Skip to main content

The 'BFs'

Many of the first cars seen in Dorset carried the unfortunate number plate ‘BF’ which caused considerable embarrassment to the drivers. This is because they became nicknamed the ‘BFs’ or ‘Bloody Fools’. Dorset car owners strongly objected to these ‘obnoxious initials’. Many had their vehicles registered in Somerset, Hampshire or London instead which resulted in a loss of revenue to the county. To prevent any further driver embarrassment, the county stopped using the ‘BF’ registration in 1904. An order of the Local Government Board dated 27th December 1904 allocated Dorset ’FX’ instead. Motorists who already had a ‘BF’ mark could swop it for a ‘FX’ one. ‘BF’ marks still in use in 1921 were re-registered with ‘FX’ .

Featured in the Market Place is one of Blandford’s earliest vehicles which was a 1903 two-seater Humberette with Arthur Conyers at the wheel. This was reckoned to be a well-made and sturdy vehicle with a two-speed gear box and a single spoke steering wheel. It had a top speed of 25 mph and was Britain’s first successful effort at producing a light vehicle.

First motor vehicle to be seen in Blandford is believed to have belonged to a circus family and had solid rubber tyres. It made a noise like a threshing machine and was followed around the town’s streets by around 100 cheering children. A man trotted in front carrying a red flag and this motor car travelled at a stately 4 mph.

In 1907, the Blandford Automobile Club was formed with Mr F W Farquarson of Tarrant Gunville appointed as President. In 1911, a day trip to the New Forest was organised for some 40 members & guests and included afternoon tea at the White Hart Inn in Ringwood.

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

True Lovers Knot - a Tragic Tale

True Lovers Knot public house describes itself as a traditional  inn set in a picturesque Dorset valley in Tarrant Keynston. Yet, this historical hostelry is said to have gained its name from a particularly tragic tale and still to be haunted by a distressed former publican. This publican’s son met and fell in love with the daughter of the local squire. Because the young lad was not from the gentry they decided to keep their relationship secret from her father. Unfortunately, a stable hand saw the two young lovers together and told her father. Set firmly against this friendship the squire made plans to send his daughter away from the district. Not able to face up to life without her boyfriend, the young girl decided to commit suicide and hanged herself from a tree in the village. So upset was the publican’s son of hearing of his girlfriend’s death he too hanged himself from the same tree. The Tarrant Keynston publican had, himself lost his wife at child birth and now losing his son b
4 comments
Read more

Holton Heath's Tragic Explosion

Ten were killed and 23 were injured according to newspaper reports at the time. This made it one of Dorset’s worst ever industrial accidents. Holton Heath employees were blown into unrecognisable fragments necessitating a roll call of the factory’s entire staff before the identities of those killed were identified. Eleven men were originally believed to have been killed but when a roll call was held one turned up. A crimson red plume of acid vapour had towered into the sky resembling the shuddering eruption of a volcano. It was caused by the bursting of a sulphuric acid tank. Close by low buildings vanished and the shock affected houses for 20 miles with roof slates dislodged, ornaments knocked down and windows broken. The sound of the explosion could be heard at Shillingstone some 18 miles away. Closer to the factory, a hoe was wrenched from the hands of a gardener who was flung against a tree. One fortunate employee, Charles Rogers owed his life to having to leave, just before the
1 comment
Read more

Tarrant Rushton's Nuclear Secret

Tarrant Rushton was a large RAF base used for glider operations during World War II. It was then taken over by Flight Refuelling for the conversion of aircraft for the development of aircraft in-flight refuelling. However, between 1958 & 1965, the Tarrant Rushton airfield had a much more secretive and less publicised role. This was in support of the nation’s nuclear bomber deterrent, as Tarrant Rushton airfield became a QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) dispersal unit.   During 1958, contractors Costain reinforced the main runway and carried out other work to ensure the giant bomber aircraft could be accommodated. At times just a few miles from Blandford, there would have been up to four RAF Vickers Valiant bombers at Tarrant Rushton ready to become airborne in minutes charged with nuclear weapons. The bombers were from 148 Squadron at RAF Marham in Norfolk. As there was no suitable accommodation at the airfield, an old US Air Force Hospital building at Martin was used. At the time, the
10 comments
Read more