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Category: Local History

Mittens across the ocean

A unique heritage project is reviving historic connections between North Dorset and Newfoundland - and has already led to a couple of a remarkable...

Cinema came to rural communities

Dorset Council supported films in certain village halls, and these remained popular into the early 1980’s, says local guide Paul Birbeck. Imagine a world with...

A tale of two pubs – and an intoxicated postmaster! | Looking Back

If you think our modern TV soaps are racy, you should have lived in north Dorset in the 19th century, says Roger Guttridge. An editing...

The Old School Tie | Then and Now

The Old School house in Sturminster Newton reflects fascinating local history, some of it personal, says Roger Guttridge. It’s a private house today, appropriately named...

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...

The Dorset canal that wasn’t | Looking Back

During Britain’s Industrial Revolution, 4,000 miles of canal were developed in an astonishingly short time – but in the end, Dorset didn’t get any!...

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Charles Church, master of the equestrian portrait

From washing dishes in Newmarket to Royal commissions, leading equestrian artist Charles Church answers the 19 random questions Interview by Sally Cooper Charles Church’s reputation as...

It’s not left vs right – it’s truth vs lies

‘Divide and distract’ are tried-and-tested means of conquering opponents. Both are being heavily employed at present by powerful individuals hell-bent on making our world...