Humble shrimp spawned a mighty trade for town

FAMED for its long standing marine heritage, Southport is to embrace its roots and raise awareness of the once mighty trade of shrimping.
A talk is scheduled to be given tomorrow (Saturday, March 29) by Peter Dyer, a retired teacher of drama and art, entitled ‘The history of shrimping, horse to horsepower’.

Peter Dyer is due to give a talk on shrimping in Southport this weekend

The talk comes courtesy of the Southport Lecture Society and aims to provide an in-depth insight into the beginnings, developments and also decline in the trade on which Southport once thrived.

A shrimper puts his catch into the boiler

Mr Dyer, who at the age of 12 used to pack shrimps at Southport beach, has a keen interest in the trade and was responsible for the restoration of an original shrimp cart, found in an unkempt state near the Fylde Road area of Marshside. As a result of Mr Dyer’s care and attention the cart now stands beautifully restored in the Botanic Gardens Museum.
He said: “There have been vast changes in the shrimping industry and the talk aims to guide the listener through these. It will document the origins of the trade, the vehicles that were used as well as the methods employed.�

Shrimping the old-fashioned way - with a horse and cart

The lecture will give an account on how industry factors changed as the 20th century approached and the desire for speed and efficiency increased, making the days of the horse-drawn shrimp cart obselete as the new era of the shrimp rig dawned.
Mr Dyer continued: “All aspects of the shrimping trade will be covered, from the rise to decline. Listeners will be informed about how various aspects such as pollution, poor profits and an increase of rules and regulations from the EC have all caused a decline in the once primary trade of the town.
“It is important to keep our heritage alive, as the shrimpers are a dying breed.�

A Jeep and one of Southport’s famed DUKWs pictured on Southport Beach

For those who want to appreciate the origins of the town, the meeting is a must and included with the talk will be authentic photographs from days gone by, taking the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm tomorrow (Saturday, March 29) and will take place in the Friends Meeting House, Court Road, with admission priced at £1.50 per person. For more information call 01704 538954.

Fishermen stretch their nets out along the sands

DO you have any memories, or tales, or photos about shrimping in Southport?
Please phone LookBack reporter Robert Alcock on 01704 398287 or e- mail: visiternews@southportvisiter.co.uk, or leave your thoughts below.