The following emails have been received relating to the Farlington Q-Site.

NEW - 26-11-2007

I did your walk [no3 walk] when the tide was very low indeed, and was able to reach a small island to the south of the tip of the marsh. On the island there are the remains of a curious structure which I photographed [see below].

The brickwork looks like it is of the same date and type as the two Starfish bunkers. Any idea what it was? Apart from starfish I cannot think of any other reason for building out there!

Anyway: thank you for a very interesting walk, and for putting together such a fascinating website.

John Turner - November 2007 (a relative of the Colonel JF Turner)

Replies so far...

I would like to say first of all, thank you for putting together a very interesting web site. I knew that there were tunnel systems and bunkers all over this area, I was just unaware that they were this incredible!

With regards to the picture (above), I believe that this is the Oyster Catchers House. From the directions you have provided on how to get there, and looking at the ruins, I am quite sure that is what this is. To be 100% sure I seem to remember that near the house is an old well, I think it is blocked up now. But if that is near these ruins then you have the Oyster Catchers House. I could not think of a creepier place to live. I remember my Dad taking me out there when I was 14. It was cold and a little bit foggy and it spooked me.

Apparently, the Oyster Catcher lived here right up to the late 1940s early 1950s. Allegedly he was called Russell and to the left of the green finger of mud is where he used to moor his boats and it’s called Russell’s Creek. He used to catch the Oysters from the Hayling Oyster Bed and sell them in Portsmouth and Hayling. I am unsure why he moved off the Island but when he did the house was just left to crumble into the sea.

Sorry the information I have on this is limited. When you ask the old fishermen about it, it’s difficult to tell when they are pulling your leg about wrecks or the islands around these parts. (Apparently there are the ruins of a church on North Binness Island, but I am unable to find any information about this).

Jim Roberts - May 2008

Matthew Russell, who gave his name to the channel leading northwards from Sword Sands towards North Binness Island, married Jane Tilley at St Marys Church Portsea on 12 November 1798. Around 1819, when presumably his family of six sons and two daughters were complete, he took the lease of the small island about 200 metres off the southerly point of Farlington Marshes peninsula. Here a house was built, both as a home, and as a place from which to establish, maintain, and most importantly, guard the proposed oyster beds which were to continue as a viable business for 130 years. The house was called the "Black house" or "Lone house"  and was demolished in 1950.

Ken and Mo - January 2008

I have visited your website on a number of occasions, and find it very interesting.  The picture of what appear to be foundations (update 26/11/2007), reminded me of something I was told just after I left school in 1972 .I happened to mention to my then employer that I saw a house, or what was left of one just off Farlington Marshes to the south. I was told by his Father that it used to be a house(?) used by the oyster fishermen. Perhaps this is what the picture shows?

There are oyster beds at Hayling Island, but the original ones dated from the early 1800's until they fell into disuse in the 1970s. I hope this may shed some light on the subject.

Bob Palframan - December 2007

NEW - 30-03-2006

I found your site while I was researching my grandfather's wartime service. One of my aunts recently gave me a letter which I have scanned in and attach to this e-mail. 

My Grandfather was Thomas Cardwell - he never spoke about his wartime experiences and it was very moving to see the pictures on your site which show where he was stationed.

Congratulations on a very comprehensive and interesting site.

Bob Bell - March 2006