When last I wrote to you about the Stalbridge of fifty-something years ago I left you standing at the end of the village, at the end of Coppern Way. The sun was shining, and the cows were peacefully grazing in their field: some of them were lying down, chewing the cud. Who was it who had it that when cows lie down, rain is on the way?!
Turning back onto the way we came from the village, on our right are two newly-built houses on the new estate, then there is a small cul-de-sac containing two or three more Council-owned houses. Next is a strip of land containing Council-owned bungalows and there is another dead-end at the bottom of which is a ginnel or walkway as part of a public foot path.
To our left, on the other side of the road is the Stalbridge Arms, a public house or hotel which has a very large car park open to both Coppern Way and Thornhill Road.
Continuing our walk on the right, we pass quite a large privately-owned bungalow. Then there is a piece of rough ground on which there are a couple of huts, one of which is the Scouts Hut and the other is the village hall! Next, there is a row of ancient cottages, known as Anglesey Cottages, which were built to house farm labourers but which became privately-owned eventually.
The road now joins Thornhill Road and we continue on our way back to the centre of the village. Immediately, we pass a small shop and a privately-owned house followed by a very large detached house with a grocers’ shop which sold eggs and vegetables, owned and run by the Misses Jeans who are a part of the local Jeans family. Then an empty plot of land.
Then comes The Forge and a large house both of which, too, are owned by members of the Jeans family.
Then a private house with a large glass verandah. Next, we find the entrance to Stalbridge Close, a collection of bungalows built for persons over the age of fifty-five, followed by the Methodist Chapel, then some rough ground and another stone-built private house.
We have now reached the very narrow bit of the road where we find a house which contains a ladies’ hairdresser with living accommodation above, next about five small stone-built cottages and, finally, the very tasty fish and chip shop near the corner of the road with Station Road. The fish and chip shop is run by Mrs Parsons who lives in the adjoining house.
And that is where I will leave you! My next letter will take you down Station Road and back.
Good bye for now…
