Work is currently in progress on two volumes.
The first is a classic VCH ‘red book’ of Corfe Castle and Hasler hundred, including Arne, Church Knowle, Corfe Castle, East Holme, Kimmeridge, Steeple, Stoborough and Tyneham, led by Martin Ayres, Mark Forrest, Trixie Gadd, Louise Haywood and Martin Papworth.
The second is a ‘VCH short’ volume relating to Blandford Forum before the fire of 1731, led by Cindy Wood.
Corfe Castle and Hasler hundred
Hasler hundred was selected as the first Dorset topographical volume for several reasons.
- The heath to the north, chalk downs to the south and coastal areas of Poole Bay and the English Channel encompass a variety of agricultural areas.
- Corfe Castle was economically important as a small market town and historically significant as a royal castle, later besieged during the Civil War when held by the Bankes family.
- The Ministry of War’s requisitioning of Tyneham, the oil industry at Kimmeridge and Wytch farm, and the RSPB reserve at Arne are of national significance.
Importantly records of the borough, most churches, and local landowning families (Bankes of Corfe, and Bond of Creech Grange, East Holme and Tyneham) have been deposited in the Dorset History Centre and are available to researchers.
Blandford Forum Before the Fire
Blandford Forum before the fire is a community-based project led by Dr Cindy Wood. It explores the medieval and early modern town of Blandford, which was largely destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1731. The later history of Blandford is well documented, but the earlier history must be pieced together from scattered sources. This project includes research undertaken by a team of volunteers from the Blandford Forum Museum.
