Friends of Chichester Harbour

Nature Recovery Needs People

Welcome

The Friends of Chichester Harbour draws together those who are passionate about protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural environment along the stretch of the south coast that connects Hampshire and West Sussex.

Mindful of the importance and fragility of our countryside, shoreline, waters, wildlife and marine life, we support the work of Chichester Harbour Conservancy and other like-minded community bodies dedicated to the sustainability of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

A registered charity, the Friends of Chichester Harbour welcomes all ages, embracing a broad mix of harbourside pursuits, as members (Friends)..

Chichester Harbour

Between south Hampshire and West Sussex to the north of the Solent and the south-west of Chichester, Chichester Harbour and its hinterland is mapped out across 9,226 acres.

Image credit: Jaqui North

Its inlets and channels flow into smaller harbours and coastal communities – Langstone, Emsworth, Chidham, Bosham and Itchenor – with the South Downs as a backdrop and Chichester Cathedral’s spire as a focal point.  Managed by Chichester Harbour Conservancy, the Harbour is not only an AONB but a biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) too.

It is here that cyclists, walkers, ramblers, windsurfers, kayakers, sailors, ornithologists, swimmers, day-trippers and many others with a love of the countryside, sea and nature flock all year round.

Follow Us On Instagram

@thefriendsofchichesterharbour
  • Fake birds? If you didn’t tune into BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day you may well have missed Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Marine Conservation Project Manager Jess Vagg being interviewed on the BBC World Service Podcast: People Fixing the World that explored how fake birds can help real bird populations. Jess’s work overseeing the Return of the Tern project has been covered in earlier issues; here she explains how 3D printed ‘terns’, using recycled plastic filaments, encourage the real ones to nest alongside them safely. 

To listen, visit People Fixing The World Podcast - Fake Birds and Other Stories. 

#naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #fakebirds #returnofthetern #peoplefixingtheworld #bbc #emsworth #bosham #northneymarina #haylingisland #thorneyisland #chidham #fishbournemeadows #itchenor #chichester
  • Thank you to all our volunteers who ventured out into the cold today, to join @chichesterharbourconservancy for a beach clean at West Chidham. Every piece of litter picked up makes a difference.

#beachclean #chidham #naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #makeadifference
  • A little insight into some of the projects the Friends of Chichester Harbour will be involved in this year:

⭐️Increasing saltmarsh and sea grasses to restore wildlife habitats and sequester carbon
⭐️Nesting boxes for endangered bird species
⭐️Live stream camera on tern rafts to monitor nesting and breeding activity 
⭐️Primary school field trips and workshops for youngsters to discover Chichester Harbour’s many natural wonders.

And this is all down to your support and contributions to the charity’s funds, that our ongoing quest to help address the various threats to the harbour’s natural environment sees us setting these goals for the year ahead. So thank you again for all your support. 

To become a member, please visit www.friendsch.org

#chichesterharbour #naturerecovery #friendsofchichesterharbour #chichesterharbourconservancy #nestingboxes #saltmarsh #ternrafts #returnofthetern #chichester #westsussex #emsworth #bosham #chidham #fishbourne #itchenor #haylingisland #northneymarina #thorneyisland #westsussexlife #harbourlife #marineconservation
  • As we continue with our series of Trustee profiles, allow us to introduce Gavin Crick, who is also chairman of the Terror Operating Committee (a group of hardworking volunteers that maintains and runs the oyster boat Terror). We had the opportunity to ask Gavin a few questions about his involvement with the charity and his love of Chichester Harbour. 

What attracted you to the charity? 

We have kept various boats in the Harbour for many years and with semi-retirement came the opportunity to give something back. More than ever now Chichester Harbour needs the Friends, so I was delighted to accept when asked to join by the charity’s chairman, Heather Baker.

How do you spend your time in the Harbour? 

On Oliette, the beautiful boat that my wife and I own.  Although we love travelling far and wide on her, it always feels like coming home when we turn past the Bar Beacon and into the Harbour. We have had many lovely stays at anchor around it, enjoying the wildlife and various other treats, including bacon baps available at many locations on a Sunday morning!

Can you give us a flavour of a trip on the Terror? 

Sailing on her is like stepping back in time; one’s cares evaporate with the sound of the water rushing past the hull and the creaking of the leather against the spars.

Any new plans for Terror in 2024? 

Terror is currently covered up for the winter with a full service program underway for her to be looking at her best for when she goes back into the water next spring.  She returns to active service in May and available for booking right through to early October. Sailings are tide-dependant and so change each day. Bookings can be made for an individual seat or up to a whole boat charter (max 6 passengers). 

Favourite spot here? 

Difficult to choose but I will go for being at anchor off Pilsey Island in Thorney Channel, on a summer’s evening as the sun sets and with a GnT.
  • So much love and appreciation for Chichester Harbour. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️
  • Our volunteers have been busy working with the Rangers of @chichesterharbourconservancy clearing the branches and fallen trees following the storms in January. Tasked with clearing the brambles and undergrowth also revealed broken fence posts, soon to be repaired in time for the cattle to graze come spring. Thank you to everyone involved.
Fake birds? If you didn’t tune into BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day you may well have missed Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Marine Conservation Project Manager Jess Vagg being interviewed on the BBC World Service Podcast: People Fixing the World that explored how fake birds can help real bird populations. Jess’s work overseeing the Return of the Tern project has been covered in earlier issues; here she explains how 3D printed ‘terns’, using recycled plastic filaments, encourage the real ones to nest alongside them safely. 

To listen, visit People Fixing The World Podcast - Fake Birds and Other Stories. 

#naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #fakebirds #returnofthetern #peoplefixingtheworld #bbc #emsworth #bosham #northneymarina #haylingisland #thorneyisland #chidham #fishbournemeadows #itchenor #chichester
Fake birds? If you didn’t tune into BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day you may well have missed Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Marine Conservation Project Manager Jess Vagg being interviewed on the BBC World Service Podcast: People Fixing the World that explored how fake birds can help real bird populations. Jess’s work overseeing the Return of the Tern project has been covered in earlier issues; here she explains how 3D printed ‘terns’, using recycled plastic filaments, encourage the real ones to nest alongside them safely. 

To listen, visit People Fixing The World Podcast - Fake Birds and Other Stories. 

#naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #fakebirds #returnofthetern #peoplefixingtheworld #bbc #emsworth #bosham #northneymarina #haylingisland #thorneyisland #chidham #fishbournemeadows #itchenor #chichester
Fake birds? If you didn’t tune into BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day you may well have missed Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Marine Conservation Project Manager Jess Vagg being interviewed on the BBC World Service Podcast: People Fixing the World that explored how fake birds can help real bird populations. Jess’s work overseeing the Return of the Tern project has been covered in earlier issues; here she explains how 3D printed ‘terns’, using recycled plastic filaments, encourage the real ones to nest alongside them safely. To listen, visit People Fixing The World Podcast - Fake Birds and Other Stories. #naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #fakebirds #returnofthetern #peoplefixingtheworld #bbc #emsworth #bosham #northneymarina #haylingisland #thorneyisland #chidham #fishbournemeadows #itchenor #chichester
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Thank you to all our volunteers who ventured out into the cold today, to join @chichesterharbourconservancy for a beach clean at West Chidham. Every piece of litter picked up makes a difference.

#beachclean #chidham #naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #makeadifference
Thank you to all our volunteers who ventured out into the cold today, to join @chichesterharbourconservancy for a beach clean at West Chidham. Every piece of litter picked up makes a difference. #beachclean #chidham #naturerecovery #chichesterharbour #makeadifference
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
A little insight into some of the projects the Friends of Chichester Harbour will be involved in this year:

⭐️Increasing saltmarsh and sea grasses to restore wildlife habitats and sequester carbon
⭐️Nesting boxes for endangered bird species
⭐️Live stream camera on tern rafts to monitor nesting and breeding activity 
⭐️Primary school field trips and workshops for youngsters to discover Chichester Harbour’s many natural wonders.

And this is all down to your support and contributions to the charity’s funds, that our ongoing quest to help address the various threats to the harbour’s natural environment sees us setting these goals for the year ahead. So thank you again for all your support. 

To become a member, please visit www.friendsch.org

#chichesterharbour #naturerecovery #friendsofchichesterharbour #chichesterharbourconservancy #nestingboxes #saltmarsh #ternrafts #returnofthetern #chichester #westsussex #emsworth #bosham #chidham #fishbourne #itchenor #haylingisland #northneymarina #thorneyisland #westsussexlife #harbourlife #marineconservation
A little insight into some of the projects the Friends of Chichester Harbour will be involved in this year: ⭐️Increasing saltmarsh and sea grasses to restore wildlife habitats and sequester carbon ⭐️Nesting boxes for endangered bird species ⭐️Live stream camera on tern rafts to monitor nesting and breeding activity ⭐️Primary school field trips and workshops for youngsters to discover Chichester Harbour’s many natural wonders. And this is all down to your support and contributions to the charity’s funds, that our ongoing quest to help address the various threats to the harbour’s natural environment sees us setting these goals for the year ahead. So thank you again for all your support. To become a member, please visit www.friendsch.org #chichesterharbour #naturerecovery #friendsofchichesterharbour #chichesterharbourconservancy #nestingboxes #saltmarsh #ternrafts #returnofthetern #chichester #westsussex #emsworth #bosham #chidham #fishbourne #itchenor #haylingisland #northneymarina #thorneyisland #westsussexlife #harbourlife #marineconservation
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
As we continue with our series of Trustee profiles, allow us to introduce Gavin Crick, who is also chairman of the Terror Operating Committee (a group of hardworking volunteers that maintains and runs the oyster boat Terror). We had the opportunity to ask Gavin a few questions about his involvement with the charity and his love of Chichester Harbour. 

What attracted you to the charity? 

We have kept various boats in the Harbour for many years and with semi-retirement came the opportunity to give something back. More than ever now Chichester Harbour needs the Friends, so I was delighted to accept when asked to join by the charity’s chairman, Heather Baker.

How do you spend your time in the Harbour? 

On Oliette, the beautiful boat that my wife and I own.  Although we love travelling far and wide on her, it always feels like coming home when we turn past the Bar Beacon and into the Harbour. We have had many lovely stays at anchor around it, enjoying the wildlife and various other treats, including bacon baps available at many locations on a Sunday morning!

Can you give us a flavour of a trip on the Terror? 

Sailing on her is like stepping back in time; one’s cares evaporate with the sound of the water rushing past the hull and the creaking of the leather against the spars.

Any new plans for Terror in 2024? 

Terror is currently covered up for the winter with a full service program underway for her to be looking at her best for when she goes back into the water next spring.  She returns to active service in May and available for booking right through to early October. Sailings are tide-dependant and so change each day. Bookings can be made for an individual seat or up to a whole boat charter (max 6 passengers). 

Favourite spot here? 

Difficult to choose but I will go for being at anchor off Pilsey Island in Thorney Channel, on a summer’s evening as the sun sets and with a GnT.
As we continue with our series of Trustee profiles, allow us to introduce Gavin Crick, who is also chairman of the Terror Operating Committee (a group of hardworking volunteers that maintains and runs the oyster boat Terror). We had the opportunity to ask Gavin a few questions about his involvement with the charity and his love of Chichester Harbour. What attracted you to the charity? We have kept various boats in the Harbour for many years and with semi-retirement came the opportunity to give something back. More than ever now Chichester Harbour needs the Friends, so I was delighted to accept when asked to join by the charity’s chairman, Heather Baker. How do you spend your time in the Harbour? On Oliette, the beautiful boat that my wife and I own. Although we love travelling far and wide on her, it always feels like coming home when we turn past the Bar Beacon and into the Harbour. We have had many lovely stays at anchor around it, enjoying the wildlife and various other treats, including bacon baps available at many locations on a Sunday morning! Can you give us a flavour of a trip on the Terror? Sailing on her is like stepping back in time; one’s cares evaporate with the sound of the water rushing past the hull and the creaking of the leather against the spars. Any new plans for Terror in 2024? Terror is currently covered up for the winter with a full service program underway for her to be looking at her best for when she goes back into the water next spring. She returns to active service in May and available for booking right through to early October. Sailings are tide-dependant and so change each day. Bookings can be made for an individual seat or up to a whole boat charter (max 6 passengers). Favourite spot here? Difficult to choose but I will go for being at anchor off Pilsey Island in Thorney Channel, on a summer’s evening as the sun sets and with a GnT.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
So much love and appreciation for Chichester Harbour. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Our volunteers have been busy working with the Rangers of @chichesterharbourconservancy clearing the branches and fallen trees following the storms in January. Tasked with clearing the brambles and undergrowth also revealed broken fence posts, soon to be repaired in time for the cattle to graze come spring. Thank you to everyone involved.
Our volunteers have been busy working with the Rangers of @chichesterharbourconservancy clearing the branches and fallen trees following the storms in January. Tasked with clearing the brambles and undergrowth also revealed broken fence posts, soon to be repaired in time for the cattle to graze come spring. Thank you to everyone involved.
Our volunteers have been busy working with the Rangers of @chichesterharbourconservancy clearing the branches and fallen trees following the storms in January. Tasked with clearing the brambles and undergrowth also revealed broken fence posts, soon to be repaired in time for the cattle to graze come spring. Thank you to everyone involved.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Play Your Part

From supporting education programmes, environmental research and seeking out grants for special projects to rallying participants for out-in-the-field work parties, arranging social events and harbour tours, the Friends of Chichester Harbour seeks much needed funding and volunteer support.

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