Great Yarmouth Herring Industry

The town of Yarmouth, which became Great Yarmouth in 1272 under a charter issued by Henry III, owes its existence to the herring, a fact symbolised in the first town coat-of-arms, which depicts three silver herrings on a blue shield. For centuries the herring industry shaped the town and the lives of its inhabitants. In recent years, however, the industry has largely disappeared, and its legacy is now relegated to museums.

This lavishly illustrated and informative book explores the history of the herring industry in Yarmouth and Gorleston. Using over 200 archive images, many previously unpublished, Colin Tooke presents a vivid collection that explores just how important the industry has been in Yarmouth life and industry. Many of the faces that worked in the industry over the years will be seen here, and the experiences and hardships of working in such a demanding environment are brought to life in this evocative volume.

Colin Tooke lives in Great Yarmouth, and has written several books on the area, including Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Pubs, Great Yarmouth and Great Yarmouth with Gorleston and Caister: A Second Selection.