Calmore - what does the name mean? Most old names are descriptive and Calmore is not an exception. When the name was looked up it was found to mean "Cabbages on the marsh" or in other words the marsh or moor where cabbages grow. These cabbage plants would've been Sea Kale, hence the name Kalmoor - Calmoor - Calmore, its only in modern times that there has been any consistency in spellings.
The area of low land surrounding Tatchbury Mount was extremely boggy and only suitable for farming in the drier months of the year. In the Napoleonic era the Calmore canal was dug to drain the Netley Marsh area. The land use changed, more farms and different crops; as the land became drier. One of the new crops were flowers and several nurseries were in the area. The next big change came 150 years later with the construction of the estate. This is only our recent history, we know that the history of Calmore goes back a long way, there is evidence of prehistoric land use.
In prehistoric times the people who lived on the higher and drier land in the area built field enclosures on the lower wetter areas. Evidence of these fields still survive, they were fenced with banks to protect· their animals. Wooden structures would have rotted in the wet ground and the wood was also needed for fuel and the construction of their homes. The use of banks therefore made a lot of sense as well as making a dry walkway among the fields. Have you guessed where they are? The banks can be seen on 2 sides of the playing fields in the centre of the estate, sadly they are now becoming eroded.
During the Iron Age a hill fort was built at Tatchbury Mount, consisting of extensive earthworks and defences, high banks with wooden fences around the buildings. The earthworks were an a grand scale and extended over 5 acres, you can still see them today.
We know the Romans were in the area due to the remains of several roads and other finds in the New Forest and Southampton, one of their roads is just to the north of Calmore.
Later the Saxons invaded our shore via Southampton Water, a huge battle took place at "Netley Marsh" the area around Tatchbury (which includes Calmore). In excess of 5000 people were slain including the local King whose stronghold was the hill fort. The Saxon invaders were the forebears of King Alfred the Great
In later years as our community grew we have had some unusual trades - Boat Building, Laundry, Glove making and Lace making as well as the trades and jobs that went hand in hand with the landed gentry and farming. The laundry was done in the Calmore pond (site of the Saxon Pub); the owner of loperwood Manor planted a belt of trees in Calmore Road to obscure the washing line. The gloves made were of such a high quality that the Royal family purchased them. Although you might think it peculiar for a boat builder to have his business inland not only did it show up in the 1881 censes but I can remember another firm in the 1960' s.
We also have a tradition of community shows like the Calmore Show today, the village held Peace celebration shows after both World Wars. Calmore residents were founder members of The New Forest Show, which in its early days was held at both Bartley Cross and at Totton. Another tradition, which is continuing today, is our community halls, both the old village hall in Pauletts Lane and the Calmore Community Centre were originally funded by subscription, each family at the time of construction contributing £1 towards the cost.
But to bring us full circle and back to cabbages and ....? No not kings but caterpillars. The pre-school playgroup at Pauletts Lane moved out of the old village hall and into the infant school so it needed a new name, the name they chose was Caterpillars. I thought this was very apt seeing that caterpillars eat cabbages and their playgroup is in middle of an ancient cabbage patch.
An exhibition of the History of Calmore will be held in the Community Centre during Calmore Show on 19th of July 2003
If you have any information on our local history please get in touch on Tel :023 8086 5997. Susan Lawrence