This book is written as a contribution to Bournemouth’s bi-centenary celebrations in 2010.
The town takes 1810 as its foundation year for that is when Lewis Tregonwell brought his wife Henrietta to see the Bourne stream running into the sea. She so loved the spot they decided to build a house.
There were already one or two buildings within the boundary of the future borough including an inn at ‘Bourne’, a Georgian house at Southbourne and a Saxon church at Holdenhurst. But Tregonwell’s new house marked the start of development.
The first known visitor after this event was a friend of the poet Shelley whose own heart was to eventually rest in Bournemouth. This book highlights just some of the famous who have visited or lived in Bournemouth and a few of those who became well-known within the town for their pioneering work.
I have included information about personalities not recorded elsewhere which is why some people have longer entries than others who may be better known.
About the author
Leigh Hatts was born in Bournemouth and is a member of the Bournemouth Civic Society. He is the author of Poole & Sandbanks: Photographic Memories, which he wrote with his wife Marion Marples, and Exploring The Bournemouth Coast Path. His other books include The Thames Path, The Lea Valley Walk and London City Churches.
He is the son of the late Kenneth Hatts, whose drawing of Beatrice Webb is included in this book, and recalls hearing his grandmother speaking about her life in Bournemouth early in the 20th century.
The book is published by Natula.