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Post Box in Holwell

POST BOX

The red pillar box arrived in the Dorset village of Holwell in 1853.    It bears the initials of Queen Victoria, who was on the throne at the time.   It has survived two world wars and seen five monarchs rule Britain.

The country’s oldest postbox is still in use after 170 years, and still bears the initials of Queen Victoria. The unusual octagonal design was commissioned in 1853 before it was made by John M Butt & Co, of Gloucester, just a year after roadside pillar boxes were first introduced.

Roadside pillar boxes first appeared in 1852. Since then there have been hundreds of different varieties bearing the ciphers of six reigning monarchs.  Up until standardisation in 1859 each area had a different designs for its postboxes.

 

Phone Box at Crouch Hill Howell

TELEPHONE BOX

The phone box is available to enable those with poor or no signal to use in an emergency.   The notice board holds all Parish Council notices and other public notes are posted here.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

If you are interested in joining the Community Speedwatch Team to assist with keeping speed down so you will be serving your community and especially those who walk children to school, dog walkers and horse riders etc. Please speak to the Parish Clerk or one of the councillors.

RIGHTS OF WAY

Holwell Parish Council works closely with the Ranger from Dorset Council through the hard work of one of our volunteers.b   Guidance regarding the maintenance of these rights of way can be found on the Dorset Council website at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/rights-of-way/public-rights-of-way-maintenance

An extract for Holwell from the Definitive Map for Dorset is shown below

Holwell Rights Of Way Map June 2023

 

Holwell Village Hall - residents celebrate the Coronation 2023

VILLAGE HALL

Holwell Village Hall is managed by the Village Hall Committee of Management which currently has five member trustees. One of the trustees representing the organisations which use the Hall is a member of Holwell Parish Council. Ownership of the Hall itself is vested in the Official Custodian which is a corporation established by statute to hold land on the behalf of charities.

The Village Hall has its own website with full details of who to contact, current hiring charges and minutes of the Committee of Management meetings. For further details please go to their website www.holwellvillagedorset.org.uk

HOLWELL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Follow the link below to the web site dedicated to the Neighbourhood Plan

St Laurence Church. Holwell

HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

UTILITIES