Once again Dorchester beckoned after accepting another invitation from my sister Penny.
As if by magic, my brother Matt appeared just after our arrival, fresh from a flight to Southampton from Holland. A terrific surprise- another one of those spontaneous decisions for which he is becoming infamous! We made a quick trip across the road to the Wednesday Market and then after lunch a visit to the Shire Hall Court of Justice – rather a misnomer considering all the heinous and unjust sentences that were decided there.
There are many other interesting buildings that you pass en route Shire Hall.
The courthouse museum has a very impressive facade and after ascending a few steps you are instantly made aware of its, at times, nefarious history.
The museum aims to share stories of people who experienced the justice system in Dorset from days gone by. With lots of history and stories to tell visitors are treated to an insight into what the criminal justice and injustice system meant to people through the ages. It’s probably one of the only chances people can see what prison cells from the 18th. century looked like and experience what it feels like to walk into a courtroom!
You can choose from a selection of its famous cases on the audio guide and I had no hesitation in choosing the Tolpuddle Martyrs. All the exhibits, cells and courthouse are pretty much as they were and it makes for a gripping visit.
There was also a temporary exhibition by the TUC, which was more than fitting as the outcry caused by the sentencing of the Men from Tolpudddle caused such an outcry, it is often credited as the genus of the trade union movement.
The afternoon sunshine made a walk along the River Frome even more enjoyable and the heading on a noticeboard proved irresistible.
After all that history and walking it was good to return to a favourite pub of Penny and Matt’s – The Convivial Rabbit, tucked down an alley – a micropub with a warm welcome.
The next day saw the five of us off on the walk to Thomas Hardy’s cottage, though by a different way this time, passing a beautiful mansion on the way.
And crossing the River again, we couldn’t help but draw a comparison between the notice on the bridge and the merciless sentencing we witnessed the day before – a real predilection for deporting people for relatively minor offences.
Whilst some visited Hardy’s cottage, Penny, Matt and I had an all too brief walk in ThornCombe Woods and Puddletown Forest; two places that were great favourites and inspirational for Hardy as a youth. And you could see why…idyllic woodlands.
We made our way back via Stinsford Church and paused in the churchyard to look at the headstone of another great poet.
The sun was in just the right place to snap the beautiful stain glass above the altar.
And Hannah insisted on taking a sibling snap.
The late afternoon found us on the Jurassic Coast,overlooking Ringstead Bay with views of Portland and Weymouth.
. A quaint church lies below and you can just make it out from this viewpoint.
Saint Catherine’s By the Sea. Resembling nothing more than a garden shed, the tiny timber built church on the slopes of White Nothe is in a spectacular setting. Built in 1926,it has recently been restored and services are held here now. The engraved glass window is by Simon Whistler, son of Lawrence and is in memory of a local farmer and Rachel Nickell, victim of a notorious murder on Wimbledon Common in 1992.
The aforementioned sun was setting splendidly over Chesil Besch as we made our way back to the car and then a 20 minute drive back to Dorchester.
A thoroughly enjoyable couple of days in great company and hospitality. Hopefully, we shall be back for further exploration of this wonderful county.
ensuitepilgrim's Blog 