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       Hi,interested to read about this post on the various Fonthill Houses.

I was brought up in South Newton,my Dad had a bus service from Salisbury to Shaftesbury during the time that American troops were in the Shaftesbury area,late 1945 ish,this is from memory.As a child was taken to get tomatoes from the Fontill estate greenhouses,John Morrison was the local Member of Parliament for Salisbury.I have a picture of my children standing in front of his house in the late 1960s,at the Church Fete,.You may find photos of this era obtainable from the local newspaper in Salisbury,,,,,,,,,,,Salisbury Journal.

Brionne.
 Hi Brionne, My era was from around the mid to late 50's. For much of the time I schooled at Wardour, the local Catholic School. This is not really too far from Shaftsbury, wonder if you dad's route was nearby. Indeed, can you remember any of it. As for the US forces, yes, they were at a Fonthill House, but not the one the Moira stayed at, it was the one Near Beckford's Abbey and indeed, was also known as the Fonthill Abbey. I remember at school that there were a lot of US persons about possibly associate with the forces.

Eddie
     

Yes, I know Perth has been sweltering too.  It's now after 11pm and I just opened a window but nothing but hot air came in so I shut it again.  It hit 42C here today and is still well over 30C.
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PM Sent
Eddie

G'Day ummm, is it, 'Clonesgirl'
Many thanks for such a fast reply, and wow coincidence, didn't dream you were in Oz! Yes, I'm in Perth, another sweltering place, had many days of heat and today was well over 40! OK, to Fonthill, I know the ara very, very well. Can't find the thread, but there was some misinformation re the various Fonthill houses, One only was also referred to by locals as "New Fonthill Abbey" to differentiate it from the Beckford Abbey built in the 1700's. This 'New' Abbey was yet another in the line of 'Fonthill Houses', it was built by William Burn for the Marquess of Westminster in, I think, 1876. It was in the Scottish Baronial style and a wonderful place. We lived for a time in the quarters above the stable quadrangle, and what a fabulouse place it was. Can give more info if anyone is interested.  Burns was something of a paranoic, and destroyed his plans upon completion of his buildings. So very little in documentation remains, and, almost no  photographs, I have a couple of odd one from Ebay and a large print originally from 'Coutry Life. This particular building, was indeed, the base for US troops and I remember looking at all their wonderful graffiti in the walls of the stable buildings. Sadly this building was demolished in the late 50's.
The house at Little Ridge housed Sir John Morrison and family and as you indicate, it too was demolished but his time rebuilt and the current incumbant is Lord Margadale, Alexander Morrison, whose father and indeed, grandfather I remember well. There are at least 7 Fonthill Houses on record. This one was never the base for troops etc. The other, where I lived was a quarter of mile or so from Beckford's Folly. I also lived in a little terrace row at little Ridge and schooled at Chilmark (also at Warder RC and Hindon). Hope I haven't bored you too much
regards
Eddie