Hilary's Diaries - Hilary Townsend President of Stalbridge History Society
June 2021 Hilary Townsend
When you reach the North Lodge at Thornhill House, you turn to drive the good country mile to Stalbridge and very quickly reach a little hamlet known as Poolstown. Perhaps it was so called because a family named Pool once lived there. On the left just before you reach brisk bends in the road, a building can be seen which for many years was an outreach or mission chapel of the Church of England and attached to Stalbridge parish church.
Stalbridge Common 1950's
In 1811 the area, known as the tithing of Thornhill, contained 40 houses inhabited by 41 families. As the population grew around Stalbridge in the 19th century there was a need for this mission chapel in the rather out of the way place. Sunday schools were taught there and attended by the many children from local farms and farm cottages on the Common and a visiting clergyman would give Holy Communion to the adult population. The mahogany altar used for this service is now a fixture in the Parish Church.
On the other side of the road from the mission chapel a lane leads down to more cottages beside a brook. At the first of these cottages for many years a lady kept poultry on the other side of the road. There was very little traffic so it was quite safe to take the buckets of poultry food across the road. The lady fed her hens punctually every afternoon and as soon as she had left, a crafty black moorhen would nip out of the brook and join the hens’ feast. 
1888 map of Stalbridge Common
A little further from this spot there is a turning to the left into a lane that leads to Deacons Mill, now known as Deacons Mill Farm. I think, though I have not proved, that names such as Deacons Mill and Prior’s Down in Stalbridge related to the land that helped provide the livelihood of the clergy in mediaeval times.
The lane that led to Deacons Mill was lined traditionally with the most beautiful elm trees. They were quite lovely but after the last war of course they no doubt fell victim to Dutch Elm disease. 
1918 Sale Map of Stalbridge Common, Deacons Mill on the left 44A
(Art work by John Fieldhouse Web Design)
© Hilary Townsend
June 2021 |
Discover Dorset – Blackmore Vale Dovecote Press 2004
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Blackmore Vale Childhood Dovecote Press 2006
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One Woman’s Fight for Architectural Heritage 2012
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Stalbridge to Siberia and other places - Silk Hay Books 2018
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Titles by Hilary Townsend
Hilary, from a family of yeoman farmers, grew up in Dorset. As a personnel manager in industry, and later lecturer in management subjects, she wrote magazine and newspaper features for UK and North American markets.
Hilary, from a family of yeoman farmers, grew up in Dorset. As a personnel manager in industry, and later lecturer in management subjects, she wrote magazine and newspaper features for UK and North American markets.
