Anne Springman, Shanklin’s Lady of the Manor who celebrated her 95th birthday in August, has been chosen as the Bay area’s latest Heritage Hero.
Six decades looking after the Chine
Over the last 60 years, she has been owner, manager and trustee of the Island’s oldest tourist attraction, Shanklin Chine.
Now, her important heritage role has been officially recognised by Building the Bay, the place plan steering group representing local councils and the community.
The group’s Bay Heritage Champion, Paul Coueslant, says,
“We’re thrilled that Anne has accepted our invitation to be a Heritage Hero.
“Born in Shanklin between the Wars, she has always had the town in her heart and worked tirelessly to ensure that the Chine, such a dramatic and historic natural feature of the Bay’s coastline, is maintained for us to visit and enjoy.”
From smugglers’ paths to visitor attraction
The Chine has a fascinating past. Discovered by artists and writers over 200 years ago, it was opened to a wider public in 1817 when Shanklin’s then Lady of the Manor allowed a local longshoreman and smuggler, William Colenutt, to cut a system of pathways and steps leading up from the shore, past a succession of waterfalls, to the top of the gorge and the Old Village.
A haven for wildlife
Today, the Chine is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation open to the public from spring through to autumn.
A verdant haven for wildlife and home to around 200 species of wild plants including rare mosses and liverworts, it’s always been a treasured spot for the present Lady of the Manor,
“It’s part of my life. The Chine has got something very special about it, it’s just with you. It’s got this atmosphere and I can sit there for a long time, it’s a magical place.”
The Chine’s wartime role
Under her stewardship, Anne has been keen to mark the Chine’s significant wartime history. The gorge’s steep slopes provided a training ground for 40 Royal Marine Commando as part of D-Day preparations, and there’s a Commando memorial near the seaward entrance.
The PLUTO pipeline, the top secret project designed to deliver fuel across the Channel to Allied Forces, also passed through the Chine on its way to pumping stations on the seafront.
Joining James Dore as a Heritage Hero
Instrumental in creating the charitable trust that now manages the Chine, Anne Springman MBE becomes Building the Bay’s second Bay Heritage Hero, joining celebrated Sandown photographer James Dore who was chosen last year.
When offered the accolade, Anne replied,
“I’m very proud to accept. I’d love to be a heritage hero, I’d like to join the gang.”
News shared by Paul on behalf of Building the Bay. Ed
