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Millennium ‘Blue Plaque’ awarded to Murrills House


Hampshire PR HQ Reprinted from the Meon Valley News May 2005


The Portchester Society nominates 18th century


Murrills House for top accolade.


An 18th century former farmhouse in Portchester is sporting a new blue plaque commemorating its historical importance, thanks to funding from the Millennium “Awards for All” Project.


Murrills House in East Street, which has been the headquarters of Hampshire and Dorset-based PR and marketing agency Hare Carding Communications Group (HCCG) since 1982, was nominated for the accolade by The Portchester Society.


HCCG managing director Neil Fowler was presented with the plaque by John Towse, Chairman, Plaques Committee, of The Portchester Society.


“This is a lovely building that has clearly been cherished through the years,” said Neil, “Although it has had to be adapted to meet commercial needs, it retains the elegant entrance and sweeping staircase through which countless generations have passed.


“It now buzzes with creative energy and houses an array of hi-tech equipment - a far cry from the gentle way of life to which it was accustomed in times gone by. We are very aware that we are the custodians of a very special piece of Portchester history.” Records show that there had been a farm on the site for at least 500 years before the 1950s. The plaque states that documents from the 16th century show the site as the Manor of Morrels and part of the Southwick Priory Estate. Later it became known as Portchester Farm and was the home of the Curtis family from 1871 to 1951.


Now known as Murrills House, the stylish cream-painted listed building has a large walled garden unchanged for a century or more and is backed by the industrial units of the thriving Murrills Estate.


“It must have been a sad day when the farm was sold off and broken up,” said Neil Fowler. “We’re


delighted, though that the house and some of its land was saved for posterity. Hare Carding puts the lovely garden to good use each summer by holding a ‘family day’ for staff, where bouncy castles have taken over as entertainment from the gentile croquet and tennis matches of yesteryear.


“We appreciate how lucky we are to work in such a charming building and we’re very proud that its importance has been officially recognised in a way that encourages people to understand and appreciate local history.”


Murrills House is one of 12 buildings to be presented with plaques by The Portchester Society. Others include The Old Castle Street School and the Turret House site, now the Portchester Library and Health Centre. The site of the previous Church of the Ascension in White Hart Lane, the Castle Powder House and Myrtle Cottage in Castle Street also now have the latest plaques.


The Report • June 2019 • Issue 88 | 47


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