“For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth”
“FOR THOU knowest not…” was the title of a sermon preached by Evershot’s priest after a fire in 1865 nearly burned the whole village down.
More than 100 people were left homeless; up to 1,000 came from neighbouring villages to gawp at the devastation; and there was looting, yes looting, in Evershot. At the very least a butt of cider, belonging to a Mr S Christopher, was stolen from a garden where it had been placed for safety. Poor Mr Christopher. Even now you can sense his thirsty rage in a long and vivid account of events that’s just been written up on the Dorset Ancestors site. Click here to read more.
A couple of other links: Dorset Wildlife Trust is keen to promote the use of a new Rytec machine tractor for conservation.
Contractor Brian Ewins with Emily Newton of Dorset Wildlife Trust
The Rytec machine at Lankham Bottom
It’s just been demonstrated at Lankham Bottom near Cattistock. Local landowners and conservationists saw how the machine can help to restore grassland that has been covered by thick scrub (gorse and brambles at Lankham) and also remove the cuttings (shredded ready to be used as a mulch if required). Taking cuttings away stops ground from getting too rich in nutrients for downland flora to succeed. You can read more by clicking on this link.
Also, West Dorset District Council is putting up its share of the council tax for 2010-11 by one per cent. That means the average Band D rate goes up by £1.23 to £124.80.
The district council collects the whole council tax bill from local people, but only keeps around eight per cent of the total. The rest is passed to Dorset County Council (£1168.29 at band D in 2010/11), police (£180.00), fire (£60.39) and town/parish councils if they make a charge.
You can read the thoughts of the council’s Conservative leader Robert Gould by clicking on this link.