The village of Charter Alley was formerly known as West Sherborne and then as Charter Ley.

Like most small communities, the village was very much self-contained in that it could satisfy the needs of village life, both physical and spiritual. During the early twentieth century it had its own bakery, blacksmith, dairy farmer (supplying milk to the villagers), builder (who also served as undertaker), garage (where bicycles were repaired), haircutter, shoe repairer, woodman (who supplied wood to the bakery for the oven) and of course the Methodist Chapel. One family in particular can trace back five generations living and working in the village.

Courtesy of Mrs Grace Simpson