Blandford Throwback Facts VII

In 1777, a horse drawn coach from Exeter was robbed by a highwayman just a few miles short of Blandford.

In 1778, smugglers firing their pistols attacked the house of the Supervisor of Excise in Blandford and took away 16 cwts of tea and nine casks of liquor.

In 1779, the Greyhound Inn advertised that it had a ‘very good billiard table.’

In 1780, a young boy chimney sweep was burnt to death when cleaning the chimney in a Blandford inn.

In a battle royal between poachers and gamekeepers, Pimperne born poacher trumpet-sergeant Blandford had a hand cut off by a gamekeeper’s cutlass.

Nine hundred & eighty four gallons of spirits seized from smugglers were put up for auction in Blandford.

In 1781, the British Army fought in the Battle of Blandford. However, this skirmish did not take place in Dorset but in Blandford, USA.

In 1782, prizes for Blandford Races were one of £100 and three of £50.

In 1783, it cost eight shillings (40p) to send a letter from Blandford to York.

Henry Maidment was born in Tarrant Monkton. He was to serve in the Duke of Wellington’s army in the Spanish Peninsular War.

William Moulton was contracted to repair and widen Blandford Bridge for £840.

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Panda Pops

Panda Blue Rasperry Ade, Strawberry Jelly & Ice Cream and Casper Ghostly Limeade were all unique soft drink flavours produced by the Panda Pops brand owned by Badger Beers. Panda Pops were often sold in small bottles of fizzy drink that were as sweet and sticky as it was as possible for them to be. Other popular Panda Pop flavours were Cherry Ade and Bright Green Cola. Even more singular blends could be concocted by mixing two or more flavours in a Panda Pops mixing bowl. Panda Cola achieved a sort of cult status and there is even a song, ‘ Warm Panda Cola’ . While among Panda aficionados there was even the spoof blend of Princess Diana Memorial flavour! The Blandford drink competed remarkably well against American giants Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola. Panda Pops date back to the 1960s when the Blandford brewer dropped the name of Sunparlor for its soft drink brands. Sunparlor had also been the name of a winning race horse owned by a member of the Woodhouse family. Cream soda was...

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The Blandford Express

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