During the 17thC a few Abbotsbury & Portesham people sailed to distant part s of the earth. One such was Andrew Riccard who was born at Portesham in 1604. He was only a youngster when he went to sea but he made his fortune before eventually becoming President of the East India and Turkey companies.

Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who commanded a ship at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 and was later Captain of Nelson's flagship, the Victory, 1803-5 was also born in the neighbouring village of Portesham. He was with Nelson when the Admiral was killed at Trafalgar in October 1805. Admiral Hardy's monument can be seen on Blackdown above Portesham village. From the monument there is a glorious vista stretching from Lyme Bay in the west, across the Chesil Bank to Portland and on eastwards to Weymouth Bay, Ringstead Bay and Lulworth Cove.

An Abbotsbury man, doubtless one of many, known simply as 'Boatswain' served under Admiral Hardy. This gentleman survived the many sea battles with the French to retire back to Abbotsbury where his 'prize' money enabled him to buy a portion of land to the east of the village, which is known to this day as 'Boatswain's Field.'

Fishing has always been an Abbotsbury livelihood, mackerel fishing along the Chesil Bank being the most profitable. A boat would be sent out to 'sight' the shoals, they would then signal to the shore where the other boats would be hastily launched. After the men landed the catch, the fish were packed into hampers by the women and children. During WW2, the fishermen were in danger of losing their livelihood because of the air ministry's proposals to use the Chesil beach as a base for bombing practise.

Another time the fishermen's livelihood was threatened was reported in the London journal 21^st July 1893:

"Abbotsbury fair has now become almost obsolete. Formally the week of the fair was an excitable one in Abbotsbury and there were various sources of amusement to delight young and old. Now however, the only vestige of the fair is the fisherman's dinner. Unfortunately this year this has been modified owning to the ill-success of the fishing season. Several weeks have elapsed during which no fish whatsover have been caught and great sympathy will be forthcoming from all quarters on behalf of the busy toilers on the Chesil beach.

Old Grace sold fish at the 'Bow' in Dorchester. Every morning she would ride into Dorchester from Abbotsbury on her donkey (a distance of some 9 miles) with her pads* of mackerel on either side of her. On her way she would pass the Barracks. An officer offered her his horse if she would part with the donkey for his children to ride upon. The trade was done and Grace returned to Abbosbury riding her fine new steed. Next morning Grace rode to Dorchester as usual with the pads of mackerel beside her. When the officer's horse reached the Barracks, the bugler sounded his horn for the parade and the lady's martial steed galloped to his usual place in the square, bearing the screaming Grace on his back, her mackerel flying in all directions - much to the amusement of all except poor Grace!

*pads - large flat trays on which the fish were laid

Chris Wade