The Village Voice Oct /Nov 2019
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Lymington Town<br />
Tours<br />
<strong>The</strong> Georgian Era<br />
<strong>The</strong> 'Georgian Era' spans the reigns of the<br />
Hanoverian Kings (Georges I, II, III and IV) (1714 During this period of history England was<br />
You may have wondered why the herrings And , if you venture down to St Ives in<br />
-1830) and this is the architecture which still frequently at<br />
at the bottom of this page are vertical. Not Cornwall, there is a B&B that’s taken its<br />
dominates Lymington today. Fine Georgian war (especially<br />
an error on my part, the title of the name from one of Adrian's pictures.<br />
properties were spacious with grand<br />
with France)<br />
painting proportions explains and lots all of - ’Hauling light. <strong>The</strong> Herring’, upper, more and Lymington<br />
depicting cramped storeys, the fish with being smaller pulled windows up a were net. Adrian provided is a keen birder & enjoys fishing, so<br />
for the 'staff'. <strong>The</strong> main house had elegant it’s Barracks no surprise in the that his inspiration is<br />
Adrian rooms is and a local the kitchen artist was and often has built away up from a it clearly town for from the sea and our local wildlife,<br />
strong the reputation. lower ground He floor has (the a wonderfully<br />
servants’ with soldiers fish in and birds the main themes of his<br />
distinct domain). and Many vibrant such houses style. You can may be seen have on a work. great numbers<br />
seen wander a selection round Lymington of his work Town in and Milford: you may (both foreign<br />
La spot Perla, some <strong>The</strong> with Marine bricked boutique up windows B&B to , reduce or in and English)<br />
Lymington<br />
the amount<br />
down<br />
of tax<br />
at<br />
they<br />
the<br />
had<br />
quay<br />
to pay!<br />
in BluBambu.<br />
and their presence dominated the local<br />
<strong>The</strong> red tiled roofs which dominate the high population (as can be imagined). <strong>The</strong> Angel pub<br />
street are also an indication of Georgian origins was a source of entertainment for many of<br />
which thankfully escaped renovation in the them and the first theatre was built in New<br />
poorer Victorian era.<br />
Lane, whilst a new prison was built in the High<br />
Also mainly in the Georgian era, a number of Street!<br />
serpentine walls were constructed. This was a <strong>The</strong> Georgian Era was also the heyday of<br />
fashion from 1700 onwards for more than a Smuggling which took place along the whole<br />
hundred years, though some walls round the south coast of England, with most of the<br />
town are deceivingly modern or ancient. Our populace supporting them as heroes and public<br />
Walls Walk will reveal all, if this intrigues you. benefactors. It was the only way most people<br />
Whilst boat building was and is a significant could afford tea and Brandy. (Take our Sea, Salt<br />
part of Lymington's story, it For was more undoubtedly information, & Smuggling please see: Walk for more stories on the<br />
the wealth created by the Salt and Smuggling above)<br />
www.adriangrainger.com<br />
'industries' of this time that enabled the Every year Lymington Town Tours deliver a<br />
or contact Adrian directly: adriangrainger500@hotmail.com<br />
reconstruction of Lymington from Medieval to<br />
Georgian style.<br />
Salt was being made from seawater here<br />
before even Roman times and in Georgian<br />
times it was in its heyday with huge sums being<br />
collected by the taxman. Ships sailed from<br />
Lymington with Salt to Newfoundland, America<br />
and Norway amongst others, bringing back<br />
other goods. Coal had to be imported in great<br />
quantities at the height of the industry to fuel<br />
the fires in the Salterns which stretched from<br />
the town Quay to Keyhaven creating an<br />
industrial landscape, operating night and day in<br />
the season. <strong>The</strong> season averaged 16 weeks of<br />
the year with up to 3<br />
Adrian<br />
and a half tons per pan<br />
every 6 days. (in 1802 there were only 2weeks<br />
of operation due to rain). Grainger<br />
Huge fortunes were, however, made for the<br />
Saltern owners, one of whom was Charles St.<br />
Barbe (influential businessman, the first Banker<br />
and 5 times Mayor of the Borough).<br />
programme of guided walks twice a week<br />
(Sunday morning and Wednesday evening)<br />
from May to <strong>Oct</strong>ober. <strong>The</strong> Georgian Era is<br />
explored by a number of our walks, especially<br />
the foundation 'Story of Lymington' tour, Sea,<br />
Salt and Smuggling and we also cover the<br />
'Story of Milford' (especially appropriate<br />
alongside this year’s celebrations of the<br />
Admirals). Please join us.<br />
(Full programme on the website :<br />
www.lymington-town-tours.co.uk).<br />
Please mention <strong>The</strong> <strong>Village</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> when responding to adverts<br />
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