Tarrant Rushton memories
Here are memories of Tarrant Rushton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Tarrant Rushton or a Tarrant Rushton photo.
Mary Pouncy
I once bought an old book dated 1795 entitled "The Pocket Magazine", which had several signatures on early pages of the owner: "Mary Pouncy Rushton". Interested in learning more about her I sought her birth, marriage, death etc details in all the "Rushtons" I could discover: no luck. The book went into the roof. The other day I came upon it again and this time searched every page. A few pages in was a different clue "Mary Pouncy Fordington". As a Thomas Hardy fan I went straight to the Dorset records and found Mary's birth, in Dorchester on 29 June 1780, daughter of Thomas and Mary Pouncy. A further search shows that she died unmarried at the age of 24 in Dewlish. Very little more research uncovered the mystery of "Rushton". If Mary had the book new, she must have lived in Tarrant Rushton during 1795-1800 or so and been quite well-to-do since she was literate when few were. Perhaps somebody could guess... Read more
Memories of Dorset
3 Tons to Blandford.
I was 8 years old when I arrived in Blandford. It was lunchtime on a Sunday a week before the Somerset and Dorset Railway closed on the 6th March 1966. My dad was in the Royal Signals and he was being posted to the 30th Signal Regiment which was stationed at Blandford Camp. My dad and I and a friend of my parents travelled down on the Sunday morning in an Army Bedford 3 tonner with all our belongings from Windsor where my dad had been stationed at Comberemere Barracks where he was attached to the Blues and Royals. Though it was only about 90 miles from Windsor to Blandford this was in the days before the M3 and Bedford 3 tonners do not have very good suspension! We had some lunch in a cafe next door to the 3 Choughs pub just along from the Crown Hotel. We then made our way up to the camp where my parents had been allocated a married quarter which was in Valley Road. Our house... Read more
Happy Days
The best years of my life, I loved Blandford Camp and everything about it, swinging high on the swings singing songs, going to Blandford primary school (as it was callled then), roller skating around the camp, bike rides to the NAFFI, it was the second time round for me, we lived at Racedown Road when I was born, then when we came the second time we lived in Collage Road, number 32 or 37, I can't quite remmber the number lol. We were so carefree, and all the army kids looked out for each other. Oh God I just remembered, Mr Parrish, I think that was his name, he taught all my family at school, there were 6 of us, me being the youngest, Mr Robert Wish was my favourite teacher ever. My sister Julie and I used to spend our bus fair and walk down that really long hill into town to go swimming in the outdoor swimming pool, then on the walk back we used to call into the... Read more
Always Good Times.
My family moved to Blandford Forum in 1970 and we left in 1973, my dad was in the Royal Signals. I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers and the time we lived there really was the most fantastic time ever. I have vivid memories of all the fun we had and how safe I felt while living there. We lived at 26 College Road, Blandford Camp, and our garden backed on to the really steep hill that took us to the woods. I can remember Bonfire Night when there would be a huge display and also the greens that went up in what looked like steps, they seemed enormous when you're a kid, and there would be a summer fair there each year and we would be given a ticket to get a plate of food. I have very fond memories of the assault course which we used to play on thinking we could do it better than the pros, lol. I would truly love to go back there one... Read more
Wild Orchids Growing at Badbury Rings
Every year I look forward to the Wimborne Folk Festival in June. After two days of busy performances I try to find time on the Sunday afternoon, of my return home, to do some local sightseeing and one of my favourite places to see is Badbury Rings. Now in the care of the National Trust it is well preserved and the size of the circular ditches is amazing - maybe some 40 feet or so. Just think how big these must have been before a couple of thousand years of erosion have taken their toll. Down in the sheltered dips between the rings you can find wild flowers and on my last visit we found orchids.
My Grandmother
My grandmother Mary Brooks was born in Witchampton in 1857. She probably married my grandfather Joseph Childs in the church there in 1876, from there they went to live at Corscombe. I am wondering whether she had siblings and if any descendants are still in Witchcampton?
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