A magical evening in the village hall
A full house gathered to share cherished memories from long-time residents Mary Owens, Margaret Davis, Tony Carter and Mike Attrill in April. Their stories brought the past to life, painting a vibrant picture of daily life in the village during and after the Second World War.
A heartwarming journey back in time
A group of long-time villagers will share their memories of growing up in the parish.
This special event will give a flavour of different aspects of local life: around the home, at school, at work and at play.
Life in the years after the Second World War was quite different to that of today, getting water from a handful of outdoor taps around the village and having to trek along muddy paths on cold, wet winter nights to reach outside toilets.
Village hall packed for illustrated talk about Buriton’s past
Mike Attrill joined Doug Jones in September to describe aspects of local railway history.
The pair gave a talk about the first 100 years of the direct line between London and Portsmouth – and they used many pictures and stories from Buriton’s Heritage Bank archives as well as new findings.
Next year, 2025, will be the 200th anniversary of the first journey by a passenger carrying steam train – but it was not until 1853 that an Act of Parliament granted permission for a direct route from London to Portsmouth and the line did not open until 1859.
Buriton plays its part in the nation’s commemorations
As well as the big national and international events in Portsmouth and Normandy, a small ceremony also took place in Buriton on 6th June to mark one of the community’s connections with D-Day.
Following its research into D-Day “through local eyes”, Buriton’s Village Association had arranged to provide a commemorative plaque alongside the Field Maple tree which had been planted in one of the areas where Canadian troops had camped 80 years before.
More images and stories from Buriton’s past
Mike Attrill will join Doug Jones to describe aspects of our local railway history.
Mike’s father, Cedric, was the last signalman to work in the signal-box which stood alongside the railway line above the recreation ground until 1971.
The talk will use pictures and stories from Buriton’s Heritage Bank archives (including the building of the railway with its challenging tunnel etc) as well as Mike’s knowledge of the social history that the line enabled: people employed on the railway, where they had lived and other implications for the village.
Village talk provided fascinating information
This combined talk by Colin Hedley and Doug Jones attracted almost 50 people to Buriton village hall in April and gave a flavour of how farming has changed in the parish over the last 100-150 years as well as an insight into potential changes to come.
Bygone Buriton event will host a special exhibition
80 years ago hundreds of allied troops were camped in and around the parish in the build up to the D-Day Landings and Operation Overlord.
To mark this anniversary part of the annual ‘Bygone Buriton’ event will be devoted to a special exhibition explaining what local research has discovered about D-Day connections with the parish.
Research by Buriton Village Association reveals some fascinating local stories including some first-hand accounts of activities.
Dozens of old photographs showing farming around Buriton in years gone by will be followed by a look into the future.
Until relatively recent times the population of the parish has always been mainly agricultural with most families working on the land. Although the numbers employed in agriculture declined, farming retained its significance in village life.
As well as dairy herds, beef cattle and thousands of sheep on the downs, scores of horses were kept in the village providing the main engines of work.
Evening talk in the village hall
The Village Association’s spring talk will take place on Wednesday 22 March, beginning at 7.30pm in the village hall.
The talk should be of interest to everyone with a garden (or even a window-box): not just to those with green fingers!
Melanie Oxley is a local ecologist and campaigner for wildlife who also has a love of gardening.
She is a founder member of Plantlife (the wild plant conservation charity) and a ‘Wilder Garden Champion’ with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, providing advice and support to people interested in improving their gardens for wildlife.
A special illustrated 50th birthday talk in the village hall.
Butser Ancient Farm is a unique experimental archaeology initiative which started in the parish of Buriton 50 years ago.
It is now also a very significant and popular educational site - welcoming school groups and visitors from all over the country and beyond.
This talk by Director Maureen Page will summarise the rise of the farm from its origins as an Iron Age research site to its current reconstructions of ancient buildings from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman Britain and the Anglo-Saxon period.
