Jane Austen 250th Anniversary

Geoff and Jean’s Jane Austen themed walk explored people buried in the cemetery with a personal connection to the author, some who were in Southampton when she was here and others who later ran businesses established when, or before, she came to live in Southampton. Geoff also included men buried here who were involved with events in her lifetime, that would have been known to her, such as the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo. 

One of those living in Southampton, quite close to the Austen family home, was a surveyor, John Doswell Doswell. He was involved with works being carried out to improve port facilities, that Jane would have seen in progress on her walks near the Town Quay area. 

The cemetery walk concluded with those attending gathering close to the grave of Jane’s goddaughter. Jean spoke of her, and the family, and then laid a lovely bouquet of flowers in the memory of both Jane and her goddaughter, this being the 250th anniversary year of Jane’s birth. 

Anyone interested in a longer walk may like to know that on 9 August, Jean is ‘re-creating’ a circular walk Jane did from the Old Town over the Itchen to Peartree (taking advantage of the modern bridge!) and on to the site of Chessel House, returning via the Northam Bridge. Details of, and booking for, the walk, ‘Pattens to Peartree’ can be found at  https://wegottickets.com/event/632873/. There will be a ‘break’ at Peartree Church.

Geoff and Jean wish to thank all who came on the walk on a rather hot morning and Billy and Val Ferguson, Tim and other FoSOC volunteers who very kindly helped and cleared graves on the route. They, and FoSOC, are most grateful for all the donations from the walk that will be used in connection with FoSOC’s work at the cemetery, everyone involved being a volunteer.

Pictures credit thanks to Val Ferguson.