This month Barry Cuff has chosen a couple of postcards of Hinton Martell. Lying four miles north of Wimborne, it is curiously the only Dorset village with a Mediterranean-style fountain at its centre, which was inaugurated by Anne Sidney of Poole – who was crowned Miss World 1964.
Sent in 1910 to Mrs Moberly, in Upper Norwood, in the Crystal Palace area of London:
‘I thought you would like to know I am here. I found my friend 2 months ago. It is so pretty here, better than card. I should like a line from you. I hope you are all well, much love Beca Hinton Martell nr Wimborne Dorset’
n the image, the grocer’s horses have paused for a lunch snack at Hinton Martell Post Office and Shop – the 1855 Kelly’s Directory for Ringwood lists a ‘Kingsbury, John Biles & Sons, grocers, cheese factors, tallow chandlers & provision merchants, High Street’. By the 1911 directory they have become ‘Kingsbury & Co. wholesale grocers’, and have moved address to Friday’s Cross.
The card was sent in 1916 to Miss D Batchelor, to a four storey London townhouse in the Camberwell area:
‘Dear Dolly. What do you think of the other side – I think the house is lovely. I will write a letter after Aunt Mag is gone. We have had nice weather so far, a bit showery today. P & M & children are going to Bth tmorrow. Have written to ask Amy to meet them at Parkstone [sta]tion to go down with them. I hope [it] will be a nice day – I hope Willie is all right & not much trouble. Lots of love from all to all. From Auntie
(we had Mrs Dynott & went for a drive yesterday afternoon.)
