Fred Abel
Fred Abel – One of life’s characters Camping at the road side Over several summers, I had seen [...]
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 Cinema
Southam Cinema In the early years of the twentieth century and for many years before that, the old Southam Court House in Oxford Street [...]
Southam Windmill
Southam Windmill In Medieval times and for many centuries since, the miller was a valued and greatly respected member of the feudal society. He [...]
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 [...]
Memories of Christmas Past
Cardall's Corner - December 2015 - Alan Griffin
Christmases during and just after World War II were far removed from the excesses that characterise the celebration today. All of our lives were governed by ...
Keep the Home Fires Burning
Cardall's Corner - November 2015 - Val Brodie
Southam Heritage Collection’s next exhibition, opening January 5th 2016, will take its title from the World War One song composed in 1914 by Ivor Novello: ...
Made and Sold in Southam
Cardall's Corner - October 2015 - Helen Morris
It was thought for some time that Southam was very famous for cider-making in the 17th century. Further research suggests that, although cider was made in our town ...
The Southam Spitfire
Cardall's Corner - September 2015 - Linda Doyle
The 15th of September is Battle of Britain day, and this year is the 75th anniversary of the Battle, in which the iconic Spitfire fighter plane played ...
High Street Memories
Cardall's Corner - August 2015 - Rowan Parker
At the time of writing, Southam’s Market Hill and High Street is having its appearance dramatically changed. The town centre ‘regeneration’ project is under way, and ...
Southam from the Air
Cardall's Corner - July 2015 - Linda Doyle
The first recorded powered flight was by the Wright brothers in 1903 and Louis Bleriot was the first to cross the English Channel in 1909. So when ...