Symbols of Resilience and Contested Place Identity in the Coastal Fishing Towns of Cromer and Sheringham, Norfolk, UK: Implications for Social Wellbeing

Abstract

Fishing has been a core part of the identities of Cromer and Sheringham, rural coastal communities with a long tradition of inshore crab fishing in the East of England. However, given the decline in the number of fishing boats and wider demographic, economic and social change, the fishing identity of these towns is perceived as threatened. Drawing on qualitative research, this chapter develops a conceptual approach drawing on perspectives from place research and social wellbeing to explore the different place meanings held by coastal residents, visitors and fishermen. A focus on how different people relate to place and with each other provides a more nuanced understanding of social wellbeing. Tensions over place identity are exposed particularly between ‘newcomers’ and local residents, and over aspirations for economic development. Cromer and Sheringham’s fishing identity is being defended by the fishermen and those who value the fishery. This case study reveals the political nature of how different understandings of place, development and wellbeing are constructed and contested. The future of the fishery and the town will depend on whose values and place meanings are privileged and represented in governance processes.

Annex

Composition of sample used for analysis from questionnaires in Cromer and Sheringham

			Cromer (74)				Sheringham (50)
Residents (40)				Visitors (34)			Residents (39)			Visitors (11)
Period of time lived in or known place	< 2 year	6	15%	< 2 year	0	0%	< 2 year	3	8%	< 2 year	1	9%
	2–9 years	7	18%	2–9 years	4	12%	2–9 years	18	46%	2–9 years	0	0%
	10–20 years	11	28%	10–20 years	9	26%	10–20 years	10	26%	10–20 years	3	27%
	Over 21 years	16	40%	Over 21 years	21	62%	Over 21 years	8	21%	Over 21 years	7	64%
Level of visit frequency/knowledge of place	All my life	5	13%	3–6 times per year	11	32%	All my life	2	5%	3–6 times per year	1	9%
	Most of my life	12	30%	Once per week	4	12%	Most of my life	3	8%	Once per week	0	0%
	Part of my life	23	58%	daily or several times per week	19	56%	Part of my life	34	87%	Daily or several times per week	10	91%
Age	<19–29	7	18%	<19–29	11	28%	<19–29	5	13%	<19–29	3	27%
	30–39	5	13%	30–39	2	5%	30–39	3	8%	30–39	2	18%
	40–49	5	13%	40–49	3	8%	40–49	11	28%	40–49	2	18%
	50–59	6	15%	50–54	10	25%	50–59	7	18%	50–54	2	18%
	60–64	8	20%	60–64	2	5%	60–64	9	23%	60–64	0	0%
	Over 65	9	23%	Over 65	6	15%	Over 65	4	10%	Over 65	2	18%
Gender	Female	23	58%	Female	22	65%	Female	27	69%	Female	8	73%
	Male	17	43%	Male	12	35%	Male	12	31%	Male	3	27%
Activities	80% eat seafood, 95% know where to buy local seafood, 92% have seen the fishing boats active, 85% use the beach			88% eat it, 88% know where to buy local seafood, 82% have seen the fishing boats active, 94% use beach			77% eat seafood, 85% know where to buy local seafood, 74% have seen the fishing boats active, 77% use beach			73% eat seafood, 82% know where to buy local seafood, 64% have seen the fishing boats active, 91% use beach

1. NB: categories have been aggregated from questionnaire