Broadstone, Dorset
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Broadstone, Dorset is a suburb of Poole in South England. Since 1840 it has grown from a small farm to be home to 10,000 people. Centering around the main road, The Broadway (B307) is busy hub of shops, hairdressers, churches, schools and housing. It is notable in the area for its large recreation fields and heathland park, as well as the annual Christmas parade and lights.
The 24 acre Broadstone Heath possesses some of the original heathland which covered the Poole basin.
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[edit] History
In 1840, "Broadstone Farm" was built, and a railway line bypassed it in 1847. Its first church was built in 1853, which later became the Scout hall. The first station, built in 1872, was named "New Poole Junction", and after several name revisions, became "Broadstone" in 1890. Broadstone First School originated as a "dame" school, founded in 1871. At the turn of the century, lavender oil started being produced. This ceased in 1935 when the factory burnt down, but much lavender can still be found in the area. Rapid expansion has since occurred, with the development of the Pine Springs housing estate and the setting up of many schools to cope with the increase in population.
[edit] The name Broadstone
Legend has it that a number of "broad stones" were laid across a local stream to enabling people to cross over without wetting their feet. This stream flows in the valley between Clarendon Road and Springdale Road, and the stones were located close to the Brookdale Farm. The Stepping Stones pub was named in honour of this, and displays a large stone outside its beer garden. Rumoured to be the original, it was stolen decades ago and has since been replaced by a replica.
[edit] Famous residents
The Victorian biologist, naturalist and philosopher Alfred Russel Wallace, who independently discovered the same evolutionary theory as Charles Darwin, lived in Broadstone during the last few years of his life.[citation needed] He built his own house, named Old Orchard, near what is now Wallace Road. His remains are buried in Broadstone Cemetery, next to those of his wife, Annie.
Annette Brooke, a Liberal Democrat MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole from 2001 - present currenty resides in Broadstone
[edit] Education and schools
Broadstone contains a large first and middle school on Dunyeats road. Corfe Hills School is also located in Broadstone and is one of the largest secondary schools in Dorset. Its catchment area serves Broadstone, Poole, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne as well as other areas. Other schools include the New Driver driving school, one of the largest independent driving schools in the South.
[edit] Clubs and associations
Broadstone is the centre of many clubs, societies and organisations for the South East Dorset area including the Lytchett archery club, the Broadstone Golf Club, Broadstone Horticultural society, Broadstone Tennis Society, Dorset Caledonian Society, Broadstone Youth Centre and the Broadstone Cricket Club. Other local offices include the British Legion, the Rotary club, and the Wessex Bowling Club.
