As ever, I read with interest the letter from Peter Noble (Echo, February 12) although I do not necessarily agree that his recipe that we should all eat out more often is necessarily the planning that is needed for the town for the next thirty years that he has previously promoted.

My reply more particularly concerns his hidden comment “… the market is probably subject to a charter and could not easily be moved, and so it seems after checking.”

I have to wonder just what checking he has actually made. The charter promoted and registered by West Dorset District Council is a charter of 1610.

This is merely a confirmatory charter which confirms the existence of a market and little else.

Mr Noble might better consider his checking by considering the evidence presented in the law case of The Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester v Ensor in 1869.

This case was and remains the authority for a competing market. Here we learn that the market rights are contained in grant of Edward III.

It was also conceded that the market should rightfully be held in the ancient borough, there being no place specified.

Indeed it could be argued that the market site that concerns Mr Noble is not situated within the ancient borough but that argument can be overcome if we can agree that the boundaries of the town were extended following the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835.

Finally if he looks at a copy of Hutchins History of Dorset, he will find reference to the market in the 1700s as running all the way from Corn Hill to the fields at the end of South Street.

He may also wonder why the area presently referred to as the Charles Street carpark is also known as the Old Market.

GERALD DUKE
Martinstown