Phoebe Merrick

Church Street in Romsey underwent major redevelopment during the second half of the twentieth century. Guard’s department store premises were demolished and replaced by the magistrates’ court and a post office, while the former post office in the Market Place became a National Westminster Bank. The site of Osborne House School, founded by John Frederick Osborne and later run by William Summers, was eventually redeveloped as Abbey Walk and adjoining car parks after archaeological investigations. Oasis bookshop remains in one of the older buildings that survived the changes.

Childhood in Romsey has changed as traffic restrictions and new forms of recreation have reduced children’s freedom to roam and contributed to the decline of traditional activities. The piece recalls games such as skipping, conkers, ball games, daisy chains, dandelion clocks, buttercup tests and hoop bowling, while noting the rise of scooters, bicycles and computer use. It questions what future generations of children will do for entertainment.

Net curtains have historically provided privacy for homes, with Romsey buildings showing a range of arrangements covering entire windows or only their lower sections. The column traces changes in curtain rails, hooks, blinds and shutters, noting that net curtains remained convenient to clean while modern homes often require less screening because they are spaced farther apart. It also connects everyday curtain hooks to a medieval list of provisions for Edward III at Clarendon Palace and explains that wooden shutters offered protection from flying glass during World War Two bombing raids.

William Toldervy’s 1750s visit to Romsey is described through his published travel notes, highlighting the town’s markets, fairs, shalloon-making industry, religious composition, and local features such as chestnut trees and an apple tree on the abbey church. He noted the absence of the truck system, the comfort of local tradesmen, and the limited presence of gentry. Additional commentary clarifies historical points, including omissions in Toldervy’s account and observations about local clergy and geography.