Titchfield Trade
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Titchfield was involved in a number of industries from its earliest times and two of its achievements were at the forefront in their day. In the early thirteenth century it had the second only canal in the country. The other advance was in iron manufacture, when Henry Cort devised a method of manufacturing British wrought iron that offered improved strength, maleability and reliability.
The First Settlements
As leaders assert themselves they enjoy the freedom they have won. The loyalty of their subjects inevitably changes to subservience. When Ethelred reigned supreme Titchfield trade was totally concerned with self preservation, those closest to the king were his advisors, his army and an agricultural gang. So although the rest might win the war, they may not win the peace. They found that their leader forgot their support and those lacking useful skills were left to scratch a more meagre living.
Centre for Christianity
St. Peter's Church had far-reaching influence, it was a ministry serving a large coastal region. Building it had been a formidable feat; the decision to use stone instead of wooden construction raised its status but would not have been taken lightly. Stone was shipped from the Isle of Wight whilst slate came from the west country. Originally it was just a single building, the tower and other parts are later additions.
When grain crops became popular, milling was a major trade on the River Meon from Norman times through to the late nineteenth century. There were as many as five corn mills in the Titchfield hundred.
The Abbey Leads the Way
The abbey grew and quickly became a focus for the village. Although it was good for peoples' souls, they soon found that the ministry of the abbots didn't come free. To support this magnificent building the abbot had to be a shrewd business manager. With less than 20 cannons he had to employ a lot of direct local labour. To fund the budget villagers had to supply tithe, this was a form of taxation and was hated by most villagers.
The Abbey ran a farm, fish ponds and some believe originated a transport system using the River Meon, connecting Titchfield with the Isle of Wight and France.
How many fishing boats sailed out of the Meon estuary? Perhaps we can get a clue from the size of the later harbour which now stands outside the sealock. The same tides carried in the salt so valuable for preserving food. Vast quantities were essential to the admiralty to pack ships rations. There were many salteries on the Meon shore and the river mouth.
Tanning was a cottage industry in early times; the Meon was liberally used to prepare animal skins for clothing, footwear, belts, harnesses, etc.
Trade in Wriothesley Times
Henry Wriothesley won the favour of King Henry VIII by acting as secretary and courtier through the troubled time of the reformation. He was rewarded with a number of estates including Titchfield Abbey. Two years were spent surveying his estates, thereby identifying what to focus on and how to take things forward. Despite his many other interests, he researched, reviewed and motivated Titchfield trade.
In its early days the iron mill at Funtley followed the Roman iron making techniques. Using a water wheel driven by the river Meon to power the bellows a beehive-shaped furnace would have produced pig iron and cast iron mouldings. The great water mill south of the abbey would have been modified to improve its efficiency and would have benefited from revised control of the Meon waters.
In the early part of the Wriothesley reign the roads were only suitable for riders and walkers. Few people ever left the village, so footpaths between significant points such as the church, the mill and Place House were quite adequate. But moving produce and building materials, was a problem as there is always a hill to climb.
To make Titchfield a sea port, Titchfield Canal was built in 1611. There are those who envisage a great harbour behind St. Peter's Church Yard and some who say the canal went north of the mill, but it is unlikely that sea-going cargo ships sailed farther north than the sea lock.
The Delme Dynasty
Titchfield Trade was prosperous in the early part of The Delme Dynasty, providing a lot of support for the Navy. Leather, grain, wood, meat and sea salt (an important preservative needed for long voyages).
Henry Cort improved the properties of British iron. He provided the metal needed to build ships to win the 100 years war, showing the way for the manufacture of railway lines and the industrial revolution.
Titchfield was a thriving town; its centre was a hive of activity, practically every premises selling a product or service of some sort. There must have been fierce competition, the most prolific were shoe makers; there were four in High Street alone. East Street and South Street also fielded many shops, pubs, blacksmiths and carpenters in the 1800's. Dotted lines show the soft road margins where the market was held, continuous pavements were yet to appear.
The 'P' at the junction of High Street and East Street marks the filling point for the donkey drawn cart which delivered water to those who didn't have their own well. Sewerage was carried away by the Meon which also took considerable waste from tanners, butchers, brewers, etc.
Rubies in the Dust
Titchfield Strawberries were once renowned in Covent Garden Market and brought prosperity to many local families. They grew their crop on the same dry and dusty soil that had been used for centuries as sheep grazing. The business was so successful that in 1830, Swanwick railway station was specially built to ship out the produce to the fine London markets.
To Build the Albert Hall
Brick and tile making was once a rural industry until the London Brick Company rose above the rest. Bursledon is preserved and may still be toured but the Funtley company is worth a mention. With its own sidings just north of the Fareham Tunnel, its premises occupied the majority of the road opposite the Miners Arms. Its activities may well be the reason for building the former railway loop.
The 19th century sees Titchfield's independence slip away as Britain is plunged twice again into World War. 1923 is brings mains water, sewers, and replaces gas lighting with electricity, A bypass takes traffic north of the village and a new junior school is built.
Towards a New Millenium
Before water filtration, brewing was an essential process for making sure there was something fit to drink. They started as a cottage industries and became family businesses specialising in beer and wine making. Titchfield breweries were in South Street, East Street and Church Path; the last surviving was Fielders which occupied the majority of the south side of Bridge street.
Malting was another trade practiced in Titchfield. Again it would have been a cottage industry but malting companies were once established in East Street and Mill Street, where some of the workings are still visible.
In 1923 Frank Russell runs Titchfield Co-operative, a union of businesses formed to supply a range of local goods available from Titchfield Mill.
Crucial Motors joins other firms in the Tanneries and the Village Gate managed accommodation is built opposite the Parish Rooms.
Garsons bring supermarket shopping to the garden centre trade. There is a huge car park, restaurant and a very diverse range of products. There is still competition from smaller enterprises.
There were fourteen pubs in the town, but when the West End closed it was down to four. In 1998 we lost a mill and gained a fifth, or is Titchfield Mill really a restaurant? Some of the mill machinery is preserved in place on the top floor.
