The Origin of the Southdown Estate
- In 1899, a new development company bought 135 acres of farmland and coppice east of Otterbourne Road from the Dean of Winchester Cathedral.
- Richard Croker uncovers the colourful rise — and frequent stumbles — of Shawford South Down Estate Ltd, the personalities behind it, and the early residents who shaped what we now call Southdown.
Speaker Richard, who lives in Southdown, is a retired lawyer, a guitarist in several bands, and Chairman of Compton & Shawford Sports Club
Details:
- 7:30pm Tues 12 May 2026
- Compton Sports Pavilion
- Open to all – no charge
- Bar open from 7pm
The clubhouse on Shawford Down (with acknowledgements to Hampshire Archive ref 191A09_A12-1)- Proposed new church on Shawford Down Design by Arthur Blomfield & Sons 1903 Reproduced by permission of the Hampshire Records Office. Item reference 1W76/PW6
- Old postcard, late Victorian or Edwardian, by F.G.O.Stuart. It shows a train, having come over the Hockley Viaduct, approaching Shawford Junction. Believed to be out of copyright.
The Origin of the Southdown Estate
The Southdown Story: Farmland, Founders, and Feuds
In 1899, a new development company acquired 135 acres of farmland and coppice east of the Otterbourne Road at South Down, Shawford from the Dean of Winchester Cathedral.
Richard Croker explores what happened next: the chequered history of LHS Talk 12 May 2026 – Richard Croker on the origins of the Shawford Southdown Estate of the area now known as Southdown.
A surprising number of lawyers were involved.
7:30pm Tuesday 12 May 2026
at Compton Sports Pavilion
Open to all
Free to attend – but already fully booked
