Old Rectory Owermoigne
A Memory of Owermoigne.
The Old Rectory in Owermoigne is a building of significance. The timber structure of the original house is formed from the timbers of a Spanish Armada galleon wrecked at Ringstead. There is an interesting access to the cellars where brandy was allegedly provided for the incumbent of the Rectory during the smuggling days in Dorset. It is thought that Thomas Hardy possibly visited the Rectory whilst writing his short story "The Distracted Preacher" a tale of smuggling in a loosely disguised village of Nether Moigneton.
In 1870 the Victorians rebuilt the local church and re-sited an interesting tracery window in an extension to the Rectory.
The building remains a mystery even today with various local stories of tunnels emanating from the rectory cellars and of underground storage rooms. There are local memories of these as they were supposedly used during the Second World War as shelters. However to date these tunnels have not been found.
Add your comment
You must be signed-in to your Frith account to post a comment.
Add to Album
You must be signed in to save to an album
Sign inSparked a Memory for you?
If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?
Comments & Feedback
Be the first to comment on this Memory! Starting a conversation is a great way to share, and get involved! Why not give some feedback on this Memory, add your own recollections, or ask questions below.