Nearly 1,000 years of history flashing past the window near Finchdean | Nostalgia

It’s just north of Rowlands Castle and behind the camera is St Hubert's Chapel which is always referred to as the Chapel-In-The-Field. It is more than 900 years old.

Many years ago the village of Idsworth stood in the field but was abandoned in the 14th century.

At the time the photograph was taken the farm crossing was still in place as was the signal box to the left of the gate. The path leading into the distance has since had its route altered to stop walkers passing by a cottage. It now runs one hundred yards to the left.

If you look closely there is semaphore signalling. Full colour light signalling and track circuit working was introduced between Petersfield and Rowlands Castle on January 11, 1970.

This meant the signal boxes at Rowlands Castle, Idsworth and Buriton Sidings were closed so we can date the photograph from before this time. I think the photograph may even date from the 1930s.

With the closure of the signal box, the farm crossing was also abolished and a footpath now runs under the track to the left.

What looks like a footbridge in the foreground is in fact only used when the Lavants (underground streams) rise. The whole field along the bottom is then flooded.

• My piece here last week about the boy who was rescued from the sea off Southsea Castle has come to an unexpected end.

I was hoping to find the man and interview him, but on Saturday I received the following e-mail from his daughter Sally Daniels.

She says: ‘That young boy, Philip Pennery, was my dad. Sadly he died in August 1997, aged 58, after being diagnosed with cancer just two weeks before.

‘However, without Ed rescuing my dad when he was a boy he would not have gone on to marry my mum Mary. ‘They were happily married for more than 35 years. As well as me there are two older brothers John and Barrie, six grandchildren and now one great grandson and one the way.

‘My dad was such a family man. He lived a packed life despite dying so young. Dad told my mum about the rescue and I remember when I was a child reading the “on this day” headline in the news relating to this story.

‘Please pass on our best wishes to Ed and thank him for being a hero on that day. Without him I would not have lovely memories of my dad.’

• And finally, to the picture of soldiers about to enter Hilsea barracks. Does anyone recognise themselves or know what the occasion was?