Local Government / Public Services
1. Parish Meeting
The first session of the Parish Meeting was held on the 14th of December 1894. Mr Samuel Rice who was one of the Overseers of the Parish, read the notice convening the meeting. Mr Hugh Dalton Haskell Serrell was elected the first chairman. The main responsibility of the meeting was to appoint two overseers and an assistant overseer, for the collection of taxes from the landowners of the parish. The assistant overseer was paid an annual salary to carry out his duties, and the revenues collected were used to help the poor and needy of the parish. These appointments were previously made each year at the Vestry Meeting. The Parish Meeting was also responsible for the maintenance of public wells, the maintenance of stiles and footpaths, the provision of allotment land, and the collection of taxes from the allotment holders. Until 1920 the allotment land was located in a field at the corner of Holt Lane, opposite where Caundle Farm is now located, on land belonging to Stourton Estate. In 1913 the allotment holders were given notice to quit by the Mr Adams the tenant of Manor Farm. A letter was sent to the Lord of The Manor, requesting the letting of the field direct from the estate offices. The matter was finally resolved in 1915 with an agreement to rent two acres of land to the parish council, at an annual rent of thirty shillings as from September 1916, with a requirement for fencing to be deferred until after the end of the war. The land was allocated to seven tenants at a meeting on the 4th of August 1916, for a total annual rent of £4.13s.4d payable half yearly, and a management committee was also appointed. Following the purchase of the land by a Mr Guy at the final dispersal sale, the allotment holders were once again given notice to quit, as from the 29th of September 1920. An offer from Mr Samuel Rice the owner of Newleaze Farm, to provide one and a half acres of land at Stalbridge Road adjoining the new Rectory, at an annual rent of £4.10s.0d was accepted by the Parish Meeting. An entrance gate was to be provided, and the annual rent was set at seven pennies per perch. The allotments remained at Stalbridge Road until 1931, when the tenants were then given notice to quit by the owner Mr Walter Hays. The Parish meeting continued until 1958, when following local government reorganisation it was replaced by a Parish Council.
The first session of the Parish Meeting was held on the 14th of December 1894. Mr Samuel Rice who was one of the Overseers of the Parish, read the notice convening the meeting. Mr Hugh Dalton Haskell Serrell was elected the first chairman. The main responsibility of the meeting was to appoint two overseers and an assistant overseer, for the collection of taxes from the landowners of the parish. The assistant overseer was paid an annual salary to carry out his duties, and the revenues collected were used to help the poor and needy of the parish. These appointments were previously made each year at the Vestry Meeting. The Parish Meeting was also responsible for the maintenance of public wells, the maintenance of stiles and footpaths, the provision of allotment land, and the collection of taxes from the allotment holders. Until 1920 the allotment land was located in a field at the corner of Holt Lane, opposite where Caundle Farm is now located, on land belonging to Stourton Estate. In 1913 the allotment holders were given notice to quit by the Mr Adams the tenant of Manor Farm. A letter was sent to the Lord of The Manor, requesting the letting of the field direct from the estate offices. The matter was finally resolved in 1915 with an agreement to rent two acres of land to the parish council, at an annual rent of thirty shillings as from September 1916, with a requirement for fencing to be deferred until after the end of the war. The land was allocated to seven tenants at a meeting on the 4th of August 1916, for a total annual rent of £4.13s.4d payable half yearly, and a management committee was also appointed. Following the purchase of the land by a Mr Guy at the final dispersal sale, the allotment holders were once again given notice to quit, as from the 29th of September 1920. An offer from Mr Samuel Rice the owner of Newleaze Farm, to provide one and a half acres of land at Stalbridge Road adjoining the new Rectory, at an annual rent of £4.10s.0d was accepted by the Parish Meeting. An entrance gate was to be provided, and the annual rent was set at seven pennies per perch. The allotments remained at Stalbridge Road until 1931, when the tenants were then given notice to quit by the owner Mr Walter Hays. The Parish meeting continued until 1958, when following local government reorganisation it was replaced by a Parish Council.
2. The Parish Council
The inaugural meeting of The Parish Council took place on the 21st of January 1958, at the schoolroom. Mr Steptoe clerk to the District Council was in attendance, and presented a new minute book to the parish clerk Mrs Wharton. Mr Charlie Garrett was appointed the first chairman. Items discussed at that first meeting included allotment provision, a playground, a Parish Map, an extension to the bus service, and a request for a fortnightly rubbish collection. At a meeting held in the July of 1958, the condition of the brook outside of the Trooper Inn was discussed, the brook having become badly choked and polluted. On the 1st of February 1959 an emergency meeting was held outside of the Trooper Inn, with District and County Council officials present. The previous night floodwater had reached the doors of the Trooper and Bridge Cottages. In 1954, at the time of the installation of the main sewer through the village, the lighted paraffin lamps placed to protect the excavated sewer trench, floated down the High Street and into the brook. Until the late 1950s the brook contained large numbers of small fish such as Minnows and Sticklebacks, and one of the favourite pastimes of young children was fishing with a jam jar with a piece of string tied to the neck, from the bank of the brook in Ropers Field.
At a meeting in the March of 1960, it was reported that there was still no progress with the proposed scheme to replace the stone culverts with concrete sections, to prevent pollution and reduce the risk of flooding outside of the Trooper Inn. The scheme was discussed again at a meeting held in the December of 1965. At the next meeting in the April of 1966, it was stated that a letter had been received from the County surveyor, confirming that the scheme would go ahead during the current financial year.
Other matters dealt with by the council over the past forty two years, include an extension to the cemetery in Drove Road, the provision of allotments, the provision of a play area, grass cutting in the Cemetery and closed Churchyard, and in 1995 a Village Appraisal. A questionnaire was delivered to every household in the Parish, seeking their views on subjects such as future development, housing needs, implementing a speed limit through the village and public service provision. Controversial planning matters dealt with by the council over the past forty-two year’s have included, an application for a touring caravan site at the rear of the Trooper Inn in the March of 1976. There was also an application for the erection of thirty-two houses in apple orchards at Golden Hill in 1971. A proposal to erect a grain store in Court Barton Field at the rear of Barley Cottage, which was subsequently re-sited to Holt Lane, and the installation of an incinerator at the Slaughterhouse. Other items discussed by the council included the provision of street lighting, there was a proposed scheme in the summer of 1964, for the provision of eleven lights over a length of three quarters of a mile, at a cost of twenty five pounds per light. The total cost estimated at £300, was to be financed by the District Council. The Parish Council would have been responsible for the maintenance of the lights, and payment of the electricity account. The Parish Council meets on a regular basis to consider planning applications, it is also responsible for the grass cutting in the closed churchyard, and the grass cutting, maintenance and weekly safety inspections for the Play Area. It also provides a major contribution towards the cost of Grass cutting in the Cemetery at Drove Road. The council sets an annual precept each year, and agrees a budget to finance the cost of these commitments. Planning applications considered during year 2000, include an in fill site in the garden of Yew Tree Cottage, an in fill site on land adjoining Fourways. An application by Mr David Harris, to demolish farm buildings, and erect eight houses at the rear of Brunsells Farm, will be considered by the Council this coming autumn.
The inaugural meeting of The Parish Council took place on the 21st of January 1958, at the schoolroom. Mr Steptoe clerk to the District Council was in attendance, and presented a new minute book to the parish clerk Mrs Wharton. Mr Charlie Garrett was appointed the first chairman. Items discussed at that first meeting included allotment provision, a playground, a Parish Map, an extension to the bus service, and a request for a fortnightly rubbish collection. At a meeting held in the July of 1958, the condition of the brook outside of the Trooper Inn was discussed, the brook having become badly choked and polluted. On the 1st of February 1959 an emergency meeting was held outside of the Trooper Inn, with District and County Council officials present. The previous night floodwater had reached the doors of the Trooper and Bridge Cottages. In 1954, at the time of the installation of the main sewer through the village, the lighted paraffin lamps placed to protect the excavated sewer trench, floated down the High Street and into the brook. Until the late 1950s the brook contained large numbers of small fish such as Minnows and Sticklebacks, and one of the favourite pastimes of young children was fishing with a jam jar with a piece of string tied to the neck, from the bank of the brook in Ropers Field.
At a meeting in the March of 1960, it was reported that there was still no progress with the proposed scheme to replace the stone culverts with concrete sections, to prevent pollution and reduce the risk of flooding outside of the Trooper Inn. The scheme was discussed again at a meeting held in the December of 1965. At the next meeting in the April of 1966, it was stated that a letter had been received from the County surveyor, confirming that the scheme would go ahead during the current financial year.
Other matters dealt with by the council over the past forty two years, include an extension to the cemetery in Drove Road, the provision of allotments, the provision of a play area, grass cutting in the Cemetery and closed Churchyard, and in 1995 a Village Appraisal. A questionnaire was delivered to every household in the Parish, seeking their views on subjects such as future development, housing needs, implementing a speed limit through the village and public service provision. Controversial planning matters dealt with by the council over the past forty-two year’s have included, an application for a touring caravan site at the rear of the Trooper Inn in the March of 1976. There was also an application for the erection of thirty-two houses in apple orchards at Golden Hill in 1971. A proposal to erect a grain store in Court Barton Field at the rear of Barley Cottage, which was subsequently re-sited to Holt Lane, and the installation of an incinerator at the Slaughterhouse. Other items discussed by the council included the provision of street lighting, there was a proposed scheme in the summer of 1964, for the provision of eleven lights over a length of three quarters of a mile, at a cost of twenty five pounds per light. The total cost estimated at £300, was to be financed by the District Council. The Parish Council would have been responsible for the maintenance of the lights, and payment of the electricity account. The Parish Council meets on a regular basis to consider planning applications, it is also responsible for the grass cutting in the closed churchyard, and the grass cutting, maintenance and weekly safety inspections for the Play Area. It also provides a major contribution towards the cost of Grass cutting in the Cemetery at Drove Road. The council sets an annual precept each year, and agrees a budget to finance the cost of these commitments. Planning applications considered during year 2000, include an in fill site in the garden of Yew Tree Cottage, an in fill site on land adjoining Fourways. An application by Mr David Harris, to demolish farm buildings, and erect eight houses at the rear of Brunsells Farm, will be considered by the Council this coming autumn.
3. Road Building
The Rural District Council maintained the roads system in the parish until 1924, when responsibility transferred to the Dorset County Council. The stone used for road building was excavated from a quarry at Garvey, using iron bars and sledgehammers to break out the rock. The Quarrymen were paid on piecework rates for every square yard of stone excavated, they were also paid a day work rate for removal of topsoil prior to commencement of quarrying. The stone was loaded by shovels into horse drawn putts, and hauled to the location where it was required for road building purposes. The stone was then cracked to the required size, and placed in position on the road surface for compaction by means of a steamroller. Surface dressing of the roads did not start until the 1930s, liquid tar being forced through a lance spray by means of a hand pump requiring two men to operate it. The liquid tar was transported in barrels, which were collected by horse and cart from Stalbridge station. During the spraying operations the barrel was hauled by a purpose built horse putt, with a coal fire underneath to heat and emulsify the liquid tar prior to spraying. The putt was constructed with quick release shafts, to enable quick release of the horses should the tar catch on fire. Following the tar spraying gravel delivered from Warmwell quarry was spread by hand shovels onto the liquid tar. The weekly wage for men working on the roads during the 1930s was £1.12s.0d, with an additional allowance of one shilling per week, for the provision of a pedal cycle to ride to work. The late 1940s saw the introduction of tarmac for use as a road surfacing material, delivered by lorry from the Mendip quarries, and dropped off in heaps along the roadway for spreading by hand shovels, and compaction by a steam roller.
The Rural District Council maintained the roads system in the parish until 1924, when responsibility transferred to the Dorset County Council. The stone used for road building was excavated from a quarry at Garvey, using iron bars and sledgehammers to break out the rock. The Quarrymen were paid on piecework rates for every square yard of stone excavated, they were also paid a day work rate for removal of topsoil prior to commencement of quarrying. The stone was loaded by shovels into horse drawn putts, and hauled to the location where it was required for road building purposes. The stone was then cracked to the required size, and placed in position on the road surface for compaction by means of a steamroller. Surface dressing of the roads did not start until the 1930s, liquid tar being forced through a lance spray by means of a hand pump requiring two men to operate it. The liquid tar was transported in barrels, which were collected by horse and cart from Stalbridge station. During the spraying operations the barrel was hauled by a purpose built horse putt, with a coal fire underneath to heat and emulsify the liquid tar prior to spraying. The putt was constructed with quick release shafts, to enable quick release of the horses should the tar catch on fire. Following the tar spraying gravel delivered from Warmwell quarry was spread by hand shovels onto the liquid tar. The weekly wage for men working on the roads during the 1930s was £1.12s.0d, with an additional allowance of one shilling per week, for the provision of a pedal cycle to ride to work. The late 1940s saw the introduction of tarmac for use as a road surfacing material, delivered by lorry from the Mendip quarries, and dropped off in heaps along the roadway for spreading by hand shovels, and compaction by a steam roller.
4. Water Supply
A Public water supply was connected to the village in 1936. The Sturminster Rural District Council having applied for a loan of £1,948 under the provision of the 1875 Public Health Act, to fund the scheme for the provision of a Public water supply to the parish of Stourton Caundle, and the hamlet of Stalbridge Weston. Prior to 1936 water for all domestic purposes had to be carried by bucket from the nearest well. A number of public and private wells located throughout the parish, including Kerr Well located in Ropers Field, with access by means of a public footpath running through the garden of Number One Bridge Cottages. A three-inch diameter cast iron pipe was laid from a storage reservoir, located at the top of Barrow Hill Stalbridge, and constructed in 1926 to provide main’s water to Stalbridge. This reservoir was supplied from a spring source at Duntish Gardens near Buckland Newton. The trench in which the pipe was laid was excavated with picks and shovels, by teams of labourers supervised by a foreman, who wore a bowler hat and carried a whistle. A number of standpipes were erected at strategic locations along the length of the main street, from which the residents could collect water, and these remained in use until all residential properties had been connected to a mains supply. The pipe laid in 1936 is still in use, and the parish receives its water supply from a reservoir located at Frith.
A Public water supply was connected to the village in 1936. The Sturminster Rural District Council having applied for a loan of £1,948 under the provision of the 1875 Public Health Act, to fund the scheme for the provision of a Public water supply to the parish of Stourton Caundle, and the hamlet of Stalbridge Weston. Prior to 1936 water for all domestic purposes had to be carried by bucket from the nearest well. A number of public and private wells located throughout the parish, including Kerr Well located in Ropers Field, with access by means of a public footpath running through the garden of Number One Bridge Cottages. A three-inch diameter cast iron pipe was laid from a storage reservoir, located at the top of Barrow Hill Stalbridge, and constructed in 1926 to provide main’s water to Stalbridge. This reservoir was supplied from a spring source at Duntish Gardens near Buckland Newton. The trench in which the pipe was laid was excavated with picks and shovels, by teams of labourers supervised by a foreman, who wore a bowler hat and carried a whistle. A number of standpipes were erected at strategic locations along the length of the main street, from which the residents could collect water, and these remained in use until all residential properties had been connected to a mains supply. The pipe laid in 1936 is still in use, and the parish receives its water supply from a reservoir located at Frith.
5. Telephone
A telephone link to the village was installed in 1926. This consisted of two single wires, supported by a line of poles, connecting The Post Office at Golden Hill with a manual switchboard in Stalbridge Post Office. Additional lines to local farms and businesses, were gradually connected in the following years. In 1939 a new automatic exchange was commissioned at Barrow Hill, to replace the manual exchange in the Post Office. Underground ducts have been laid through the centre of the village but to date the overhead cables have not been relocated to them.
A telephone link to the village was installed in 1926. This consisted of two single wires, supported by a line of poles, connecting The Post Office at Golden Hill with a manual switchboard in Stalbridge Post Office. Additional lines to local farms and businesses, were gradually connected in the following years. In 1939 a new automatic exchange was commissioned at Barrow Hill, to replace the manual exchange in the Post Office. Underground ducts have been laid through the centre of the village but to date the overhead cables have not been relocated to them.
6. Electricity
Mains electric arrived in the village in 1934, to encourage properties to connect to a mains supply, the Electric Company installed three lights free of charge to every newly connected property. Dick Meader whose family were the proprietors of the hardware shop in Stalbridge, was employed by the Electric Company, and normally carried out the internal installation of the lighting points. Most families still relied on the built in oven ranges for cooking, and the built in coppers for providing hot water, for clothes washing and bath water. Post war they were gradually replaced by electric cookers and water heaters.
Mains electric arrived in the village in 1934, to encourage properties to connect to a mains supply, the Electric Company installed three lights free of charge to every newly connected property. Dick Meader whose family were the proprietors of the hardware shop in Stalbridge, was employed by the Electric Company, and normally carried out the internal installation of the lighting points. Most families still relied on the built in oven ranges for cooking, and the built in coppers for providing hot water, for clothes washing and bath water. Post war they were gradually replaced by electric cookers and water heaters.
7. Sewerage
A mains sewerage system was provided by Sturminster Rural District Council in 1954, two separate lengths of pipe were installed, the first starting at Stalbridge Road and running down the length of the High Street, and a second starting at the top of Golden Hill. The pipes were laid on a falling gradient, sufficient to allow for the gravity flow of all waste products, from each property connected to the main pipes. The discharge point was to be on the outlet of the treatment works, constructed at the bottom of Messlams field, adjoining the Caundle brook, to enable the discharge of treated effluent into the watercourse. On completion of the scheme all the earth closets ere gradually replaced with flush toilets, and bathrooms with hot running water were installed to replace the tin tubs.
A mains sewerage system was provided by Sturminster Rural District Council in 1954, two separate lengths of pipe were installed, the first starting at Stalbridge Road and running down the length of the High Street, and a second starting at the top of Golden Hill. The pipes were laid on a falling gradient, sufficient to allow for the gravity flow of all waste products, from each property connected to the main pipes. The discharge point was to be on the outlet of the treatment works, constructed at the bottom of Messlams field, adjoining the Caundle brook, to enable the discharge of treated effluent into the watercourse. On completion of the scheme all the earth closets ere gradually replaced with flush toilets, and bathrooms with hot running water were installed to replace the tin tubs.
8. Rubbish Collection
Prior to 1936, all household rubbish that could not be burnt on the premises was taken to a local rubbish tip. There were two such tips available for this purpose, the first along the left-hand side of Rowden Mill Lane, and the second along the right hand side of Holt Lane. The District Council introduced a monthly rubbish collection in 1936, and this was increased to a fortnight in 1958.
Prior to 1936, all household rubbish that could not be burnt on the premises was taken to a local rubbish tip. There were two such tips available for this purpose, the first along the left-hand side of Rowden Mill Lane, and the second along the right hand side of Holt Lane. The District Council introduced a monthly rubbish collection in 1936, and this was increased to a fortnight in 1958.
Phil Knott
