The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.2 | Sept 2023

Local Group Programmes

Forthcoming Meetings:

September 27th Maps for Family History

Laurie Page

Members’ Evening: Short research updates from members – progress, brick walls, etc.

October 25th

November 22nd Christmas Festivities - Members Only

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 (May) What the Butler Saw John Pitman

John’s talk was a look at life in the "big house" in Victorian times. There was much amusement throughout the evening as two of the audience were made Lord and Lady of Fair Oak Grange with John acting as their butler. Starting with the butler (responsible for the silver and wine), John described the roles of various servants employed in a household. The total number of servants employed was a sign of wealth and status. Within the house there was a cook, housekeeper, valet, lady’s maid, and kitchen, laundry and scullery maids. For the children there might be a governess or nursemaid. Outside there would have been coachmen, grooms, gardeners and, on large properties, a gamekeeper. Servants were only given half a day off per week but there were perks at Christmas time. The entertaining talk was illustrated by various objects which John brought along and with anecdotes taken from his family’s life of being in service. (Jun) Supermarine at Hursley Park: From Spitfire to Scimitar – Dave Key Dave’s talk attracted a good attendance. Hursley Park is located just to the south west of Winchester. Originally there was a Tudor house on the site from 1550 to 1720 and it was owned at one time by Richard Cromwell, the last ruler of England before the Restoration of Charles II. It has been the subject of a recent archaeological dig. The present house dates from 1720 but was extensively developed in 1902. In 1939 it was owned by Sir George Cooper. During the Second World War the house became the headquarters for Vickers Supermarine following an air raid on Southampton in September 1940. Although the bombing did not destroy the Woolston works, it was thought prudent to relocate the works in various locations around Hampshire and Wiltshire. Initially the headquarters were divided between the Polygon Hotel and Southampton University. During the First World War the house had been used as a hospital but in December 1940 Hursley Park was leased to the Ministry of Aircraft Production. Sir George had died earlier in

101