PARISH HISTORY & GENERAL INFORMATIONParley is a very ancient settlement and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Its name
is believed to be derived from Pirigea-Leah, Saxon for Pear Tree Fields - and
contained some 50 to 60 inhabitants. About 20 people lived at Dudsbury, a little to
the west.
The oldest part of the village contains All Saints Church, which includes a Norman
nave, an open timbered roof and wooden bell turret.
Historic Events Sites: -
Iron Age & Roman Hill Fort
Dudsbury Camp, G R 076980
Its position provides good views of the River Stour and surrounding countryside.
Access via Footpath 9 or 10.
Bronze Age Barrows
Mags Barrow, GR 083986 Parley Barrow, GR 079987 Ralphs Barrow, GR
086988 World War 11 POW Camp
GR 083984 (Now built upon).
Local Historic Legends: -
1. The murder of William Harbin by his son and friend John Guppy. Christchurch
Priory records show both were tried, hanged and gibbeted on 5th December 1803. It is
believed this was the last time chained criminals were hanged in Southern England.
Local legend is that Harbin's wife incited her son to kill his father because he had
threatened to disinherit him.
The gibbet post was given to the Rector by the Common's owner and used as the
pedestal for a sundial. Due to its former use, rumour has it that the sundial would
never give the correct time.
2. The lady of Lydlinch, believed to have been the Lady of the Manor, was compelled
to live at Lydlinch (near Sherborne), by her husband. Her heart, she said, was in
Parley and decreed that after her death, it should be buried in the Parish.
In 1896, the urn, believed to have contained the heart, was excavated and now lies
within the Church's east wall.
Sites of Local Industries: - 1. Brick Works situated on Poor Common continued in use
until the early part of the 20th century. The last example of hand-made bricks from
the works can be seen at 'The Curlew' in Christchurch Road.
2. An ancient turf cutters track ran from Christchurch Road along the line of
Footpath 13 (Stocks Lane), Oakland Walk and across New Road to Poor Common and
possibly beyond.
Historic Buildings:-
All Saints Church, Brambles Farmhouse, The Old Rectory all in Church Lane and The
Manor (now The Curlew), Christchurch Road.
Parley Common: - Access to this Site of Special Scientific Interest is via Footpath
1. Until 1575, the Common was manorial land but later divided into strips for grazing
and turf cutting. It is jointly managed by Dorset County Council, the Herpetological
Conservation Trust and RSPB. Some species are at risk from cycle, pedestrian and
equestrian use.
Parley Wood: - This Site of Special Scientific Interest comprises almost 17 acres of
mixed deciduous woodland and a wide variety of mosses and lichens. Careful management
has allowed glades to be created thereby enhancing the flora and fauna of the
woodland.
Recreation: - South of Parley Wood is the sports field (both Council-owned) where
regular matches are organised by Parley Sports Club.
The nearby Recreation Ground is used for informal sports including basketball,
junior football. The children's play park, Memorial Hall and Parley Leisure Centre
are adjacent. In addition to the footpaths shown above, a section of The Stour
Valley Way also passes through the Parish via footpath 15 and the Ferndown & Forest
Trail via footpaths 10 and 11.
Further Reading: - "Parley's Past" by Audrey Greenhalgh, published 1997 by Power
Publications. "History of West Parley" by Col. Charles Drew, published 1920's.
Information compiled by Councillor. Paul Timberlake, Chairman & Rights of Way
Officer. West Parley Parish Council. 1/2000
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