The Hampshire Family Historian | Vol.48 No.3 | December 2021

Local Group Programmes

one portrayed in Dad’s Army. It was sobering to hear of the real heroism of the men who stayed behind, not by choice but because they were generally in reserved occupations. They too wanted to do their bit for their country. There was real fear in May 1940 that German paratroopers would be deployed and the Home Guard stood ready to defend the country. We heard why Pike was so called and Steve compared the factual/fictional service histories of the main actors/characters in Dad’s Army. Forthcoming Meetings:

No meeting in December

December

2022

No details available

Contact: Keith Turner Email: fairoak@hgs-online.org.uk

Fair Oak

Meetings are normally held at 8pm on the second Tuesday monthly at St Thomas’ Church Hall (attached to the church) Mortimers Lane. Doors open approx 7.30pm Summer Walk Bursledon.

This year’s walk was pleasurable in three ways. In addition to a well-informed walk around Old Bursledon with our guide, HGS member, Eric Reed, it was good to catch up with friends as it was the first time since lockdown that the Fair Oak group had met face to face. Furthermore, it was a lovely warm summers evening and we had good views over the river Hamble. We learned that Bursledon being located on the west bank of River Hamble and in a wooded area was ideal for ship building area. It is set far enough inland to avoid the threat from enemy raiders but close enough to the sea to allow ships to be launched. Bucklers Hard is in a similar setting. Ship building at Bursledon reached its peak under Philemon Ewer who provided ships for the Royal Navy in the early 1700s. The ship building died out in the 1800s. At that time the road linking Portsmouth and Southampton was being built and resulted in a bridge over the Hamble at Bursledon. Previously road traffic went via Botley (the location of our last HGS walk 2 years ago). Bursledon then became known as a strawberry growing area. At one time it is thought that Bursledon produced the earliest strawberries in the country. The railway arrived in the late 1880s enabling produce to be sent to the cities. Now Bursledon and this part of the Hamble is best known for yachting. We visited the picturesque St Leonards Church which dates from 1230, being one of 3 churches built by French Monks from Hamble Abbey. It was also the location of Eric’s own marriage. Old Bursledon is now a conservation area with several listed buildings, and the surrounding countryside is protected by environmental designations. The red telephone box is only one of two in Hampshire to be listed. Our walk took us down many old roads, tracks and footpaths, with lovely views of the Hamble, surrounding countryside and past many fine buildings.

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