The Port Under the Hill put on the map by the Romans

It has been written by Bryan Jerrard a retired teacher and senior lecturer in history, politics and economics and resident in the village for 17 years.

The 104-page glossy, A4-sized publication is packed with pictures old and new and traces the community from its creation in prehistoric, Roman and Saxon times up to the thriving large village/small town it is today. The Romans called it Portus Adurni – the port under the hill.

In his introduction Bryan says: ‘This community history is an attempt to show in some detail the story as it deserves to be recalled until fairly recent times.

‘It is a story that needs to be considered to increase our sense of belonging once we know the roots of the society we belong to.

‘It is good for young people to know and understand the past of the place in which they live.’

Bryan has drawn on help from more than 50 people involved in the life of the parish of Portchester.

The fruits of his years of research and writing show that the ‘village’ is so much more than the magnificent ruined castle and picturesque old buildings close to it that most outsiders think of when the word ‘Portchester’ is mentioned.

Portchester – A Community History by Bryan Jerrard is published by Studio 6 Design and Print at Wickham and costs £10.