Volunteers were at the heart of Shoreham Fort more than 150 years ago. Today it’s still powered by volunteers.
With their dedication, skill and knowledge, a slice of maritime history is being brought back to life and preserved for future generations.
Britain’s maritime defences
Shoreham Fort was once a vital part of Britain’s defences, built in 1857, because of the threat of invasion by Napoleon III’s French forces.
The fortification used an experimental design with six, paired cannon which could be fired in rapid succession. The new guns also made use of the latest in military tech, rifled barrels, which gave them a huge range.
Small but significant, the Fort was run by one Master Gunner, two officers, and 35 volunteer soldiers.
The Memorial Trench
In World War 1, Shoreham Fort was still there, defending the thousands of soldiers camped on the Downs overlooking the harbour, as they learned the skills needed for trench warfare.
Today, a Memorial Trench has been created on the site, as a tribute to those who lost their lives. It’s a poignant, walk-through experience, bringing to life the harsh reality of The Front in the 1914-18 war.
On special heritage days, volunteers in uniform bring the trench to life with demonstrations, real life stories and the sounds of battle.
It’s all part of an ongoing plan to educate and involve people of all ages in Shoreham’s unique history.
Friends of Shoreham Fort
An essential part of that plan is the Friends of Shoreham Fort, whose members, led by the enthusiastic Gary Baines, can be found most weekends, painting, digging, litter-picking, shoring up crumbling walls and generally defending the defences.
For Gary, it’s a lifelong commitment.
‘I could only have been about four when I first found the Fort. Walking with my grandfather along Shoreham beach, we came across the ruins. I spent a happy time running around the grassy slopes using his walking stick as an imaginary gun.’
Fast-forward many years and Gary is a leading light in the Royal Sussex Living History Group and one of the main forces behind the camp’s renovation.
Military History Weekends at Shoreham Fort
The Friends hold a series of special events throughout the year, attracting enthusiasts from across the country to show off their costumes, weapons and vehicles.
There are demonstrations of the speed and accuracy of everything from an ancient musket to a huge replica cannon.
Discover how tough life was for the teenage Powder Monkeys, try your hand at lifting one of the huge cannon shells or swing into action on the parade ground.
If you’re on your best behaviour, you may be greeted by Queen Victoria herself or at least fall into conversation with one of her ladies-in-waiting.
On these days Shoreham Fort is a blaze of colour, the air full of noise and the sharp smell of gunpowder.
Bugle calls, the crack of rifles and the deafening boom of cannon punctuate the day.
Entrance is free because Gary wants to give everyone the freedom to explore the fort for themselves.
‘Obviously we have to have safety rules, but I want everyone to get as hands-on as possible. We ask for donations if people can afford it and of course we sell delicious cakes, ice-creams and treats which help fund the restoration.’
Other events at the fort include regular daytime and evening tours, where volunteers explain and expand on what remains of the old defences.
All money raised is ploughed back into their ambitious plans for a full restoration, including the reinstatement of the Barrack Block for use as a multipurpose community facility.
New discoveries
And the discoveries keep on coming.
The Nissen Hut, rescued from imminent destruction, actually dates from WW1 and is probably the oldest in the country.
People bring their own stories of friends and family during times of conflict, which Gary and the rest of the volunteers are delighted to hear.
Shoreham Fort in the movies
But it’s not all about battles.
Shoreham Fort had a brief but important role in the early British film industry, with some of the first ever silent movies using it as a dramatic backdrop.
There’s more information on the beginnings of Hollywood-by-the-Sea in our article about Shoreham plus intriguing displays in both the Marlipins and Hove Museums nearby.
So next time you’re heading for the Sussex coast, seek out one of the last remaining bastions of Britain’s old sea defences. Stroll around the ruins, take a moment to reflect in the Memorial Trench, and say thank you to the volunteers keeping history alive.
More information about Shoreham Fort
More about Friends of Shoreham Fort, their events and ongoing restoration work, can be found on their website.
The site is owned by Shoreham Port Authority and the car park and toilets are owned and managed by Adur District Council. The restoration of the fort is part of the wider Shoreham Harbour Regeneration Project
Accessibility at Shoreham Fort
With much of the site still in ruins, the ground is uneven and some of it is only accessible via steep steps. But there are paths suitable for wheelchairs and buggies and the Memorial Trench has been designed to be accessible with a concrete viewing area and lower sandbag walls, so children and those with restricted mobility can take a full part.
All photographs copyright ©rosemaryandporkbelly
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