This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards sent from Shroton – or Iwerne Courtney. The village delights in its two names – the Domesday Book lists a manor of Werne, and by 1244 it is Yuern Curtenay. It appears as Schyreuetone in 1337.
The postcard of Main Street was sent in August 1906 to Lewisham: presumably JW had been sent to Dorset to convalesce:
I have been very busy trying to discover mushrooms for a little feed for Pa & me – but alas! In rain. Shall try again however so please be ready to cook for us on Friday evening. Had tea yesterday up on the hills. The weather is lovely & I look better already. Aunt h sends you her love. JW
In 1261 Shroton received a grant from Henry III for an annual fairs and a weekly market. The autumn fair continued into the 1960s and used to be one of the main Dorset events of the year. It was held under Hambledon Hill, on the field now called the Fair Field, and is said to be the inspiration for the opening scenes of the hiring fair in Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge – as well as the sale of horses, cattle and all manner of produce there was a hiring fair, and also entertainments such as roundabouts, swings, shooting galleries, fortune tellers and jugglers.
The image was taken in 1911, and the card sent from Shroton Post Office to Appin in Argyllshire:
Shroton Dearest Brother. Thank you so much for sweet p.card although rather wild looking, I don’t think I should care to live there. We are beginning to look forward so much to your holiday, Hope you are keeping well, am sorry to say Bob has a bad cold on his chest again, have had to keep him in since Wednesday. Best love from us all, your affectionate Alice.
