Barton-on-Sea |
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The History of Barton-on-Sea
The history of Barton can be traced back some 35 million years, to a period
when crocodile type creatures roamed the area. This is confirmed by evidence
unearthed by the constant erosion of the cliff face and analysed by geological
scientists. Barton (Barton
fossils) has given its name to fossil bearing clay and the fossils
it contains, wherever they are found throughout the world.
Hunting, fishing and from time to time farming were the means of livelihood
of our Germanic ancestors. One of their leaders gave his name to Beorma's
Farm at Barton. Barton appears twice in the "Doomsday {Domesday}
Book" as Bermintune and Burmintune and Barton is derived from these
old English names, therefore it is a unique place name.
Rodger de Montgomery, later Earl of Shrewsbury, a great friend of William
the Conqueror, (King William 1st of England} from his boyhood days, held
both Barton manors in1086.
With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 Mrs White's Barton Court
Hotel became a rest home for British troops. Soon afterwards local people
were amazed to see hundreds of Indian troops who were sent to convalesce
in huts built along the sea front. In the centre of Barton sea-front stands
an obelisk commemorating their stay, under the care of army doctors Chaytor-White
and Mawson. This was erected in 1917 when the war in Europe was still
at its height.
Until the installation of cattle grids on all exit roads from the forest
in the early 1960’s, it was quite a common site to see New Forest
ponies and cattle grazing on the cliff top.
Due to coastal erosion caused by the sea whipped up by the south-westerly
gales, compounded with the constant water seepage originating from the
New Forest and local surface water resulting from higher density housing
development much of the former Barton Court has now disappeared over the
cliff, or had to be demolished for safety reasons. Additional coastline
strengthening started in the late 1960’s and is continuing today
with some success against sea erosion. Since then considerable sums have
been spent on the toe and beach line, this has included piling and Dorset
stone brought in to providing “strong points”. An advertisement
in the official guide published in the early 1900’srefers to a 100
metre wide promenade at Barton on Sea. Today it is around 20 metres at
its furthest points.
Today’s cliff slip problems are almost entirely due to inland water
seepage. Unfortunately the cliff face continues to move at an alarming
rate.
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