This five stage multi takes you on a short walk around the centre of Verwood, visiting the sites of the post office through the ages and is on level, even paths. Wheelchair users may require assistance to reach the cache at the final location.
Prior to the late nineteenth century, post office duties were carried out by private individuals, and later the landlord of the New Inn. John Trickett, originally an agricultural and railway labourer, then shopkeeper became Verwood's first Sub-Postmaster and licensed to deal in money orders, much used at the time as few people held bank accounts. Mr Trickett established the post office in 1895, in the house that he built, largely single-handedly; known then and now as 'Tricketts Cottage' (presently a private dwelling); though in the interim it spent some years called 'La Sonia'. A large enamel Post Office sign was found buried in the garden some seventy years later and is on display at the Heathland Heritage Centre museum at the time of writing.
As the postmastership passed to John's son, Ivor Trickett, so the post office moved slightly further along Manor Road to what is now 'Penarth' (presently a private dwelling), so named by its later occupants: G Bryer Ash Ltd coal merchants, the proprietor of which went on to become National Chairman of The Coal Trade Benevolent Association. Subsequently, the post office held premises at 27/29 Vicarage Road, which was extended in the late 1960s / early 1970s into the structure that stands today, and the postmastership transferred from Frank Dowland to Geoff and Denny Frost, who were licensed to sell Galt toys. Sometime during the 70s, a pillar box was installed at this location, becoming the first of its kind in Verwood, thus increasing the prestige of both the post office and the village.
In 1978 the post office relocated to number 4 Ringwood Road, prior to moving to its present location in Manor Road ten years later. In August of 1968 the previous premises at this address - the Punch and Judy cafe, suffered a fire, which was attended by the Cranborne Fire Appliance, as Verwood did not not have its own fire station at the time. The site was later rebuilt and occupied by Brian Hall estate agency, before becoming the post office and takeaway that are here today.
Stage one - A - Tricketts Cottage
8194?1
The first post office in Verwood, established in 1895.
Photo courtesy of Malcolm Smith - http://malcolm-smith.com/verwood/village/village.html
Stage two - B - Penarth
Cranborne ?½
The second post office in Verwood, later the office of G Bryer Ash Ltd coal merchants.
Photo courtesy of Malcolm Smith - http://malcolm-smith.com/verwood/village/village.html
Stage three - C - 29 Vicarage Road
PAT No 2?24683
The third post office in Verwood, extended late 1960s / early 70s was also the site of the first pillar box in Verwood, increasing the status of the village as it marched towards becoming a town. The building is currently occupied by an optician, who has held the premises since 1968.
Image from Dorset Life
Photo courtesy of Malcolm Smith - http://malcolm-smith.com/verwood/village/village.html
Stage four - D - 4 Ringwood Road
4? (alphanumeric value)
Ringwood Road post office held the premises from 1978 to 1988
Stage five - E - 11 Manor Road
BH31 ?200 (box on the right)
The fifth, and current Verwood post office. The post office took possession of the building in 1988, following an estate agent, who had rebuilt after the previous premises was destroyed in a fire.
Image courtesy of Adele Simpson
The cache can be found at:
N50 52.(B+D) A E
W001 52.(A+B+C) D (AxB)
Checksum for all coordinates - 52