Your website on Box People and Places is really interesting and I look forward to seeing it develop and grow as people add to it.

I was particularly interested in the information about Dr James Pirie Martin but would like to query Victor Painter's claim that: there was only one doctor for the whole of Box; and that he: brought every baby into the world that was born in these places.

My grandparents were living in Box village when my father was born in Aug 1906; so shortly after Victor Painter’s birth. They subsequently moved to Ashley Cottage on the Ashley Estate in about 1908. One of my Grandfather’s personal friends in the village was a Dr R Handfield-Jones who lived and practised at The Hermitage in Box. I have quite a few letters written by him to my Grandfather. He certainly attended my father’s birth - I have his 3 guineas bill for this.Claire Botcherby

Becky Townsend set us a real challenge to find the origins of the Jubilee Centre in the Market Place and whether it started off as a hay barn for stable block.

Well this was a tough nut to crack but David Ibberson has given us his initial research. Was Becky's local anecdote right? Read the answer in David's article under the Welcome tab.
Thanks Becky and we hope to hear more from you.

We have seen your question about the name of the charcoal burner. We knew him well when we ran the County Stores in the 1980s and 1990s.

His name was Dave Weller and he lived in Steam Mill Cottages, where his children still visit sometimes. Our memory is that he worked in Hazelbury Woods, using the timber of Ian and Dinni Pollard. It was only part-time work and he later moved down to Cornwall.

What people don't know is that his charcoal won a national prize. It was voted best in Britain ahead of big supermarket brands on an Esther Rantzen consumer affairs programme on BBC TV. A very proud moment for us as one of his outlets. Keith & Carla Pask

We have had a fascinating question asking if there has ever been worst rain in Box's past.
There has been and it was exactly 700 years ago. You can read a new article about it under the Welcome tab. Alan Payne

Congratulations on a great new initiative.There seems to be a lot about the history of Box but not all in one place so this website is very useful. We have a copy of a report written by the Wiltshire Buildings Record in 1992 for a previous owner of our house. It details the history of the property that they could uncover plus some photographs of the (then) interior and exterior. I would be happy for you to have a copy of this. Philip Rayner

Hello I wonder if you can help me? Jesse Maynard was the brother of my grandmother (Annie Maynard of Middle Hill). When I did a search on your website it came up with an error message but I know you are researching obituaries of every Box soldier who died in WW1. Can I access this information please or is there someone in Box that has information on Jesse. My biggest wish is to get hold of a photograph of Jesse. Phillip McTaggart, Corsham

The article about Drilley Bottom and charcoal burning reminds me that a very nice Box resident used to practise this historic trade in the 1980s. I seem to remember that he lived in Steam Mill Cottages and sold the charcoal in County Stores. Does anyone have more details? I don't know which woods he worked in. Carol Payne

Another great question, thanks Becky. In the April issue we have an article about the discovery of teenagers and the time when famous pop singer, Frankie Vaughan, came to Box and opened the Youth Club in the Jubilee Centre in1964.
But who can help us trace the original name of the site, Dyer's Yard? Help please; all contributions welcomed.

I have worked in the Jubilee Centre (Market Place, Box) for over 10 years and have always wondered about the history of the building. I've tried to find information in the past but have come up with nothing. Becky Townsend

Your article about Drilley Bottom was fascinating. I was once told that there was a charcoal burner's residence there but I thought it was higher up the path not at Drilley Bottom. Nonetheless in the same general area. Tim Wright