Come on in '“ the water's perfect for a paddle

No doubt these two cars belonged to visitors to Portsmouth who would not have known about the high tide that would eventually engulf their cars.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2016, 06:00 BST
OOPS! Two cars about to be overcome by the tide on the slipway off the Hard in 1970OOPS! Two cars about to be overcome by the tide on the slipway off the Hard in 1970
OOPS! Two cars about to be overcome by the tide on the slipway off the Hard in 1970

These two saloons were parked on the slipway off The Hard in 1970.

They were pictured in The News and the accompanying report says they were finally overcome and flooded.

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It doesn’t take a huge stretch of the imagination to guess the owners’ reaction when they returned.

MEATY The front of the new Dewhurst butchers in London Road, Waterlooville, September 1969MEATY The front of the new Dewhurst butchers in London Road, Waterlooville, September 1969
MEATY The front of the new Dewhurst butchers in London Road, Waterlooville, September 1969

The then new approach road from Portsmouth Harbour station to The Hard is in the background.

n Dewhurst, the famous chain of butchers owned by the Vestey family, opened a branch in London Road, Waterlooville, in September 1969.

Some of the prices seem amazing today: a free tin of peas worth 9d (4.5p) was on offer if you spent five shillings (25p).

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Back then Dewhurst offered chickens for 6s 6d which is 93p for three chickens in today’s money, in a straight conversion.

TASTY PRICES Mouthwatering prices at Dewhurst for the shops opening and a free tin of peas if you spent 5/- (25p)TASTY PRICES Mouthwatering prices at Dewhurst for the shops opening and a free tin of peas if you spent 5/- (25p)
TASTY PRICES Mouthwatering prices at Dewhurst for the shops opening and a free tin of peas if you spent 5/- (25p)

Unfortunately there came a time when most high street butchers’ chains got the chop thanks to competition from the supermarkets. They were streets or neighbourhoods in which you would find several such shops, not just one outlet.

The likes of Dewhurst, Baxter’s, Co-op and local chain Coopers all had to face the fact their day was over and most closed.

Related topics:PortsmouthLondon RoadWaterloovillePortsmouth Harbour