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Mike · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject: St Dunstan Close

Hi All,

Whilst in the Jenny Wren recently (purely for research purposes), I saw a piccy on the wall that suggested that a large house once stood on the site of St Dunstan Close.

As a newcomer to the area, I'd be interested to know as much as possible about this house and its lands and when St Dunstan Close was built.

Can anyone please help?

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2606 Status:

do you know how old the picture was?
there was a old peoples home there on the left hand side as you go in.
or do you mean the whole close ?

Mike · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject:

There was a house that faced onto the road with its back within St Dunstan Close. The big old house that is still there was not shown in the pic. I think that the picture was 1970s, maybe early 80s.

I will not be back on the forum until Sunday as I work weird hours.

Best.

Mike

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2606 Status:

not sure whist serching thouh discovered that ther used to be a palace in calne :shock

http://www.oldtowns.co.uk/Wiltshire/calne.htm

i have some old calne book i will look in those for you

rosco · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject:

Clunk · Ejected Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 935 Status:

There was indeed a big house there. If I remember correctly, there were 3 houses. 2 that looked out towards that grassy bit towards the football club, and one roughly where the roundabout is.
The one where the roundabout is, was at one point, connected to the old folks home. It was demolished when they built the dunstan close. the bit that joined them was demolished when the old folks home was closed.

Chepfer · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:45 am Post subject:

Calne has a facinating history, it's much more interesting than most people could ever imagine.

I have read and researched most of the old documents relating to Calne, mainly in the Devizes museum and the records office.

I am not sure of the building originally in question though i do remember Dunstan house as it was, which was a grand old building and alot larger than it is now.

Interesting site.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18034#s1

Local lass.

The Palace is thought to be in the vicinity of mill street, between the church and the river bridge on the right hand side as you drive to the wreck !. I have chatted to some of the residents there and they have found many strange stone blocks etc in there gardens !!.

If you walk around the back of the church there is a house there all alone, The old red cross house !, look over the wall and this is where it's thought to be !

CLUNK.
Are you aware of the Calne tunnels ?

Written in a couple of old documents dating from the 18C, it says that tunnels were found (they dropped candles in to see what was down there. They were never explored but were covered over and thought to be part of the old castle complex dungeons etc.

Well i think i know where one ... possibly two of the entrances are and would love to go take a look one day. I have looked down one with a torch once and the tunnels extends about 40 meters underground but then goes of at an angle. I never went down at the time but always thought of doing it another day in the future.... You have the gear and i have the info.

Perhaps we could take a look one day ?!

Chepfer.

Clunk · Ejected Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 935 Status:

You are on.
My SRT kit is packed and waiting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Rope_Technique
http://www.darkplaces.co.uk/Wikka/SRT
I may ask someone else along for backup. Probably root.
http://www.darkplaces.co.uk/Wikka/Root
I know behind the old council office in patford street was a hole that went into the hill behind. I keep meaning to go and take a look to see if it still there.