Thursday 25 November 2010

Marketing Southsea

In the early 1900s there was a real vision for the tourism industry in Southsea which differentiated the area as an ‘upmarket’ resort.

‘Southsea is essentially a place for those who prefer their seaside stay to be spent amid surroundings that are peaceful, quiet and refined, without being dull; for children whose helplessness and venturesomeness demand absolute safety as far as natural conditions go; for all anxious to recruit the fagged body and mind; and, above all, for the lovers of all the glorious sea and its never ending charms, and for those who like to lounge on the beautiful greensward adjoining Southsea Castle.’ Portsmouth and Southsea Official Guide, 1907

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Two MPs

Portsmouth returning two members of Parliament from the very early date of 1295 reflects the town’s early and continuing prominence.

Sunday 21 November 2010

A Time before the Social

There was concern that no unnecessary burdens should be placed upon the local taxpayers. Therefore issues of settlement, vagrancy, and bastardy, when it was feared that a pauper or unsupported minor should become chargeable to the parish, were treated as criminal acts. These latter cases were handled very indelicately by the Justices who insisted on knowing not only who the father was but often exactly where conception had taken place. Thus poor Elizabeth Carter of Kingston, who gave birth to a boy in April 1676, was forced to admit that she had had carnal relations with a Robert Rascar ‘athwart ye chayres by the fireside’ at one house, in bed with Mr Collins, Curate of Wymering, at another in Gatcombe, and with Thomas Barrowe in the fields whilst haymaking.

Friday 19 November 2010

The Square Tower

This understated solid building has stood at the heart of Portsmouth since 1494. A brick building in a town built predominately of wood, it would have had an imposing dominance. Originally built as a residence for the Governor, in 1584 it was converted for use as a gunpowder store. It was used as a bargaining tool in the English Civil War, when Portsmouth was besieged by the Parliamentarians, and the Governor used the threat of blowing up the Tower (which would have flattened the town) to negotiate a peaceful surrender. From 1779 the Tower was used as a meat store to feed the ever growing Navy, and in 1822 a semaphore station was erected on its roof. A review of the Town’s defences in 1848 led to gun emplacements on the top (the semaphore having been removed) and it remained in defensive use until it came into the ownership of the City Council in the 1960s. There is a spectacular panoramic view from the roof which is accessible on certain dates during the summer months. For more information visit the Portsmouth Museum Service website: www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk

Sunday 14 November 2010

Inspection of a Gaol

‘Visited and inspected the Gaol this day. One prisoner was locked up in solitary confinement for refusal to work. His excuse was that he was unable from illness to work at the Treadmill. I directed that the Surgeon should make a report upon his case. The convicts who attempted to escape still exhibit the most refractory conduct, and the Governor having reported that he did not consider it safe for their irons to be removed I ordered them to be kept on. The Gaol perfectly clean, and with the exception of the two prisoners who have been already ill for a long time, perfectly healthy.’ George Gillman, 2 August 1849 Taken from the Portsmouth Visiting Justices Book 1848 – 1869. The Portsmouth gaol at this time was situated in Penny Street.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

The Strongest Fortified Town in England

‘Portsmouth, the strongest fortified town in England, … Ramparts, bastions, moats, drawbridges, intersect and encircle the whole in a manner peculiarly perplexing to the professional eye. May they prove as difficult of comprehension to an enemy, if England’s first line of defence should ever fail her! Let us now return to the town, but not wander through its streets for any length of time. With the exception of the High Street they are mostly narrow, miry, and squalid; crowded with small beer-shops and public houses; and always thronged by soldiers, seamen and marines. The streets and open places, the buildings and visible objects generally, are not such as to induce one to linger amongst them.’ Taken from Black’s Guide to Hampshire 1885

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Public houses and street names

Public houses have always played an important part in the history of Portsmouth. This is even reflected in local street names: White Horse Lane (earliest reference 1676), running between the High Street and St Thomas’s Street, was named after the White Horse Golden Lion Lane (earliest reference 1716) was named after the Golden Lion White Hart Row, now road, (earliest reference 1811), named after the White Hart Fighting Cocks Lane (now Pembroke Road) was called after the Fighting Cocks which stood on the corner of this road and the High Street. In 1952, eighteen Fulham ware mugs were excavated from this site.