Why was this huge naval base built... at Fareham? | Nostalgia

There were plans for displays and special events, many of these around the annual open day. But sadly, this has all been scuppered by Covid-19.

Instead, the organisers are going to publish a commemorative book as a lasting record of people’s experiences at HMS Collingwood, Fareham.

They are keen to get specific information that people would be willing to have published (with full credit of course) in the book.

Mandy Shearing, the co-ordinator, tells me: ‘This year marks 80 years since Collingwood first opened its gates to hostilities-only trainees and to mark the occasion staff at the establishment have decided to publish a commemorative book.

'We’re very keen to hear anything about the following subjects so please contact us with any memories, stories and photographs you’d be happy for us to publish.

‘Any information we don’t use in the book we’d love to keep to form a new archive we are creating.’

Please email the CWD80 team on NAVYOPTRG-CWD80@mod.gov.uk, or post material to CWD80 Team, Room F31, Atlantic Building, HMS Collingwood, Newgate Lane, Fareham PO14 1AS.

Any help you can give will be hugely appreciated and become part of the HMS Collingwood Story to inspire and inform staff and trainees well in the future.

Many says the subjects her team is particularly interested in are:

n The Early Years – why HMS Collingwood was built and why at Fareham?n The characters – memorable staff or fellow trainees. Memories of the farm, Buckley Hall and the Colly Club or any (printable!) high-jinks or adventures people remember while at Collingwood.n Any memorable anniversaries, royal or celebrity visits and can anyone remember when the figurehead (or any other gate/building guardians) arrived and the story behind them?n Deaths at the establishment during the 80 years, including the 1943 bombing. If anyone has a copy of the official report into this, they would love to see it.Prom wall by the Snake Pit

Michael Sellars is seen standing in front of the wall with the promenade several feet above his head. The Snake Pit wall would be to his right as we look. In those days it would have been possible to jump off the prom into the sea... at high tide of course.

Michael was a friend of Marilyn Cole and he tells me they used to model together for Stevie. She owned a dress shop in Elm Grove. Her boyfriend Peter Salter ran the Auckland Arms.