MATTERS

Issue 15 The Newsletter of the Portchester Civic Society (Founded 2000) Winter 2017

Portchester - A Planning Nightmare

Portchester Lost - Haymaking on Little Wicor Farm, looking over Cranleigh Road towards Wicor Marine

by Paul Woodman of the delays in bringing this plans for not only brown field project forward, the Council sites, but also huge swathes have been forced into looking of greenfield sites. Sites we all over the Borough to identify once thought safe. After Welbourne Garden Village alternative sites. Portchester was recently receiving the Draft development was supposed promised that we would be safe Fareham Borough Council to provide the necessary from further major developments, Local Plan we find that there number of houses that the but losing the Cranleigh Road are 744 dwellings allocated Government decided have to appeal was a complete disaster. to Portchester. be built in Fareham over the It has become open season for next five years but, because developers to push forward their continued on page 2 » PORTCHESTER MATTERS | WINTER 2017

« Continued from front page Visit to Fort Brockhurst These are made up of Cranleigh Road 120 dwellings, Romsey by Hazel Woodman Avenue 225 dwellings, Downend Road East 350 dwellings and On a wet and miserable day in July Moraunt Drive 49 dwellings. a group of Society members met Although not a Fareham up at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, to development, we also have an have a guided tour with the Curator, adjacent plan for Pam Braddock. a further 160 dwellings on the Trafalgar Wharf site which will I was very curious as to what we were impact significantly on Portchester. going to see as I believe the Fort is full This means over 900 dwellings of artifacts that are stored their by English A piece of Southwick Priory being built over the next five Heritage. We started off with Pam showing years with little or no planned infrastructure to support all these us a very large model in a glass case of extra residents. How are the the Portsmouth and Solent area defences schools, surgeries and roads built in the late 1800s. Often known as expected to cope? We already Palmerston’s Follies! As we walked from have gridlock morning and evening, room to room she unveiled a wealth of particularly around the Delme area. treasures not normally on show to the The Draft Plan is now open for public. It was quite mind blowing! consultation so please take a look Admiring the plan of Portsmouth defences at it and comment. Local input We ended our tour with her showing us a section of marble from Southwick Priory is important to secure the best which could have been at one time in St for Portchester. Mary’s at . The final amazing artifact was a large-scale model of Sheerness Dockyard in sections, which was rescued when the Dockyard was Thomas closed. It is enormous in size and Pam Goble’s Grave hopes that one day it might go back on show at Sheerness. Every year, on Trafalgar Day, 21st October, Hazel and I put flowers Groups can visit Fort Brockhurst by Fort Brockhurst visit on the grave of Thomas and arrangement or on Heritage Open Days. Mary Goble in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Portchester, on behalf of the Society. Thomas A Bus to the Castle was on the quarterdeck of HMS Victory during the battle and the by Paul Woodman Society restored the grave in the bicentennial year 2005. On visiting the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot at Wicor I Paul Woodman spotted one of the Leyland buses with the destination blind for the 145 service via Castle Street to Cornaway Lane. Until the late 1950s the Corporation bus A 145 bus turns into White Hart Lane route ran into the southern end of Castle from Castle Street in August 1969 Street where they would turn around at the Jubilee Oak. Rosemary Dunne recalls the crew often taking a break at the bus stop outside the Cormorant pub before continuing the return journey. The 145 service from Broad Street, Old Portsmouth to Cornaway Lane continued until the early 1970s.

The Society has photos of buses in the northern end of Castle Street but I would love to see any photos of the buses, or learn more Bus destination blind about this service, to the Cormorant area.

2 PORTCHESTER MATTERS | WINTER 2017 The Jewel Tower Portchester Civic Society’s visit After the Society’s visit to the Palace of Westminster we crossed the road to the Palace of Westminster to the Jewel Tower for refreshments and a tour of this ancient site. by Geraldine Smith Built in 1365 within the private palace of King Edward III as a secure place to keep the most valuable possessions of the royal On September 11th, a group of household. As the royal residence moved members and friends travelled in style to the Palace of Westminster for a tour of this historic building which brings together The House of Commons and House of Lords. We eagerly awaited our turn as we stood in sunshine waiting for Queen is forbidden to enter the House security clearance. We were not of Commons. Another interesting fact disappointed! We were warmly about both the House of Lords and welcomed by the personal assistant the Commons is that there are small to Suella Fernandez M.P. and then speakers embedded in the backs of the by Suella herself. seats, which are relaying the voices of those speaking. So, the next time you We were fortunate to have been see people looking as if they are asleep, assigned a fantastic guide, who had they may just be leaning towards the worked here as a P.A. to several speaker to hear the debate. prominent M.P.’s for over 30 years. away from Westminster in the 16th century, Judging by the reaction from others, as We were shown the lobby where M.P.’s the tower became a Parliamentary record we toured the building, it is likely that go to vote after a debate and learnt how office preserving the records of the House she ruled them with a rod of iron! the Whips operate to ‘persuade’ those of Lords. In 1834 the tower survived the fire who may be considering voting against We were shown the robing room where that destroyed much of the historic Palace the Whip. Queen Elizabeth II gowns up, including of Westminster. In 1869, the records putting on her crown, prior to entering Our guide also told us that anybody can were stored inside the new Houses of Parliament and the Jewel Tower was used the House of Lords. The television enter the public area and ask to see as a testing facility for the Board of Trade pictures fail to show just how ornate this their Member of Parliament. Indeed, Standards Department, determining the Upper House is. In contrast, the Lower she positively encouraged us to do so. House, the House of Commons seems definitive value of weights and measures very plain and rather drab. We learnt All in all, it was a fascinating morning and for Britain and its empire. With thanks to that it is the fault of Charles I that the one which I believe, everyone enjoyed. English Heritage for the information. Paul Woodman Planning Work is well under way on the former Portchester Castle Catholic Church site in White Hart – Work on the Walls Lane. Eight homes are being built Extensive work is continuing but with only 13 parking spaces, two on clearing vegetation from the of which are designated disabled Castle’s walls, although the yellow spots. Within planning rules but totally and blue covering on the scaffolding inadequate for modern day living for 2 has caused remarks as to whether and 3 bedroom homes with the usual this will become a new Ikea store! problems of local street parking. We Lidl is now well established in Portchester have already noticed a large drop in and the Co-op is still here despite threats to bird numbers in the area due to their close if Lidl was approved! Unfortunately, loss of habitat when mature trees in Portchester has lost one of its oldest which they roosted were hacked down. remaining businesses when Spencer and Penn shoe shop closed in August after The former factory site in Windmill Grove serving the village for over 80 years. is also a hive of activity with work in progress on 24 homes, a mixture of bungalows and houses. Paul Woodman

3 PORTCHESTER MATTERS | WINTER 2017 Chairman’s Newsletter

Dear Members, It was good to have a wonderful summer and I do hope you had the chance to enjoy long warm days. To turn from the positive to the negative, we are living in uncertain times with Fareham Borough Council not being able to guarantee a five-year housing supply for the Borough. Unfortunately this problem Beachwatch 2017 has dominated our year, particularly the Cranleigh Road Inspector’s Armed with questions I made an Houses of Parliament. Reports on the hearing where the Society made a appointment to see the Leader of FBC, visits are elsewhere in the newsletter. deputation knowing that a negative Councillor Sean Woodward. Paul and Bryan Jerrard’s walks down Castle outcome would be a disaster for myself met with him on Thursday 12th Street, as part of Heritage Open Portchester. The Inspector ruled October to discuss the Portchester sites Days, were enjoyed by many and that the Persimmon Homes appeal is listed in the new Draft Borough Plan again our clean up of the Portchester allowed and planning permission is which had come out whilst we were away Foreshore in conjunction with the granted for residential development on holiday. Sean gave us the news that Marine Conservation Society’s annual of up to 120 dwellings together earlier that day Councillor Roger Price, Beachwatch survey resulted in over 50 with a new vehicle access from Leader of the Liberal Democrats on volunteers turning out to help. Cranleigh Road. In a double blow he FBC, had called in the Draft Local Plan, Paul and I entered our garden in FBC’s also awarded the costs to be paid as they were unhappy with the allocation Fareham in Bloom competition in by FBC, which as ratepayers we all of dwellings within the Portchester area. the Plantsman’s Large Back Garden end up contributing to! The delay This has resulted in delaying the Plan, category and were delighted to win a but of course by the time you read this in the Welbourne development has Gold Medal. A big thank you to all who the Scrutiny Board, consisting of nine really put a spanner in the works. supported our 2017 Garden Open Day, Councillors, will have met and decided the from which we were pleased to donate next move. However we did discuss the £100 to the Mayor’s Charities. Society’s involvement in getting the best designs etc. for the developments planned The Committee is very positive for the for Portchester. future of the Society and will continue to try to make our village an even better I read that the Prime Minister wants to rule place to live. out building on Green Belt land to fix the ‘broken’ housing market. Unfortunately Best regards to you all and best wishes the brown field sites in the Borough, and for a happy Christmas and a prosperous particularly Portchester, are already being New Year. built on or have planning applications under way. To fill the Governments enforced Hazel quota of houses we have to use green field sites so where are we expected to go?

On a brighter side we still have a very supportive membership with more new members joining and a strong Committee who work hard to support me. Incidentally, we do have vacancies on Committee so if you are interested in the Society’s aims then please do contact me.

We have had two excellent visits this Helen in Hazel’s Tea Room summer, being to Fort Brockhurst and the Gold medal!

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Portchester Queen Victoria’s Castle Exhibition Coronation Updated Celebrated The Coronation of Queen Victoria by Paul Woodman was celebrated at Portsmouth on Members of the cast take a bow Thursday, June 28th 1838, with Hazel and I were privileged to be invited uncommon rejoicing. Music, feasting, by English Heritage to the unveiling illuminations, rowing matches, cricket, of their new interpretation displays in dancing; all these were included in the keep of Portchester Castle in July. the festivities and the inhabitants gave The old displays were looking very themselves up to two or three days tired and dated but have now been general enjoyment. transformed with new boards and The Theatre in the Keep In the towns and villages surrounding cabinets displaying artifacts from the Portsmouth the festivities chiefly took Castle’s history. was performed with music of the period the form of dinners. A new addition is the recreation of a French from a six-piece orchestra. The stage At Gosport 1400 children, at Cosham Theatre of the Napoleonic Era within the is being retained in the Keep with the 152 children, at Emsworth 700 children, Keep. To celebrate the opening, members intention of staging further plays for the at Titchfield 550 children, and at of the Past Pleasures Theatre Company public. A magnificent performance and Portchester 130 children were treated to put on ‘Roseliska’, a melodrama first congratulations to all those involved. substantial meals. At most of the dinners performed on the 2nd November 1810 by Thanks must go to researchers from the the children were given intoxicating French prisoners of war in the Castle. University of Warwick who, for the past liquor; At Cosham – strong beer. At Fareham – half a pint of beer. The V&A museum hold the original 4 years, have been funded to explore At Emsworth – a suitable allowance of manuscript of the 3-part play, which the theatrical endeavours of the French prisoners. Captain Paterson, in charge ale. At Portchester the fare was beer, of the prison, encouraged the prisoners’ pudding ale and a glass of punch for activities and even supplied the wood for each child. them to build the theatre. In January 1811, This was published in the the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Telegraph pictorial Souvenir Book. Chronicle reported: “The French Prisoners at Portchester have fitted up a Theatre Richard Andrews in the Castle, which they have decorated in a style far surpassing anything of the kind that could possibly be expected. It is no exaggeration of their merit to say, Captain Charles William Patterson, that the Pantomimes which they have in charge of Portchester Castle prison brought forward, are not excelled by those in 1810 (played by Mark Wallis) performed in London.”

Hazel’s Garden Watering Service I will be launching my Garden Watering Service in early 2018 in the Portchester, Fareham and Portsmouth area. My service will be suitable especially if you are planning a holiday and wish to keep your garden looking fresh and beautiful.

For more information please contact Hazel Woodman on 07782 446230 A poster advertising typical Old English Amusements at Wells, Somerset on or [email protected] Queen Victoria’s Coronation Day

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to, amongst others, Police Constable Walder, Explosion at Skilled Labourer Willis, Police Sergeant Woods, Labourer Hamilton, Police Constable Mein, Able Seaman Bluett, Chargeman Downs and Skilled Bedenham Pier Labourer Coff. The MBE was also awarded to Mr Stobart DASO and three BEMs were by Paul Woodman awarded to Chief Inspector Marsh, PC Walder and Sergeant Woods, all of the Admiralty Constabulary. Other statements of interest in One of the questions I am often asked the report, included the following:- “21 railway at our photo exhibitions is about trucks missing”, “some of the missing 8 barges what happened when a major have been found”, “the cost of replacing a explosion occurred at Bedenham Pier, 200 ton capacity lighter will be £6,000”. “£77,891 of stores which cannot be accounted causing extensive damage to properties for”, “£79,849 of unserviceable stores from in Portchester. damaged lighters” (all at 1950 prices). Armed with evidence as to how the tragedy occurred, The Royal Navy Armament Depot Bedenham was MI5 able to prove subversive activity or was (and still is as Defence Munitions, Gosport) whether an individual or foreign power was a major storage area for explosives. For those responsible? We can now provide key facts to not familiar with the site and the pier, it is across allow you to make up your own mind. the water from Portchester and easily viewed from the Salt Café at Wicor Marine. A statement from Mr Dampier, who was in the hold of lighter 130 when the depth charge Some time ago I came across a report Smoke from the explosion; taken from ignited, is recorded as follows:- of the incident in a magazine. Portsdown Hill (Evening News photo) “I am a skilled labourer. I was working in the The article was written in 2003 by MOD PC hold of lighter 130 when the fire started. John Wray, Wildlife Liaison Officer, Defence was followed by an emission of sparks and The second hoist had just been lowered into Munitions, Gosport: particles. No further flame was seen from the the hold. Webb and Rutter rolled one depth “As most senior employees and local people are depth charge. Unfortunately, the sparks spread charge milk churn fashion into position. As they aware, in 1950 most of Bedenham Pier, Gosport to cordage and spare ropes, which then caught stopped so there was a muffled bang and a was blown up when a depth charge ignited. fire. The fire took hold rapidly and the lighter blue flash. The wooden bung from the primer was quickly evacuated. tube was blown out. I am quite certain that the Now, thanks to the full official report being found, filling bungs remained in place with seals intact. additional elements of the story can be told. About 10 minutes after the initial sparks, a column of smoke rose up to 300 feet into the Webb was badly burnt and Rutter’s hand was What follows is based on extracts from the file, air, but attempts to extinguish the fires were burnt. I helped Webb out of the hold. Rutter some elements of which were, at the time, hampered by fire hoses not being rigged to and two other men in the barge also got out classified TOP SECRET and have probably hydrants. The total estimate for temporary shouting Fire”. never been released before. repair and stock loss was estimated to be An interrogation of Mr Webb in hospital It was not known whether the incident was due close on £20m at today’s value. Claims from subsequently confirmed most of the to sabotage or accident. Indeed, in Parliament, the public, predominately from the Fareham, above statement. Prime Minister Atlee told the House that Portchester and Portsmouth areas, continued It appeared to the Admiralty highly likely that sabotage was suspected. Subsequently, MI5 for many years. some sort of agent was inserted into the depth were called to investigate. Now, thanks to the The depot was severely censured in the report charge primer tube. The suspicion of gases de-classification of these ancient documents, on a number of accounts. These included out escaping from the ‘Torpex’ filling, which was you can perhaps form your own conclusions! of date Fire Orders, long grass in the vicinity suspected initially, was now dismissed. These RNAD Bedenham was, and still is, a major of magazines, hydrants not connected, out of concerns led to the removal of all depth charge storage area for explosives, served by just a few date Depot Orders, plus the fact that external primer tube bungs throughout the Navy:- a roads, with most movements, including linkage emergency services were not able to assist in secret report on the 21 July 1950 stated “It was to the pier, carried out by train (at that time - Ed). the early stages due to the pier being without premature to say whether it (the incident) was direct road access. caused by accidental ignition or as the result of The explosion occurred during the early evening sabotage. The fact that the charges included of Friday, July 14, 1950. Throughout the week As with many such events, there were heroes. new filling at Glascoed and that the one which considerable amounts of explosives had been Awards for Gallantry and Bravery were given ignited was filled on the 7/1959, is being given shipped from the pier by lighter to RFA Fort due weight due to the risk of gassing from Rosalie, bound for the Far East. newly filled charges. However, the nature of the At the time of the incident, 60 men were working fire is not consistent with ignition of hydrogen.” using six cranes; 13 lighters were alongside the A subsequent investigation into the manufacture pier or at near side buoys, nine of which were of the depth charges for possible malpractice filled with explosives. Also on the pier were 13 identified a main contractor, Messrs Thomas railway trucks loaded with Mk 7 depth charges Marshall of Leeds. However, other companies and aircraft bombs awaiting shipment. also supplied the casings during 1940-1945, The lighter that ignited was inboard of the pier and namely Electrolux, Sankeys, Paxman, and two thirds full of explosives, with a strong Jenkins, Harveys and Ruston & Hornsby. offshore wind blowing over the lighter and onto However, it was not possible to ascertain the pier. In the lighter a depth charge was manufacture details of the depth charge that being lifted when a “muffled report” was heard, One of the ammunition store sheds wrecked initiated the explosion, and checking of the followed by a flash of yellow or blue flame. This by the explosion (Evening News photo) others in the same batch only confirmed various

6 PORTCHESTER MATTERS | WINTER 2017 makes and dates. What was confirmed was offered by those people on the lighter, it became showed me a letter from Defence Munitions, that all the depth charges appeared to be of clear that the depth charges were dropped from Gosport giving him instructions on what to do wartime manufacture and that there were no the vertical, rolled along the deck and then in case of an emergency. It appears that this is records of how each one was made. manhandled to an upright position. These facts still sent periodically to residents within a certain led to the conclusion that a contributory factor radius of the establishment. An inspection of lighter 130 was made on the causing fire was ‘heavy handling’. 18 December 1950. (No other inspection is Hazel Woodman lived in Kent Grove and, when shown in the report, although 4 months had From the foregoing, readers will deduce that there the explosions went off, was sent to the old air passed.) A working party was organised with are a number of key questions left unanswered. raid shelter in the garden as her father thought trailer pump and hoses for washing down Contained within the official report are the another war had broken out. Their old metal- contents, in attendance was CSAR, DAS, newspaper cuttings reporting the incident at the framed windows never closed properly after the CINO and a request for the civil police and MI5 time, which add to the mystery. Why was Prime blast and her mother was upset because the to attend was also authorised. Unfortunately no Minister Atlee still advocating sabotage to the washing on the line was ruined by the debris further evidence to suggest the cause of the press and public long after the initial cause and oil that rained down on Portchester. explosion was found. was ‘downgraded’ within the War Department Whilst researching this article I found online After scouring the whole file, the information from sabotage to accident? Why, in the another account, written by Alan Baptist; given in this report is all we have to make our aftermath of the explosion, were MI5 brought “Peter Maw was talking about the explosion decision on. Was it the result of a deliberate act in to investigate? Why is very little of their up the harbour. It was a barge full of mines at or an accident? investigation recorded or documented within the report? Is it possible that information has Bedenham Pier. What’s left of the barge can still been removed from the file, or is there another, be seen at low tide. A funny story was, it was second account stored deep in Government pay day (Friday) and one of the workers had archives never to be de-classified? just got his wages, put them in his wallet, which he kept in his jacket. He hung up the jacket in Was there a cover up? The damage to stock, the little hut on the pier for safekeeping. After equipment, and the fact that all the depth the explosion, when the area was all clear to charges and associated weapons world- go in, he went to get his coat but there was wide were withdrawn, certainly must have no hut. Thinking ‘that’s his money all gone’, he compromised the nation’s security. This may went home. A while later he was summoned account for the Prime Minister publicly blaming into the office where he was given his coat and a saboteur, rather than admit a weapon wallet with the wages in, which were found by problem. Sabotage, accident or weapon fault, someone in Portchester.” you the ‘jury’ must make up your own mind! A subsequent report in 1991 revealed that the mistakes made leading up to the pier explosion were ‘as pertinent now as then’. The second explosion seen from the We must never forget the lessons of the Bedenham gates on the Fareham-Gosport road (Evening News photo) past; hence the importance of conducting our business in a safe working environment, compliant with safe working practices, remains Cause of initial fire from official report paramount. The lessons learnt remain as pertinent now as then. ‘Nipping’ of the explosives filling is commonly thought to be a main contributory factor leading My thanks go to Phil Jones for technical to the fire. Nipping is caused when explosives are assistance in compiling this article.” rubbed or grazed together or on another surface. With acknowledgement to John Wray, now That said, the board of Enquiry was quite certain, retired, for such a comprehensive report. following trials and technical investigation at a later date, that ‘nipping’ was not the cause. Society member Ron Short, who lives close Bedenham Pier today However, as a result of ‘revised’ evidence to the shore opposite Bedenham, recently

Diary of events 7.15pm A second mass explosion causes Captain John Lumsden, Royal Marines of more debris and fire fighting was hampered by 32 Orchard Grove (cuts to head and arms) large numbers of unexploded bombs scattered John Gardener of Orchard Grove 14 July 1950 around the area. (cut left knee) 6.00pm Depth charge emits a flash and 9.00pm All visible fires out but small fires Mrs Gladys Swatton of Flat 4, Cranleigh ropes catch fire. ignite throughout the night. Road (cuts to face, head and nose) 6.16pm Attempts to fight the fire fail due Evelyn Hawkins of 11 Olive Crescent to lack of readiness. 15 July 1950 (cut to knee) 6.25pm Men withdrawn from the pier. 9.00am Injuries to staff were light with only Mrs Ada Lewis of 4 Carberry Drive Intermittent explosions occur. 6 people requiring treatment for minor burns (cuts to left hand) 6.47pm The first and most damaging mass and bruising. Richard O’Neill of Inglenook, Fareham explosion demolished the centre of the pier Road, Portchester (cut fingers) and resulted in extensive damage to buildings The Portsmouth Evening News report on the June Bishop of 118 Crossways in Bedenham, Frater and the outside area by incident published the next day, Saturday July (injury to left arm) air shock. Lighters sink and the fighting of 15, 1950 gave a list of casualties and from that Gerald Glanville of Beaulieu Avenue fires hampered by no road network. I list the Portchester residents injured. (injury to shoulder)

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mornings. This arrangement was to of the Cormorant before retiring early The Revd. enable Christopher to play cricket for to finishhis preparation for Sunday Portchester in the Castle Grounds services. On a Sunday he did sometimes Christopher whilst the curate would be enabled to turnout if the Club was short but would go sailing at Portchester Sailing Club. only play until teatime because of F. Cardale Evensong as these games were always It was not unusual on a Saturday in the played away from home. Vicar of St. Mary’s cricket season just after 2 o’clock to see Church 1956-1969 the vicar leaving the Church from the North He will also be remembered for his Transept exit just after 2 o’clock, rushing initiative in starting up rugby using the Some memories of St. Mary’s former across the churchyard then nipping over Community Centre land next to White Hart Lane as a training and playing area, now vicar can be a result of his sporting the wall in haste to reach the dressing a housing estate. prowess. He was believed to have room housed in the battlement next to been a Rugby Blue and was quite a the water gate, already wearing his white He was so dedicated to his pastoral good cricketer. He and the curate flannels under his cassock. By which time duties that in haste he would place his pay both had particular sporting interests. the bride and groom may have just been cheque in his shirt pocket where it would Christopher in the cricket season emerging from the Church. He was a very quite often stay until his shirt was about to only took weddings etc. that could be reliable and popular opening bat known be washed. completed by 2pm whilst the curate to his teammates as Vic. Afterwards he would only officiate Wednesday always joined his teammates in the Snug Contributor - David Williams

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2018

Tuesday 16 January Tuesday 15 May Saturday 10 November The Fire & Rescue Service Great Expectations ‘Memories of Portchester’ Exhibition by Martin Earl by Nigel Jardine, Langstone Parish Hall, 10am - 4.30pm Harbourmaster Tuesday 20 February Tuesday 20 November Tuesday 19 June The Role of the Royal Navy AGM & Ladies in the Navy in World War 1 ‘Jutland’ Portsdown Hill, by Katy Goodwin by Christopher Knox A Biodiversity Hotspot by Richard Jones, Countryside Officer Tuesday 20 March WE WELCOME Tuesday 18 September NEW MEMBERS Life Below Decks in the Royal Yacht The Artillery in the AND VISITORS by Lt Cdr Mike Hill Fort Nelson collection by Phil Magrath, Curator Tuesday 17 April PARISH HALL Tuesday 16 October ‘It will all be over by Christmas’ CASTLE STREET and the inspiration on writing the The Rise and Fall PORTCHESTER Mudlarks book of Emma Hamilton PO16 9PY by Margeret Foster by Dr Bob France

The Newsletter of the Portchester Civic Society Founded 2000 | Registered Charity No. 1090509 Member of: CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural ); BTCV; NCVO; Solent Protection Society; Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust; Portsmouth Harbour Conservation Group For further information please contact our Chairman Hazel Woodman: 02392 382778 www.PortchesterCivicSociety.co.uk

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