Requests from Website Visitors

• Does anybody have a copy of 'Sights and Scenes of St Denys' by B. Ticehurst that they would like to sell to a former resident of Kent Road who moved away from the area in the 1970's?



• Does Inverness Terrace (once located on Priory Road) still exist? If not, where was it to be found?



• Does anybody have any old photos of the boatyard where Quay 2000 now stands?

If you have a request for information, or can provide help on any of the above queries, please contact us.

Answers to Requests

Question - In the 1950's, children from St. Denys Primary School were taken on a day trip called the "Beavis Treat". Where did this originate and are there any former pupils with stories about this?

Answer - From Sandra Naish, Bitterne (Acknowledging 'The Beavis Treat'; Oral History Section of Southampton City Museums; Donald Hyslop; May 1988)

The Beavis Treat was actually 'The Alderman William Beavis Treat.' This kind man (elected to the Town Council originally in 1900) had a clause inserted into his will in 1917 leaving the sum of £10,000 from which the interest was to fund a treat for elementary school children (not infants) after his death.

However to rejoice at the end of the Great War (1914-18) he offered the money sooner for "a tea every year, about the end of July, with bands, fireworks, and sports" to about 15,000 boys and girls of the Municipal Borough.

He envisaged that such events would be held on the Common from July 1920, but in actuality most 'treats' were held in parks, playing fields or sports grounds etc. From 1931 the treat money was used to fund senior school outings to places further afield, such as Bournemouth, the New Forest or Portsmouth.

Children then never travelled much outside of their home town, if at all. Children used to do no more than go to school and come home again. There was little spare money for any outings!

The Beavis Treat was still going into the late 1980s but on a smaller scale when financial assistance was given instead (from 1953) by the trustees towards school outings for fourth year children in junior, then middle schools.

Many thanks to Sandra for her contribution. Until now, we were under the impression that this was called the 'Bevois' treat and had incorrectly related it to Bevois Valley!

River Itchen Pollution It is a sadly regular occurence to see the results of fly tipping into the River Itchen in St. Denys, specifically the area occupied by the Saltmead Estate / Southern Water works. This is an area with very easy access to the river, making it a vulnerable target to this kind of abuse. We are looking for positive action by the local community to help overcome this problem. Please be vigilant to potential offenders and inform the local community safety officer team if you have any information. Discarded items that are currently dumped in the river include bicycles, chairs, shopping trolleys and even open safes!