Southampton turns 60: Meet the city's first son

Joining them in spirit will be Nicholas Brown who earned his own place in Southampton’s history 60 years ago today.

He entered this world an hour after midnight on February 24, 1964 - making him the city's first son.

Born at home in Chessel Crescent, Bitterne, this is where Nicholas spent the first five years of his life before upping sticks and moving to Guernsey where he has remained.

The ex-pilot may have no intention to permanently return to Hampshire, but he is grateful for the links he shares with the city.

Nicholas and his mother Sheila Brown (Image: Nicholas Brown)

“I was aware from a young age I was born on the day Southampton became a city,” Nicholas said.

“It is a strange connection I have with Southampton.

“I do have friends in the city who I recently reconnected with via Facebook and my family and I get across as much as we can, and we visit the Mayflower Theatre at least once a year.”

Although Nicholas was only aged five or six when his parents moved to Guernsey, he has fond memories of living in Southampton - and has been celebrated in the Echo on landmark anniversaries.

Nicholas Brown, Southampton's first son in the Echo on his 21st. (Image: Newsquest)

His short tenure in Chessel Crescent even inspired him to pursue a career in the sky.

Nicholas said: “When my parents and I lived at Chessel Crescent, I used to watch the planes coming into land.

“A lot of the memories I have of growing up in Southampton involve trains, planes, and boats.

“Now, I’ve lost count of the number of times I flew between Guernsey and Southampton when I worked as a pilot for Flybe.”

Several of his memories were aided by his dad Bob Brown's films.

He said: “My dad was a keen cinematographer, so some of my memories of Southampton are assisted by his films.

“We also have lots of film of the last voyage of the Queen Mary, leaving Southampton Docks.

“It was quite a big event.”

Nicholas with his daughter Sophie and wife Susie (Image: Nicholas Brown)

He fondly recalled spending time at Mayflower Park, using the swings and slide, and also going on trips to the Isle of Wight.

More recently, Nicholas and his family have enjoyed several trips to the Mayflower Theatre, enjoying shows such as Miss Saigon and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

He said: “We are huge fans of the Mayflower, it’s such a fantastic theatre. We choose to go there rather than to London.”