Presently researching the past      
                    for future generations

The March meeting of the Christchurch Local History Society welcomed Julian Richards, the well known archaeologist and creator of the TV series “Meet the Ancestors,” he gave a very interesting and amusing talk to over one hundred and twenty members of the Society.

From his early childhood days in Nottingham Julian had always been a collector of old things although it was not until he had left school that he got involved in archaeology. His first experience of working on a dig, in the Lacemarket area of Nottingham (a Saxon town), made him realise that this was something that he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

Julian described his career in archaeology and the stories behind his television series with a slide presentation. After a break for tea and coffee Julian took part in a question and answer session during which his love of his subject and his enthusiastic plans for involving young people in actual digs were revealed. Julian Richards has agreed to return to the Christchurch Local History Society next year and talk about standing stones.

The CLHS is teaming up with  the Hampshire Genealogy Society to offer a Family History Day at the Christchurch Library on Thursday 24th March. The event will run from 10am until 4pm.

During that time members of the Hampshire Genealogy Society will be on hand to help the public with their family history questions. They will have a dedicated internet connection.

The History Room will be open, manned by our own volunteers, to help any enquiring about ancestors in Christchurch.

A Happy Chrstmas to all our visitors.

CLHS Journal Editor Mike Andrews with TCA members Roger Donne, Mike Tizzard, and David Eels in Place Mill.

Hundreds of people were attracted to this year’s St Faith’s Fair, which was once again held in and around historic Place Mill. The costumed event, held on Saturday 9th October, evoked the town’s medieval fair, which commenced after Baldwin de Redvers, the Lord of the Manor of Christchurch, was granted a charter by King Henry III in 1257. The original Fair was held over three days around the feast day of St Faith, 6th October, and the Priory once had a chapel dedicated to the maidenly 4th century saint.Visitors to the Fair were given a glimpse of the everyday lives of the town’s medieval residents, with demonstrations ranging from weaponry and medicine to music and dance. The contributors were all local people who had volunteered their time to celebrate the lives of the town’s 13th century residents.

Barber-surgeon Rory McCreadie offering medieval medical advice.

A popular exhibit at this year’s Fair was timber that had been unearthed during the recent development of the King’s Arms Hotel site. The builders had excavated the timber from an area close to the millstream that had not been investigated by Wessex Archaeology Ltd, the official archaeologists employed to evaluate the site on behalf of the developers. Much of the timber, some of which showed evidence of mortise and tenon joints, was taken to a landfill site, but a few of the smaller pieces were rescued by The Christchurch Antiquarians. The timber was subsequently carbon-14 dated to 1160 (± 50 years), making it contemporary with the construction of the Constable’s House. Documentary evidence for a house being on the site dates back to the mid-15th century.

One local visitor to the Fair said, “I haven’t learned so much about Christchurch’s history since we moved here.”

Visitors to the Fair also showed generosity in their support of local heritage, with the Place Mill donations box receiving the highest income of any day this year.

'Sally Shaw of Letton' leads a medieval dance at Place Mill.

Event organiser, CLHS member Phil Tate, said: “Christchurch’s unique character has been shaped by its long history. Taking a keen interest in the town’s past can help us to take pride in its present, and thereby in its future.”

Report by Phil Tate

Pictures by Kaz Hand

Saturday 9th October.

11.00am ~ 4.00pm

Place Mill, Christchurch Quay

A glimpse of the everyday lives of the town’s medieval residents with music, games, crafts, and historical exhibits. The star attraction at this year’s Fair is timber dated to the 12th century which was unearthed during the recent development of the King’s Arms Hotel site. Costumed contributors will be presenting 13th century harp music, longbow demonstrations, calligraphy, the game of nine men’s morris, and more…

The original three-day Fair was centred on the feast day of the maidenly St Faith, 6th October, and commenced after the Lord of the Manor, the 21 year-old Baldwin de Redvers, was granted a royal charter by King Henry III in December 1257. St Faith’s Fair continued as an annual event until abolished in 1872.

FREE (Alms to the Place Mill donations box welcome.)

Michele OBrien local Storyteller, Actor, Educator, has created a family friendly, entertaining and magical evenings walk that will ignite the imagination and summon historical and mythical characters. Michele OBrien has been walking as Granny Cousins, Pooles Original Ghost Walk for 13 years.  Michele OBrien excels - The Stage

When:
27 Jul 2010 - 7 Sep 2010 19:30 - 20:30 Tuesday

Where:
Place Mill, Christchurch Quay Place Mill, Christchurch Quay Christchurch BH23

Tel: 07977969080
Email: michele.ob@ntlworld.com

Price:

Price:

£5 Adults £4 Children

Age restriction:

Under 5s welcome and free

A WALK NOT TO BE MISSED ON THE LAST SATURDAY IN AUGUST.

This annual event provided us with another opportunity of profiling the Society.

With reasonable weather, only the odd shower, plenty of folk were out and about.

Some books were sold, and interesting conversations engaged in which should hopefully result in others joining the Society.

Undaunted by the terrific rainstorm that heralded our arrival, 46 members of the Society spent a very enjoyable afternoon at Edmondsham House, not far from Verwood. The House is a Tudor Manor House with Georgian additions and is built on the site of a medieval Manor, which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

As the sun broke through the clouds our party divided up into two groups; one to be taken around the house by the owner, Mrs Julia Smith, the other group were taken around the grounds by the very knowledgeable head gardener.

The grounds have walled herbaceous borders a very well organised kitchen garden (so many country houses have lost these important features) as well as a paddock a dell and a beautifully restored Victorian stable block. In the grounds is the little church of St Nicholas which we were also encouraged to visit.

The house contains a fine Jacobean staircase as well as many artefacts and pieces of family memorabilia handed down by members of the family. Included in the portraits is a fine painting of Lewis Tregonwell founder of Bournemouth.

After our tours we were treated to some magnificent cake and a welcome cup of tea., taken not in some bland purpose built tea room but in the main rooms of the house itself-marvellous!

The Edmondsham House and Gardens are open every Wednesday and Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays during the months of April and October. It is well worth a visit.

Editor; we would all like to thank Sally Bowers for organising such an enjoyable outing

Painting above - Entrance to the walled Garden. Margaret Samuel

An opportunity to join us on a visit to Edmondsham House and Gardens, Cranborne, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5RE on Tuesday 29th June - 2, o’clock, meet at the house.

The cost per person is £7 to include tea and cake. Pay on the day.

In order that we may advise approximate number of visitors please let us know your nane(s) and your telephone number by contacting either:-

Mike Andrews 01202-482141  E-mail - michael.andrews@btinternet.com  OR

Liz Messer 01202-482450  E-mail Messer2@homeuser.net

Edmondsham House is a Tudor Manor House with Georgian additions, set in 6 acres of lawns and gardens. Of particular interest are the Victorian walled gardens, dairy, stable block and the site of a medieval cock-fighting pit.

The house has remained in the same family since the sixteenth Century; we will be escorted by the owner, Mrs Julia Smith.