Welcome to the Burley Historical Society website - Explore the links at the top of the page and under "more"!
Any text in GREEN is a clickable link to an external website which will open in a new window.
Click here for latest acquisitions.
Burley Historical Society, based in the village of Burley in the New Forest, Hampshire, was formed in 2013.
Are you a villager who is keen to discover more about the history of your own house or land? Do you belong to a family with present or past connections to Burley? Do you have a special interest in a particular aspect of village or New Forest life? If you are any of these, then we hope to provide support and encouragement as well as practical links that might help you in your research.
Evidence has shown that Burley has been a human settlement at least since Neolithic times. There are Bronze Age burial mounds on Cranesmoor and an Iron Age (or earlier) hillfort on Castle Top. From these early times, through the development of the Manor lands and onwards into more recent centuries, Burley has been a place where people have lived as a community. There is so much to find out about this fascinating and beautiful village.
If you have any information, photographs, maps, documents, in fact anything relating to Burley that you would like to share with our Historical Society please contact David Etchells at - [email protected]
There is a Private Facebook Group Burley Village - Life in the New Forest which is collecting a number of interesting historical items, photos, videos and anecdotes.
Any text in GREEN is a clickable link to an external website which will open in a new window.
Click here for latest acquisitions.
Burley Historical Society, based in the village of Burley in the New Forest, Hampshire, was formed in 2013.
Are you a villager who is keen to discover more about the history of your own house or land? Do you belong to a family with present or past connections to Burley? Do you have a special interest in a particular aspect of village or New Forest life? If you are any of these, then we hope to provide support and encouragement as well as practical links that might help you in your research.
Evidence has shown that Burley has been a human settlement at least since Neolithic times. There are Bronze Age burial mounds on Cranesmoor and an Iron Age (or earlier) hillfort on Castle Top. From these early times, through the development of the Manor lands and onwards into more recent centuries, Burley has been a place where people have lived as a community. There is so much to find out about this fascinating and beautiful village.
If you have any information, photographs, maps, documents, in fact anything relating to Burley that you would like to share with our Historical Society please contact David Etchells at - [email protected]
There is a Private Facebook Group Burley Village - Life in the New Forest which is collecting a number of interesting historical items, photos, videos and anecdotes.
Also Facebook Group New Forest History and Heritage
RECENTLY ACQUIRED WATERCOLOUR, CIRCA 1890,
by THOMAS NOELSMITH, (1840-1900), TITLED "Burley, New Forest"
Another painting "returned" to Burley - this time all the way from Australia!
Location - possibly the ford on Forest Road?
BURLEY NEW FRIENDLY SOCIETY, ESTABLISHED 1851
Copy owned by William Henry Hill 1858 (son of Lawrence Hill of Frogmoor House, Burley Lawn).
The rules of admission appear rather onerous by today's standards. One wonders how many members the Society had!
The rules of admission appear rather onerous by today's standards. One wonders how many members the Society had!
Rules of Meeting:
That the Society shall be called the "Burley New Friendly Society;" and that its meetings be held at present at the Queen's Head Inn, Burley, in the County of Hants, on the first Monday in every month; the time of the meeting to be from seven o'clock in the evening until ten o'clock, from the 25th day of March until the 29th day of September; and from the 29th day of September until the 25th day of March, from six o'clock until 9 o'clock in the evening. Of Admission.
1. That a list of the members shall be kept in a book provided for that purpose by the Society, and that the names of the members shall be entered in the book by the secretary, in the order of time in which they shall be admitted to the Society. 2. That no person be admitted a member who does not bear a good character for honesty and sobriety. 3. That no person be admitted a member under sixteen or above thirty-five years of age. 4. That no person be admitted a member who is afflicted with any bodily disease or infirmity likely to render him burdensome to the society. 5. That every person proposed as a member, shall before his admission, if required by the Stewards, be examined by the Surgeon of the Society, and obtain from him a certificate of health. |
6. That any person admitted as a member shall, within two months after his admission, if required by the Stewards, allow himself to be examined by the Surgeon, and in case of refusal he shall be expelled.
7. That any person afflicted with any bodily disease or infirmity, being admitted a member without declaring same, shall, notwithstanding such certificate of health aforesaid, be immediately expelled.
8. That any member knowing of any disease or infirmity in a person entering this Society and not declaring the same, shall be expelled.
9. That all persons proposing to become members of the Society, shall give notice of their intention to the Secretary at least a fortnight before any of the monthly meetings; and at the monthly meeting next following the receipt of such notices, the Secretary shall inform the members then present of the names and residences of persons so proposing to become members.
10. That if no objection is then made by any member then present as aforesaid to any of the persons so proposing to become members, their names shall be entered in the book of the Society kept for the purpose. But if any one of the members then present shall declare his opinion that it is expedient that the question of admission of any person so proposing to become a member should be deferred to the next monthly meeting, the entry shall not be made, and the question of his admission shall be so deferred; and, if at the said next monthly meeting the majority of the members then present shall give their Votes against the admission of any person so objected to, at the foregoing meeting as aforesaid, then such person shall not be admitted.
7. That any person afflicted with any bodily disease or infirmity, being admitted a member without declaring same, shall, notwithstanding such certificate of health aforesaid, be immediately expelled.
8. That any member knowing of any disease or infirmity in a person entering this Society and not declaring the same, shall be expelled.
9. That all persons proposing to become members of the Society, shall give notice of their intention to the Secretary at least a fortnight before any of the monthly meetings; and at the monthly meeting next following the receipt of such notices, the Secretary shall inform the members then present of the names and residences of persons so proposing to become members.
10. That if no objection is then made by any member then present as aforesaid to any of the persons so proposing to become members, their names shall be entered in the book of the Society kept for the purpose. But if any one of the members then present shall declare his opinion that it is expedient that the question of admission of any person so proposing to become a member should be deferred to the next monthly meeting, the entry shall not be made, and the question of his admission shall be so deferred; and, if at the said next monthly meeting the majority of the members then present shall give their Votes against the admission of any person so objected to, at the foregoing meeting as aforesaid, then such person shall not be admitted.
SIR SIMON de BURLEY (1336 - 5th May 1388)
Acquired for the Burley Heritage Trust:- An 1658 engraving of The Tomb of Sir Simon Burley by Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech 1607-1677), from the "History of St Paul's Cathedral" by Sir William Dugdale. The de Burley family owned ancestral lands (Manors) in Burley and Lyndhurst from 1212 until 1388 when Simon de Burley was impeached for treason and beheaded on Tower Hill. The lands were then rescinded by the Crown and ceded to King Richard II. This de Burley tomb was lost when St Paul's Cathedral was completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London which started on Sunday 2nd September 1666. There is, however, debate as to whether this tomb was misattributed and actually contained his nephew Richard de Burley who died on 23rd May 1387, and his wife Beatrice Stafford. See Hardcastle pages 34-35. Clearly more research is required on the connections of the de Burley's to Burley Manor in the 13th and 14th Centuries. |
Abducted in the so-called northern wing. On another tablet, near the tomb of Simon Burley. Here rests Baronet Simon Burley; prefect of the five ports, a soldier of the order of the garter, and far dearest confidant to the fertile king Richard. He had two sisters from the most extensive families, united to him by marriage; one of Stafford, the other the daughter of the Baron de Roos: True, at that very difficult time, when everything was being stirred up among the nobles of England under the young Prince, he incurred the hatred of some so much, that the Parliamentary authority was beheaded, in the year of the Lord 1388. And the latter, by the same authority, were afterwards restored under King Henry the Fourth.
If you want more, consult Froissart and the History of England. |
For more on this and the difficulties of unravelling the de Burley family trees click here
EARLIEST BURLEY POSTMARK RECORD BROKEN!
Recently acquired by the Burley Historical Society is this halfpenny Queen Victoria postage stamp with a BURLEY, HANTS postmark dated 7th July 1900. This predates the previous record holder by almost two years and is the first Victorian stamp seen with a Burley postmark. The Circular Dated Stamp (CDS) was introduced to Burley in 1885, so there is still a fifteen year gap to close! For more information on Burley Postal Services click here |
HISTORIC ENGLAND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FROM WWII
Historic England have made available online some 400,000 photographs from their collection of over 6 million images. 20,000 photographs in the United States Army Air Forces Collection taken during the 2nd World War have just been added.
Historic England Aerial Photo Explorer
Historic England Aerial Photograph Explorer (Full screen application)
Historic England Aerial Photo Explorer
Historic England Aerial Photograph Explorer (Full screen application)
There are currently 5 photographs covering the Burley Street area and further North-East, unfortunately none (as yet) of the rest of Burley.
Views of Holmsley Airfield are also available.
Some embedded interactive examples are available to view on this Historic England WWII Aerial Photos page.
Views of Holmsley Airfield are also available.
Some embedded interactive examples are available to view on this Historic England WWII Aerial Photos page.
70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURLEY FIRE STATION
(weekend of 7th-8th October 2023)
The Burley Fire Brigade was originally formed in June 1922, consisting of an ex-Government Gun Carriage fitted with ten fire extinguishers and refills and housed with Mr Dovey. Ten volunteer firemen were recruited. Some years later a two wheeled trailer containing a standpipe and hoses became available and was located in the double-doored shed on the corner opposite The Queens Head. The equipment was eventually moved to the larger wooden shed behind the "Odd Spot" shop. The current Burley Fire Station was built and opened in 1953. To celebrate their 70th Anniversary there was a display of fire engines in Burley Park, the Fire Station was open to visitors, and a large display of memorabilia, artefacts and photographs were available to examine.
Click on image for enlargement:
A K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK RETURNS TO BURLEY (Sept 2023)
The history of the Burley Telephone Kiosks is rather sketchy - if anyone has further details or photographs please get in touch.
A "rescued" K6 has recently been installed outside the Burley Inn. This replaces a previous KX100 that was in almost exactly the same location (was a metre to the left!).
It is in the process of being refurbished into an exchange library.
It is in the process of being refurbished into an exchange library.
Previous Burley Telephone Kiosks:
The first Telephone Kiosk in Burley (adjacent to the Post Office) was a 1927 designed K1 Mk 236. There were various modifications to the K1 Kiosk and these two photographs do show differences. Unfortunately the dates of these images are unknown.
6,300 K1's were installed Nationwide but only approximately 12 survive today.
6,300 K1's were installed Nationwide but only approximately 12 survive today.
The Burley K1 was replaced by a "classic" red K6 (date?). The K6 was designed in 1935 by Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V and were installed from 1936. By 1960 some 60,000 K6's had been erected.
After the K6 was removed a replacement KX100 was installed in a new location outside the Burley Inn. KX100's were installed from 1985.
Burley Street Stores Telephone Kiosks:
There was a K6 outside the Burley Street Stores which was later replaced by a KX100 (dates?). The KX100 was finally removed circa 2015.
All you need to know about Telephone Kiosks:- THE TELEPHONE BOX
CALLING ALL CAR ENTHUSIASTS - CAN ANYBODY IDENTIFY THESE OLD BURLEY CARS?
Click here for the "mystery" vehicles to diagnose
THE POOR RATE - A Burley receipt from 1922
This was a tax on property to provide local poor relief and was introduced in The Poor Relief Act of 1601. Each Parish met once a year to set the rate and appoint an overseer of the poor to collect the rate. The separate poor rate was amalgamated with the local district or borough general rate by the Rating and Valuation Act of 1925, ultimately becoming the current Council Tax. The role of parishes in the setting and collection of rates was abolished by 1930. 1922 Poor Rate receipt for £2 3s 4d from Mr William Fennell (1865-1934) of Pound Lane, Burley. He was a Police Constable living at what became The Pound Lane Stores with his wife Mercy Ellen and their five children. |
The above receipt and following photograph were kindly donated by Gill who ran The Pound Lane Stores in the late 1980's.
Photograph taken in 1912 of the Fennell family outside the house which later became The Pound Lane Stores. Shown are Mrs Mercy Ellen Fennell together with daughter's Lilian Rose (on her mother's left) and Gladys Elnora, and sons Walter John and William David.
Photograph taken in 1912 of the Fennell family outside the house which later became The Pound Lane Stores. Shown are Mrs Mercy Ellen Fennell together with daughter's Lilian Rose (on her mother's left) and Gladys Elnora, and sons Walter John and William David.
More on the Fennell family, the Pound Lane Stores, Lawford's and Burleytoys being developed here.
RECENTLY EXCAVATED IN BENNETTS LANE, BURLEY - A 1797 GEORGE III COPPER PENNY
A George III "cartwheel" penny dated 1797. The first copper penny, made to contain its actual value in copper (one ounce/28.35 grams and 1.4 inches in diameter). They were minted on a steam powered press developed by James Watt and manufactured by Matthew Boulton at the Soho Mint near Birmingham. The artist was an employee of Boulton - the German engraver Conrad Heinrich Kuchler. The copper penny was minted for two or three years but all carry the 1797 date. They had thick raised borders to reduce wear and were in circulation until 1860, when smaller and thinner coins in bronze were produced.
Twopenny coins were also minted which weighed two ounces/56.7 grams, 1.6 inches in diameter - the largest and heaviest coin circulated in Britain.
Twopenny coins were also minted which weighed two ounces/56.7 grams, 1.6 inches in diameter - the largest and heaviest coin circulated in Britain.
BURLEY GARAGES AND THE POST OFFICE
Another postcard has come to light showing the view up to the Cross with detail to the right (second image below, click for enlargement).
Neither of these cards have been posted and the dates are unknown. However, the dates must be between 1920 (Cross erected) -1927 (Post Office moved).
The enlarged view shows the "BURLEY POST OFFICE" sign by the first awning and a little girl carrying a large bunch of flowers. (image 4 colourised).
The Garage sign on the left has changed from Footner and Sons to Hyde's Garage, and on the right is Manning's Garage.
Can anyone more accurately date these photographs or have information on Manning's Garage, and perhaps the name of the little girl?
Neither of these cards have been posted and the dates are unknown. However, the dates must be between 1920 (Cross erected) -1927 (Post Office moved).
The enlarged view shows the "BURLEY POST OFFICE" sign by the first awning and a little girl carrying a large bunch of flowers. (image 4 colourised).
The Garage sign on the left has changed from Footner and Sons to Hyde's Garage, and on the right is Manning's Garage.
Can anyone more accurately date these photographs or have information on Manning's Garage, and perhaps the name of the little girl?
Manning's Garage update: George Manning 1874-1951, born Ilminster and a lodger in Burley at "The Cross" in the 1901 Census.
1911 Census - Cycle repairer and Dealer. Living with wife Annie Caroline, 2 sons and 2 daughters, in Garden Road.
1921 Census - Shoeing and General Smith, and Motor Mechanic, still living in Garden Road.
1911 Census - Cycle repairer and Dealer. Living with wife Annie Caroline, 2 sons and 2 daughters, in Garden Road.
1921 Census - Shoeing and General Smith, and Motor Mechanic, still living in Garden Road.
1936 Feb 22nd New Milton Advertiser: Sale Tuesday March 10th, at 12.30 o'clock. MANNING's GARAGE, BURLEY, Hants. Hewitt & Co are favoured with instructions from Mr G Manning (owing to expiry of lease) to Sell by Auction on the premises SURPLUS GARAGE and BLACKSMITH'S STOCK and TOOLS, Electric Lighting Plant, 2 Portable Engines, Morris-Cowley Landaulette, new Motor and Cycle Accessories, about 100 gallons Motor Lubricating and Gear Oil. Bench and Smith's Tools, Lawn Mower, Grinder, timber built and galvanised Garage (30ft x 18ft). Engine and Battery Sheds, 3 PETROL PUMPS and miscellaneous effects. Catalogue in due course. |
BURLEY IN THE DARK AGES (circa 5th to 11th Centuries AD)
A fascinating piece of work on the origin of our village name and the possible location of the settlement through the "Dark Ages" is being carried out by Burley resident Mike Whitehouse. His initial document is available here with more to follow after further research.
If anyone has any comments, or information to contribute, please contact Mike or myself by email.
If anyone has any comments, or information to contribute, please contact Mike or myself by email.
BURLEY VILLAGE MAGAZINE (1967-2023)
A number of "historic" articles are being transcribed, and are available here
Further articles will be added over time, eg:-
A number of "historic" articles are being transcribed, and are available here
Further articles will be added over time, eg:-
1978 May P 4 LETTER FROM A READER OF THE VILLAGE MAGAZINE
What an invaluable feature of our community life this Village Magazine has become! How we seize upon it each month and read it from cover to cover, enter the dates of events in our diaries and enjoy the articles and reports. Visitors to Burley are impressed, and often a little envious.
All this is due in no small measure to the devoted work of Mr. George Lawford. As Joint Editor with the vicar, he has been for six years the unfailing Power House behind the scenes. We would offer him our warmest thanks for all his time and care.
We are most fortunate in that Mr. John Clarke has agreed to take over from him – no mean task as the Vicar will be leaving us so soon. We wish him well.
My purpose now, however, is simply to say, on behalf of us all,
Thank you George.
What an invaluable feature of our community life this Village Magazine has become! How we seize upon it each month and read it from cover to cover, enter the dates of events in our diaries and enjoy the articles and reports. Visitors to Burley are impressed, and often a little envious.
All this is due in no small measure to the devoted work of Mr. George Lawford. As Joint Editor with the vicar, he has been for six years the unfailing Power House behind the scenes. We would offer him our warmest thanks for all his time and care.
We are most fortunate in that Mr. John Clarke has agreed to take over from him – no mean task as the Vicar will be leaving us so soon. We wish him well.
My purpose now, however, is simply to say, on behalf of us all,
Thank you George.
K.G.H.
An extraordinary archive of material relating to Laurence Hill has recently come to light.
A watercolour of the ruins of his house at Burley Lawn painted in June 1858 after a fire
More on Laurence Hill here and the Burley Lawn Estate here (to be enlarged and updated!)
More on Laurence Hill here and the Burley Lawn Estate here (to be enlarged and updated!)
CHRISTMAS 2022
Burley School Advent Calendar and Burley Church Christmas Tree festival
An "Iconic" Burley oil painting returns to the village.
The original oil painting of John King which features on p18 of Hardcastle's "Records of Burley" recently (2022) came up for sale at a local auction house. It was painted in 1906 by Forbes Witherby of Holmehurst (now the White Buck). It was successfully purchased by a Burley resident for the village, and has been cleaned and restored. It's whereabouts for the last 116 years remains a mystery. A full size framed photographic reproduction has been made which is illustrated below:
BURLEY VILLAGE HERITAGE TRUST CIO
and Proposed Heritage Centre
The BVHT CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) has been granted, on 27th October 2022,
official charitable status with the Charity Commission (Charity Number: 1200826).
For more details about the proposals and how you might be able to help please visit:
https://bvht.weebly.com Contact email for BVHT CIO: [email protected]
Remembrance Sunday 13th November 2022
An archive of Burley photographs, particularly of carnivals during the 1950's,
has kindly been donated by Fred Hooper and can be seen here:
Queen Elizabeth II 21st April 1926 - 8th Sept 2022
Burley remembers with gratitude
Gravestone at the church in memory of members of the Lester family, including:
"Benjamin Lester, lost on HMS Victoria on June 22nd 1893, aged 30"
HMS Victoria was involved in a catastrophic collision with another battleship, HMS Camperdown, near Tripoli while carrying out some annual exercises at 15.30 on 22nd June 1893. It was the worst naval disaster of the late nineteenth century.
Due to an apparent miscalculation by the commander Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, who ordered the manoeuvre, the flagship HMS Victoria was struck by the armoured ram of HMS Camperdown causing massive damage, and sank within 15 minutes.
358 crew members were lost, including Admiral Tryon, 357 were rescued of which 173 were injured.
The wreck was discovered on 22nd August 2004.
The Sinking of HMS Victoria Wiki HMS Victoria
Due to an apparent miscalculation by the commander Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, who ordered the manoeuvre, the flagship HMS Victoria was struck by the armoured ram of HMS Camperdown causing massive damage, and sank within 15 minutes.
358 crew members were lost, including Admiral Tryon, 357 were rescued of which 173 were injured.
The wreck was discovered on 22nd August 2004.
The Sinking of HMS Victoria Wiki HMS Victoria
Further fragments of information about Thomas Eyre have surfaced.
Any new items gratefully received!
Fascinating article about Thomas Eyre from July 1828 (bottom of this page):-
Can anyone suggest what this sentence from the above article might be referring to: "Magpie-Gate, then, consists of five bars, pleasantly situated in the Vil of Burley, and painted alternately black and white; over these bars a sort of canopy arises, thickly studded with scriptural texts; which, if the traveller fancies not the incommodious roost beneath, he may scan at his leisure from the green turf in front."
Any new items gratefully received!
Fascinating article about Thomas Eyre from July 1828 (bottom of this page):-
Can anyone suggest what this sentence from the above article might be referring to: "Magpie-Gate, then, consists of five bars, pleasantly situated in the Vil of Burley, and painted alternately black and white; over these bars a sort of canopy arises, thickly studded with scriptural texts; which, if the traveller fancies not the incommodious roost beneath, he may scan at his leisure from the green turf in front."
The Esdaile Notebook
Colonel W C D Esdaile pulled down the old Burley Manor House and built the present Manor in 1852. What is his connection with "The Esdaile Notebook", a collection of early poems by Shelley? See: WCD Esdaile |
New Forest Tree Graffiti (arborglyphs)
Can you add to this growing online interactive database? NFNPA Tree Graffiti (Introduction and online recording page) Tree Graffiti Results Page (with interactive map and photos, you may need to click on "OK" in the lower horizontal blue bar to load the map and images) 3D tree graffiti examples |
Information on three further extraordinary individuals who lived for part of their lives in Burley and who are buried at St John the Baptist Church, Burley:-
Constance Applebee
Introduced field hockey to the USA in 1901
Ursula Graham Bower (Betts) MBE
"The Naga Queen"
Commander Alastair Denniston OBE CBE CMG RNVR
WW1 Codebreaker and Operational Manager of GC&CS and Bletchley Park (later GCHQ) in WW2
Introduced field hockey to the USA in 1901
Ursula Graham Bower (Betts) MBE
"The Naga Queen"
Commander Alastair Denniston OBE CBE CMG RNVR
WW1 Codebreaker and Operational Manager of GC&CS and Bletchley Park (later GCHQ) in WW2
New page on the distinguished ancestry of Felicite Hardcastle
(Author of Aspects of a New Forest Village. Records of Burley), click on:-
From Herschel to Hardcastle
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2nd - 5th June 2022
(click on image for enlargement)
Hillfort News:
Atlas of the Hillforts of Britain and Ireland www.amazon.co.uk/Atlas-Hillforts-Lock-Gary/dp/1474447120 published in 2021 together with (free) interactive online version: hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk
Here is the entry for Castle Hill, Burley - http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/EN3802.html
Here is the entry for Castle Hill, Burley - http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/EN3802.html
Colourised Postcards
Here is an example of a colourised old black and white postcard using the MyHeritage online colourising tool:-
A further selection here: burleyhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/colourised-postcards.html
A further selection here: burleyhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/colourised-postcards.html
February 2022 - Bridge Repairs, Traffic and Storms - The Perfect Storm (Eunice)?
Burbush Bridge (click on image for enlargement) Forest Road
Fallen oak tree in Forest Road appears to be approximately 185 years old by amateur dendrochronology!
A sapling circa 1837, around the time of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne (20th June 1837).
A sapling circa 1837, around the time of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne (20th June 1837).
Lady Amy Baker research update:
There has been a tremendous response to the request for information on Lady Baker, mostly via random visits by people to this website!
Particular thanks go to Fiona, Olivier, Roger and Michael (you know who you are!), and grateful thanks for permission to use your photographs.
A few examples of recent photographs prior to a larger future article in preparation:
Particular thanks go to Fiona, Olivier, Roger and Michael (you know who you are!), and grateful thanks for permission to use your photographs.
A few examples of recent photographs prior to a larger future article in preparation:
.
Painting of Lady Amy Baker holding her daughter Eunice.
Frederick Beaumont RA 1890
Painting of Lady Amy Baker holding her daughter Eunice.
Frederick Beaumont RA 1890
Her final resting place has been "rediscovered" in the cemetery at Magagnosc in the South of France,
with impressive entrance gates (note A B) to the single gravesite, and view to the South (click on image for enlargement):
with impressive entrance gates (note A B) to the single gravesite, and view to the South (click on image for enlargement):
Burley 14th November 2021 We will remember them
(Click on image for larger view)
New online mapping tool released by Historic England, October 2021
"The Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer is a tool that displays archaeology that has been identified, mapped and recorded using aerial photographs and other aerial sources across England.
For the first time ever, Historic England has made the results of over 30 years of aerial photograph mapping projects freely available online. Use it to explore heritage from ancient settlements to secret Cold War military installations, or to see the complex archaeological landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall, Stonehenge and so much in between."
For the first time ever, Historic England has made the results of over 30 years of aerial photograph mapping projects freely available online. Use it to explore heritage from ancient settlements to secret Cold War military installations, or to see the complex archaeological landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall, Stonehenge and so much in between."
New research project - Can you help?
Lady Amy Susan Baker (1847-1940)
Lady Baker (née Marryat) lived in Burley during the first two and a half decades of the 20th Century after the death of her husband Sir Talbot Baker on 6th April 1900. She was involved in the development of District Nursing in Dorset and in the education of Nurses.
She set up a pottery near Wareham making her patented bricks and assorted domestic wares, while having an experimental kiln at her Burley house. This is briefly described in Félicité Hardcastle’s Records of Burley book (see pages 115-116 of the 1987 edition). Eventually she moved to the South of France where she died and is buried.
Details on her fascinating life are hard to find and I would welcome any information readers may have on this remarkable lady, who was also a poet and author, or on any examples of her Keysworth Pottery ceramics or indeed, an example of her pottery produced in Burley. In due course an illustrated article on her life will be published on this website.
An example of her work is the terracotta reredos at St Mary's Church, Shroton, and two of her books:
Lady Baker (née Marryat) lived in Burley during the first two and a half decades of the 20th Century after the death of her husband Sir Talbot Baker on 6th April 1900. She was involved in the development of District Nursing in Dorset and in the education of Nurses.
She set up a pottery near Wareham making her patented bricks and assorted domestic wares, while having an experimental kiln at her Burley house. This is briefly described in Félicité Hardcastle’s Records of Burley book (see pages 115-116 of the 1987 edition). Eventually she moved to the South of France where she died and is buried.
Details on her fascinating life are hard to find and I would welcome any information readers may have on this remarkable lady, who was also a poet and author, or on any examples of her Keysworth Pottery ceramics or indeed, an example of her pottery produced in Burley. In due course an illustrated article on her life will be published on this website.
An example of her work is the terracotta reredos at St Mary's Church, Shroton, and two of her books:
The Lady Amy Baker memorial window in Burley Church, and pew remembering her youngest daughter Eunice Evelyn Baker (1888-1967) who also lived in Burley:-
Two photographs of Lady Baker, and images of a booklet (circa 1912) on her Keysworth pottery kindly provided by Wareham Museum:-
If you can help with any further information, photographs or ceramics please contact David Etchells on 01425 402135 or email: [email protected]
Thank you to those who have already been in contact with various snippets of information, clues and leads - please keep them coming!
Thank you to those who have already been in contact with various snippets of information, clues and leads - please keep them coming!
Eleanor Ruth Dent and The Chronicles of the Belgians (Blackmoor House, Burley from 1914)
This hand written diary from 1914 detailing events relating to convalescent Belgian soldiers during the First World War has recently been digitised and transcribed by the NFNPA and is available via the New Forest Knowledge website:-
This hand written diary from 1914 detailing events relating to convalescent Belgian soldiers during the First World War has recently been digitised and transcribed by the NFNPA and is available via the New Forest Knowledge website:-
15th May 2021 - Ceremony commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the British Legion
(Click on image for larger view)
The Dig Burley final report has just been published
see: burleyhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/final-report-2021.html
180 degree panoramic view from Castle Hill Hillfort looking West - April 2021
John Kershaw Craig - The first vicar of Burley Church
A fascinating online article has recently been published about the life of John Kershaw Craig who was appointed as the first vicar of St. John the Baptist Church in 1839, and who served until his retirement in 1886. The second half of the article describes the extraordinary lengthy litigation brought by the then owner of Burley Manor, George Rooke Farnall, against John Craig regarding "immorality". Click on link: newwoodlesford.xyz/churches-and-chapels/rev-john-kershaw-craig/ |
Philatelic display on the History of the Burley Postal Service - (see link above in header, under more)
We would be extremely interested to see any examples of early items posted to or from Burley (particularly pre 1900), they are very hard to find!
What was once hidden in the garage opposite
The Queen's Head?
see: burleyhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/historic-car.html
100 years ago - Kelly's Directory entry for Burley in 1920
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Burley in lockdown - COVID-19 March 2020 - ??
History in the making. Please email any photographs you would like to share
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Burley Village (Parish) Population:
1789 said to have been 353
1901 Census - 755
2001 Census - Total 1350 (Male 602, Female 748) Households 595
2011 Census - 1384 Density of 0.3 persons per hectare (England: 4.1 persons per hectare)
2015 (Hampshire CC estimate) - 1405
1789 said to have been 353
1901 Census - 755
2001 Census - Total 1350 (Male 602, Female 748) Households 595
2011 Census - 1384 Density of 0.3 persons per hectare (England: 4.1 persons per hectare)
2015 (Hampshire CC estimate) - 1405
What are the two cars in the black and white photograph, on the left registration C6607 and on the right AA1507?
The C registration is from the West Riding of Yorkshire and the series 1 to 9999 was issued between January 1904 to 1912, AA was issued in Hampshire between December 1903 to October 1917.
The C registration is from the West Riding of Yorkshire and the series 1 to 9999 was issued between January 1904 to 1912, AA was issued in Hampshire between December 1903 to October 1917.