Island Life Magazine Ltd January/February 2006

ISLAND HISTORY Brading Harbours many secrets... by Nick Pointing Embark on a railway journey through Brading when winter is in full swing and you will witness the once quiet meandering River Yar in full flood, for this is not an unusual sight. To understand the geology is to understand the local history on how man and nature has moulded the environment. Looking East from Brading Downs, the lowlands of the Yar Valley sweep through between the town and Culver. On a crisp winter’s morning, bright sunlight reflects upon frozen puddles forged in mud by the tyres of day trippers to the viewpoint car park. Below, breaking the cool surface of the Morton fog, lies the best evidence of Roman occupation on the Island of Vectis. The Romans with their excellent foresight built only half a mile from the quay side on slightly higher ground as it was thought that the sea once flooded through to Sandown bay separating Culver and Yaverland creating what was known as Yar Island. The newly designed exhibition building, home to outstanding Villa Mosaics, explains the birth of the Brading parish and unearths one of the hidden secrets, for Brading harbours many secrets. Although now landlocked, Brading was once a thriving port. The River Yar flowed west to east into a substantial sheltered harbour where the tidal waters reached as far as the present day Bugle Public House. Traditionally known as Brading Haven, the seaport served the Island for many years in fact over 2000 years including roman vessels that plied between southern ports such as Chichester and beyond. Evidence for earlier use dates back to prehistoric times. Part of the old quay lane was developed from an ancient track linking the Island to Cornwall in the west, trading in the then precious commodity of tin. Bradynge (Brading) was granted its first charter by Edward 1 in 1280 being referred to as Ye King’s towne that flourished into a highly successful and political player. By mediaeval times the town laid claim to a resident mayor and two m

Island Life Magazine Ltd January/February 2006 | Page 49