BOOK REVIEW

WAREHAM AND THE ISLE OF PURBECK THROUGH TIME

ANTHONY BEESON

IT was a desire to find out more about Dorset that inspired me to pick up Wareham and the Isle of Purbeck through time.

But it was the eye-catching illustrations paired with real life photos that kept me reading.

This clever combination really helps the reader take a step back in time as they turn the pages.

Yes, there are other books like this, but for those wanting to find out more about the towns and villages surrounding the Jurassic Coast this book by Anthony Beeson is a great find.

Places to explore as you delve deeper into the book include Stoborough, Corfe Castle, Furzebrook, Kingston, West Lulworth, Langton Matravers, Studland and Swanage to name but a few.

The introduction to the book states: “Towns are not just a collection of buildings but are brought to life by the people once who inhabited them.”

And together with the photos and illustrations are exactly that – stories of those who once lived there.

Whilst these may not sound like the most exciting stories ever told, you find certain characters stick in your mind.

This was the case for me when I read about the owner of Lulworth Castle Herbert Weld, who together with his servants spent a whole day and evening removing the historic contents of the castle after a devastating fire.

Another memorable character includes the ‘jam-jar man’ who brightened the faces of many young children along Wareham’s South Street by exchanging paper windmills for empty jam jars.

If you’ve ever wondered down a pretty cobbled street or busy town centre and found yourself wondering what that gift shop, post office or corner store started out as, then you may want to give this book a try.

TARA COX