1946. The idea of a new church for the parish of All Saints, West Parley lies still, as yet unborn. Whilst there are many bits and pieces of information concerning the activities of the PCC and the Parish, if there are any thoughts on a new church they lie hidden until stirred to life at a later date. The only documents directly relating to the site concern the vexed problem of access, but nothing conclusive came out of the exchange reproduced below. The P C C Secretary at the time was Mr Harrison. He must have been concerned about the site even if nothing was being done by the parish at the time. The wording of his opening sentence is worthy of note "At last Thursday's Plans Committee, you mentioned" implies that he was also present at the meeting; perhaps he was a local councilor on the planning committee. This is yet to be verified.

Dear Mr Austin, Ribbon Development At last Thursday's Plans Committee, you mentioned that the County Council had refused any access whatever to Main Road A347 for four plots fronting New Road a short distance North of Parley Cross. (Builder L A Walter) I write to you on behalf of West Parley Parochial Church Council as they are interested in the adjoining Plot which has been given as a Site for a New Church. If as looks not unlikely there is going to be trouble re access to this land, we must be forewarned, and look out for an alternative site before it is too late. If you consider we are in anger, will you kindly let me know the name of the proper Official in Dorchester to whom I should write. Many thinks in anticipation of your kind answer.

8 February 1946 East Dorset Joint Planning Committee New Church Site Ferndown Further to my letter of the 1st instant, I have heard from the County Surveyor at Dorchester and he informs me that foot access to the church would be allowed from the main road. Vehicular access, I think, could be obtained from the new road at the rear of the site Yours faithfully H D Abbott Planning Officer. (The letter of the 1st was merely an acknowledgement advising query being made of appropriate official).

So far nothing has been seen to show that this correspondence was shown to or ever discussed by the PCC.

1947. There now follows a period when Rectors came and went and there were times when there was no incumbent in the parish at all. It would appear that the PCC were preoccupied with finding (and retaining) a rector and acquiring a new rectory. It is the intention to place this documentation on this site, including the church magazines of the time, but for now priorities must lie with tracing the origins of St Marks. It is worthy of note that still the PCC look for a site for a rectory separate from the site given by Lord Wimborne, as 1 acre is not big enough for a rectory. Eventually a house in Dudsbury Avenue called "Roodloft" was acquired. This road was (and still is) technically outside the parish and some distance from the church.

The focused determination of pre war years and of Col. Drew are over and the PCC is preoccupied with other things. Amongst them is the falling church attendance in those "modern" post war years, when attitudes were changing along with everything else (around the Church that is, - not the Church). Are you beginning to marvel at the fact that St Marks was built at all?

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