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Nicknames & Narratives: Unveiling Gosport’s Historical Nickname ‘Turk Town’ Research Brief

5/15/2025

BACKGROUND:
This project directly links to Gosport’s vibrant cultural heritage by delving into the town’s historical nickname, “Turk Town,” and its connections to the Turkish Navy, effectively bridging historical events with contemporary experiences.
At the core of this heritage is the naval cemetery located on Clayhall Road, where 26 Turkish sailors from the 1850 visit of the Imperial Ottoman Navy are laid to rest. It’s heartening, especially in today’s context, that the Royal Navy seemed to care for them in both life and death. Currently, a piece of land in Gosport is dedicated to their memory. Engagement workshops centered around these themes will provide an informative and creative environment for participants to reflect on their ties to Gosport’s heritage and explore how the past influences their present and future. By organizing an exhibition, the project aims to breathe life into this heritage, giving the wider community a chance to learn more about Gosport's nicknames and engage with the narratives of Turkish sailors alongside modern residents. This initiative aligns with funding guidelines by celebrating Gosport’s shared and diverse heritage, promoting empathy, and inspiring action toward a more inclusive future. It fosters a dialogue between past and present, deeply embedded in Gosport’s rich heritage.
This project is inspired by the personal experiences and insights of Banu, a Turkish-born British artist and holistic creative therapist, who recently relocated to Gosport after over 20 years in London. Banu recognized a distinctive opportunity to connect this heritage with the lived experiences of contemporary communities in Gosport.

Thanks to the National Lottery Players, to Hampshire Cultural Trust and the Gosport Borough Council for their support

OBJECTIVES:
This proposal outlines an investigative heritage project that will culminate in an exhibition, aimed at exploring Gosport's rich cultural history and its ties to the Turkish Navy. The project will involve:

Engaging and informative workshops for Gosport residents and the Turkish communities residing in the area, encouraging cultural exchange that highlights both the historical heritage and current significance of the town's nickname, “Turk Town.”

I have reached out to ten Turkish families from and around Gosport, initiating discussions about their cultural identity, experiences of living in the town, and their connection to Gosport's heritage.

The workshops will culminate in exhibitions showcasing historical information and artwork created during the project, celebrating personal and collective narratives, emotions, and inner expressions. These mini-exhibitions will be accessible to the wider community, encouraging visits to Gosport.
Most activities will take place in Gosport, and if the Slaughterhouse (The Slaughterhouse at Royal Clarence Yard, built between 1854 and 1855, originally served as a key facility for the Royal Navy's victualling operations in its function of receiving and butchering animals for transportation and consmption on naval vessels) becomes available, Banu will collaborate with the Sustainable Conservation Trust (SCT) to host an exhibition there as well.
The exhibitions will be free for all visitors, attracting people from surrounding areas to Gosport and providing insight into the town's nickname, 'Turk Town.'
Ultimately, this engaging exhibition project will support creative heritage initiatives for future generations, celebrating the community's diversity and resilience.
By intertwining art, storytelling, and history, this project will encourage cultural exchange and foster a deeper understanding of Gosport's shared and evolving heritage.
It will promote the town's heritage value and its potential as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit, enhancing its overall appeal.

Cultural Exchange & Significance

The nickname 'Turk Town' reflects Gosport's multicultural connections, both historically and in contemporary times.
Our heritage plays a crucial role in shaping community identity, fostering pride and understanding through cultural storytelling.

KEY QUESTIONS:
Discovering Knowledge:

Did you hear the nickname ‘Turk Town’ before?
When was it and from whom?
What do you know about this nickname?
What other nicknames can you tell?

Personal Discovery:

What made you to choose living in Gosport?
How do you identify yourself here?
Do you consider yourself as a Gosportian/Gosportters?
What that means for you?
What is it like to live in Gosport ?
How about as an expat or as an immigrant?
Do you have historical connections to Gosport?
any ancestries’ stories?

Historical Research Questions:
Is 1850 courtesy visit to the area the only reason behind this nickname? What other reasons may be behind this nickname?

Crusades: Suggested that during Crusades’ times there were slaves brought back from Anatolia
Pirates: In history there were times when North Africans kidnapping British sailors/people
Prisoners: Apparently Gosport is built by Turks’ prisoners
Settlers : Suggested that Turks have been in the area for a long time. But since when?

Possible Connections:

Naval connections
Trade with the Ottoman Empire
Local legends and myths

Each story adds to the rich tapestry of Gosport's identity
Creativity Questions:

What would be your Gosport persona?
How would you like to translate this creatively?

SCOPE AND POSSIBILITY:
Contemporary Importance

In today's world, reclaiming and understanding nicknames promotes cultural pride and encourages meaningful dialogue.
The nickname 'Turk Town' for Gosport serves as a link, bridging historical context with modern creativity and inclusiveness.
This initiative aims to inform as many residents and workers in Gosport as possible. The goal is to extend this awareness to a broader audience, including nearby towns and villages, and even reaching out online to individuals in Türkiye.
There are aspirations to establish a sister city relationship under this name with cities in Türkiye, such as Izmir, Unye, Samsun, or Istanbul.

P.S. Gosport currently has a sister city relationship with Royan, a French holiday resort, formalized in 1959. This connection has fostered strong ties between various sporting clubs in Gosport, promoting camaraderie and friendly competition.

TIMELINE: Community Workshops - 2 each month from April to July
Revision in August with a Turkish picnic ( to be planned with Portsmouth Turkish Society and Gosport Society members including heritage groups and the support of the Gosport Council) .

VOLUNTEERS AND STAKEHOLDERS:
HAMPSHIRE CULTURAL TRUST (HANTS)
Banu (Bee) Schmid - Project Lead
Terry Rhodes - HOD Gosport pioneered Heritage Open Days (HODs) by participating in the first pilot programme back in 1992 > www.gosportheritage.co.uk
Elizabeth Backhouse (U3A- History Leader) Gosport Historian Researcher
Deniz Beck & Gail Baird - SCT is dedicated to the preservation and sustainable reuse of historic and culturally significant buildings www.sustainableconservationtrust.com
Rose Smith - Gosport Arts and Crafts -friend
Emma Paxton -a Graphic Recorder and Illustrator, creator imagistic.co.uk
Ann Sandall - Local U3A and HOD Volunteer, Creative Crafter Knitter

possible collaborators:
Tracy Evans via Port&Lemon- artist- design studio based in Gosport
Helen Ruff via Flo’s Magazine creator-Flo’s Circle on Instagram, is a wedding consultant, sobriety advocate and Access Bars
Helen Burden via YourSpace Gosport (ex imagination refinery place) Community Projects Lead- gosportcab.org.uk

METHODOLOGY:
Call to Action & Reflection

What narrative will your identity mask convey?
Join us in celebrating Gosport's living heritage
Participate in free cultural heritage workshops
Explore exhibitions for reflection

Gathering documents to support our theories involves:

Sending emails, visiting local sites, and engaging with residents and organizations

All collected information will be prepared for professional printing (beta print) and showcased in various locations throughout Gosport in 2025.
This information will also be archived for a follow-up exhibition and potential additional workshops in 2026, with an eye toward meaningful collaborations for future expansion.
Anticipated design outcomes may include:

Identity masks
Flag designs
Postcard creations
Paintings
A compilation of photography and video explorations showcasing local/personal stories
Poem

An online blog page will be created to ensure all information is easily accessible.

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Nicknames & Narratives: Unveiling Gosport’s Historical Nickname ‘Turk Town’ Research Brief

Unveiling Gosport's Historical Nickname

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