TIMES may have changed, but Bishopstoke's Riverside is a place still popular for a leisurely stroll to escape the hustle and bustle of life.

In this view, taken around the turn of the last century, two public houses can be seen.

But although the Anchor - in the right of the picture - is no longer a watering hole, the Angler's Inn remains.

Much has changed over the years and Bishopstoke was a very different place as Robert Mudie described in his book about Hampshire in 1838.

"The church and the village are beautifully situated, the former close to the river bank. The other parts of the village are embowered in stately trees . . . and it is difficult to find or even imagine a sweeter place."

The Anchor is first mentioned in the Rates Book in 1794 and it was known to have been rebuilt in 1892.

Records show the landlord of the pub in 1855 was Charles Bishop, who was also the village plumber. Today beverages are no longer sold. The premises have been converted into flats.

The Anglers, which stood next door, appeared on a 1824 map of the area and was for many years known as "Annie Miles's" after the landlady.

In the early 1900s Riverside was a popular site for recreation, and a place where local children could play games and enjoy a paddle.

During the village carnival, which had a torchlight procession in the evening, lights were strung along the edge of the river and a raft moored in the middle of the water and served as a makeshift platform for the band to play on. Many bystanders used to watch the procession from the upper windows of the public houses.

Eastleigh Museum is always on the lookout for old local photographs. If you can help contact curator Sue Tapliss on 01703 643026.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.