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September 2022 September 2022

BERE REGIS WI

I am sitting at home in the sweltering heat writing
this column on behalf of the Bere Regis WI and
wishing that I was sitting on the beach at
Brownsea Island with my feet in the cold water of
Poole Harbour which I understand is quite
shallow.
I presume that everybody who reads the Parish Magazine has been to the Island
but the WI had a very interesting talk recently by Dave Evans (with slides) who is a
Volunteer with the National Trust on the Island. There is usually a Volunteer on the
Island who will take you around and explain the history and point out the
highlights which include the Red Squirrels and the Deer. There is a myth regarding
the Red Squirrels. The Grey squirrels have not "outed" them - it is a fact that they
are much shyer than the grey so are not so easy to see! There is also a great
variety of birds to see too.
The Island has an amazing history dating from 1545 when the Castle was built to
protect the entrance to the busy Poole Harbour and over the following four
centuries (which can be read on Wikipedia !) it suffered being sold over and over
again until Mary Bonham-Christie purchased the Island in 1927 but decided to live
elsewere allowing the Island to return to nature and the castle to fall into disrepair.

In 1932 permitted 500 Scouts to
camp on the Island to
celebrate their Silver Jubilee
when they first came to the
Island in 1907 and after her
death the National Trust and
the Boy Scout and Girl Guide
Movements raised the money
to buy the island with the
forerunner of the Dorset Wildlife
Tru st t aki n g o ve r th e
management of the north half
and by John Lewis Partnership
who bought a 99 year repairing
lease of the Castle and gardens
for use as a corporate hotel by
their staff. The Island is now
open to the public but no barbecues or dogs are allowed.
We do not have a Meeting in August but hope to see all members and friends in
September.

Enid

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