David Niven’s view of the Common

David Niven described Southsea Common in 1930 as, ‘flat, greasy, wet and windswept, with a dejected flock of dirty sheep morosely munching on its balding surface.’


Taken from D Niven, A Moon’s a Balloon, 1972.

Amy Johnson

The famous lady flying marvel, Amy Johnson, landed in Alexandra Park in September 1930. She was only 27 but had already been given a CBE and flown from Britain to Australia. More than 10,000 crowded in to Guildhall Square to watch her arrive for a civic reception and afterwards she travelled to Fratton Park where she spoke to crowds attending an interschool football tournament.