Comments on: Fawley Power Station, Southampton

By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:02:06 +0000

In reply to Bill Halder. I used to love seeing the chimney on the horizon. Always regretted I never got to go to an open day they had there back in the 80s. The architecture was beautiful as I've seen in photographs. It still upsets me today to know that it's gone. I tried to join a fight to save it but they had their way, and now have abandoned the plans they were going to replace it with. It should have been saved.

By: Bill Halder

Bill Halder — Thu, 08 May 2025 15:07:48 +0000

I was at Fawley in 1974 – 1975 as part of my CEGB training. This was a great place to work and we all had the sense that the place had been built to a very high standard. When originally commissioned (before my time) one of the CW pumps was powered by an experimental superconducting motor. In the way of thermal power stations Fawley became expensive and obsolete and has now gone completely. Disgracefully, the iconic control building has been demolished in an act of architectural vandalism.

By: Kevin stokes

Kevin stokes — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 22:03:17 +0000

In reply to Peter Rodell. I have a feeling that the Don smith you speak about was my grandad as I know he worked at the power station with computers

By: Peter Rodell

Peter Rodell — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:10:10 +0000

I worked at Fawley P Stn for a short time 1985/86 in Mangement Services with the great Don Smith as my mentor. Don was into the Burroughs micro computers [B20 series] and his Apple.
I helped look after the B1955, with Graham, and built the B25 network around ” Space City” . Great days.

By: ivor maddock

ivor maddock — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 20:13:56 +0000

Ivor maddock 1969 to 1979 b shift mmd

By: geoffrey perry

geoffrey perry — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:36:26 +0000

2 years on the construction of the 4 boilers as boiler maker plater,with dad and brother as pipe fitters on different firm.clarke chapman and john tompson being main contractors after mitchell had finished all the ground work buildings.it was a credit to hundreds of tradesman from all over the country.like clearing your shed out next week you need it

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 09:16:19 +0000

You mention some ‘unique and interesting architectural features’ – it would be great if you could also mention the Architect: Colin Morse F.R.I.B.A. He also designed La Collette Power Station in Jersey (Building constructed 1963-1965).

By: Dale Hammond

Dale Hammond — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:31:22 +0000

My father worked here as a shift engineer Keith Hammond from the building stage and many years afterwards. I often used to go into work with him and learn in the workshops as a child .also remember never a shortage of batteries or hamerite paint from the stores. Originally we lived at 14.langdown lawn close in Hythe where the garage which is still standing was built by contractors as a favour to my father with the spare lining flue bricks from the chimney and a pit and floor all laid as a “favour ” .we moves from there just down the road to malthouse cottage. Sadly my father died a few years ago but I managed to keep some of the original tools and paperwork from the station including all his original documents about the gas turbines and course with RR he had to do

By: David Lane

David Lane — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:54:02 +0000

Dear Tony, Edward, Francis, Paul and Kevin

I’m a professional playwright working in the New Forest with Forest Forge Theatre Company, Waterside Heritage Centre and New Forest Heritage Centre. I’m being funded by Arts Council England to write a new play based on people’s relationship to Fawley Power Station. Your stories sound fascinating and I’d love to hear more.

As I’m sure you know, the power station is due for full demolition and a new housing development – Fawley Waterside – will be built and completed in its place by 2026. The play has been commissioned by Forest Forge who make work about, with and for the communities of the New Forest. The Waterside area and in particular the industrial nature of it has often been overlooked, and we really want to listen to, understand and collect the many and varied experiences people have of the Power Station – from its build in the 1960s until today and its forthcoming demolition – whether they worked there, or felt it had a big influence on their life in the community. Everyone’s stories and experiences are of interest, no matter how small they might seem.

If you’d be interested in talking to me or hearing more about the project, it would be great to hear from you. If you know others that might also be interested, please do spread the word that we’re on the lookout for people’s stories and to explore and celebrate the amazing influence this incredible building had on the local community, before it’s gone forever.

Thanks so much for reading this. I hope to hear from you. And to the website organiser – this is a fantastic resource! Thank you. It’s been a really great introduction to Fawley.