| Batcombe | |
Batcombe parish church of St Mary |
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Batcombe
Batcombe shown within Dorset |
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| Population | 104 [1] |
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| OS grid reference | ST617038 |
| Parish | Batcombe |
| District | West Dorset |
| Shire county | Dorset |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DORCHESTER |
| Postcode district | DT2 |
| Dialling code | 01305 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | West Dorset |
| Website | http://www.batcombe.co.uk/ |
| List of places: UK • England • Dorset | |
Batcombe is a small straggling village in the West Dorset district of Dorset, England; situated 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Dorchester under the northern slope of the Dorset Downs. The local travel links are located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the village to Chetnole railway station and 31 miles (50 km) to Bournemouth International Airport. The main road running through the village is Stile Way. The village has a population of 104 according to the 2001 Census.
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The church of St Mary Magdelene is on an ancient site. There has probably been a church there from the 11th century. The church consists of a nave and chancel with a 15th century tower. The interior contains an elaborate stone screen of Ham Hill stone and an interesting font consisting of a Norman column of Ham Hill stone topped with a cuboid limestone basin (probably Portesham stone) which is probably earlier in date.[2]
The church is the subject of one of Dorset's more curious tales. It is said that at one time, the local squire, who was known as 'Conjuring Minterne', rode his horse off Batcombe Hill and knocked off one of the pinnacles on the tower. [3] He dabbled in magic and was regarded with a great deal of fear and superstition locally. After setting off to ride over steep Batcombe Hill one day, he suddenly remembered he had left his magic book open on the table, where his servants might find it. To save going back by the road, he turned his horse round and spurred it to attempt a massive leap over the church, knocking off the pinnacle as he soared clear over the tower. The fearful villagers were afraid that they might offend the devil by repairing the damage, so for a hundred years they left it alone. When it was repaired, they repaired it at a crooked angle. It is said that Minterne vowed that he would be buried neither in nor out of the church, so he was buried half in and half out of the Minterne Chapel. Much of the church was rebuilt by John Hicks in 1864, which resulted in the loss of the Minterne chapel. The memorial tablets were repositioned on the north side of the tower. [4]
A "conjurer" used to be an important character in a Dorset village, and was generally of good reputation. He was supposed to be gifted with supernatural power, which he exercised for good. By his incantations and ceremonies he cured many sicknesses. A Wessex dealer in magic and spells is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s story “The Withered Arm”. [5]
Above the village rises Batcombe Down, at the top of which is a stone pillar known as The Cross-in-Hand. The pillar was used to dramatic effect in Thomas Hardy’s novel, Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It is said that some who see the Cross can view a ghostly hand grasping a bowl at the top of the pillar. [6]
The Minterne family was for a long time the Lords of the Manor and Newlands Farm was the Manor House between the 16th and 18th centuries. [7]
The front roadside wall of the farmhouse (right) is, with its ashlar hamstone archway dating from 1622. [8]