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Ringstead memories

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Memories of Dorset

The Castle Inn at Lulworth

I worked as the kitchen porter at The Castle Inn, Lulworth in 1966. I was nineteen years old and thought it would be good to spend the summer by the coast. As I thought of myself as a bit of an artist I would have the Dorset countryside to inspire me. I wasn't a very good artist, but I looked the part with full beard, corduroy jacket and a guitar that I couldn't play. This was pre-hippie and post-beatnik days, so I probably just looked odd. All other youngsters were Mods or Rockers.

I must say in 1966 the pub looked very similar to the 1903 picture, little white fence and all. Like all pubs in those days they had a public and saloon bar with a small off-license in between, to keep the toffs and the yobs apart. In the public bar you got campers from Durdle Door caravan site and squaddies from the Army Camp from the other direction. In the saloon bar were holiday makers with... Read more

Holiday Memories

Man O'War Rocks 1903
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My memories as a child are walking over the army ranges from West Lulworth to Mewps (as a family group) after lunch on a Sunday to collect winkles for tea. I also remember beach combing on the shore of the bay and finding all manner of flotsam washed up - from timber to discarded cigarettes. The picture is Man'o'War rock looking east towards Ball Stone rock and St Oswald's Bay.

Dorothy Iris May Williams - My Mother - Walter Cornish - My Grandmother's Relative

Dorothy Iris May Williams was born in Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset in 1929 - her mother's maiden name was CORNISH. Winfrith Newburgh village church of St Christopher displays tributes to the Cornish family name. My mother was baptised in St Christopher's. My grandmother's relative (Walter Cornish) lived in Winfrith Newburgh until his cottage was sold. He was last known to be resident at a Council run home for the elderly in Wareham (before his cottage was sold!). When I last visited Winfrith I noticed that Walter's cottage had been renamed as 'Walter's Cottage' - a fitting tribute to the poor old man. If anyone knew the Cornishes of Winfrith I would be interested.

Silver Jubilee Parade 1935

I remember well the parade through the village on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee.
My mother and several other mothers dressed six of us young boys as toy soldiers and we had to march in the parade.  However, the best thing in the parade that I can remember was a model of the Queen Mary.  It was loaded over a car.  You could not see the car, only the majestic liner floating through the village.  It was a wonderful occasion for the children of the village for we had a party that evening in the Parish Hall and everyone was presented with a mug to commemorate the occasion.
At the time my family lived at 19 West Lulworth just opposite the War Memorial.
We were Church of England but my mother insisted on sending us to the Roman Catholic School in East Lulworth.  She had heard the Miss Yarnitsky was the best teacher in Dorset and that was enough for her.  On days that my sister and I missed... Read more

West Lulworth Church

Holy Trinity Church, Interior 1904
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I was a member of the choir. In the 1930's and throughout the war years the church would be packed for the morning service every Sunday.
As a child I used to look forward to the Magic Lantern shows put on by the vicar Mr Sharpe.  These occurred after Evensong.  The Catholics of the village came in after the sevice and were welcome to see the presentation.  Mr Sharpe had been a missionary at some time in his life and must have been a keen photographer.  Everyone must have enjoyed his presentations as there was always a good crowd in attendance.
Mrs Ironmonger played the organ and we choir boys took turns pumping the organ.
Some years ago when visiting from Canada I noticed that the vestry had been
vandalised and that the beautiful window over the alter had been smashed.
I believe that it has been repaired.
During the war years the army attended Sunday morning services and the military band played during the singing of the hymns. The... Read more

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