Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

Two days after marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday there is the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill becoming Prime Minister on Sunday. “Next to Downing Street itself, the busiest political centre in the world in those days … Continue reading →

A new addition to the many books on Bournemouth is Lesser Known Bournemouth by Steve Roberts who has already written widely about the area. This could be described as a handbook on the town as it brings together the history … Continue reading →

Stephen Neale is ahead with his book The England Coast Path although its publication during the Coronavirus shut down may be unfortunate. It may also be a little early anyway since the line of path here in Poole and Christchurch … Continue reading →

If you can reach the coast path without using public transport you can still enjoy a walk during this difficult time caused by the virus. It may that, for a very long time, the path will be important as a … Continue reading →

The Aubrey Beardsley exhibition at Tate Britain includes work by the draughtsman and distinctive illustrator who, suffering from tuberculosis, spent crucial months from August 1896 to the end of January 1897 by the seaside. Young Aubrey Beardsley came to Boscombe … Continue reading →

A hundred and thirty-five people gathered at Shelley Park in Boscombe on Saturday for the launch of a Shelley research project. Shelley Legacies, headed by Dr David Coates of the University of Warwick, seeks to understand the connection between Sir … Continue reading →

The University of Warwick is staging a Shelley heritage day at Shelley Park and inviting participation. The Boscombe clifftop and Honeycombe Chine were part of the Boscombe Manor estate. Poet PB Shelley’s daughter-in-law had her summerhouse by the chine and … Continue reading →

The news at the start of this Christmas holiday is that the government is allowing Cobham to being taken over by a US firm Advent International. Lady Cobham is opposed to this with the family claiming that the announcement was … Continue reading →

The Bournemouth Civic Society’s latest newsletter reports that the East Cliff’s cliff lift will not be restored and reopened. “It is virtually impossible for the former East Cliff Lift to be reinstated…” says the newsletter. The decision is described as … Continue reading →

The Hengistbury Head Nautical Carol Service will be at St Nicholas Church on Monday 16 December at 7pm. At this gathering of coastal lovers expect a nautical version of the Twelve Days of Christmas devised by some of the Watchkeepers … Continue reading →