Dorchester memories
Here are memories of Dorchester and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Dorchester or a Dorchester photo.
Parallel Parking in South Street in The 1960s
I had recently passed my driving test and drove a Morris Minor Saloon, to practice my parallel parking I used to drive down South Street after work or on a Sunday and park outside of Woolworths or Marks and Spencers and try various manoeuvres with the aid of the reflection of the car in the plate glass windows.
A Family Business
To anyone local to Dorchester this was a familiar scene day in and day out for almost 50 years. My grandfather Ben Courtney started selling 'fruit and veg' in 1947 from hand-carts on the roadside. His son Doug started in 1950 and various members of the family helped out through the week.
This picture shows my Aunt Isabel serving a regular customer with his two sons. Her father Ben is behind in his hat, serving, and her brother Doug is extreme left, carrying a box. My father (Doug Courtney) tells me his wife Joan was not at work at this time because she was expecting me to be born, in the June of that year!
Doug took over in 1960 and Trevetts worked alongside from the mid 1960s. Doug, Joan, Win, Isabel and Glad were the familiar faces that served. I did my fair share, working on busy Saturdays to ease the load. Everything was seasonal, and spring into summer brought a surge of fruit and... Read more
Wollaston House
Wasn't this building once called Wollaston House wherein were educated the first two years of Hardye's boys? I was there in 1953 - 54 when Mr Hale was head of the lower school. My first form mistress was the Duchess.
The Milk Bar in South Street
We used to go in there often, and I remember one time being very confused when asked whether I wanted lemonade, cherryade, limeade or Whipsnade, 'cause I knew that was a zoo and I didn't quite get the idea of puns. Another time, being sent to the greengrocer virtually opposite there for a pound of grapes, I was asked whether I wanted red or white and I replied that I'd like the green ones! The age of innocence?
Judge Jeffery's Restaurant
I recall being taken to JJ's on many an occasion over the years during the 1960s /70s by my parents and great aunt Chris, went back in late 1980s or early 1990s with my mum, son and step-daughter and the waitress that worked there when I was a kid was still working there, which was amazing. As kids, Frances and I used only to manage starters and puddings.
South Street
I was 10 years old when this photo was taken, and I always remember South Street being busy. There was a market stall just up a bit from Kay's almost in front of the Antelope Hotel. My mates and i always used to hang out in the "Milk Bar" cafe a bit further down the street. There used to be a lot of good "hang outs" then, the Wimpy Bar, the park. The cars used to come all the way down the street then.
Thomas Hardy
I don't have a specific memory of anything except that my ancestor is Thomas Hardy, author and poet. I am in awe of his writing abilities and his life. I hope to find many things here about him. My search will continue and hopefully I will get a dream visit to England and see his cottage.
'When we Were Young'
‘I remember when’ - yes, I remember market day in Dorchester very well – when your picture was taken I was 10 years old, and could well have been one of the children in your picture. On Wednesdays, during school holidays Mum took my brother and I to Dorchester on the bus and we would go'‘into town’ first to do the weekly shop.
This photograph shows South Street (facing south) where they also (and still do) had stalls selling vegetables everyday - Dorchester Market itself is still held in Weymouth Avenue, which is approximately half a mile from South Street.
I think the stall holder was called Neville (Trevitt?), the lady could well be his wife. I also recognise the gentleman on the right with the cap, I think he was someone 'important in Dorchester' in those days, but his name escapes me, he must be now long gone, 54 years later!
On leaving school at 15, I work in 'Boots the Chemist' which is the... Read more
My Gt Grandparents Lived at Hangmans Cottage
My great-grandparents lived at Hangmans Cottage sometime during the late 1800s or early 1900s. My dad Robert Mitchell was born at Friary Cottage in 1904 which is a short walk from Hangmans Cottage. He used to tell me about his time spent with his grandparents at Hangmans Cottage when he was a boy. Sadly I am not sure as to whether it was his paternal grandparents which would have been called Mitchell or his maternal grandparents which would have been White-Matthews that lived there. I would really like to know, but sadly there is no-one left to tell me. I have visited both cottages on several occasions with my late father and have since taken my children & grandchildren to see both places. We now have several pictures of different generations standing outside Hangmans Cottage.
Milk Bar
I used the milk bar regularly in 1964.
The woman who owned it was named Adams.
She had a daughter named Carol , anyone any idea what happened to her ?
Memories of Dorset
Milk Bar South St
I used the milk bar regularly in 1964.
I think who owned it then was named Evans.
They had a daughter named Carol ,any idea what happened to her ?
Fond Memories
My family moved to Eastbrook House in 1970 and lived there for about 11 years, I was ages 1-11 at that time so my first memories and experiences were of Eastbrook, Upwey, Dorchester and Weymouth in that order. I drive through Upwey whenever I can on nostalgia trips and always stop outside Eastbrook to reminisce and to see what changes are going on. My wife thinks I'm obsessed with Upwey and especially Eastbrook! Maybe she's right.
Windsbatch Cottage, Church Street
We moved to Upwey when I was about 3. My father came to Portland in the Royal Navy and I went to Upwey Primary, sang in the choir, went on to appear in local pantos and generally have a wonderful childhood, playing in the Mill with Lorraine Milligan, the miller's daugher, and buying bits for Mummy from Eckersalls, Loverings and Upwey Post Office - all sadly now gone. We had to move in 1980 when my father left home but my heart is in the village and always will be. I am only over the hill in Dorchester. I think we had some of the best neighbours ever, and were so very lucky and safe, with amazing walks, ponies and a really special time. I feel very lucky indeed to have met some of the nicest and kindest people of my entire life in that village.
A Tiny Sketch by Judges 1958 Found in Brisbane Charity Shop
I found a delightful pair of sketches beautifully framed 16cm x 11cm - one of the subjects was a skillfully crafted sketch of the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone - almost identically as it appears in the above photo - it was a real place.
The artist signed his/her name Judges.
The second sketch is of a Dorset cottage in Cerne Abbas the year earlier.
These sketches are a window to a place in a time long ago.
Tincleton, Six A Side
I have recently purchased a piece of jewellery that includes a medallion that is engraved on the back with "Tincleton, Six-A-Side, 3 - 6 - 44". I am wondering if anyone can give me any information as to what that might mean. I live in the San Francisco, CA area. Thank-you, Denise
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,862 memories of 5,949 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Irby, Merseyside
- Knaphill, Surrey
- Carlisle, Cumbria
- Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
- Nazeing, Essex
- Ealing, Greater London
- Taunton, Somerset
- Draycott-In-The-Clay, Derbyshire
- Southgate, Greater London
- Amble, Northumberland
- Golders Green, Greater London
- Guildford, Surrey
- Weaverham, Cheshire
- Netheravon, Wiltshire
- Woodbridge, Suffolk
- Parkgate, Merseyside
- Salford, Lancashire
- West Hartlepool, County Durham
- Tredington, Warwickshire
- Chertsey, Surrey
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
