Wondering Where Is Wessex

 A Mystery Of History

The Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Wessex covered much of south and southwest England; everything south of the M4! But it was slightly more complex. When the invading Saxons arrived they settled in the south and east of the Island we now call "Britain".

Those in the east became known as the East Saxons (Essex), then there were the South Saxons (Sussex) and the West Saxons. The names have no connection whatsoever with the word "sex"! Further west was the ancient area we now call Cornwall, populated by the Celts.

So the big orange Wessex map above, was a political merger of the Saxon tribes which had expanded significantly.

Then along came Thomas Hardy. He invented a whole new area which he also called Wessex. It was roughly the old county of Dorset with rather loose boundaries, but before chunks had been annexed by Hampshire!

Some authorities would suggest that Hardy's Wessex stretched from west of Southampton to Lyme Regis with Dorchester (Hardy's Casterbridge) as its "capital".

Which brings us neatly (?) to Keith Shayshutt's latest book.

Keith's book is therefore centred on Hardy's Wessex with a focus on Casterbridge (Dorchester) and, more notably, Weymouth which did not exist in authour Tom's mirror fictional world.

The two volumes of Western National working timetables and the magnum opus of similar for Eastern Counties made for fascinating reading for a timetable afficionado like fbb; but could hardly be called general interest volumes.

This "South Wessex" book offers far greater delight to the Weymouth bus operations enthusuast; but is additionally a revelation of tthe complex and confusing world of bus competition post-deregulation.

Whatever the content, the book is (genuinely) lavishly illustrated with bus photographs and maps, the latter taken from bus company publicity.

Here follows a thumbnail review chapter by chapter.

We do begin with working timetables from 1965.

Above we have the 22 service from Portland via Weymouth to Upwey, terminating at the Wishing Well.

It is very complex compared with today's schedules.

As you would expect from back then, Western National ran everywhere!

How about routes 22K and 22L? Works services? And here's a 22G to the Dockyard - when Weymouth had docks, not just extensive parking for expensive cabin cruisers!

Some of the 22s appear on this route map.

fbb likes the idea of being able to buy a cuppa at the bus terminal from 6am - that's 0600 in the new money. Those were the days!

Then Western National becomes Southern National ...

... and then the dreaded bread vans appear.

Ditto in Casterbridge ...

... and ditto on a couple of longer distance routes ...

... the 212 and 216 all the way to Yeovil. Finally, Cawlett's version of Southern National becomes Fitst Bus. It will take a few years before it becomes the First Bus of the 21st Century. 

First, we have "Metro" to explore.

And Portland is still complex back then; now, look at the Island (which isn't an island) today.

There is the open topper to add ...

... which is now numbered 501. A predecessor is seen climbing the hill with Chesil Beach in the background. 

Gorgeous!

Maybe First will abandon Weymouth's open tops as they have promised to do daftly in Cornwall!

Topless or not, there are still some stunning rides to be had in today's  Wessex ...

... with Chesil Beach from the Abbotsbury end looking east.

But we are not done yet.

Keith also gives us a taster of independent operators in Weymouth and around. That's for part two, tomorrow.

The book retails at £40 (OUCH) but, as fbb will surmise tomorrow, it represents good value for nostalgia and even "academic" research.

Thanks to a review copy fbb did not have to choose between his latest model railway purchase and this superb book. The decision would have been very difficult but the book would have won!

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 The Easter Jigsaw 

Thirty Silver Coins?

Most will know that Judas Iscariot betrayed his leader, a betrayal which led to Jesus' Crucifixion. Why was it necessary for Judas to lead the authorities to Jesus? As we have seen, he was never secretive!

Then one of the twelve disciples - the one named Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas was looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them.

There was a practical reason. The authorities wanted to arrest Jesus quietly, away from the Passover crowds in fear of a riot. Judas would know where he could be found.

There was a historic reason. In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, there is a prediction of a betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. Judas action fulfilled that ancient prophecy.

There was a spiritual reason. Judas was part of an organisation that wanted to get rid of the Romans. His idea of a Messiah was one who would win a military victory. Jesus victory over the rule of sin would be very different.

There was a personal reason; a challenge to all of us. There is no doubt that Jesus' mission was to bring Forgiveness, Purpose and Love to humanity. When we reject that offer, surely we are betraying the Master, often for far less than thirty pieces of silver.

Judas got it wrong as well.

Big messages in a small incident!

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 Next book review blog : Tues 15th April