Secret Romsey

by Dickerson, Ian

• ISBN13: 9781445678955
• ISBN10: 1445678950
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-12-01
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Summary

Having been around for well over a millennium there is a lot that is known about the town of Romsey, and there is a lot that isn’t. Discover the secrets and little-known life and times of this small Hampshire market town in the south of England in Secret Romsey. With chapters dedicated to different aspects of the town’s history the book provides an opportunity to discover history with a difference. From the first Romsey Abbey, which was founded in 907, religion has always been a strong presence in the town: whether it be Ethelflaeda, who ran the town’s nunnery in the Dark Ages and who would stand naked in the River Test in the middle of the night reciting religious chants for hours on end, or the wide variety of religious organisations that can be found there in the 21st century. More recent inhabitants and visitors include Jean-Pierre Blanchard who, a few months before he made the first balloon flight over the English Channel, landed his balloon through Lord Palmerston’s park into the middle of the market place. The River Test also brought prosperity to Romsey with a plethora of mills around the area providing work whether as flax mills, corn mills, paper-mills or saw-mills. The small town has encountered war, having been fought over and changing hands several times in the Civil War, and in World War 1 seeing 1.3 million horses and mules pass through a giant military depot, and is also known for food and drink, through the manufacture of jam and having more pubs per head of population than any other town in the country at one time. In recent years the picturesque town has been used as a location in numerous film and tv productions, but behind the façade the author reveals the old Workhouse and Infirmary.Secret Romsey explores the less well-known episodes and characters in the history of the town through the centuries. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked away historical buildings, Secret Romsey will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this Hampshire town.

Author Biography

Ian Dickerson has worked in broadcasting, but is perhaps best known for his association with the adventures of Simon Templar, The Saint. He’s written a biography of his friend, The Saint’s creator, Leslie Charteris and written several books on aspects of The Saint’s long career and has published articles on subjects as diverse as satellite links, mashed potatoes, and Lord Grade. He’s also written, produced, and directed a number of documentaries on Saint and the making of various classic TV shows.