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Seven Man-made Wonders of the South |
for BBC |
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7 Man-made
Wonders of
the South |
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Presenter |
Chris
Packham
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Writer |
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Camera |
Manuel Hinge |
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Sound |
Kevin
Harper |
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CGI |
Shaun Lee
Bishop |
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Director |
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Producer |
Manuel Hinge |
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©BBC |
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Introduction
Being a little over
18 miles from the
continent is both a
godsend and a curse.
Over the centuries,
trade with Europe
has been easy,
unfortunately with
proximity brings the
threat of invasion.
The buildings and
landscapes of
Southern Britain
reflect thousands of
years of conflict
and it's the French
that have left the
biggest mark....
both in our
architecture....and
our psyche.
Chris Packham
explores the Seven
Man-made Wonders of
The South aboard a
150 year old sailing
ship, a bicycle, a
narrow boat and a
New Forest Pony. |
Chris
gives
John-Boy
last
minute instructions
before
filming commences. |
It's done in
the best
possible
taste!
Download the
transmission
card... |
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Seven
Man-made
Wonders @
The BBC
Following on
from Seven
Natural
Wonders of
the South
presented by
Aubrey
Manning,
Chris
Packham was
invited to
visit the
Seven
Man-made
Wonders of
the South.
The
programme
was filmed
towards the
end of 2005.
It was shown
on BBC1 in
the South on
the 12th
February
2006 and was
repeated on
BBC2 in
September.
Press
"PLAY"
on the media
player to
the right to
see a
highlight.
More
information
is at this
BBC page:
BBC - 7
Man-made
Wonders - South |
Chris and Julian Richards
sample the majesty
and mystery of Stonehenge. |
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Page Index
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THE SOLENT FORTS THE SOLENT FORTS |
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Shedding a little
light on "Palmerston's
Follies" |
HISTORY:
1859 PM Lord Henry
Palmerston asks for
a revue of the
Portsmouth defences.
This Royal
Commission
recommends:
Prevent an enemy
landing on the Isle
of Wight, protect
the Spithead
anchorage and
harbour mouth,
defend the Needles
passage and various
other land defences.
1860 The sea forts:
Spitbank (aka
Spitsand), St
Helens, No Mans
Land, Horse Sands
and Ryde
(subsequently
abandoned during
construction) are
commissioned. At the
same time Portsdown
hill is purchased
and cleared for the
building of Forts:
Wallington,
Southwick, Purbrook,
Nelson and Widley.
Hurst Castle (1544)
had recently been
modernised.
1861 Construction of
forts starts.
Spithead and St
Helens are only to
be 150ft diameter
(not 200ft) to save
money.
1862 Work stops for
2 years for
political wrangling
over cost.
1864 Work resumes.
Stone and concrete
foundation directly
onto a seabed shoal,
17ft below low
water. Bramley Fall
(from Wharfedale),
Runcorn and Portland
stone. The stones
were shaped, dry
fitted and numbered
at Stokes Bay. Taken
by barge to site,
lowered by steam
crane, divers placed
the stones. Main
entrance, two leaf
oak and elm,
studded, five inches
thick. Keystone
dated 1870.
1875 Ironwork armour
completed. Armour
around the gun
ports
consisted of the
following layers - 5
inch wrought iron,
1
inch teak, 2 inch
wrought iron, 1 inch
teak, 5 inch wrought
iron. Then similar
plates in reverse
order. Total 28
inches
thick.
1877 Artesian well
401ft deep is sunk.
Analysis showed it
as
pure, wholesome
with no animal life,
capable of pumping
1,400 gallons per
hour.
1878 Work completed
on Spitbank at a
cost of £117,964.
Spitbank’s armament
– 9 x 12.5 inch
38-ton on the
seaward. 7 x 7-inch
7-ton on the
landward.
1882 15 machine guns
added. Guns changed
at various times
over the next 60
years, search lights
also installed.
1940’s
Anti-submarine boom
constructed between
Horse Sands, No Mans
and St Helens forts.
1962 Decommissioned.
1982 Spitbank sold
to Shaun Maguire.
Now open to the
public.
1986 Developer
converts No Mans
Land into Hotel
facility. 22
bedrooms, 3
helipads, landscaped
gardens, library,
tennis court,
swimming pool, gym,
music room, 5 bars,
4 restaurants etc.
2004 Anti submarine
barrier removed
between No Mans and
Isle of Wight.
2005 8th August,
Spitbank sold again
for £500,000. New
owners are keen to
extend the
activities on the
fort including
tours, events and
accommodation.
MORE INFORMATION:
Spitbank Fort
For more information
about Spitbank
Fort's current
activities
The Palmerston Forts
Society
The history of....
The Tangaroa
Traditional oak
built tall ship
Back to page index |
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The "Tangaroa"
carries Chris to
Spitbank Fort |
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THE NEW FOREST |
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A unique man-made
habitat |
HISTORY:
Bronze age saw some
burial grounds, but
the New Forest was
sparsely populated.
Castle Hill, Burley
is a possible
iron-age fort. A
Roman road runs
north from Exebury
and another east
from Stoney Cross.
St Catherine’s Hill
Nr Christchurch is
the only known Roman
Garrisoned fort.
Evidence of pottery
kilns during Roman
occupation.
500 Possible
invasion of Saxons
at Fawley.
Winchester becomes
capital of Wessex
1066 The Normans
invade Britain.
William I defines
the forest boundary,
much larger than
today, approx
150,000 acres. Acres
of trees are planted
to ensure game for
the royal household.
The harsh “Forest
Law” is established
and administered by
the kings appointed
Verderers. Foresters
(those living in the
forest) that
illegally hunt the
king’s deer risk
summary amputation
or capital
punishment. Under
Rufus (William II)
even disturbing the
deer means for
extreme punishment.
13th Century Henry
III introduces the
“Carta de Foresta”,
a more lenient
version of the
“Forest Law”.
15th Century Henry
VII establishes a
Navy based in
Portsmouth and the
Solent.
16th Century
Elizabeth I
organises a system
of enclosures to
protect growing
timber.
Shipbuilding.
Charcoal for iron
smelting. Saltpetre
for gunpowder.
17th Century Royal
interest in the New
forest declines.
Charles II gives
woodland around
Brockenhurst to
members of his
court.
1698 A neglected
forest, the height
of smuggling.
The
Enclosures act.
Reforesting of large
areas.
1798 A review of the
forest lists it to
be in a sorrowful
state, with every
type of excess and
encroachment. Hovels
set up overnight,
with the keepers
powerless
to evict.
With a lighted
hearth there could
be no ejection
without due process
of law.
Gilpin – “Remarks on
Forest Scenery” :
... the forest is
continually preyed
on the encroachments
of inferior people.
There are multitudes
of trespassers, on
every side of it,
who built their
little huts, and
enclose their
gardens, and patches
of ground, without
leave, or ceremony
of any kind. The
under-keepers, who
have constant orders
to destroy all these
inclosures, now and
then assert the
rights of the forest
by throwing down a
fence; but it
requires a legal
process to throw
down a house, of
which possession has
been taken. The
trespasser
therefore, as on
other wastes, is
careful to rear his
cottage and get into
it as quickly as
possible. I have
known all the
materials of one of
these habitations
brought together -
the house built -
covered in - the
good removed - a
fire kindled - and
the family in
possession, during
the course of a
moon-light night.
1848 Royal
Commission appointed
- Forest rights
(vested in the
property)
Common pasture – horses, donkeys,
cows, sheep (if
expressly
mentioned).
Mast – time of pannage, hogs and pigs
during the season of
acorns.
Turbary – to cut turf or heath and
firewood.
Marl – mixture of soil and limestone
for the land
1851 Deer removal
act. To help change
the forest from
hunting to
agriculture. It also
enclosed 10,000
acres of land.
1877 The New Forest
act reinstates the
power of The
Verderers Court,
this time on the
side of the
commoner. Agisters
deal with the daily
management, welfare
of stock and
collection of
marking fees.
WW1 The forest used
for camps and
manoeuvres. Grenade
school at Bolton’s
Bench. Airfield
built at Beaulieu.
1924 The Office of
woods becomes the
Forestry Commission.
WW2 Major military
site. Airfields.
Bomb ranges. Camps.
Troop embarkation.
2005 National Park.
MORE INFORMATION:
New Forest History
by Graham Cooper /
hosted by Hampshire
County Council
New Forest Pony
Publicity Group
Supporting the New
Forest pony in the
21st century
New Forest Verderes
Management of an
active working
forest
Tourist Information
Places to
visit....Things to
do
Accommodation
Where to stay
Back to page index |
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OXFORD UNIVERSITY
BUILDINGS |
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The only way to
travel round Oxford |
COLLEGES:
Merton (unknown),
Balliol (1263) St
Edmund Hall (1278),
Exeter (1314), Oriel
(1326), Queen's
(1340), New (1379),
Lincoln (1427), All
Souls (1438),
Magdalen (1458),
Brasenose (1509),
Corpus Christi
(1517), Christ
Church (1546),
Trinity (1554), St
John's (1555), Jesus
(1571). Four more
colleges were
established in the
19th century for
women: Lady Margaret
Hall (1878),
Somerville (1879),
St. Hugh's (1886)
and St. Hilda's
(1893). Other Oxford
colleges include St.
Anne's (1879),
Mansfield (1886),
St. Benet's (1897),
Blackfriars (1921),
St. Peter's (1929),
Nuffield (1937),
Linacre (1962) and
St. Catherine's
(1963).
HISTORY:
Oxford's oldest
surviving building
is St Michaels
Church, Cornmarket
St, with its
11th century Saxon
tower which
overlooked the north
gate.
1096 First reports
of teaching at
Oxford, “a loose
association of
masters and
scholars”.
1167 Henry II bans
English students
from attending the
University of Paris.
Many students return
and settle in
Oxford.
1190 Emo of
Friesland is the
first known overseas
student.
1209 The first in a
series of violent
incidents between
students and
townsfolk. Two
clerks are hanged
for a murder of
which they were
apparently innocent.
1214 First
chancellor
confirmed. The
university is now a
more organized body.
Primitive halls of
residence are
established.
1236 More trouble
between Town and
Gown culminates in
the town being set
on fire. Continued
violence encourages
some students to
move to Cambridge.
1242 Oxford appoints
first town sheriff.
1249 (1249-1264)
Balliol and Merton
Colleges established
1320 Oxford has few
buildings. Meetings
are held at
Congregation
(Convocation) House
(under St Mary the
Virgin). It is the
oldest surviving
university building
in Europe. Today it
is a coffee shop.
1348 The Black Death
ravages Britain.
1355 A brawl at the
Swindlestock Tavern,
Carfax leads to
three days rioting.
The town won the
fight, but the
university won the
peace. Its power
over Oxford
increases.
1378 After the Black
Death, the
university expands.
New College is built
on a 13 acre site of
filth and discarded
corpses, up till
then a haunt for
criminals and
prostitutes.
1410 Students
compelled to belong
to a hall under the
supervision of a
principal. The
academic halls,
possible shared by
ten scholars,
consisted of a hall
for lectures and
meals, separate
chambers for
sleeping with small
partitioned study
areas, kitchen in a
separate building to
the rear. The front
may have been leased
separately as shops,
with access to the
halls via an alley.
Tackley’s Inn,
106-107 High Street,
is an example of
15th century student
household. Geoffrey
Chaucer in “The
Miller’s Tale”,
describes a wealthy
scholar, Nicholas
who lodged with a
carpenter.
1542 The See of
Oxford created.
Oxford made a city.
1642 The Civil war.
The royalist
occupation of
Oxford. October,
after the battle of
Edgehill, Charles I
convenes parliament
at Christ Church
college hall.
1644 The lords
convene at
Congregation House.
1646 Royal garrison
surrenders.
1878 Academic halls
established for
women.
MORE INFORMATION:
Oxford University
Official
website-history
Medieval Oxford
from the book "A
History of the
county of Oxford"
(ISBN:
0197227147)
Oxford City Tours
travel guide, tours
and tourism
Back to page index |
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THE WEY
NAVIGATION |
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Armed only with a
cup of tea, Chris
still gets in the
Wey |
HISTORY:
1618 Sir Richard
Weston, Sutton
Place, Guildford,
after travelling on
the continent,
introduces new
varieties of pasture
grass, new methods
of agriculture and
the Dutch method of
enclosed locks on
canals. To irrigate
his meadows, He lays
out three miles of
canals across his
estate and builds
Stoke lock (the
first in Surrey). He
sees the potential
of a navigable canal
from Guildford to
the Thames at
Weybridge. He
negotiates with the
landowners along the
route.
1635 Charles I
commissions Weston’s
proposed scheme.
1642 The Civil war,
Sir Richard
(Catholic /
Royalist) forfeits
his estate, flees
back to Holland. He
contacts Major James
Pitson of the
Parliamentary army
to plead for his
estate and authorise
the canal
1651 26th June, Act
of Parliament to
build the Wey
navigation in the
name Guildford
Corporation. The
final nominated
townsmen are “The
Men of Guildford”,
each will raise
money to purchase
land and construct
the canal :
Sir Richard Weston -
£3000
Major James Pitson -
£1000
Richard Scotcher -
£1000
Richard Darnelly -
£1000
August - Pitson and
Weston enter a
private agreement.
In return for a
private commission
of £500, Weston pays
Pitson £1000 to
purchase buildings
and land. Scotcher
complains that
Pitson never paid
for the land. The
bickering continues.
Pitson accused of
double dealing,
taking money from
investors for his
own use and keeping
no accounts.
1652 Sir Richard
Weston dies. George
Weston carries on
the work of his
father. 10 miles of
the planned 14 are
completed. George
Weston puts more
money in, Pitson
spends it. George
Weston arrested for
his father’s debts.
Scotcher finances
most of the
remaining
construction, Pitson
takes the credit.
1653 Canal opens. It
earns £800 in the
first year then
£15,000. Corn mills
built along the Wey.
1654 The remaining
shareholders take
Pitson to court.
Court appoints
William Wetton to
manage the
navigation for two
years and reimburse
Scotcher and
Darnelly. More
litigations follow.
1662 House of
Commons decide Sir
Richard to be
original designer of
the navigation, but
his debts are not
settled until 1671.
1671 An act of
Parliament releases
the Weston family
from their debt.
1723 Control of the
navigations finally
settles with two
“proprietors”, the
Langton family
(Lincolnshire) and
the Earl of Portmore
(Weybridge). 18th
Iron mills built at
Weybridge.
1877 Christmas eve,
Flockton’s oil mill
(aka Whittets), fire
starts on the wharf.
It spreads to the
oil refining sheds.
Large vats of
burning oil burst.
Barrels of oil
pushed into the
river in an attempt
to save them also
catch fire, a sheet
of flame across the
river. The mill is
rebuilt and
survives.
19th century Primary
cargoes: corn,
flour, timber, coal
and chalk. Also:
rags, ironwork,
sugar, groceries and
gunpowder from Chilworth.
20th Century Trade
declines, first
downstream as it is
easier to send goods
by rail to London.
Imported timber from
London is a common
sight into the
1930’s.
1969 March, last
commercial barge
travels the Wey.
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MORE INFORMATION:
Elmbridge Museum
The Wey Navigation
National Trust
River Wey
Guildford Museum
River Wey Heritage
Back to page index |
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THE WHITE HORSE |
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Britain's oldest
chalk figure
(NO...the one on the
right) is only
really visible from
the air. |
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HISTORY:
The internationally
known Uffington
White Horse can been
seen for miles away
leaping across the
head of a dramatic
dry valley in the
Ridgeway escarpment.
But
this is only part of
the unique complex
of ancient remains
that are found at
White Horse Hill and
beyond, spreading
out across the high
chalk downland.
The
stylised form of the
White Horse, an icon
of the English
landscape, has been
a subject of
discussion since the
17th century.
Written records date
back to the 12th
century but do not
give proof of the
Horse's age or why
it was there.
Until
recently theories on
its age centred on
two periods - the
Iron Age, as its
shape is similar to
those found on coins
from the period; or
Anglo-Saxon, as it
was believed it may
have been
constructed to
celebrate King
Alfred's victories
over the invading
Danes in 871AD.
During
the early 1990's
archaeologists dug a
series
of trenches around
and just touching
the Horse figure.
These confirmed that
the Horse had been
constructed by
digging a trench to
shape and then
backfilling with
chalk blocks. It
also proved that the
Horse was in the
same position and
roughly the same
shape as when it was
built. New testing
methods on soil
samples from the
base of the trench
showed that the
Horse was much older
than had been
thought and was in
fact about 3000
years old (late
Bronze-Age).
The
mystery of why the
horse was created
still remains. It
can only be seen
fully from the air,
so perhaps it was a
sign to the ancient
gods, or a mark of
territorial
ownership.
Below
the horse is the
dramatic sweep of a
steep sided dry
valley, known as the
Manger. Ripples in
the eastern valley
side are known as
the Giants Stairs
and are a reminder
of how the valley
was created by
scouring melt-water
during the retreat
of the last Ice Age.
A terrace along the
lower edge of the
western slopes is
thought to be the
remains of medieval
farming practice.
To the east of the
Manger lies a small
roundish hill with a
flattened top. This
is Dragon Hill and
is said to be the
site where St.
George, England's
patron saint, slew
the dragon. The
blood from the dying
dragon so poisoned
the ground beneath
that grass never
grows there leaving
the chalk scar we
see today.
Crowning
White Horse Hill is
the Iron Age
hillfort known as
Uffington Castle. A
simple design of one
rampart and ditch
the castle at 857ft
(262m), it forms the
highest point in
Oxfordshire. The
original west
entrance remains,
whilst smaller
entrances through
the south and
north-east ramparts
were created by the
Romano-British
during their
occupation of the
site.
Between the castle
and the Horse lie a
number of burial
mounds, the most
obvious being the
Pillow Mound. These
date from the
Neolithic and Bronze
Ages and are unusual
in that they were
reused for
Romano-British and
Anglo-Saxon burials.
Text copyright
National Trust
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MORE INFORMATION:
National Trust
Uffington White
Horse
Tourist Information
Berkshire
Archaeology
Mysterious Britain
Public Transport
Oxfordshire
Back to page index |
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CHICHESTER
CATHEDRAL |
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A Norman
Cathedral that once
dominated this small
seaside town |
HISTORY:
681 Saint Wilfred
(1st Bishop of
Selsey) brings
Christianity to
Sussex. Cathedral
built at Selsey.
1066 The Normans.
1075 Council of
London establish the
See of Chichester.
1076 Building
commences under
Bishop Stigand,
possibly from east
to west.
French stone masons.
Quarr limestone
shipped from Isle of
Wight. Chilmark
stone (Portland
outcrop) for the
spire. Original
building and/or
later restorations
may include Caen
stone and Sussex
marble.
1108 Bishop Ralph de
Luffa (1091-1123)
dedicates the
building.
1114 Fire….rebuilt
and extended West.
1123 Cathedral
completed.
1187 Fire….timber
roof destroyed.
12th Century
Restoration, stone
vaulting, Purbeck
marble replaces
stone columns,
flying buttresses,
retro-choir (two-bay
choir extension)
restyled, Romanesque
sculptures replaced.
13th Century Chapels
added, making it one
of the widest
Cathedrals. Canon’s
vestry built.
1315 Century Bishop
John Langton
installs 7 light
window to south
wall.
 14th Century Song
school built above
vestry.
15th Century
Added…cloisters,
detached bell tower
(unique),
spire.
16th Century Bishop
Robert Sherman
added…buildings in
the close, paintings
of Lambert Barnard.
1538 Damage by Henry
VIII’s commissioners
during the
Reformation.
1642 The Civil war,
much damage and
looting of library.
1684 Sir Christopher
Wren rebuilds part
of the spire. Over
100 years of
neglect.
 1840’s Dean George
Chandler commences
60 years of
major
restoration.
1861 Spire
collapses, restored
(now 277 feet high)
by
Sir George
Gilbert Scott.
1901 Rebuilding of
NW tower completed.
MORE INFORMATION:
Chichester Cathedral
official website
Information Britain
Chichester Cathedral
Public Transport
Chichester
Back to page index |
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STONEHENGE |
|
Sampling the "Winter
Solstice" with
Julian Richards |
HISTORY:
8000BC Postholes
(Totem Poles).
Mesolithic people
erect pine posts on
the site of the current
visitors car park.
Phase 1
3100-2700BC
Earthwork ditch
constructed, 2m
deep.
56 Aubrey
holes just inside.
1km north,
the Great Cursus
(chalk ditch) 2.8km
long, 150m wide.
Phase 2
2500-2700BC Many
wooden posts on the
site. For
astronomical
purposes or to guide ceremonial
activities through
the site or possibly
roofed buildings.
Phase 3a
2500-2600BC 80 "blue
stones" from the Preseli
Mountains in Wales.
An avenue of stones
is started.
Alter stone.
Phase 3b
2300-2400BC Sarsen
lintelled circle 30m
in diameter.
Phase 3c
2200-1800BC Two
concentric circles
of pits or holes
indicate a circle of
stones never
installed.
Rearrangement of
"blue stones".
Recent history
Pillaging of the
site has left many
stones missing.
MORE INFORMATION:
English Heritage
Stonehenge (includes
travel)
Wilts & Dorset Bus
Salisbury to
Stonehenge
Skypower
Hot air
balloon flights
Back to page index |
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A bird's eye
view |
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