Notice in Trent church

This 200-year-old notice is in St Andrew’s church in Trent. Most people know what clogs were, but pattens? They were wooden platforms with straps that fastened them over shoes. Often an iron ring was set in the sole to raise the wearer above the mud, and as some clogs also had metal reinforcement underneath, the churchwardens were understandably worried about damage to the church’s floor. Along with the smock and similar rustic clothes, pattens were being worn in Dorset less than 100 years ago.

 St Andrew’s is one of the few Dorset country churches to have a spire and is full of interesting items. In its churchyard lies Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury who crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

 Nearest postcode: DT9 4SL
OS reference: ST590185
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