Publications About Verwood.

 

A book is available about the village called, "VERWOOD VILLAGE TO TOWN" was published in 2007 It was written and compiled by Jill Coulthard. Priced at £10 it is still available from the Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre (9:30am – 12 noon, Mon. to Sat.).

There have been 2 further publications in 2010. The book celebrating 50 years of   "Verwood Memorial Hall "   which includes 50 years of  memories and anecdotes   with photos, some in colour,  of the Memorial Hall.

Another book  published in 2009 by Verwood Methosit Church celebrates "100 Years at Vicarage Road". including :- A Report of the pre-history of Methodism in Verwood  prior to 1909 and a record of Activities and  personal memories of the years 1909 until 2009.

VERWOOD, (Developed from FAIRWOOD, FAYREWOOD, WRTWOOD & WEIRWOOD) was first recorded in 1329 and is situated on the far eastern boundary of Dorset near the Hampshire border, five miles north-west of Ringwood and about twelve miles north of Bournemouth. It became a Civic Parish in l894. Previously it's history was recorded under Cranborne. It became a town in 1987.

Its ALTITUDE above sea level varies between 70 and 130 feet. The CLIMATE is mild and the average RAINFALL is approximately 32 inches. 

To the north and east lie areas of coniferous forests and to the west are mixed farms. There are two tracks of heath which are of Special Scientific Interest. 

 For centuries it was a small, scattered settlement whose inhabitants made a living from the surrounding heathland.  The clay and sand deposits gave rise to potteries and brick and tile yards in the early 1900's, with the heath providing materials for besom making, fodder & peat.  Eventually it became the centre of production of the distinctive yellowy-green glazed pots. Potters, brickmakers, broom makers and the like all plied their trades alongside the traditional agricultural workers.   Today it is a fast growing town of some 14,000 and rising.