"This diabolical sin of drunkenness"

The Temperance movement that sought to persuade drinkers of alcohol to reduce consumption, or give it up altogether, was a particularly significant force throughout the United Kingdom in the second half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th. In Hampshire two strands were quickly apparent; some advocated moderation of drinking habits while others campaigned for total abstinence, often referred to as “teetotalism”. County advocates of both views were often in conflict with each other, and with brewers and public house licensees who wanted no restrictions. Local and national temperance groups established societies in Hampshire, some providing sickness and death benefits. They flourished until about the second quarter of the 20th century when decline began, which accelerated until the movement had largely died out by 1970. “This diabolical sin of drunkenness” charts the history of temperance in Hampshire, the involvement of national and local leaders, the huge commitment of large numbers of volunteers, and spells out the successes, frustrations, and the disagreements that sometimes resulted in court appearances and, in a few cases, prison sentences.

In 1989, John Lander, a former banker, embarked on Open University study, obtained a BA(Hons) degree in 1995, and was awarded a PhD in 2000. Since then, he has written 40 books and papers, mostly concerned with aspects of 19th and 20th century nonconformist church history, and the temperance movement. In 2022, A Place of Transformation – the History of Sparsholt College, was published, followed in 2024 by Don’t Delay – Enrol Today – the Women’s Land Army in Hampshire, and in December 2025 by Prevention is better than cure – the Rise and Fall of the Band of Hope.