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Written by Administrator
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 The Millstream and Norman Ruins In medieval times the stream had a definite purpose. One purpose was to power the mill, Placemill which then ground flour. Later, the Mill would be used for "fulling" wool too. "Fulling" was a method to wash and thickening wool. Another purpose was to flush the "garderobe" at the Constables House, the living accommodation for the lord of Christchurch castle. A "garderobe" is basically a toilet facility. The users would sit across a number of boards with a hole cut into the centre. When required after some use the "garderobe" would be flushed by increasing the level of the millstream flowing past. This was achieved by a control gate known as the "Gin Door" which diverted water into or not, to the River Avon running alongside. The area of land between the millstream and the Avon was used by the monks studying at the Priory and the local Canons for quiet contemplation. Today however, a wide path takes strollers from the Townbridge past the "Norman" Constables House ruins (still with it's chimney - very rare), past the Priory at the Lady Chapel end down through a tunnel of trees until walkers reach the millstream bridge at the Placemill. The millstream path known locally as Convent Walk was created and opened to the public to commemorate the coronation of King George V in 1911. The term "Convent" initially applied to orders of monks and later to female religious orders, nuns. Before the millstream flows under Castle Street at Mews Bridge or also known as Millhams Bridge past the Norman ruins there was an area for appling punishment to scolds, nags and other minor offences. The Ducking Stool. Used for centuries and was the focus of attention for townspeople to watch the punishment being meeted out. However as you can imagine sometimes this ended with fatalities. The last record of a ducking was for Sarah Leeke of Leominster in 1817. See also Video... Photo Album
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