Southampton: Discovery made during West Gate roof repairs

Two pages from the Daily Echo newspaper, dated 30 March 1937, were discovered during roof repairs in Southampton

A plaque and a newspaper from 1937 have been found during repairs to the roof of a historic city gateway.

Southampton City Council said a contractor found the items while working on the West Gate, off the Western Esplanade.

Two pages from the Daily Echo newspaper, dated 30 March 1937, were alongside a lead plaque stamped with the name Fred Pitcher.

The items have now been stored in the council's archaeology unit.

The West Gate, off Western Esplanade, underwent restoration work in the 1930s

The West Gate was one of the town's principal gates in the medieval period and it underwent restoration work in the 1930s.

In a post on social media the council said: "Very little information has survived about the restoration of the Westgate in the 1930s, so it is particularly useful to have this new dating evidence."

"Additionally, one of our expert volunteers was able to uncover some interesting information about Fred Pitcher, whose name features on the plaque. He had several sons, so could it be that his descendants are still living locally?"

Repair and conservation work is currently taking place on many of Southampton's monuments, as part of the £6m Heritage Asset Repair Programme (HARP).

A lead plaque was stamped with the name Fred Pitcher and the year 1937