by Barbara Cooke, Radian (formerly the Swaythling Housing Society)
You may well have noticed the Round About Café on Westfield Corner in Mansbridge. (Go under the Swaythling Railway Arch and the café is straight ahead at the junction of Wide Lane and Mansbridge Road). This, not for profit, Community Café has been set up by Radian for the local community and as well as providing good quality, home made food and fresh coffee, offers free internet access and runs a number of activities for local residents including the monthly Round About Remembers sessions which have been inspired by conversations with customers in the café.
As we know, the local area is steeped in history and it’s very clear that local residents take great pleasure, as well as a great pride, in remembering the events that shaped that history. Wonderful stories and memories about growing up in the area are often shared over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. This has prompted us to set up a monthly activity during which we invite local residents to share their stories and their knowledge about the area and hopefully find out things they didn’t know.
Over the next few months, we’re aiming to meet on the last Thursday of each month from 2pm to 3.30pm (though please check for confirmation of dates, either by looking at the notice in the café or www.facebook.com/themansbridgehub) to explore different areas of interest including the origin of place and road names in the local area, the Swaythling Remount Depot, the history of the Swaythling Housing Society, WW1, WW2 and D Day and the post-war regeneration of Southampton.
Running alongside these sessions, we’re going to be starting work on a community art project in May to create a collage representing local people’s recollections of the area.
If you are interested in getting involved, or would like to share your memories and stories with us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact me, Barbara Cooke, Community Development Officer on 023 8062 8163 or barbara.cooke@radian.co.uk