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Description: | Because of its sheltered position, the Haven at Hill Head has always seen considerable shipping activity. The River Meon was first used by Iron Age Celts as a harbour and until the 17th century, the River Meon was used by shipping up to the port of Titchfield. The dam built across the Meon to drain the marshes virtually closed Titchfield as a port and eventually reduced the river mouth for use as a harbour for sailing boats. The Haven is where the River Meon reaches the sea just west of Hillhead village. Situated at the Haven
overlooking the spit which forms the anchorage of the small harbour was Hillhead House. The house is still there but was renamed Haven House in the 1920's. It was probably built in the 1820's.
During the 19th century the Haven and waters of the Meon estuary were owned by the Delme family of Cams Hall, Fareham. The estate was managed by a bailiff/gamekeeper, the first one being James Pratt who was succeeded in the 1890's by William Lock who held the position until he retired in 1924. During this time, farmers and members of the local gentry whould shoot ducks, snipe and teal and every year, an annual coot shoot was held. The estate passed through various owners until it was bought by Colonel Alston in 1929. He took an active interest in the life of Hill Head and gave bird watchers personally conducted walks through the haven during the migaration seasons.
Nearby lies Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve which is now a protected area. The area has provided an unspoilt habitat for wildlife throughout the ages. Hampshire County Council bought the Haven in 1972 from the late Colonel John Alston, the last owner and opened it to the public in 1976.
References:
1. Emery, John. 1985. Fareham in old picture postcards, p. 109.
2. Prestidge, Colin. 1997. History of Stubbington, p. 231-233. | Format: | image/jpeg | License: | http://www.sopse.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=gateway&f=generic_sitetext%2ehtm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&cms_con_core_subtype%3acms_con_text_what=copyright&%3acms_sys_group=%22sopse%22 | Subjects: | work building James Pratt Colonel John Alston motor cruiser nature reserve harbour yacht wildlife Delme Haven House shoot Cams Hall Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve dam the Haven Hillhead House reserve River Meon William Lock gamekeeper river | Temporal: | start=1975-01-01; end=1985-12-31; | Source: | Sense of place SE | Creator: | Precision Ltd, St Ives, Huntingdon | Identifier: | http://www.sopse.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | image/jpeg | Go to resource |
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