STURMINSTER NEWTON. xli. 



STURMINSTER NEWTON. 



On returning to Sturminster, Canon MANSEL-PLEYDELL 

 first led the party to Castle Hill and related the traditions 

 concerning the Saxon stronghold, of which the only visible 

 remnant was the deep fosse. The Gothic arches and other 

 ruins of a building on the hill were of much later date. 



Having inspected the ancient bridge over the Stour, the 

 members drove to the Vicarage, where they were hospitably 

 entertained by Canon and Mrs. Mansel-Pleydell. 



At a business meeting three candidates for election were 

 nominated, after which an adjournment was made to the 

 parish church, where a short organ recital was given. The 

 VICAR then addressed the members on the history of the 

 church, saying that it was built by John Selwood, Abbot of 

 Glastonbury, in the fourteenth century. In 1827 Mr. Lane- 

 Fox pulled down and rebuilt portions of the structure, 

 excepting only the tower and the nave. As a memorial to 

 William Barnes, the original oak-ribbed roof had been skilfully 

 repaired and renewed, and a carved eagle-lectern provided 

 as part of the same scheme. The Dorset poet was born 

 within the parish, was baptized in the church, and received 

 his early education at Sturminster school. Before the meeting 

 dispersed, the PRESIDENT expressed the thanks of the Club 

 to their host and hostess, and to Mr. Doran Webb. 



