When a trip to The News had a frisson of excitement about it... | Nostalgia

Who remembers entering the old front office of the Evening News when it was in Stanhope Road, an event which I always felt had that wow factor?
The front office of the Evening News in Stanhope Road, Landport, Portsmouth.  Picture: Barry Evans collection.The front office of the Evening News in Stanhope Road, Landport, Portsmouth.  Picture: Barry Evans collection.
The front office of the Evening News in Stanhope Road, Landport, Portsmouth. Picture: Barry Evans collection.

This photograph does not show off the amazing wood panelling to its best. That would have been behind the camera. Behind the desk are a youthful Tony Triggs and Len Henning.

There was a time when just about every household in the city would have a copy of the Evening News. Mind you, when the paper was first founded there were six editions a day just for Portsmouth.

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Even I can remember, in the 1960s, when there were four editions a day for the city alone, the Early, Midday, Final, Late Final and even a late Final Extra if there was late-breaking news.

When newspapers sold like hot cakes. A newspaper bill for a Portsmouth newsagent in 1887. 75 dozen (900) copies a week!When newspapers sold like hot cakes. A newspaper bill for a Portsmouth newsagent in 1887. 75 dozen (900) copies a week!
When newspapers sold like hot cakes. A newspaper bill for a Portsmouth newsagent in 1887. 75 dozen (900) copies a week!

In 1887 Messrs White & Chegrill sold more than over 62 dozen copies a week increasing to 75 dozen in midweek dropping to 37.5 dozen on a Saturday. For November they were supplied with 3,900 newspapers. Only 80 copies were returned.

• Foden were constructors of steam wagons and had a factory in a large building in Albert Road, Cosham.

In the 1930 they moved to the former tram depot at Cowplain after the Horndean light railway closed in 1935.

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Jim Davies says: ‘My grandfather was sent to Portsmouth from Cheshire by Foden to close its premises in Albert Road, Cosham, and move the business to Cowplain.

Foden steam wagon builders moved from to Cowplain from Cosham in the 1930s. This is the former works. Picture:  Robert PragnellFoden steam wagon builders moved from to Cowplain from Cosham in the 1930s. This is the former works. Picture:  Robert Pragnell
Foden steam wagon builders moved from to Cowplain from Cosham in the 1930s. This is the former works. Picture: Robert Pragnell

‘He then ran the business and was joined by his son, my father Noel Davies, and stayed until his retirement in 1952. My father then became manager and was eventually given the task of closing the business in 1966/67 when it moved to London.

After my original piece appeared, Robert Pragnell got in touch. He says: 'My mum was born in Cowplain and remembers the building well. You mentioned Foden moving into the building from Cosham. I know Cosham well but couldn’t picture where Foden would have been in Albert Road.

‘I looked at the 1930 Kellys Directory (where Fodens are listed as steam wagon builders) and a 1930 map of Cosham. Using this information, I believe the Foden building is the large one on the right hand side of Albert Road when you turn into the road from High Street.

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‘The photograph shows the building today. It is the same size as the building on the 1930 map, in the same location, and the construction looks consistent with early 20th century industrial buildings. The building is used as a care home today. I seem to recall reading somewhere it was once used as part of Portsmouth Dairies Ltd.’

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