MANY of us have fond memories of the Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival. We loved seeing the balloons take shape on the fields, hearing the whoosh of flames, and feeling the searing heat from behind the tape. Favourites such as Bertie Bassett, the Cadbury’s Caramel bunny, AGFA’s film canister and Rupert the Bear were regulars - providing spectators with a smile every time. Sadly, the last Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival took place in July 2004, bringing an end to the decades-long tradition of Southampton having an annual festival on the Common. The event was known as Southampton Show beforehand, the Victory Garden Show and Fete during the Second World War, and the Royal Counties Agricultural Show before that.
SHE helped educate many of Southampton s children during a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years. A meticulous, well-known and much loved teacher, Jacqueline Mary Cowie has passed away aged 78 after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. Jackie s teaching career started at Wildground Junior School in the late 60s and she continued to share her passion for teaching in schools including Hollybrook, Portswood, Aldermoor and St Mark s. Art was her first love and this was no better illustrated than by her highly acclaimed displays of her pupils artwork in the schools tent at the Southampton Show on the Common in the 70s and 80s.