By Martin Brisland. In 1940, folk singer Woody Guthrie, champion of the downtrodden in America, wrote This Land is My Land. It was later covered by many, including Pete Seeger. A young unknown Bob Dylan visited Woody when he was in hospital to pay his respects. The song contains a...
Heritage
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 10
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some of the city’s most quirky stories. The woman who ‘gave birth to rabbits.’ In March 1776, disgraced royal physician to George 1, Nathaniel St. Andre, was buried in St. Mary’s churchyard. He had...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 9
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Sport in Southampton Southampton FC developed from a St. Mary’s Church Young Men’s Association team. The Rector, Basil Wilberforce, wanted to divert young men from the...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 8
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Celebrities connected to Southampton The celebrity couple of the 1950s were Lord and Lady Docker – they would have been naturals for today’s reality television shows,...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 7
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. What’s in a name? As William Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The Southampton area has some road and...
Heritage: LGBT+ History Month 2026
By Mabel Wellman. The first of February marked the beginning of LGBT History Month 2026. This year, the theme for LGBT History Month is “Science & Innovation” to celebrate and recognise queer people who have contributed massively to society in the past, and who still continue to make worthwhile...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 6
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Christmas 2025 Just over three hundred years ago Southampton’s ‘Father of English Hymn Writing’ Isaac Watts published one of today’s best-loved Christmas hymns, Joy to...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 5
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Gateway to the world? Southampton – as a major port – has always welcomed people and influences from all around the world. Emperor...
A lesson in trans history for Transgender Awareness Week
By Mabel Wellman. From the 13th to the 19th of November Transgender Awareness Week is back for another year. As an out and proud trans woman for all of my adult life, this is a time with many mixed emotions. On the one side, this is a fantastic opportunity...
Heritage: Quirky Southampton: Part 4
By Martin Brisland. In the latest in our series of fun facts about Southampton we look at some more little known gems about the city. Some scenes for the finale of the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever were shot using the SS Canberra at the Western Docks....