Description
Iwerne Courtnay or Shroton, a village and a parish in Dorsetshire. The village stands on the Iwerne rivulet, under Hambleton Hill, 2 1/2 miles ENE of Shillingstone station on the Somerset and Dorset railway, and 4 1/4 NW of Blandford Forum, and has a post office under Blandford; money order and telegraph office, Iwerne Minster. The parish includes also Farringdon chapelry and Ranston tithing. Acreage, 1968; population, 560. The manor belonged formerly to the Courtenays, and belongs now to the Riverses. Ranston House is a chief residence. Hambleton Hill is crowned by an extensive ancient camp, either Roman or Danish, with two ramparts and ditches, and with outworks. The living is a rectory, united with the perpetual curacy of Farringdon, in the diocese of Salisbury; value,, £290 with residence. The church was rebuilt in 1610, and has an ancient tower. In 1874 the building was well restored. There is a Primitive M ethodist chapel. A fair is held on 25 and 26 Sept. for horses, cattle, and cheese.
Parish Church
The church of St. Mary is an edifice of stone of debased Perpendicular character, consisting of chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, south porch and a Decorated western tower, surmounted by battlements and pinnacles and containing 5 bells, one of which was added in 1887: the church was restored in 1874, and has 350 sittings.
The register dates from the year 1562.
Villages, Hamlets, &c.
Faringdon, a chapelry in Iwerne Courtney parish, Dorsetshire, 6 1/2 miles SSW of Shaftesbury. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory of Iwerne Courtney, in the diocese of Salisbury.
