VISITORS to the replica ducking stool at Christchurch can now find out more about its history thanks to a local history group.

A new plaque has been installed there thanks to Christchurch Antiquarian Society and Christchurch council after members of the society carrying out archaeological digs in a garden on the other side of the stream overheard people asking questions about it.

Bev Miller from the Antiquarian Society said: “It was obvious that people were intrigued by the history behind the ducking stool and we wondered if the council realised quite how many visitors came to see it.”

Bev approached town centre ward councillor Gillian Geary offering for the Antiquarian Society to do some research to provide an information plaque and Gillian asked tourism manager, Ann Simon, if the plaque could be funded from the council’s tourism budget.

The plaque now explains that, contrary to popular belief, it is unlikely that ducking stools were used to identify witches. Rather they were reserved for ‘scolds’ – women found guilty of verbal abuse, brawling or other anti-social behaviour.

Although the mill stream where the chair is now sited is very shallow, it would have been much deeper when the original stool was in use. It is possible that the stream widened at this point to form a pond into which the stool was plunged.

Tourism manager, Ann Simon said: “We’re very grateful to the members of the Antiquarian Society for researching the information which has been written on the plaque. “I’m sure visitors will find the history behind the stool fascinating.”