Under the Greenwood Tree By Cecil Amor

Under the Greenwood Tree

By Cecil Amor

Our familiar local Dorset writer and poet, Thomas Hardy, wrote the novel Under The Greenwood Tree, with a second title of The Mellstock Quire, which was Hardy’s own preference. It was published anonymously in 1872, 150 years ago, by Macmillan in two volumes and became a notable success. It tells the story of simple, likeable country people, who fall in love and eventually marry, despite the woman being pursued by several potential suitors.

I first read the novel over 30 years ago, after we decided to move to Dorset. I mentioned to a colleague that I would have to start reading Hardy, and she replied that I should start with this one, as it was basically happy and humorous, and full of country life. She was quite right.

The main character is Dick Dewy, son of Reuben Dewy, a “tranter”, or carrier with a horse and cart. Dick falls in love at first sight with Fancy Day, who has recently returned to the area to teach at the local school. Fancy is the daughter of Geoffrey Day, Head Gamekeeper and Timber Steward for the Earl of Wessex, with 5 acres of land, so somewhat above the station of Dick.

Two other, more suitable, candidates for the hand of Fancy appear: the new vicar, Mr. Maybold, and a local farmer, Mr. Shiner. This is the triangle around Fancy, which is the core part of the story.

The main location of the story is Hardy’s Mellstock, which Herman Lea defines as Stinsford in The Hardy Guides with excursions to Bockhampton, Kingston Maurward and even Weymouth, (Budmouth). Lea described himself as the touring and photographer companion of Thomas Hardy.

Dick’s father, Reuben, is the acknowledged leader of a band of men known as the Quire, who play rudimentary instruments in the church gallery for church services, especially at Christmas. The band was addressed by Reuben as “my sonnies” and included Grandfather William, with his bass-viol, Michael Mail, with a fiddle under his arm, Robert Penny, boot and shoemaker, Elias Spinks, Joseph Bowman and Thomas Leaf. The hero of the story, Dick, played the treble violin, Rueben, the tenor and Michael the second violin. Some of the instruments were hand-medowns and some homemade, as were the books of music each carried. These men, and four others, with seven boys, constituted the Quire.

On Christmas Eve the players congregated at Reuben’s house for tuning up and drinking much of Rueben’s homemade cider, then at midnight they set out to sing carols at various houses in the neighbourhood. This came as a surprise to me, as I had been a choir boy in our village church and we went out about a fortnight before Christmas, leaving about 6 pm and concluding about 10 pm at the latest. We visited most houses in our neighbourhood and generally collected cash at each, recorded in a book which was returned to the Church. As in Mellstock, we frequently encountered snow, but were not fortified with cider. Cider seems to have been very popular in the time Hardy wrote about and was regularly made at home from the fruit of apple trees grown in home gardens. One type of tree was described as The Bockhampton. Hardy also refers to beekeeping as a popular activity with the eventual honey making and consumption. A black cloud hangs over the Quire. The new vicar, Mr. Maybold, has a small organ, or melodeon, and has found out that Fancy Day can play it. Therefore, he tells the Quire that they will no longer be required in the church gallery. After some discussion, it was decided that this fate could be put off until Michaelmas, and much could happen by then.

There was a party at Rueben’s house on Christmas night. Dancing was forbidden until after midnight. Then country dancing commenced, with “Triumph”, or “Follow my Lover’’ followed by “Six-Hands-Round”. Later there was supper, laced with cider, ale, mead and homemade wine. All this dancing, several people deep, took place in a cottage said to be modelled on Hardy’s family home in Higher Bockhampton.

I hope that this brief article will encourage you to read or re-read the novel yourself. I have not been able to describe the scenery, as Hardy could, or the people sufficiently. Yet it does not seem like 150 years ago. I recall one winter when snow prevented many of my fellow students from going to school and the remainder of us were directed to the school hall, where we spent the time country dancing to keep us warm! Thomas Hardy penned a poem Friends Beyond which has some familiar names:

“William Dewy, Tranter Reuben, Farmer Ledlow late at the plough, Robert’s kin, and John’s, and Ned’s,

And the Squire, and Lady Susan, lie in Mellstock churchyard now!”

Later Sir John Betjeman published Dorset, possibly a parody, which I have abbreviated:

“Rime Intrinsica, Fontmell Magna, Sturminster Newton and Melbury Bubb,” -

“While Tranter Reuben, T.S.Eliot, H.G. Wells and Edith Sitwell, lie in Mellstock Churchyard now.”

“While Tranter Reuben, Gordon Selfridge, Edna Best and Thomas Hardy, lie in Mellstock Churchyard now.”

A note states that the last lines of these stanzas are put in not out of malice or satire but merely for their euphony.

Cecil Amor, Hon President, Bridport History Society

Resource package to help support wellbeing through nature and art

Your Seasons of Stories is free to access and available online

STEPPING into Nature announce the launch of Your Seasons of Stories, a beautifully written, illustrated and filmed mix of resources to encourage creative conversation, community and nature connection.

Your Seasons of Stories resources were co-created by four Dorset artists working closely with selected Dorset communities, and are free to access and available online as downloadable pdfs and short films, and as a high quality limited edition resource box containing five themed activity cards, inspirational poster artwork, stories and poetry and an artist materials starter kit.

The storytelling, poetry and art activities within this beautiful resource encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy local landscape, wildlife, folk tradition and culture to spark creativity and boost wellbeing. There are tips to help loosen up and relax into creative thinking, find creative flow, and be present in the moment. The activities are suitable for all adults with access to nature indoors or outdoors, with no additional materials required, and tips to expand art with new materials. The project aims to reach those lacking in mobility, isolated or experiencing low mental health but anyone is encouraged to join the growing community by taking part and sharing thoughts or artwork.

Creative facilitator and landscape poet, Sarah Acton said: ‘We hope to inspire nature connection, creativity and creative conversation with these beautifully designed, accessible and playful resources. We have collaborated closely with some fabulous community groups to create the activities, and it’s always satisfying and uplifting at the end of a session when participants realise that just ‘having a go’ can lead to surprises, not least that anyone can be an artist (or poet) in everyday life! It’s not about outcome, but about enjoying the process of making, and for wellbeing – tracking feelings and appreciating nature and seasons, connecting to the wider world.’

Your Seasons of Stories follows on from the popular Seasons of Stories ‘Autumn’ and ‘Spring’ books commissioned by Stepping into Nature, designed by Spike Golding and written by professional poet Sarah Acton and storyteller Martin Maudsley. Your Seasons of Stories was the next step to equip anyone with the skills, confidence, and motivation to create their own personal seasonal poetry, stories and art. The creative team for Your Seasons of Stories expanded to include artists Ilse Black and Sarah Jane Ross, and videographer Ben Ingram.

To view online, download or request a Your Seasons of Stories box by post go to www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/park-event/your-seasonsof-stories . Alternatively give Steph, Stepping into Nature Project Officer, a call on 01305 224788 to request a box on the phone.

George Payne Memorial Trophy winner Mr Roy Tarsnane

CONSIDERED as the most prestigious garden competition in the West Dorset area, the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Annual Gardens and Allotments Competition is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church. Each year the competition celebrates the hard work and pride that people put into their gardens. All types and sizes of gardens and allotments are encouraged to enter, this year there were 16 in all.

They were judged over two days by Mr & Mrs Tim and Sibyl Gale, the 2021 Large Garden winners, and Melplash Show Horticulture committee member, Mrs Jackie Seogalutze, and were accompanied by the Society President, Mr Nigel Jones and Society Chairman, Mr James Vickery and Vice Chairman, Philip Hardwell.

Judges’ overall comments: ‘We were very impressed by the wide variety of gardens, full of wonderful plants, perfumes and delightful spaces. All were different but linked by the enthusiasm of their owners and the pleasure that gardening brings. Nearly all the gardeners recognise the critical part that wildlife, particularly pollinators, bring to their gardens and the health of our environment - gardens are not only a source of joy and pleasure but significant contributors to a sustainable future’.

Society Chairman Mr James Vickery said, ‘It was a privilege to visit so many fantastic gardens and allotments. It was very obvious that everyone had spent many hours working in their gardens and did so throughout the year. The results were magnificent. Thank you everyone for taking part, we hope you will again next year!’

Winners included: Mr Kevin and Mrs Deanna Trott, West Allington for allotments; Mr Nick and Mrs Jen Tett, Bridport for Small Gardens; Mrs Jane Pinkster, Beaminster for Medium Gardens and Mr Jason Smith and Ms Nicola Darby, Mangerton for Large Gardens.

The Special Environmental Award, The George Payne Memorial Trophy, went to Mr Roy Tarsnane from Bridport. The judges were impressed by his vision to create a wildlife garden that has been carried through with hard work and enthusiasm for over 20 years.

The prizes will be awarded at the annual Melplash Agricultural Show at West Bay, Bridport on Thursday 25th August.

August Days garden

Special treats for garden lovers on August 24th include Farrs in Beaminster and Ellerslie in Cattistock.

At Farrs, the home of John and Jennie Makepeace, enjoy several distinctive walled gardens, rolling lawns, sculpture and giant topiary around one of Beaminster’s historic town houses. John’s inspirational grasses garden, Jennie’s riotous potager with an oak fruit cage. Glasshouse, straw bale studio, geese in orchard. Remarkable trees, planked and seasoning in open sided barn for future furniture commissions.

Visitors especially enjoy seeing not only a contemporary garden but also the modern interior with its collection of paintings, sculpture and applied arts in a historic house (Listed Grade 2*). The combination makes for a refreshing experience.

A limited number of tickets have been made available, kindly hosted by John and Jennie at their historic town house home in the centre of Beaminster. There will be a warm welcome from John at 2.30pm in the main rooms of the house, with a talk on his furniture design and recent commissions whilst also covering some of the modern paintings, sculpture and artwork in their collection. This will be followed by the opportunity to wander through the beautiful walled gardens which are punctuated with giant topiary and sculptures.

At 3.30pm, Jennie will give a talk on plants. Cream teas will be served in the house, finishing at 4.30pm. To book a ticket at £20, go to: https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/ garden/21930/farrs.

Farrs in Beaminster, photograph by Carole Drake

Ellerslie in Cattistock is a large restored 19th century walled garden with formal lawn and pathways, owned by David and Sue Orr, and is well planted and full of structure and floral colour.

In the centre of Cattistock, not far from the church spend a delightful hour and a half taking in the box and yew hedging, the deep and densely planted borders, some unusual plants and stunning roses. On the south facing beds of the walled garden the planting has been coordinated with cooler tones, in contrast to the west facing longer border divided by a water feature and warm floral colour. An ancient wisteria wraps itself around the house itself and is a behold to see in spring. Outside the walled garden, there are wilder grass areas, a large fruit cage, flower cutting bed, fruit trees and a recently planted terraced area with specimen trees for autumn colour.

The owners David and Sue Orr, provide a talk on the garden and a guided tour with in-depth discussion on individual plants and planting schemes. Tea, biscuits and soft drinks provided on arrival. 11am to 12.30pm. To book a ticket at £20, go to: https:// findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/43857/ellerslie.

Ellerslie in Cattistock

Handmade wooden furniture in a ‘sensory paradise’

Set against the backdrop of the undulating hills of Dorset and Devon, you’ll find the Sitting Spiritually garden.

As well as the stunning, Jarmanmurphy designed garden, this sensory paradise is home to a collection of our beautiful handcrafted swing seats and the ever increasingly sought after Swinging Day Bed, a particular favourite with garden designers.

If you’ve had your heart set on a swing seat, the best way to really appreciate the comfort of them, and the joys to be had from owning one, is to come and visit the gardens and see for yourself.

If you’d like to discover more about the rich heritage and history behind the handmade wooden furniture, Martin is always happy to have a chat—talking swing seats is his favourite subject.

To book your visit to The Sitting Spiritually Garden visit: https:// www.sittingspiritually.co.uk/visit-sitting-spiritually.