12 minute read
48 Equestrian
During Britain’s Industrial Revolution, 4,000 miles of canal were developed in an astonishingly short time – but Dorset only got eight miles-worth! Roger Guttridge details the local planning catastrophe
The sketch of Fiddleford showing plans for an aqueduct across the present-day A357 (modern map for comparison below)
As a veteran of canal holidays in the ’70s and ’80s, I’ve often wondered what Dorset would have been like had these arteries of the Industrial Revolution reached our county. They almost did: between 1796 and 1803, eight miles of the Dorset and Somerset Canal were constructed at the Somerset end. Had the ambitious project continued, parts of North Dorset would have been transformed, especially Fiddleford, where there were plans for an aqueduct fed by the Darknell Brook (see images, above). Had they come to pass, the Fiddleford Inn (or the former ‘Traveller’s Rest’), two doors away, might now be called the Narrowboat or the Boatman’s Rest. The feasibility of a ‘Dorset and Somerset Inland Navigation’ was first discussed at a meeting in Wincanton’s Bear Inn in January 1793, when canalmania was sweeping the country. In 80 years, 4,000 miles of canals were built, helping to transform both the national economy and local economies along their routes. The local plan was to provide a waterway link between Poole and Bristol – an alternative to
Huge network planned!
Supporters predicted a regular traffic in coal from the Bristol and Somerset coalfields, and Purbeck clay destined for the Staffordshire Potteries. Other cargoes envisaged included freestone and lime from Somerset and timber, slate and wool from Dorset. Initially there was great interest from investors with subscriptions greatly exceeding the prescribed minimum. The proposed route ran from Bath to Frome (with a branch to the Mendip collieries) and on via Wincanton, Henstridge, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Lydlinch, King’s Stag, Mappowder, Ansty, Puddletown and Wareham to Poole Harbour. Wareham folk were supportive but a meeting at the Crown in Blandford insisted the canal would be more beneficial if it went from Sturminster Newton to Poole via Blandford and Wimborne.
Counting the cost
Robert Whitworth, the project’s consulting engineer until he resigned in September 1793, favoured the Blandford option. His costing for the 37 miles from Freshford to Stalbridge was £100,234 (approximately £15,461,737 in 2021) The remaining 33 miles to Poole had an estimated cost of £83,353. The Blandford route was finally chosen in 1795 but with branches to Wareham and Hamworthy. It seemed like the perfect compromise but there was still opposition from some landowners. Lord Rivers insisted that ‘the canal did not proceed beyond some point betwixt Sturminster and Blandford, otherwise withholding his consent’. In 1796 a drastic decision was taken to abandon the southern section, reducing the canal’s length to 48 miles and the cost to £146,018 (approx. £22,524,212 in 2021 terms). Bizarrely, it would now terminate at Gain’s Cross, Shillingstone.
Catastrophe rocks the plan
With £73,000 already raised from shareholders, the necessary Act of Parliament was quickly obtained and received royal assent. It gave the owners the right to draw water from any source within 2,000 yards of their canal and to create a junction with the Kennet and Avon, thus connecting to the national network. Work on the Mendip collieries branch began in the summer of 1796. A newspaper advertisement said progress was rapid, the public would soon experience the benefits of the canal and ‘part of it near the collieries is already completed and a barge was launched there on Monday’. The advertisement proved to be hopelessly optimistic. Of the original £70,000 pledged by prospective shareholders, only £58,000 materialised. Over the next few years, partly due to the Napoleonic wars, the company lurched from crisis to crisis and only eight miles of canal were built. Progress was hampered and expenses increased by the rocky terrain. Those eight miles alone required 28 bridges, three tunnels, an aqueduct, 11 grooved stop-gates, nine double stop-gates and three balance locks. Construction ceased in 1803, when the last of the money ran out, although hopes lingered on until the mid-1820s, when attempts were made to involve the canal company in plans for a railway covering the same route. It would be another 30 years before the rail link came to fruition. By then the canal – originally described as ‘one of the best conceived undertakings ever designed for the counties of Dorset and Somerset’ – was reduced to an overgrown relic in the Somerset countryside. The company’s records suffered an even worse fate when a bomb fell on Wincanton during World War Two. Among the few surviving documents is the plan for the double-arched aqueduct at Fiddleford, shown opposite. The picture also shows a ford where the stone bridge is today and two houses that still survive.
To be found in Sherborne, this West of England insuramce company’s plaque featured King Alfred
These Sherborne fire marks feature the Royal Exchange Assurance building (right) and the British lion.
What does it mean if you have one of these ‘marks’ on your house?
Walking around local towns you may see strange plaques high up on the external walls of larger historic buildings. Local expert Paul Birbeck explains their origins and significance
My January BV article considered the birth of the modern fire brigade in our area. This month’s piece is a natural sequel While walking around local towns and villages, you may occasionally notice unusual symbols and objects; for example on the external walls of buildings. One of my favourite items in Sherborne are the fire marks which are found on at least three buildings around the town. The origin of these historical plaques pre-dates any fire brigade, but does provide a link to early fire fighting and the protection of property.
The Fire of London and the birth of insurance
As the Great Fire of London in 1666 consumed the buildings, alms houses, schools and churches of the City, property owners watched their buildings and livelihoods go up in flames, each knowing that they had lost everything - the concept of fire insurance did not exist. One year after The Great Fire, the first fire insurance company, called “The Fire Office”, was established by Nicholas Barbon. His fire brigade employed small teams of Thames watermen as firefighters. He also established a mutual society which offered fire insurance. This later became known as the Phoenix Fire Office - an appropriate name for the society as the Phoenix is a mythical bird which burns itself and then arises from the ashes reborn.
The fire mark
To identify that a property was covered by fire insurance, attached to the building at a height easily seen from the street - but out of reach of thieves - was a sign or emblem called a fire mark which was issued by the company. Each insurance company had its own distinctive design which made identification of the property easier for their fire fighters and the company representatives. At first they were made of lead with the individual policy number stamped upon them and a type of logo. The designs of all the companies can still be found. The Sun Fire Office had a large sun with a face. The Royal Exchange Assurance’s mark featured their building (image bottom left); the West of England plaque featured King Alfred who was the emblem for the company (image above). British had a lion (image below right, the lion is very worn), and Phoenix’s fire mark featured a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Find them in Sherborne
Today, Sherborne has at least four fire marks scattered around the town. Three are around the central areas and one can be seen on the west wall of Sherborne Castle, showing the Westminster company logo and policy number.
If you aware of a fire mark, treasure them as part of our heritage and do please make the owner of the property aware of its importance – they are becoming an increasingly rare sight. I would also be interested to know the location: paul@sherbornewalks.co.uk Happy searching!
STURBIZ This month’s news from the unofficial capital of the Blackmore Vale...
Surprises on a meander round the old market cross in Sturminster
Agnes & Vera (far right) is a great place for gift buying. Next door is Joshua’s coffee shop, the blue building is Is Shin takeaway, and the thatched building is the White Hart Alehouse
The centre of Stur is an often-overlooked and undervalued asset in the oldest part of town, says Pauline Batstone
The Boutique is part of the Market Cross shopping area, and it’s a great place for browsing. In Beads with a Twist there’s always a new find, defintely the place for jewellery to go with your new outfit. There are few people who can walk past Daisy Delbridge’s without turning to breathe in the beauty of the florist shop - why not step in and treat yourself? On the opposite corner, a potter around Agnes and Vera’s is a must - they are aleays a go-to if you’re hunting for an unusual gift. If you have a little longer, when was the last time you stopped by the museum? It’s a fascinating place, filled with stories and the history of the places you walk past every day. On for some clothes shopping in Gallery One, and of course no book lover can resist stepping into the hidden bookshop round the corner. Don’t be deceived by the tiny window of Stour Bookshop, it’s a positive Tardis. It’s always best to finish up with a coffee - try Joshua’s or Sweet Pea (or something stronger in The White Hart Alehouse...) For gentlemen there is also the opportunity for a spruce up at Oli Barbers or ladies step round to the car park side for a relaxing pamper at Enzos.
Sweet Pea is a perfect stop for refreshments, and the next building along is the tardis of Stour Books.
Far left is the black shop front of Beads with a Twist. In the middle is the Boutique, and then on the right is the always lovely florist’s shop Daisy Delbridge.
Important dates for your diary!
The huge success of the two town council charity shops means we can stage many exciting events this year, says Pauline Batstone. Some of the money raised from the sale of your preloved goods in The Emporium and The Boutique goes towards organising events for residents to enjoy and to bring new shoppers into town. This is what that diary of events is beginning to look like - and we will publish updates as events are confirmed.
Each first Saturday in the month
(providing the weather’s not forecast to be awful!) the car enthusiasts bring their pride and joy to admire and swap stories in the Station Road Car Park. Anyone can come along - we have cars and bikes from modern to vintage. It’s very informal, no attendance fee, parking is free and we’re a friendly welcoming bunch! The public liability insurance is paid for by The Community Benefit Society. July 1st to 3rd – the Boogie Woogie Festival hope to be back
20th to 29th August – SturBuzz; it’s all about bees and sustainability and fun – with a fancy dress parade on Sunday 29th (your best bee costume) And then of course it’s the Cheese Fair on the 10th and 11th of September, there may be something about the Queen’s Green Canopy in October, and then we are back to Christmas again… I’m feeling tired already!
On 1st March we plan to hold our first Pancake Day event; ‘Races in The Rec’ at 2p.m. – pancakes supplied, but bring your own frying pans!
Mothering Sunday is 27th
March is a good reason to buy flowers, chocolates and gifts
Easter events:
Good Friday, 15th April, a service will be held at the Cross in the Market Place, possibly followed by Hot Cross Buns Easter Saturday, 16th April, The Mill will be milling Easter Sunday, 12 noon onwards. An Easter Egg Hunt around the town Easter Monday, 12 noon, an Easter Bonnet Parade from the Church Hall to the Railway Gardens
7th May A Wedding Fair held around the businesses in the Town, more details to follow.
2nd to 5th June
The Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend - details are still being discussed by The Town Council and the Community Benefit Society so more details to follow, but; • Thursday 2nd – Beacon
Lighting Railway Gardens • Friday to Sunday – The
Exchange Real Ale and Cider
Festival • Saturday 4th June - Car
Enthusiasts Meet in Station
Road Car Park • Craft Market at The Exchange • Anonymous Travelling Market in Station Road and the
Market Place • Garden Fair in The Railway
Gardens • Sunday 5th June – 12.00 to 3.00 p.m. The Big Lunch and
Fancy Dress Parade in The
Railway Gardens
13th to 19th June
Sturminster Newton Literary Festival - includes various events including a Victorian Fete in the Railway Gardens on the afternoon of Saturday 18th.
Plans for old bank to be new business space supporting local producers and sellers
Tim Robins is leading on an idea to see if the former NatWest building can be reinvented as a shopping destination - bringing more people into the town to our shops and cafes. The proposal is to offer customer-facing, exhibition-style space, six days a week, for people just setting out in business, selling good quality items from the Blackmore Vale. Hopefully this will provide useful space and support to new businesses, and also create a changing, ever-more-interesting shopping experience for both residents and visitors to the town (if you are intertested in more details on this, please contact cllr.p.batstone@btinternet.com)
The beautiful social aspects of driving (no cars required!)
There is a whole new social world to be enjoyed with carriage riding – and you don’t need to own a horse, says Clare Turner
Where was the original boot or dashboard? What was the original rally car? The answers lie in carriages and the sport of carriage driving. Please pardon the pun, but there are many routes in to driving. Often people start by ‘breaking in’ an outgrown riding pony (with expert help - available via British Driving Society or British Carriage Driving) Those that don’t have access to a horse or pony of their own may enjoy helping at local events, becoming grooms or ‘backsteppers’ to a local driver - social media is always a good place to make contact with local driving groups to find drivers
