Stour Provost

	Stour Provost [also Stower Provost] is a quiet, little village that lies in the heart of the Blackmore Vale in Dorset 5 miles south-west of the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury. Up until 1925 most of the village was owned by King's College, Cambridge (which has undoubtedly helped the village remain retain it's character over the years and stem the amount of new development that has taken place). The church of St Michael is an ancient building with chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and a square embattled tower.
The parish registers date from 1701. There was a Primitive Methodist chapel at New Yeate and a Congregational Chapel at Stour Row. There used to be an active quarry at Manor Farm and a flour mill in the village. Stour Row which is in the parish is on the road from Shaftesbury to Marnhull, the church of All Saint was built in 1868 but not consecrated until 1878. The school was built in 1850. Most of the 2730 acres of the parish are laid to pasture and the population in 1861 was 889 and in 1891 was 700. Photograph of St Michael's © Lynda Mudle-Small 2003. Right. Stour Row All Saints Chapel © Caryl Parsons 2004
The Online Parish Clerk (OPC) for Stour Provost is Cassandra Gotham Please place the words 'OPC Stour Provost' as your subject for e-mails Contributions in the form of transcriptions and photographs are always welcome
Census	Census are being transcribed. 1841 Census 1851 Census 1861 Census 1871 Census 1881 Census 1891 Census 1901 Census
Parish Registers	Baptisms 1731 - 1812, 1813 - 1846, 1847-1880 Marriages 1731-1812, 1813 - 1858 Burials 1731-1812, 1813 - 1846, 1847-1880
Protestation Returns	1641 Protestation Returns
Photo Gallery	Photographs of the church and village.
Postal Directories	Extracts from Directory's 1865, 1880 & 1895
Monumental Inscriptions	Details of all Monumental Inscriptions can be obtained by going to the Searchpage and entering 'Stour Provost' in 'Burial Place'.
Maps	The 1891 ordnance survey maps of the parish can be seen at the old-maps site, just enter 'Stour Provost' under place search. For a 1920's map of the area click on the thumbnail on the left. 161kb.