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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Dorset => Topic started by: Maggott on Wednesday 11 January 23 18:10 GMT (UK)

Title: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: Maggott on Wednesday 11 January 23 18:10 GMT (UK)

Good evening
I am cataloguing  a collection of letters which includes reference to the Wessex Tea Rooms.  They were written in 1930s.  I wonder if any Dorset expert could let me have the full address (Google gives 2 current addresses, but I realise that these may not the one I need).  Also (big ask!) the name of the people running it?
I should be grateful for any help
Maggott

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: Comberton on Wednesday 11 January 23 18:52 GMT (UK)

(http://)

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: Comberton on Wednesday 11 January 23 18:57 GMT (UK)

1939 Register for that address has Tom F Rawnsley, cafe proprietor

ADDED
Married 1937 in Pancras so maybe too late.

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: maddys52 on Thursday 12 January 23 07:36 GMT (UK)

Lots of references to the Dorchester Chess Club at the Wessex Tea Rooms during the 1930s.

Also this from "Secret Hiding Places - The Origins, Histories And Descriptions Of English Secret Hiding Places Used By Priests, Cavaliers, Jacobites & Smugglers" by Granville Squiers

"In an old house on the main street of Dorchester, part of which is now the Wessex Tea Rooms, a curious find was made a few years ago ..."
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=L0J9CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT247&lpg=PT247&dq=

Still looking for a proprietor.  :)

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: maddys52 on Thursday 12 January 23 07:40 GMT (UK)

"No 32 High West street Dorchester, shop with residential flat over, near the Kings Arms Hotel, which was offered with vacant possesion was bought in at £1,150."
Friday,  Mar. 18, 1938
Publication: Western Gazette

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: maddys52 on Thursday 12 January 23 07:45 GMT (UK)

Of possible interest as a description of the property:

Friday,  July 7, 1899
Publication: Western Gazette

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: Maggott on Thursday 12 January 23 18:36 GMT (UK)

Hi Comberton & Maddy
Thank you both for your speedy replies-just what I needed to know.  Grateful to you both!
-Best
Maggott

Title: Re: Wessex Tea Rooms Dorchester
Post by: J.J. on Monday 26 February 24 02:11 GMT (UK)

adding: All possessions were passed down to family, the Durants...
  Found something that links the place to some controversial names -including the 1930's BUF movement...  http://www.rootschat.com/links/01t0s/
     "chess clubs"...Look about 4/5 down page for some frightening "Verse"...p. 127  also p. 134 
   http://www.rootschat.com/links/01t0r/      http://www.rootschat.com/links/01t0q/