By Mal Butler
A new book, entitled ‘Totland Reflections’, telling the story of how the village grew from a small farming community into a busy seaside resort, with shops, a wide range of sports and leisure clubs, musical and amateur dramatic groups and annual regattas and carnivals, has been launched.
The book has been written by the Totland & Freshwater Archive Group members, Caroline Dudley, Dorothy Geen and Janet Haire, and features photographs from the 1800s.
The group, based in Avenue Road, Freshwater, was formed in 2010 and, in 2014, launched its first publication ‘Freshwater Reflections’. This new edition is dedicated to Linda Barnes, its chair from 2016-2020.
At the launch at Totland Bowls Club, current chairman, Adrian Harris, said: “This wouldn’t have been possible without of lot of people contributing their stories and photographs as well as funding from Totland Parish Council. It’s something which will be enjoyed by all for many years to come.” The launch was attended by the authors and members of the Freshwater & Totland Archive Society.
The glossy book is priced £20 and is available from the heritage centre, plus postage and packing, if required.
Isle of Wight Observer