THE OLD HUT

Take a walk up the Old Blandford Road, opposite the church, and pass by the two large lime trees to your right and you will find the site of THE OLD HUT, marked with a stone with a small framed notice detailing the history of the site.

This marker indicates the site of the Old Comrades Hut, an ex Army hut purchased at a government sale at Hurdcott for £50 in March 1920 and erected in 1921as a meeting place for "Comrades of the Great War". It was erected by John Wort for £110 and was formally opened by Lady Radnor on 10th December 1921. It was the used as the village hall and become the social centre of the two villages, being used extensively by various organisations. It was handed over to the care of three trustees in 1922 - Colonel Rickman (The Old House); Tom Kimber, farmer, (Thatch House) and Beatrice Cure (Little Orchard). Use of the hall was forbidden for political or religious purposes. As the social centre for the parish of Coombe Bissett with Homington, users included The Parish Council, the Women's Institute, whist drives, dances during the war entertaining the Royal Artillery from the "Parks" and the Americans from Grimsdyke, by the Home Guard during the war, a canteen for evacuees, wedding receptions, a youth club run by George Finniss from 1965 until its closure in 1972, and plays and Christmas pantomimes by the Women's Institute both before and after the war.  It was extended by Walt Mussell sometime in the 1940s to the eastern end to accommodate a stage area for pantomimes and plays, and to provide an additional access/egress in case of fire. To commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the two lime trees were planted in 1938 on the site. It became redundant in 1971 with the completion of the new village hall and was dismantled in 1972 and re-erected at Manor farm, Stratford Tony, by Victor Duffet.
This was researched by Westley Cole who was instrumental in clearing this site and erecting the stone. (2013)

The Old Comrades Hut has been illustrated by a number of local artists over the years (above and below).