Good Causes story

Something fishy

One hundred years ago, the British coastline was home to enough herring to feed every man, woman and child in the country. But fast-forward a century and stocks are in serious decline. Researchers from Newcastle University wanted to explore the huge changes that have taken place since England's fishing industry began its decline, while also celebrating the heritage of North Eastern England's fishing ports — and so Tale of the Herring was born.

The year-long National Lottery-funded project aimed to unite five communities along England's East coast: Amble, Newbiggin, Cullercoats, North Shields and Lowestoft. "Fishing used to be so important to these communities — we wanted to keep the story alive," explains Research Associate Susan Gebbels.

Key to Tale of the Herring was the education of a younger generation, so Susan worked in primary schools across the five communities, running weeks of workshops and activities which explored the fishing industry and the different roles people played. Thanks to the project, the children got to take part in activities that might not otherwise have been open to them, such as visiting Newcastle University's marine lab, exploring local seashores and harbours and tasting different types of fish.

"They were encouraged to use all their senses," says Susan. "All the activities were very hands-on, as we explored how animals have adapted to live off the North East coast. This gave children who might normally struggle academically at school the chance to shine." To spread the message to the wider community, all the children produced exhibitions of what they'd learnt.

National Lottery funding enabled the project to produce resources that the schools kept once Tale of the Herring was officially over, and Susan is confident that the lessons the children learned will stay with them. "Learning about their coastal heritage helped give the children a new appreciation and stronger sense of place."