by Nicci Brown
Our Civic Group guides are coming to the end of their 2026 season of heritage and perimeter walks and have enjoyed giving small groups of visitors and residents an insight into the town’s history. The second and third Sunday morning walks have occasionally suffered when the weather has been really too hot for a two-hour stroll around the town, and we are trialling a Wednesday evening walk on 16th September, during Dorset Architectural Heritage Week, when larger groups are expected.
Group members have been contributing to the research carried out on the history of East Street and the town centre in general, as well as helping to respond to enquiries to the Museum from those seeking information about their families and properties.
The Group has financed the redesign and replacement of the interpretation boards about the World War II defences and at St Leonards Chapel and taken the opportunity to add Navilens codes for the partially sighted and others to enjoy further description of the contents via their smartphones. We had hoped the replacements might arrive in time for National Civic Day on 20th June, but they were expected from the manufacturers soon after. Codes are also going to be added to the board in Damory Street for the burial ground and school war memorial.
Obviously, the fate of the Bastard House and Bere’s Yard is of concern to all of us, but we have not lost sight of the condition of other listed buildings in the town, and welcome the extensive work carried out and proposed for the former Nat West bank building as well as the completion of the magnificent restoration of the Town Hall, Council Chamber and Corn Exchange. It is encouraging to see that work is also being carried out at other properties, including the Kings Arms in Whitecliff Mill Street, the Crown & Anchor in West Street, and the Sapling in East Street. It will however be sad, but possibly a relief to drivers and pedestrians using Hunt Road, to see the felling of the distinctive walnut in the play area, a large branch of which hangs over the full width of the road. The tree, which is subject to a tree preservation order, has been found to be suffering from decay, so consent to fell has been given, and Sovereign Housing have undertaken to plant a replacement in the next planting season.
We await the outcome of the confirmation of the Dorset Council (26 East Street, Blandford Forum) Compulsory Purchase Order 2024 which was confirmed in February this year and presumably, following a further period of consultation, awaits the decision of the Secretary of State, which will allow the purchase and possible sale to facilitate the improvement of the site. We also await development at 52 Salisbury Street, which was again offered for sale at auction in June.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the Green Fair planned for July 4th because too few were able to join us but were pleased to host a well-attended presentation in May of the People’s Emergency Briefing highlighting the impacts of climate change for the town, country and world.