Talk:Blandford Forum

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[edit] Forum?

Where does the "forum" part come from in the name? — Matt Crypto 23:02, 9 May 2005 (UTC)

From Mills, A.D., Dorset Place Names (Ensign, Southampton, 1986):

Blaneford 1086 (Donesday Book), Blaneford Forum 1297, Blanford Forum 1340, Blandford Forum 1506. Possibly 'ford where blay or gudgeon are found', from Old English blage and ford. Blay and gudgeon are small fresh-water fish. The Latin addition forum means 'market', alluding to the early importance of Blandford as a market town. In medieval times an alternative name for Blandford was Cheping Blaneford (1288), from Old English ceping also meaning 'market'.

Joe D (t) 23:17, 9 May 2005 (UTC)

Crikey, that was quick! Thanks muchly for the info — it's been bugging me since I visited Blandford Camp earlier today (although I didn't get to Blandford Forum itself). — Matt Crypto 00:00, 10 May 2005 (UTC)

[edit] surname?

My surname is Blandford, and I once heard that after the great fire the surviving orphans whose family could not be located were renamed Blandford after the town...true or false??

[edit] James Hussey

The mention of James Hussey should be left out of this article as a google search of the words; James Hussey blandford, returned no significant mention of any famous "blandfordian" named James Hussey.