SOTONIANS ventured out of their homes sixty-six years ago this week, back in March 1948, to enjoy what was described at the time as one of the mildest and sunniest March Easters of the century.
Although Southampton wasn’t blessed with as much sunshine as some other destinations in the British Isles, it did not stop the town’s folk making a beeline for the parks and waterfronts as families made the most of their time together.
Hundreds of holidaymakers took up positions in deckchairs on the Promenade of the Royal Pier but the biggest lure of the day was the fair on the town’s Common, where thousands of people packed into the showground to enjoy the stalls and rides.
One of the most popular attractions of the Easter Fair on the Common was the roundabout that offered the young patrons on the day the chance to ride on some of the big ships that were usually more commonly seen at the docks.
These little passengers in this Daily Echo picture of the time are seen enjoying a smooth ride on the “Queen Mary”.
Meanwhile things went with a swing as far as these two holiday makers in our other archive picture were concerned as they enjoyed a ride on the swing boats.
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