Benjamin Ferrey designed the clock tower on Dorchester Corn Exchange known as Galpin's Folly

CORN EXCHANGE, DORCHESTER

Some of the area's Gothic Revival buildings were designed by architect Benjamin Ferrey.

Born in 1810, Ferrey was educated at Wimborne Grammar School. He then went to London to study under Augustus Charles Pugin. After setting up his own practice, Ferrey started doing work locally first in the design of Bournemouth as a seaside resort and then designing or rebuilding many Church of England parish churches.

He designed Dorchester's Corn Exchange, made of Broadmayne brick with Bath and Portland stone dressings and a tile of slate roof. His designs included the controversial clock tower known as 'Galpin's Folly', approved by Mayor Galpin and a cause of public concern that the tower on a slender pillar would fall off. It hasn't to date!

Other local buildings Ferrey was responsible for are the old Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester from 1839, All Saints Church in High East Street, Dorchester, the reconstruction of St Osmund's Parish Church in Osmington and the rebuilding of St Michael's parish church in Littlebredy.

Ferrey was twice vice-president of the Royal Institute of British Architects and in 1870 was awarded a Royal Gold Medal.