General Chat

Sadly not a Hampshire person, but would ask this question please of those of you who will know - Alverstoke and Gosport - one and same now? not in years gone by though? Forton? where is that (another area of Gosport?) Was it considered "a bit snobby" to say you were from Alverstoke, rather than Gosport (I get this impression from some of my family's answers on Census info.not that I would know as never been to either place, and not wishing to offend anyone by asking) Thanks in advance Jacqui

I was born in Portsmouth and lived all over the world (forces brat) until finally settled in Gosport went to Holbrook and then Bridgemary school. Moved back to Portsmouth in my early 20's and now have 2 pubs in "Sunny" Southsea. The Florence Arms and The Wig and Pen. All welcome. My father is from Brockenhurst in the new forest and both my son's were born in Portsmouth. My partner Greg is from Hayling Island. By the way Ann My cousin (from the new forest) now lives in Halmore in Glos In answer to your question Jaqueline; Alverstoke is the posher part of Gosport for the simple reason that the houses there are so expensive and some of them are huge. Its where people retire to although there is a part near to Haslar hospital that is not so posh but still quite pricey as are all houses down here. It is also practically on Stokes Bay so very near the Solent. Years ago it was separate and it is still called Alverstoke village today. Forton is just a district in Gosport small little streets of terraced house and some shops and pubs along one of the two main roads down into Gosport town. It has a recreation park, bowling green and wait for it a bingo hall! It is a fairly long road. If you need any details I'm here Janie

I was born in Southsea but only lived there until I was four. Lived in Scotland ever since - well apart from 23yrs with HM Forces! My Mum to annoy me used to say I wa a Hampshire Hog - no offence but Im Scottish! Jean

I was born in Reading but we moved to Bedhampton when I was 2, lived there for about 8 years. My sister's still in Pompey(she married a local man). My Mum is a 'Hampshire Hog', born and bred in Southampton, many of my ancestors hail from there! PS Ann - did you go to Purbrook School? - my sister was there mid-60's

I was born in Hertfordshire but my Brother,Sisters, Mum and Grandmother Thompson 'nee Shearwood were all born in the Andover area and I have a lot of family down there.My brother lives in Gosport and his kids live in Hampshire as well His daughter in Southampton but I dont know where his son is at the moment. My first wife also came from Hampshire (Bishops Waltham)..Malc

Sheila Yes I went to Purprook Park CHS. but earlier than your sister - from 1951 to 1956, I left in the sixth form. Jacqui My Gt Grandparents and family lived in Forton - first Victoria Street, then Avenue Road. Forton was also the home of the Royal Marine Barracks, later HMS St Vincent the boy sailors' training school. But I think you will find that the parish given was Alverstoke. I have the Alverstoke baptisms for 1831 and a lot of the 'abodes' given are Forton or Gosport. there seems to be a cross over. Incidentally when we were first married we had a basement flat in The Crescent Alverstoke. It looks exactly like the Crescent at Bath, three stories high, very posh (unless you live in the basement. It flooded every time it rained!!! And the snooty Naval Officer's wife upstairs wouldn't let us take the pram out through the back garden - the only way out not up loads of steps, because it was 'her' garden!! Ann Glos

recently found another hampshire connection, Gt Gt Grandfather and Gt grandfather RIGGS were living in Eling near Southampton in 1871, I thought they had always stayed in Dorset. Gt Gt grandfather married a second wife MARY DOMINY who appears to have come from southampton. Ann Glos

Hiya I was born in Queen's Road Aldershot where my great grandparents lived but we moved away when I was very small. My great grandfather was a postmaster. My grandfather lived in Weybourne Road opposite the Duke of York until his death about 10 yrs ago. My old aunt was telling me recently her parents ran a Fish and Chip shop. I haven't been there for ages ... has it changed much? xxxx annie