Dorset Guide

About Shaftesbury

Steeped in history, tradition and breathtaking views over the Blackmore Vale, Shaftesbury is a picturesque market town in north Dorset situated on the A30 near the Wiltshire border and 20 miles west of Salisbury.

The “Shaston” of Thomas Hardy’s novels, Shaftesbury is one of the oldest and highest towns in Britain and is twinned with Brionne in France and Lindlar in Germany.

Gold Hill links the town to St James’ which lies beneath the hill. The Hovis Bread television advertisement made Gold Hill infamous, with its steep cobbles and picturesque cottages are the epitome of rural charm from a previous time, many properties retain their thatched rooves.

History

• Shaftesbury was founded by the Saxons as a fortified settlement built by Alfred the Great. Alfred and his daughter Ethelgiva founded an abbey here in 888. As well as a fortress and abbey, Shaftesbury was a bustling little town with a few hundred inhabitants.
• The abbey became one of the richest and received the relics of St Edward the Martyr. The importance of the Abbey lead to several pilgrimages for spiritual healing, indeed King Canute died in Shaftesbury in 1035.
• In the 10th century, there were three royal mints in the town creating a currency bearing the Shaftesbury name.
• With local weaving and cloth making, Shaftesbury diversified into lace making and button making, when this became mechanised labour fled.
• Shaftesbury has weekly markets and today, it remains a busy market town.

Facts

• Population – 7,314 (2011 estimated)
• Local Authority – North Dorset District Council
• Major Industries – Tourism; Light Industrial; Retail
• Post Town – SHAFTESBURY
• Postcode district – SP7
• Dialling code – 01747
• Police – Dorset Police
• Fire – Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
• Ambulance – South Western Ambulance Service

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• BBC News – Dorset
• British Towns – Shaftesbury
• English Heritage
• National Trust
• Shaftesbury Community
• Shaftesbury Tourism
• Visit Dorset

About Gillingham

Gillingham is situated in the Blackmore Vale area of Dorset and is the most northerly town in the county.  The town maintains good links with Shaftesbury, located 7 miles to the south-east. Gillingham’s position on the main railway line from London to southwest England means it remains a popular commuter town. Gillingham is home to North Dorset Rugby Club.

Gillingham is twinned with the town of Le Neubourg in France.

History

• There is a Stone Age barrow in the town and also evidence of a second-century Roman settlement.
• Gillingham suffered badly with the Black Death when 50% of the two thousand residents died within 4 months.
• In the Middle Ages, Gillingham was the seat of a royal hunting lodge.
• In the 1850s, the arrival of the railway to the town brought prosperity and new industries.

Facts

• Population – 104,157 (2011 estimated)
• Unitary Authority – North Dorset District Council
• Major Industries – Manufacturing (Dextra Lighting)
• Post Town – GILLINGHAM
• Postcode District – SP8
• Dialling Code – 01747
• Police – Dorset Police
• Fire – Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
• Ambulance – South Western Ambulance Service

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• Visit Dorset

About Mere

History

• There is evidence of farming on Whitesheet Hill in Neolithic times (2000BC).
• It seems likely that the site of Mere itself was first settled in Saxon times but the date is uncertain. The name probably comes from the Saxon ‘Mere’ meaning a marsh or boundary – Mere is on the meeting place of three Saxon shires. There is much evidence that Mere flourished in medieval times.
• Mere owes part of its successful mixture of trades to its location, serving as a coaching stop with inns and supporting businesses. A range of local industries such as wool and flax spinning, as well as market gardening and plant husbandry have flourished. In the latter part of the 19th century, silk was spun at several mills. Dairy farming and brush making also played a significant part in the local economy from the early 20th century. Mere remains a staging post being halfway from London to the West Country destinations.

Facts

• Population – 2,961 (2011 estimated)
• Unitary Authority – Wiltshire Council
• Major Industries – Mixed Local Economy
• Post Town – WARMINSTER
• Postcode District – BA12
• Dialling code – 01747
• Police – Wiltshire Police
• Fire – Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Ambulance – Great Western Ambulance Service

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About Sturminster Newton

Sturminster Newton is an old market town in the Blackmore Vale, a rich dairy agriculture area in North Dorset.  The town is situated 10 miles to the east of Blandford Forum and 8 miles south-west of Shaftesbury and on the River Stour. Sturminster Newton is now a Cittaslow town.

 History

• The community of Sturminster Newton dates to Saxon times when it was called Nywetone at Stoure.
• Sturminster Newton has grown on the natural fording point of the river Stour, this ford was replaced by a six-arch stone bridge in the 16th Century.
• The UK’s largest cattle market was held in Sturminster Newton until its closure in 1997. The town centre has been renovated and the main community buildings and theatre are now housed where the cattle market once traded.  The high street still offers a weekly traders market on Mondays.

Facts

• Population 4,292 – (2011 estimated)
• Local Authority – North Dorset District Council
• Major Industries – Agriculture; Furniture
• Post Town – STURMINSTER NEWTON
• Postcode district – DT10
• Dialling code – 01258
• Police – Dorset Police
• Fire – Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
• Ambulance – South Western Ambulance Service

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