Click on Shell to return to Main page	LOCAL HISTORY by Ray Burrows This heading appeared above more than 60 articles in 'Milton Review' from 1995 until 2001. Ray died on 20th August 2004. He knew a lot about where he lived, Milton and Eastney, and loved to talk about it and share his knowledge with others. His articles were very much appreciated by readers of 'Milton Review'. As a small tribute to Ray, we publish the last two previously unused items he submitted. DID YOU KNOW? Langstone Harbour and Milton Shore played a big part in the defence of Portsmouth during the second world war. Despite a Total blackout there was always a certain pattern of light at night from a large city. To lure the German night bombers away from the densely populated city centre and the Dockyard, a similar pattern of fights was laid off Hayling Island and on the islands of Langstone Harbour. These lights, and even some fires, were lit by remote control during air raids. Some false buildings were also constructed with lights showing to resemble poor blackout precautions. The plan worked and many bombs were dropped in Langstone Harbour, on the islands of Baker, Biness and Long and along the Hayling shore and Sinah instead of Portsmouth and its harbour. It is believed that there are many unexploded bombs, and even a complete German bomber, still buried today in the mud of Langstone Harbour! ------------------------------------------ In 1908 there were no fewer than six farms in Milton. When Jimmy Goldsmith was uncrowned 'King of Milton', peacocks strutted, ducks & geese waddled and cackled along the dusty highways and little changed to disrupt the tranquil life of the people. A writer in 1908 complains that in 1860 there were about 4000 acres of farmland on Portsea Island and today (1908) there are only 1000. The pretty lanes and country walks have been replaced with bricks and mortar, roads, brickfjetds and even smelling rubbish heaps A 1000 acres of farmland in Portsmouth does not sound too bad by today's standards! The last farm on Portsea Island closed in 1966 RB.