Swashbuckling pirates sail into Littlehampton Museum

SMUGGLERS, pirates and sea monsters sailed into Littlehampton as children dropped anchor at the town’s museum.

But it wasn’t booty or treasure the young marauders were seeking during the half-term action at the Manor House, in Church Street. They were plundering museum staff for something far more valuable – knowledge.

More than a dozen children came aboard the museum’s range of holiday craft sessions and workshops, entitled All at Sea, with the last of the activities taking place on Thursday (February 21).

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Those taking part during the week learned about maps, ships, smugglers and sea monsters, as well as a bit of local maritime history.

Thursday’s session saw youngster’s creating their own pirate outfits, complete with paper swords, swashbuckling hats and fearsome eye patches.

Ellena Meakins, eight, came along to the arts and crafts session with her younger brother, Elliot, five.

She said it was “really exciting and interesting” to learn about the town’s smuggling heritage, something which museum curator, Juliet Nye, hinted was still evident even today.

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“Littlehampton and Yapton both have a really rich history of smuggling, during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

“There are rumoured to be plenty of tunnels hidden across Littlehampton, many going under local public houses.

“There are even rumours that at the old pier, in the harbour, you can see the entrance to one of those tunnels,” she said.

Juliet described how smugglers would sneak in bottles of brandy and other alcohol into the town.

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She also told the children that many of the townsfolk were aware of the shady activities going on, but refused to say anything to the authorities.

“It was something that just went without mention. I’m sure there were lots of important people who benefited from the smuggling, so they wouldn’t have wanted it to stop.”

She added the children had a wonderful time letting their imaginations run wild at all three events.

The museum’s next children’s activity session will be a free, fossil discovery day, in April.

To find out more about future events, call 01903 738100.

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