Ben Waring

Southampton has been a major port on England’s south coast since the medieval era and sections of the ancient city walls remain today. In the nineteenth century the town expanded further following the formation of the Southampton Docks Company, the building of a railway connection with London, and the growth of shipbuilding and other related industries. Devastated by aerial bombardment in the Second World War, much of Southampton had to be rebuilt in the decades afterwards. Development continues to the present day, including new housing, leisure and retail areas along the waterfront. Southampton Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Southampton with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local authors Ben Waring, Rod Andrews and Peter Wardall present this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Southampton. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

The city of Southampton, lying on the south coast in Hampshire, has seen massive changes over the years. Its favoured location on the natural harbour of Southampton Water enabled it to develop as a major port, and it saw particularly rapid growth in Victorian times with the development of the docks and related shipbuilding industries. Significant areas of the city were destroyed in the Second World War and many people lost their lives as it became a target for aerial bombing raids. Post-war rebuilding of Southampton was essential, and although in the process more of the city’s historical structures were lost, today it is a vibrant and thriving metropolis. As the home port of many of the world’s largest cruise ships, Southampton draws visitors from all over the world. In Southampton: The Postcard Collection the authors have drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of how much the city, including its surrounding suburbs and the community that lives and work here, have changed over the last century. Although many landmarks have remained the same over the years the photographs show the city and its inhabitants adapting and evolving, with many buildings being replaced and the pattern of life in the city also changing for many. This fascinating collection of postcards will be of interest to those who have lived in Southampton or know it well.

Southampton is now part of a huge metropolitan area running along the south coast in Hampshire. The city has seen massive changes over the years and although its history goes back many centuries, it saw particularly rapid growth in Victorian times with the development of the docks and related shipbuilding industries. Significant areas of the city were destroyed in the Second World War. The subsequent rebuilding of Southampton, followed by more recent regeneration, has changed much of the city, but its history is still in evidence. Today Southampton is a busy metropolis, and alongside the people who live and work in the city, it draws visitors from around the world. In Southampton Memories: People and Placesthe authors have delved into their remarkable collection of photographs from their Facebook site of the same name to present a fascinating selection of images of the city since the nineteenth century. The photographs portray the many changes that have taken place in the city centre, the docks and the suburbs; in local transport, including the loss of the trams; the experiences of Southampton during wartime; industries and other workplaces; schools, colleges and hospitals; pubs, shops, hotels and restaurants; churches and memorials; recreation and leisure; and many more facets of the city. It is a unique record of how much Southampton and its people have changed over the years. This wonderful collection of historical photographs will be of interest to all those who live locally or know it well.