Herald - Issue 425

Page 20 • The HERALD • 23rd June 2022 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom with free design service Tel: 023 8084 3787 Email: showroom@pcbuildingsupplies.co.ukWeb : www.pcbuildingsupplies.co.uk AUSTIN WINDOW CLEANING Professional Window Cleaning Service established 25 years £15 per house Tel: 07733 205341 www.austinwindowcleaning.co.uk FLAT ROOFING SPECIALISTS All Roof Repairs Tel: 023 8184 5632 Mobile: 07880 508415 Email: steve@braithwaiteroo ng.co.uk THE FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST A SAD TALE FROM QUAB GUTTER by Robin Somes, Fawley & Blackfield Memories Starting near the Forest Home at Hardley, the little track called Hart Hill eventually comes out past the Traveller’s Rest pub, o Frost Lane in Hythe. Close by lies an area called Quab Common, and a small stream, Quab Gutter; both have a long, if confusing, history - the main confusion being the spelling and derivation of their name. Some call it Quob, some Quab, and others Quag. An old photo postcard from the 1920s even calls it Squab Gutter. Maps from 1789 and 1839 show it as Quag Common; it’s not hard to see how that might have derived from “quagmire”. Quob or Quab is an occasional local place name around Hampshire, apparently meaning a boggy or marshy place. As for Squab Gutter, one might fancy it derived from being a roosting place for pigeons or rooks – a squab being a young un edged bird – though it’s perhaps more likely that was just a mis-hearing of the name. In any case there it was part of the original Cadland Estate; like the rest of the estate, it held scattered farms, houses and hovels. In one of these in 1897 lived a carpenter, Frederick Stephens, his wife Emma, and twin sons, Harold and Ernest, aged 11. On Friday 4th June, so the Hampshire Advertiser reports, the boys le school at lunchtime with 4 friends to go bathing at Green Lane – roughly where the Marina entrance now is. Despite warnings, the twins went out too far, and both slipped into a deep hole o shore. As none of their companions could swim well, Harold and Ernest soon sank, and were drowned. Quite inexplicably, their friends then dressed, and returned to school, and it was only when the schoolmaster asked about the missing twins that they mentioned what had happened. Police were called to the scene, and two boys set out in a rowing boat to search. Eventually, both bodies were recovered; all attempts at resuscitation failed. An inquest the next day gave a verdict of accidental death, and recommended that the District Council should provide some safe bathing place. e boys’ funeral was held the following Monday at Hythe Church, and the Hampshire Advertiser reports: ‘ The processional hymn was, “ Brief life is here our portion”. Psalm xxxix. was chanted before, and “ On the Resurrection morning” was sung after the burial lesson; and the “ Dead March” from “S aul ” was played as a recessional. The scholars formed a large circle, round the grave, and at the end joined with the choir in singing, “ O Paradise” , as a close to a most beautiful, affecting, and impressive service ’. Quab Common in 2006, Robin Somes. Home-Start Hampshire – Shakespeare at Bucker’s Hard by Clare Collins, Family and Group Coordinator – New Forest Home-Start Hampshire is a charity operating in the New Forest to help and support families in need by providing vital practical and emotional support. For the charity to continue its important work it arranges a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Watch Shakespeare at Buckler’s Hard A er a two year break due to COVID-19, this year sees the return of a fantastic and exciting event providing a great evening of entertainment. ‘ e Villagers’ a group based in Gosport have been performing Shakespeare since 1985 and will be presenting Love’s Labours Lost at Buckler’s Hard on Sunday 17th July . e group aims to enjoy and share local arts with the audience. is review says it all “ My husband and I both loved your production… but our two sons were absolutely gripped by it, especially our 13 year old who had never seen Shakespeare live. It couldn’t have been a better introduction! ”. Loves Labour’s Lost is one of William Shakespeare’s early comedies. e main character is the King of Navarre, he along with his three companions swear to avoid the company of women for three years and focus on study and fasting instead; to see if they are successful in this mission go along Sunday 17th July from 5pm with your own picnics, chairs and blankets. e play will begin at 6pm. Tickets are £12 per adult, £6 under 18 or £30 for a family and available from the email below. Separate parking charges apply for Bucker’s Hard. To get tickets or get in touch contact info@hshants.org.uk Main switchboard 0330 124 2095. Or head to the website: home-starthampshire.org.uk/ loveslabourslost/ ey are always keen to hear from new volunteers or families that need support. ey continue to o er their group support on Wednesdays 9.30am to 11am at Totton Library.