Historic Marshside Fog Bell being transformed into micro museum as people urged to support appeal

One of the most iconic buildings in Southport, with a fascinating history behind it, is being restored. 

The Marshside Fog Bell has stood on Marshside Road since 1876, with the aim of ensuring people fishing at sea stay safe. 

Nearly £2,000 has been raised to help bring it back to life as a micro museum dedicated to saving lives at sea, with people able to donate via a Go Fund Me page here. 

It was built following a devastating tragedy and stands in tribute to their memory. 

The building work is being led by Paul Sherman and the team at the NW Heritage CIC.

He is being supported by local roofer David Rawsthorne and local historian and builder David Walshe among others. 

The Marshside Fog Bell in Southport is being restored by NW Heritage and other supporters

They are grateful for any support which makes the project possible. 

The scheme has delighted local campaigner Gladys Armstrong, who has spent the past 20 years campaigning for its revival but feared she would never see it happen during her lifetime. 

On 26th January 1869, seven Marshside men were drowned after becoming disoriented in fog whilst hand-putting for shrimps. 

Peter Aughton (53), William Hesketh (39), John Rimmer (43), John Wright (18), Peter Wright (18), Robert Wright (41), Peter Wright (20) all perished. 

The shrimpers were buried at St Cuthbert’s Church in nearby Churchtown. 

The Marshside Fog Bell in Southport is being restored by NW Heritage and other supporters

As a result of the disaster, a wooden fog bell building was erected on the shore to prevent a similar catastrophe occurring. 

In 1896 a more substantial brick building for the fog bell was constructed on its present site. 

Paul Sherman said: “Today, the Marshside Fog Bell stands as both a memorial to those seven men lost at sea 154 years ago and also as a reminder of the perils of our coastline. 

“Earlier this year, myself and Gladys Armstrong placed a wreath at the fog bell kindly donated by Tom Hodge florists in Churchtown and we remembered all those who have lost their lives along this coast. On Sunday, 29th January, Rev Rebecca Clarke led a brief service at St Cuthbert’s Church to remember all those lost and to give thanks to those who save lives at sea. The short service started in the churchyard at the shrimpers’ graves.

The Marshside Fog Bell in Southport is being restored by NW Heritage and other supporters

“In 1869, following the tragic loss of seven shrimpers in fog, the community needed a fog bell to help guide the fisherman back to safety. Just over 150 years later, the fog bell needs the community! 

“Having negotiated the transfer of this iconic piece of local history, funds are desperately needed to carry out restoration work and open it up to the public as a community heritage asset. 

“It is intended that the building will be a micro museum themed around the history of saving lives along our coast as well as Southport’s rich fishing heritage. 

“It will tell the stories of those who have worked and lived on the Ribble estuary and of the rich history of saving lives along our coast. 

“From the very first lifeboat station at Formby, the Marshside calamity of 1869, the worst lifeboat disaster of 1886 to the service provided by Southport Lifeboat. 

“Please help ensure this iconic building remains a focal point in the community. All donations, however small, would be greatly appreciated.” 

The fog bell has not been used in anger since 1945. 

Back then, John Wright rang it for eight hours to save the life of a local shrimper. 

Volunteers from Southport Lifeboat were among those paying their respects when the funeral for the heroic 92-year-old took place in February this year. 

He was a 15 year old boy during a thick fog back in 1945 when local shrimper Tom Bet was caught up in it. 

Tributes have been paid to John Wright, the last person to use the Fog Bell in Marshside in Southport

John recently died and his family requested that his funeral procession could stop outside the Marshside Fog Bell so the bell could be rung for him. 

Members of Southport Lifeboat lined up to pay their respects. 

Earlier this year Paul and his team started the first phase of fog bell restoration work.

Paul said: “This has only been made possible by your generous donations and our volunteers giving their time freely to the project. We still have a long way to go and with the current economic climate we know this will not be easy. 

“However we are determined to see this through. 

“We have been awarded a small grant from Historic England. Unfortunately this cannot be used for any building restoration works as it is specifically for community engagement. 

“We are therefore hoping to stage a public event this summer with lots of display material on site and at least the fog bell building will be opened up so visitors can have a peep inside! Thank you all once again for your donations and helping to make this a reality.”

The Marshside Fog Bell in Southport is being restored by NW Heritage and other supporters

Paul is thankful for all the support – one well wisher donated £175 – and for all the tradesmen who have chipped in to help. 

It has been emotional for local campaigner Gladys Armstrong to see the work taking place. 

Paul said: “Gladys Armstrong started the campaign to get this building restored 20 years ago. 

“She has been trying and trying to make this happen for years. 

“It was an emotional moment to be able to show her inside. She told me ‘I have been campaigning for 20 years, I wanted to get inside the building before I died’. 

“This is just the beginning. We have lots more work to do. If we get enough help from people we will get it done. 

“When we negotiated with One Vision Housing to be able to carry out this project they were really supportive and said they would do everything they could to help us. 

“This is a very iconic building. It is a real local landmark. 

“It feels good to be finally getting there.” 

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