Milton Abbas, Dorset

Drakes of Hilton

For many generations the DRAKE family lived in the Hilton area. My gg grandfather was George DRAKE a Woodman. His son, Charles left the village and worked as a domestic coachman in the London area. My grandfather Ben, Charles' son, had three maiden cousins living in Hilton during WW2. My Uncle Kenneth had stayed with them in August 1944. During... [more]

Melcombe Bingham

I am from this family - my grandmother was a Melcombe.

Melcombe Bingham Chapel

For Kelly Bingham 28th Generation Bingham

Mother's memories

My mother Patricia Bingham visited Bingham's Melcombe probably in the 1950's and told me, her daughter, that the house was derelict and the hall was being used as a hayshed!  I do hope to vist the place at some time next year, and wonder who owns it now and if possible to  get in touch with the present owner.  Look forward... [more]

Small but pretty

I grew up here, a tiny hamlet underneath Bulbarrow Hill. My grandfather and father are buried in the churchyard. My mother still lives here and is a great stalwart of this tiny community.

The Fabulous Fez Heads entertain Whitethorn Morris

For very many years the dancers and musicians of Whitethorn Morris have performed in the streets at Wimborne Folk Festival each June and have been fascinated to see another team known as the "Fabulous Fez Heads" there.  

This led for the first time, in 2007, to an invitation to join the Fig and Date Fayre at The Greyhound... [more]

As a child I lived in the estate office.

As a child I lived in the estate office in the square, my father was estate bailiff for W J Brymer for all of the war years. I remember many of the troops were billeted with us in the house, at one time we had fifteen staying in the attic. We also had two American officers with us, one was Captain... [more]

Second World War welcome home plaques

I have lived in Shillingstone since 1977.  By default I seem to have become the village archivist.

In March I was given 14 brass plaques, still in named envelopes, which were meant to be presented to individual soldiers returning to Shillingstone after the Second World War. They were produced by the Parish Council Welcome Home Committee, under the chairmanship of... [more]