Friends of Chichester Harbour

Latest News

Friends Events, Please Note:

Events organised for the benefit of our members are proving to be really popular. The three tours around Cobnor Point/Estate are already fully booked for 2013 and therefore the Events Secretary cannot accept any further applications for these tours. Hopefully more will be organised next year.

15th January 2013 Urgent: Support the FoCH comments to HBC.

Click here to open the Horsefield Site leaflet that sets out what can be done to participate in the consultation and make individual views known.

FRIENDS EVENTS 2013

Click here to view the list of planned events.

Read about the Lottery Grant

Read the AGM minutes and Chairman's Report for 2012

The Friends of Chichester Harbour is featured in the August issue of Sussex Life Magazine

See us on the Friends' Flickr page

September 2012 - The Friends celebrate 25 years - see press release

Read the Spring newsletter

Read the March Nature Notes

Friends crowding Dell Quay and the Jetty on the 17th May 2012 to wish the Boat Project fair winds and good luck before she sets off on her maiden voyage along the South Coast the next day

Read about the English Elm Experiment Elm

Chichester Harbour is uniquely attractive. With the rolling hills of the South Downs as a backdrop, the narrow harbour entrance breaks into four channels spread out like the fingers of a hand. Scattered around the shoreline are seven picturesque, vibrant villages. Its forty-seven miles of shoreline remain remarkably natural and clear of development. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Its habitat of estuarine mud, saltmarsh, reed beds, marsh grass and farmland support a large variety of wildlife. Its waters are home to fifty species of fish and marine life.

The harbour has the highest density of wetland birds in the UK.

The distinctly different habitats favour many species of butterflies, moths and insects, some immigrants from more Mediterranean climes. Half of the current list of British Large Moths is found here.

Amongst the mosaic of habitats, enthusiasts can find one of the greatest variety of plant species in a comparable area.

Though protected by National, European and International legislation, pressures on successful survival are ever increasing.

The Friends of Chichester Harbour need a strong membership to help preserve this unique area for future generations.

We are a registered charity, formed in 1987 concerned solely with sustaining and improving the environment of the harbour for the benefit of all users - both people and wildlife.

We support Chichester Harbour Conservancy in various practical ways, and help financially too – giving financial support towards care and improvement of the harbour environment. We are also represented on the Conservancy's advisory governing body.

If you appreciate the pleasures of Chichester Harbour why not join us as a Friend of Chichester Harbour. Our growing membership of over 3,000 people, includes sailors, fishermen, walkers, naturalists, wildfowlers, local residents and visitors and is open to any person interested in the well being of Chichester Harbour.

We need YOU

Awarded Freedom of the Harbour for outstanding conservation work