West Moors

Infobox UK place
official_name= West Moors
country= England
region= South West England
population= 7,400 [Census, 2001]
os_grid_reference= SU0802
latitude= 50.824
longitude= -1.8885
post_town= WIMBORNE
postcode_area= BH
postcode_district= BH21
dial_code=
constituency_westminster=
shire_district= East Dorset
shire_county= Dorset

West Moors is a village in East Dorset, England, on the northern fringe of the Poole-Bournemouth conurbation, just outside the larger settlement of Ferndown. The parish of West Moors had an estimated population of 7,400 in 2004 [ [http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media/pdf/c/3/ParishandWard2004_1.PDF Parish & Ward Population Estimates for Dorset 1992-2004] ] .

West Moors grew up around the junction of the Southampton and Dorchester and Salisbury and Dorset Junction railway lines in the late 1800s and, although main line services were later diverted via Bournemouth, West Moors railway station was served by a branch line railway until May 4 1964. The only remnants of these lines through the village are the original level crossing gatekeeper's cottage, which can still be seen on Station Road, and the Castleman Trailway footpath following the original trackbed leading to Ringwood in the east and Poole in the west.

The village only grew to any size with the expansion of the military fuel depot just outside the village (but within the West Moors civil parish). This base is now home to elements of the Defence Fuels Group, including the Defence School of Petroleum, and also to the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Training Centre. In the past many military families were housed in their own housing estates, but most jobs are now filled by civillian personnel and the military housing sold to the public. More recent population increases have been due to the influx of commuters, both to Bournemouth and Poole, and to more remote destinations such as Southampton, and even London.

West Moors has a mixed population, with a relatively high proportion of elderly people, and significant number of young families. There are two first schools, one middle school, two youth clubs and a skatepark catering for the needs of these children.

Moors Valley Country Park is just outside the parish boundary (but 3 miles from the village). There is a good parade of various shops including two butchers, a small Co-op (incorporating The Post Office) and Tescos and two Public Houses.

References

External links

* [http://www.westmoorsdorset.co.uk/ West Moors Parish Council]
* [http://www.stmaryswestmoors.org.uk/ St Mary the Virgin, Parish Church]
* [http://www.dorsetfire.co.uk/topic.asp?TopicID=262#anchor451 Dorset Fire and Rescue Service West Moors Training Centre]