Media Release

A Walk around Sherborne brings History to Life (and the odd ostrich!)

Sherborne Tourism has uploaded a new video that gives an insight into some of Sherborne's historic heritage.https://youtu.be/5UhMBkYxU9EThere can be few small towns which can boast a history that embraces two castles, a Benedictine Abbey including the last resting place of at least two Saxon kings, a 15^thAlms house, a world famous 16^thcentury public school and hundreds of fascinating tales and gossip, not to mention the odd ostrich or two.

Sherborne in Dorset has had a close connection with ostriches for nearly 400 years, ever since the Digby family moved into town in 1617 and took up residence at the local (or "new") castle, previously occupied and remodelled by Sir Walter Raleigh. Keen-eyed visitors will spot the bird immortalised in stone at a number of locations in and around the Town.

Someone who knows where all the ostriches in Sherborne can be spotted is Sherborne's Blue Badge Guide Cindy Chant who offers twice weekly tours of the Town beginning with a Special Bank Holiday Walk on Easter Monday. From 5 April to 29 September, walks will be every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am from the Tourism Information Centre in Digby Road on a Tuesday and from outside the post office on a Thursday.

Aside from the obvious architectural attractions, there are many other interesting shops and places to visit in the Town including the numerous independent retail shops and coffee shops. Businesses like Oxfords Bakery, a business over 100 years old, which operates the only steam powered bakery in the world; and J & M Parsons the Butchers, another family business which was established in 1840 and still has a traditional separate office where customers pay for their purchases.

Then there is Sherborne Museum with its "pipe for the serious smoker" - it has seven bowls to fill with tobacco and reminds visitors of an earlier patron and celebrity, Sir Walter Raleigh, who recognised Sherborne as his "fortune's fold".

More recent celebrities associated with the Town include numerous alumni from historic Sherborne School, which, like the Abbey, has compelling architecture that provides a picturesque and atmospheric setting for big and small screen alike. The 16th century School boasts old boys like actor Jeremy Irons, Coldplay's Chris Martin and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville. However the latest celebrity to hail from Sherborne is Ben Hardy, from the local Gryphon School, who is about to feature in the forthcoming film X-Men: Apocalypse, opening in May 2016.

Contact Sherborne Tourist Information Centre for details and info about the area:sherborne.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.ukor visitwww.sherbornedorset.co.uk.

More press information and hi res images: Jane Adkins, A Head for PR Ltd, T/: 01935 813114; M/: 07960698089 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

March 2016 (Sherborne 10)