Time and Tide: tides

Tideman

By Peter Stevenson for Time and Tide

Did you know that the tides are caused by Tideman? The man who sits on the tide? When he stands up the tide goes out, when he sits down it rises.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Thursday 30 April 7-9pm, The Thomas Tripp, Wick Lane, Christchurch

Tales on the Tide is a brand-new storytelling performance piece inspired by the strange tides in Christchurch Harbour. Through the Time and Tide project, professional storyteller Martin Maudsley has been working with youth groups, local residents and oceanography experts to highlight and communicate the science behind the dramatic tides and their wide-ranging effects on the local area.

The result is a tapestry of tales from magical myths to salty yarns, featuring a colourful cast of characters including devastating dragons, sly smugglers, fortunate fishermen and epic eels. The spellbinding stories will be interwoven during the evening with specially-arranged live music from multi-instrumental musician Fiona Barrow.

This event is free. The bar will be open and food can be purchased. Please register using the link below to be sure of a seat! As a guide no children under 11 please.

Sell Tickets through Eventbrite

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Tales on the Tide Venue

New Venue Announced!

Day: Thursday 30 April 2015
Time: 7:00 - 9:00
Venue: The Thomas Tripp, Wick Lane, Christchurch

We're delighted to be moving the performance of Tales on the Tide to the Thomas Tripp on Wick Lane. A true haven for smugglers and the perfect place for the first full performance of work developed during the Time and Tide Project.

The result is a tapestry of tales from magical myths to salty yarns, featuring a colourful cast of characters including devastating dragons, sly smugglers, fortunate fishermen and epic eels. The spellbinding stories will be interwoven during the evening with specially-arranged live music from multi-instrumental musician Fiona Barrow.

This event is free. The bar will be open and food can be purchased. Please register using the link below to be sure of a seat!

Event registration for Tales on the Tide powered by Eventbrite

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Tides talked

On Tuesday 24 March, Highcliffe Sailing Club was full to the gunnells (93 people) to hear from storyteller, Martin Maudsley and oceanographer and coastal scientist Ivan Haigh.

Ivan managed, with just one equation and a whole series of fabulous graphics, to explain the effect of the moon and sun on our tides and how friction, inertia and land constrain and distort the way the tide comes in and goes out. It seems the Isle of Wight has nothing to do with the double high tide, despite it being a commonly held myth. The main reason is the tides sweep up along the south coast through the channel, hit Holland and then bounce right back, giving the second tide.

Martin told the story of Raven and the very first tide, and then followed this up with how we have been working with young people to explore other myths, stories and impacts of the double high tide.

Calls for more such events will be considered!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fair success!

Saturday's Fair in Saxon Square was a tremendous success with nearly 600 people passing through the Christchurch Community Partnership Marquee plus three dogs and our oldest participant was 94 years young. As well as a great showing by the TNT science club participants and helpers we were joined by Friends of Stanpit Marsh and Genoveva Esteban of Bournemouth University and Professor Vince May.

Team CAYP, led by Jae Harris, made sure the day got off to a great start by getting the marquee up efficiently!

Through the day a range of science experiments were available; these were chosen by the TNT participants. We explored how the density of water changes when you add salt; made Cartesian divers and looked at surface tension. Inspired by monsters and creatures from the deep there was plenty of slime to be made as well as using molecular gastronomy techniques to make fish eggs and worms.

Genoveva brought along four microscopes showing amoeba and plankton wriggling around under the lenses.

Martin Madusley ran two story telling sessions in the Library and did more informal storytelling around the craft and clay table.

A full report and collation of comments will be available soon.

We've been delighted with the response and enthusiasm for finding out more about our local environment and the double high tide.

A huge thanks to all those who came along and helped make the day such a great success!

There will be a final story performance on 30th April at Ye Old George Inn, Christchurch

Monday, March 23, 2015

FAQs from Fair in the Square

Responses to some commonly raised questions at Saturdays Science Fair in Saxon Square provided by Professor Vincent May

When the tide rises, does it affect the saltiness of the water in the harbour?

This depends, first of all, on how far into the harbour the flood tide is able to progress. During periods when the river flow is very high, typically during winter floods, very little salt water will enter the harbour because the river flow is too great. During these flood events, it is possible to see a plume of fresh muddy water out as far as a line from Beerpan Rocks to Highcliffe. When river flows are low, salt water does flow into the harbour and because it is denser than fresh water flows in the lower parts of the water column. It can form a wedge beneath the freshwater which becomes gradually thinner as it moves upstream. It does not usually get much further upstream than alongside Stanpit Marsh.

Does much mixing take place between the fresh and salt water?

In the low water flows very little mixing occurs as the water moves upstream, but as its velocity lessens, and the tide turns there is more mixing.

Are there differences in the water temperature between the salt and freshwater, and does this affect the location of fish in the harbour?

Yes, usually simply because the temperature of the water flowing downstream depends upon the temperature of the groundwater and the surface runoff which feed it. The sea temperature is usually different because it depends largely upon the seasonal heating by the sun. In addition, if the seawater flows over the mudflats which have been exposed to sunshine it can absorb heat from their higher temperatures and this can affect the incoming water temperatures over the saltmarshes.

(I don’t know enough about the fish to answer that part of the question, but the local fishermen might have a view.)

Why isn’t the actual water level always the same as the forecast tide level?

The tide forecasts are based upon the planetary motions which can be forecast well into the future. However, water levels are also affected by atmospheric pressure, so during low pressure water levels will cause the water levels to be higher than the forecast level. In addition if there are onshore winds this can also raise water levels close to shore. When tide, pressure and wind combine we have storm surges when water levels can cause significant flooding. In addition, the onshore winds can force waves further up the shore, especially where we have built slipways and so water levels can easily exceed the forecast tide.

Does the Isle of Wight cause the double tides?

No, although it may affect the detailed flows. This can be added to if needed.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Tide tales from Year 5

Mudeford Stories

some tide stories from Year 5 pupils at Mudeford Junior School

Dancing Tache Cream And Mermaid

Once upon a time there was an ice cream with a moustache called Tache Cream. He loved doing swimming and one day he drowned at the bottom of the ocean but swallowed some seaweed and he could suddenly breath. And then he got engaged to a mermaid and together they pulled the sea back and forward.

And they danced every night at the bottom of the sea, and their swaying and their fro-ing made the waves go in and out and created the tide.

To the light of the silvery moon.

To the light of the silvery moon, yeah.

Fish Feng

So there was a Sea God called Fish Feng and a Rock God called Stone Stag and every day when the Sea God got angry the tide went out. The Rock God made Fish Feng angry by putting boulders in the sea to wind up Fish Feng. And whenever he's calm he breathes it in, the tide.

A horse came down from the sky and splashed into the sea. Two massive boats came either side with men in each of the boats. The horse wanted to find out how to get the sea in and out, so they could eat all the food. The first man in the two boats said "you have to heave it". The other two said "blow it". The horse tried to heave it but it didn't work so he tried to blow it and now all the fishes can eat.

Mud Man Hair Washing

Once there was a woman who was so clean her hair sparkled like diamonds. But one day evil Mud Man came along and made the woman's clothes dirty. Immediately the woman dipped her clothes in the sea and swished them around until they were sparkly again.

Then the woman would hang her clothes on the washing line to dry. This made the tide go down. Every day the Mud Man did this and every day the woman washed and dried her clothes, but sometimes the woman washed her clothes twice just to be sure. This made a double high tide.

Stressed Octopus Orpheus

Well our idea was an octopus that pulls the sea back when he gets stressed because all the fish around him they stress him out, so he pulls the sea.

It's the full moon, the fish like the full moon and they go all over the place, and they stress the octopus out. And the octopus pulls the sea back to make the tide happen.

Undersea Bobalobba

Once there was a gigantic creature who lived under the sea. It ventured through deep waters and went wherever it wanted to. Until one day two rocks fell on its arms and to this day it's continuously wriggling making the tide move in different directions.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Solar eclipse 20/3/15

Institute of Physics press release

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Leaders of the International Year of Light comment on the solar eclipse

See the path here

This Friday, 20 March 2015, the moon will cast a shadow about 100 miles wide in which the Sun is obscured completely, and it will be partly covered over a much more extensive area. The event will be a total eclipse for those in the Faroe Islands and Svalbard, but only a partial eclipse for viewers in the UK.

As well as being spectacular events, solar eclipses are also a good opportunity to do some valuable science because they allow observation of phenomena normally hidden or outshone by the Sun’s light.

The solar corona – the Sun’s plasma outer atmosphere – is one such area for study. We normally can’t see the corona (at visible-light wavelengths) since the Sun’s light is too bright, but eclipses provide a chance to get a better look, and astronomers are set to descend on the Faroe Islands and Svalbard in the hope of getting more insight into why the corona is so much hotter than the Sun’s surface.

2015 also marks the centennial of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity which was proven by Arthur Eddington during the 1919 eclipse. Arthur Eddington travelled to the island of Príncipe, off the west coast of Africa, where he took advantage of the solar eclipse to successfully test one of the predictions of Einstein’s general theory of relativity – that the path taken by light bends in a gravitational field, known as gravitational lensing.

A number of eclipse-viewing parties across the UK will be taking place to observe the eclipse safely and learn more about astronomy as well as a nationwide live weather experiment organised by scientists at Reading University who are asking the general public to send in their observations of the changes in weather that will occur during the eclipse.

Dr Beth Taylor, Chair of the UK National Committee for the International Year of Light on behalf of the IOP, said: “2015 is the International Year of Light and what a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the importance of light during this rare event. I hope people up and down the country, from Shetland to the Channel Isles, have the chance to experience it and that it has inspired people to think about how vital light really is and support IYOL's commitment to champion solar lighting in the developing world.”

Professor John Dudley, Chair of the International Year of Light Steering Committee, said: “The aim of the International Year of Light is to raise awareness of the importance of light and light-based technologies for sustainable development, and let’s view the March 20 eclipse as nature playing its own part in reminding us of just how important light is to us all. An eclipse reminds us of just how central our sun is to our planet – it is sunlight that is the fundamental source of energy that drives life and solar energy is the natural sustainable energy solution for tomorrow.”

To find out more about the history of eclipses and how to view the eclipse on Friday safely, see our guide here http://www.iop.org/resources/topic/page_65318.html

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Contact

For further information, please contact IOP’s Media Officer, Sophie Hetherton Tel: 020 7470 4921 Mob: 07808 641774 E-mail: Sophie.hetherton@iop.org

2. The Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific society. We are a charitable organisation with a worldwide membership of more than 50,000, working together to advance physics education, research and application. We engage with policymakers and the general public to develop awareness and understanding of the value of physics and, through IOP Publishing, we are world leaders in professional scientific communications. Visit us at www.iop.org

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Extreme tides

Extreme tides set for February and September 2015.
Professor Kevin Horsburgh, of the National Oceanography Centre, writes about them

The ebb and flow of tides has fascinated mankind for thousands of years. Our understanding of how the worlds’ oceans respond to the gravitational forces of the Sun, the Earth and the moon has developed thanks to contributions from some of the most eminent scientific names in history: Newton, Bernoulli, Laplace and Lord Kelvin. Thanks to their work, modern computing power can now calculate tidal patterns many years ahead in just a few seconds.

For many places around the UK coastline the tides in 2015 will be the highest for tens of years. The majority of locations will see their highest tides around the 29th or 30th of September this year but some will experience extreme tides on 21st February. Details of the highest tides each year can be found on the website of the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF).

Tides are controlled by well-known astronomical cycles. Every fortnight - at new moon or full moon - the Earth, Sun and moon are in a straight line which causes an increase in tidal ranges. These higher than average tides are called spring tides (the word is thought to derive from the German or Anglo-Saxon word to “leap up”).

Yet some spring tides are higher than others. Tidal forces are strengthened if the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit (astronomers call this perigee). Tide generating forces are also enhanced when the Sun and the moon are directly overhead at the equator. For the Sun this happens on or around 21 March or September (the equinoxes). Spring tides are always higher at these times of year. The moon’s orbit also takes it above and below the equator over a period of 27.2 days. Just as with the Sun, the tide generating forces are greatest when the moon is directly overhead at the equator.

Very large spring tides occur when these astronomical factors coincide. Approximately every 4.5 years the moon is closest to the Earth, and is also overhead at the equator, at either the March or September equinox. In some places, these extreme tidal conditions can cause water levels to be 0.5m higher than a normal spring tide. But it is important to remember that stormy weather has a greater impact than exotic tides. Storm surges, due to low pressure and high winds, can raise sea levels by up to 3m around the UK coastline.

The high tides predicted for 2015 are due to a very slow change in the moon’s orbit, which is inclined to the plane in which Earth orbits the Sun (1a). The moon’s orbit cuts this surface at an angle of approximately 5 degrees. Over 18.6 years the moon’s orbit slowly rotates around so it cuts through the solar orbit in a different place. This so-called nodal cycle has the effect of changing how far above or below the equator the moon can reach in its orbit.

In 2015 the moon’s orbital excursion above or below the equator takes the minimum value of 18 degrees. This slightly increases the chances of the moon being directly overhead at the equator coinciding with the other factors that contribute to extreme tidal forces.

Scientists at Liverpool pioneered the modern scientific study of tides. From 1924 until the late 1950's tidal predictions for two-thirds of the world were calculated at the Liverpool Observatory and Tidal Institute – which eventually became part of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). The first ever public tide table, essential for navigation and commerce, was published in 1770 based on observations made by William Hutchinson who was the dock-master at Liverpool.

Professor Kevin Horsburgh, Head of the Marine Physics and Ocean Climate research group at the NOC, said:

“NOC scientists continue to lead the world in the study of tides and all factors contributing to sea level change. The 18.6 year cycle is a fascinating result of heavenly motions. Whilst many features of tides have been known for centuries we are still making new discoveries – for instance we recently showed how slow changes in global sea level can affect the ocean tides”.

(1a) plane is a two-dimensional surface - imagine an enormous sheet of glass containing Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Adam Hart Davies on tides

Adam Hart-Davies explains Tides in this YouTube clip and there are other assorted links from others trying to Explain IT

Monday, March 09, 2015

Macronutrients in the harbour

Athena Drakou and Jack Billinge of Southampton University joined the TNT club on Saturday to talk about the study they are involved in looking at the nutrients in the harbour.

For the past 12 months the macronutrient study has been monitoring the nutrient water quality in the harbour and in the Avon and Stour Rivers, part of their work has been examining pollution levels when the sediments are stirred up by storms.

From their website live data feed, you can see how the levels and the salinity of the harbour change with the tide.

As well as practical activities were learned about the differences between phytoplankton and zoo plankton

come along to the Fair in the Square on 21 March to find out more!

Nutrients come from run off from farming land. The nutrient enriched water can cause major problems by causing growth of algae, using up the oxygen in the water that can damage fish stocks or lead to poisonous algal types.

After the science club we visited the pontoon on the sandspit and heard about the measurements that are being made. The video below shows the sampling systems being set up.

Monday, March 09, 2015

Event 02 24 March

Join our oceanographer and tide expert Ivan Haigh and find out more about the mystery of the double high tide. Ivan will be joined by our storyteller Martin Maudsley and together they will explore the fact, fiction and myths around our harbour and tides.

Please help us by registering to attend by clicking through this link, emailing Helen@katalytik.co.uk or calling 0797 4011278

Click and register

There is plenty of parking on Mudeford Quay and the sailing club bar will be open.

There is no charge for the event
Please note their is no level access

Doors open 6:45

Agenda

7:15 Welcome - Jan Peters - Time and Tide Project Lead
7:25 Martin Maudsley, the Raven
7:35 The tides, and tidal influences, Ivan Haigh
8:05 Discussion
8:15 On stranger tides - creating a story to share the science, Martin Maudsley
8:30 Discussion
9:00 Close

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Event 01 21 March

Join the Time and Tide team and the TNT Saturday Crew for some fun exploring the science in the oceans and our local harbour. They will be joined by scientists from Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth Universities as well as others involved in using, managing and exploring the harbour.

The event is free and runs from 11am-4pm and the marquee in Saxon Square will be bursting with a variety of hands on activities for you to try your hands at.

Interested in taking a table - just get in touch with Helen@katalytik.co.uk

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

The Team - Ivan Haigh

Ivan Haigh is a lecturer in coastal oceanography in Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton, based at the National Oceanography Centre. For the past 15 years he has worked on a wide range of coastal projects in industry and academia, focusing on tides, storm surges, sea level rise and coastal flooding. He is interested in sea level variations from time scales of minutes (waves), days (tides, storm surges), through to long-term changes over hundreds to hundred's of thousands of years.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Science story funday

Walking in the sunshine, exploring the landscape and its history and scavenging materials and ideas along the way we had a constructive time combining story-making and science!

The day started at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, talking with volunteers and exploring the garden and exhibits.We learned about the land use and people who lived on Hengistbury Head 12,000 years ago and how they used naturally occurring materials such as flint to create weapons and tools.

Martin led the group over the top to the triangulation point and introduced us to the smell of gorse flowers.... try them - you'll be so surprised they smell of coconut! Even more surprising Bill informed us that you can eat the closed flowers.

We scavenged for ideas along the harbour shoreline, collecting wood, string and other interesting objects for raft and art making before heading over to the beach side for more of the same.

We took the ferry back to Mudeford Quay and spent some time creating characters for stories, creating beach art and making a raft before getting stuck into science experiments looking at how salty the harbour is compared to freshwater and brine solution we made up.

We experienced for real how the water level changes as the tide comes in and consumed our Mudeford Monster and Dragon. We're really looking forward to the Super tide on 22 February!

Some new things participants learned:
"Tides are different"
"Tides come in at different times"
"Freshwater floats on saltwater"
"There's a hill [over there] with an important person buried in there"
"How easy it is to make creatures on the beach"

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Half Term Activity Day

Half Term Outdoor Activity Day

Wednesday 18th February

Meet at Somerford Youth Centre 10:00

Collect 4pm Somerford Youth Centre

For ages 8 - 13

We’ll be exploring Christchurch Harbour and the Mudeford mud with storyteller Martin Maudsley as part of our Time and Tide Project, making monsters, driftwood rafts or whatever sparks your imagination.

And find out about this month’s SuperTide.

We’ll be walking around Hengistbury Head (transport by insured Minibus), taking the ferry across to Mudeford Quay and lunching at Highcliffe Sailing Club before exploring the harbour shoreline and creating props.

Bring warm clothes, wellies or trainers and a waterproof. Water bottle and packed lunch required. The activity is led by qualified and DBS checked staff. Maximum 20 places

How to book:

Phone Jan on 0797 4011278 or

Jae on 07785 9354928

Find out more about Time and Tide here: http://christchurchtides.blogspot.co.uk

Christchurch Activities for Young People Registered Company Number: 7509556

Katalytik Ltd Registration Number: 5277291

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Discussion meeting 3 Feb

Join us to find out more about the Time and Tide Project and how you can get involved. We are keen to hear stories and myths of smugglers or personal experiences as well as how you or your business are affected by our special tide. Jan Peters, project lead and Martin Maudsley, project storyteller will lead the meeting.

Time and Tide is a community project funded by the Dept for Business Innovation and Skills and is exploring the science behind our strange double tide in Christchurch. As part of the project we are also running a Saturday science club with young people in the area and will bring all of the information together in a unique storytelling performance and a science fair in Saxon Square on 21 March.

Register online here: https://timeandtidefeb3.eventbrite.co.uk
or call 07599 992098
or email helen@katalytik.co.uk

Keep in touch and find out more http://christchurchtides.blogspot.co.uk/

Monday, January 12, 2015

U3A Exploring maths

The U3A Exploring Maths group is now in its eighth year. The participants have at least A level maths and often maths degrees. Over the years they have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from numerical and algebraic through geometrical and applied maths to puzzles and conundrums. Just recently they have been studying water waves and tides including shallow and deep water waves, ship waves and the general pattern of tides, tide raising forces, dynamic theory of tides and local effects, particularly on the Dorset/Hampshire coast.

The Exploring Maths group meets fortnightly for members- all inquiries through the U3A office.

For more details:

http://www.christchurchu3a.org.uk

Visit the Epicentre Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 10.15am - Noon

Tel: 01202 480027

Sunday, January 04, 2015

Christchurch Harbour

Christchurch Harbour is a natural harbour in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England, and is named after the nearby town of Christchurch. The rivers Avon and Stour flow into the Harbour at its north-west corner. The harbour is generally shallow and, due to the tidal harmonics in the English Channel, has a double high tide.

On the north side of the harbour and east of the River Avon, are Priory Marsh and Stanpit Marsh, a local nature reserve. To the west side of the harbour are Wick Fields, the southern flank of the harbour being bounded by Hengistbury Head. The harbour flows through Christchurch Bay and into the English Channel through a narrow channel between Mudeford Quay and Mudeford Spit, known locally as 'The Run'.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

What is Time & Tide?

Launching for the Raft Race 2013

The Time and Tide project is a community science project, funded by Business Innovation and Skills, that will raise awareness of the tides and the impact they have on our local environment. The project is managed by local Christchurch business Katalytik. We're delighted to be working with Christchurch Activities for Young People (CAYP) and the National Oceanography Centre to engage young people in exploring the tidal system and the harbour environment around Christchurch.

Have you ever wondered why we have a double high tide?

Is it because of the Rivers Stour and Avon emptying into the harbour?
Is it because of the Isle of Wight?

Over the next 6 months we'll be exploring this phenomenon and then sharing it with you on 21/22 March 2015.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is pleased to support this project which takes science into a community setting. It is our hope as a result of the audience being engaged with this project that they will feel better informed about science issues affecting them and be inspired to be involved further in the future.