The name of Burridge (or Burrage) means 'fortress' or 'powerful in Old English and was recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1986. Considering its ancient origins the name today is relatively rare as a surname. In 1881 there were under  fifty men in the United Kingdown who had been born before 1842 and who bore the Burrage name and just over 200 who bore the Burridge name. Though the two names are confused in early records, the degree to which birthplaces of Burrage individuals are concentrated in East Anglie and Eastern England is remarkable. But then the Burridge name is concentrated in Devon and Dorset and some of the south-western Burridge's probably derive their name from the Burridge location of which there is one in Devon and one in Hampshire.

Samuel  Wynn Hornby Hood, Esq.,offered for sale the 'Burridge Estate, comprising '54 acres of Valuable Freehold Properties to plots of 1 1/2 to 3 acres' as well as 'a desirable small Pleasure Farm known as Burridge with old Fashioned farm House, buildings, 49 acres of land and nearly quarter of a mile of frontage to the river Hamble'.

But also incorporated in the use of the landing place there was a clause that went 'the landing place and the way leading to shall be closed between sunset and sunrise, and the landing place shall not be used for smuggling or other illegal purpose'.

The people that purchased these plots did indeed find it hard and strenuous work and they had to clear the trees and rubbish first before working on getting the soil up to par. This had to be loaded by hand onto cars and transporting it off to be burnt.

The Swanick and District Fruit Growers Association came into being during the early part of the 20th century and a little while later the Burridge Fruit Growers joined forces with them and by 1913 a factory to produce the chip baskets, made from locally grown Poplar trees and. which the women wore on their backs while picking the fruit. These baskets were then used to transport the fruit to market.

Another basket was the wicker basket called Hampshire Gallons and were used to collect the strawberries, these were made by prisoners in Winchester Gaol until about 1905. Gypsies regularly travelled to the strawberry fields every summertime for the fruit picking.

The strawberries were all gathered together at nearby Swanick Railway station for transport onwards. Read more about the strawberry growing in the area at the Strawberry Special

The work was hard but worthwhile and it was not long, in fact just after WWI that and old hut that belonged to the army was bought and erected by volunteers and a Miss Augusta Burrell of Fairthorne Manor, well know for her generosity gave approximately six acres of field to accompany the hut, which together were used for social functions,  sports, and outdoor activities. The only stipulation was that no alcohol was to be served in the hut and politics were strictly forbidden!

As the strawberry traded prospered fruit was sent  to London and even  further still and later school holidays were arranged to fit in with the harvests. One of the most well known growers was A.E. Roberts who after clearing trees and rubble acquired extra land after the second world war and grew berry fruits and every year he expanded and eventually had 35 acres of blackcurrants alone.

Bungalows were built in 1928 on what was once called Caigers green, and then the village became so popular that the remaining strawberry growers began to look for other sites or take on other work, eventually allowing the onslaught of building to gradually consume their fields, but happily there are still a few people there today that still carry on the old tradition of growing the nations favourite fruit!

Sadly as the village became a popular place to live, the local strawberry growers began to take on other occupations and development after WWII, and from 1950-60 took over from the strawberry fields. Though some are still producing the popular fruit today.