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A Brief History of the Village of Maiden Newton
Maiden Newton is a large village that straddles the A356 in the valley of the River Frome with its junction with the river Hooke. It lies some seven miles to the north west of Dorchester and in an interesting geological area that is rich in flora and fauna. As Dorset villages go it is not a particularly �pretty� village in that photographs of it are unlikely to be found on calendars or in any publications indicating popular and nostalgic views of Dorset�s rural communities. That said, Maiden Newton is very much a �living� village with a considerable amount of character and interest as well as being the centre or focal point for a number of surrounding villages, many of which are no longer able to support the one-time basic providers such as the Post Office, General Store, Bakery or even the village Pub.
The village itself embraces the parishes of two churches, those of St Mary�s in Maiden Newton and of St Francis in neighbouring Frome Vauchurch, both originating from Anglo-Saxon settlements and with the total present day population being of just under 1000 inhabitants. There is evidence of earlier settlement in the vicinity of Maiden Newton as can be seen in the remains of an Iron Age hill fort and enclosure which is bisected by the A37 trunk road in the vicinity of Hogg Cliff Hill to the east. But apart from this, and the remains of some Roman mosaic floors and associated structures that lie below a field to the north of Throop on the west bank of the river Frome (close on the parish�s border with that of Frampton), there is nothing to indicate earlier continuous settlement in the immediate area.
Over the centuries both Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch evolved in support of their respective manors through the development of sound local agricultural economies, with Maiden Newton growing at a faster rate than its neighbour. The earliest indications of this being the medieval strip lychets or terraces which still survive on the steep hillside to the east of Maiden Newton. Also of an historic nature but of more recent times are the surrounding water meadow systems that until seventy years or so ago served to ensure a supply of nutrient rich grass for sheep and cattle. The remains of the complex system of drainage channels and sluices, the latter with massive ratcheted iron features cast in the foundry at Beaminster, can still be seen.
Both parish churches display a wealth of treasures and reflect the way of life seen and experienced by the inhabitants over the centuries and, although the tiny church of St Francis contrasts in size with that of St Mary, both are well worth a visit and are well supported by the local community. In addition there are a considerable number of buildings and features of architectural and historic interest in the village, ranging from the base of the old market cross and the old mill (complete with the cast iron mill wheel), to the old school building with its interesting clock to commemorated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, as well a number of individual houses and cottages. Further a-field are more buildings that are of considerable social and architectural interest, not the least being the farmhouse at West Cruxton.
The coming of the railway in 1857 attributed directly to the establishment of a livestock market, foundry, brewery and tannery, as well as a number of smaller businesses. However the size of the village itself did not increase in proportion overall, an indication that Maiden Newton was now, perhaps more than ever before, an established focal point for a number of surrounding communities.
The Second World War saw a radical change to the village with the construction of a number of defences hurriedly erected (with many still remaining to this day) in response to the threat of a German invasion, and supported by long-range artillery sited in the old quarry in Chilfrome Lane. In addition to this the village paid host to a considerable number of Canadian, American and British troops who were stationed mainly on the land parallel to the railway line at the top end of Bull Lane.
In the years that followed the Second World War the village began its gradual transformation to its present form. This began with the continued increase in the mechanisation of farming methods, the rundown of the railway (including the closure of the branch line to Bridport), coupled with the closures of the cattle market on the bank of the river Frome and the United Dairies plant in Station Road. In addition to this the more popular use of the motorcar saw the village, as many others in the vicinity now emerging (with the building of new houses) as a dormitory for those who now worked in the nearby towns of Dorchester, Bridport and Yeovil. In response to these factors the village saw the loss of the Butcher�s, the Bank and a number of small businesses although this has been balanced to a certain extent by the growth of Garage services, the building of a new Primary School, Doctors� Surgery, Village Hall and a number of small Factory Units.
The winter flooding that has taken place in recent years is now hopefully under control. It has however served to further define where further building can take place within the village to the point where, very shortly, there will be no new land available for development. Within these constraints the inhabitants of the parishes of Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch will continue to enjoy life in this lively if not unique community on the banks of the river Frome.
Andrew Williams
Bull Lane
Maiden Newton
DT2 0BQ
September 2003.
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