Page 24 • The HERALD • 9th May 2024 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Diamond Exterior Cleaning Local Exterior Cleaning specialists ■ Roof Moss Removal & Coating Applications ■ Driveway & Patio Cleaning ■ Gutter Cleaning & Clearing ■ Solar Panel Cleaning DiamondExteriorCleaning.com 07452 824555 nick.diamondexteriorcleaning@gmail.com Wet clean or Dry clean • Carpets • Rugs • Upholstery • Cushions • Mattresses • Caravans & Motor Homes Contact Chris for a free estimate and advice. We have full liability insurance 023 8104 0185 07770 792361 clean-u-up@hotmail.com We provide one of the best professional Carpet & Fabric cleaning Systems • OVENS • RANGES • AGA • EVERHOT • BARBECUES H ECO Friendly H Fully Insured H Satisfaction Guaranteed Hampshire • Dorset • Wiltshire Tel: 01489 332026 or 07817 558677 M.D.S. DIGITAL INSTALLS/SERVICE • DIGITAL AERIALS/FREEVIEW • SKY DIGITAL/FREESAT DIGITAL • EXTRA TELEVISION POINTS • TELEPHONE LINES/POINTS • TELEVISION SYSTEMS SETUP/TUNED • WALL MOUNTED TV’S QUALIFIED, FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE FREE SURVEYS/QUOTES BEAULIEU: 01590 611011 MOBILE: 07717 194441 Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH The Life and Death of John Spedding by Robin Somes, Fawley and Blackfield Memories A recurring theme of previous articles has been the slightly roguish character, whose life seemed destined to serve as a warning to others. My 2nd-great uncle, John Spedding, was yet another in the list. Born in Exbury in 1836, he was the brother of my greatgrandfather, George Spedding, and unlike the rest of his family – who were mostly agricultural labourers – he was a mariner. It’s very likely that he worked on small local trading vessels, following a circular route carrying a wide range of goods between Southampton, Hythe, the Isle of Wight, the Beaulieu River, and little harbours such as Ashlett Creek. In the absence of road transport, such trading routes were vital to the scattered rural communities. We rst see John in a newspaper report from 1857 when, along with omas Short and an Italian named Joseph Garibardo, he got into a drunken ght in a “low house” in Carvel Lane, Cowes, and assaulted Police-Constable Cole. For this, John was ned 12s. 3d. In May 1874, he reportedly su ered an accident, loading a hogshead of cider onto a ship in Cowes; the hogshead fell, crushing his foot. In the 1881 census, he was recorded as a crewman on the vessel “Violet”, whose home port was Hythe, and which was moored in Beaulieu River on the night of the census. John never married; although he had le the family over three months later, on 7th May, 2 miles o shore from Osborne Bay on the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight, around 7 miles from Lepe. An inquest was held the following day at Northwood Cemetery in Cowes. George was called to give evidence, and identi ed John’s body from the trousers; he could only suggest that John might have slipped when getting aboard the “Peace”, and so fallen into the water. George reported that John had been on friendly terms with everyone at Lepe, and there could be no suspicion of foul play. e inquest jury returned a verdict of “Found drowned”. home in Exbury, it seems he was still on good terms with the rest of his family. When not working, he lived aboard a small ketch, the “Peace”, which was normally moored o Lepe. at is where he was last seen, on January 29th 1883, by his nephew George Kitcher Spedding; he rowed out to sleep aboard the Peace at around 10pm. He was, according to George, sober and in good health and spirits. e following morning, George went out to the Peace around 8am, to retrieve some shell sh he had le aboard; he found that John’s rowing dinghy was moored alongside, but John was nowhere to be seen. John’s body was found The ketch “Peace”, moored off Lepe. Sketch by Robin Somes Totton U3A AGM Are you over 55 and want to make the most of life once you’re no longer in full time work by exploring and sharing new ideas, skills and interests with your local U3A? Across the UK, U3A members are learning, staying active and having fun in later life. It’s local, social, friendly, low-cost and open to all. Totton U3A is now open to new members so why not join them. ey meet every second Thursday of each month at 1.45pm in the Palm Room at Totton & Eling Community Centre. eir next meeting is on Thursday 9th May for their AGM and will include a presentation by Councillor Caroline Rackham speaking on ‘ e Totton Town Plan’. Followed on Thursday 13th June for a talk titled ‘ e Life & Music of Cole Porter’ by John Sherbourne. Various interest groups meet throughout the month to participate in learning and leisure activities and perhaps you can bring a new skill to share with others. Contact Christine Farleigh on 023 8086 2882 or email: cefarleigh@gmail.com for further information or just go along to their monthly meetings. Give it a try; you can be sure of a warm welcome!
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