IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
High Street, GILLINGHAM, SP8 4AW

Shop at 18 High Street selling vintage items (toys, furniture etc).

The sign depicts the fabulous bird which every few hundred years or so set fire to itself and emerge from the ashes to begin a new life. In some instances the pub names refers heraldically to the Seymours, Dukes of Somerset. At one time there were phoenix-men in London, in the employ of the Phoenix Insurance company - they seem to have been an early kind of fireman. For a wider view of the inn Image

This massive 18 foot high monument in St Catherine's Chapel is to Frances Dirdoe and two of her sisters, represented here as the "Three Graces", who in Greek mythology personified grace, beauty, and charm. Frances who died first (although after all of her five brothers) was the eldest of ten daughters of Sir Henry and Dorothy Dirdoe of Mansion House, Milton-on-Stour http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2416639. She died in 1733 in her 34th year.

This memorial is to Sir Henry Dirdoe and his wife Dorothy. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Here lies what is left of Henry Dirdoe, esquire, the last male descendant of his family, highly respected and long resident in this parish; who took in marriage, Dorothy, the only daughter and heiress of Roger White, a rich merchant and gentleman of Sherborne in this county and by her he begat five sons, Henry, John, Christopher, James and Edward, the last died in infancy, the rest, apart from John, all bachelors, died before their father without offspring and are buried near him except John whose remains the City of London received; and ten daughters, Dorothy, Sarah, Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, Catherine, Rebecca, Jane, Rachel and Frances who suvived him. Departed this life on the 18th May, 1724. Aged 77. Then his wife succumbed to fate on Oct. 21st 1727, aged 70, and is also buried here. This memorial tablet was erected by their daughters Mary and Catherine who their mother had appointed executors of her will.'

This mid 18th century house is now offices. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1305090

Chinese cuisine takeaway at 16 High Street.

Good Beer Guide-listed pub at the end of High Street; a former coaching inn. Internally, two areas; drinking and eating in the bar, eating to the right. Games machines and background music. Cask ales on offer at my visit: Exmoor Gold, Sharp's Doom Bar. The building is listed by Historic England (Grade II): http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=102962&mode=adv

A church has existed on the present site since before the Norman Conquest and in Medieval times the parish of Gillingham became one of the largest in Dorset, covering an area of 15,000 acres.

The flush bracket is to be found on the south of the porch. For a view of the church Image and for further information on the flush bracket and others in the area http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm279

Apart from the 14th-century chancel, the majority of this building dates from the early 1800s.