Petersfield - Recent History

Wars

During the first World War the local men serving in the forces were missed. Several of the large houses in the area became hospitals for the recovering wounded servicemen. Adhurst St. Mary and Heath Lodge were so used. Horses were essential and a horse collecting depot was set up. The 1939 45 war period made a deeper impression on the area as Petersfield was a reception area for evacuees from the cities. Only one bomb landed in Petersfield and it did damage to the Petersfield Union Workhouse, where there were eight casualties.

War Memorial

After 1918 there was much discussion about a suitable war memorial and where it should be put. Eventually a site was agreed centrally placed at the wide east end of the High Street. The design by Inigo Triggs was erected in 1922. The names of those who fell in 1939-45 were added after that war.

Railways

The Southern Railway had been electrified in 1937 and gave improved service. This was a great help for those who sought safety in Petersfield but worked in Portsmouth or London. The Midhurst Railway was never electrified and closed for passengers in 1955.

Schools

Bedales arrived in Steep in 1900, with Dunhurst and Dunannie being added to it in later years. Churchers is now independent and accepts girls. The Elementary School has been enlarged to become the Infant School, with the pupils progressing to the fine new (primary) Herne. School in Love Lane at eight years old. The Petersfield School cares for the 11 16 year olds at the Causeway site, since 1957. In 1919 a secondary High School for girls opened in the former Dolphin Hotel, which lasted until 1960.

The population has nearly trebled since 1939, so many more children have to be educated.

Public Facilities

The Petersfield Musical Festival developed steadily from its foundation in 1901. The need for an appropriate hall helped it to lead the way in raising the funds to build the Festival Hall which opened in 1936 where high quality productions can be produced by the area's skilful drama, arts and music groups.

About 1881 a 9 hole golf course was made on part of the Heath, continuing there until the 1990's when the golf club purchased land near Sheet and the new 18 hole course was opened in 1997. The outdoor swimming pool opened in 1961. The Penns Farm playing fields and Taro Leisure Centre are now also available.

Work

Work has changed during this century. Brickmaking was important in this area. There were four brickyards working in the immediate area in 1939, but none of them survived the wartime restrictions. Petersfield had two noticeable breweries operating in 1930, but Strong's took over and closed Luker's in 1931 and Whitbread's took over Amey's in 1951.

Itshide Rubber Company took over a steam laundry in Sandringham Road in 1919 and developed rubber products Minibrix from 1926, and specialist rubber footwear. This is now a housing estate. Milk was collected from the areas farms in churns from 1890 and sent to London by rail in tanker trucks. South Eastern Farms had their depot by the rail station. By the late 1930~s tanker lorries were delivering milk to London. The depot was closed in 1968.

The Market As the century progressed marketing practices changed and the growth of motor cars had its effects. December 12th 1962 was the last cattle market in the Square, because, from 1st January 1963, Petersfield was to be in a Tubercular Tested area. This necessary rule to improve public health also affected the viability of the other animal and poultry marketing.

The annual Taro Fair on October 6th on the Heath has changed through the century. Until 1953 the Fair started in the morning with 'cheapjack' traders selling a great variety of wares at the wider, level area there were lines for the horses to he sold, and pens for sheep and cattle.

Hospitals

By 1950 the Isolation Hospital had become an excellent geriatric hospital known as Heathside. But Petersfield's Hospitals were demolished in the 199ds, after a new one was built in Swan Street in 1992.

The Fire Service

In 1924 the long established Petersfield Fire Brigade acquired a modern motor engine, which could not get into the old fire station (which held a horse pulled engine) in St. Peter's Road behind the Market Inn. A new fire building was erected in the P.U.D.C. yard in Heath Road. A purpose built fire station for three engines and a hose drying tower was built in 1957 in Swan Street.

The gutting of 6 and 8 The Square in January 1947 was a disaster for Norman Burton's the drapers. The fire in Petersfield Timber Yard in Hylton Road on 20 April 1973 was spectacular, with danger from exploding paint cans. St. Peter's Church caught fire in April 1962. The church recovered from the fire and in 1999 underwent a major interior reordering so that it is now a beautiful and practical building.

The Bypass

The construction and opening of the Bypass to the west of the town in 1992, after 60 years of debate of pros and cons and which route, has eased the traffic flow into the town, especially along the old A3.

Local Government

April 1st 1974 brought changes to local government when the Urban Districts of Alton and Petersfield amalgamated with their respective Rural Districts to form the East Hampshire District Council.

Petersfield and the Future

The Petersfield Area continues to develop the population has grown to about 13,000, many commuting to work. Culturally the area is outstanding in the quality of programmes offered of drama, opera, music, arts and crafts. For the future it is expected be included in the South Downs National Park, which should help to preserve this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.