Page 32 • The HERALD • 27th August 2026 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v EXPERT DOMESTICS APPLIANCE SERVICES Sales and Repairs to All Makes and Models 169-171 LONG LANE, HOLBURY • TEL (023) 8089 0054 POSSIBLY THE ONLY INDEPENDENT MAIN DEALER IN THE NEW FOREST For Bosch, Belling, Britannia, Candy, Ebac, Hotpoint, Hoover, Indesit, Ice King, LG, LEC, Liebherr, Miele, Neff, Sebo, Siemens, Stoves, Whirlpool, Zanussi and more... Free Standing & Built In Sales Centre Over 300 appliances in stock www.expertdomestics.co.uk • Re-Skimming • Rendering • Coving • Dry Lining • Tacking • Artex Covered • Floor Screeding www.tbrownplastering.co.uk Call: 07919 183989 Friendly • Reliable • Professional • Free Estimates PVCu FASCIAS & GUTTERING CLEANING SERVICE Gutters checked for leaks and repaired Also new installations Driveway, Patio and Decking Cleaning and Restoration Service Very reliable and fully insured Good Rates and Professional Service Special Rates for OAP’s Call us now for a free quote Holbury 07884 112416 Calshot Castle – Improvements, Modifications And Accommodations by Colin Van Geffen Calshot Castle has undergone many modi cations during its four centuries of military use but has retained its basic shape and structure. Despite its proximity to the sea (less than 20 metres away at high tide) Calshot Castle was built with a steep sided but relatively shallow moat. Crossing the footbridge the rst thing to notice is the murder holes through which soldiers could pour foul liquids (NOT hot oil) onto attacking forces. e studded, double-thickness solid oak doors aren’t original but are sturdy enough to withstand most assaults of the time. e circular tower (or ‘Keep’) rises from an octagonal base which houses external recesses used for storing shot and powder for the courtyard guns. e Keep is the least-altered part of the Castle. Rising to three oors it is the central gun tower and was originally also the accommodation. Calshot Castle’s basement has served as a store, magazine and generator room. A li sha was installed to deliver ammunition directly to the new quick- ring guns on the roof. Access to the upper oors and roof is gained by a stone staircase built into the outer wall. Part way up the rst ight can be seen the now bricked-up original entrance to the basement (the ‘modern’ entrance is at ground level and was added during the modifications of 1890s). e rst oor was home for up to 11 men and their kit. A stove provided warmth in the draughty room as well as cooking facilities. Behind the match-board lining the original Tudor replace can still be found. e ‘modern’ contemporary stove is connected to the original ue. e second oor accommodated another 14 men with their kit as well as the guns, so space was at a premium. e gun embrasures on the roof parapet were replaced in the eighteenth century by the existing unbroken wall to protect soldiers using hand guns. Elizabeth ordered the castle to be repaired in 1584 when 127 oak trees were cut from the New Forest to repair the damage. Over the years heavy rainfall leaked through the roof and added to the problems of decay. Restoration work was completed during the winter of 2012/13. Whilst preparing for those substantial repairs, English Heritage engineers discovered the existence of a second layer of planks beneath the oorboards of the upper oor. e nal climb to the roof is well worth the e ort, for those who can. e view is spectacular and demonstrates the excellent defensive capabilities of the castle in all directions e Gatehouse was enlarged in the 1790s to o er improved accommodation for the new Governor and his family, who had previously lived in what is now known as the guardroom. is work provided the opportunity to install married quarters, a cookhouse and washroom as well as ‘modern’ toilet facilities in the courtyard. Previously the only option was the Tudor garderobe on the 2nd oor, which is still in place. In the early 1580s Calshot castle was severely damaged by re and traces can still be seen in the reddened stonework on both oors, particularly around the windows. Records show that Queen Double-layer floor-boards (Colin van Geffen©) Curtain Wall with arrow showing height of curtain wall before it was lowered (Colin van Geffen©) Volunteers Needed To Help With Calshot Castle Halloween Event At the Halloween event at Calshot Castle last year, the mummy pictured, made by two talented volunteers Sharon and Jane, stood at the entrance to the Castle basement helping to create a spooky atmosphere. A big thanks to them for helping to make last year’s event a success! Calshot Castle is now on the search for more volunteers to make, decorate and assist with this year’s Halloween Event. e event, aimed at children aged between 3 and 12 years, includes: a trail around the Castle, fairground type games, spooky stories and cra s. ey are looking for volunteers to do the following roles: Make decorations, help put the decorations up and take them down, help to supervise the activities around the Castle during the Halloween event. If you feel you would like to help with any of these roles, then please email Kelly Metcalfe: Kelly.Metcalfe@hants.gov.uk for further information. Mummy at Calshot Castle created by volunteers Sharon and Jane
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