Andy Foot, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset

Southbourne

As I build them, I intend to put a few pages on the website that might be of interest to residents of, and visitors to the Southbourne area.

Questions From Visitors

I regularly get emails from people all over the world asking all sorts of questions about the Southbourne area, some are looking for historical information, others looking to trace relatives or other family information. I am always happy to answer any questions that I can, but sometimes I can't find the information required so I am listing some the unanswered questions below in the hope that some kind visitor to the website can answer them. If you can help with any of these items please get in touch with your information.

Pier Approach Swimming Baths
I live in Southbourne and was born in Bournemouth in 1949 and never left it, only for holidays. I was just wondering if you or anyone you know might have a photo of the old Pier Approach baths in Bournemouth; if you have I would really appreciate a copy.
Regards Rob

Southbourne Cycle Shop
I lived in Strouden Park for over 20 years. I was a racing cyclist and spent a lot of time, and a fair amount of money at Ken Prescott Cycles on Southbourne Hill (Christchurch Road), just below the entrance to Kings Park.However the real reason I am sending this message is, I bought a racing bike frame, second hand from one of my club mates in the Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club. This was way back in the late 1960's. I still have the bike, on which I did a lot of my best rides. The trouble is, it was resprayed several times and sadly the original maker's name was lost. I do however know that it was one of 3 built by a cycle shop in Southbourne back in the early 1950's. I would dearly love to know what the name of that cycle shop was. I think it was Wilkins, but I could be mistaken. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. The best of luck with your project. Regards, David. Melbourne, Australia

Local Taxi Company - early 1900's
My grandfather lived at 14 Southbourne Road in 1915 at the time of my mother’s birth and owned a taxi company in Southbourne. Would love to know for our family tree if you have any information regarding either him or the taxi company he owned. His full name is William Alfred Lewington born around 1874.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Diane

Concrete Structure on Cliff near lift at Fishermans Walk

when I was a child I used to climb along the cliff to reach a concrete building just to the west side of the Fisherman's walk cliff lift. I've only just realised it's still there, though it's getting overgrown and the wide concrete platform I remember being in front of it has gone.It is presumably a WW2 relic. Do you have any information about its history, and whether it was a gun placement or only an observation post? I am researching pillboxes in the area, but there is no mention of this object.One of my strong childhood memories is of playing around the wreck of the landing craft on Southbourne beach, which was there rusting away for many years. Wish I had some photos.
Regards, Fay

St Marys Gate School
Hi Andy,I was really pleased to see this website...I have just returned from a nostalgic trip to Southbourne. I was a puplil at St Mary's Gate School, Belle Vue Road during the seventies and I was rather sad to see that all evidence of the school had disappeared along with the shell house.
Do you know when the school was demolished and what now stands on the site?
Thanks for your help
RegardsStephanie(Note from Andy: I have just come across a book on the history of Grassendale, later St Marys Gate School so will at some point get some info up on the website)