ORGANISERS of a project to capture the past of the Mill Street area of Dorchester are holding another event for people to come and share their memories.
The Mill Street Memories project has been recording the recollections of residents and former residents of the old streets, alleys and squares around Mill Street in Fordington.
The last event attracted around 70 people and the team behind the initiative are hoping for more people to turn out at their next meeting, which takes place from 2pm on Monday, February 2 at St George’s Church Hall in Fordington.
As well as meeting old friends and looking at photos from the past, there will be a chance to see new drawings of life in the old Mill Street area.
At the meeting there will also be information on restoration plans for a glass window from an iconic old Mill Street building.
A spokesman for the project said: “The coloured round glass window from the old Mill Street Mission hall has been discovered.
“The window is damaged but will be restored by Jon Callen, a well-known local stained glass restorer. “Jon has worked on many windows including the Chapel Royal windows at Hampton Court Palace and is the glass adviser for the Salisbury Diocese.
“Jon will bring the Mission’s window to the meeting and he will give a short demonstration and explain how he plans to restore and bring the piece back to life.” The Mission Hall was once a focal point for the area, with the mission starting in 1905 in two old thatched cottages beside the mill stream.
A larger brick building was built in 1929 to accommodate the congregations and the Sunday school, which had more than 100 local children attending.
Other groups that met there over the years included a youth fellowship, a men’s club, a women’s meeting group and a scout troup.
A washhouse was also later built and other support was provided to the poor and needy in the area.
It was later demolished after the rebuilding of the Mill Street area in the 1960s but the window is one of the few elements to surive.
The Mill Street project is keen to hear from anyone who wants to remember the Mill Street Mission and share other stories from the area.
Anyone who is unable to make the meeting on Monday, February 2 can contact Judith Dearlove on 01305 261622 or email mill.street@hotmail.co.uk
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