Sweet Fanny Adams

Gravestone of Fanny Adams, Alton Cemetery Hampshire, UK 

For those that do not know. Fanny Adams lived in Alton for 8 short years before her murder in 1867.

Why am I mentioning this? Only because I live in Alton and I saw her gravestone the other day, and took the picture to the left.

For those that do not know, the phrase, "Sweet Fanny Adams", or "Sweet FA" is synonymous with her.

She lived in Tanhouse Lane. The ranks of (probably rank as well - historical ed) of Victorian cottages, next to the River Wey, one of where she lived her all too short life, have long since been demolished.

If I recollect, the Curtis Museum houses some information on this unfortunate event.

If you simply aren't interest in poor young Ms Adams, then simply visit the museum. It is a Tardis, in that it is much much bigger on the inside, than on the outside. What is more, it is absolutely free to visit, and no-one even harangues you to drop money in a collection box on entry or exit. In fact, the people manning the counter are incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant. Well done to the Curtis Museum staff!

Now, I have lived in Alton for over 5 year, and the Curtis Museum has been one of those places that I have walked past on many, many occasions and thought,

"I must pop in one day to see what it is like",

and then immediately forget about it. Then the next time, the same thought and the same inaction.

However, back in Autumn 2012, rather than simply walking past I popped in.

Now, you might think, that popping in suggests a brief moments, you know, a few minutes at the most. However, I was completely entranced and an indeterminate time later I came out and the whole world (well my view of Alton's history at least - ed) had changed. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

Wandering through the museum had been like being in a scene from the 1960's film, the Time Machine, where Rod Taylor is sitting in his time machine, racing forward through time and watching the displays of the store opposite change with time as the years flew past.

My experience in the museum had been similar. I had been transported back into a geological epoch and in a few brief hours (aha so you were in there hours were you - timekeeping ed) through thousands of years of history, finally returning to modern days as I stepped out of the museum.

It was wonderful, I would finish reading information on one exhibit, walk around the corner and then be overwhelmed with the next time period, (it is worth nothing that you did linger on certain exhibits more than others - Alton involvement in the brewing of beer - historical accuracy ed)

So, if you are in the area, simply pop into the Curtis Museum and be transported in time (the author has no pecuniary interest in visitors to Alton, the Curtis Museums, or the many and varied food and beverage establishments that make up the vibrant heart of this glorious historical Hampshire market town - promotional ed).

Afterthought

If you are interested in beer, Alton still has one brewery, currently under the name of (not Saunders - literary ed) Coors. There are also a surprising number of smaller breweries in the surrounding area, well from the history of Alton, hops were a major industry over hundreds of years, and like many parts of the country, smaller breweries are making a determined comeback, well done to all of them.

So cheers to Tripple fff Brewing Company, in Four Marks; Hogsback Brewery in Tongham; Ballards Brewery in Petersfield; Andwell Brewing Company in Hook and the Longdog Brewery in Basingstoke (so there is something positive to be said for Basingstoke after all - beer ed)