2015: Arrest after man suffers fractured skull when car flips over and lands in woods

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 ambulance emergency services attended the scene and the road was closed while the collision investigation team examined the area.

PC James Howes, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “We are making enquiries to determine exactly what happened.

“I am appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact me. I would also urge anyone who saw the manner of driving of the Skoda immediately before the incident to contact Dorset Police on 101.”

A 24-year-old man from Reading has been arrested in relation to the incident and is currently helping police with their enquiries.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 16:494. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Bournemouth Daily Echo, 17 July 2015

2009: Airline tycoon snaps up Encombe estate

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.

james gaggero

James Gaggero

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 earlier this year.

The 2,000-acre estate includes 60 acres of formal gardens, a swimming pool, three lakes and a Grecian-style temple. The house itself has 13 bedrooms, a galleried hall, dining room with a double-height ceiling and Victorian library with marble fireplaces.

Mark McAndrew, head of country homes at Strutt and Parker, the estate agent which had been instructed to sell the property, said: “It is exceptional – one of the biggest estates that have come to the market in the past few years.”

Encombe is considered one of the best pheasant shooting estates in the country. It has carp in ornamental lakes and also offers fly fishing for sea bass off its rocky coast. Another agent who is familiar with the property confirmed that Gaggero was the buyer, adding: “I imagine he is buying it for the shoot.”

Pop star Kylie Minogue is also thought to have been interested in the estate.

There was no one available for comment at the Bland Group’s offices.

Bournemouth Daily Echo, 30 June 2009

2009: Motorist killed in Corfe Castle crash

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

2008: 2,000 acres of entrancing history

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 earlier house that was the ancient seat of the Culliford family. The site previously formed part of a retreat of the Abbess of Shaftesbury for more than 500 years. The interior of Encombe consists of several large rooms including a dining room with an ornate plasterwork ceiling designed by John Pitt in the style of William Kent, large arched French windows and an elaborate fireplace. A door in the dining room leads to the colonnade that links the central part of the house to the east wing. The library, remodelled by Anthony Salvin, overlooks the gardens to the south and west and is regarded as one of his greatest achievements. The hall and the staircase in the centre of the house were remodelled by Anthony Salvin in 1870 and are thought to be part of the earlier Culliford house. Encombe’s former stables were also designed by John Pitt and have a central pavilion surmounted by a clock tower. Part of the stables were converted into a dining hall used for shooting lunch parties.

In his book In Search Of The Perfect House, Marcus Binney comments that the central chimney in the form of a triumphal arch was almost certainly designed by John Pitt. He also notes that, while many 18th century country houses consist of a grand centre flanked by lower wings, Encombe is like five almost identical classical houses joined together.

Both wings at Encombe have self-contained apartments while the east wing is arranged for use as an annexe or additional guest accommodation.

Current owners Mr and Mrs Charles McVeigh acquired Encombe in 2002 and have carried out an extensive award-winning restoration of the house and the formal grounds.

Encombe’s landscape is one of the finest in Britain with Grade II listed parkland surrounding the house which is approached by a long drive winding down from the head of the valley from the village of Kingston. In the grounds and set on the surrounding downs are a number of listed follies including an obelisk erected in 1835 in honour of Lord Stowell, the brother of Lord Eldon, and the grotto formed of large stone blocks laid to form a bridge with a labyrinth and alcove underneath. Other landscape features of special interest include Swyre Head, Houns Tout, Chapman’s Pool and St Aldhelm’s Head.

A well equipped livery stable has recently been created on the site of former farm buildings in the heart of the Golden Bowl, 1,000 acres at the heart of the estate which is totally private having no public right of access. Post and railed paddocks to the north and west of the yard provide grazing and exercise facilities, while there is excellent riding over the estate itself and the network of bridleways in the locality.

In addition to the main house, which includes two self-contained staff flats, there are 10 houses and cottages and a quantity of agricultural land. Apart from the Golden Bowl there are three other secluded coombes, each leading to the coast.

Encombe also has one of the finest high pheasant shoots in southern England and its land includes two-and-a-half miles of coastline designated as a World Heritage Site.

The estate has only changed hands five times in the last 1,100 years and Savills’ Alex Lawson, who is handling the sale, said: “Encombe is without doubt one of the most desirable estates in England and the sale will attract considerable interest from buyers worldwide. It is rare for a traditional family estate with a house and location of this calibre to come to the market. It is also highly unusual to find an estate that has an exceptional principal house in such good repair, together with an estate within a genuine ring fence, offered with over 2,000 acres.”

Mark McAndrew of Strutt and Parker said: “Turning in to the drive at Encombe and catching a first glimpse of the house nestling way below you makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. It is an exceptional and entrancing place.”

The Encombe estate as a whole has a guide price of £25 million. More information is available from estate agents Savills on 0207 499 8644 and Strutt & Parker on 0207 629 7282.

Bournemouth Echo, Monday 22 September 2008

2008: Appeal for new house thrown out

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 sits slightly outside the main group of properties and forms a part of the conservation area with its own distinctive character.

The new architect-designed two-storey house would be below the level of the church and have little impact on the street scene. However it would be clearly seen from a footpath and from another view would be the only village building to be seen.

She thought: “The resulting apparent extension of development would disrupt its green setting and that of the church.”

A minimal number of trees were proposed to be removed to make way for the new house.

However the inspector thought the small windows proposed on its southern side would lead to a gloomy interior which could lead future residents to press for the removal of more trees.

Published in Bournemouth Daily Echo, Saturday 20 September 2008

2008: The chance to take up Arms

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

2007: Memorial to two plane tragedies

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

2006: Motocross club saddened by farm bike ban

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 by the Local Government Association to seize and crush nuisance mini-motos and hand out Asbos to the riders.

Ady Solomon, who ran a club at West Hill Farm until the council threatened enforcement action against him earlier this year, said: “We wanted somewhere for kids to go that was safe and out of people’s way. “We had all ages and backgrounds, and it was fantastic. But then the council stepped in, and their attitude has been disgusting.”

Purbeck planning board says it received “a considerable number of complaints” about noise and the “principle of allowing such activities in the Area of Outstanding Beauty”. Principal planning officer Alan Davies said: “Who knows how this thing might snowball in terms of car parking, physical and visual impact on the environment and noise? We are simply bringing it under council control. There are places that have planning permission in the area which they can use, with proper facilities, and if they want to submit a planning application it will be considered on its merits.”

The farmer who runs the land, Steve Fry, says none of the complaints actually came from Kingston residents and were drummed up because the council did not like the principle of the club.

Officers say the letters of complaint are private and chose not to discuss where they were from. The letters were not shown to the councillors on the planning board before they voted on the ban.

Bournemouth Daily Echo, Tuesday 12th September 2006

2004: Manor farm up for sale

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 included building a swimming pool and converting pigsties into boiler and changing rooms.

The courtyard manor house is believed to date from 1620 but the building is currently stripped internally in preparation for a complete renovation.Some of the original features are still intact including flagstone floors, shuttered windows and exposed beams. The building had been extensively remodelled during Victorian times and little had changed since. More recently it was used as accommodation for farm workers. The sale is being handled by FPDSavills

Daily Echo (Bournemouth) published Friday 9 July 2004

2004: Victorian stairs to be ripped out

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 of a ‘grand hallway.’

The scheme was opposed by Purbeck district council’s conservation expert along with English Heritage and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Conservationists argued that the staircase was worth preserving to show how the house had developed over the centuries. At a planning committee meeting to decide on the application, Cllr Fred Drane said: “It does not appear to me to be something of great importance. I would suggest we allow the staircase to be removed.”

Cllr Malcolm Shakesby said: “There is nothing in what we have got here that recommends me to think it’s worth preserving – it has got no beauty in my mind at all.” After hearing that English Heritage had not visited the house, Cllr Shakesby commented: “If English Heritage are going to make these sorts of decisions they should take the trouble to investigate it.”

Daily Echo (Bournemouth , Wednesday 3 March 2004

2003: Family wins approval for manor house work

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 planning board visited the site before making their decision on the cumulative effects of a wide-ranging series of proposed alterations.

Cllr Elizabeth Rudd said: “I think we are really lucky to have an applicant willing to spend the money and the will to do this. This building has been vacant for a month and there is already damp in it,” she added. “There have been lots of historical and archaeological reports and negotiations that have been going on.” Several councillors raised concerns about the building’s current three-storey staircase but it was not part of the set of proposals needing their decision. Cllr Julie Wheeldon said: “I was amazed how shambolic (the house) was and what a tremendous task it is for the people having to restore this.”

Daily Echo (Bournemouth), Tuesday 2 December 2003

2003: Golden Reunion

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 well worth the effort.

“It was absolutely fantastic, really superb,” said Greta, 70. “It was a beautiful evening and we were amazed that so many people made the huge effort to be there. It was an occasion to get all our family and friends together again which so rarely ever happens.”

Bournemouth Echo, Tuesday 14 October 2003

2002: Listed estate house bought for £16m

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.

charliemcveigh3

Charles McVeigh

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 photo showed the previous owners Rupert and Sophie Scott.]

A Savills spokesman confirmed the house had been sold but refused to confirm the new owner. She said: “Because of confidentiality agreements we are legally bound not to make any comment on who the new owner is but we can definitely say it has been sold. We can also say there was considerable interest in this property.”

However national newspaper reports have revealed it to be Mr McVeigh who is one of the longest serving and most popular merchant bankers in the City. He began trading before the Big Bang date when the stock exchange was computerised. He is now co-chairman of Schroder Salomon Smith Barney.

Bournemouth Daily Echo, 9 August 2002

2002: Historic ‘cathedral’ in £15,000 repairs shock

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 that the scaffolding has gone up it is quite apparent the whole roof will have to be done. The scaffolding is preventing more tiles from falling off. We still have access to the church – there is no damage inside.”

Built of Purbeck stone and Purbeck marble, the church was originally built in order to counteract the effects of the recession of the 1870s by creating work for local people. It is a landmark building and on a clear day it can be seen from as far away as Poole.

Anyone who can help towards fund-raising is urged to contact Mr Watton on 01929 422559. He said: “This is a distinguished Victorian church building in a parish of 100 souls. It is very expensive to run and with no endowments the only way we get money to run it is through fund-raising activities. Encombe Fete is our biggest fund- raising event of the year but this year it was a wash-out – we normally gross between £13,000 to £14,000 but this year the fete raised well below £5,000, so this has come as a double blow.”

The church is known as the cathedral of Purbeck because of the building’s dimensions. Architect G E Street also designed St Peter’s church in central Bournemouth.

Bournemouth Echo, Friday 18 January 2002

2001: Lord it up by buying a local title

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 the time of Henry VIII includes assized rents in ‘Stowbarowe’ to the value of 9s2 and a half d. The title was acquired by John Scott, third Earl of Eldon, who then passed it to his second son Sir Ernest Stowell Scott KCMG who died in 1953. It is being offered for sale by this branch of the family – David Eldon Scott, a great nephew of Sir Ernest still lives at Encombe House, Corfe Castle.

The Manor of Langton Wallis lies at the west end of the parish of West Langton. It was probably the ‘Langetone’ which at the Domesday Survey in 1086 belonged to the wife of Hugh Fitz-Grip. It was acquired by the third Earl of Eldon in the 19th century.

The Manor of Afflington just south east of Corfe Castle was sold to Lord Chancellor Eldon in 1822 and is now up for sale by his descendents.

All the titles are being auctioned by private treaty sale by London based Manorial Auctioneers – one of several companies selling titles around the country. They can be contacted on 020 7582 1588.

Bournemouth Echo, Saturday 29 December 2001

1994: Church re-organ-ised

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 spared no expense in the building of the church in local stone. It may have been constructed as a memorial to the first earl, John Scott, who was Lord Chancellor for 25 years.

Tickets for Wednesday evening’s recital, which will include works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Franck and Bournemouth composer Percy Whitlock, are £5. The concert strarts at 8pm.

1938: Dorset R.A.F. Crash

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 the fog over the coast line at 2.45 p.m. and must have hit some tree on the road to Swyre Head, just outside the village of Kingston, near Corfe Castle. When he arrived the aeroplane was in flames. “There were three men in it, but we could not get near them owing to the great heat. I think the men must have been killed when the plane crashed.” The aeroplane had rolled down through the trees and then down the hill-side in the vale. An overcoat of R.A.F. blue, was thrown out of the aeroplane, and in the pocket was a handkerchief bearing the name ‘Williams, Gosport.’”

The bodies were subsequently removed to the mortuary at the Poor-law Institution, at Wareham, pending the inquest on Tuesday by the Coroner for East Dorset (Mr. R. N. Neville-Jones).

“Flying Too Low”

Coroner and Cause of Accident.

Graphic stories of the disaster were told the Coroner by witnesses and the jury, of whom Mr. S. W. Roshier was foreman, returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

The Coroner, reviewing the evidence, observed for some reason or other the aeroplane was flying very much too low round the Purbeck Hills, and one of the probable reasons for that was that there was a good deal of low cloud about, and the pilot, having lost sight of the ground, came down to see if he could see it again, and in doing so, unfortunately, came down too low and had the very great misfortune to strike some trees. Had he been a very few feet further up he would have missed them altogether and got out to sea quite safely.

How Men were Identified

Leading Aircraftsman Gwyn Lewis, of the R.A.F., stationed at Gosport, identified Pilot-Officer Williams (aged 21 and single) by his flying overalls, and Corporal Coles (married, aged 32) by his name on a piece of his trousers, which was not burned. Hurrell was aged 21 and single.

Squadron-Leader John Goodenough Elton, commanding the R.A.F.  training squadron at Gosport, stated Mr. Williams was a pupil on torpedo training course, and was on a cross-country training flight to Roborough, which witness had authorised. Williams had had just over 200 hours flying as a pilot, and he was considered one of the best pilots, being qualified in all respects. The two passengers were both members of the training squadron and on a pilot course.

Flying Low Regulations

Coroner: What are the regulations about flying low?

Witness: In the normal course of events a pilot is not supposed to fly lower than 1,000 feet, but he is occasionally forced lower by the weather.

The Coroner: The visibility in places was very good apparently that afternoon, but over the Purbeck Hills and the particular spot where he crashed there was fog.

Witness observed it was supposition, but he thought probably the aeroplane was flying under a cloud and keeping sight of the ground, which a pilot would often do. “They should actually keep up high and wait until they came out of it,” added witness.

The Coroner pointed out that this was the second fatality which had occurred in his district within the last few months due to almost exactly the same cause – fog and low flying, and there was an instruction the pilot should keep up.

Witness: Pilots are definitely instructed not to fly low when they get in bad weather, but remain at a safe height and turn round and trace their way back into the fair weather again. The machine was completely equipped with instruments which showed its height.

The Coroner: What it really amounts to was inexperience and he was doing what he ought not to do – a dangerous procedure? – Yes.

Witness: Oh, yes. In this particular case I instructed the pilot to return if the weather deteriorated after leaving Gosport, where it was quite fine. There were special orders about low flying.

The Coroner: Which are honoured in the breach apparently.

Eye-Witnesses’ Stories

Stories of the disaster were told by witnesses – Misses Bessie Beatrice Marsh, of Orchard Hill Farm, Kingston, Mr Ernest Albert Hixon [Hixson] of Rabling-road, Swanage, a clerk employed at the Encombe Estate Office, Kingston, and Mrs. Alice Pamela Sampson [Sansom], of Encombe.

Mrs. Marsh said her husband remarked, “He is going to hit the house,” it was flying so low – within another foot it would have touched the chimney. There was a very thick mist and she was only just able to make out the outline of the ‘plane as it passed straight over the house. A few seconds later she heard a loud crash in the direction the ‘plane had gone, followed by a loud bang or explosion. She went in a lorry with her husband and found the machine in flames. It had torn right through Polar Wood and was burning fiercely on the hill-side – the sea side of the wood – just below.

Mr. Hixon [Hixson] stated there was a very thick fog. He heard the roar of a ‘plane which seemed directly over-head and apparently travelling at a very fast speed. Next he heard a crash of splintering wood.

From her upstairs window, Mrs. Sampson [Sansom] said she saw the ‘plane fall in flames half-way down the hillside, and she observed an object – what it was she did not know – roll down the hill.

Replying to Mr. R. C. Hockey, Air Ministry Inspector of Accidents, witness said she could not quite remember but she was under the impression the aeroplane hit the hillside before bursting into flames.

P.C. Cutler produced the overcoat of an R.A.F. officer, singed but not badly burnt., which he said he found near where the ‘plane crashed. Parts of the aeroplane were scattered all over the hillside, and trees in polar Wood had had their tops cut off by the plane. Later, with the assistance of other policemen, he recovered the bodies from the wreckage.

The Coroner, on behalf of himself and the jury, expressed to the relatives of deceased, the sympathy which they all felt for them in this “most unfortunate tragedy.” – Inspector G. E. Burt, on behalf on the police, associated himself with these remarks.

Western Gazette, 25 March 1938

1938: The loss of RAF Swordfish Mk 1 K5985

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 steep hillside some 300 yards away. The Bristol Pegasus engine detached and rolled further down the valley.

All three on board were probably killed instantly, despite the brave efforts of a local man, Mr Bob Dorey, who climbed up from Encombe House to the blazing wreckage with two fire extinguishers and attempted to get close enough to pull them from the inferno. Other local folk also tried to get near to the wreckage but were beaten back by the heat.

Personnel from the Sick Bay Unit at RAF Warmwell attended the scene and had the difficult task of retrieving the three bodies and carrying them to the top of the ridge before taking them back to base in their ambulance.

The Coroner’s inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death.

1938: Three Killed in R.A.F. Accident

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 House, Corfe Castle, said the aeroplane crashed about 500 yards from his home. He heard the crash and went to the scene with some of his men. There was a thick fog at the time, and it appeared that the machine, which had been flying along the top of the hill, had struck a number of trees in a wood and then fallen down the hillside. The tops of about a dozen trees were cut off.

The Times, Saturday 19 March 1938

 

1936: ‘’Witnesses deny there was any undermining’’

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 engaged in sorting the gravel and loading it on the lorry. He was on the left of the lorry with his uncle and facing the cliff. The lorry was loaded and they were discussing whether they should load anymore, witness continued. Just then I looked up at the face of the cliff and saw a trickle of dirt and gravel falling on my left. My uncle was standing to the left of me. I thought I saw a movement on the face of the cliff and I think I shouted “we are going to have a fall,” but I am not quite sure. I shouted some warning or other and jumped to my right to give my uncle a chance to get out. At the same time a large quantity of dirt and gravel fell and tore off one of my shoes. I looked round to see where the others were and couldn’t see my uncle. I ran to the fall and heard a faint groaning under the gravel. The lorry driver, Fred Sansom helped me to scramble away the gravel with his hands. We uncovered his right shoulder and worked to his face, this was blue and he was silent.

Straight cliff.

Witness added that this was about ten minutes after the fall, other help then came. Deceased was lying on his left side with his head down hill, furthest away from the cliff. The face of the cliff was not undermined at this point-

The cliff was straight faced at the point of the fall.

The Coroner. Had there been any previous falls there?

Witness : No Sir; None while I have been working there.

Coroner: You knew it was dangerous to undermine, didn’t you? Yes Sir.

Mr P N Saddal (HM Inspector of Mines) You know that there is a piece at the side which is undermined? Yes Sir.

When was that done? Before we went there Sir.

The Coroner: Had you been working anywhere near this spot? We hadn’t been working opposite the spot.

Inspector of Mines: You are sure that no undermining was done during the time you were there? None Sir. We moved a large heap at the bottom of the cliff and scraped some loose stuff off the face.

Replying to other questions, Witness said that he believed instructions had been given that there was to be no undermining.

Another witness, William Alfred Sansom a labourer, employed by Sir Ernest Scott and living at Encombe, said that he saw a movement of dirt and gravel and shouted “look out!” He was standing on the platform on the right of the lorry, and as he shouted there was a big fall of gravel. He looked round but couldn’t see any sign of deceased, so ran for help.

Estate order.

The actual fall, the Witness said, took place where they had been working for a fortnight. He knew it was dangerous to undermine and there was an estate order not to undermine.

Walter Emmanuel  Candy, agent for Sir Ernest Scott, of Kingston, said that deceased was engaged with three other men in drawing gravel at a pit, the face 16ft high. He had previously warned the men not to undermine. Deceased had worked in this pit for some time past at intervals. I had reliance in him, he was a most experienced work man one of the most experience on the estate and “I had great confidence in him.” Mr Candy said, adding that he would be in charge of the gang, and had been employed by Sir Ernest Scott all his life.

In reply to the Inspector of Mines, Mr Candy agreed that it rained exceedingly hard on the night before the occurrence.

Dr. G Drury, Corfe Castle, said that the actual cause of death was suffocation. When he arrived on the scene he examined deceased and found that the right leg was shattered below the knee, both bones of the leg being fractured, and the left humerus was fractured high up. Witness tried artificial respiration for a short time, but without effect.

Evidence of identification had earlier been given by Arthur Harold Dorey, a son of the deceased and a chauffeur employed by Sir Ernest Scott, who said that he last saw his father alive at 1.50pm on Friday when he was in his usual good health. He next saw him about 3.30pm. He was then dead and partially buried under about 18inches of gravel.

Inspector’s opinion.

At the close of the evidence the Inspector of Mines, at the invitation of the Coroner pointed out that the face of the cliff was now vertical, and a stranger going to it would say that it had been over hanging, for where did the fall come from. In the face of the evidence he couldn’t say anymore.

(Under the Quarry Act it was an offence against the law to undermine, but on a private estate the Quarry Act didn’t apply.)

Recalling Charles Stephen Dorey the Coroner asked him : Before the fall occurred was there any undermining at this particular spot? No Sir.

Did you see the fall occur? Yes Sir.

Did the whole face slide down? Yes Sir. It looked as though the whole face came down from top to bottom.

You have no doubt about that? No doubt whatever.

You have heard the suggestion of the Inspector that the face is vertical now and it must have come from the top it came right the way down.

The Inspector observed that the accident would be a warning that it was dangerous practice to undermine, or even to work in some instances where the face was practically vertical.

The Coroner addressing the Jury, said that there was no question but that this was a pure accident, and he was certain all their sympathy went out to the widow and family in the tragedy. He was told that the deceased was a most esteemed workman on the estate where he had worked all his life, and was respected and liked by everybody in the district.

A verdict of “accidental death” was returned by the Jury, and they expressed sympathy with the widow and family, expressions with which Inspector G E Burt, on behalf of the police, and the Inspector of Mines joined.

Dorset County Chronicle, 24 September 1936

Transcription courtesy of Carol Brown whose late husband Ken was the grandson of the deceased Andrew Dorey.

 

 

 

1936: Midsummer Night’s Dream

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

1935: Fete in the Purbecks

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 attractive side-shows and the general arrangements were supervised by Rev. F. S. Horan (vicar). Mr. W. E. Candy was hon. Treasurer, and the show was organised by Mr. N. Phillips, head gardener to Sir Ernest. Sir Herbert Cook, of Studland, was among those present, and his head gardener, Mr. F. C. Gibbons, judged the show exhibits. Commenting on their all-round excellence he said: “It is a much better show  than it was last year; it is at least twice as good.  I really do think that it will be a better show than that at Swanage in years to come.”

Organisers of the various departments of the fete were: – Side-shows, Mr. R. Dorey; gymkhana, Col. Muspratt; entertainments, Mrs. F. W. Pond of Swanage; refreshments, Mrs. Orchard (assisted by members of the Kingston W.I.). A folk dancing display was given under the direction of Miss Dawson, and there was Morris dancing under the leadership of Miss Dymand, of Langton Matravers. Many of the dancers had competed in winning teams in Albert Hall competitions. In the evening modern dancing took place of the lawn. The two entertainments arranged by Mrs. Pond of Swanage, and given voluntarily by the Everest Concert Party, were excellent. Selections were played by the Kingston and Corfe Castle Band, under the direction of Mr. W. Hooper, who gave their services.

There were frequent ‘buses from Corfe Castle and Swanage to Kingston, from where a special ‘bus service ran to Encombe along the steep and richly wooded slopes of the Purbecks, on top of which the beautiful village of Kingston stands.

Five hundred entrance tickets were sold and yet there were not enough for all. Besides these, Scouts, Guides, and children were admitted free.

 

FLOWER SHOW RESULTS.

Three vases of cut flowers – Mrs. W. Dorey, Mrs. A. Cooper, Mrs. C. Orchard. Cut flowers – Mrs. Tizzard, Mrs. W. Dorey, Mrs. Orchard. Sweet peas – Mrs. Orchard, Mrs. W. Dorey, Mrs. A. Cooper. Asters – Mrs. Orchard, Mrs. A. Dorey, Mrs. Tizzard. Stocks – D. Hunt. Window plant – Mrs. C. Hunt, D. Hunt, Mrs. W. Dorey.

Potatoes – J. Marsh, W. Dorey, W. Damer. Shallots – R. Beavis, J. Marsh, D. Hunt. Carrots – W. Tuck. Spring Onions – G. White, D. Hunt, G. Bartlett. Peas – Mrs. H. Hunt. Marrow – Mrs. J. Marsh. Runner beans – W. Dorey, P. Damer, D. Hunt.

Cooking apples – R. Beavis, W. Tuck, C. Brown.

Wild flowers – Miss I. Marsh, Miss G. Dorey, Miss Stickland.

Home-made jam – Miss Joyce, Mrs. A. Cooper, Miss K. Bullen. Plain cake – Mrs. W. Dorey, Mrs. C. Orchard, Mrs. A. Cooper. Fruit cake – Mrs. A. Cooper, Mrs. A. Dorey, Mrs. P. Damer. Jam sandwich – Mrs. A. Cooper, Mrs. W. Dorey. Collection of vegetables for special prize given by Mr. Gibbons – W. Dorey, J. Marsh, P. Damer.

OPEN CLASSES.

Runner beans – L. Stockley. Spring onions – G. Wright, Mrs. Stockley. Peas – 2, L. Stockley. Cucumbers – L. Stockley. Stocks – L. Stockley.

 

GYMKHANA FEATURES.

A gymkhana was admirably arranged by Colonel Muspratt of Swanage. Among the various amusing events were blowing up balloons (Miss Daphne Bankes was the winner in completion with many Scouts); balloon sticking; and sausage stakes.

There were two bowling competitions. A pig presented by Mr. Barnes of Afflington Farm, was won by a visitor at the farm. A ham given by Mr. Dicker, of Wareham, was secured by Miss Roupell, a visitor from Surrey. The skittles prize, a shoulder of mutton, presented by Mr. Budden, of Corfe Castle, went to Mr. Brain. Treasure “stakes” were arranged by Mrs. Hare.

Western Gazette, Friday 23 August 1935

1926: Lord Eldon dead – Seizure in street

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

1924: Ex-Service Men’s Dinner

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

1911: Coastguard death

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

1889: Fatal accident to Mr. F. C. Candy

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. Fuller details of the sad catastrophe were elicited at the inquest which was held on Thursday, at the Eldon Arms Inn, before Mr. Henry Symonds (deputy-coroner), and a jury, of whom Mr. Medd was foreman. The body having been viewed, the following evidence was adduced : –
Dennis Dorey said he lived at Barnstone and was a farmer. On Wednesday evening he and deceased went to Swanage together. Witness drove a horse in a two-wheeled trap. They left Swanage about half-past nine, and everything went well till they got back to Kingston. Then witness pulled up and got out of the trap, leaving deceased in it. Miss Candy was standing at the door. Witness intended returning home in the direction of Corfe Castle, and the horse’s head was turned that way. They both intended to get out of the trap at Kingston. Witness had just got down and tucked the reins through the ring of the pad, when the horse (a young one only broken in this winter) moved on, slipping on the frosty grounds, and started off at once. Nothing happened to startle the horse. Witness held on to the bridle for over 100 yards, when the shaft struck him in the mouth and knocked him down and the wheel went over him. When he fell the horse had got into a gallop. He did not think deceased tried to get out of the trap, nor did he cry out. Miss Candy ran after them. When witness fell the horse broke away, and a little way further on (close to the rectory gate) the trap struck against the stone wall. He did not see what happened, but he was not insensible. With the assistance of Miss Candy he went to the inn. The horse had never bolted before, and had stopped there scores of times.

Elizabeth Candy said her brother (the deceased) was 22 years of age and had been managing the Eldon Arms for her father. About a-quarter to eleven on Wednesday evening Mr. Dorey and her brother returned, driving up to the front door first and then across to the stable. She afterwards saw Mr. Dorey trying to hold the horse, which was endeavouring to break away. It was too dark for her to see her brother, but she ran down the hill and saw Mr. Dorey knocked down, and the horse run up against the wall. She picked Mr. Dorey up and helped him home, and then, in company with P.C. Ellis, went to look for her brother. Mr. Dorey appeared to be perfectly sober, and nothing she saw led her to believe they were not fit to look after the horse. The horse was young and she had frequently ridden behind it.

Richard Frost deposed to hearing the young men return, and to following Miss Candy and P.C. Ellis to where deceased was found.

P.C. Ellis said about a-quarter to eleven on the evening in question he was near Afflington barn, and the two young men passed him on their way to Kingston, and said. “Good night;” the horse going at a good canter. When he got to within 200 yards of the Eldon Arms he heard a trap going at a tremendous pace down Kingston hill. He saw Miss Candy leading Mr. Dorey, who was holding a handkerchief to his face. Miss Candy came out again in a few minutes with a candle, and they picked up two hats, and then went on to look for Mr. Candy. About 60 yards from the Eldon Arms on the right hand side of the road they saw the trap, and, putting his light under it, they saw deceased lying on the ground between the gutter and the wall. The horse and harness had clean gone and only a slight splinter was off the shafts. Deceased was entangled in the step of the trap. Witness felt his pulse and found he was quite dead. There were very severe injuries about the head and a large quantity of blood about, which ran down the gutter a long way. Deceased’s left ear and eye and mouth were injured. With assistance he afterwards got deceased home.

The Coroner briefly summed up, characterising it as a very sad accident, which they all deplored.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and generously gave their fees to the Dorset County Hospital.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, when a large concourse of friends from far and near attended to pay a last tribute of regard and esteem to one so highly respected and beloved. The cortege left the Eldon Arms for the old parish church shortly after two o’clock, and besides the immediate relatives considerably over one hundred followed. The mournful procession included Mr. and Mrs. George Candy, their second son and daughter, their third son and daughter, Mr. Charles Candy and daughter (Bournemouth), Mr. Lewis Ash, Mr. And Mrs. Frost, Master and Miss Dorey, Mr. T. Cooper (Messrs. Devenish and Co’s. representative), Mr. H. W. Green (stationmaster, Corfe Castle), Captain Harrison, Messrs. F. Yearsley, F. Hibbs, Speed, G. Hobbs, Dorey, James Whittle, G. Elmes (Wareham), C. Smith (Arne), Caines and Son (Renscombe, J. Snook and Son, H.Stickland, Cleal, W. Stevens, W. Moss, T. Vye, S. Moss, Shittler. T. Luther, A. Stickland, Pople Gillman, J. Williams, Senior, E. Smith (Corfe Castle). W. H. Burt, W. Linnington, King (Herston). R. Hayman (Dorchester), Smith (Eastington), A. Burbidge (Swanage), F. Jackson (Encombe), R. E. Pinney (Backnowle), J. Hughes (Kingstone), and many others. At the church the funeral party were met by the Rev. S. C. Spencer-Smith, who conducted the service. On entering the sacred building the choir, under the leadership of Mr. W. Dorey, organist, sang the hymn “When our heads are bowed in woe”, and, after the solemn service had been performed, hymn 197. The procession was reformed and proceeded to the newly consecrated piece of ground, where the body was interred. The corpse was conveyed on a hand bier, supported by six men from Lord Eldon’s estate, and a large number of wreaths and crosses were presented. Among those sending these floral offerings being Mr. A. Burbidge, Miss Danilly, Mr. And Mrs. F. Jackson, Mr. Smith, Mr. And Mrs. C. S. James (London), Mrs. Evans (Dorchester), Mr. And Mrs. Green (Corfe), Miss Vincent (Victoria Hotel, Swanage), Mr. R. Cann (Wareham), Mr. F. Hibbs, Mr. G. Hobbs, Mr. E. Penna (Clapham), Mr. Bulpitt (Southsea), Mr. T. Cooper (Abbotsbury), Mr. D. Dorey (Barnstone), Mr. J. Uphill (gardener, Encombe House), Dr. Woodford Daniel (Wareham), Mr. George Whittle (Wareham), Mr. And Mrs. William Merson (Bournemouth), Mrs. Hoare (Swanage), Mrs. Frost (Kingston), and others. The inscription on the coffin was “Frederick Charles Candy, died January 2nd, 1889. Aged 22 years. Many letters of condolence were received from friends, who for various reasons were unable to attend the funeral. The late Mr. Candy was a great favourite with all who knew him, and much sympathy is felt with Mr. And Mrs. Candy and the family in their sad and sudden bereavement.

Dorset County Chronicle, 10 January 1889

1880: The great jewellery robbery

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

1868: Annual Ball

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

1862: Kingston Reading Room

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

1838: Funeral of the Earl of Eldon

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, 24 in number, were also in attendance, and their respect for the memory of the noble Earl had induced them to solicit permission to escort his remains out of the metropolis. Shortly after the Royal carriages arrived, followed by those of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, the Masters in Chancery, the Judges, and an immense number of the equipages of the nobility and gentry. At about half past 11 o’clock, and after the conclusion of the numerous preliminaries, the cavalcade proceeded from Hamilton-place in the following order:-

Policemen to clear the way,
The Undertaker on horseback,
Two Conductors on horseback,
Four Horsemen in long Black Cloaks,
His Lordship’s Tradesmen walking two and two
Two Porters on horseback
Groom
{The Coronet of the Noble Earl, on a Crimson Velvet Cushion with Gold Tassels, and tringed with Gold Lace, carried by a Gentleman on Horseback}
Groom
Four Pages

[THE HEARSE Containing THE COFFIN]
Four Pages
Drawn by Six Black Horses, richly caparisoned, with Black Velvet Hangings, on which were emblazoned in Escoe? The Armorial Bearings of the Noble Earl’s Family
Pages
{Five Mourning Coaches, each drawn by Six Black Horses, containing the relations and friends of the Noble Earl}
Pages
Here followed the family carriages, including those of
The late Noble Earl,
Viscount Encombe,
Lady Elizabeth Repton,
Lady Frances Bankes,
Mrs. Farrer,
Viscountess Sidmouth,
Rev. John Surtees,
Mrs. Surtees,
E. Vanstuart Neale, esq.,
Francis Cross, Esq.,
? Pennington Esq.,
Burdon Sanders, Esq.,

THE ROYAL CARRIAGES.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester

CLERGY.
The Archbishop of Canterbury.

LAW OFFICERS OF THE CROWN.
The Lord High Chancellor.
The Lord Chief Justice of the Queen’s Bench.
The Master of the Rolls.
The Vice-Chancellor.
The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
The Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH.
Sir J. Littledale.
Sir J. Patteson.
Sir J. Williams.
Sir J. T. Coleridge.

JUDGES OF THE COMMON PLEAS.
Sir J. A. Park.
Sir J. B. Bosanquet.
Sir. J. Vaughan.
Sir. T. Coltman.

BARONS OF THE EXCHEQUER.
Baron J. Parke.
Baron W. Pollard.

Baron E. H. Alderson.
Baron J. Garney.
The Accountant-General (W. Adam Esq.) and the Masters of Her Majesty’s High Court of Chancery.
J.E. Dowdeswell, Esq.
Frances Cross,Esq.
William Wingfield, Esq.
J. W. Farrer, Esq.
Sir G? Wilson,
Lord Henley.
H. Martin, Esq.,
W. Brougham, Esq.,
N. Senior, Esq.

DUCHESSES
Duchess Countess of Sutherland.
Dowager Duchess of Richmond.

MARQUISES.
The Marquis of Salisbury.

EARLS.
Mansfield.
Shaftesbury.
Powis.
Charleville.
Dowager Countess of Charleville.
Cornwallis.

LORDS.
Charles Churchill.
Hill.
Mayo.
Redesdale.
Ellenborough.
Tenterden.
Henley.
Brougham.
The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl.
The Right Hon. Sir Robert H. Inglis.
The Right Hon. Sir Charles Wetherell.
The Right Hon. Sir G? Wilson
The Right Hon. Sir W. Alexander
The Right Hon. Sir J. Gaselee.
Lady Chambers.

CIVIC AUTHORITIES.
Sir Moses Montefiore, Sheriff at the City of London.
The noble Earl, being a freeman of the Merchant Tailors’ Company, the Master and four Wardens attended.
The Master, J. Allister, Esq.
First Warden, R. Jennings, Esq.
Second warden, J. Burbridge, Esq.,
Third Warden, R. Pugh, Esq.
Fourth Warden, J. Smart Esq.
Here followed the Equipages of
F. P. Stafford, Esq.
P. Danby, Esq.
? Coe, Esq.
Colonel D?
George Farrer, Esq.
Mrs. Maubert.
Dr. Fisher.
Mr. Makepeace.

The carriages left the procession on its arrival off the stones of Kensington. The cavalcade was to rest last night at Bagshot; this evening at Winchester; tomorrow at Wimborne in Dorsetshire; but, from the state of the roads, it is anticipated that it will not arrive at Encombe-house before the afternoon (about half-past 4) of Thursday. The body will then lay in state, and on Friday at noon the funeral will take place in the presence of some portion of his Lordship’s family, friends, domestics , the tenantry on his Lordship’s estate, and the neighbouring nobility and gentry.

The Times, 23 January 1838

1836: Obituary: William Morton Pitt Esq.

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 inheritor, and we trust perpetuator, of a name highly honoured among Englishmen.

Mr. W. Morton Pitt was the eldest and only surviving son of John Pitt, esq. of Encombe, a Commissioner of Trade and Plantations, Surveyor of Woods and Forests, and M. P. for Wareham and Dorchester, (who was an uncle of half-blood to the first Lord Rivers,) by Marcia, daughter of Marcus Morgan, esq. of Ireland. His name of Morton was derived from a remote ancestor: his great-great-grandmother, the wife of Edward Pitt, esq. of Stratfieldsaye, (married in 1620) having been Rachel, daughter of Sir George Morton, of Milbourne, St. Andrew, co. Dorset, Bart.

Mr. Morton Pitt was a member of Queen’s college, Oxford, and matriculated March 14, 1772: but quitted the university without taking a degree.

He first entered the House of Commons at the General Election of 1780 as a burgess for Poole, in asociation with Joseph Gulston, esq. having defeated Joshua Manger, esq. one of the former members, and John Adams, esq. who petitioned against the return, but without success. In 1784 he was rechosen, together with the late Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor; and in 1790 he was elected one of the County Members, in the room of his cousin the Hon. George Pitt, the late Lord Rivers. On the 17th of April 1791, he vacated his seat, on what account we are unaware, by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds; but was re-elected, as he was again to the seven following Parliaments, and finally retired at the general election of 1826. We believe he generally supported his kinsman Mr. Pitt and his Tory successors. He was one of the members chosen on the part of the House of Commons, Feb. 24,1803, to form the Court of East India Judicature.

In 1779, Mr. Morton Pitt was appointed Lieut-Col. of the Dorsetshire Militia.

The mansion-house at Encombe in the Isle of Purbeck, which Mr. Pitt inherited from his father (and of which there is a folio plate in Hutchins’s Dorsetshire), he sold some years ago to Lord Eldon, who subsequently took from it the title of his Viscounty.

The estate of Kingston had belonged to his uncle William Pitt, esq. who died in 1773, having been derived from his mother Lora, daughter and heiress of Audley Grey, esq.

Essentially a public man, throughout a long and laborious life, Mr. Pitt bad the rare success of obtaining the good will of, and giving satisfaction to, all classes and parties; and whether as an active county magistrate, the duties of which office he fulfilled with zeal, ability and discretion, for upwards of half a century; or in the Senate, where he sat for six years, his time and exertions unremittingly devoted to the public good. Nor was his private life less worthy. Beloved by his family, esteemed by his friends, and honoured by all, he passed through life distinguished by the possession of the purest virtues, and by the exercise of a diffusive philanthropy, and extensive practical benevolence.

To encourage industry, and detach the population from smuggling, Mr. Pitt established a manufactory for cordage and sail-cloth, near his domain in the Isle of Purbeck, and he also erected, at his own expense, a manufactory for hats in the gaol at Dorchester. He was likewise one of the first promoters of Sunday schools; and addressed in 1789 a public letter to the London Society established for their encouragement, containing a plan for the formation of District Committees and County Societies, in furtherance of their objects: this will be found printed in Hutchins’s History of Dorsetshire, vol. i. p. 306—311. He was also at the expense of printing some statistical tables on the state of the poor, which are given in that work.

He published, in 1798, an address to the Landed Interest on the deficiency of Habitations and Fuel for the use of the Poor: and he was the author of several communications to the Bath Agricultural Papers, and Young’s Annals of Agriculture.

Mr. Pitt was twice married. His first wife was Margaret, daughter of John Gambier, esq. Governor of the Bahama Islands, by whom he had an only daughter Sophia, who was married in 1806 to Charles, second and present Earl of Romney, and died in 1812, leaving, issue Charles Viscount Marsham and four daughters.

Mr. Pitt married secondly, in 1815, Grace-Amelia, daughter of Henry Seymer, of Hanford in Dorsetshire, esq.: this lady’s mother was Griselda, or Grace, daughter of James Kerr, of Kerrsfield, N.B. by Lucy sister to the first Rivers; and she was thus Mr. Pitt’s cousin, twice removed. We believe she survives him, having had issue a son and heir, and other children.

The Gentlemen’s Magazine, Volume 5, January to June 1836

1788: Afflington Farm to be ‘lett’

afflington to be let

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