Broadstone, Dorset
| Broadstone | |
| Dorset | |
|---|---|
 The Broadway | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SZ006953 |
| Location: | 50°45’28"N, 1°59’32"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 10,303 (2011) |
| Post town: | Broadstone |
| Postcode: | BH18 |
| Dialling code: | 01202 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mid Dorset and North Poole |
| Website: | www.broadstone.net |
Broadstone is a town of south-eastern Dorset which has in effect become a suburb of Poole. The town had a recorded population of 10,303 at the 2011 Census.
Since 1840, Broadstone has grown from a small farm to a suburb of 10,000 people. Centred on the main road (the B3074), 'The Broadway' is busy hub of shops, churches, schools and housing. The shops consist of a goodly range of local shops, mainly chain stores but with some independent businesses. It is notable for its large recreation fields and heathland park, as well as an annual Christmas parade and lights.
The 24-acre Broadstone Heath possesses some of the original heathland which covered the Poole Basin.
Name
The origin of the town's name is unknown. A legend has it that a number of "broad stones" were laid across a local stream to enable people to cross over without wetting their feet. This stream flows in the valley between Clarendon Road and Springdale Road, and the stones were located close to the Brookdale Farm. The Stepping Stones pub (now renamed 'The Blackwater Stream' since its takeover by a chain was named in honour of this, and displays a large stone outside its beer garden. Rumoured to be the original, it was stolen decades ago and has since been replaced by a replica. There are also two stones outside Broadstone United Reformed Church, supposedly also originals from the stream.
History
In 1840, "Broadstone Farm" was built, and a railway line bypassed it in 1847. Its first church was built in 1853, which later became the Scout hall. The first railway station was built in 1872 and named "New Poole Junction" and, after several name revisions, became "Broadstone" in 1890. Broadstone First School originated as a Dame school, founded in 1871.
At the turn of the century, lavender oil started being produced. This ceased in 1935 when the factory burnt down, but much lavender can still be found in the area. Rapid expansion of the town has since occurred, with the development of the Pine Springs housing estate and the opening of additional schools to cope with the increase in population.
Big Society
Broadstone is the centre of many clubs, societies and organisations for itself and for the wider area of south-eastern Dorset.
- Archery: The Lytchett archery club
- Bowling: Wessex Bowling Club
- Cricket: Broadstone Cricket Club
- Football: Broadstone Football Club
- Golf: Broadstone Golf Club
- Tennis: Broadstone Tennis Society
Other clubs active in the ton include:
- Broadstone Horticultural Society
- Dorset Caledonian Society
- Broadstone Youth Centre
- The British Legion
- The Rotary Club
The Broadstone Recreation Ground off Charborough Road, of 12 acres, and the Plainfield Farm Recreation Ground off Lower Blandford Road, of 15 acres, are both Queen Elizabeth II Fields.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Broadstone, Dorset) |