A new oral history project, Sea Stories, has launched to record and preserve the memories, knowledge and experiences of people connected with fishing and life at sea in North Yorkshire before they are lost.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and run by Whitby Marine Discovery Centre, the project will create a lasting record of the people and communities whose lives have been shaped by the sea.

The idea behind Sea Stories came from recognising that there is an enormous amount of history sitting in people’s memories.

While records can tell us about boats, fishing grounds, landings and major events, there is another side to that history that can only really be captured by talking to the people who were there.

Sea Stories will recognise that there is an enormous amount of history sitting in people’s memories.

placeholder image — Sea Stories will recognise that there is an enormous amount of history sitting in people’s memories.

The project is interested not only in dramatic events, but also in the everyday experiences of life at sea and in fishing communities: what a normal day was like, who people worked alongside, what they ate, where they slept, what happened when things went wrong, and what it was like coming back into harbour.

Joe Redfern, founder and general manager of Whitby Marine Discovery Centre and Whitby Lobster Hatchery, said: “These stories are incredibly valuable because once those memories are gone, they’re very difficult to replace.

“Fishing has changed enormously.

"The boats have changed, technology has changed, working practices have changed, and the communities around fishing have changed too.”

Sea Stories will tell the tales of Whitby's fishing communities.

Sea Stories will record informal interviews with people who have worked at sea, been involved in fishing, or have another connection to the industry and the local community.

Project lead, Kenzie Greenwood, said: “Fishermen, boatbuilders, fishmongers, artists, business owners, community figureheads.

"Anyone with something to say about the sea is welcome to record their story.

"There is no need to prepare anything or to consider yourself an expert in your own history.

"The project is simply interested in hearing people’s experiences in their own words.

“We aren’t trying to create one definitive version of fishing history.

"We’re trying to preserve those different voices and experiences.” said Kenzie.

“We’re creating a record that future generations can actually hear in the voices of the people who lived those experiences.”

The recordings and transcripts will be preserved as a lasting community archive, shared locally through events and exhibitions, school resources and workshops, and published online, creating a public record intended to last for generations to come.

The project also offers opportunities for people who would like to get involved behind the scenes.

Sea Stories is looking for volunteers who can help bring the stories to life and share them with visitors to the Discovery Centre, help spread the word about the project, and encourage people with their own stories to come forward.

The team is also keen to hear from people with particular skills they could contribute, including audio or video editing, photography, social media, research, archiving, design and digital technology.

Previous experience in museums or oral history is not required.

Anyone who would like to share their own story, or who is interested in volunteering with Sea Stories, can find out more on the project’s new website page – visit marinediscoverywhitby.co.uk for more.

The first recordings have recently begun and the stories will be shared with the community on a rolling basis via their website.