A Report on our meeting held on 18th October 2021.
Bro Fred Walkington MBE has spent a lifetime involved in the battle between Bridlington and the sea. His intimate and personal knowledge of the harbour and his collection of rarely seen photographs and other records made for an enthralling talk.
Bro Fred reviewed the early history from being a small dilapidated harbour to being declared a “harbour of Refuge” in 1697, the first on the east coast, and the introduction of tolls to finance its upkeep. Bridlington quickly developed into a thriving commercial port.
Commercial traffic was still prominent in the mid 1800’s as one of Bro Fred’s early photographs showed. As commercial traffic waned, so the fishing industry grew, as did pleasure tripping for the growing number of holiday makers.
Bro Fred showed how the stone harbour piers were developed and modified over time. The building of the elegant Tudor style Victoria Rooms in 1847 was a boon enjoyed by locals and visitors alike as the Bridlington’s prime social meeting place for over 50 years.
Among other developments Bro Fred’s wonderful photographs showed, were the building of the harbour side road and the removal of the Prince Street slipway, Gummers Wharf and the RAF base, the Langdale Wharf area including the short lived bridge, and the fish industry facilities on the south pier, which superseded Crane Wharf as the fish landing and sales area.
During World War Two the harbour was taken over by the military. Even the fishermen needed passes. One aerial photograph showed how all the road entrances were blocked by tank traps. Other photographs showed the petrol line running along the north pier which led to a flame thrower, and the considerable bomb damage.
Despite Bro Fred’s encyclopaedic knowledge there is one question he would love to know the answer to. When exactly was the “Snaps” building built? If you can answer that, maybe Bro Fred will tell you how the mackerel weather vane comes to have a hole in its tail!
Joan Turner thanked Bro Fred for his enjoyable and informative talk.