The Resolution Centre?

Sovereign Harbour’s Marine & Maritime

Education Centre?

 I have for some time now had a vision for the Martello Tower (No.66) at Langney Point to be used for something that Sovereign Harbour could be proud of.

My vision is for the Martello tower to become the H.Q. for my ongoing project and to incorporate a Shipwreck and Maritime Museum and Education Centre.

To have a cultural heritage site in the entrance of what I believe is a premier South Coast harbour would be fantastic.

Although Sovereign Harbour is relatively new it has a wealth of history and heritage that many are not aware of.

Working with other organisations The Resolution Centre would promote this rich heritage, preserve the Maritime history and help others to study and conserve our wonderful and changing local Marine life.

The Resolution Centre? 

Below is an outline summary of the ideas that have been discussed between myself and Dr Peter Marsden of the Shipwreck & Coastal Heritage Centre (SCHC) in Hastings. 

We both share the same vision, I have the drive and determination to move the idea forward and Dr Marsden has the credentials and connections to help make the vision a reality.  With Carillion and local Council support, I believe that we could create something very special for Sovereign Harbour, its residents and visitors alike. 

THE VISION:

To establish at Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour a Marine and Maritime education centre for archaeology and related subjects. The aim is to train the public to use their diving and other skills in the exploration, understanding and preservation of the marine/maritime environment, both past and present.   

The timing for a centre like this could not be better!

The range of accessible historic sites in our coastal area will appeal to divers and non divers of all skill and qualification levels.

There are also many yet unprotected wrecks and sites in our area that I believe should be monitored and preserved for our future generations. They all tell a story and are part of our history and heritage.  All wreck sites are precious in the unique way that they link the past with the present, holding information about our history whilst creating artificial reefs full of new life. 

People are changing and most now do care about the environment and the natural world around them.

More and more of these people are starting to explore the underwater world.

The spear gun has now been replaced with the digital camera, and even many sports fishermen now photograph and return their catches to the ocean.  I believe that by combining education and training with the growing interest in all things aquatic and by using new technologies we can all help to preserve, record and share our very rich and varied heritage.

GOVERNING BODY:

The maritime education centre would be created and managed by a charitable limited company, in the first instance by the Nautical Museums Trust, the charitable company that manages the Shipwreck & Coastal Heritage Centre in Hastings. This is a registered charity and company, and a government accredited museum that was opened in 1986. It has a track record of managing a museum and employing staff over 20 years. Also, the Trust owns the historic wrecks of the 'Anne' (1690), 'Resolution' (1703) and 'Thomas Lawrence' (1862), so the Sovereign Harbour scheme would fit into the aims of the associated charities. The aim would be for the new education centre to be working in support of English Heritage and Eastbourne Council.

THE BUILDING:

We will negotiate to try to obtain ownership of the Martello Tower at Sovereign Harbour as the base. It would need some associated land to build on and park cars.

I have for some time now had a vision for the Martello Tower (No.66) at Langney Point to be used for something that Sovereign Harbour could be proud of, whilst restoring and maintaining this historic building at risk.

Any additional building would have to be in keeping with the Tower and some of the surrounding beach land could be partly landscaped into a maritime themed area of parkland, forming an apt gateway to Sovereign Harbour from the Town and Seafront Promenade.

CAPITAL FINANCE:

The trust would apply (to the Heritage Lottery Fund etc) for capital grants to convert the tower and extend the building for the purposes of the education centre and establish the facilities, assuming that outline Planning Permission and Listed Building consent can be obtained for a building extension.
(Commercial sponsorship and collaboration would also be sought.)
 

REVENUE INCOME:

Very careful consideration would be given to show how the education centre can pay its way. As a charity it would be eligible for grants for public education. But there would have to be an   income from those attending courses. The aim would be to run courses in association with the local wrecks, the 'Amsterdam' for divers & non-divers, the Normans Bay wreck for easy diving, and the 'Thomas Lawrence' for deeper water diving. Other courses could be associated with marine ecology and marine biology. Association with the Dept. of Culture Media & Sport (which funds English Heritage) and the MOD (protecting war grave wrecks) would be desirable.

Other 'in house' sources of income would be established, such as: organising foreign maritime tours in association with foreign organisations (eg. universities & museums); charging admission to a museum exhibition in the Martello Tower; having a quality bar and restaurant with the sea and harbour outlook; a shop, small conference facilities; diver training; possibly boat trips to historic wrecks where visitors who do not dive, see the wreck & underwater life in safety, on a screen via an underwater camera/R.O.V.
 

 There are many revenue streams that can be explored and developed, the most profitable probably being the shop and restaurant possibilities. 

Over and above the requirement to provide project team members, course attendees/students with refreshments and snacks, I can envisage a tastefully themed Restaurant/Café that in support of the ecological side of the project would become known & respected for serving local produce and fresh caught fish.

The Shop would sell a wide range of nautical/marine themed gifts, art, crafts and educational material as does the Shipwreck & Coastal Heritage Centre in Hastings and the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth.  Both the  Restaurant and shop would be popular with visitors to the centre, the local community and harbour residents and would mark one end of the 3 mile seafront walk  between the Harbour and Beachy Head.

 The incorporated dive centre would sell Dive equipment, clothing etc (there is not currently a dive shop in Sovereign Harbour).  The centre would affiliate with many companies and  provide unique, exciting foreign trips & holidays opening up opportunities to participate in the many Archaeological and Marine conservation projects around the world and in exchange attract foreign visitors to Sovereign Harbour.

Could it be a reality?

Can you help?

It will take a lot of support and funding to turn the “vision” into reality.

If you believe that you can help to get this project off the ground please do not hesitate to make contact.

Carillion plc are currently looking at their options for Tower 66 and the adjoining land, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to put forward our idea at  this crucial stage.

Help to make Sovereign Harbour an even better place.

The project has the support of Neal Potter who is one of the country’s leading Museum and Exhibition designers. His credentials include projects for major clients all over the world. Neal is a resident of Sovereign Harbour and has agreed to help put the concept masterplan together.

Having just completed the major new 7,000 sq m National Cold War Exhibition he is presently working on an underground exhibition of Roots for the Royal Horticultural Society in their new Bicentennial Glasshouse at Wisley. He is also working on a masterplan to interpret the code-breaking work done at Bletchley Park during World War 2.

His previous work can be seen at www.nealpotterdesign.co.uk

Below the aerial photograph of the site is a sketch of Neal’s initial response to my project which I am sure you will agree is very exciting and I hope an idea that could attract many interested parties.

(Please click on thumbnail to enlarge picture below)

Please Act Now - because when this opportunity has gone it's gone!