Bindon Chapel The small chapel in the north east corner is the Bindon Chapel which was once
larger than at present, as part of it was taken in when the vestry was enlarged.
North Porch
The North Porch, although rebuilt in 1866, retains much of its 15th century
appearance.
Triple Arch
The special feature of the church is the triple chancel arch, which is possibly
unique. The tympanum is plain and the whole screen dates from the middle of the
14th century.
Windows
The windows are mainly 15th century and were re-used in the 1866 rebuilding.
Coombe windows
The stained glass windows on the north side were removed from Coombe Keynes
church at the time of its redundancy.
Font The font and the two stone arches on the north side are 15th century.
Coombe Stoup The water stoup
exhibited on the window sill in the north aisle was once fitted into the wall of
Coombe Keynes Church and removed in 1974.
Cresset The
cresset stone (also on the north window sill) containing four receptacles in
which wicks floating in oil were burnt before a shrine, is a fine example of
mediaeval work, and was discovered during the rebuilding in 1866.
Flute
The flute was one of the instruments belonging to the church band, before the
organ was introduced. The band would probably have played in the gallery, which
in the 3rd edition of Hutchins was referred to as follows: "In 1852 the
interior arrangement of the church was improved by the removal of the singing
gallery to its present position behind the tower arch. It formerly extended much
further into the church and was a great source of disfigurement"
Shepherd's Crook
The shepherd's crook displayed in the north window sill was used by Walter 'Shep'
Trevett, a local shepherd, who for many years before the days of electricity
pumped the organ for services until the 1930s.
Lectern
The brass eagle lectern was given as a memorial to Mr Plumer the organist in the
early part of the century.
Crucifix
The crucifix above the chancel arch was given by the late Mr S.J. Tong. It was
carved by Mr Edward Tong in memory of two sons, Herbert, who died of wounds in
1917, and Arthur who died some years later from wounds received in 1918.
Pulpit
The pulpit was removed from St. Mary the Virgin, East Stoke, on its redundancy
and replaced the stone pulpit which stood on the opposite side of the aisle.
Reredos
The reredos at the rear of the altar was made in 1925.
Altar Cloth
The church possesses an ancient altar cloth, which is in the custody of the
Dorchester Museum. It was made up from portions of 15th and 16th century
vestments in 8 vertical strips. The vestments are thought to have come from
Bindon Abbey after the Reformation.
Bells
A large photograph of the six bells (reproduced below) hangs in the
ringing chamber. It is inscribed:
“In commemoration of
the re-hanging of Wool Bells, with the addition of two new ones in 1907, and in
memory of the Rev. A.C.B. Dobie, M.A. who whilst Vicar of Wool from 1896 to 1912
was mainly responsible for this work. He loved his church and served it
faithfully. Given by his son.”
There are six bells still used regularly. There were only four
originally, with another two added in 1907.
The bells' details are:
Treble
Note E
2cwt 2qtrs 8lbs
1907
Second
Note D
3cwt 2qtrs
1606
Third
Note C
4cwt
1738
Fourth
Note B
6cwt 2qtrs
1606
Fifth
Note A
8cwt 2qtrs
1659
Tenor
Note G
11cwt 0qtrs 24lbs
1907
3rd bell
(1738)
4 cwt
Inscriptions and makers: 1. "In loving memory of my dear mother and my dear grandmother Caroline
Esther Hedgecock. 1906. Florence Dobie. John Dobie 1907."
Gillett & Johnson, Croydon
2. "Love God" 1606
John Wallis, Salisbury
3. "John Hayte CW. Anno 1738. WKBF"
William Knight, Closworth [?] (pictured above)
4. "Serve God. W. 1606"
John Wallis, Salisbury
5. "C. W. T. B. Anno Domini 1659".
Thomas Purdue, Closworth [?]
6. "These bells rehung, tenor and treble added, 1907. Arthur C.B. Dobie, Vicar.
Jas. Spicer and Walter Wright, churchwardens."
Gillett & Johnson, Croydon
An ancient rhyme regarding the twelve bells from Bindon Abbey at the time of
the Dissolution of the Monasteries reads: “Wool streams and Coombe wells,
Fordington cuckolds stole Wool bells.” The bells were believed to have been
hidden in a lane near the church and removed by men from Fordington St George.
The lane was later called Bell Drong. (Drong is a West Country word for a
narrow lane.) Eventually, Fordington, Wool, and Coombe Keynes shared the bells.
If you would like to listen, use this player:
Chalices
The church possesses an Elizabethan chalice with a cover originally used as
a paten, bearing the date 1571.
There is also a chalice belonging to the church on display at the Victoria and
Albert Museum. Originally from Coombe Keynes and known as Coombe Keynes Chalice
it is a fine example of pre-reformation work.
Registers
The registers of Wool and Coombe Keynes dated from 1583 are now in the County
Archives at Dorchester.
Former vicars
The previous vicars of Wool and East Stoke are listed at the back of the church.
The Wool photo will be updated one day - meanwhile apologies for the poor
quality.
War Memorial
The War Memorial in the churchyard is a plain Latin cross and was erected in
1921.
Setting
Although the church now stands on the edge of the village, it was not always so.
Church Lane was once a busy road. A hundred yards past the church the road
forked; one road to East Stoke, another through Wood Street and into Purbeck,
another to Coombe Keynes, running parallel some quarter of a mile east of the
present road.
Hutchins 3rd edition also referred to the position of the church: " - it is
conveniently situated on gently rising ground in the Southern part of the
village. There is a tradition among the people, that some time ago it formed the
central point of the village; and within the memory of the present generation,
changes have taken place which have made it less so than formerly, some houses
near the church having been pulled down, and others built at a greater distance,
in common, Bindon Lane etc."
Text based on the current Holy Rood Guide written by Alan Brown (2003)
and used by permission.
Alan is also the author of two excellent books on local history "A Backward
Glimpse of Wool" and "The Changing Face of Wool".
All three books are available direct from him - tel. 01929 462761 or write to "Willowmead",
Bindon Lane, Wool, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6HG.
(Website photos are by Chris Irwin.)
Views from the Church Tower - coming one day (we hope!)
The small chapel in the north east corner is the Bindon Chapel which was once
larger than at present, as part of it was taken in when the vestry was enlarged.
The font and the two stone arches on the north side are 15th century.
The water stoup
exhibited on the window sill in the north aisle was once fitted into the wall of
Coombe Keynes Church and removed in 1974.
The
cresset stone (also on the north window sill) containing four receptacles in
which wicks floating in oil were burnt before a shrine, is a fine example of
mediaeval work, and was discovered during the rebuilding in 1866.
The reredos at the rear of the altar was made in 1925.
