Main image by James Asher. Southampton’s ‘a space’ arts presents Everyone Involved, a major new commission by acclaimed London-based artist Ian Giles, which launched on the 23rd of August at the historic God’s House Tower in Southampton. Ian Giles enlivens queer archives by collaborating with LGBTQIA+ pioneers to amplify...
Heritage
Artists sought for Southampton Black History Month Mural
Black History Month South are looking for artists to design an image for a large scale printed mural which will be displayed on St Marys Fire station, Southampton. Artists are being sought to design a mural that celebrates the Windrush Generation. The present printed vinyl mural located on the...
Opinion: writing a new chapter of hope
By Manthan Pathak. First came the trauma. Then the fight. Now the hope. It’s been an emotional couple of weeks. I’ve watched in horror as extreme violence by the far right, targeted at immigrants and all people of colour, has disfigured our country. Perhaps it’s useful here to offer...
Heritage: Kier – what’s in a name?
By Martin Brisland. What’s in a name? Sir Keir Starmer (61) became Prime Minister last week, on Thursday 5 July 2024, after a landslide victory for the Labour Party in the General Election. His parents were Labour supporters and are said to have named him after Keir Hardie (1856...
Heritage: The story behind Jack’s Corner
By Martin Brisland. Jack Mantle was born in London on 12th April 1917. After his mother died when he was two years old his father remarried and moved to Southampton. The family lived at 2 Malvern Road off Winchester Road. He attended Taunton’s School and joined the Royal Navy...
Heritage: 350 years since the birth of Southampton born hymn writer, Isaac Watts
By Martin Brisland. If you pass the Civic Centre clock tower at 8am, midday, 4pm or 8pm you will hear the bells play the tune “St. Anne.” It was composed by the church organist William Croft and is used for Isaac Watts well known hymn, “Our God, Our Help...
Heritage: Some notable female Sotonians
By Martin Brisland. Elsie Sandell (1891–1974) was a writer of local history books and Echo articles. Her books are very readable for young people. Elsie was key in getting the D Day memorial tapestry made. It is usually to be found outside the City Archives in the Civic Centre....
Old Grammarian’s and Hillonians Association reunion this September
Image: Hill College boys’ basketball team c1988. The Old Grammarian’s and Hillonians Association, incorporating former students and staff of the Southampton College for Girls, will be holding this year’s reunion on Saturday, September 28th, at a new venue. After two reunions held at their old school/college, now Richard Taunton...
Lawrence of Arabia and his Southampton connections
By Martin Brisland. Many will know the epic film Lawrence of Arabia which won seven Oscars in 1962. Peter O’Toole played a British officer credited with leading the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War One. The film, now considered by many to have racist overtones, with a...
60th anniversary of Southampton’s city status approaches
By Martin Brisland. On 24th. February 1964 Southampton was granted a royal charter to henceforth be known as the City and County of the City of Southampton. It was the culmination of a process that had begun 30 years earlier. The first informal approaches were made in the mid-1930s,...