The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 35
Foreign Parts
We hear a lot about excursions and events organised for the children, but not much is laid on for the older folk. Not only did the children get trips to the seaside, but there were also tea parties and treats at various grand houses in the village, day school outings, Sunday school outings, etc.
This situation in was rectified in 1914 with a trip to the seaside being arranged for the elderly residents of Fernhurst, many of whom had never been out of the village before.. Transport in the form of wagonnettes and traps was laid on to take them to the station to save them the three mile walk to the station.
They exclaimed at the countryside and towns they saw as the train took them southwards and then the excitement of seeing the sea as they were carried over the Solent to Hayling Island to be entertained with a splendid lunch. It was all too much for one old gentleman.
He was very doubtful about it all and earnestly requested to be ‘taken back to England, he didn’t hold with foreign parts’.
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
