During his time as Rector of Fontmell Magna the Rev. Charles Pigott Edmonds held annual tea parties for the villagers and their children in the Rectory Garden, but on the 28^th August 1922 an additional celebratory party was held for the elders of the village who were 80 years of age or more, and he hired a professional photographer to record the event.

The Rectory in Parsonage Street was built in 1871 and was used by the clergy until 1954 when it was sold and renamed Fontmell House. A new, smaller Rectory was built in Mill Street and occupied by the rector until the parishes of Fontmell Magna, Iwerne Minster, Sutton Waldron and Shroton were merged when the Rectory moved to Iwerne Minster.

 

Western Gazette 5th September 1922 – Unique party at the Rectory.

A rather unique party was held at Fontmell Magna Rectory on Thursday last week. Past and present parishioners who were over the age of 80 were invited. Sir Richard Glyn very kindly arranged to have those present photographed, and the Rector and Mrs Edwards entertained them to tea. Fourteen whose ages ranged from 80 to 99 were able to accept the invitation and were fetched by motor from their homes. Many who had not seen each other for years were delighted to renew acquaintance and talk over old friends and old times.

The oldest of the visitors will be 100 in a short time, whilst another has also reached 99, and gaily set out to walk the three-quarters of a mile home when the gathering dispersed. Two groups were ‘Taken’ by Mr Bealing, photographer, Shaftesbury. Of these, one photograph was of the fourteen, and the other of those over 90. In the second group there were no less than six. Sir R. Glyn, who motored over from Wimborne, made a short speech to the assembled guests after tea, and remarked that he felt sure that if a stranger came in, and was asked to guess their ages, he would make a mistake of 20 to 30 years.

In a picture taken in the garden adjacent the front door of the Rectory, here’s the photograph of the 14 who were able to make it to the party, with their respective ages in brackets.

Harriett Nottle was born in 1830. She was born in Shaftesbury but, in the 1921 census, was a 90-year-old widow living in Fontmell with her widowed daughter and grandson (Ernest Edward Miles).

Elizabeth Bastable (Nee Cox), widow aged 91. She married Daniel Bastable at Manston in 1856. Daniel, a retired Blacksmith, had died in 1914 and, in 1921, Elizabeth lived with Amelia Moore (Below) at West Orchard. She was born in Hampshire

Elizabeth Andrews (Nee Jeans) aged 85, lived at Pitt’s Cottage, widow of Charles, a mason originally from Stour Provost. They were married in Fontmell in 1862. Charles died in 1906 and is buried in Fontmell churchyard.

Amelia Moore (Nee Pike) aged 87. She married Philip Moore, an Agricultural Labourer of West Orchard in 1857, and was widowed in 1902. She now lived in West Orchard with Elizabeth Bastable (See above).

The guests obviously regarded the party as a special occasion as their best headwear was brought out and worn. At the time of the party there were approximately 460 villagers in Fontmell Magna of whom the 13 of the 14 pictured above were 80 years of age or more, whereas in 1891 out of a population of 637 only 12 were 80 years of age or more, and coincidentally one of those was a gamekeeper named John Lush, a testimony to the outdoor life perhaps.

The Western Gazette it seems, was always ready to interview those who made it to the age of 100 and beyond, which was not such a common achievement in those days but, as a result, when two of the tea party reached that great age, a reporter was sent to their homes. The two were Leah Still and Joe Ryall and what follows, are transcripts of their interviews.

Joe Ryall.

Western Gazette 7^th September 1923 – Sutton Waldron man’s record – Hale & Harty – Weekly visits to Iwerne Minsterto draw his pension.

In a picturesque little cottage situated just off the main Shaftesbury to Blandford Road, in the village of Sutton Waldron, lives Mr Joseph Sharp Ryall, a hale & hearty man, who is looking forward with pride & pleasure to his 100^th birthday, which occurs tomorrow.
A representative of the Western Gazette paid an unexpected visit and, in response to a knock at the door, Mr Ryall himself answered and invited the representative in.
It was hardly possible to realise that this active old man was within a day or two of 100.
In spite of an attack of rheumatism, he walked about the room without difficulty. He would easily pass for a man 20 years younger, while his breezy, cheery spirit and hearty laughter showed that, to him at any rate, there was joy in living, although he had long passed the allotted span.

Mr Ryall was born in Fontmell, the youngest of a family of 10. One sister lived to the age of 81. He lived all his life in the area. He worked from an early age until advanced old age. He was always associated with horses and for most of his working life he was a Miller’s carter. His journeys often commenced at 2am., and took him over a wide radius to Sherborne, Wincanton, Stalbridge, etc. He worked hard, carrying sacks of grain & flour up flights of stairs. He said, “They don’t know anything about it these days, they only carry what I call half bags now”.

He is slightly deaf, but his sight is good, and he has an excellent memory. He well remembers all the chief events of history and has a very keen recollection of the “Hungry forties”, and of the time when bread was a shilling a loaf.

Since retirement he has maintained a well-kept garden. Even up to last year, he planted some potatoes, trimmed the hedge and picked some apples. He attends church regularly. Every Friday he takes the motorbus to Iwerne to draw his old age pension. Last year, he was one of a group of 7 people over the age of 90 living locally, who were photographed. A similar group of over 80’s contained 13 people. The King has been informed of his birthday.

 

Western Gazette-14/09/1923 – 100 Not Out.
Sutton Waldron’s G.O.M. (Grand old man?) – Seven birthday cakes.

Joseph Ryall of Sutton Waldron was nearly overwhelmed by the letters, post cards and telegrams of congratulation, and the many visitors who called to offer hearty good wishes. A particularly pleasing recognition of the occasion, which greatly touched the old man and his family members, was shown by the bell ringers of Fontmell and Iwerne, who rang peals during the day.

He was surrounded by all his immediate family, except for a nephew, a sailor, absent on the water. The company included two sons, (eldest about 65), two daughters, two nieces and a great grandchild.

On his return on the weekly motorbus to Iwerne, the passengers spontaneously gave the old gentlemen a hearty cheer at his gate. He received messages of congratulation from Mr & Mrs James H. Ismay of Iwerne.

In the morning, he enjoyed a motorcar ride to Shillingstone, where he met some of his relatives at the railway station. Many villagers came and offered congratulations, and he heartily shook the hands of one and all. One parishioner hoisted a large flag.

Seven birthday cakes were among gifts received. Among those who sent gifts were the Ismays and Mrs Vernon Carter of Kensington West (with whose family one of his daughters had been, and still is, in service for 36 years). Others included the Misses Horder.

A representative of the Western Gazette called again at an early hour on Monday. Seated in his easy chair by the fire, the old gentlemen was a picture of happiness and contentment. He has no definite opinions on the best method of attaining long life. One sister reached 91 and a brother 85, but he did not know why he should be one of a few to reach 100. He agreed that hard work and hard living did not kill, or he would have been dead many years ago.

The most striking reform during his life, that he noticed, has been in methods of travelling. In his younger days, travelling by train was unknown. Journeys were only possible on the highways and the character of the road was vastly different from that of present day. Roads were rough and narrow and at places almost impassable, while delays caused by the turnpike system were innumerable. The longest journey he made was to Kent, where he was sent with a waggon and 3 horses to fetch hops. He made the journey in 3 days and only slept while the horses were resting.

The old gentleman hopes he will be spared for a few years yet and, if vitality and cheerfulness counts for anything, the prospects are good.

 

Western Gazette-21/09/1923. – Sutton Waldron Man’s record.
Royal Congratulations.

Mr Joseph Ryall, who celebrated his 100^th birthday last week, has received a letter from the King’s private secretary, addressed from Balmoral Castle, as follows: –

Dear Sir – It has been brought to the notice of the King, that on Saturday last, the 8^th instant, you celebrated your hundredth birthday, and I have received His Majesty’s command to offer you his congratulations on having attained this great age. The King trusts that you are in good health, and that the remainder of your life will be blessed with happiness and prosperity. – Yours very faithfully, STAMFORDHAM.

Mr Ryall continues to receive congratulations from personal callers, and by post. One visitor from as far away as Lancashire called upon him recently. He was also greatly pleased to receive a letter from a son of Canon Glyn, a former Rector of Fontmell Magna.

Leah Still.

Western Gazette December 3^rd December 1924.
Interesting interview.

In the centre of the pretty little Dorsetshire village of Fontmell Magna there resides in a small, thatched cottage a venerable old lady, who celebrated her 102^nd birthday last week.

She is Mrs Leah Still, a widow, who resides alone in her humble dwelling. As can only be expected, she is extremely feeble, and able to do very little in the way of household work, but her simple requirements are looked after by a neighbour who lives in the adjoining house, which is under the same roof.

A representative of the Western Gazette called at the house this week. The old lady answered the door and gave her visitor a cordial invitation to enter. From the conversation that ensued, it appeared that the old lady’s sight has failed, and her hearing is much impaired, but otherwise her physical faculties are good. Her great regret seemed to be that her memory is very bad and, in reply to a number of questions as to her earlier life, she had to confess that she could not remember. She was born at the neighbouring hamlet of Twyford and has resided in the locality during the whole of her life. In her earlier years she worked on the farm, and amongst other duties had taken her place in the hay and harvest field and had reaped the corn. She had seen very little travel, and the farthest journey she has made from her home has been to Southampton. She added that she had visited Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Blandford a few times, but had never been to Sturminster Newton. She had no family, and her husband died many years ago. She remembers the introduction of the railway in this part of the country.

 

Author: Dave Hardiman

(This article is based on one first produced by Maurice Bullen in 2004 but now updated by Dave Hardiman in 2025.)