An article by Sir Frederick Treves on poverty in Dorset attracted some interest from readers.

Roger Holehouse got in touch to let us know that the description of the life of Dorset farm labourers in 1846 struck a particular chord as the points made are ones he frequently uses as a volunteer for the National Trust out at Lawrence of Arabia’s cottage at Cloud’s Hill, Bovington.

Mr Holehouse said: "Visitors often comment how idyllic it must have been as a woodman’s cottage (as it was before Lawrence made it his home) out in the middle of nowhere on the Dorset heath.

"I have to point out that with a leaky heather thatch roof, mud floors, virtually no windows, and cheap porous brick construction that sucked up moisture from a naturally sodden site (no damp proof course in those days) it would have been a TB ridden hovel.

"In comparison Lawrence made it quite comfortable: library, inside bath etc."

Mr Holehouse and another volunteer are currently researching 'Clouds's Hill before Lawrence'. There is very little information about what the woodman's cottage was like before TE Lawrence first rented the cottage in 1923 while stationed at nearby Bovington Camp.

Anyone with information on the cottage on its pre-Lawrence days can contact Mr Holehouse by emailing roger.holehouse@btinternet.com