As with much of the Norfolk coast, erosion was and continues to be a major problem. Clifton Way is an experimental site; its sea defences include riprap, wooden groynes, revetments, gabions and Offshore Reefs. The cliffs of soft boulder clay slump because of the water running through the clay, and the resulting material on the beach is removed by the succeeding high tides. In the neighbouring village of Sidestrand, the church was moved back from the cliff edge in the 19th century, though the tower of the church was left standing on the cliff top.
Please take time to look at the following:
Ronnie Cook Memorial
Ronnie was a real ‘character’ who loved the village. Sadly he passed away in 2010 and his estate, upon his instructions, was divided equally between St. Martin’s Church, the Sports Club, the Belfry School and the Parish Council. A request was made by his heirs that the Parish Council should commission a suitable memorial to him.
After a wide consultation it was agreed that a brick and flint memorial should be built on the clifftop next to Fisherman’s Green and it would house a Tide Clock, Barometer and a Humidity Meter.
Millennium Stone
Members of the Anglican, Methodist and Catholic communities organised the placing of a stone to celebrate the Christian significance of the Millennium. It is sited on Fisherman’s Green and was carved from Norwegian granite – the same granite that was used to repair the cliff fall at the East end of the village in 1995.
Anchor
Before the arrival of the Railway and the building of two coal wharfs at Overstrand Station, coal and slate was transported from the north of England to Overstrand by sea. It is one of two anchors that were left on the beach from those days. It is a Kedge anchor, measuring 10ft long and 5ft wide, used to secure sailing vessels whilst their cargo was brought ashore.
In 1968 Overstrand Parish Council engaged a local contractor who was working on the sea defences to bring the anchor from the beach. The anchor was fitted with a stock and located in its present position at the top of the cliff. The remaining anchor was left on the West beach, just beyond the rocks, and was visible at low tide until a few years ago, but has since become buried in the sand.
Millennium Tapestry
The Overstrand Millennium Wall-hanging was sewn by the Overstrand Evening WI and other villagers, from an original design created by Jo Budd. The project was funded by an ‘Awards for All’ grant. Work began in early September 2000 on the eighteen separate pieces and was completed on 24th October 2001. It took the following eight months to join the pieces to form the 8ft by 4ft wall-hanging. The Royal School of Needlework then blocked and stretched it into perfect shape and it was hung in the Parish Hall, along with the original cartoon, in late 2002.
The Cache
Please take care when retrieving the cache. Distraction tactics may be necessary and an early morning or early evening visit may be best, particularly in the summer. You are looking for a custom container so please bring your own pen. You may be lucky and find a car parking space in Cliff Road but if not there is a par park a short distance away (see way point) but will have to pay a small charge.