WHEN keen local historian John Jones, together with his wife Betty, moved into the retirement community at Grove Place, Upton Lane, near Romsey, five years ago little did he know he would end up researching the history of his new home.

Grove Place is centred round a Grade I listed manor house, one of just seven similarly protected buildings in the county of Hampshire.

John, who admits he has a passion for history, said: “There were several versions in circulation claiming to be the authentic Grove Place history, peppered with some contrasting facts as to who lived or visited here, and particularly the myth that the mansion was built for Queen Elizabeth I.

“So once I had settled into our new home, I started investigations to get the definitive story, with another resident, Peter Otway, sadly no longer with us, and made it our mission to get to the bottom of the rumours and tales surrounding this wonderful Elizabethan mansion, both for our satisfaction, and hopefully, for Romsey folk in general.”

John and Peter undertook some investigations at Southampton’s main library at the Civic Centre as well as discovering information at the county’s record office in Winchester.

“This has been a fascinating experience, and one I love to share with new residents moving into Grove Place,” said John.

Daily Echo:

“We are so lucky here, having this magnificent mansion, where we meet daily for coffee, or a drink or meal in the restaurant, have the odd game of snooker, maybe go to an art class, relax with the vintage cinema evenings or simply chat to one another.

"But until quite recently none of us, fortunate enough to have a home here, have really known the true history of the place.

“I am virtually finished, but, as any historian would add, ‘for the moment’, as there is always something new to discover about this place, lurking just around the corner.

“And just to clear up that myth, Queen Elizabeth I did not live or even visit Grove Place. A monarch at that time would have found the house far too small, with the need for dwellings stretching end to end the length of the Grove Place drive to accommodate all the Royal entourage and, not least, the wardrobe!”

LifeCare Residences, which operate and maintain the retirement community, has plans to have the research published, wanting to make it accessible to all the local community.