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West End Local History Society Local History - Shutter Telegraph Station

Museum & Heritage Centre The Old Fire Station High Street West End. Hampshire

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Most local people have heard about Telegraph Woods, here in West End, especially with the near vicinity of the new County Cricket Ground. But how many of you know exactly how it got its name? During recent research carried out we discovered some interesting facts and details! Firstly, that the present Telegraph Woods is NOT the original site of the woods, they were originally an area bounded by the present day Western, Eastern and Telegraph Roads and bisected by Southern Road. This area was cleared in the 1920's and roads put in prior to house building commencing. In the Museum we have a unique set of photographs showing this work being carried out. The name itself comes from the Signal Telegraph station that once stood some way behind Richard St.Barbe Bakers house, The Firs, on the high ground. The threat of French invasion forced the Admiralty, who operated a shutter telegraph from London to Portsmouth, to extend the line to Plymouth.

The sites for the stations (similar to the model shown on the right) where surveyed in 1805 and in operation by early 1806 (almost ready for use on 4th May 1806) the local station was known as Townhill, as it was on land forming part of the very large Townhill Estate. You have to bear in mind that the area was not wooded as it is now, just gravelly scrubland, or heathland, but forming a high escarpment with a clear view inland. The next station in line west was at Toot Hill, and in the other direction (east) at Wickham. No station was more than about 6 or 7 miles apart as the crow flies, and they were in the main manned by a couple of Royal Navy ratings with a Midshipman in command. They continued in use until 1814 when the Peace of Paris was signed on 30th May 1814, ending war with France. George Roebuck, the Surveyor of Telegraphs, was instructed at that time to close and sell most of the stations off. Most were on land that was leased, with leases ranging from 5 shillings to five guineas per annum, the timber was sold to local people for re-use as it was good stout timber baulks, beams and planking. There is a rumour that some cottages in Moorhill Road have timber that came from the West End Telegraph Station, if anyone can confirm this and which cottages are involved, please let us know. The stations were invariably of a standard pattern, having two rooms, one for the mechanism and work room, the other for living area and kitchen. Equipment was basic, with the exception of the telescopes used by the sentinels. These were of the best quality provided by Dollands at a cost of 12 guineas each! (a great deal of money in those days) The signalling shutters, six in all, were arranged between 20 foot high frames, supported by massive baulks of timber. We have a photocopy of a map of 1810 showing the wording Townhill Telegraph in the Museum archive collection and when we have a little more information, hope to publish a booklet with all the details. (Research carried out by Nigel Wood and Neville Dickinson with help from Bill White)

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