Oral history

Oral history research was undertaken by Toby Horkan, Ellen Jeffrey and Christian Billing.

• Dean Wilson

  Listen as renowned local poet Dean reflects on the wonders of living in Withernsea, writing poetry on land now lost to the sea, finding interesting pebbles, and walking on the beach at dawn.

  0:00 / 50:38

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• Susan & Andrew Wells

  Local farmers Sue and Andrew Wells share what first drew them to live and work in this landscape, the challenges of losing farmland to coastal erosion, and what the first day of spring feels like in South Holderness.

  0:00 / 1:16:22

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• Stephen Webb

  Listen as local birder Steve describes the important role Spurn plays in migration routes, how new sightings are swiftly communicated between local birders, and how climate change is having a noticeable impact on local population numbers.

  0:00 / 1:9:32

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• Phil & Mary Mathison

  Listen as Phil and Mary discuss the history of Spurn, the unique feel of the landscape, and the particular acoustics created by the architectural interior of Spurn Lighthouse.

  0:00 / 1:13:05

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• Nick Jackson & Mike Welton

  Local residents Nick and Mike share their individual experiences of working and living in such a changeable landscape, their knowledge and love for the area, and their ongoing work with the local area studies group, SKEALS.

  0:00 / 1:09:48

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• Rob Hunton

  Rob, manager at Spurn Bird Observatory, describes the important and challenging work the Observatory does in conserving the nesting site of the little terns and the incredible spectacle of the autumn migrations.

  0:00 / 1:11:06

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• Burt Graham

  Local resident Burt describes the challenges and rewards of being part of an iconic local family business, and the particular freedoms of growing up in this rural landscape.

  0:00 / 1:17:52

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• Heather Gatt

  Listen as local artist Heather describes what drew her to move to this place, the time it takes to observe it, and how the landscape and its weather continues to inspire and shape her creative practice.

  0:00 / 1:32:50

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• Clare Galpin & Rob Young

  Clare and Rob describe their experiences of working in this landscape as part of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and how they continually renew and adapt their conservation practices to suit this changing, transitioning environment.

  0:00 / 1:00:59

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• Kim Dalton

  Local resident Kim looks back on childhood summer holidays spent out on Spurn whilst also looking forward to the future of a resilient and thriving local community.

  0:00 / 1:28:35

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• Jan Crowther

  Local historian Jan looks back on what drew her to move to this part of the world and the years spent living in Kilnsea with husband Pete, accumulating knowledge of the social history of Spurn as well as of the local flora and fauna.

  0:00 / 1:2:59

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• Roy Clubley

  Listen as local farmer Roy describes the experiences of growing up in Easington, the changes in farming practices over the decades, and piloting a plane to view the land from the air.

  0:00 / 1:39:53

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• Paul Collins

  Paul, warden at Spurn Bird Observatory, describes the many years spent living and working amongst the vast numbers of migrating and local birds that visit Spurn each year, and how a new generation of birders is bringing hope for the future.

  0:00 / 1:03:07

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• Adrian Bennet & David Whitaker

  Listen as pub landlords Adrian and David describe the challenges of running a business in such a remote location, living next to badgers, and the moments of incredible beauty that come with the coastal winters.

  0:00 / 1:15:35

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• Andy Gibson

  Local ecologist Andy shares the decades spent conserving the environment whilst working for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and how the years he spent walking in this landscape led to new insights, knowledge and appreciation of this place.

  0:00 / 1:19:23

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