CARDALL’S CORNER - September 2016 By Linda Doyle
For many years until March 2016, Southam had two banks: Lloyds and HSBC (formerly the Midland), both situated in the town centre. Today, only Lloyds remains, and at the time of writing, the former HSBC building is up for sale.
Banking in Southam is known to go back to 1835, when in September of that year the Leamington [...]
CARDALL’S CORNER - August 2016 By Janet Cox
The Harbury Cement Works (HCW) was as near to Bishops Itchington as it was to Harbury. Indeed the men from Bishops Itchington walked or cycled down a lane or across a field from the village to go to work at HCW, which for many years was the only work around, apart from agriculture.
We lived in Bishops Itchington and [...]
CARDALL’S CORNER - July 2016 By Val Brodie
The Journal of Annie Eliza Bull - July 1874
In Annie Bull’s day, the journey time from Marton to Rhyl was six hours. Travelling with friends in a group including children, her train trip (change at Rugby, Crewe and Chester) was an adventure for a young single woman, in her early twenties. She wrote a journal each day and a copy [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 ...
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: ...
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 ...
