Southampton Blitz 70th Anniversary (30th November at 7pm)

Southampton was declared "finished" after the bombings that took place on 23, 30 November and 1 December 1940 and the spirit of the people was declared broken. At the time, national media was presenting very positive news of the war but the Bishop of Winchester's Report from his visit to the parishes of Southampton in December 1940 painted a more realistic image. His report gave a true picture of the devestation in Southampton. We invited the Bishop of Winchester back to encourage the people of Southampton at this unique service will take place exactly 70 years since the Southampton Blitz in St Mary's Church. The church was devestated and ost its roof to a bomb on 30 November 1940. Far from finished, the church members continued meeting through the winter demonstrating the, by now, renowned spirit of the blitz. Pictured to the left is the church who carried on meeting in the building for six months, with no roof. Seven church buildings were completely destroyed over the two weekends of bombings. Elim Church in Park Road thankfully cancelled its evening service on the night of 1st December 1940 - at the time the service would have taken place, the church building was hit directly by a bomb and was destroyed. Church members recall how relieved and thankful they were that the church wasn't full that night.

The Commemoration Service will revisit this dark passage of Southampton's history, celebrate the cty's rebuilding and look to its future.  Special contributions will come from Southampton blitz survivors, Steve Lee, the Mayor of Southampton, the Bishop of Winchester. ITV News and BBC News are scheduling to provide national coverage of the service. For more on the Southampton Blitz, visit the BBC website here.

Everyone is welcome, both young and old, to remember a significant time in our city's history. Parking is available free in St Mary's and the service will continue despite the flurry of snow expected.