Today’s walk took me through the grounds of the Explosion Museum. That’s where I spotted this rather spectacularly decorated lamp post. The museum is an interesting visit, giving an informative history of naval air power. We have been around the museum, but not today.
Carrying on with the walk, took me through Clarence yard. Literally the breadbasket of the Royal Navy. The ovens where the daily bread was cooked are still there, as a backdrop to a nice restaurant. It is entirely appropriate that the bakery that fed the nave through the 1800s is still associated with food.
The buildings of Clarence Yard are quite impressive, Gosport o rough Council is in the process of redeveloping the area in a sensitive way that retains its historic character. There’s the restaurant I mentioned above, there are several commercial units along the frontage, they have been empty for quite a while. That in itself demonstrates one of the problems with Gosport. With the growing number of empty shops on the high street, what would draw people back to that area, let alone entice them to an area a good walking distance from the town centre?
Our attitude toward high street shopping has changed dramatically over time and with the predominance of internet shopping, the role of the high street is very much in question. That means that any commercial activity that would successfully entice people to an area like Clarence yard has to be something special, over and above the historic attractions.
What those activities are, is a question to which I do not, unfortunately, have the answer, because if I did, I think I’d be quite well off.
Bills Posts 