Old images of Powerstock, Dorset village with train station

We've been sharing some of Bridport photographer Hider's photos - which were taken from 1922 onwards - in the News recently,

They've been digitally archived by Neil Mattingly of Charmouth and the pictures here show St Mary's Church and the village from afar.

Church at Powerstock Picture: Claud Hider

We also have pictures of the village in bygone days, of the old railway station and of the village school in more recent times - the 1980s.

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Powerstock was once known as Poorstock and is situated in a steep valley on the edge of the Dorset Downs, five miles north east from Bridport.

Powerstock Picture: Claud Hider

Within the parish is Eggerton Hill, which has the remains of two Roman camps. The church of St Mary, situated on a hill over the village, dates from Norman times and the chancel arch is an excellent example of Early Norman architecture. 

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Outside is a very rare 13th century Dole Table, from pre-Reformation times when charitable doles of bread were distributed to the poor. Inside the south entrance is a 15th century carving of a king and crowned woman giving bread to children. The church registers date from 1568.

Old railway station at Powerstock Picture: Maurice D Budden

Powerstock railway station (and the entire Bridport branch line) closed on May 5, 1975. There was also a Wesleyan chapel in this hamlet that is no longer.

Rose Marie Sinnett (nee Parsons) visiting Powerstock School in the 80s

A school was built in Powerstock in 1849 for 122 children. The parish comprises of 4123 acres of varied soil types. The chief crops used to be wheat, barley and flax, with some land in pasture. The population in 1891 was 698.

Thanks to the excellent Dorset OPC website for the extra information and to Neil Mattingly for sharing the Claud Hider images.