Poundbury Hillfort

Last evening I was lucky enough to spend some time outdoors! I joined a group for a walk to Poundbury Hillfort.
It always amazes me that within 10 mins of my home in central Dorchester I can find myself in beautiful countryside.
Looking out over the River Frome, the picturesque views and the historical landscape gave me a feeling of contentment.

I was also experimenting with a new navigational aid. I have downloaded the Ordnance Survey App' to my i-phone.

The application is free, the maps are sold in sections for £1.99 each, so you can just purchase the area you need. Once downloaded it will  help you plan a route or record the route you have travelled.

I need to practice using it a bit more, but I think it will be useful. 

We explored the Bronze Age site and also the Roman aqueduct which used to provide water to the town of Dorchester, formally known as Durnovaria! The water was directed to the town from the village of Frampton, where there was a dam in the river. 

The water was used in Dorchester to supply the public baths and other properties in the town. There is a fountain in Princes Street which marks it's location. 

The earlier Roman baths were in Icen way.

I also learned from our excellent local guide that the area was used in World War 1 as a Prisoner of War Camp.

I was just happy to be outside in the fresh air with my daughter and some good company, but it certainly was a thought provoking evening! 

Anonymous in Dorchester

A diverse selection of entertainment was to be found in Dorchester this weekend! The very successful Anonymous family festival on Saturday, followed by the 'Love Parade' on Sunday.

Both events were held in Maumbury Rings, with Sunday's event starting with a parade through the town. This year the event had a science fiction theme. 

South Walks was the venue for a French market.

All three events were favoured by the fine weather,  many local people were able to enjoy a selection of entertainment, and listen to live music with their families. 

 Unfortunately wet weather looks as though today's events may have to be cancelled, but perhaps it will clear up soon and I should find my welllyboots!

A beautiful day

What some beautiful sights and sounds I came across today in Dorchester. The flower beds in the Borough Gardens look stunning and the colours are so vibrant and exciting! 

There was a very talented singer in the town, her voice seemed to resonate around the contented shoppers in South Street, and was a perfect accompaniment to the warm sunny afternoon. 

How easy it is to miss things of beauty when you are in a hurry. This little fountain for example that marks the spot where a Roman Aqueduct entered the town's main supply,  to bring water to the town's public baths.

Tolpuddle Martrys Museum

Following my visit to Shire Hall this week, I have today visited the Martyrs Museum in Tolpuddle near Dorchester. Having learnt the details of their trial in the courtroom, the full story of the labourers  plight can be learnt here.

The cottage where the clandestine meeting took place! 

I was interested to learn that Charles Wollaston was one of the Jury members. I have previously recorded that my impression of him was a very warm hearted gentleman. However I have discovered that he did not support the labourers, and sided with his step brother James Frampton, who was responsible for the case being brought to court in the first place. 

And it seems that the local vicar was also no help to the Tolpuddle men,  as he promised the labourers that he would be supportive,  but it seems he was in fact influenced by financial factors! Not an uncommon story!  

So a secret oath led to the men being deported to Australia! I will be careful whom I share my secrets with from now on! I will most certainly be crossing one bridge in Dorchester very carefully in the future, as it still has this sign attached to it!

The Shire Hall Project

Yesterday I visited the old Crown Court and cells at Shire Hall in High West Street, Dorchester.  The Shire Hall Project, with prospective support from the Heritage Lottery Fund is being developed as a historical visitor attraction. 

The former offices of the West Dorset District Council was used as a courthouse until 1955, and the courtroom and cells remain as they were originally designed for use in Georgian times. 

The project hopes to be fully open by summer 2017 following a second bid to the HLF. 

I can recommend a visit during August, and the dates of the guided family tours can be found at the Tourist Information Centre in Trinity Street. 

I visited with my 16 year old daughter, and she found it very interesting and informative, and she was very shocked to see the conditions that prisoners such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs faced in 1834. 

Shire Hall Project on Twitter

Charles Street phase 2 development

I went along to the former 'Bryter Latte' shop on Friday to have a look at the plans for the continued planned development of Dorchester. 'Bryter Latte' was a small cafe, which closed at the beginning of summer 2013. This shop is currently empty and un-let, but was used during the winter as a Christmas Shop by volunteers I believe from the Dorchester United Church opposite. They were offering to wrap your Christmas gifts and were advertising a walk in Nativity play. It was very popular with those unskilled with the wrapping paper and sticky tape!

I chatted with Alistair Calder a senior project Manager of Simons.

The public have a 2 week opportunity to submit comments about the new project. If you have shopped in Marks & Spencer in the town you will know that it is bursting at the seams, and their relocation to a bigger store in the new development will be very welcome to both customers and staff.

Along with a new larger Waitrose and increased parking our town looks like it will continue undergo regeneration.

Our historical town is moving forward. The past and the future hopefully will blend harmoniously together.

Change is inevitable, and can bring opportunities. It can also bring fear amongst those who have become comfortable with their surroundings.

I would encourage residents to speak up now, while they have the opportunity.

The residents that were moved from their former homes in Charles Street many years ago must consider this just another event in the chronicle.

A farewell concert

A concert was held in St Peters Church Dorchester last  Saturday Evening. The Thomas Hardye Singers are a  combination of pupils who are currently studying in the school's sixth form and members of the community.  

It was organised to say farewell to the Director of Music at Thomas Hardye School. Mr James Baker is leaving to start a new job in another part of the country. 

The concert was organised by Mr Peter Oakes who is also a  music teacher at the school. Past pupils had been contacted to join the current choir if they could. 

 St Peters Church was full. The talented musicians that these two teachers have supported have an excellent reputation, and the association with the school and the church continues to give many young students in Dorchester musical opportunities of a very high standard.

As my daughter was previously supported by these two teachers I was very keen to attend. She was able to join the choir as she is back in Dorchester after recently becoming a Bachelor of Music herself.

The concert was sublime,  the sound in my ears brought complete pleasure to my whole body and I felt as though I was made of warm candle wax, softly melting on to the pew, which normally feels  hard.
The music was chosen carefully to show the many varied talents of the young musicians. Peter Oakes was very proud to be performing the Funeral Music that was written for Queen Mary by Henry Purcell in 1695. He said he had wanted to be able to perform this piece for some time.
Looking around the audience, I could see many former pupils who were transfixed by this very emotional piece of music.

We were treated to a glass of Pimms in the interval as the church had applied for a licence for the event which was very welcome.

There is no doubt that young people in Dorchester have some very special music opportunities and the respect and friendship that has developed with staff in the Thomas Hardye Music department is extremely genuine.