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Woolston
Woolston maps
Historic maps of Woolston and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Woolston maps
Woolston area books
Displaying 1 of 22 books about Woolston and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Woolston
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Woolston.
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Hazel Road
My father was born in 1930 and lived in Hazel Road, opposite the Supermarine factory. He left in the 1930s as his father, who was in the Navy, was moved to Coventry to become a recruiting officer. At the beginning of this year, I had the experience of taking him back to his old road, and where is house used to stand is now intersected by the Woolston toll bridge. Whilst looking at the floating bridge chains, we were fortunate enough to bump into a gentleman who had worked at the Supermarine factory. I haven't managed to find a picture of his house on the street yet, but I have just seen an aerial image of the Supermarine factory after it was bombed on the BBC documentary, showing his house. I am hoping that somebody might have more images or information about this area.
The Floatie
I was a teenager living in Woolston. A bunch of longhairs as some would call us ! I remember "The Woolie" pub having many a memerable night there...I would mention names but !! And the mornings we used to just get on the " Floatie " and ride back and forth awhile. As my gran used to in her youth. I miss my youth but i really miss "the floatie "
S.A.R.C, Florence Road And More....
Woolston seems to have played quite a big part in the history of our family, so it's appropriate I guess that as an adult I have ended up living here with my Husband!! It started as far back as my great great great grandfather Boxall, my nan's granddad, who was Chief Fire Officer for Woolston for many years, he was based in what is now the 'Old Fire Station' Doctor's surgery in Portsmouth Road, we have many photographs of him looking very handsome, if not a little stern and almost regal in his immaculate old fashioned uniform, adorned with many medals and badges. My nan Mary was born in Radstock Road, but the family later moved to Hamble which is where she spent most of her life, and her father Jack Bailey was an Instructor at the ATS air training college at the top of Verdon Avenue. On the other side of the family my grandad Ron Carter was born in Marsh Cottage in Hazel Road, one of many brothers... Read more
My Family in Woolston.
My Grandparents lived in Oakbank Road, My Aunt lived in Laurel Road. I can remember going to work with my Nan in the evenings. She used to be a cleaner for Knaptons Bookies and Malizias Bookies (Bridge Road).
My Aunt worked at the Home & Colonial along Victoria Road, my Grandfather, Uncle & Brother worked in Thornies, and another Uncle worked in the Fruit & Veg shop two doors away from Claspers toy shop. Mr Clasper had a dog called Jip.
My Father was the Chief Projectionist at Woolston Cinema. We had many a great time going to the Saturday matinees. One Saturday the Brook Bond Chimps visited the Cinema.
They walked down the Isles all dressed in their best clothes. They handed out little rubber Chimps for all the Children. So exciting.
Then there was the Thornycroft Childrens Xmas party. Excellent. Do you remember Mr Pook who owned the Newsagent in Oakbank Road?? Also the shop on the corner of Oakbank road called Wallers. Opposite Spikin the Electrical shop... Read more
Newspaper Round
It was my first ever job and I think I recieved about five shillings a week. The newsagent I think is still there in Victoria Rd. But I'm talking about 1947. The shop was on the west side of Victoria Rd and the last shop before the turning into Portsmouth Rd.
Leaving the shop I went along Victoria Rd and my first delivery was the Works Canteen at Thorneycrofts. Then up Obelisk Rd and some of the roads of the side Bedford Ave was one of those and the Pub was another customer as was Lancaster & Crooks. My last delivery was at the little group of shops above the pub and across the road.
Imagine my dismay when I proudly arrived home at 53 Archery Grove, with my first five shilling wage and my mum demanded two and six as lodging money.
Hampshire memories
Netley Football Club
I was born in Netley Abbey in 1962. My dad and uncle were joint managers of Netley F.C. who had their ground at the rec down by the waterfront. I was only 11 when my uncle died and 12 years old when my dad died so the memories I have are very few and far between. I do remember that when we had football matches, I used to run on the pitch at half time with the orange quarters and I used to stand there and cheer them on with my wooden rattle, religiously. At the end of matches we usually congregated in the Red Lion public house along Victoria Road. I also remember that my dad and uncle built changing rooms on the field and it had a tree stuck out of the middle of it, if I remember rightly it was because they weren't allowed to cut the tree down. There was also a time when one of our players broke his leg in a tackle and... Read more
Playing Football
I remember the person who broke his leg that day was Bernie Lowe as I was playing for the team Hound United against Netley FC on that pitch. I also remember your father as I played for them for a season with I think your brother Arthur. I played also for Netley Sports for a number of years and still come back now to the village. I have very fond memories of the village when to me it was the best place to live then. I still meet up with people now like Dick Donahoe, Jeff Foyle, Alan Wadd and Bob Crompton. I have so many memories of the village and how it has changed over the years. I moved there with my family in 1959 or 1960, went to Butlocks Heath School and then to Hamble County Secondary School. Going back over the years I can remember watching players like Dave Murphy, Ivor Howells, Trevor Turner, Pat Rafferty, Chris Queen who I believe had trials with Chelsea, Steve Budden,... Read more
