Maiden Newton's wartime questions (From Dorset Echo)

Maiden Newton's wartime questions

10:20am Tuesday 19th January 2010 in

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ORGANISERS of a Second World War weekend are appealing for readers’ help to answer a number of questions.

The Maiden Newton at War committee need help ahead of their second event which will take place in June.

Among the many questions they have involves the picture here. Who were these men, pictured outside the old fire station in Bull Lane which has since been demolished? And when was it taken?

If anyone has any other information, for instance on the car or the trailer pump, it would also be gratefully received.

Another photo, not printed here, shows a Home Guard unit, which enthusiast Lee Mowbray has been told is Maiden Newton’s.

But Maiden Newton at War chairman Andy Elliott said: “I’m not even sure Maiden Newton had a Home Guard of its own – this might have been Cattistock’s Home Guard.

“We’d love to hear from anyone who knows more, and from anyone who could name any of the men in the photograph.”

The committee also wants to hear from anyone with memories of wartime in the village as they are hoping to stage a display of memories over the weekend.

There are also plans to publish a 1940s-style newspaper to commemorate the event.

Information on farmers would be especially welcome, as would memories of the Land Girls.

Finally, the committee would be very interested to know if the village’s spigot mortar, which sits in a field behind the old bakery on the main road through the village, is the only one of its kind left in the country.

It is a spider-shaped example with the original brick walls. Our picture is of a similar spigot mortar site that has been reconstructed at Elvetham Heath and there are rumours that a second spigot mortar site exists in Maiden Newton. Do you know where it is?

Mr Elliott added: “All information on any aspect of life in Maiden Newton or Cattistock during the war would be so welcome.

“There was a lot of activity in Cattistock – we have a section of our website at maidennewtonatwar.co.uk where a man who was the translator for the PoWs there has written his memories of the camp. He now lives in Frampton. And, of course, there was a GI base and quartermaster’s store here in Maiden Newton.

“But some of the most absorbing memories are just the day-to-day life of villagers. Any photographs, memories or even tales would be very useful to us.”

The Maiden Newton at War weekend runs from Friday to Sunday, June 18 to 20. Contact Andy Elliott on 07967 504716 or andy_elliott@maidennewtonatwar.co.uk, or Miranda Robertson on 01300 320549.