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Archiver > WESSEX-PLUS > 2000-01 > 0948921395


From: Paul Benyon <>
Subject: Re: Question - HASELBURY PLUCKNETT
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 21:16:35 +0000


>G'day all,
>
>In my research of the PRINCE family of Haselbury, I have found
>reference to 'PIDDLETOWN' in the 1881 census. On a map (about 1900) of
>the Haselbury area, I see the name 'PUDDLETOWN'. Can someone tell me
>which is the correct spelling of this location, please?
>
>Cheers from DownUnder,

Hi Dave

It was called Piddletown from the River Piddle and there was talk of
Queen Victoria visiting the area and it was renamed Puddletown to
spare here sensibilities <G>

>From recent correspondence on the Dorset list on this subject it would
appear that both names were probably in use until the 1950s when the
Dorset County Council (the local government authority for the area)
decided that the name should be standardised.

In summary, it would appear that both spellings are correct until the
1950s.

Note that you will still find Piddlehinton and Piddletrenthide along
the valley unchanged.

Paul
Portland

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