Our winter talks programme got off to a resounding start in September with an absorbing and entertaining talk ‘The Manor Houses of Dorset’ by authors Una Russell and Audrey Grindrod who regaled a packed hall with tales of murder, mystery, ghosts, love and intrigue as they unveiled the rich history of our manor houses. Equally, they recounted the stories of those who had achieved greatness in areas as diverse as archaeology, philanthropy, the military and government.

In Dorset, we are fortunate in that many of these fine houses are still in private hands, some in the stewardship of families who have lived in them for centuries and others benefiting from a generation of newer owners committed to restoring them to their former glory.

Authors Una Russell (left) and Audrey Grindrod (right) with Jeremy Worth (Chairman)

Article and photo by Gordon Simmonds