first-served' basis. If you are unable to make it, clips from the footage can be seen at www.conservancy.co.uk , follow the links from the homepage.

Digging back 10,000 years into the history of Chichester Harbour is now possible from the comfort of your armchair. New sections have been added to the Harbour Conservancy's website that help to build up a picture of the dramatic changes over the centuries.

Over the past four years, in-depth archaeological research has been undertaken within Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of this was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Rhythms of the Tide project. The results of this work have now been made available to the public through the pages of the Conservancy's website www.conservancy.co.uk .

Within the Learning Zone - www.conservancy.co.uk/learn/Places/evidence.htm - the research has been made accessible for students and teachers. The site makes the results of the research easy to understand and explains how archaeology is undertaken. Simple cartoons help to illustrate the process from desk-top research through to field surveying and the more technical methods used such as seismic refraction.

As part of the project seven holes of up to 8m deep were drilled at various points throughout the harbour and a core extracted from each. The Thorney Island core can be explored on the website. Users can see what sediments have been deposited in the harbour over the last 10,000 years; find out what other evidence is contained in the sediment and how this can teach us about the changing harbour landscape and how it was used.

Jean Lyle, Field Studies Teacher for Chichester Harbour Conservancy said 'We wanted to share the excitement of these findings with everyone, especially children. The web pages show how archaeology works and how the results of patient research can be pieced together to give a picture of the past. This section will be very useful for local schools studying the history of the area'.

This new section complements the archaeological information in the main part of the website ( www.conservancy.co.uk/environment/archaeology.asp ). Here more detailed research reports can be found providing a compilation, of all the current archaeological knowledge for the Chichester Harbour area. An informative timeline traces the harbour's history back over 450,000 and will be added to as new information arises.

CHICHESTER HARBOUR - A REFERENCE GUIDE

A comprehensive new guide to Chichester Harbour was launched this week. The 142-page book, Chichester Harbour - A Reference Guide', has been published by Chichester Harbour Conservancy. It contains a wealth of information about the area along with photographs, maps and illustrations. The book is for the many thousands of students that study the area each year as well as all for the local people who enjoy Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The new book 'Chichester Harbour - A Reference Guide' is packed with useful information on all aspects of the harbour. Six sections cover topics such as Wildlife, On the Water, Investigating the Past and Coastal Management. Within these sections are 18 chapters written by a selection of authors. A chapter on coastal plants not only lists all the plants you are likely to see around the coastline of the harbour but also includes a colour photograph of each one. Birds of Chichester Harbour has a similar format with over 40 photographs and illustrations in this chapter alone.

Dr David Carter from the University of Portsmouth contributed two particularly interesting chapters. Defending our Shoreline looks at the various options for sea defences in a world where we face rising sea levels. Dr Carter also writes about East Head, providing a full history of this ever changing area as well as discussing the make up of the dunes and the issue of its future management.

On the Water provides photo identification of the commonly seen boats using Chichester Harbour, a look at the role the Conservancy play in providing aids to navigation and a guide to getting afloat for sailors young and old.

Kim Leslie of West Sussex Record Office called the book 'An essential guide for everyone who knows and loves Chichester Harbour'. Harbour Master John Davis described it as 'a fantastic resource', he added 'even if you think you know all about Chichester Harbour you will find something in this book to help you gain a deeper understanding of its many facets'.

Production of the book has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is available from the Harbour Office, Itchenor, PO20 7AW at £4 per copy plus £1 p&p. Call 01243 512301 or see www.conservancy.co.uk .