ELMORE, a hamlet in the parish of MOTCOMB, liberty of GILLINGHAM, Shaston (West) division of the county of DORSET, \ a mile (N.) from Shaftesbury. On Elmore Green are several wells, from which the town of Shaftesbury is supplied with water, and as an acknowledgment for the benefit derived therefrom, a particular custom is annually kept up, by ancient agreement between the lord of the manor and the mayor and burgesses, who, on the Monday before Holy Thursday, go in procession to the wells, with what is termed a prize besom, richly ornamented with plate and peacocks' feathers, carrying also a raw calf s head and a pair of gloves, all which are presented to the steward, who returns the former, when it is brought back to the town with great formality.