Curious Cosham
A space for incidentals .... fragments of speech, pieces of research, local memoires, notes, observations, found objects and images
ARTHUR'S BIKE
Arthur Merrit (known as Ray) worked as a ship keeper at Porthsmouth Dockyard from around 1947 and rode this bicycle from Cosham every day until he retired in 1981. It was built in 1946 in England and is now on display at Portsmouth Museum.
Arthur Merrit (known as Ray) worked as a ship keeper at Porthsmouth Dockyard from around 1947 and rode this bicycle from Cosham every day until he retired in 1981. It was built in 1946 in England and is now on display at Portsmouth Museum.
1882 Volunteer Review Portsmouth
Arch Cosham COSHAM IN STITCHES
Held in Portsmouth Museum's collection is an embroidered history of Cosham. Completed in 2002 to celebrate the millennium, it was created by Cosham Needlework and Handicraft Group and consists of 32,000 stitches. |
COSHAM COTTAGE HOMES
The children's homes in Cosham were built in the 1930s as an alternative to workhouses which had been the usual place for destitute orphaned and abandoned children. Initially the Portsmouth Poor Law Union built a large "barrack-style" children's home right next door to the workhouse but this was soon considered dated an inappropriate as a place for taking care of children. The Cottage Homes at Cosham were made up of eight buildings the children were looked after by a married couple - the houseparents - who lived in the cottage with their charges. A new book published by WordWorks tells the history of the Homes through memories and newspaper reports. The book called "The Homes on the Hill" is by oral historian Gudrun Jane Limbrick and Dave Savin who have spoken to the people that lived there. The homes were the centre of controversy in 2008 when a group of people spoke out about alleged abuse. http://www.childrenscottagehomes.org.uk/cosham_cottage_homes.html |
Dolly Mopping and Gilded Gingerbread Cakes
'In times past, the great event of the Cosham year was the Fair, ever held as a holiday by the people of the village and the country round. Richard I, authorised a Free Mart Fair at Portsmouth, which commenced on July 10th, lasting 14 days, after which the shows and stalls were moved out and pitched in Cosham for three days more.
Such was the popularity of the Fair, that servants when making arrangements with their mistresses, would stipulate for a day's holiday to attend it; and people made arrangements months before-hand to form picnic parties for the occasion.
Richardson's Theatrical Booths were a great feature; also fat women, freaks of all descriptions, and the fundred and one allurements to be found still lingering in modulated form in quaint country towns of to-day .........
The third day was the servant's day, and everyone gave their men and maids holiday to join in what was popularly called Dolly-mopping. No doubt the fun of the Fair waxed fast and furious. All the goods that were left over were sold cheap. There was dancing in the booths and on the green. A great feature was the gilded gingerbread cakes made in curious and wondrous shapes.'
From 'A History of Cosham' by Mrs. Andrew Davies 1906
'In times past, the great event of the Cosham year was the Fair, ever held as a holiday by the people of the village and the country round. Richard I, authorised a Free Mart Fair at Portsmouth, which commenced on July 10th, lasting 14 days, after which the shows and stalls were moved out and pitched in Cosham for three days more.
Such was the popularity of the Fair, that servants when making arrangements with their mistresses, would stipulate for a day's holiday to attend it; and people made arrangements months before-hand to form picnic parties for the occasion.
Richardson's Theatrical Booths were a great feature; also fat women, freaks of all descriptions, and the fundred and one allurements to be found still lingering in modulated form in quaint country towns of to-day .........
The third day was the servant's day, and everyone gave their men and maids holiday to join in what was popularly called Dolly-mopping. No doubt the fun of the Fair waxed fast and furious. All the goods that were left over were sold cheap. There was dancing in the booths and on the green. A great feature was the gilded gingerbread cakes made in curious and wondrous shapes.'
From 'A History of Cosham' by Mrs. Andrew Davies 1906
POTTED HISTORY OF A TRAM SHELTER
Situated at Cosham Compound up until 2003, and now residing in Market Square, Gunwharf Quays, the tram shelter was built in the 1920's by David Rowerll & Co of Westminster, London, for Portsmouth Corporation Tramways and was originally sited at the Town Hall Square (now Guildhall Square) in Portsmouth. Constructed of cast-iron columns with lower iron and upper glazed panels it is one of only two remaining cast-iron shelters in Portsmouth.
It's history has been researched by RG Smith in 2009
Situated at Cosham Compound up until 2003, and now residing in Market Square, Gunwharf Quays, the tram shelter was built in the 1920's by David Rowerll & Co of Westminster, London, for Portsmouth Corporation Tramways and was originally sited at the Town Hall Square (now Guildhall Square) in Portsmouth. Constructed of cast-iron columns with lower iron and upper glazed panels it is one of only two remaining cast-iron shelters in Portsmouth.
It's history has been researched by RG Smith in 2009
A bit of Transport History
In 1847 a railway was built to Portsmouth and a railway station was built at Cosham. For the first time it was possible to travel quickly and easily from Cosham and Portsmouth. In 1881 a horse drawn tram began to operate on rails between Portsmouth and the village of Cosham. Nevertheless Cosham did not really grow until the early 20th century.
In 1903 a tram called the Horndean Light Railway began running between Portsmouth and Horndean running through Cosham then over Portsdown Hill. The trams were called the green cars because they were emerald green and cream. For many Portsmouth people travelling to Horndean for a day in the summer was a big treat. The light railway closed in 1935 and was replaced by buses.
from A BRIEF HISTORY OF COSHAM, PORTSMOUTH By Tim Lambert
In 1847 a railway was built to Portsmouth and a railway station was built at Cosham. For the first time it was possible to travel quickly and easily from Cosham and Portsmouth. In 1881 a horse drawn tram began to operate on rails between Portsmouth and the village of Cosham. Nevertheless Cosham did not really grow until the early 20th century.
In 1903 a tram called the Horndean Light Railway began running between Portsmouth and Horndean running through Cosham then over Portsdown Hill. The trams were called the green cars because they were emerald green and cream. For many Portsmouth people travelling to Horndean for a day in the summer was a big treat. The light railway closed in 1935 and was replaced by buses.
from A BRIEF HISTORY OF COSHAM, PORTSMOUTH By Tim Lambert
An African church in Hampshire Sacred mysteries:
The leading church architect of the 20th century found inspiration in North Africa, says Christopher Howse in The Telegraph, December 2010 ...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/8210455/An-African-church-in-Hampshire.html
The leading church architect of the 20th century found inspiration in North Africa, says Christopher Howse in The Telegraph, December 2010 ...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/8210455/An-African-church-in-Hampshire.html