Background history

During 1956 West Moors attained Parish Council status.   Before this year, it had been administered by West Parley Parish Council.   The population at that time was no more than 2000 inhabitants, mostly living in are area in the vicinity of the railway station and the Memorial Hall.    By 1964 rail passenger services to Ringwood, Verwood, Poole and Wimborne had ceased, making the station and most of the rail system connecting it redundant.

This may well have been the end of West Moors further development with poor alternative transport connections and roads.   However, within 20 years of the railway's demise, the village had grown 3-fold with new housing estates to the South and East of the centre.   Part of the railway system became the Castleman Trail for walkers and cyclists.   A new sports pavilion was erected in Fryers Field and football and cricket flourished.

In the 1980s the Woolslope Estate was completed and the population stabilized at 7000+.   Since then a few small developments have been added but most development has been in-filling.   Station Road was improved to the South and the first recommendations were made for the West Moors By-pass.

The 1990s saw better communications with the opening of the Ferndown By-pass linking up with that of Wimborne.   A new refurbishment of the Station Road shopping area was completed.   The all-weather courts were opened in the Fryers field and the play area next to Oakhurst First School established.   An attractive new bowls pavilion was also erected in the Memorial Hall area.   Many of the new amenities were part funded through the generous bequest of Mrs Daphne Harrison, a lady who initiated many projects in the village and beyond, in her days as a District Councillor for West Moors.

Since 2000 West Moors has undergone a renaissance.   The burnt out shops were levelled and the Co-op supermarket  and several other shops replaced them.   The Library was extended with Daphne Harrisons bequest, matched by County Council money to provide a computer annex and suite.  A Parish Office was set up in the Library car park which has become quite popular.   The Skatepark was built adjacent to the all-weather courts with a BMX bike track.   The village now own the Petwyn village green at the south end of Station Road where also resides the War Memorial.  

It was felt that quite a lot has happened to West Moors over the past 50 years and it was a good opportunity to celebrate the painstaking achievements of those presently helping and those gone by, who have worked so hard to make West Moors such a Great Place to Live.

During week commencing 14th August 2006, the shopping centre in Station Road was bedecked with flags and to celebrate the Jubilee community spirit, the shopkeepers of West Moors, dressed their windows with a theme from the past 50 years. This culminated in a weekend of celebrations.

The following programme of events was drawn up to celebrate the Jubilee years of West Moors.

 A very special thanks is made to all the Organisers, Sponsors, Community Groups, Exhibitors,  and Supporters who made this such a special weekend. 

Please take a look through the Photo Gallery of events,  happenings and people enjoying themselves!

Please note - None of the pictures used are meant to offend in any way.  We would ask if you have a problem with any of the pictures being used, to please let us know. Please click of any of the pictures below to enlarge.

Saturday 19th August 2006 - The weekend starts with a car boot sale.
	It's a bit of a grey day but there are plenty of people out to enjoy a Picnic in the Park.
		Oh dear, the afternoon ends in rain!!
Sunday 19th August 2006 - . Getting ready for the open air Church Services, organised by the four Churches in the village.
		Pastor John Stevens of Pinehurst Chapel
		Rev Margaret Tilley of United Reformed Church
Revd. Andrew Rowland of St Mary's Parish Church	A procession leaves the Petwyn village green......a cavalcade take the short walk to the Fryers Field	Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
Cllr Alex Clarke, 2006 Chairman of East Dorset District Council	Revd. Andrew Rowland of St Marys Church, West Moors Village Crier, Mr Iain Mitchell and entourage.
Cllr. John Price, 2006 Chairman West Moors Parish Council	Mr Ross Forknall, Chairman of the Skate Park youth committee	No mistaking this one....West Moors Skatepark!
Mr Martin Pitman - American car enthusiast	West Moors resident Mr Silcox in his old Army Jeep.
	Wimborne Town /Crier, Mr Chris Brown
	The cavalade reach Fryers Field where the Jubilee Fete is ready to get underway.
	West Moors Village Crier, Mr Iain Mitchell,	The Grand opening of the Jubilee Fete and Skatefest.
Cllr. John Price - 2006 Chairman of the Parish Council	Cllr. Alex Clarke, 2006 Chairman of East Dorset District Council
Mr Steve Hunt, Chairman of the Skatepark Committee		Quad cars
	Members from the West Moors Skatepark show off their skills at the Skatefest
	BMX bike demonstration	Red Arrows Display team fly past - One speedy spectator caught this one! - courtesy of Mr Eddie Prowse
MG Midget & Sprite Club
Ferndown RNLI	Sturts Farm exhibiting their produce.	Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
Dorset Police	Steam Organ	Tug of war - 'C'mon lads!'
'Now lets get going lads!'	'That's better!'	'Put your backs into it lads!'
Judo Club	Wow! - Don't try this one at home!	This young spectator about sums up the day..... a great day out, if not a little tiring. Oh, and it's rained again!!

  Photographs courtesy of West Moors Directory