Colin Hamilton – Memories of Gosport

Simon: What’s your recollections of Gosport? Have you got fond memories of the place?

I have very fond memories, partly playing rugby here, partly going to Sultan. Cycling through Gosport. I mean there are some nice areas in Gosport and there are some not quite as nice.

Simon: Did you used to ride a bike to the Ferry and then come across?

Yeah. I used to do that when I was in Dolphin. I’d go to Vernon, park me bike up and then get the Ferry across, but of course once that went, it was difficult.

But I used to come over on the Ferry and cycle up, while I still have the use of my legs, you know, and I did that for years. Then I bought a scooter, moped, and chugged in, but I’ve been very fond of Gosport, I have. I mean I live in Southsea but certainly knew Gosport better and as I say, I enjoyed the social life there. It’s changes a lot. I mean it’s quite sad walking down the High Street.

The Markets not very good any more and you have to pay to park and all kinds of things that are different. The Bus Depot is an absolute tip. You know, I catch the boat, I go up to Submarine Association halfway up to Fareham and I catch the bus.

I get on the X2  which is supposed to take me somewhere near, but we hadn’t been for a while because we were doing it on the computer because of the Covid, and the bus didn’t stop and it kept going on up and of course they’ve extended the railway.

You can get the bus almost from Gosport to Fareham. It goes straight up the old railway line, so I ended up near Fareham. I had to walk al the way back to … so things have changed. It’s a very good bus service but the Bus Depot is appalling.

I know they’re going to rebuild it.