1) Where is this memorial bench in Chandler’s Ford?
“In loving memory of the Pitt family from 1905”
2) Recognise this building and this road in Chandler’s Ford? Where is it and what are your memories of this place?
3) Where was this photograph taken? Even tough the building is not in Chandler’s Ford, it is close enough – it’s in Eastleigh, and lots of local people go there.
Put your answers in the comment below. Thank you.
Doug Clews says
Absolutely no idea about 1. or 3. but No.2 is what, in my day, was the showrooms of The Southern Gas Board, on the corner of Hursley Road and Winchester Road, very ably run in those days by a lovely lady called Jean Cole (Jean incidentally progressed from Coal to Gas, as she had previously run the Coal Office of J.R.Wood & Co. in the Station Yard) …
The building was originally the Post Office and Store …
The corner by the railway bridge I remember all too well, as I had a ‘narrow escape’ there … whilst cycling down Bournemouth Road intending to go on up to Fryern Hill, an army truck started to overtake me and then turned in to Hursley Road, leaving me no choice but to go round with it, the side of the truck touching my shoulder … I ended up, unhurt but shaken, at the base of the War Memorial, located, at that time, just in Hursley Road, at the end of the railway bridge.
Janet Williams says
Brilliant answer, Doug! Well done! Thank you for sharing your memories.
Janet Williams says
Now the junction looks like this
chippy says
I wonder whether 3 could be Places Leisure Centre, and the building behind the seat in 1 could be St Boniface Church.
Janet Williams says
Excellent, Chippy! You got both answers right!
Janet Williams says
Janet Williams says
Yes the memorial bench is indeed at the St. Boniface Church. It’s the bench near the entrance.
Mary says
These are good fun Janet. Thank you for doing them. I knew all 3 answers this week but don’t usually do that well! I like reading the follow up info too. Cheers Mary
Janet Williams says
Hi Mary,
I’m glad you like these quizzes. If you have some local photos, feel free to send them to me, and I could add them for our next quiz. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Roger White says
Wasn’t sure about 1 and 3 but the old gas showroom is definitely 2. I used to walk past it every day to school at Kings Road either up Winchester Rd and down Kings Rd or down Hursley Rd , Park Rd through Mead Rd to school. Trees on either side then before Tricketts estate (Bodycoats etc) was built.
There was a Jean Cole lived a few doors along from me in Knightwood View, Station Lane, wonder if it is the same lady. As Knightwood no longer exists wonder if it’s still called Knightwood View.
Doug Clews says
Same Jean Cole I am 99.73% certain Roger, as she used to live in Station Lane somewhere (on the left going down from memory).
Roger White says
Thanks Doug, yes that would be on the left. I lived in Fordington Villas, a block of 3 terrace houses and the Coles lived in the last house of Knightwood View, a seperate block of 5. Her parents were elderly then and assume she was looking after them as well .
Janet Williams says
Giles Gooding, who took the photo of the roof, explained to me more about his photo:
“…I include the photo of the old leisure centre (Fleming Park) because when we built the new one we got permission to transfer the same array over to the new site.
288 panels
Peak capacity is 68kW
Generates approximately 66,000kWh of electricity per year
I was up there this week to inspect them. The facilities team at PLE said there was a lot of bird poop on them. When I went up, I found for some reason it was focussed in one area with a few drops elsewhere. We have to get the panels cleaned and try to prevent it happening again.”
Here is the photo of the old leisure centre: