The Stour of the South West

THE STOUR OF THE SOUTH WEST

Click here for more information on the River Stour

There are many rivers STOUR in England - it is likely that their name is very old. Eckwall (English River Names Oxford University Press 1928) suggests derivation from the Celtic meaning ‘strong or powerful one’.

The longest River Stour flows through Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset from springs and streams in all three counties, but with a definitive starting point claimed by Stourhead and with a large part of its catchment edged by chalk hills containing the Blackmore Vale where the river pushes its way through the clay giving it a capacity to rise, rage and flood within a few hours, which certainly qualifies the river as strong and powerful.

The tributaries of the Stour include the Shreen Water, the Cale, the Lodden, the Lydden, Bow Brook, Caundle Brook, the Divelish, Darknoll, Chivrick’s Brook, Key Brook, Fontmell Brook, the Iwerne, North Winterborne, Pimperne Stream, the Tarrant, the Gussage, the Allen, Uddens Water, Mannington Brook, the Crane: each has its own personality springing from nature but much modified by several millennia of cultural activities from farming to milling, from engineering to gardening. Every stream and reach of river is not simply different from anywhere else, each means something to the people who know it through work and pleasure. Their understanding of the workings, histories and wild life of the parts of the river add up to Local Distinctiveness - the very identity of the place.

St Peter’s Pump, Six Wells Bottom, Stourhead, Wiltshire.
One of the original and grandest sources of the River Stour (or of any river in Britain). Despite its name, water only rises to the surface in this valley when it is very wet. Owing to increased abstraction from boreholes the water table has moved downhill, but the ‘six wells’ have proved a steady underground source of water for the lakes fashioned by Henry Flitcroft as the centrepieces of the magnificent Stourhead Gardens now owned, as is Six Wells Bottom, by the National Trust.
The monument was created by Sir Henry Hoare. Its top is a medieval market cross originally erected in Bristol in 1474 and rebuilt as St Peter’s Pump at Six Wells Bottom in 1768.

New Lake or Casper Lake, Casper, Wilts
This is one of the medieval fishponds which were transformed into more formal lakes. This one, extended in the 19th Century, was remade yet again after its dam was destroyed as the result of a huge storm in 1917. The resulting wall of water devastated the munitions factory at Bourton Foundry
- Mills Bomb cases were found as far downstream as Blandford.

The Shreen Water, Mere, Wilts.
Mere lies on a geological fault juxtaposing chalk with clay which gives rise to many springs and clear streams. Unfortunately the source of the Shreen Water has been cut off by the embankments and works around the new A303 trunk road. The stream is a great asset to this town once full of mills, it still proudly flows under little footbridges which link the footpath and the houses by its side. Increased abstraction has led to the drying up of springs and low-flows of the clear stream in the summer.

Shadwell, Wincanton.
This attractive old well can be found in a shallow ‘cave’ close to the River Cale. It is a salutary reminder that the provision of water, until quite recently, required hard work from each household. This was one of the easier sources, the water emanating from a tap, rather than requiring pumping or lifting from a deep well, but the names Shad or Shatterwell, suggests the water was not always pure.

Bubbling Springs at Springhead, Fontmell Magna, Dorset.
Springhead lies at the point where Longcombe Bottom and Littlecombe Bottom meet. Several springs rise here and the beautiful, clear water becomes the Fontmell Brook flowing west to meet the River Stour at Hammoon 3½ miles away. "Funta" is the Old English form of the Latin word for a spring, stream or brook (fountain also derives from the same word).
Remains from the Mesolithic period have been found here and seeing the springs bubbling up through the soft sand bottom is a magical sight which is as thrilling now as it must have been to people 6,000 years ago. But how many people today have seen a spring?

The Ford at Tarrant Monkton.
Settlements most often occurred where water could be found and where rivers could be forded or bridged. Fords are the most frequently used topographical term in English place names relating to rivers - this is ironic since there are few fords left. This watersplash is on the River Tarrant at Tarrant Monkton. It is a great attraction to youngsters on bicycles - and motorised grown ups too.

Floods above Wimborne St Giles.
Is the road in the river or the river in the road? Near its source the
River Allen often ‘trespasses’ on to the road - probably because the road
was built over the (mainly dry) river bed (it’s neighbour name - the
Tarrant - means ‘trespasser’).

Remnant watermeadow near Wimborne St Giles.
Watermeadows were invented to control the flooding (drowning) of riparian fields in winter, enriching the soil, keeping the earth warm and encouraging an early growth of grass for the sheep to graze in spring. This system was widespread along the chalk streams. Unfortunately few remain as they are expensive in labour and care of the sluices, carriers and drains. But the habitat created is also beneficial to wild life, especially wading birds, grass snakes and as nurseries for young trout. If we believed in the unmeasurable qualities of life beyond simple cost-benefit analysis, watermeadows would be restored and extended as archaeological features and for wild life as well for sustainable agriculture.

Canoeing at Sturminster Mill.
The Mill at Sturminster Newton is a favourite place for launching canoes. Here and elswhere, mill pools attract anglers, swimmers, walkers, birdwatchers and occasional millers too. Sturminster Mill draws visitors to the working days when the whole building throbs to the sound of water and the stone grinding of corn.

Winter floods at Hammoon.
In the Blackmore Vale the Stour oscillates naturally between regimes of low flow and flash flooding, rapidly echoing the rainfall since the clay bottom of the valley forces run off rather than percolation. This is why (and how) it invented a floodplain. All of the early settlements were built out of reach of the inundations, but we seem to think that we are above this sort of thing. Developments on the floodplain will always bring repercussions, up or down stream and in the place itself, sooner or later.

Looking from Blandford Bridge to Bryanston Woods.
A tranquil spot which provides a stronghold for the Greater Horseshoe Bat and a place to which otters are returning now that run off of pesticides from fields are diminishing and habitats are being restored up and down the river.

Crawford Bridge, Spetisbury.
One of the most beautiful bridges on the River Stour. Made of Purbeck stone, it was first recorded in a charter of Henry III. The upstream side and cut-waters are medieval, the downside was widened in 1819.

Footbridge at Throop Mill.
Increasingly popular with anglers and walkers, this complex of mill hardware forms part of the 40k, Stour Valley Way which runs from Christchurch to Spetisbury and which is being extended upstream.

Throop Mill.
This is one of the hundred or so mills that were once on the River Stour. Few still operate: Cann Mill below Shaftesbury stone grinds corn commercially, Sturminster Mill can still operate and like the National Trust restored White Mill which can’t, attracts many visitors. They are magnificent buildings in their own right and should be conserved.

Fishing at Mudeford.
The attraction of water – thousands of people are drawn to the estuary of the Stour every year, to sail, to fish, to swim, to idle away the hours, as well as to work. The Stour joins the Avon at Christchurch, together they flow through the harbour and the Bay, and rush through the Run at Mudeford to the sea overlooked Hengisbury Head – the Iron Age peninsula fort.

HOLD POINTER OVER IMAGE FOR CAPTION INFORMATION AND CLICK TO ENLARGE

For information about Common Ground's project encouraging local people to join in making music for the River Stour click here for a link to their web site: www.commonground.org.uk

St Peter’s Pump, Six Wells Bottom, Stourhead, Wiltshire. One of the original and grandest sources of the River Stour (or of any river in Britain). Despite its name, water only rises to the surface in this valley when it is very wet. Owing to increased abstraction from boreholes the water table has moved downhill, but the ‘six wells’ have proved a steady underground source of water for the lakes fashioned by Henry Flitcroft as the centrepieces of the magnificent Stourhead Gardens now owned, as is Six Wells Bottom, by the National Trust. The monument was created by Sir Henry Hoare. Its top is a medieval market cross originally erected in Bristol in 1474 and rebuilt as St Peter’s Pump at Six Wells Bottom in 1768.
New Lake or Casper Lake, Casper, Wilts This is one of the medieval fishponds which were transformed into more formal lakes. This one, extended in the 19th Century, was remade yet again after its dam was destroyed as the result of a huge storm in 1917. The resulting wall of water devastated the munitions factory at Bourton Foundry - Mills Bomb cases were found as far downstream as Blandford.
The Shreen Water, Mere, Wilts. Mere lies on a geological fault juxtaposing chalk with clay which gives rise to many springs and clear streams. Unfortunately the source of the Shreen Water has been cut off by the embankments and works around the new A303 trunk road. The stream is a great asset to this town once full of mills, it still proudly flows under little footbridges which link the footpath and the houses by its side. Increased abstraction has led to the drying up of springs and low-flows of the clear stream in the summer.
Shadwell, Wincanton. This attractive old well can be found in a shallow ‘cave’ close to the River Cale. It is a salutary reminder that the provision of water, until quite recently, required hard work from each household. This was one of the easier sources, the water emanating from a tap, rather than requiring pumping or lifting from a deep well, but the names Shad or Shatterwell, suggests the water was not always pure.
Bubbling Springs at Springhead, Fontmell Magna, Dorset. Springhead lies at the point where Longcombe Bottom and Littlecombe Bottom meet. Several springs rise here and the beautiful, clear water becomes the Fontmell Brook flowing west to meet the River Stour at Hammoon 3½ miles away. "Funta" is the Old English form of the Latin word for a spring, stream or brook (fountain also derives from the same word). Remains from the Mesolithic period have been found here and seeing the springs bubbling up through the soft sand bottom is a magical sight which is as thrilling now as it must have been to people 6,000 years ago. But how many people today have seen a spring?
The Ford at Tarrant Monkton. Settlements most often occurred where water could be found and where rivers could be forded or bridged. Fords are the most frequently used topographical term in English place names relating to rivers - this is ironic since there are few fords left. This watersplash is on the River Tarrant at Tarrant Monkton. It is a great attraction to youngsters on bicycles - and motorised grown ups too.
Floods above Wimborne St Giles. Is the road in the river or the river in the road? Near its source the River Allen often ‘trespasses’ on to the road - probably because the road was built over the (mainly dry) river bed (it’s neighbour name - the Tarrant - means ‘trespasser’).
Remnant watermeadow near Wimborne St Giles. Watermeadows were invented to control the flooding (drowning) of riparian fields in winter, enriching the soil, keeping the earth warm and encouraging an early growth of grass for the sheep to graze in spring. This system was widespread along the chalk streams. Unfortunately few remain as they are expensive in labour and care of the sluices, carriers and drains. But the habitat created is also beneficial to wild life, especially wading birds, grass snakes and as nurseries for young trout. If we believed in the unmeasurable qualities of life beyond simple cost-benefit analysis, watermeadows would be restored and extended as archaeological features and for wild life as well for sustainable agriculture.
Canoeing at Sturminster Mill. The Mill at Sturminster Newton is a favourite place for launching canoes. Here and elswhere, mill pools attract anglers, swimmers, walkers, birdwatchers and occasional millers too. Sturminster Mill draws visitors to the working days when the whole building throbs to the sound of water and the stone grinding of corn.
Winter floods at Hammoon. In the Blackmore Vale the Stour oscillates naturally between regimes of low flow and flash flooding, rapidly echoing the rainfall since the clay bottom of the valley forces run off rather than percolation. This is why (and how) it invented a floodplain. All of the early settlements were built out of reach of the inundations, but we seem to think that we are above this sort of thing. Developments on the floodplain will always bring repercussions, up or down stream and in the place itself, sooner or later.
Looking from Blandford Bridge to Bryanston Woods. A tranquil spot which provides a stronghold for the Greater Horseshoe Bat and a place to which otters are returning now that run off of pesticides from fields are diminishing and habitats are being restored up and down the river.
Crawford Bridge, Spetisbury. One of the most beautiful bridges on the River Stour. Made of Purbeck stone, it was first recorded in a charter of Henry III. The upstream side and cut-waters are medieval, the downside was widened in 1819.
Footbridge at Throop Mill. Increasingly popular with anglers and walkers, this complex of mill hardware forms part of the 40k, Stour Valley Way which runs from Christchurch to Spetisbury and which is being extended upstream.
Throop Mill. This is one of the hundred or so mills that were once on the River Stour. Few still operate: Cann Mill below Shaftesbury stone grinds corn commercially, Sturminster Mill can still operate and like the National Trust restored White Mill which can’t, attracts many visitors. They are magnificent buildings in their own right and should be conserved.
Fishing at Mudeford. The attraction of water – thousands of people are drawn to the estuary of the Stour every year, to sail, to fish, to swim, to idle away the hours, as well as to work. The Stour joins the Avon at Christchurch, together they flow through the harbour and the Bay, and rush through the Run at Mudeford to the sea overlooked Hengisbury Head – the Iron Age peninsula fort.