Statement of support from Basingstoke Heritage Society

Basingstoke was a small market town in Jane Austen’s time, but big enough for the town to be the place with an assembly room, where the local gentry were duty-bound to come to the balls held here. Jane, from just seven miles away in Steventon, danced here and wrote about the dances as well. 

A busy coaching trade in a town where many roads met, it connected Southampton and Exeter to London among other routes. 

The Basingstoke Canal was intended to go to Southampton but never made it. A great leisure facility today. 

The railway came in 1839. It rode roughshod across the north of the town, slicing through part of the town’s graveyard. This brought about the demise of the coaching trade, the collapse of the inns who served it and the availability of former grazing land taken for houses. 

Basingstoke changes all the time. The railway was a huge change. It brought businesses to the town; Thornycroft, Burberry, Wallis & Steevens.  

The next change was the 1961 agreement to bring 11,500 families to Basingstoke under the Town Expansion Scheme between the then London City Council, Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke Borough Council. 

Our contribution is our blue historic plaques, our exhibitions, our interpretation signs, talks and guided walks – all with the aim of bringing more interest in our history.  

The Anvil is a significant asset to the town and must be supported if necessary. The Haymarket provides drama, music and comedy. Live music at the White Hart and Tea Bar. Proteus Theatre and the Basingstoke Festival. 

Our suggestion would be an annual Jane Austen Lecture with invited guests. 

Basingstoke’s unique quality is dealing with constant change and embracing it.