Researching the historical facts for Plagued was a learning curve The research took longer than the writing. Finding out what Southampton was like over a hundred years ago was helped by old maps, Kelly’s Directories, history sites and a great deal of reading and walking. The one thing that really brought Northam in 1918 to life though, was the wealth of old photographs I found. Today I’m going to share a few of them with you.
Continue reading Northam – a picture is worth a thousand words
May 2021 was mostly spent aimlessly wandering around local streets, and even my next big adventure, on 26 May, didn’t take me very far from home. In fact, it took me to Shamrock Quay, the scene of many happy post football match drinks. Once upon a time I could usually be found outside the Old Waterfront on a Saturday afternoon, with a burger in one hand and a drink in the other, chatting to Bernie and Kath who ran the place in those days. This particular adventure was prompted by a need to research something I was writing. I was particularly interested in the wharves and boat building yards around William Street.
Continue reading Messing about in a boatyard