Wednesday 25 August 2010

Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth

Although it has deep roots, the granting of the Freedom of the City in Portsmouth is now reserved as a reward for gallantry or public service. It is now a purely honorary distinction and confers no special privileges. Among the people made Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth have been: • David Lloyd George (1853-1945) – Prime Minister • HRH the Prince of Wales (1894 – 1972) – First Freeman of the City. Known from 1937 as the Duke of Winsor • Field Marshal the Rt Hon Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (1887 – 1976) – Based in Portsmouth before and during WWII • The Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) – Prime Minister who took a great interest in the welfare of Portsmouth and its citizens. • Sir Alec Rose (1908 – 1991) – through his sailing activities brought fame and honour to his home city of Portsmouth • Earl Mountbatten on Burma (1900 – 1979) – Admiral of the Fleet who had close links with Portsmouth. • HRH The Prince of Wales (1948 - ) • The Rt Hon the Lord Callaghan of Cardiff – Prime Minister who was educated in Portsmouth • HRH The Princess of Wales (1961-1997)

Monday 23 August 2010

Demise of an ancient trade

‘Will there be any Portsea waterman left in two year’s time? It would be unsafe to prophesy, but the figures given at the meeting of the Ferry Commissioners on Tuesday at Gosport show unmistakeably how great a change has taken place in the methods of locomotion to the ships and across the harbour. There used to be 1,100 licenses; now there are only 75, and these have a difficulty in making both ends meet.’ It appears however, that the watermen did not help themselves. The article continues: ‘While the public has a good deal of sympathy with the survivors of a moribund calling, it must be admitted that the men are given considerable latitude in being permitted to importune excursionists who visit the Hard.’ The trade of waterman, once so essential and flourishing, soon was gone completely. Extracts taken from the Portsmouth Times, 9 June 1910.

Thursday 19 August 2010

The real effects of poor sanitation

‘I call your attention to a sink that is placed at the end of Green Lane, Somers Town, near Trafalgar College, and my premises. The sink was made during the time I was at sea, which prevented my objecting to it, and has been very offensive. My late neighbour, Commander Frankling, lost five daughters and his wife while living in the cottage. I lost a son some time back and a few weeks since a daughter from fever.’ S P Pritchard, Southend, Green Lane writing to the Report to the General Board of Health on the sewage, drainage and water supply of Portsmouth, 1850. Green Lane was one of the more respectable areas of Portsmouth at this time.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Presenting the Keys of the Fortress

This unusual ceremony took place at the Landport Gate when a Sovereign visited Portsmouth. The Gate was closed and the Keys, to Landport and Quay Gates, both highly decorated and each over a pound in weight, were presented to the Sovereign. They would then be returned to the Garrison commander and a Royal Command given to ‘throw open the gates of His Majesty’s Fortress that the King may enter’. This ceremony occurred for the last time on 8 June 1959 when the current Queen came to re-open the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Striking Shipwrights

The Dockyardmen of Portsmouth in the 1800s developed a unique workplace culture. Work progressed at a measured pace, with an emphasis on quality rather than speed, leading to some criticism for idleness. Change was accepted only slowly and sometimes not at all. For example, in 1839 the Admiralty decided to make up for working time lost at musters by adding 15 minutes to the working day. When introduced, all work just stopped, the Master Shipwright was moved to intervene and the Admiralty quietly backed down.

Thursday 5 August 2010

The Cage

A fearsome method of punishment handed to miscreants by the local courts was ‘The Cage’ located in St George’s Square. This measured only six foot square and transgressors were incarcerated in full public view.