Stourpaine Cuttings

 

The inhabitants of Stourpaine were on Sunday morning thrown into a state of most painful excitement by the report that their most highly esteemed clergyman, the Reverend C F Tufnell had committed suicide by cutting his throat. It appears that the unfortunate gentleman had been labouring for sometime past under depression of spirits. (Somerset County Gazette 3^rd August 1867) 

Six dairy cows belonging to Stourpaine farmer, John Coles were killed on the Somerset & Dorset line near Shillingstone.  On Friday afternoon a little boy, eight years of age was sent after the cows. He let them in on the line but before he could get them off on the opposite side the up-express, which is booked to arrive at Blandford at 3.30pm, emerged from the cutting and dashed through the cows. Five of the seven which were killed on the spot and another died in the night through injuries received. (Western Gazette – 8^th September 1871)

The Stourpaine Temperance Friends were so satisfied with Mr Cheany’s address on 3^rd May, they secured his services again on Thursday 13^th May when that gentleman delivered a thoroughly good lecture on Bible Teetotalism showing in the most unmistakable manner that the balance of Biblical evidence is largely in favour of total abstinence from the use of wine or strong drink. (Western Gazette – 21^st May 1869.)

Fred Rogers (29) was riding down Stourpaine Hill in Dorsetshire on Sunday evening on a high bicycle when he was thrown from the machine and sustained injuries which proved fatal shortly afterwards. The deceased was returning from a visit to his sweetheart. (Whitstable Times & Herne Bay Herald- 21 July 1894)

The Gunpowder Plot was well celebrated in this village by the boys of Stourpaine House School. Early in the evening a procession was formed headed by the brass band. They were followed by a detachment of boys under ‘Sergeant Marsh’s’ Gun Ammunition Section and the Ambulance Corps accompanied by doctors and nurses. The procession ended with a donkey carriage carrying four children. A display of fireworks terminated the proceedings. (Western Gazette – 9^th November 1900)

Stourpaine – one of the most charming spots in Dorsetshire – is certainly an ideal spot for a school and the Girls’ House School is a modern residence eminently adapted to school purposes. Pleasantly situated in a pretty park of about six acres it is near the main line from Bournemouth to Templecombe. It stands surrounded by hills including that ancient British encampment, known as ‘Hod Hill’, a popular resort by reason of its pure bracing air and the facilities for amusement in the ‘Rings’. (Bournemouth Graphic – 13^th April 1912)

A further development has taken place in connection with the Stourpaine School strike which it will be remembered has been going on since the end of the school holidays. The Education Authorities decided in the interests of education and economy that when the schools resumed work after the holidays the elder children who had hitherto been educated at Stourpaine School should be transferred to Durweston School. The Stourpaine parents unanimously agreed to resist this scheme and went on strike. When the Stourpaine School reopened they sent the senior children to the school with the juniors but the teaching staff in accordance with instructions refused to admit them. (Western Gazette – 18^th November 1927)

The Railway Company have just erected a substantially built shelter for the use and convenience of passengers using the Stourpaine & Durweston Halt. This will be found to be a great boon particularly in the winter months on account of the halt standing on an exposed embankment. (Western Gazette – 12^th April 1929)

A ‘Battle Royal’ between a farmer armed with a pitch fork and a roadster wielding an iron fire rake was described to Blandford magistrates on Saturday morning. A man named James Kelly, of no fixed abode, was brought up in custody, on remand, and was charged that on the previous Saturday he broke and entered into the dwelling house of Edward Charles Gayton of Ash Farm, Stourpaine and stole a door key valued at one shilling (5p). (Western Gazette – August 5^th 1932) 

At a meeting of the Blandford Rural District Council on Thursday, Stourpaine village was described as one of the worst spots in the district as regards housing conditions. The Medical Officer stated the houses at Stourpaine were built too close together and on small sites. The occupants had difficulty getting rid of their refuse. There was much old, badly built and dilapidated property and the water supply in some cases was bad. In his opinion there 42 houses not fit for human habitation. Twenty should be demolished and 22 made fit by repairs and alterations. (Western Gazette – 20^th August 1937)

One of the oldest savings workers in the country, Mrs Ann Lindon aged 90 of Ivy Cottage who has been collecting national savings in Stourpaine for the last 31 years was awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of her services to the savings movement. (Western Gazette – 7^th January 1949)