Gillingham Dorset - a potted history

The earliest known settlement in Gillingham is of a 2500BC Lake dwelling at Bay but it is from Roman times that continuous habitation is certain. In the Commonmead Lane area much evidence has been unearthed. In the Museum Roman pottery, coins and roof tiles are on display. It is believed that a substantial farm settlement was established around 200AD, and remained for several hundred years.

Evidence of Saxon occupation probably from c. 660, in the form of part of a Saxon Cross which is in St Mary's church, and the town's name Gillingham is of Saxon origin - Gylla being probably the name of a local chief and ham is interpreted as a village or homestead. Edmund Ironside fought and defeated King Canute at nearby Penn and drove them down the hill to be finished off at a place still called Slaughtergate. Edward the Confessor was declared King at Gillingham in 1042

The settlement and church of St Mary's is mentioned in the Domesday book. King John spent hundreds of pounds building a moated hunting lodge at King's Court, surrounded by parkland and large area was declared as the Royal Forest of Gillingham. The hunting lodge was further extended by Henry III, into an extensive palace and used by Kings for over 200 years.

In 1516, a grammar school, one of the oldest in Dorset, was founded and still survives as a comprehensive school.

The oldest substantial building in the town apart from the church is Wyke Hall. Parts date from Tudor times and although much altered over the years is now in good order and divided into several separate dwelling units.

The artist John Constable was a friend of the Reverend John Fisher vicar of Gillingham, and he visited Gillingham in 1820 and 1823. As a result five oil paintings of the area, and four sketches were produced. A near actual size copy of each of these is in Gillingham Museum.

St Mary's church has existed for over 900 years but was largely rebuilt in the 1830's under the direction of Henry Deane, vicar at the time. The chancel is the only substantial ancient part, dating from the 14th century. The church is unique in that the chancel floor is lower than that of the nave.

The coming of the railway in 1859, opened opportunities for Gillingham to grow and thrive. Many industries were established and the main street furnished with a variety of shops. important among new industries were several serving the farming community, particularly for dairy products, which could now be dispatched several times daily to London and other large towns to arrive in a fresh condition.

Brick and pottery works, gloving, engineering, glue making, brewing, bacon factory, were the main manufacturing industries with markets, service and retail businesses covering virtually every need of the Victorian age.

During the 20th century the town has continued to steadily grow, and cheap local land prices have led to much housing development, and the population stands at around 10,000.

Industries in 1997 include two chemical factories, three electrical goods producers, box makers, makers of military accessories, two glove factories, several food producers.

There is a good range of shops giving choice for most products. Four pubs and many social clubs.

The town's sports include a good soccer ground and excellent rugby football club. There is also a cricket and bowls club. The North Dorset Sports centre with indoor swimming, fitness studio, squash, badminton, and volleyball courts is shortly to close. This eventually will be replaced by a purpose buily Sports and Community Centre.
Education to 11 years is provided through several pre-school play groups, three primary schools plus two more in the near villages. The Comprehensive school is thoroughly modern and caters for over 1400 pupils from 11 to 18 years. It has been largely rebuilt over the past few years, and now has excellent facilities for all subjects plus fine sports complex with an all weather soccer/hockey pitch.

Gillingham is managed by the Gillingham Town Council and its 15 members meet most Mondays to discuss matters concerning the parish. North Dorset District Council is the next layer of local government and Dorset County Council oversees education, policing, fire and ambulance services, roads and bridges etc.

Altogether Gillingham is a fine place to live in a friendly environment, still only a few minutes walk from the countryside