We're continuing to share these stunning watercolours of Dorchester painted by Henry Joseph Moule.

We also have a present day view taken by Mark Chutter who is so interested in the life and times of Henry Moule that he is writing a book!

Henry was the son of the Reverend Henry and Mary Moule of Fordington Vicarage and one of eight sons.

In this first photo you can see Moule’s watercolour of Fordington Vicarage overlooking Dorchester with the tower of St Peter’s Church and spire of All Saints.

The watercolour is called ‘ A Dorchester townscape as viewed from the garden of Fordington Vicarage August 1877’ .

The watercolour is mounted on page 8 of H.J.Moule ‘ Dorset Volume 1’. A boy with a stick is leaning against a tree, another boy is sat at his feet. The boys are in the garden of the vicarage.

The spire of All Saints and the tower of St Peter’s are prominent amongst the Dorchester townscape in the background.

We can contrast this view with the somewhat less dreamy but just as green image of the same view taken in the present day by Mark.

The second Moule image we are sharing today is of Fordington Vicarage.

Dorset Echo:

Note the paintings and eclectic range of books on display. This is actually a photograph, touched-up with watercolours by Moule. The fire is going and the scene looks so cosy and inviting we almost wish we could drop by for a cup of tea and a chat with Mr Moule himself!

Thanks again to Mark for the images