It is now some time since a call was received from an Ashley Heath resident asking whether I was still available for talks. Doors will be open at 10am on 5th January 2024 at the main hall of the Barrington Theatre for an audience from the U3A Ferndown group, but non-members can pay on entry. My original talk with this title was limited to our Parish, but the comments below should make it more appropriate to a Ferndown based group.
This will now permit mention of the ancient Dudsbury camp and the Stapleford monastery; our Roman road alignment that led to their AD45 Legion II encampment site next to the Stour near Wimborne; the 17th century tenancies awarded at Parley and West Moors; division of the 1760s turnpike between Poole and Wimborne; later the several local railway links; the nursery and golf course; and finally the pre- and post-Spur Road route via New Road I originally used to reach Bournemouth.
Unfortunately, as far as I have been told, most of Ferndown’s Parish’s archive material was lost in a fire during the 1960s. Perhaps some members of the audience will be able to fill in some gaps. Of undoubted interest will be the history of the 100 yard wide “Palmersbrigge” ford across the Moors River and the nearby Domesday listing of Rushton Farm, that gave rise to the name “Sancte Leonarde” being shown on Saxton’s 1575 map of “Dorcestriae”; its 12th century links with Cranborne Abbey, later downgraded to a Monastery and eventually demolished during the 16th century dissolution
Sct. Leonarde, centre,on Saxton’s 1575 Dorset These elements date back to my initial parish researches in 2005/6 for our Parish, based on the fact that since 1932 we were a Civil Parish in our own right and by 1974 part of East Dorset. Use of Ferndown’s reference library appeared to be more appropriate, and proved to be initially a useful source, rather than Ringwood.
Even when in 2006/7 I joined the fortnightly meetings of the Working History Group, led by the late Ted Baker, and regularly researching in Ringwood, that town library became an excellent source for old material, files, and Ordnance Survey maps, the latter donated in 2018 and all now available and accessible at the Meeting House.
However, at the time our solicitors Mesons became a good source of material linked to our Parish, based on their original links to both the Castleman’s of railway fame, Charles’ ownership of St. Ives House mid-19th century, and William Webb and his Ashley Heath Garden Estate of the 1920s. Given his link as a Trustee of the Meeting House, ex-senior partner Rowan Brockhurst, was most helpful, while my work at HRO Winchester and locally alongside Ted Baker for six years enhanced my research skills. Working with Mary Baldwin and Tony White at the Meeting House was equally helpful.
My run of three boards, with files, etc., for the audience to study, also forms the basis of my unscripted talk .This one accompanied David Crudgington’s Webb Estates September talk at the Arnedale Centre in Wimborne. These days, given loss of my driving licence due to glaucoma in 2018, I rely on a member of the group to collect me and my material from my home and return me there from their events. Setting up takes about 15 minutes. My fee since those earlier days remains the same, and an equivalent sum is still gifted by me to the Meeting House, where it will attract Gift Aid.
Call me on 01202 875512
JOHN HAWKINS