Remember When
Women help make history at Portsmouth Dockyard
When five girls walked through the gates of Portsmouth Dockyard in 1969, they made history.
We’d love to see photos and memories of the Queen
Have you taken treasured photographs of the Queen? perhaps you’ve actually met her on one of her many visits to the Portsmouth area. Or maybe you just want to say thank you to her for what she has done for her country during 60 years as monarch.
Church accused of ‘social apartheid’
On this day in 1870, Mr Cox, a baker, of Marmion Road, Southsea, wrote in his diary: ‘Attended St Jude’s Church, morning and evening, and I record my impression that the practices of this church are becoming more and more ritualistic’.
Ken remembers alphabet crew with zeal
Another update on this picture from former Portsmouth North Labour MP Syd Rapson.
Glorious aerial picture of Portsmouth Airport
This glorious aerial photograph shows Portsmouth Airport and its grass runways in all its glory.
From Portsmouth to Playboy for Marilyn
Marilyn Cole went from being a humble hotel worker in Portsmouth to Playmate of the Year in Playboy magazine. Here she tells the fascinating story of how she became a famous Bunny Girl.
Influential site bustling with brewers and bakers
Back in the 19th century, Royal Clarence Yard at Gosport was bustling with brewers, bakers, butchers and coopers.
Fleetlands buzzing with Wasps
Westland Wasps helicopters, seen here being reconditioned at Fleetlands, Gosport, about 1970.
Painter released
French painter Louis Garneray, who was captured by the British in 1806 and imprisoned on a prison hulk in Portsmouth Harbour, was released on this day in 1814.
Children’s happy days helping grandad on miniature railway
A recent black-and-white photograph of Southsea’s miniature railway in the 1950s thrilled members of the Tame family.
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Final walk along esplanade
On this day in 1890 at 11.15am, 50-year-old Thomas M’Cheane, the vice-consul for Russia, took a walk along Southsea Esplanade.
Summer of celebration as camp marks 75th birthday
Lakeside Holiday Village is holding celebrations this summer to commemorate 75 years of providing seaside holidays and short breaks on Hayling Island.
Victoria Pier
On this day in 1842 Victoria Pier, in what is now Old Portsmouth, was opened and named after the Queen who was crowned five years earlier.
Demolition was the only answer for damp homes
This was the notorious Portsdown Park estate being demolished in early 1988.
School days
Andrew Bell, born in Scotland in 1753, remembered his schooldays like this: ‘I never went to school without trembling. I could not tell whether I should be flogged or not’.
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Centre of attention
The new shopping centre, Cascades, was opened in September 1989 by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gladys Howard.
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Scrapped submarines
This photomontage shows the eastern half of Harry Pounds’s scrapyard at the Tipner gateway to Portsmouth in 1988.
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Swimming club’s popularity spelt end for water polo team
The recent picture of the long-gone Stamshaw Swimming Pond in Portsmouth intrigued John Gardner.
View from the projection box
Here are two shots of All Saints’ Church in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, taken from an unusual vantage point.
Eastenders film in the city
On this day in 2001 Portsmouth featured prominently in an episode of EastEnders.
War hero was cheered in the streets on his return home
Many of you may know of the dozen men in Highland Road cemetery, Southsea who were all awarded the Victoria Cross. But were you aware that another VC holder had a road named after him in Portsmouth?
1 commentVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest military decoration. It is awarded for valour in the face of the enemy.
Jam tarts were temptation for Queen of Hearts Jeal
Today we turn to Rowlands Castle for memories of the Queen’s coronation celebrations of 1953.
Huge floating dock seen at start of journey to Scotland
A photograph from the end of last month sent regular contributor Gez Groom scurrying for his albums.
3 commentsWidow’s romance led to jail
On this day in 1687 an early example of the ordering of payment of child maintenance took place in a case of ‘bastardy’.
Aboriginal dancers provided royal treat
On May 13, 1787, 11 ships sailed from Portsmouth Harbour led by HMS Sirius to the unknown continent of Australia.
Violent storm tore through Portsmouth
In 1987 southern England experienced some of the most severe weather conditions of the past century.
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Warship says farewell
The Trincomalee, renamed Foudroyant in 1897, provided excellent training for schoolchildren in 19th century seamanship.
4 commentsGiving power to the people
What is believed to have been the first co-operative society in Britain was set up in Portsmouth in 1796 by dockyard workers fed up with being ripped off by local tradesmen.
Great celebrations in city for Queen’s Silver Jubilee
Next month we celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a special bank holiday marking the six decades since her accession to the throne.
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Flamboyant welcome
The crowds lining the street in Commercial Road, outside the old General Post Office, provide a vivid contrast to the formality of the civic welcome.
Unusual ideas for best street
A competition for the best-dressed street resulted in many unusual ideas.
Dockyard staff likened to beasts in a zoo
On this day in 1853 a letter was published in the press with the heading Laziness in the Dockyard.
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Watermen failed to stop arrival of floating bridge Picture gallery
News that two of Portsmouth Harbour’s most familiar vessels might be phased out in a couple of years, prompted this look at the various ways we’ve bridged the gap between the city and Gosport.
Barry’s restoration dream for old horse-drawn tram
You may remember on April 14 that I asked if anyone knew of a former Portsmouth horse-drawn tram that ended up on the Isle of Wight.
Canny scrap dealer
Last week I asked if anyone knew of the house at the end of Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth which was used by a scrap merchant. As ever, readers came up trumps.
Reunion will bring entire rugby team back together
These 16 rugby-mad lads formed a bond for life 50 years ago on the muddy playing fields of England.
Monument to bravery
On this day in 1888 it was reported in the Hampshire Telegraph that a ‘monument to bravery’ had been put up in Highland Cemetery, Southsea, on the grave of a Mrs Fox.
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Proud memories of school’s pageant and celebrations
Take a close look at the lad holding the second E in Elizabeth.
Headmaster’s log paints picture of school in 1936
The death of King George V, one boy suffering malnutrition and a visit to Eastleigh Carriage Works.
Queen confusion
This event took place at Westover Road Infants School, Baffins, Portsmouth, in the early 1950s.
Island’s Sunshine camp was perfect for holiday romance
Who says holiday romances are a flash in the pan?
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 15 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
