WAREHAM is an ancient town on the banks of the River Frome, often known as ‘the gateway to Purbeck’.
The remains of the earth-banked Saxon town walls surround the historic core of the town on three sides. The town has many historic buildings, including a Saxon church, 18thC coaching inns and historic town houses. Wareham was known as ‘Anglebury’ in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex-themed novels. Income from tourism plays an important role in the town today.
The town has a population of 8,650 (6,763 electors) of which roughly two thirds live in the modern housing developments to the north of the historic core. The town has a mainline railway station, the Purbeck Secondary School, a fire station, police station, 2 day centres, a County Library, Tourist Information Office, and is also home to the offices of Purbeck District Council:
Purbeck District Council, Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PP.
Tel. 01929 556561 Chief Executive – Steve MacKenzie
Elected Representatives
Dorset County Council:
Beryl Ezzard (LD) b.r.ezzard@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Next Election May 2017
Purbeck District Council (3 seats):
David Budd (LD) d.a.budd@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Keith Critchley (LD) cllr.critchley@purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Eric Osmond (LD) cllrosmond@gmail.com
Next Election May 2015
Wareham Town Council
Mr. R Curtis, The Town Hall, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4NS
01929 553006
clerk@wareham-tc.gov.uk
Meets every 6 weeks, on Tuesdays at 7.00 pm.
Recent Elections
Purbeck District Council (May 2014):
LD 921; CON 612; UKIP (Keith Simpson) 440; LAB 108
Dorset County Council (May 2013):
LD 1047; CON 667; UKIP (Keith Simpson) 565; LAB 209
Purbeck District Council (May 2011):
LD 1124; CON 816; UKIP (Mike Hobson) 288
