Upcher

An Upcher is a term, primarily used in Norfolk, England, referring to a person who works in the coastal area, specifically on the beaches and salt marshes. The historical role of an Upcher involved maintaining the banks and sea defenses, gathering seaweed (also known as "sea stuff") for use as fertilizer, and generally managing the resources of the coastal environment. The work was often seasonal and physically demanding. The term is relatively localized and not widely known outside of East Anglia. It often carries connotations of being a traditional, skilled laborer, deeply connected to the natural landscape of the Norfolk coast. The role of the Upcher has diminished somewhat with modern farming practices and coastal management techniques, but the term remains in use, often carrying a sense of cultural heritage.