Southern Culture
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Work
74,900 people are employed in sports-related activities in the South East, some 2% of all employment in the region
Tide Mills, East Sussex
Tide Mills between Newhaven and Seaford in East Sussex, was the largest tidal mill in the county in the 19th century and as such represents an important part of local history. However, it had been sadly neglected since it was effectively destroyed by the Royal Artillery, at the beginning of World War Two as part of the coastal defence strategy. Sussex Probations Community Punishment Unit brought this site to the attention of English Heritage Outreach in 2003 and since then they have been working in partnership to reveal and interpret the site for the public, involving over 50 ex-offenders in the process.
Community Punishment, now called Unpaid Work, aims to develop community service, by involving offenders in projects that have a focus on increasing their personal skills and employability. To work in and care for the historic environment has proved to be an excellent way to offer a more meaningful experience for ex-offenders. Developing graphic interpretation panels for the site has provided opportunities for some participants to find out more about the historic environment and develop useful research skills, basic ICT and presentation skills, invaluable for future employment. In spring 2006 a new phase to the project began with the Sussex Archaeological Society involving local people and ex-offenders in an in-depth archaeological survey of the site.