Monthly Archives: May 2022

Eleven members of the public, plus a youngster in a pushchair and a dog, along with FoSOC members Julia and Jean, joined Geoff Watts on a cemetery walk to explore some of Southampton’s business history. Unfortunately, there was drizzly rain but the hardy group put up with that and heard a range of stories. Geoff explained that there was a great contrast between Spa Southampton, of the early 1800s, and the way the town developed from the 1840s with the arrival of the railway, then the commercial docks that opened in 1842 and were extended in 1851. He explained how businesses adapted, and profited, from those new business opportunities. A good number of the businesses, with 19th century origins, survived well into the 20th century some still being on our High Street and suburbs until the middle of the century … Continue reading →

The Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery (FoSOC)  were delighted and pleased to be able to show the Mayor Cllr Alex Houghton the history the very diverse culture and some unique headstones, with the stories that they hold, that is the Old Cemetery on Wednesday 11th May at 12 (noon). Unfortunately, the weather was not too kind to us – it rained all through the walk, but this did not put off the Mayor who showed a keen interest in what he was shown by three FoSOC guides, Geoff Watts, Lizzie O’Sullivan, and Val Ferguson.  This included the youngest Mayor of Southampton Alfred McCalmont at 27 Years old. And is buried in the Old Cemetery in a family plot. The walk consisted of the Anglican, Non- Conformist, Catholic and the Jewish section and took about 2 hours to complete. At the … Continue reading →