By Martin Brisland. Image with permission from Southampton City Council Cultural Services. The Titanic story is one that continues to fascinate 111 years after the event. Out of the 908 crew onboard, there were around 688 crew deaths. Sadly, 550 people with a Southampton address perished in the sinking...
Heritage
Heritage: Southampton street names’ connections to Britain’s ignoble colonial past
by Martin Brisland. When you walk through the Bedford Place area of Southampton, have you ever realised that some of the street names are linked to Britain’s ignoble colonial past and the East India Company? Southampton was a minor port in the 1830s at the end of its time...
Heritage: the real life King and I story, and its links to Southampton
by Martin Brisland. The much-loved musical play, which has recently been at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, and film tells the real-life story of the tempestuous relationship that develops between King Chulalongkorn of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British school teacher whom the King brings to Siam (Thailand) to teach his many...
Black History Month South & SS Shieldhall are bringing a special Windrush 75th anniversary event
A momentous occasion is on the horizon as the SS Shieldhall sets sail from Southampton on 24th June as part of the Windrush 75 celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury on 22nd June 1948. The event will be...
Heritage: the story behind the pineapple at Southampton’s Royal Pier
by Martin Brisland. Have you ever wondered why there is a pineapple at the top of the gatehouse to the Royal Pier? A golden pineapple sits on top of Southampton’s ornate Royal Pier entrance building. In fact, once you start noticing them you will see them on street railings,...
Heritage: Southampton scriptwriter N.J. Crisp
by Martin Brisland. Remembering the career of prolific Southampton scriptwriter N.J. Crisp, whose credits included Dixon of Dock Green, Colditz and Secret Army. Older readers probably remember major BBC TV series from the 1960s and 1970’ such as Compact, Dixon of Dock Green, Dr Finlay’s Casebook, The Expert,...
Steamship Shieldhall releases details of 2023 sailing programme
The volunteers at Steamship Shieldhall in Southampton have released details of the ship’s 2023 sailing programme. Commencing on Friday 16 June, with a final sailing on Sunday 17 September, there are a variety of 2hr, 3hr, 3 1/2hr, 4hr and all day sailings to choose from, including some returning...
Photos: Southampton Children’s Pleasure Park, a love letter
by Sally Churchward. For generation after generation of children brought up in the city, the Children’s Pleasure Park in Southampton Sports Centre has been a brightly coloured, joyous presence. From days out spending tokens on round abouts and trampolines to birthday parties with as many ‘goes’ as you can...
Southampton school reunion to become annual event
Following a successful event last year, organisers of a reunion of pupils from a Southampton school are planning on making it an annual gathering. Those who attended Southampton Grammar School for Girls, Southampton College for Girls or Hill College between 1907 and 1989 are invited to a reunion at...
Heritage: remembering Southampton historian Elsie Mary Sandell
by Martin Brisland. All Sotonians with a love of local history should read the excellent books of Elsie Mary Sandell. Elsie’s family lived at 78, The High Street, Southampton where she was born on February 5, 1891. Her family later moved to 63 Portswood Road. She was the daughter...