Verwood, Dorset, England, United Kingdom

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Verwood is a town and civil parish in eastern Dorset, England. The town lies 10 miles (16 km) north of Bournemouth and 13 miles (21 km) north east of Poole as the crow flies. The civil parish comprises the town of Verwood together with the extended village of Three Legged Cross. Verwood is the largest town in Dorset without an upper school.

History Verwood was originally recorded as Beau Bois ("beautiful wood") in 1288, and it was not until 1329 that it got the name Verwood, which developed from Fairwood or The Fayrewood. Verwood is recorded as "Fairwod" (1329) and as "Fayrwod" (1436); this name has the meaning "fair wood" and the modern form shows the change of initial "f" to "v" characteristic of many Southwestern English dialects.

Pottery industry The East Dorset pottery industry, known collectively as Verwood Pottery, thrived from early times on the clay soils of the neighbourhood which had ample firing material close at hand. The major production was of domestic earthenware although finer and more unusual pieces have been found from earlier times. In the latter days ornamental and novelty items were produced.

Until the end of their useful life, the methods of production had not varied from Roman times, all the processes being carried out with no mechanisation or electrification. For example, the clay was always trodden by foot and not mixed in a pug mill. The wheel was turned by an assistant with a pole or handle, and the kilns were wood-fired. For these reasons the Crossroads Pottery, then the last remaining in the area, attracted national and local newspaper attention in the early to mid-20th century.

The industry was not confined to a local sales base. Hawkers, or "higglers", took the wares for sale over a wide area of southern England. They were also exported abroad, especially to Newfoundland which had a thriving trade with the nearby port of Poole. Examples of Verwood pots can be seen at the Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre.

Remembrance of those that fell in war The Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground is dedicated to those who fell in the World War I, and is owned by the Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground Trust. Members of the Verwood Town Council automatically become trustees. The Recreation Ground land was purchased by public subscription in 1920 and the parish council was to hold the land to the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of Verwood for use as a public recreation ground. The Recreation Ground comprises an area big enough for a football pitch and several children's play areas. It is across the road from the Memorial Stone, and had a set of wrought iron gates with a plaque on them saying "Verwood Recreation Ground / In memory of those that fell in the Great War 1914-1918".

It is widely believed that the oak trees around the recreation ground were planted in remembrance of each person who fell in the First World War (one tree per person). These trees each have tree preservation orders to protect them.

In 1955 a formal Committee of Trustees was set up with the intention of building a new village hall, to be called the "Memorial Hall" in remembrance of those locals who valiantly gave their lives in World War II and it was agreed that the new hall should be constructed at the Recreation Ground. The official opening of Verwood Memorial Hall took place on 9 May 1959. The Memorial Hall was extended during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year (1977). The hall has come under threat on a number of occasions, each time public pressure resisting its demolition.

The Memorial Stone is across the road from the Memorial Hall and the Memorial Recreation Ground. Two plaques on the front of the stone are dedicated to the gallant souls who died in both world wars

1980–present Verwood's first supermarket opened in the 1980s. In 1985 the town was twinned with the French town Champtoceaux. In 1987 the population of Verwood reached 9,856. The Parish Council passed the necessary resolution to become a Town Council under provisions made in the 1972 Local Government Act. In 1992 the new Verwood Town Council offices were opened. Later that year, the town twinned with the German town Liederbach am Taunus. In 2001 the town's population reached 12,069. Verwood Heritage Centre was opened by Rt. Hon. Viscount Cranborne. The centre is used as a museum of local history and a coffee shop. In 2007 the Verwood Hub, a multi-purpose cinema and theatre, opened to the public.

By 2014 the town had a population of over 15,000 and the Verwood Town Plan, published that year, identified a number of priorities including providing residents with new facilities, such as a swimming pool and an upper school.

Politics and Government Verwood is a part of the North Dorset constituency.

There has been a Parish or Town Council in Verwood since 1894 when it had a population of only 1,190.

Verwood Town Council, the elected body of the Town, consists of eighteen members representing the Civil Parish. There are four wards in the Civil Parish: Dewlands North Ward (two councillors), Dewlands South Ward (eight councillors), Stephen's Castle Ward (seven councillors) and Three Legged Cross Ward (one councillor). As a Council they meet eight times a year at the Council Offices and three times a year at the Village Hall, Three Legged Cross.

The Council operates with three sub-committees which each report to the full Council; the Finance & General Purposes Committee, the Planning Consultative Committee and the Amenities Committee.

Verwood is a ward of Dorset Council, and (since the 2019 election) is represented by three County Councillors - Toni Coombs (Conservative), Spencer Flower (Conservative, Leader of the Council) and Simon Gibson (Conservative).

Shopping and facilities A country market which is open from 10:00 to 11:30 is held each Friday in the Memorial Hall. The market sells locally produced seasonal vegetables and fruit, plants and cut flowers, homemade cakes and jams and craft items.

The town has a number of shopping areas: in the town centre, a Morrisons superstore at Pennine Way, LIDL and Co-op on Ringwood Road. There are three pubs, the Albion, The Monmouth Ash and Swans. In addition there is a wine bar in the centre called Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar.

Eating establishments include an Italian restaurant, Indian restaurant and takeaway, cafe, fish and chip shop, kebab shop, Costa Coffee and a Chinese take-away (also a bistro in The Hub, see below, a morning coffee shop in the Heritage Centre and an eating area in Morrisons).

Verwood is home to the Hub, a community facility which opened in April 2007. The Hub houses the 300 seat Merryfield Theatre, a 100-seat hall and a number of other smaller rooms. These facilities are used for films, plays, concerts and many other activities and the rooms can be hired by various organisations. In the centre of the Hub is a bistro area, surrounded by art displays and various exhibitions.

Media and culture Verwood is proud to boast three thriving brass bands. Verwood Concert Brass Principal Band, Verwood Town Band, and Verwood Community Band. As at 2022, Verwood Concert Brass is in the championship section in the West of England Region under the baton of Kevin Smith. The band became West of England 4th Section champions in 2005 and 2006. This resulted in two trips to the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain in Harrogate where they finished 6th and 7th respectively. In September 2008 the band were placed second at the 3rd section national finals after winning the area championship in March, and made another 'Finals' appearance in 2009 in the 2nd section. They perform in many concerts in the local area including several performances at the Hub.

Verwood holds an annual carnival around the time of the Spring bank holiday. A thriving carnival committee ensures that all organisations and individuals in and around Verwood are able to participate in the annual carnival parade, typically including floats from Verwood Guides, Verwood Hillside First School, Verwood Youth Club The Hive, and the Verwood Pantomime Society. There are also marching bands, fire engines, individual displays and much more.

Forest FM is a community radio station, broadcast from Verwood for listeners based in Dorset. It hosts Europe's longest-running Beatles themed radio show ('Beatles and Beyond') on its regular schedules.

Verwood Today is an interesting online local source of news

Viewpoint Magazine has been established for over thirty-five years and has its roots in Verwood. In April 2011 the magazine expanded into West Moors, Ashley Heath and St Ives. Its circulation has the potential to reach over 35,000 readers.

Association Football Verwood is home to Verwood Town F.C., a football club founded in 1920. They are based at Potterne Park and are currently members of Wessex League Premier Division.

Rossgarth Youth Football Club is one of the most successful clubs in the area and has several teams covering all age groups for boys and girls, up to adult level. Eddie Howe, the former AFC Bournemouth manager, is a former Rossgarth player.

Cricket Verwood Cricket Club has several teams in both Adult and Youth (Colt) leagues. Home games are played at Potterne Park.

Lawn Bowls Verwood Bowling Club(green bowls) who play at Moorlands Road, have several men's and ladies' teams.

Rugby Union Verwood is the home to Verwood Rugby Club, a relatively young and ambitious rugby club founded in 1994. The club's pitch is located at Potterne Park. Verwood RUFC are currently members of Dorset & Wilts Division 3 South League.

Dorset Dockers Rugby Club have two teams, playing Barbarian-style rugby

Gym Potterne Park play area provides the community with 12 acres (4.9 ha) of sporting provision including rugby, football, tennis, netball, cricket and a skate park.

Verwood also hosts three large family events: Verwood Carnival traditionally takes place on Spring Bank Hol