By Martin Brisland. The Sports Centre was dubbed Southampton’s “Happy Valley” when created. It was formally opened on 28th May 1938, following a 10-year campaign, by Alderman Sidney Kimber (1873-1949). He was first elected as a Conservative Councillor in 1910 and was Mayor of Southampton from 1918 to 1920....
Heritage
Heritage: Fascinating facts about Christmas time
By Martin Brisland. Richard I (1157-1199), often called Richard the Lionheart, may have spent his only Christmas in England in Southampton Castle in 1194. This was stated by many Southampton historians including the Victorian Rev. John Silvester Davies and Elsie M. Sandell in the 1950s. A local rich merchant...
Heritage: New book explores Southampton FC history through song
A new book, Kick It: The Definitive Football Mixtape, explores Southampton FC history through song. Its author, Paul Brand, gives a preview. It’s probably best not to think about it too deeply. It’s just a song. A call to arms. A tribal anthem. And Southampton FC have had to...
Heritage: campaign to commemorate members of WWII Photographic Reconnaissance Units
A campaign to commemorate the pilots and navigators of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU), who served during the Second World War, is looking to find the living relatives of these local war heroes. The PRU, which was tasked to provide up-to-date intelligence to strategically plan the Allied actions...
Steamship Shieldhall Charity receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
The Steamship Shieldhall Charity, a group of volunteers based in Southampton operating the heritage steamship SS Shieldhall, have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. Shieldhall...
Heritage: Do you know your streets in Southampton?
By Martin Brisland. Do you know your streets in Southampton? Where do you think Southampton’s High Street is? Many would assume that the precinct area around the entrance to Westquay, with its large shops,is the High Street. In fact, the area from the Bargate down to Town Quay is...
Heritage: Did you know that a Shirley man played an important role in the development of antibiotics?
By Martin Brisland. Edward Penley Abraham was born in 1913 in South View Road, Shirley. A blue plaque is displayed on the house near the current site of King Edward VI School. He attended from 1924, but at that time it was in situated in Havelock Road. The BBC Radio...
Interview: Dr Abdoulie Sanneh chats about this weekend’s BBAM Festival in Southampton
By Sam Wise. Photo by Charlie Hislop. On Saturday 28th September, a festival of black business, music and arts will be held between 11 am and 7pm in Guildhall Square. This is the second year for BBAM (Black Businesses, Art and Music) in Southampton. Last year, there were 5000...
Review and reflections: What’s there for ordinary folk at Southampton International Boat Show?
By Sam Wise. Southampton is an odd city; on the sea, historically interwoven with it, and yet it has little impact on many of the ordinary people who live here. We are surrounded by boats; cruise ships, yachts, dinghies, and all manner of other vessels, but, in my experience...
‘Reclaiming the Narratives’ – Black History Month South official launch on Monday
Image: Lou Taylor at a previous BMHS launch. Black History Month South (BHMS) has announced the official launch of its 2024 celebrations with an event themed “Reclaiming Narratives,” set to take place on Monday, 23rd September 2024. The event will run from 11am to 2pm at St Mary’s Fire...