LET'S pick up our stroll of Dorchester's High Street once again.

It's thanks to Dorchester historian Derek Pride that we're able to point out and remember shops from a bygone age.

As we continue to wend up way up High Street East, we take note of the wine merchant John F. Hodges and Sons at number 21. The shop traded from from 1837 but in 1955 it included the Dorset School of Domestic Cookery. The wine merchants traded under various names including Castles and Victoria Wines closing on 31st May 1972. Wessex Savings Bank moved in in 1974 becoming The Trustees Saving Bank in May 1977. This was taken over by Lloyds Bank and the shop was vacant for some time.

In 2015 flats were created upstairs and in November 2016, Medusa Apothecary moved in from No 26 up the road.

Upstairs for many years was Edwards and Edwards Accountants. In 1969, they became Edwards and Keeping and moved to Unity Chambers across the road.

Moving on to 23 High East Street, this was the premises of Henry Ling Printers from 1870 extending right back to Durngate Street at the rear. Also in the building in 1955 was S. Duffet Estate Agents, the Norwich Union Fire Insurance and Lindsey’s Stationers.

At 24 High East Street Kelly’s Directory 1985 shows the occupiers as Ensor and Co Grocers. They were followed by the Dorset County Stores grocers family slogan “At Your Service”. They closed in 1971 and were replaced by Peter Mardons Pet Shop having moved from High West Street. This closed in March 2001 and was replaced in April 2001 by ‘Beds are Uzzz’.

We can now move on to 25 High East Street, where Jeffery and Sons, long-standing occupiers, a sports shop selling all goods, gunsmiths and fishing tackle was based. The family also had similar shops in Plymouth and Yeovil. When they closed, Adams Newsagent moved in, they were taken over by Joys Newsagents in 1988, whose last day of trading was November 4, 1998. In April 1999, Beau Chaveaux Hairdressers opened. They became ‘Khalessi Hair Studio’ a ladies hairdresser in November 2013. They closed in summer 2018. In August 2018 an independent bookseller took over.

At number 26 High Street East was Braybrooks Jewellers in 1939, then Bowdens Estate Agents. In 1988, Morris, Dibben and Bowdens Estate Agents. In November 1993, Peaches Craft and Gift Shop which moved to Antelope Walk in August 1995. In November 2000, new clothes shop ‘Dressed to Frill with Crown on the Top’. In March 2006, it became Thomas Crown Clothes shop then Medusa Apothecary which moved on 22nd November 2016 just down the road. Now,’Seventh` Seal, a smart barbers shop also selling clothes, etc.

Next, the show stopping building of 1-2 High West Street, currently home to Lloyds Bank.

Derek writes: "This is the building that stood on the site before the building of the present building in the early 19thC. The photograph is about 1890. Howes Refreshment Rooms on the corner provided soup, chops, steaks, teas, coffee and bottled ales. In `1894 it was listed as Dorchester Old Bank.

"The present building was the Wilts and Dorset Bank which was taken over by Lloyds Bank in 1914.

"The front is Palladian style and early Victorian. It has three central bays with a pediment further embellished with pilasters on the first and second floors. The ground storey has four round-headed arches embellished thick geometric decoration in an entirely Victorian way. Lloyds were previously at No 5 HW St.

"Note the 20th century polished granite door surround with segmented pediment. The upper floors have windows with moulded embrasures, central window of first floor with cornice on scrolled consoles. Long and short quoins. The chimney in the centre of the balustrade is flanked by fluted urns." Join us for more memories of old shops next week!