AROUND 150 copies of a new book on the History of Chapmanslade have been sold since its launch last Saturday (October 19).

After six years of research and discussion and weekly meetings, the 40 members of the Chapmanslade History Group launched their long-awaited book 'A History of Chapmanslade' at The Three Horseshoes public house.

Joyce Jefferson, leader of the Chapmanslade History Group, said: "This is the story of both the parish and its people. It is illustrated with photographs and maps and is a fascinating journey through time, which we hope everyone will enjoy."

Mrs Jefferson added: "Chapmanslade has been a challenging parish to study as it was only created as a parish in 1934. Before that it was partly in three parishes, Corsley, Upton Scudamore and Dilton Marsh."

The village High Street is part of an ancient thoroughfare and was the boundary between the Saxon administrative areas of Westbury and Warminster.

"Clara Grant is one of our famous former residents," Mrs Jefferson said. "She became head teacher of a school in East London and was renowned as a humanitarian and philanthropist. She was one of the first pupils in the school, which was opened in 1872."

The oldest artefact found in the parish is a dinosaur bone that was part of an ichthyosaur's backbone. It was found in the Rodden Valley on the edge of the parish.

In the1920s, the village postman walked from Westbury each morning with the post. He stayed in the village all day doing odd jobs and repairing shoes before returning to Westbury with the outgoing post.

In 1970, a tree planting ceremony with Lord Bath, assisted by Frank and Ethel Turl, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the village hall and memorial ground and marked the beginning of fundraising for a much-needed new hall.

Mrs Derry's shop was one of several shops in the village. She sold general haberdashery, children's clothes, Christmas gifts, greetings cards and toys.

The book covers the history of the parish right up to the present day. The cascade of poppies was placed outside the church last November to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The poppies were knitted by village residents. The names of 64 residents who served in the war are listed on the Roll of Honour inside the church: 15 of them died serving the country.

Copies at £10 each are available at The Three Horseshoes or from Joyce Jefferson on 01373 832845 or at phil.jefferson@virgin.net.