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A LOCAL PHOENIX

Despite the number of inns that have been closed in the last two decades, West Dorset still has sufficient to supply the needs of the local people and the many tourists who come during the season.

Most of these inns have a story to tell and the Ship at Morcombelake, a few miles west of Bridport, is no exception. It had, in earlier days, a blacksmith’s shop, used for shoeing the coach horses which were changed at Ship Farm on the opposite side of the road. As so often happened under these circumstances the smithy fire set a light to the thatch sometime early in this century and the Inn was rebuilt in
1902.

It was unfortunate that the Innkeeper owed the Brewer two months money and he, the Brewer, suspected the worst. The Innkeeper hotly denied burning the Inn down and told the Brewer to search the ruins for the cashbox which had been in the front bedroom.

Job Legg, the Brewer, said that if the box was found the debt would be written off and he sent a builder named Brooks to search for it. Strange to say, the box was found but the money was somewhat worse for wear. About twenty sovereigns were welded together in a lump by the heat. This lump stayed in the Brewery safe for some long time until given to the Manager to be shared with his grandson. It was eventually made into a chain and is today in the possession of the manager’s grandson.

The Inn is not without its ghosts seen by the Landlord’s family, one a greybearded man and the other a woman who seems to haunt the upstairs of the Inn. Also, on occasions, a ghostly darts match is heard taking place. Today the Ship provides a pleasant and convenient stopping place for the holidaying family with ample parking, a picnic area, a children’s room and food at the bar.