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 .