Southam Cement Industry – a brief history
For over a thousand years Southam has existed as a cross roads market town which can be exited in eight directions. Two made up [...]
Jurassic – A surviving quarry engine
Nelson’s Locomotives The advent of mechanisation at the lime and cement works around Southam, was perhaps signalled by the first three Peckett & Sons [...]
Cementing Relations in Southam
CARDALL’S CORNER - June 2016 By Helen Morris
People through the ages have been interested in the limestone found around Southam. The material, known as Blue Lias, was laid down during the Jurassic age 180 million years ago, and was first of interest as a source of lime used by farmers. In recent times it has been used for making cement, and locals may remember [...]
Southam Theatre 1822
Shakespeare on Tour - Macbeth in Southam, 22 November 1822 There was some excitement around Southam Heritage Collection when we were asked to contribute [...]
Warwick Street
CARDALL’S CORNER - May 2016 By Robert Sherriff
This month Robert continues his reminiscence journey from Warwick Road up to Market Hill.
Once over the brook bridge below Abbey Green, Warwick Road becomes Warwick Street as far as Market Hill. Almost opposite the jitty to Oxford Street was a small shop, “M Sherriff-Pork Butcher”, this being my Aunt Mag who made and sold the [...]
Warwick Road
CARDALL’S CORNER - April 2016 by Robert Sherriff
Having lived in 3 houses on Warwick Road I thought I would comment a little on my favourite route into town.
Drifting downhill from Ufton one crosses the River Itchen thereby entering the Parish of Southam. A few yards further on the right hand side is the site of the Woodbine Inn which gave the name Woodbine Hill to [...]
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire – March 22nd 2016 – Part 1
Below you can listen to an edited version of a short interview with Bernard Cadogan during the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire "Trish and Jo at [...]
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire – March 22nd 2016 – Part 2
Below you can listen to an edited version of a short interview with Val Brodie during the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire "Vic Minett" programme on [...]
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire – March 22nd 2016 – Part 3
Below you can listen to an edited version of a short interview with Linda Doyle during the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire "Brody Swain" programme on March 22nd. [...]
Wellesbourne’s WW2 Airfield
CARDALL’S CORNER - March 2016 By Ian Brodie
We are used to seeing aircraft above us here in Warwickshire. Airliners carrying holidaymakers and business people to all parts of the globe pass high above our heads and others, bound to or from Birmingham airport are much lower. As you take the road from Wellesbourne, where the Sunday market is held, on your way [...]
Southam’s Department Store
CARDALL’S CORNER - February 2016 By Linda Doyle
I’m sure most of you will have heard about, or seen, the TV series ‘Mr Selfridge’ and what is implied as his ‘new invention’ of a London department store at the turn of the 20th Century. Perhaps what isn’t realised is that department stores were already very much ‘in fashion’ by then, and Southam had [...]
Dances and Celebrations
CARDALL’S CORNER - January 2016 By Helen Morris
There have always been memorable shows and dances to entertain the people of Southam, and some residents have had their reminiscences recorded by Southam Heritage Collection. Doreen Smith remembered that her father, Clement Smith, the Midland Bank manager after WW2, started a youth club called ‘The Sparklets’ based at the Old Court House (now the [...]