Museum Port Of Call

The Port Room tells the story of Arundel's heritage of shipping, boatbuilding and smuggling from mediaeval times until the commercial trade dried up early last century.

The project has been a true community partnership, involving young and old residents of Arundel, the museum society, Arun District Council and the Countryside Agency.

Now visitors and townspeople will be able to see for themselves how the riverside people lived and worked in Arundel in centuries gone by.

And the past will seem like a different country, compared with the prestigious, waterfront homes along the Arun today, one of the most sought-after areas in the town.

As well as the grime and pollution from the port's industrial premises, residents of old had to live in filthy conditions, which included using the Arun as an open sewer.

For many years, the river was exploited by smugglers, with names like Grab Slaughter, a local publican, who brought their booty upstream from beaches either side of Littlehampton.

Nevertheless, shipping and the river also played an important, legitimate part in Arundel's development.

Just how important was revealed in an oral history project involving Arundel Youth Club and members of their families, who were asked by the youngsters for their recollections of the port area.

Journalist and life historian Monika Smith helped to lead this project, River Voices, which will in due course become part of the Port Room's archives.

The youth club members are also working on a series of other initiatives, including a play and photography workshops, and making way markers for the new riverside heritage trail, to be opened later this year.

Rosemary Hagedorn, of the Arundel Museum Society, said the Port Room had benefited greatly from the involvement of the whole community.

"Young and old alike have contributed to the scheme, sharing memories and stories passed on by relatives or friends about the port area and the people who lived and worked there, as well as giving practical help."