Verwood

Coordinates: 50°52′54″N 1°52′48″W / 50.8817°N 1.88°W / 50.8817; -1.88

Verwood is a town and civil parish in Dorset, England. The town lies 15 miles (24 km) north of Bournemouth and 19 miles (31 km) north of Poole. The town has a population of 14,820 according to latest figures (2009) from Dorset County Council, making it the largest town in Dorset without an upper school in terms of population. The population of the parish and four electoral wards had only risen slightly to 14,852 at the 2011 census.

History

Early history

Verwood was originally recorded as Beau Bois (Norman French: "beautiful wood") in 1288, and it was not until 1329 that it got the name Verwood, which developed from Fairwood or The Fayrewood.

Verwood is recorded as "Fairwod" (1329) and as "Fayrwod" (1436); this name has the meaning "fair wood" and the modern form shows the change of initial "f" to "v" characteristic of many Southwestern English dialects.

Pottery industry

The East Dorset Pottery Industry, known collectively as “VERWOOD POTTERY” thrived from early times on the clay soils of the neighbourhood and with ample firing material close at hand. The major production was of domestic earthenware although finer and more unusual pieces have been found from earlier times. In the latter days ornamental and novelty items were produced.