Dorset Museums 17- Blandford Town Museum

As mentioned previously not only was John Bastard responsible for creating the Blandford we see today but, in keeping with all educated men of this era, he took a keen interest in his surroundings and produced this watercolour of a local landmark. 

He described the Damory Oak with these words (his spelling by the way...) 

'Damory Oak Supposed to be More than a Thousand years Old. Was in the year 1600 Verry hollow as shown in the plan. And was some time used by 7 people to sell ale there and some times to House Calves, lambs etc. In ye year 1700 it was a verry Hansom Tree and full of Leaves (but hollow as a cove's) Itt sufford in ye ftorm 1703.  Since that many good timbers have ben cutt of  by ye Rives of Ranston Dorsett. The remainder sold in ye year 1757, asFier Wood, att 14 pounds sterling'

At the time it was felled it measured 68 feet in circumference