Monthly Archives: May 2023

On 21st May, 17 people joined Geoff for an exploration of the story of British Royal Coronations, both nationally and locally, from KIng George IV to King George VI. Geoff contrasted how the excesses of 1821, and the ceremonial, changed over the years. 1821 saw the last time the King’s Champion rode into Westminster Hall, in armour, and flung down a gauntlet as a challenge to battle to anyone who denied the monarch’s legitimacy to rule. What a spectacle that could have been in 2023!! He also looked at how the initial preparations for the intended Coronation celebrations for King Edward VIII were amended and extended, in Southampton, ready for that of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The walk began, as all our walks now will, at the former Non-Conformist Chapel where FoSOC Secretary, Val, had created a special … Continue reading →

Yesterday 13th may FoSOC had a stall at the Sholing Valley Spring Fayre. 11.00am – 3.30pm And what a wonderful sunny day it turned out to be, it got quite HOT in the sun!! First to arrive by 9.45am were myself Val and Billy (Ferguson) to start setting up, then within minutes Lizzie (O’Sullivan) arrived with the rest of the gear. We tried to put the notice boards onto the tables but the wind (which had died down by late morning) would not stay, so, we placed them on the ground, which the children were able to read, seems a lot of youngsters informed us, that next year they will be learning all about the Titanic at school, so we were able to help them. Billy left for a while, but unfortunately, got caught in the traffic (due to the … Continue reading →

On Saturday 22nd April Lizzie (O’Sullivan) and Val (Ferguson) had a small stall at Shirley Public library from 11.00am – 1.00pm. There was notice boards, booklets, posters (on the Titanic) and leaflets on forth coming FoSOC walking/tours of the Old Cemetery, Lots of interest in the Old Cemetery, some people were amazied at the work FoSOC has done and is still doing. Many thanks to Shirley Library for allowing FoSOC to be there