Postcards from Gosport: .. and a Few from Portsmouth

This title offers a fascinating insight into the traditions and quirks of this beautiful town. It is lavishly illustrated throughout with over 200 photographs. Review coverage in local press; POS available. "Postcards From Gosport...And A Few From Portsmouth" is the story of the rich past which has brought us Gosport's fast-changing present. It's the story of a small fishing village in the shadow of Portsmouth which developed to become a major naval and military base in its own right. The story of a town where pressgangs roamed, the ale flowed freely, new holiday resorts were created and railways came and went. And now, as a new century dawns, it's the story of a town evolving yet again as the naval and military bases disappear. In this book, historic images and current views are juxtaposed to show the ways in which Gosport has sometimes stood still and sometimes altered almost beyond recognition. There can't be many towns the size of Gosport without a theatre, a cinema or a railway station. Landmark buildings were destroyed during the war, the trains have departed, the pier has long since gone, and the vast naval hospital at Haslar has closed. But Stokes Bay, which played a key role in the build-up to D-Day, remains an attractive coastal sweep; new industries have arrived; and much attractive architecture has survived. With more than a hundred images, "Postcards From Gosport" offers a visual feast for anyone interested in social or military history. Completing the story, a number of images of Portsmouth then and now hint at a history which complements Gosport's in so many ways. Through its succession of paired images, the book brings past and present alive to offer a captivating portrait of a town with a fascinating story to tell. Phil has based the book on the extensive collection of historic Gosport postcards belonging to his father Graham who has lived in Gosport all his life and was Mayor of the borough from 1974-76.

About the Author :
Phil Hewitt was brought up in Gosport where he attended Bay House School. He later gained a first-class honours degree in modern languages and a doctorate in early 20th century French theatre from Oxford University. Phil joined The Chichester Observer in 1990 and became the newspaper's arts editor four years later. He is now also arts editor for The Observer's sister papers, The West Sussex Gazette and The West Sussex County Times. Phil lives in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, with his wife Fiona and children Adam and Laura. A keen runner, he has completed marathons in London, New York, Paris, Berlin, Dublin and Amsterdam. He also plays squash and badminton. His hobbies include cricket, history and cinema.