Newspapers

A man suffered a fractured skull and a dislocated shoulder after the car he was travelling in overturned and landed in woods. Police said a man has been arrested following the crash in Kingston, near Corfe Castle, last night. Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward. It happened about 10.50pm yesterday, Thursday, July 16, when a Black Skoda Yeti came off the road on the B3069 West Street, near to Kingston Country Courtyard. Two men aged 24 and 25, and both from Reading, were in the vehicle which was travelling from Langton Matravers toward Kingston when it left the road, overturned and landed in nearby woods. The 25-year-old man was taken to Poole Hospital with serious injuries, including a fractured skull and dislocated shoulder. He is said to be in a stable condition and his next of kin have been made aware. Police, fire and… Continue reading

An airline tycoon is believed to have snapped up a vast country estate. The Encombe Estate in the Purbeck countryside was put on the market in September last year for £25 million by American merchant banker Charles McVeigh, who paid £11m for it in 2002 and spent millions restoring it. Now it is reported that James Gaggero, a 49-year-old former officer in the Irish Guards, has paid £20m to become only the sixth owner of the plush pile in its 1,100-year history. The Gaggeros built their fortune operating an airline and ferries to the Moroccan port of Tangier. The airline, Gibraltar Airways, eventually moved to Britain as GB Airways and was bought for £103m by easyJet two years ago. Gaggero’s Bland Group of companies now encompasses travel and hotel firms. Mr Gaggero is the second airline boss linked to the estate, with Sir Richard Branson thought to have toured it… Continue reading

A motorist died after his car crashed into a wall on the B3069 near Corfe Castle, police said. Emergency services were called to West Street in Kingston at around 6pm yesterday. The driver’s black Mercedes had left the road and smashed into a wall near the Scott Arms pub. The 57-year-old man, from the Swanage area, was airlifted to Poole Hospital by the police helicopter but was later pronounced dead. Dorset Police are urging any witnesses to contact them on 01305 222222. Bournemouth Daily Echo, 20 January 2009 Continue reading

A highly important 2,000-acre historic agricultural and sporting estate on the Purbeck coast is being offered for sale with a guide price of £25 million. Encombe House is one of the most distinguished country houses in the South West, the original house being substantially remodelled and extended by John Pitt, the well-known Parliamentarian and amateur architect. In 1804 Encombe was purchased by the eminent lawyer, Lord Eldon, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who became Lord Chancellor in 1806. Anthony Salvin subsequently made some alterations for the Third Lord Eldon in the early 1870s. The house has grown in scale over time through several phases of development principally by John Pitt, then MP for Wareham, after he inherited the property in 1735 on the death of his father, George Pitt of Stratfield Saye, later the seat of the Duke of Wellington. The structure of the central block dates from an… Continue reading

A planning inspector has thrown out an appeal for a new house to be built in the grounds of a listed former church in the hilltop hamlet of Kingston near Corfe Castle. When the plan came before the council architect Barry Chapman told councillors: “The proposed new house is intended for my eldest son, Jody, who has lived all of his life in the village of Kingston, and his fiancée, who without this proposal would have no prospect of purchasing a property on Purbeck.” Mr Chapman won permission for the church to be converted into a house some 30 years ago. He urged councillors to back the application to demonstrate wholehearted commitment to encouraging young people being able to get homes in their local communities. Councillors went to see the site in June 2007 and then backed their planners with a refusal. Appeal inspector Olivia Spencer says the former church… Continue reading

The lease at The Scott Arms in Kingston, near Corfe Castle, is being offered by Christie & Co on behalf of Punch Taverns The Scott Arms is a character detached public house in an elevated position with outstanding views over Corfe Castle. Internally the trading areas provide for over 100 customers while the garden has seating for over 200. The pub benefits from three-bedroom owner’s accommodation and a two-bedroom staff flat. Tonya West, of Christie + Co, said that it represents a good opportunity for existing or aspiring retailers to operate a quality public house business. In January 2006, Punch Taverns instructed Christie + Co to let approximately 650 pubs. Christie & Co is also offering leases at The Red Lion and The Black Dog in Weymouth. Bournemouth Echo, Tuesday 16 September 2008 Continue reading

A memorial for the victims of two plane crashes has been unveiled at Purbeck. An RAF Swordfish Mark One aircraft from RAF Gosport crashed near Corfe Castle on March 18, 1938, killing three people. On June 15, 1945, an RAF Liberator Mark Four aircraft from RAF Transport Command’s 232 Squadron also crashed there, killing 27 passengers and crew. Bournemouth Echo, Thursday 1 November 2007 Continue reading

Organisers of a youth motocross club say they are shocked and saddened by the council’s decision to ban the use of motorbikes on a Purbeck farm. Two clubs have now been kicked off West Hill Farm in Kingston by Purbeck District Council, despite being located in a 2,000-acre site and only held on Saturday afternoons. One organiser, Vincent Page, of the Off-Road Promoters Association, says he carried out noise level tests to ensure there would be no impact on nearby houses. He said: “We did everything within the rules – we didn’t touch the land, we provided insurance and safety measures. The police are always asking for somewhere for young bikers to go, and this was perfect – it’s ridiculously remote. “Now these kids have nowhere and they’ll just go back on the streets where they are a nuisance.” The clubs were set up in response to last year’s call… Continue reading

Well-known Purbeck family, the Scotts, are selling an historic manor house they had planned to make their family home. Rupert Scott, who sold Encombe House, near Kingston, two years ago for a reported £16million, has now put Afflington Manor Farm on the market for an estimated £2.25million. Afflington Manor Farm, between Corfe Castle and Swanage, is a Grade II listed 17th-century manor house set in 360 acres. The Scott family are believed to be dividing their time between Purbeck and the south of France. The family still owns a substantial amount of land in Purbeck along with a number of properties. Afflington Manor Farm had been the subject of heated debate among planning chiefs at Purbeck District Council over a complex set of proposals for alterations. Objections were raised over the cumulative effect of the alterations but, after months of negotiations, planning chiefs finally gave the go-ahead on plans which… Continue reading

A Victorian staircase at an historic manor house in Purbeck is to be ripped out despite calls from conservationists that it should be saved. Purbeck district councillors approved the plan after a visit to Afflington Manor Farm at Corfe Castle, once an important property in the 17th century which oversaw the manor of Afflington. The grade II listed building has undergone alterations over the centuries but had fallen into disrepair in recent years. It has been bought by the Scott family – former owners of Encombe estate which they sold in 2002 for a reported £16 million. A complex planning application seeking a series of alterations to Afflington Manor Farm had already been approved by Purbeck district’s planning committee. Planning chiefs have now agreed to a separate application seeking permission to remove a nineteenth century staircase to allow the creation of a void for new stairs to give the impression… Continue reading

Well-known Purbeck family, the Scotts, have won permission for a series of alterations to an historic manor house they hope to make their family home. The former owners of Encombe House, which was sold for a reported £16 million, plan to set up home at Afflington Manor Farm between Corfe Castle and Swanage. Proposals for a complex and wide-ranging package of alterations have been the subject of 18 months of negotiations with planning officers at Purbeck district council. The grade II listed former manor house was originally a 17th-century courtyard house – it was more recently used as accommodation for farm workers. Members of the planning board agreed to the removal of 19th-century partitions – provided they are surveyed and recorded – to make way for a “manorial chamber”. Permission was also given for a swimming pool, with the conversion of pigsties to boiler and changing rooms. Members of the… Continue reading

Old memories were relived and stories shared when a golden couple took a step back in time to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The entire wedding party who watched Greta and Terry Hardy from Kingston marry at Betchworth in Surrey in 1953 reunited to commemorate the couple’s 50th anniversary.Even the bridesmaid Ann Robinson, pageboys twins David and Christopher Taylor – who were just three at the time – and best man Michael Hillier attended. The appearance of London-based Michael at the bash at the Springfield Country Hotel proved to be an extra-special surprise for the couple who had not seen him since 1954. The idea of celebrating their golden wedding in the presence of all of their old friends and family was the idea of Terry. And despite the hard work that he put in trying to locate the whereabouts of all of the 85 guests the couple believe it was… Continue reading

One of the most expensive country estates ever to come on the market in Dorset has been sold. Encombe House, which lies in a secluded valley in Purbeck, is believed to have been bought by successful American merchant banker Charles McVeigh for £16 million – £1 million more than its asking price. It is only the fourth time the grade-II listed country house set in 2000 acres of magnificent coastal grounds famed for its shooting opportunities has changed hands. The estate includes St. Aldhelm’s Head, Chapmans Pool and Swyre Head, three lakes, 60 acres of formal garden, 12 cottages, swimming pool and a Grecian style temple. The house includes six reception rooms, a galleried hall, library-cum-snooker room and 12 principal bedroom suites. Prestigious estate agents FPD Savills were called in earlier this year to sell the property for the Scott family who had owned the estate since 1807. [The accompanying… Continue reading

A landmark Purbeck church needs its roof replaced – forcing church leaders to launch an urgent fund-raising appeal. More than 40 large tiles made of Purbeck stone fell from the north roof of Kingston church overnight on January 6. Homeowners living nearby raised the alarm when they discovered the wreckage in the morning and surveyors later discovered wooden pegs holding the tiles in place had rotted away. St James, Kingston, known as the cathedral of Purbeck, is described as one of the best churches designed by distinguished Victorian architect G E Street – the same man who designed the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London. The church dates back to 1880 and is a grade one listed building. Initial estimates for repairs total some £15,000 -to repair the north side of the roof alone. Rector of the parishes of the Purbeck Hills, the Rev Robert Watton, said: “Now… Continue reading

If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a titled aristocrat, the chance could be yours – if you’re prepared to pay the right price. A number of Lordship titles based in Purbeck are up for sale at auction and prices are expected to fetch around £8,000. Among the feudal titles available are the Lordships of Stoborough, Langton Wallis, Affrington and Worgret. The Lordship of Worgret lies in the borough of Wareham and the title is being offered for sale by the daughter of the third and last Baron Alington. As title holder your manor would include one of the oldest churches in the country, St Mary’s – the supposed burial place of Anglo Saxon kings. It also covers a number of ancient barrows where Bronze Age burial urns have been found. The Manor of Stoborough is believed to have once been part of Wareham Priory. An account of priory possessions during… Continue reading

A Purbeck church is to re-open to the public after a major two-year restoration of its organ. A special concert to mark the completion of the £30,000 plus restoration is being held at St. James, Kingston, on Wednesday. This will feature internationally-renowned organist Peter Hurford. Kingston rector the Rev. Robert Watton said: “For two years the church has virtually been unusable during the restoration.” The organ has a noted tonal design and high quality pipework some of which is attributed to the Frenchman, Cavaille-Coll. During the restoration parts of the organ filled much of the church. Services were held in the choir stalls. The organ was installed when St. James church was built in the 1870s. The church was the work of architect George Street, who designed London’s law courts. It has been descibed as having “the perfect Victorian church interior”. The third Earl of Eldon is said to have… Continue reading

Disaster in Coastal Fog – Three Men Killed near Corfe Castle – Aircraft in Flames The three occupants of an R.A.F. aeroplane, a Fairy Swordfish, bound from Gosport to Roborough, near Plymouth, on Friday afternoon, were killed when the machine, after hitting some trees, crashed in a coastal fog, near Encombe House, the Dorsetshire residence of the Hon. Sir Ernest S. Scott, K.C.M.G., M.V.O. Hearing the noise of the crash, Sir Ernest went to the scene with some of his employees, but was unable to render assistance owing to the flames which burst from the wreckage. The dead men were Pilot-Officer Frederick Edgar Williams, Corporal Cyril John Coles, and Leading-Aircraftsman David Samuel Hurrell. Eye-Witness’s Story Mr. E. Hixon [Hixson], of the Encombe Estate Office, who, with others, heard the crash and rushed to the spot in a motor-car, told a representative of this paper that the ‘plane was flying in… Continue reading

On the afternoon of Friday, March 18, 1938, a student on the torpedo course at the Torpedo Training Unit at RAF Gosport took off at 2.15pm in a Mk1 Swordfish K5985 on a training cross-country flight to Roborough, near Plymouth. The pilot was Plt Off Frederick Edgar Williams, 21; his two passengers “along for the ride” were Cpl Cyril John Coles, 32, and LAC David Samuel Hurrel, 21. Plt Off Williams had just over 200 hours in his log book, of which 25 were on the Swordfish. He was briefed to return to Gosport if the weather deteriorated, but seems to have encountered low cloud approaching the Purbecks and tried to duck under it. He appears to have passed low over Orchard Hill Farm at 2.45pm, clipped the top of the trees in Polar Wood – leaving sections of the aircraft in the tree tops – and nose-dived into the… Continue reading

Crash near Corfe Castle The three occupants of an R.A.F. aeroplane from Gosport were killed yesterday when the machine crashed on a hillside near Corfe Castle, Dorset. They were: Pilot Officer F. E. Williams; No. 335,888, Corporal C. J. Coles;  and No. 526,069, Leading Aircraftman D. S. Hurrell. The accident occurred in thick fog. The aeroplane just missed some farm cottages, tore through a small wood, came to rest 200 yards down the hillside, and burst into flames. The engine was torn from the fuselage and came to rest at the bottom of a valley, 300 yards from the wreckage of the fuselage. Mrs. Marsh, an occupant of one of the cottages, said she saw the aeroplane come out of the fog. It narrowly missed the house and disappeared. She then heard it crash through the wood, and there was a loud explosion. Sir Ernest Scott, who lives at Encombe… Continue reading

Inquest at Encombe House. Denials that there was any undermining of the face of a gravel pit to cause a fall which buried Andrew Dorey, aged 57, of Encombe, Corfe Castle, with fatal results, was made by witnesses when the occurrence was investigated by the Coroner for East Dorset (Mr R Neville Jones) at the inquest held on the victim at Encombe House (the residence of the Hon. Sir Ernest Scott) on Monday evening. A graphic account of the tragic incident was given by Charles Stephen Dorey, a 26yrs old shepherd in the employ of Sir Ernest Scott, residing at South Street Kingston. He related how he went to the gravel pit at Encombe on Friday morning last, to assist in drawing gravel. His uncle, the deceased, and William Sansom were already working there. Witness went back to the pit at 2pm, after dinner, and with his companions he was… Continue reading

Players of Corfe Castle, Kingston, and other parts of the Isle of Purbeck successfully presented Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Encombe on Thursday evening, by permission of the Hon. Sir Ernest S. Scott, K.C.M.G., M.V.O. The weather was fine for the performance, but the unpromising conditions of the day had deterred many from making the journey from the surrounding towns and villages. Nevertheless there was a good attendance. Mrs. Fenwick-Owen was responsible for the excellent production, and the chorus was under the direction of Mr. Farwell. Western Gazette, 24 July 1936 Continue reading

FETE IN THE PURBECKS – EFFORT FOR KINGSTON VILLAGE FUNDS. An unusual privilege – that of viewing the beautiful grounds of Encombe Manor –  was enjoyed by hundreds of villagers and visitors who attended a flower show and fete held there by kind permission of Sir Ernest Scott, K.C.M.G., M.V.O, on Thursday afternoon and evening. Fete attractions were scattered over the smooth lawns surrounding the delightful bright green lake at the rear of the house, and a small but excellent lot of entries for the flower show were exhibited in the quaint temple in the grounds round a magnificent bronze statue of a gladiator.  Glorious sunshine and an admirably organised programme made the occasion ideal. The effort was in aid of general parish funds and the flower show was the second annual. The fete was opened by Sir Ernest, to whom sincere thanks were voiced. There was a variety of… Continue reading

The Earl of Eldon was walking along Orchard Street, London, W., yesterday morning, when he had a seizure and collapsed on the pavement. A doctor was called, and found that the Earl had died. Lord Eldon had just left his house in Portman Square, and, it is understood, was on his way to see his doctor. The deceased Peer, who was the third holder of the title, to which he succeeded as long ago as 1854, was 80 years of age. He is succeeded by his grandson, Viscount Encombe, who was formerly in the Scots Guards, and served in the Great War. The Scotsman, 11 August 1926 Continue reading

The ex Service men held their annual dinner on Saturday evening at the Eldon Arms Hotel, several guests being invited. After an excellent repast, provided by Mrs. C. Bartlett, the usual toasts were honoured, and fallen comrades were remembered. Mr. W. E. Candy replied for the guests. The company then settled down to a pleasant sing-song, the Chairman being Mr. Gerald Loxston, and the National Anthem brought to a close a most enjoyable evening. Western Gazette, Friday 21 November 1924 Continue reading

Advertisement for Sale by Auction on Monday 5 February 1917 under instructions from Mr H. Caines of Afflington, Lynch and Scoles Farms who is quitting the farms: Continue reading

MITCHELL- LOXSTON. – August 31st, at St. Barnabus Church, Kensington, London, W., by the Rev. H. H. Lowe, George William, eldest son of W. G. Mitchell, Bath, to Mary, daughter of Alfred Loxston, of Kingston, Wareham Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Saturday 7 September 1912 Continue reading

Whilst walking with several other coastguards to Kingston Corfe Castle to attend the funeral of Able Seaman George Jarvis, H.M.S. Irresistable, whose body was found on Encombe Sands, Thomas Bennet, chief petty officer coastguards, St. Alban’s Head, dropped dead in the road. Deceased was married, aged about 46, and suffering from heart disease. Shepton Mallet Journal, 3 November 1911 Continue reading

TATCHELL – LOVELACE. – Dec. 22 at St. Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas, William, eldest son of Henry Tatchell, of Kingston, Corfe Castle, to Emily, eldest daughter of the late J. Lovelace, of Cerne Abbas, late of Minterne Magna. Western Chronicle, 8 January 1904 Continue reading

HOOPER – WHITE – April 3, at Kingston, by the Rev. Spencer Smith, Henry Robert Hooper of Corfe Castle, to Mary Elizabeth White, only child of Mr. Edward M. White, Lynch, Kingston Western Gazette, Friday 14 April 1899 Continue reading

On Wednesday night about eleven o’clock Mr. Frederick Charles Candy, in company with Mr. Dennis Dorey, were returning from Swanage to Kingston, the latter driving a spirited horse in a two-wheeled trap. They pulled up at the Eldon Arms, the home of Mr. Candy, and Mr. Dorey alighted, leaving Mr. Candy in the trap. He had barely tucked the reins through the ring of the pad when the horse moved on, slipping on the frosty ground, and started off at once. Mr. Dorey held on to the bridle for about 100 yards, when the shaft struck him in the mouth and knocked him down and the wheel went over him. The horse at the time was galloping at a furious rate and near the rectory gate Mr. Candy was thrown out against the wall. Dr. Hawkins was summoned from Corfe, but on his arrival deceased had been dead some time.… Continue reading

London, Friday Night. Up to the present the police have failed to trace the burglars who carried off £20,000 worth of jewellery from Encombe House, the residence of the Earl and Countess of Eldon. The tiara stolen is valued at £1,000, and it is stated that the whole of the jewellery and plate could have been concealed in a hat. Burnley Express, 21 August 1880 Continue reading

Salisbury, August 1 The Bishop of Salisbury has instituted the Rev. Spencer Compton Spencer-Smith, M.A., to the vicarage of Kingston, recently severed from Corfe Castle, Dorset. Hampshire Advertiser, Wednesday 1 August 1877 Continue reading

The annual ball at Encombe House was given on New Year’s Day. A goodly company sat down to a most sumptuous supper. The Mayor of Corfe Castle presided. Various toasts were proposed and appropriately responded to. The Kingston Band was in attendance. Mr. Gillman sang several comic songs, which gave much pleasure. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Rich and Mrs. Burt. The enjoyment was continued till a late hour. Western Gazette, 10 January 1868 Continue reading

KENT – HAWKINS. – Nov. 16, at Alton St. Pancras, by Rev. E. C. Collard, William Francis Kent, of Afflington, Corfe Castle, third son of James Kent, Esq., Lynch, to Alice Susan, eldest daughter of the late Charles Hawkins, of Alton Pancras. Dorset County Chronicle, 23 November 1865 Continue reading

A MEETING of the members of the Kingston Reading Room took place in the school house, on Friday evening, for the purpose of hearing some practical Readings from various authors by O. W. Farrer, Esq., of Encombe House. Mr. Farrer’s reading was very impressive and afforded unmixed pleasure and gratification to his audience. We trust this is only the beginning of many such intellectual treats. They undoubtedly have a most harmonizing effect, and will bear to be repeated. Dorset County Chronicle, 13 February 1862 Continue reading

Lord Eldon met with a severe accident on Friday last, whilst shooting in his preserves at Encombe in this county. His Lordship was in the act of loading his gun, when by some means the powder ignited in his flask, which blew up, and severely injured his right-hand and wrist. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 1 November 1845 Continue reading

Yesterday morning at 11 o’clock, the mortal remains of Sir John Scott, Earl of Eldon, were removed from his mansion in Hamilton-place, Piccadilly, for internment in the catacomb attached to the church of the parish of Kingston, in Dorsetshire. At 10 o’clock the domestics of his Lordship’s household, the servants of the family of the noble Earl, and others engaged in the funeral, were all in attendance at the mansion, around which in Hamilton-place and Piccadilly, a very large concourse of persons was assembled, including many ladies and gentlemen of rank and fashion, to witness the departure of the procession, and among the crowd we observed a vast number of indigent persons, who, we were informed, had been recipients of his Lordship’s bounty, and who now attended to pay a last tribute of respect to the remains of their beloved and lamented benefactor. The whole body of his Lordship’s tradesmen,… Continue reading

Feb. 28. At Fordington, Dorsetshire, in his 82d year, William Morton Pitt, esq. of Kingston house, in the isle of Purbeck, formerly, during thirty-six years, one of the Knights in Parliament for the county of Dorset. We have had to notice, in recent years, the failure in the male line of two branches of the family of Pitt: of that represented by Lord Rivers in 1828; and that of the Earls of Chatham in 1835. In the memoir of the late Earl of Chatham (in our number for Nov. last, p. 546) we noticed the extinction of the four several titled branches, of Rivers, Camelford, Chatham, and Londonderry; and we remarked that the sole male survivor of another branch, and, as we believed, of the whole race, was the gentleman whose decease we have now to record. We now understand, however, that he has left, by his second marriage, an… Continue reading

The advertisement reads: ISLE of PURBECK, Dorset TO be LETT, and entered on at Lady-day next, subject to a small modus, in lieu of all tythes, AFFLINGTON or ADLINGTON FARM, situated in the parish of Corfe Castle, in the Isle of Purbeck, and county of Dorset, consisting of a farm-house, dairy-house, barns, stables and necessary out-houses, and 352 acres, three roods, and five perches of arable, meadow, pasture and coppice. For a sight of the premises, and further particulars, apply to Mr. Filliter, attorney at law, Wareham, Dorset. Various sums of Money ready to be advanced on Freehold Land security. Enquire of Mr. Filliter. Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 7 January 1788 Continue reading