The picture  is a photo of the Strawberry Special being loaded at Swanwick. The strawberry industry, probably more than most, benefited from the advent of the railways. Until 1845, much of the produce was sold locally, within the range of horse drawn wagons. The railway brought the London market within reach. Initially Fareham was the loading station, but when Swanwick was opened in 1887, it took over as the major distribution centre,. In 1913, at about the time this picture was take, over 3,000 tons of strawberries were loaded at Swanwick, and in season as many as 20 "strawberry specials" left, every day.

Initially, most of the strawberries were grown on the land of the large houses, Cams Hall, and Sarisbury Park for example, for consumption by the families. It is said that plants were stolen from those estates and planted outside on the farms, which were selling quite cheaply at that time. The relatively mild weather of Hampshire, benefited the growth, and often gave a second harvest.

The Hampshire Chronicle reported in 1818 that on 1 Dec from the gardens of HP Delme, of Cams Hall, a large plate of strawberries was produced.
The locals and itinerant workers would work the fields from mid-May, and were known as "Joe Pickers" after the Sir Joseph Paxton strawberry, the best known variety. The local gentry would arrange tea and games. The Church Army would try to bring some spirituality to the occasion, not too successfully as Saturday night fights outside the local pubs were not uncommon.

The strawberry harvest was of paramount importance - the celebration of the coronations of both Edward Vll and George V were postponed until the harvest was completed. The schools changed the holiday dates - children were a large part of the labour force - to coincide with the strawberry harvest, known as the "strawberry holidays". It was also done for the blackberry harvest.

Two interesting side lines from strawberry growing. The long line of horses waiting at the station produced large quantities of manure for the strawberry farmer, and the growth of the basket making industry. The fruit was initially packed in returnable half-barrels.

At the beginning of the 20C, some 2,500 acres were dedicated to strawberry growing, but after WW l the industry stated to decline and by 1968 there were less than 600 acres.

Members of my family lived at Park Gate/Swanwick from 1897 to the present day. Many of my aunts would help pick the harvest. Most of the family, in the 40's, 50's and 60's, grew strawberries in their back yards, and would pick and then sell them to itinerant dealers along the A 27.

My wife, Shirley loves strawberries. but for us in Ontario, the season is sadly coming to a close.

SARISBURY & SWANWICK

(Text and photograph by David Parker, Ontario, Canada)