Local History Booklets
Local historian, Havant resident, former Councillor and now
Alderman Ralph Cousins is working with colleagues to produce a
series of booklets about various aspects of the fascinating local
history of the Havant area. Use this page to browse
PDF
copies of the booklets that
have been produced so far.
We also have a library of historic photographs of parts of the
Borough.
The timeline, part funded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund, is based at The Spring and is an attempt to
chart the flow of events that have contributed to the development
of the Borough of Havant. The selection is subjective but it
is felt that the results will serve to indicate the broad currents
that shaped our local communities in the past.
REVISED MARCH 2012 -
now covers the whole Borough. File size: 197
kb
.
Whereas the Timeline (above) is a
simple list of events, this booklet sets the creation of the
Timeline itself into context, and provides some more detailed
information about a number of the events mentioned. File size:
2.18
mb
.
Special commemorative booklet to record the 70th anniversary, on
1st June 2010, of the sinking of HMS Havant whilst
taking part in the 1940 evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. File
size: 556
kb
.
Detailed account of the War Memorial which is located outside St
Faiths Church in the centre of Havant. Unveiled in 1922 it records
the fallen of two World Wars. The booklet includes original
photographs of the dedication ceremony and the Order of Service.
File size: 437
kb
.
Commemorative booklet produced to record the 150th anniversary,
on 13th April 2009, of the opening of the railway line between
Havant, Petersfield and Guildford, which at last provided
Portsmouth and Havant with a direct railway route to London. The
occasion was made all the more special by a call by a steam train,
with Victorian brass band playing and staff in period dress
mingling with the crowds. File size: 74
kb
.
When the Portsmouth Direct Railway was completed (see separate
booklet), a connection was made just to the east of Havant Station
with the coastal route. The London, Brighton and South Coast
Railway took exception to this, and thus on 28th December 1858 the
legendary 'Battle of Havant' was fought between the rival
companies' staff. File size: 1.87
mb
.
The church in North Street is a local landmark and has a
long history; this booklet looks at the very early years of the
Dissenters' Movement with its origin in the Chapel in The Pallant.
File size: 258
kb
.
A timely booklet about the history of the former Hospital which
opened in 1929, including the famous Royal Doulton Nursery Rhyme
Tiles. File size: 1.35
mb
.
This booklet explores the history and use of the Havant Cemetery
at New Lane / Eastern Road. The Cemetery is really three in one - a
Dissenters' Cemetery, Council Cemetery and as an extension to the
St Faith's Cemetery. File size: 1.45
mb
.
A more detailed study of part of Havant Cemetery (see above) and
its links to the Havant Congregational Church. File size:
3.36
mb
.
A history of the buildings now occupied by 'The Spring' Arts and
Heritage Centre, formerly Havant Museum and before that a private
house and the old Town Hall. File size: 606
kb
.
From the fifteenth century until 1922, Havant, like many small
towns, had its own brewing industry. Being happily situated with
good water supplies, the Havant industry became a major player in
the town's economy. File size: 1
mb
.
Ralph's memories of growing up in Havant during the Second World
War, including his diary of local events during the conflict and
plenty of local wartime photographs. REVISED JANUARY
2012. File size: 2.4
mb
.
Long before the modern Leigh Park was thought of, even before
the creation of Staunton's pleasure grounds, the southern part of
West Leigh was home to a small farming community, who have left
their mark to be discovered today. John Pile's booklet charts its
history over thousands of years. File size: 147
kb
.
Extending the 'Hamlet of Leigh' booklet (above), this booklet
details the influence of the Leigh Park mansion and its owners on
the surrounding area. Includes a section on wartime events in Leigh
Park and lots of historic photos.
REVISED MARCH 2012. File size:
11.45
mb
.
A history of the different ways that 5th November has been
celebrated in Havant over the past 160 years. Produced to
commemorate the 2010 Guy Fawkes Night Celebration at Stockheath
Common. File size: 177
kb
.
The modern day suburb of Bedhampton hides an historic core that
contains some of the oldest buildings in the Borough. The village
was already well established by the year 837
AD
. This booklet was specially
produced for the election of Bedhampton Ward Councillor Ken Smith
as Mayor of Havant on 11th May 2011. File size: 574
kb
.
North of Bedhampton (see above) lay the area known as Belmont
Park, centred on the House and extensive grounds that surrounded
it. The mansion is long gone, but the area has a fascinating
history including being used during the Second World War as a Naval
Establishment.
File size: 1.03
mb
.
The Memorial Tablet in St Thomas' Church is dedicated to the
memory of local people who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
File size: 233
kb
.
Known locally as 'Mr Fluoride', Borrow made his home at Padnell
Grange in Cowplain, from where he started pioneering work into
dental fluoridisation. File size: 280
kb
.
A compilation of three booklets detailing various aspects of the
crossing between Hayling Island and the mainland, including records
of the archaeological investigations into the original 'wadeway'
track. File size: 14
mb
.
For many years, local brick production was synonymous with the
name 'Pycroft'. Noel Pycroft records his memories of this local
industry. File size: 13.4
mb
.
Noel Pycroft, long involved with the brick production industry
on the Island, records his memories during and after the War. He is
joined by John Rogers and the booklet includes a section of Ralph
Cousins' timeline for Hayling. File size: 6.8
mb
.