Product Description

The Norfolk coast is beautiful and unique treasure in our sceptred isle. However, over the centuries several of its towns, villages and hamlets have been lost beneath the waves or have had to migrate inland as the acres of ground once before them were gradually eaten away by the indefatigable lap and crash of the waves. This book does not just retell the story of lost settlements but includes those that remain and have been changed irrevocably by the silting up of sea channels or have developed upon the sandbars created by longshore drift. The coast is not only sculpted by natural forces, it is defined by its inhabitants who have sought to embank, dredge and live from sea trade and fishing on it for centuries. Over the last 200 years resorts for health and holidays have developed. The coming of the railways and the improvement of the roads changed the Norfolk coast beyond the comprehension of our forebears in a matter of a few generations. In this latest volume by Neil R. Storey we encounter some of the personalities, folklore, events, disasters, heroes and villains that have become interwoven into the rich tapestry of Norfolk's coastal past. This nostalgic and thought-provoking book explores places, ways of life, trades, local identity and communities that have been lost or are becoming increasingly endangered: a timely reminder of how much is still at risk of becoming part of the lost coast of Norfolk.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221417 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Neil Storey is Norfolk's foremost local historian, and has written extensively for SPL. He appears regularly on local radio, and is well known throughout East Anglia. Neil lives in North Walsham.

Customer Reviews

Red Herrings and Cromer Crabs
Perhaps more than any English county, Norfolk has inspired a multitude of local historians and historical writers. Much of the resulting literature has been miserable rubbish, the work of self-advertising "characters" and know-alls. But Norfolk also has a vigorous tradition of wholly excellent independent scholarship fired by love of place. The Lost Coast of Norfolk is decisively part of the latter.

The book is not long at 120 pages - although the format is larger than most similar volumes - but it provides a concise, colourful and remarkably detailed account of how changes in the Norfolk coastline have transformed, destroyed and created communities. Storey's knowledge and passion is obvious - there is not a trace of padding, psuedoscholarship or verbosity. This an author who really knows and loves his subject - the result is a complete history of the Norfolk coast and people that is an absolute pleasure to read.

It is an equal pleasure to look at. The illustrations, from the author's own collection, are alone worth the price. This is a book that will delight and inform every lover of Norfolk and the sea.