Over 20 residents attended the special Bratton Walk put on by Col. Mike Manson as part of Bratton Week.
This was an addition to the highly esteemed history walks he gives. It started with a briefing at The Duke, progressed down Sands Lane, then travelled alongside Stradbrook as far as Luccombe Mill.
The fascinating history covered the 4 mills and 5 farms encountered, and was enlivened by stories added by locals on the walk: including the fate of one unfortunate local who lived by what is now known as ‘The Bash’ and became the last woman to be hanged in England – for infanticide.
What was fascinating is how often the names of the various properties have changed over the last 350 years.
A most entertaining means of education about our village, making it well worth attending future walks.