A small collection regarding Askerswell Village has recently been donated to Dorset History Centre. The collection was compiled by Askerswell resident Martin Evans and shows a great insight into the village life throughout the twentieth century.
In 1993, Evans created the Focus 1893 exhibition – an exhibition that looked back at the last 100 years of the village. This included conducting oral history interviews, a house history questionnaire, and collating historical photographs to display.
There are photos of farm houses, families and cottages, such as this one of Eggardon House, including aerial photos and showing its transformation through time.
Evans created his own film of the video interviews called Askerswell Memories or A Rural Revolution?, which has been digitised and is available to view in our searchroom, with residents sharing recollections of growing up in Askerswell.
Also donated was the Askerswell Pictorial History compiled by Martin Evans. There are many photographs and newspaper cuttings regarding Askerswell, including photographs of schools, houses, and residents.
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There are also photographs of notable events in the village. This wedding photo from 1924 includes information about local proprietors of the Spyway Inn pub and included this small wedding favour in an envelope.
These album pages were originally housed in photograph albums with metal ringbinders, and the pages have been removed to preserve the photographs and prevent rust.
Further conservation may also be needed to remove the photographs from the album pages. Archival materials are best stored on acid-free paper as existing acid in most paper can stain or impact photographic material.
If you’re interested in this collection, it is available to look at in our searchroom. Please get in touch to make your appointment: archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.