About This Site
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to my Home Page. My name is Roger Donne and I live in Christchurch in the UK. The site
reflects my hobbies and pursuits. I hope you find something of interest if you should chance to drop in.
I have recently started to update this website which over the years has accumulated broken links and out-of-date comments. I have also tried the change the appearance slightly to a font which I hope is easier to read. This is a work in progress so please aware that you may encounter a mix of the old and new styles as you browse the pages.
Where I Live
The Priory Church
Christchurch is a town with a long history, originally known as the Saxon burh of Twynham - one of the fortified Saxon settlements created by King Alfred as a defence against Viking incursions. Itis situated on the south coast of England on the border between Hampshire to the east, and Dorset to the west. Until the boundary changes of 1974, Christchurch was in the county of Hampshire but at that time was transferred to Dorset, thus ending almost 1000 years of its historical association - still regretted by long-term residents and local historians! It forms the eastern limit of the conurbation which now stretches from the port of Poole in the west, through the resort of Bournemouth to Christchurch. Christchurch still exhibits the remains of its history in the Norman motte and bailey castle in the centre of the town and the magnificent priory church surviving from the Augstinian priory which prior to its dissolution.
Dorset is a predominantly rural county with few large towns. The county town of Dorchester lies in the middle of the county, although a major centre of population is in the coastal strip in
the south-east of the county, between Poole and Christchurch. If you want to know more about Dorset, a comprehensive view of the county can be found at the Dorset County Council web site. Information about neighbouring Hampshire can be found on the Hampshire County Council website.
The Christchurch Antiquarians
I am currently the Secretary of THE CHRISTCHURCH ANTIQUARIANS. We are interested in the history, archaeology and heritage of the town of Christchurch and its Norman castle. For further details, see The Christchurch Antiquarians website and blog.
Cycling for Pleasure
The hobby which attracts me most is recreational cycling. The Christchurch area offers plenty of opportunity for not too strenuous trips in the neighbouring New Forest, to the chalk downs to the north, around Salisbury, and to pleasant rural countryside of Dorset. My Cycling Pages provides some suggestions for cycle trips around Christchurch.
Family History
I have recorded aspects of my family history which of particular interest to me, and I am developing some family history pages relating to my roots, particularly on the banks of the River Tamar, between the counties of Devon and Cornwall, and further west.
My complete GEDCOM containing genealogical data on all family lines and individuals I have investigated is provided on a separate website.