Heritage Open Days - Battle of Southsea Talk

There's a talk on the Battle of Southsea at The Greenhouse in Victoria Park on Wednesday 16 September, and it's part of this year's Heritage Open Days. If you've never come across it, the Battle of Southsea was a four-day riot on Southsea Common, when thousands of protestors clashed with police and soldiers. It's a bit of local history that doesn't always get the spotlight, so it's a good chance to hear the full story.

The talk sits within Heritage Open Days, which started back in 1994 as a way for people across the country to explore the heritage and history within their own communities. The idea is to get museums, attractions, theatres and historic sites to throw open their doors for a weekend of free activities, talks and displays. More than three decades on, it's grown into a huge celebration of culture, with hundreds of events taking place right across England. This year's theme is 'Everyday Histories', and the days run from 11 to 20 September across Portsmouth and the rest of the country.

The venue itself, The Greenhouse, is a community building in Victoria Park, an area that still holds wartime echoes. The British Restaurant, a public canteen that stood in the park during the Second World War, is the subject of an on-site exhibition and digital trail, so there's a bit more to see around the park if you've got the time. Between that and the talk, it's a decent afternoon for anyone with an interest in the city's past.

So, the talk is on Wednesday 16 September at The Greenhouse, Victoria Park, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3HJ. It's part of the wider Heritage Open Days running from 11 to 20 September.