A talk will delve into the history of Charmouth and will cover its story over the centuries from Roman Times.
Neil Mattingly's illustrated talk to the Charmouth Local History Society and open to the public will explore the long history of one of Dorset's quaintest villages, with a particular focus on its main street, and how its history shaped the village into what it is today.
A fascinating photograph taken in 1900 of two sailors - Ted Hunter and Charles Larcombe outside Miss Tarrs' Shop. Mr Smith and his wife stand in the doorways of Bayville House. Captain Manley and Mrs Juliana Dixon who lived in the Elms are seen in the Wagonette on the right Picture: Charmouth Local History Society
Resident and local historian Mr Mattingly said: "The talk will highlight all that I have been able to find about its fascinating past with a wide selection of supportive slides. Looking back at the old photos, many of them over 100 years old, it is astonishing how little it has changed.
"When you walk along the length of The Street you see a wide variety of period houses, some of which date back to the 16th century. Charmouth has a popular beach attracting many visitors. It is a great pity that so many of them miss the historic Street that is only a short distance from the coast.
"I hope that by the end of it both residents and visitors will realise how fortunate Charmouth is to have such a unique Street that is still thriving with its mixture of houses and shops."
This astonishing photograph shows an elephant from a visiting circus outside the shops, soon after they were built. Earlier in 1929 the village made the national news when a Lion escaped from a Circus Car when it hit a tree just outside the village. It roamed the fields for a time and attracted large crowds. It went on to seize one of the cows there and sadly was shot dead by a marksman Picture: Charmouth Local History Society
'The Street' has been the main artery for Charmouth for almost 2,000 years. For centuries it served as a stop off point for those making the long journey from Dorchester to Exeter, with many hostelries established by monks. Later these became coaching inns, perhaps the most important of which was the Coach and Horses where Jane Austen stayed in 1803.
She was very flattering about the village and in her novel, Persuasion, described it as such: 'Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive sweeps of country, and still more its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the sands make it the happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in un-wearied contemplation'.
The equivalent to the X31 bus stops by the Coach and Horses on its journey to Axminster from Bridport in 1923 Picture: Charmouth Local History Society
‘Charmouth Street in Time' can be heard at Charmouth Village Hall on Friday, September 30 at 7pm. Admission is free, with donations invited.
There will be a short break in the middle for refreshments and briefly covering the Society’s AGM before resuming the second part.
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