Sea walls have helped to defend the Severn Estuary Levels against tides and storm surges since Roman times.

A series of online mini talks given by members of the Living Levels Research and Transcription Service (the RATS) will reveal the many different battles brought about by the building and maintenance of sea walls. 

Making and maintaining the defences has always been a costly and sometimes dangerous business. Sourcing materials and getting them to site can be difficult. The working conditions are often harsh.

These, however, were not the only battles. 

Before legislative changes in the 1880s, landowners and tenants regularly disputed their responsibilities for keeping the sea walls in repair. As a consequence, some even lost their homes and livelihoods, not from floods, but because they refused or were unable to rebuild the defences.

Rose Hewlett will take you on a chronological adventure around the sea walls of both sides of the estuary and discuss how Severnsiders have balanced risk and resilience since Roman times.

Mike Rees will look at the consequences of a significant storm which led to protracted legal proceedings regarding sections of sea wall at Redwick and Goldcliff.

Tony Pickup will consider the quality of sea wall maintenance and how the Industrial Revolution forced changes in ancient law to ensure better sea defences for the Gwent Levels.

This event is kindly supported by Glamorgan Archives

This talk will delivered via Zoom so please make sure you have the most up to date version for maximum enjoyment!