Monument record MDO8831 - Gibbet Firs, East Parley Common, Hurn

Extract from an article thought to be from the Bournemouth Daily Echo of 7 July 1953 on the history of West Parley by Col Charles Drew, curator of the Dorset County Museum: 'The Gibbet stood, 150 years ago (1803), at Gibbet Fires (Gibbet Firs on OS 6") and is believed to be the last one of its kind used in S England. It became a rendezvous for picnic parties, whereupon the owner of the land, in disgust, had the Gibbet broken up, giving a part of it to the Rector of West Parley. This portion is now used as the stand for a sundial located in West Parley Churchyard.' <1>

The Gibbet stood, 150 years ago (AD 1803), at Gibbet Fires (Gibbet Firs on OS 6") and is believed to be the last one of its king used in S England. It became a rendezvous for picnic parties, whereupon the owner of the land, in disgust, had the Gibbett broken up, giving a part of it to the Rector of West Parley. This portion is now used as the stand of a sun-dial located in West Parley churchyard. (Area centred SZ 08679683 - see SZ 09 NE 56). <2>

There is now no trace to be seen on the site of this gibbet. <3>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1910 (Map). SWX1540.

(SZ 09739962) Gibbet (Site of)

<2> Bournemouth Daily Echo, 7.7.53 (Serial). SDO16819.

<2.1> Drew, Lt Col C D, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments: (Lt Col C D Drew. Curator, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester) (Verbal communication). SWX2099.

<3> Woodhouse, W C, Various, Field Investigators Comments WCW, F1 WCW 09-JUL-1954 (Unpublished document). SWX3798.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SZ 09 NE 1 (Index). SDO131.

(SZ 09739962) Gibbet (Site of) (1)

The Gibbet stood, 150 years ago (AD 1803), at Gibbet Fires (Gibbet Firs on OS 6") and is believed to be the last one of its king used in S England. It became a rendezvous for picnic parties, whereupon the owner of the land, in disgust, had the Gibbett broken up, giving a part of it to the Rector of West
Parley. This portion is now used as the stand of a sun-dial located in West Parley churchyard. (Area centred SZ 08679683 - see SZ 09 NE 56). (2)

There is now no trace to be seen on the site of this gibbet. (3)

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457687 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 14 2022 3:13PM