How it all started . . .

 

The Mackrell Charity was founded in 1799 by William Mackrell of Spetisbury to provide a school and two teachers for 50 poor children of Sturminster Marshall and the surrounding area. This was a tremendous act of generosity in an age when there was no automatic entitlement to an education. Boys attended school up to the age of 13 (with frequent absences when they were required to help with ploughing, bird-scaring or harvesting) and girls were expected to stay at school until they were 15.

. . . and now

 

The Mackrell Charity now promotes a wide programme of lifelong learning opportunities and cultural activities which we hope contributes to the cultural richness of our small corner of Dorset.

 

The main strands are the Saturday afternoon Mackrell Lectures and the Science Cafe, which meets on Friday evenings. In addition, we promote various classes and interest groups (a cookery club and a languages group, for example, and not forgetting the art class which is still very popular!)

 

At weekends during the summer many visitors -- walkers, cyclists, holiday-makers, friends and neighbours -- drop in to the Old School to indulge in delicious Dorset Cream Teas.

. . . then . . .

 

Over the years the state education system developed, a new school was built in the village, and Mr Mackrell’s charity and the old school building were neglected.

 

Then in 1993 the Mackrell Charity was re-started, the first activity being an art class, which is still going strong. A series of lectures, the Millennium Lectures, was held in 1999-2000 and these proved so successful that they have continued and are now known as the Mackrell Lectures.

Resources

 

The Old School is available for hire to individuals or groups who need a venue for meetings, rehearsals, parties or classes.

 

 

If you are a charity you may be interested in running the cream teas for a weekend. During 2010 over £6000 was raised in this way.