RSPB staff go back in time for Bempton Victorian market Right up until the mid-1950s, climmers - who used to abseil down cliffs to collect seabird eggs - were a common sight on Bempton Cliffs, but they haven’t been seen for many years...until now. On Sunday, 17 November, RSPB staff from Bempton Cliffs will don traditional climming gear to man their stall at the annual Bempton Victorian market. For hundreds of years climming was an essential part of village life in Bempton and, while some eggs were bought as souvenirs or sold to collectors, most eggs were eaten by locals. Thousands of seabird eggs were taken from nests in this way until it became illegal after the passing of the Wild Bird Protection Act in 1954. Maria Prchlik, RSPB Marketing officer at Bempton Cliffs, said: “The climming gangs would put up signs letting people know when eggs would be available for sale. Back then, many families had to take whatever food they could get. There are still villagers who can remember the distinctive taste of kittiwake eggs. “Climming was a dangerous occupation and there weren’t any health and safety regulations. They’d think nothing of tying a length of rope around their waist and abseiling down the 400 feet high cliffs with a basket over their arm. The only safety equipment they had were cloth caps stuffed with straw in case of rock falls.” Scott Smith, Bempton Cliffs Visitor Services Manager, who will be joined on the stall by Membership Development Officer, Chris Pye, and RSPB volunteers, said: ”We’re very proud of the heritage of the cliffs and believe it’s something that should be remembered. It will play a big part in our new visitor centre, due to open in spring 2015. “But, while we like the Mumford and Sons look, it’s freezing on the cliffs dressed in just shirts and waistcoats so we can’t wait to get back into our RSPB fleeces and waterproofs.” Earlier in the year, Ade Edmondson visited Bempton Cliffs to interview the son of a climmer as part of his new ITV series, ‘Ade at Sea’, which will be shown next year.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:28:46 +0000
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