Yesterday was World Water Day and so we thought we’d begin this brand new podcast season with the story of one of Hampshire’s beautiful rivers.
At first glance, the River Itchen appears to be nothing more than a quaint waterway without much history behind it. However, within its calm streams rests thousands of years of human civilisation. Elizabeth Proudman, a local historian and former Winchester tour guide, takes listeners on a tour through the city’s history and its ties to the River Itchen. Whether it’s flowing past Iron Age fortresses, a Medieval capital, or a modern city, the river has been an inseparable part of local history.
Elizabeth Proudman
Elizabeth Proudman has lived for many years in the historic centre of Winchester and was formerly a City Tourist Guide and lecturer. She holds a Diploma in Local History from the University of Winchester and published two articles on the Waterways of Winchester in the City of Winchester Trust’s TrustNews in 1994 and 1995. Today, Elizabeth is a Trustee, and former Chair, of the Jane Austen Society.
Maps and Visual Aids
As mentioned in the episode, we have included some maps and visual guides to accompany the explanation given by Elizabeth.
Waterways Map (credit: John Crook, Winchester Cathedral Record No. 53, 1984)
During the episode, Elizabeth does a wonderful job of describing the path of the River Itchen and its tributaries. To help visualise the path of the river and its tributaries, it can be useful to follow along with a modern map.
Further Information and Additional Links
To read more about Winchester’s waterways, here are Elizabeth’s articles in great newsletters from the City of Winchester Trust:
To view the painting that Elizabeth and Richard discuss, click here
If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out the discussion with Dr Eric Lacey about Valkyries in the Water Meadows
This episode is part of Season 7 of Hampshire HistBites. If you are enjoying what we do share your thoughts on social media or tell a friend.