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BRIEF
DESCRPTION |
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Brickmaking
in Verwood
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Brickworks began operating in Verwood in
the 1840s. One at Ebblake, on the
Hampshire-Dorset border, produced white and red
bricks and drain pipes from clay dug on the site.
This brickyard closed about 1908 to 1909 as
apparently the seam of clay had been completely dug.
The Gotham brick and tile yard was situated in
Romford on the western edge of Verwood. The Kilns
and Chimney were demolished in the 1970's.
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Basket
making
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There is no evidence of Basket making as a
main occupation but in 1968 Mr. H. Bailey who was an
electrician by trade before he became very blind. He
is a talented, self—taught organist; but did not
find that music completely filled his darkening
world. His wife persuaded him to take up
basket work and helped by an association for the
blind, he made a start.........
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Besom
making in Verwood
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This page from an interview in 1968
introduces us to Mr. A. Sims. For more information
about making a besom please select the
appropriate link:-
Note:-
that some Besom making still continues. |
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Dorset
Button Making
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In 1968, quite by chance, it was discovered
that a village resident, Mrs. Horwood, is not only a
keen needle woman and an authority on Dorset Feather
Stitchery, but was doing her utmost to revive
buttony and lace-making.
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Farriery
in Verwood
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There were four forges in Verwood in the
early 1900s, three of these combined smithing with
the work of the wheelwright. The Ringwood Road
forge was working again in 1967 and had been in use
for at least one hundred and fifty years.
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Hurdle
making in Verwood
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This page from 1998 discusses Mr. Kerley is
another Verwood craftsman continuing in his father's
footsteps and describes the making of hurdles.
Hurdle making, Besom making and Pole Lathe
Turning demonstrations are often held on Ferrett
Green in front of the Heathland Heritage Centre,
usually with Mr Don Taylor, Mr Terry Heard and Mr
Chris Albray. |
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Pottery in Verwood
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 The last remaining Verwood pottery finished
producing pots in 1952 for economic reasons. This,
the Cross Roads Pottery had now become the site of
the Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre. Their
website is:-
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Weaving
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There is no evidence of weaving as a main
occupation in Verwood but in 1968 Miss W. who wishes
to remain anonymous, moved to Verwood in 1947. She
had previously lived and worked in London.
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Wrought
Iron in Verwood
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In the early 1960's After Mr. Sims had
retired, the "Village Smithy" stayed empty
for five or six years, until Mr. Smith re-opened it
in a completely different sphere, wrought-iron work.
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Tanning
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There were some crafts that have left no
visible evidence other than a mere mention in
records of the area. In the thirteenth century
tanners were in abundance in the Cranborne Chase,
the deer hides being exported to
Normandy
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