In our fast-paced modern world, where people change
jobs, homes, and locations frequently, the concept of a "local"
person seems like a relic from the past. But Ken Miller embodied the essence of
being a true local in the picturesque village of Osmington in Dorset.
Ken
was a character with a warm personality, a mischievous humour, and a twinkle in
his eye. His adventures with his lifelong friend Jim Legg were the stuff of
legend, often shared in private gatherings and the infamous Tuesday club
meetings*.
One
particularly memorable tale from their childhood involved finding an unexploded
incendiary device near the White Horse, a place frequented by German bombers
during World War II. Ken and Jim attempted to cut the bomb in half, but their
plans were foiled by an ARP warden who caught them in the act. It's a story
that highlights the innocence and daring of their youth. I won't mention the incident with the petrol syphoning!
Ken's roots in Osmington ran deep. His paternal grandfather owned the Picnic Inn in Osmington Mills. His father, Harold Miller, worked at the Picnic Inn before marrying Ken's mother, Hilda, and moving to Osmington village in 1930. Hilda Shergold, Ken's mother, was the daughter of local farmer Mr Shergold, who had a significant impact on the village's agricultural history.
Ken's
connection to Osmington continued with his ownership of two farms in the
village including Netherton farm. The Miller family's ties to Osmington Mills were strong, with several
relatives who fought in World War I and played essential roles in the village's
life.
Ken
and his wife, Beryl, had a great influence on village life together in
Osmington. They initially lived in Hitt's Cottage, running a shop that sold
vegetables and kids' sweets like bullseyes and sherbets. Later, they moved to
Thalma Cottage next door and eventually built a bungalow on Lower Church Lane
in the 1970s, designed by an architect to Beryl's specifications.
Ken's
mother, Hilda, made her mark on Osmington as well, serving as the President of
the Women's Institute (WI) for many years. She played the organ at the
Methodist Church for 57 years, highlighting the strong sense of community in
the village during her time.
Ken's
reminiscences include regret about not buying the Methodist church building
when it went up for sale for £5. He suggested to his Mother that the building should be given to the church to run a Sunday school, but after being gifted to the Church it was sold by them,
depriving the village of potential community benefits. This decision weighed on
him as a missed opportunity and as his family were Methodists and attached to the building.
As
Osmington evolved over the past century, Ken's family played a vital role in
the village's development. Ken and his neighbour, Tim Maggs, as landowners, have
helped preserve the unique character of the village and its surrounding
countryside, preventing it from succumbing to unnecessary development.
When
asked what he would have done if he hadn't been a farmer and lived in Osmington
all his life, Ken's eyes lit up with the prospect of being a fisherman. He
cherished the sea and fondly remembered his adventures as a child, going
fishing with his uncle Percy Miller.
" I'd have been a fisherman. I loved the sea. I used to do a lot of fishing. I went to sea when I was three years old with my uncle Percy Miller. He used to bring me back up the cliff sat in a basket of lobsters. Those were good old days. We would go up fishing all up the coast, up to White Nothe, up round Durdle door. That was about the limit he went to, Redcliff point, Ringstead bay. He would catch lobsters, crabs and at this time of year he would go prawn fishing, especially at Osmington mills ledge and around Ringstead".
In
the end, Ken Miller's story is a testament to the enduring spirit of local life
in Osmington, where connections to the land, community, and shared memories
define the essence of being a true local. Through the stories of people
like Ken, we can appreciate the rich history and traditions that shape villages
like Osmington for generations to come.
* The Tuesday club was founded by Ken Miller and his very good friend Chilly Charles at the Smugglers Inn during the ownership of Bill Bishop (circa 1980's). There were usually 10 -15 hardcore members and they would go to a different pub every week, the Bridge, the Springhead, or the Black bear at Wool, Red Lion. The only prerequisite being the pubs stayed open all day :)
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