THE SOLENT - a photographic portrait
Terry Heathcote, £19.99; 978-0-4081-0378-4
Although the salt-panning and associated industries had died out by the mid 1800s, fishing, shellfish-collecting and wildfowling were important sources of income to the local inhabitants for many centuries and from the mid 17th century the Solent supported a major shipbuilding industry, centred on the naval port of Portsmouth and at Buckler's Hard on the Beaulieu estuary. Portsmouth survived as a major naval yard and Southampton became the ocean liner terminus of the world, but despite their economic success these and smaller towns and villages remained comparatively small until well into the twentieth century: now 1.5m people live within 15km of the Solent’s shoreline.
And as such a number of you will know this coastline well, this month’s selection is a celebration of the familiar – and not-so-well-known – sights that dot this unique stretch of water. Who knows, you may sail along it regularly, but missed gems that you just didn’t know were there.
The Needles are the only remaining reminder that the Isle of Wight was joined to the mainland some 3000 years ago - although by the time Julius Caesar arrived, the Solent was still narrow and shallow enough to cross on foot and his era is represented by images from Fishbourne Roman Palace, close to Chichester. At the opposite end of the historical spectrum, there is the soaring height of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, which in turn looks over at HMS Warrior and Victory.
Whilst more factual – less whimsical, perhaps – than the companion volume, The Thames (see review from April this year), this is nevertheless a very attractive book, and would make a great gift for anyone who has any connection to the locale. The north shore is divided into four sections – the New Forest Coast, Southampton Water, Portsmouth and Chichester Harbours – with a final segment on the Isle of Wight, and each one is illustrated with a myriad of evocative photographs of pivotal locations along the route: a chilly-looking Beaulieu River; the stunning colours of Exbury Gardens; the ruins of Netley Abbey; the many aspects of our maritime heritage, past and present; and the multitude of wildlife along the waterway.
This is an enjoyable insight into the variety of the region, by a photographer who knew the vicinity inside-out: a voyage well-worth taking.