

OLD INNS OF WIMBORNE. 45 



" 1664 Beere for the masons and the ringers to try the 

 tower 14d." 



" Beere to the ringers for a peale to see if the tower shook Is." 

 It appears from the accounts that at this time the Church- 

 wardens were much exercised as to the safety of the west tower 

 which contained the belfry. 



We may feel confident that Mary Gundry would be well 

 pleased to see the use to which her bequest has been put, 

 in the handsome and appropriate Church House which now 

 replaces the " Angell Inn." 



In the present Square stand two inns, now dignified with 

 the style and title of ' Hotel' 



The " Crown Inn" bearing its interesting old sign a large 

 wooden crown suspended from an ornamental iron bracket 

 and the "King's Head," which was a picturesque two-storied 

 red brick building till about 40 years ago, when another story 

 was added and the old building incorporated in the new, and 

 the front covered up with stucco. 



We find the " Crown " mentioned in a Church rate levied 

 in 1664, for the purpose of buying a new organ for the 

 Minster. Doubtless the damage done to the existing organ by 

 Cromwell's soldiers, who tore down the organ pipes to procure 

 metal for their bullets, was the main reason for the new organ. 



The amount of the new rate was 1 16s. Od., and, compared 

 with 10/6 levied on the " George," shows the relative importance 

 of the two inns. 



The earliest mention of the " King's Head " is as follows 

 " 1726. A payment of 2/6 for tolling the great bell for a 

 stranger that died at the King's Head." 



There are various records of public meetings at both inns. 

 The " Crown Inn " has the distinction of being the last inn 

 connected with coaching. In the Post Office Directory of 

 1858 we find the one and only coach, the " Gem," from 

 Blandford, running daily between the towns chiefly to connect 

 Blandford with the railway at Wimborne. 



On the north side of the Square the greater part of the 

 present town lies within the old Borough of Wimborne. The 



