History Past Events

What's Already Happened?

Updated: 18th May 2013

Select a link for more information.

2013
Tuesday 14th May	Educational Workshop at St.James' Park The rain didn't stop play today! Our first "post renovations" history lesson in St.James' Park managed to take place despite a downpour. Over 20 children and their parents found out more about the Park and its links to the past by listening to older peoples' stories and from the artwork in the newly renovated Park. Many questions were asked of our guests: Don Smith, aged 85; Ken Conway, aged 90; and Arthur House, aged 93. Don talked about his painting of what St.James' Park (or "Shirley Rec" as it was then known) was like in 1934. Ken shared more about the World War II origins of the Building as an ARP Report and Control Centre, and his own experience of a similar post in the Foundry Lane area. Arthur shared his personal story of a special bench in the Park and how the students of Upper Shirley High School replaced his bench. Arthur also brought along a reporter from BBC Radio Solent, who were interviewing him about his football days playing for Southampton FC. The reporter also interviewed some of the children asking Arthur questions. After telling his story to all the children, Arthur had to rush off for his own interview. A busy day down at the Park!
Tuesday 7th May	FoSJP History Research Group at Learn 2 Love Learning Club FoSJP is very grateful to Arthur House, aged 93, who shared with the Learn 2 Love Learning Club some personal memories, particularly how relevant a bench in St.James' Park had been for him and his wife, Winnie. Arthur carefully unwrapped some delicate and fragile personal mementos that he has carried in his wallet since World War II: his son's first baby shoe, a beautiful letter that he had written to his wife whilst at war, and the last "10‑bob note" that his father had given him on one of his "home on leave" visits - all items of personal significance, but linked to an historic period in time. Arthur was so good at telling his story that he has been invited to another group to talk to them. Arthur also told the club what had happened when he shared the story of his and Winnie's park bench with the students from Upper Shirley High School for our intergenerational art project, back in 2011. He couldn't praise the children highly enough for the kindness that they showed in raising money for a new bench and plaque to be installed where the old one had been removed, near the NW Entrance of St.James' Park. Thank you Arthur.
Saturday 9th February	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The fourteenth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group. Playwright Johnny Carrington is looking for local true World War I stories as inspiration for his next historical play. His prize winning play Mitchell's Wings, based on the life of Spitfire designer RJ Mitchell, was a resounding success in 2011.
Tuesday 5th February	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The thirteenth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
2012
Sunday 2nd December	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2012 Public History Talk #3 "Nathaniel and Catherine Jefferys - who do you think they were?" Speakers: Patricia White & Erika Howells Born in the late C18 and living in Shirley in the 1800s, the Jefferys were prominent landowners and philanthropists who were instrumental in the inception of the newly formed Shirley Parish in 1836. Local links to the couple include St.James' Church, Shirley Schools, land on what is now St.James' Park, Blighmont House, Belle Vue House, and Hollybrook House. Patricia's and Erika's extensive research uncovered stories from the Jefferys family history associated with the Battle of Trafalgar, the death and funeral of Lord Nelson, the court of Royal Kings and Princes, and the proposed Victorian Didcot, Newbury, and Southampton railway extension. A fascinating and enlightening talk which linked Shirley to the courts of George III and George IV and places as far afield as Fleetwood and Heysham.
Sunday 4th November	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2012 Public History Talk #2 "Shirley's Sites and Symbols – how well do you know them?" Speaker: Dr Mary South Mary had the audience guessing, as she showed sections of photographs taken around Shirley, from coats of arms, names of old cinema buildings, to carvings, tiles, and gravestones. As Mary pointed out, "It's amazing what is out there if you just take the time to look - especially if you look up."
Sunday 7th October	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2012 Public History Talk #1 "Plants that affect our lives" Speaker: Celia Cox Celia's presentation on plants that affect our lives was very thought‑provoking, starting with the question "How many plants do you think you might have touched in the first 10 minutes of this morning?" It certainly makes you think beyond the norm when you consider the furnishings around the house, the soap, the toothpaste, the cosmetics, the pyjamas taken off, the clothes put on our skin. Then we get onto that first morning cup of tea or coffee (plant pictured), the chair we sat in to drink it, and the list of plants around us goes on. The audience soon realised how much we take plants for granted and actually how we don't even realise that we're using something that is plant‑derived. Celia's combined experience of a medical career (veterinary) and an MSc in Botany brings a wealth of knowledge with regards to the medicinal properties of and active ingredients in plants - knowledge lost in most of us these days. Issues of: "Whose knowledge counts?" "Traditional vs pharmaceutical medications" "Understanding of ecosystems and plant cycles" "Cash crops/mono‑cropping and the wider implications for economies, rural communities, and the environment" were just a few of the many topics touched upon in this fascinating talk, which was worthy of any natural resource‑based studies or environmental/development studies‑based degree course.
Saturday 15th September	Tudor Costume Workshop A workshop to help people convert old clothes to Tudor style for the forthcoming Michaelmas Fair in Southampton, in association with the Tudor Revels project.
Saturday 21st July	Medicinal and Edible Plants - Walk and Talk An educational walk and talk to find out what plants our forebears might have used to survive when the Park was part of Tudor Shirley Common, organised by the Shirley Heritage Project and the Tudor Revels Project.
Monday 16th July & Tuesday 17th July	Shirley Schools Centenary - Thank You Teas Following the successful Shirley Schools Centenary celebration evening and exhibition, the FoSJP History Research Group was invited to Shirley Infant School and Shirley Junior School for "Thank You" teas.
Saturday 16th June	Shirley Schools Centenary - Summer Fair The FoSJP History Research Group helped organise an extensive exhibition at the Shirley Schools Centenary Summer Fair of the history of the schools through the ages.
Wednesday 13th June	Shirley Schools Centenary - Evening Presentation The FoSJP History Research Group made a presentation at an evening to celebrate the centenary of the Shirley Schools building.
Tuesday 12th June	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The twelfth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Friday 8th June	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The eleventh meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Saturday 12th May	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The tenth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Mondays: 16th April to 16th July	Make Do and Mend - Summer Term - Sewing Machine Skills Craft and Sewing classes for all abilities, with a different theme each term.
Saturday 3rd March	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The ninth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Saturday 28th January	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The eighth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group. New members Patricia and Erica will be sharing their fascinating research on Nathaniel and Catherine Jefferys during the forthcoming Shirley Heritage Project's Autumn Lecture Series.
Mondays: 9th January to 26th March	Make Do and Mend - Spring Term - Mending & Darning Clothes Craft and Sewing classes for all abilities, with a different theme each term.
2011
Mondays: 31st October to 12th December	Make Do and Mend - Autumn Term - Making Jewellery Craft and Sewing classes for all abilities, with a different theme each term.
Sunday 4th December	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2011 Public History Talk #3 "Always a Tram in Sight" Speaker: Jeffery Pain The history of trams in Shirley and Southampton, part 2, following November 2010's popular presentation. Click here for an illustrated report on this talk
Sunday 6th November	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2011 Public History Talk #2 "Andrew Barlow, Brewer and Benefactor" Speaker: Madge Heath A fascinating talk about the life of Andrew Barlow of the Barlow and Ellyett Homes, Church Street, Shirley. The audience learnt about local breweries and how Andrew Barlow's philanthropy stretched far and wide across Southampton and also to Kent and South Africa, with which he had links. He funded the building of schools in the area, contributed to the building of churches, and made donations to the Shirley Children's Hospital, the Royal South Hants, and Southampton Hospital, to name but a few.
Sunday 2nd October	Shirley Heritage Project - Autumn 2011 Public History Talk #1 "Art in the Park" Speakers: Anna Vickers, Don Smith, Michaela Lawler‑Levene An illustrated talk showing how memories of Shirley Recreation Ground from the 1920s onwards have been represented in the new art in St.James' Park.
Saturday 10th September	The Making of "Mitchell's Wings" - Turning Testimony into Theatre An evening event with light buffet and refreshments, at the ParkLife Community Café in St.James' Park. This event was part‑funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Monday 15th August	Heritage at Jamie's Playtime Jamie's Playtime is a play scheme for parents and pre‑school children aged up to 5. All sessions take place in St.James' Park. FoSJP History and Drama celebrated the Park's World War II heritage at this session of Jamie's Playtime.
Saturday 16th July	Play in the Park! The FoSJP History Research Group showcased Local History at this event, which was held to celebrate the Park's re‑opening after the restoration and improvement works, including Pete Wardall's "Then & Now" slideshow of local scenes.
Saturday 11th June	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The seventh meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Sunday 22nd May	Foyes Corner Community Festival The FoSJP History Research Group showcased Local History at this year's Foyes Corner Community Festival. People were keen to find out more about local history and to take a good look at the World War II local bombing maps that the group had prepared. Thank you to all our volunteers who made the day such a success.
Saturday 16th April	Southampton History Fair The FoSJP History Research Group had a stall at this year's Southampton History Fair at Townhill Park House. 'Twas a grand day: even Henry VIII stopped by to view our pictures of "Shirley, Then and Now" (an exhibition of Edwardian postcards and their current day photos). It was good to meet people from other parts of the city who were brought up in Shirley and who were able to add to the memories of St.James' Park. A lovely day, lovely people.
Saturday 19th March	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The sixth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Sunday 6th March	Autumn 2010 Public History Talk #3 "St.James' Road Conservation Area: an Appraisal" Speaker: Kevin White Kevin from Southampton City Council - Historic Environment Planning and Sustainability Division gave a brief history of the development of the St.James' Road area since the mid 19th Century, and explained the concepts behind Conservation Areas, which are not intended to block all development but rather to manage change in a way that is sensitive to the character and history of the areas. His team will shortly be publicising a draft appraisal for public consultation. Spitfire Production in Southampton during World War II - a Local Tribute Speaker: Michaela Lawler‑Levene Michaela presented an oral history recording of Don Smith's memories of local Spitfire production during World War II - including in Shirley Parish Hall itself - and added further insights on the roles that women played in the local war effort, to respectively mark the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire from Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton Airport) and International Women's Day on 8th March. Fairtrade refreshments were provided, courtesy of the Co‑operative Group, as part of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight initiative.
Saturday 12th February	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The fifth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Saturday 22nd January	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The fourth meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
2010
Saturday 20th November	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The third meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Sunday 7th November	Autumn 2010 Public History Talk #2 "Always a Tram in Sight" The history of trams in Shirley and Southampton Speaker: Jeffery Pain Jeffery treated us to a history of the Southampton trams, in which we were taken - with the aid of a slide show collection of stunning images - on a delightful tour of our Victorian and Edwardian City. Our audience included an ex‑tram driver and several other people who remembered using the trams (which last ran in 1949), which led to some lively audience participation. Picture: "The Last Tram in Southampton" by Ken Conway
Sunday 3rd October	Autumn 2010 Public History Talk #1 "Tips on Researching the History of Your House" Speakers: Michaela Lawler‑Levene, Madge Heath Michaela & Madge from the FoSJP History Research Group gave a well‑illustrated presentation and talk, sharing tips on how to research your own house with or without the property title deeds, using two local examples - Hanover Lodge, opposite St.James' Park, and Trafalgar Lodge, by Shirley Pond Park - and how to use genealogical resources, highlighting sources to be found on the internet.
Saturday 10th July	Bourne Avenue Street Party The FoSJP History Stall was on display at the Bourne Avenue Residents' Street Party celebrations, just around the corner from St.James' Park. FoSJP would like to thank Bourne Avenue residents for their warm welcome, hospitality, and generosity. Special thanks go to Margaret, who looked after us so well, and to Carolyn, who donated to FoSJP an 1871 map of Southampton for us to share at our history talks.
Saturday 19th June	Shirley Infant/Junior Schools Summer Fair The FoSJP History Stall was on display at the combined schools Summer Fair, with illustrated information on our latest research findings, a photographic quiz "Where in Shirley were these photographs taken?", and a collection of photographs entitled "All Around Our World in Shirley", based on 1905 postcards of Shirley and photographs of the same scenes taken in 2010. For younger visitors there were History-themed Wordsearch and Quiz activities.
Sunday 13th June	FoSJP Family Walk A total of 28 people, aged from 10 weeks to 87 years, joined ecologist and local historian Dr Mary South on an historically-themed walk from St.James' Park along Lordsdale Greenway to Shirley Pond, where a picnic was enjoyed by all.
Saturday 12th June	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The second meeting of the FoSJP History Research Group.
Sunday 23rd May	"St.James' Park in World War II" University of Southampton student project A group of students from the University's History department has been researching the history of St.James' Park (Shirley Recreation Ground) during World War II. As part of their project brief, they presented their findings in a public talk at Shirley Parish Hall.
Saturday 8th May	"Shirley Remembers" Memories of World War II and VE Day 1945 We marked VE Day by hosting a "Shirley Remembers" afternoon at Shirley Parish Hall.
Sunday 25th April	FoSJP History Research Group Meeting The first meeting of our newly-formed FoSJP History Research Group.
2009 - 2010
Sundays: 4th October, 1st November, 6th December, 7th February, 7th March	Shirley Heritage Project - Public History Talks As part of the Shirley Heritage Project, FoSJP organised a series of five public talks on local history topics, with presenters ranging from academics and local historians to FoSJP members. Visit our Public History Talks page for a report on these talks, and to find out what our audiences thought.
2009
Saturday 16th May	St.James' Park History Exhibition Shirley Parish Hall played host to an exhibition of historical information related to the Park and its surrounding area.
Saturday 28th March	Bitterne Local History Society - History Fair The FoSJP History Stall was present at the History Fair at Townhill Park House.
2008
Tuesday 13th May to Friday 16th May	Parish, Paupers and Poo! For four evenings in May, the Park played host to the Sarah Siddons Fan Club's outdoor production of Parish, Paupers and Poo!, an historical and dramatical performance based on the history of Southampton.
2007
Sunday 30th September	"Meandering with Mary" A walk & talk tour of the buildings around the Park, led by Mary South, local historian and tour guide, and followed by a history exhibition and refreshments in Shirley Parish Hall.
Saturday 7th July	Park100 The FoSJP History Stall was on display at Park100, a major Summer fun event to celebrate 100 years of St.James' Park.
Sunday 6th May	FoSJP's First Birthday Party The FoSJP History Stall was on display at FoSJP's First Birthday Party event, at which we also organised a fun History Quiz with prizes for the winners.
2006
Saturday 27th May	Reminiscence Day In May 2006, shortly after FoSJP was founded, we organised a Reminiscence Day event in the Park, at which members of the community were invited to share their memories and historical knowledge of the Park.