With the various storms we are experiencing at the moment it is worth remembering that, regardless of climate change, fierce storms are nothing new. One of the earliest was the ferocious storm in 1287. Nothing quite like it has been seen since and looking at other storms through the years, it has to be accepted that the weather is changing and we need to realise just how fragile our environment is, as well as the danger to towns on the south east coastline from possible flooding and even destruction.
The powerful storm in 1287 affected three Cinque Ports, destroying the harbours of the towns of New Romney, Hastings and Winchelsea - the latter town being completely overwhelmed along with its harbour.
It was so fierce that the coastline was redrawn by nature. At that time the river Rother flowed out of New Romney port but silting up over the years, exacerbated by the storm, forced the Rother to find another outlet to the sea, 15 miles away, at Rye. With larger ships needing deeper water to be found at Rye, the harbour grew in importance and joined the Cinque Ports group.
Winchelsea had to be rebuilt on the hill further back from the sea but was allowed to continue as part of the Cinque Ports. Large parts of the Hastings castle fell, which destroyed their harbour and today only the beach-based fishing fleet remains. A plan for a marina was turned down by the local council a few years ago.
Further information on the storm can be found here.
