Views from Lambert's Castle, an Iron Age hill fort in the neighbouring county of Dorsetshire.

More from the archives! Below are some photos taken on a crisp, beautiful January day in 2015 during a stroll around Lambert's Castle and Lambert's Castle Hill in the neighbouring county of Dorsetshire.

A view from the ramparts of Lambert's Castle in Dorsetshire.

The view to the south east from Lamberts Castle in Dorsetshire.

A view over Marshwood Vale in Dorsetshire taken from Lambert's Castle Hill.

The view to the north-east from Lambert's Castle Hill in Dorsetshire.

The view from Lambert's Castle Hill in Dorsetshire with Portland on the horizon.

Lambert’s Castle Hill, which is in the care of the National Trust, lies in the south-west corner of the county of Dorsetshire only 4 miles due east of Axminster in Devonshire.

Its car park is approached along a narrow pot-holed track off the B3165 which links Crewkerne in Somerset to the A35.  Keep an eye open as the track is very easy to miss, or it was when I visited back in 2015!

On Lambert’s Castle Hill is the Iron Age hill fort of Lambert’s Castle which has had some interesting uses in recent centuries.  In 1709 the right to hold an annual fair was granted – a tradition which was carried on until 1947. 

Lambert’s Castle Hill is Dorsetshire’s second highest point, therefore it is not surprising that in 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Admiralty built a telegraph station on the hill top.  Using a shutter system, messages could be relayed via a chain of stations from Plymouth to London and back in only 20 minutes.  I wonder on how many days of the year visibility allowed such impressive efficiency?

On a clear day the views from Lambert’s Castle over the beautiful Marshwood Vale to Portland on the horizon are difficult to better.  Well worth having a pair of binoculars to hand if you visit!

The late afternoon sky in January 2015 at Lambert's Castle in Dorsetshire.

A view of the defence policies of the English Democrats Party.

I reproduce below, copied from the party's website, the defence policies of the English Democrats Party - I hope they don't mind!

All of them are very general and easy to agree with, but the one policy which does catch the eye  advocates the reintroduction of dedicated military hospitals, an eminently sensible idea!

English Democrats Party Defence policy.

3.13 Defence

3.13.1 The English Democrats supports continued membership of NATO as a strictly defensive alliance which does not interfere in the internal affairs of its member states.

3.13.2 Our armed forces should enjoy the highest standards of training and equipment. Their primary role should be as a fighting force. The resources devoted to them should match the commitments they are expected to fulfil.  The main purpose of our armed forces should be to protect our country and the interests of its people.

3.13.4 The English Democrats are opposed to the use of our forces in operations where they are in effect serving as mercenaries of a foreign state.

3.13.5 Members of the armed services who suffer injury in the service of their country should be quickly and properly cared for and compensated. The abolition of the military hospitals was irresponsible and will be reversed. An independent veteran's association should be created to provide better care for, and help with re-settlement of, ex-service personnel into civilian society.

3.13.6 We would retain a nuclear deterrent but explore other means for providing an effective strategic defence.

A view from the Blackdown Hills of the Somerset town of Wellington.

On an early autumn day a couple of years ago I was driving along the northern ridge of the Blackdown Hills when I came upon a car park, above Quarts Moor, a short distance east of the Wellington Monument.  The car park allows a fine view of the town of Wellington and the Wellington Monument to the west.

I, of course, parked up and took some photos.  In the picture below two buildings are prominent.  On the left is the red brick factory building of Tonedale Mills and on the right is the Church of St. John the Baptist.  In the background are the Brendon Hills on the left and the Quantock Hills on the right.

A view of the Somerset town of Wellington taken from the Blackdown Hills.

Tonedale Mills was owned by Fox Brothers, a family firm originating from 1796.  Clothmaking and the dyeing of wool was carried out at the factory which was rebuilt in brick after the original burned down in 1821.

Of St. John the Baptist Pevsner tells us: “The best part of the church is its red sandstone tower of good ashlar.  Tall, sturdy, and with the stair-turret rising high and placed in the Totnes position – i.e. in the middle of the south side.”

I will take the liberty of following the marvellous example of Michael Portillo and quote what Bradshaw’s Handbook of 1863 had to say about Wellington.

Here is a Gothic church of which W. S. Salkeld was rector in James I’s time.  The Duke of Wellington, who derives his title from this place, is lord of the manor.  A pillar, in honour of The Hero of Waterloo, was erected on Blackdown Hill.  This range of hills is on the Devonshire borders, and produces stone used by scythe grinders &c. 

Quitting the station, and again crossing the Tone, we enter an excavation which conducts us to the White Ball Tunnel, a fine piece of arched brickwork nearly one mile in length.  About the centre we attain the highest elevation between Bristol and Exeter, and on emerging from its obscuration we find ourselves in the magnificent county of Devon, with the Wellington memorial cresting the summit of a distant hill on our left, and the long range of precipices, known as the Blackdown Hills, far away before us, apparently extending to the very verge of the sea.

Bradshaw also informs us that the population of Wellington is 3,689.  I very much doubt he could have imagined its population today would be approaching 15,000!

"Dislike of England" the SNP's motivating force? Professor Vernon Bogdanor asks in The Times.

I came across an interesting letter from Professor Vernon Bogdanor in the January 9 edition of The Week.  He implies that dislike of England is the SNP’s motivating force – surely not!

The letter was first published in The Times. I reproduce it below as it appeared in The Week.

St. Andrew’s cross

To The Times

In a Commons debate last week, Ian Blackford, parliamentary leader of the SNP, declared that “Scotland is at heart a European nation”, and indeed that she had been well before the Acts of Union in 1707.  The SNP seems to have acquired this insight somewhat recently.  In the 1975 referendum it was the only major party in Scotland to recommend leaving the European Community. 

Voters are entitled to an explanation of why the SNP changed its mind.  Dare one suggest that dislike of England rather than love for Europe has been its motivating force?

Vernon Bogdanor, professor of government, King’s College, London.