I’ve been to the Hampshire town of Romsey many times. The Plaza Theatre there became a bingo hall, like most, but then in 1984 bucked the trend and became a theatre again. Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (RAODS), now stage a dozen or so productions each year, but also hire the venue out for other functions. It was in this guise that I was involved in a film festival there. So I knew it intimately over 10 years or so – especially the projection box and the stage area. Despite that I never set foot in the rest of the town! So nearly 40 years later, this was my first sight of the town!
Romsey has had maybe more than it’s fair share of famous residents over the years. Charlie Dimmock (TV presenter), James Robertson Justice (Actor), Rev W Awdry (Author of Thomas the Tank engine books), Lord Mountbatten of Burma , and Lord Palmerston a 19th century prime minister, who’s statue has stood in the town square since 1868. Just about visible above and close up below.
Almost unbelievably, I didn’t know that there was an Abbey here either until recently. It’s origins start around 907 but most of what stands today dates from about 1120-1140. I just love history we know because it was written down like: “in 1012 Emma of Normandy gave lands to the abbey and that there were a total of 54 nuns in Romsey during the reign of Cnut the Great.” Not that I know anything at all about Cnut. Reading history with characters named Æthelflæd, Cnut, and Merewenna, is rather like reading Lord of the Rings, add in Shires and watermills and the picture is nearly complete! The Abbey is well worth a visit, and I also have to mention the two guides, who introduced me to the place as I walked in, they were both friendly and helpful, and made what was already a good visit a great one!
Outside a touch of the modern, the curve and balls of the no parking zone caught my eye, as did the wooden beams of the White Horse Hotel’s old coach way, maybe dating from around 1450!
All in all a very enjoyable visit, wandering about with the Leica M4-P and a roll of HP5. It seems to be a perfect combination for making images of what catches the eye, on a dull damp day! I developed the film maybe a week or so later in Ilfords Ilfosol 3 1+9 at 20 degrees for 8 mins, and got what I call a “good set of negs”.
S.H.O.U.T. 
There’s also the plaque on the Romsey Working Men’s Conservative Club which stands behind the Palmerston statue.
It states that two of Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers were hanged from a bracket on the wall. It goes on to state that the bracket is ‘a good example of old Hampshire wrought iron work’.
I’m not sure the the soldiers on question took much time to admire the handiwork.
And there’s also the Red Cross charity shop that (certainly in May 2023) had a good selection of cameras, lenses and the like…
But perhaps I shouldn’t have given that secret away…
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There’s also the plaque on the old Swan hotel that stands behind the Palmerston statue.
The hotel is now the Romsey Working Mens and Conservative Club and the plaque commemorated the fact that two members of Oliver Cromwell’s army were hanged in 1642 from a bracket on the wall above the square.
The text concludes with the observation that the bracket is a ‘good example of old Hampshire wrought iron work’ – something that the hapless soldiers may have missed at the time,
There is also the Red Cross charity shop nearby that (certainly a year or so ago when I last visited) a selection of cameras, lenses and accessories.
But that’s a secret!
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Hello! Thanks for your comments. The more I read about Romsey the more I feel the need to return! It’s not too far from me, certainly a possibility for a day out. So I may make a return at some point. I can happily report that as of March 24 the Red Cross Shop is still there and it’s left hand window is still dedicated to cameras etc. The most tempting thing on my visit was a ME super, but I already have one. There was also an EOS 500 (Film) camera, some out of date film, lots of accessories etc. I had a good rummage! Very strange that you should mention the Zenith. The one thing I did buy was the Helios/Russian/M44-4 58mm lens, a copy of which once adorned the font of my Zenith 11! Just for old times sake! The secrets out!! Cheers Andy
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