A SMALL but significant piece of history has been unearthed to the delight of campaigners reviving the heart of old Weymouth.

The Chapelhay Community Partnership (CCP), which has taken over the lease of the Old Town Hall and plans to turn it into a heritage and community centre, has revealed how a hand has reached down through history to support the project.

At the centre of the group’s vision for the hall is an exhibition dedicated to the English Civil War, particularly the little-known but important battle of Weymouth in 1645 which centred around Chapelhay.

The group was amazed when a 350-year-old letter was presented to them which bares the signature of Colonel William Sydenham, a Dorset man and MP for Melcombe who led the bloody battle and played a pivotal role in helping to win the war for the Parliamentarians.

The letter, which details money that is owed, was given to CCP member and local historian Mark Vine by American woman Katherine Brown-Gurley who visited Dorset to watch her favourite band, medieval folk rockers The Dolmen.

Mark, who wrote The Crabchurch Conspiracy about the battle of Weymouth following years of research, said he was ‘bewildered and amazed’ by this historical gem landing in his possession.

Katherine, who is known as Kate, found out about Mark’s book though The Dolmen’s online forum and bought the letter for £300 on the internet.

Mark explained how the sellers failed to recognise that the letter also has the rare signature of Bulstrode Whitelocke, a lawyer who effectively ruled the country for a short time after the death of Oliver Cromwell.

This signature raises the value of the letter to several times its purchase price, according to Mark.

The letter will be displayed in the Old Town Hall’s Crabchurch Rooms, a space downstairs which will be dedicated to the exhibition.

Kate, who lives in South Carolina, said: “It is exciting to be in Weymouth and visit where the battle took place.

“You have a strong heritage here and I adore the town.

“It’s great that Mark has documented these events.”

Mark said the Sydenham story and the battle of Weymouth was a ‘forgotten’ part of history but just as important as the Tolpuddle Martyrs. It is believed King Charles I wanted to use Weymouth as a landing point for a huge French army who had agreed to help him win the war.

Mark Vine’s book The Crabchurch Conspiracy about the battle of Weymouth has been set to music and is being released as a new album by Weymouth band The Dolmen.

The popular pagan band will be playing a gig at the Old Rooms Inn on Weymouth harbourside on Saturday night to launch the album. Interestingly, the Old Rooms occupies a spot where in 1645 hundreds of men were slain in the battle.

Lead singer Taloch, aka Tony Jameson, spent six months setting Mark’s lyrics to music for the new record.

He said Mark’s passion for the story has been represented in fiery tunes for which the band are well known.

It was recorded with some of the instruments which were around in the 17th century such as the crumhorn.

The album includes a spoken foreword by history professor Ronald Hutton, a leading authority on the English Civil War.

Tony and Mark would like to see the book turned into a stage play and are appealing for ideas and support.

*THE letter is a cover note stating that one Martin North should be reimbursed to the sum of £900.

It is dated 29 April, 1659, and is signed by William Sydenham, a former Melcombe Regis MP and Parliamentary commander at the battle of Weymouth in during the Civil War in 1645. It is countersigned by Sir Bulstrode Whitelock, who had risen to prominence during the Civil War.

It reads: “My Lord Wee pray you drawe an order according to his highness Lord of Privy Seale bearing date the 27th of Aprill instant for payment unto Gualter Frost esq. [T]-ter for the p-bli[gu]e [C]onting [int]i[s] (possibly publique something?) the summe of Nine hundred pounds to reimburse and satisfie Martin North esqr the said summe of IX C L (ie £900) by him disbursed and paid by his highness d—eccon (possibly ‘discretion’) to severall of his said highness public[q](ue) Ministers abroad in forraigne parts, [in] the said lord of Privy Seale particularly expressid.

And this shall be yo(ur) warrant Aprill 29th, 1659.

B Whitelocke, W Sydenham”