A shipwreck, a fraudster hanged, a tea set wedding gift, The Brethren, a Grand National rider, Russell’s Flying Waggons and a dynasty of surgeons: these are just some of the varied stories we have discovered in Blandford’s East Street.
In March 2025, a small group of museum members decided to research the history of properties and people of East Street. Information has been gleaned from census records, maps, trade directories, Blandford and other Dorset museums and Dorset History Centre archives and publications as well as personal input.
A public Open Day was held in the Museum in June 2025, to which we invited the occupants of all the East Street addresses. A lot of interest was shown in the information we had already collected and we made some good contacts for further interviews. We also exhibited at a local history day in Sturminster Newton in September, again we made some good contacts and gleaned more information.
Research is ongoing particularly into the businesses since 1939, there is a lot of information in family memories over this period. We are also continuing research into the Salkeld family of Stour House and Russell’s Flying Waggons.
We are especially interested in talking to anyone whose family lived in Blandford during and since the 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s about the people, businesses and life in Blandford, not just East Street. Everyone has a story to tell and this is an opportunity to capture those memories.
Our aim is to produce a Museum booklet not only recording the properties and their inhabitants but telling some of the varied and fascinating stories which have emerged. A lot of information is already available for public access on a Touch Screen in the Museum, just ask a steward.
The photos show a 1970s map of the Burgage plots, and the Blue Plaque outside Eastway House
