Town Guide - Wareham Town Council

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WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE in many of his products. By the middle of the 19th century, however, Wareham was once again in decline. Some of the cottage industries on which ordinary people depended were becoming unviable. Dorset button making was one such activity. These buttons were hand sown on a ring that was made from Dorset sheep’s horn but by 1850 machine manufactured buttons were being made in the midlands and the Dorset button makers could not compete. Sadly, the industry collapsed causing great hardship and deprivation. In an attempt to create jobs and alleviate local poverty a group of liberal minded investors founded a pottery at Sandford. The Victorian works began life making bricks for the foundations of the buildings for the great exhibition in 1851 but it later went on to produce decorative hollow-ware pottery. By 1900 the pottery concentrated on producing architectural products such as drainpipes and it continued to operate until the mid 1960s when it closed down. The site remained derelict until the late 1970s when the pottery was finally demolished and the area redeveloped for residential housing. Wareham at War In August 1914 the First World War broke out and Wareham became a muster point for territorial soldiers. By 1917 there were 7,500 men stationed in and around Wareham in camp, with many of the regiments from the north of England including the Yorkshire regiment and the Lancashire and Yorkshire and, to the north of the town, Australian and the New Zealand regiments. The main camp was sited on both sides of the Worgret Road and included an infirmary, chapels and a garrison theatre. The camp was dismantled in the 1920s and some of the buildings were sold off for scout huts and village halls. Four miles to the east of Wareham is Holton Heath where, in 1915, a vast ammunition factory was constructed. The London and South Western Railway built a station there and a workforce of several Motoring in the 1920s thousand people were employed with most of the workers being women who arrived by special trains from Poole and Bournemouth. Much of the process was carried on underground to reduce the risk of damage by accidental explosion. Despite their best efforts this actually happened in the 1930s and several lives were lost. During the Second World War the Isle of Purbeck was a hive of military activity. In Swanage, secret research was being carried out by scientists to develop Radar and there was a real fear of enemy invasion along the coast. Enemy aircraft regularly flew over looking for the ammunition factory at Holton Heath but it was protected by an elaborate anti-aircraft defence system. Wareham itself was not an obvious military target but in December 1942 it received a direct hit from a stray German bomber. The blast destroyed several properties but narrowly missed the Saxon church of St. Martin. In October 1943 the Americans arrived and proceeded to spend the next six months building up their forces in readiness for D-Day. During this time intensive training took place for the Normandy invasion and large areas of Purbeck were out of bounds to the general public. In one case, the village of Tyneham was completely evacuated, the residents being told that they could return to their homes after the war but this never came to pass. Modern Wareham For centuries Wareham was defined by its Saxon walls but in the decades after the Second World War, residential developments to the north and south of the town have increased its population threefold and there are now a number of business parks. The rivers, with their broad water meadows still grazed by cattle, period buildings. picturesque lanes and the chiming of the Town Hall bell, however, all bear testament to Wareham’s unique and individual character. ● ● ● Hutchins Blue Plaque – Pound Lane Marching through Wareham in modern times 28 2012–2013
WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Wareham in Bloom From end of May until early Autumn, the town centre features a mass of flower display baskets and stands, catching the visitor’s eye and delighting the senses. Full advantage is taken of the long vista of North Street, South Street and beyond to the distant view of the Purbeck Hills, Wareham proudly putting on its best face with a dazzling array of colour. Wareham in Bloom, a community intiative since 1994 and supported by Wareham Town Council, are the proud organisers, its fundraising endeavours, generous sponsors, and enthusiastic local volunteers and businesses all helping to maintain the displays. An annual Wareham in Bloom Local Competition and a Best Kept Allotment Competition are organised, with an awards ceremony every October celebrating worthy winners. In 2007, Wareham won its first ever Gold in the South/South East in Bloom regional competition. Two further Golds followed in succession. Wareham also represented its region at the prestigious Britain in Bloom finals in 2008 and again in 2011, winning Silver and then a Silver Gilt award. And all this with one small volunteer committee! From recycling initiatives, roundabout enhancements and permanent planting to litter picking and schools/community involvement, there is much to do and help is always At the Britain in Bloom Finals needed – can you help? Wareham in Bloom is very grateful to its many sponsors, Town Council staff and all those who give up their time to help the town look its best. Enjoy our colourful floral displays as you explore! ● ● ● 2012–2013 29
Page 1 and 2: WAREHAM Town Guide 2012-2013 With t
Page 3 and 4: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Welcome to Wareh
Page 5 and 6: ✧ Welcome to Wareham - Mayor’s
Page 7 and 8: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Saxon Walls -War
Page 9 and 10: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Visitors from al
Page 11 and 12: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Pack a Picnic an
Page 13 and 14: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Human Resources
Page 15 and 16: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE OYEZ! Wareham To
Page 17 and 18: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Wareham Carnival
Page 19 and 20: Reproduced by permission of Ordnanc
Page 21 and 22: AUSEWAY WESSEX OVAL P ST MARY’S C
Page 23 and 24: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE THE SILENT WOMAN
Page 25 and 26: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Early history Wa
Page 27: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE prison with lege
Page 31 and 32: Judging allotments Filling every sp
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Page 35 and 36: COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS Dorset Asso
Page 37 and 38: TRADING STANDARDS General Enquiries
Page 39 and 40: WAREHAM TOWN GUIDE Commercial & Dom

Town Guide - Wareham Town Council

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