Beaminster, Manor House 1902

Furze Lane, Beaminster

My folks live in Beaminster, and I also did in the early 1980s, and remember Furze Lane. The lane goes up from the Bridport Road across country to the Posy Tree at Mapperton. Although it has changed now, i.e. widened, as it is now suitable for vehicles, I think that the building on the left could be the farm buildings at the bottom of the lane.

Triggering memories.

We were clearing the last furniture from my mother's bungalow a few weeks ago. A heartbreaking task, having lost her in April. Behind the last set of drawers, on the floor, I found an old sepia photograph. It showed a group of children with some adults, outside a building which must have been a chapel or a school. From the clothes they wore, the photo would have been taken in the early 1920s.

Later, I searched the internet for clues, looking especially at the areas where my mother grew up - Salway Ash in particular. So I found the Francis Frith site.

There were no clues for Salway Ash, but I came to the Pymore site. One photo. Surely it couldn't be! Yet it was - the cottage my grandparents lived in when we were young! The memories flooded back.

We lived in the Midlands for some years, although I was born in Walditch. We were so lucky in that we were able to return to Dorset for holidays, staying with relations, many of whom lived in the Bridport area. We often stayed in that cottage with my grandparents. I remember the feather bed in the attic, the views across the fields. A litle stream ran by the cottage, and there was always the sound of trickling water.I remember too the outhouse across the little yard, how cold it was at night, and to this day the smell of Palmolive soap reminds me of that outhouse.
One of my mother's brothers, his wife and three children lived just down the lane a little, so we were well supplied with playmates. We played in the old factory, and I remember the big mill water wheel, and the swans that nested in the reeds of the mill pool. Yellow irises too. How lucky we were, wandering free as little birds, coming in to be fed, and finally collapsing into bed when the light was going, safe and so aware of the love that surrounded us.

We spent other holidays with another aunt and uncle and more cousins, in Burton Bradstock. Joined by yet more family, there were some very big family gatherings on the beach at Burton Bradstock and West Bay - so many happy memories. Thankfully, we moved back home to Dorset in 1958. Eventually Nan and Grandad had to leave the little cottage behind, but their hearts were always there. I have not been back - except so often in my mind. Now I look at the picture my mother painted of the cottage, and the albumn photo from Francis Frith, and I know out time there will never be forgotten

Haywards of Loders - family tree search

Hello from Australia to Loders,

Researching on-line family Thomas Hayward, m Mary Anne Dodge 1808 November in Sherborne church. Already one gggg cousin Jill Hayward left an entry but has not made contact. Another gggg cousin Ingrid Wilson in Wallingford, Berkshire has made contact via this website.

Thomas's son John went to farm in Englefield, Berkshire and is my great-grandfather. Unfortunately my research has come to a stop at Thomas of Loders. So any local inhabitant with local historical knowledge is sought to keep the trail hot. Where did Thomas live/farm/socialise/go to market/go to school/go to church/get baptised/confirmed/buried? What were his interests/sports, who were his parents etc? Somebody knows - it is just a matter of finding them and seeing if they would like to contribute to the family tree.

Loders is on my list  when I visit England some time in the future. In the meantime, if you can help, it will be greatly appreciated. Some people have great knowledge of the history of their village to share, this could be you. One person in Charlbury, Oxfordshire has a great interest in genealogy and traces local families back far as possible. In my case Simon's family, whose name changed from Symonds from Fitzsymonds from the Norman invasion of William the Conquorer in 1066. Unfortunately some family members destroy old family photos and documents which help to trace people and make up valuable local history. I have found on my local rubbish tip savings books, photos, passports, titledeeds, RAF Dambuster uniforms, RAF Dambuster logbooks, 30 years of photos of a missionary and his work with Aboriginal people in tropical Australia, and much more, including a dead Vietnam veteran soldier's training book, and a Freemasons' group photo, and wedding photos. Relatives obviously don't want that 'junk',and can't wait to get rid of it, but a local historical organisation  would have been pleased to have it, for historical record and research. Past memories can be painful to some, but useful to others researching. My aunts and uncles, except one or two, never passed on old family papers, photos etc. So research has to be in the public domain, so to speak.

Meanwhile  Dorset and Loders carry on into the future, while the past recedes into history, hopefully recorded by sites like Francis Frith historical photos and records, where the books and photos and maps and memories are of great contribution and value.

Haywards of Loders

Wondering if anyone knows of Hayward family, buried in the churchyard surrounds, that farmed in the Loders area back to at least 1750 or further back.  Any info for family tree welcome.