The trustees of Prickwillow Museum are delighted to be adding to the increasingly popular series of talks at the Museum with this fascinating evening. Robert Smith MBE, Port of Wells Harbour Master, and author of 'Crossing the Bar' and 'Tales of a Harbour Master' joins us for what promises to be a very interesting evening.
Robert was born and raised on the North Norfolk Coast in Wells-Next-the-Sea. Drawn to water from an early age, the creeks and marshes of Wells were both his playground and classroom; and from the age of seven he could be seen racing down to the Quayside each day to mess around in boats!
Robert’s passion for the harbour is unsurprising. His ancestors gained their livelihood from the harbour, sea and North Norfolk from the 1700s, and it seemed inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps, first working with his family as longshoremen before joining a local shipping company, then Wells Harbour Commissioners as Assistant Harbour Master.
In 2000, Robert became Harbour Master. This, as well as his 27 year tenure as crew and second Coxswain on the Wells lifeboat has given him a great appreciation of the power and unpredictability of the sea.
In 2016/17 Robert was recognised in the New Year’s Honours List and awarded an MBE for his services to the Port and Community of Wells. The following year, Robert published his first book, 'Crossing the Bar', described as being ‘a hymn to the most beautiful coastline in the world’. The book has received countrywide acclaim. No small feat for a man challenged by dyslexia!
A natural storyteller, Robert is a popular public speaker. 'Tales of a Harbour Master' not only take his audience on a journey of discovery of the history and workings of the Port, but also provides a light-hearted and amusing glimpse of his life as Harbour Master.
Robert is often asked what he enjoys most about his work, his reply is always the same, Fresh Air & Freedom.
We are expecting this event to be very popular so please do book early to avoid disappointment. All details in the poster below, on our Events page, by telephone 01353 720737/01353 778442 or by email HERE.
Robert was born and raised on the North Norfolk Coast in Wells-Next-the-Sea. Drawn to water from an early age, the creeks and marshes of Wells were both his playground and classroom; and from the age of seven he could be seen racing down to the Quayside each day to mess around in boats!
Robert’s passion for the harbour is unsurprising. His ancestors gained their livelihood from the harbour, sea and North Norfolk from the 1700s, and it seemed inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps, first working with his family as longshoremen before joining a local shipping company, then Wells Harbour Commissioners as Assistant Harbour Master.
In 2000, Robert became Harbour Master. This, as well as his 27 year tenure as crew and second Coxswain on the Wells lifeboat has given him a great appreciation of the power and unpredictability of the sea.
In 2016/17 Robert was recognised in the New Year’s Honours List and awarded an MBE for his services to the Port and Community of Wells. The following year, Robert published his first book, 'Crossing the Bar', described as being ‘a hymn to the most beautiful coastline in the world’. The book has received countrywide acclaim. No small feat for a man challenged by dyslexia!
A natural storyteller, Robert is a popular public speaker. 'Tales of a Harbour Master' not only take his audience on a journey of discovery of the history and workings of the Port, but also provides a light-hearted and amusing glimpse of his life as Harbour Master.
Robert is often asked what he enjoys most about his work, his reply is always the same, Fresh Air & Freedom.
We are expecting this event to be very popular so please do book early to avoid disappointment. All details in the poster below, on our Events page, by telephone 01353 720737/01353 778442 or by email HERE.
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