The 1st June marks Dorset Day, an opportunity to celebrate Dorset’s rich heritage and beautiful scenery. Today, Dorset Council will be raising the familiar yellow, red and white County Civic Flag.
The History of Dorset Day
Dorset Day marks the Feast Day of St Wite (pronounced Wheat-a),a local saint who lends her name to the flag of Dorset. The Saint’s origins are unknown and there are no written records. However, many people believe St Wite to have been a local woman who worked tirelessly for the community.
A firm tradition holds that she lived as a hermit on the cliffs near a sacred well and offered a light to ships at sea. It is also said that she boldly defended the local people against a Viking raid, earning great honour in her passing.
Alfred the Great is believed to have built a church to honour St Wite at Whitchurch Canonicorum in the Marshwood Vale. You can still visit the shrine today; it is one of only two shrines with relics in an English parish church! You can now find it under the name of Church of St Candid and Holy Cross.
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council said; “The shrine became a major place of pilgrimage, along with St Wite’s Well near Morcombelake. Today, Dorset Council will honour the tradition of St Wite and celebrate the continuing tireless work and commitment given by so many of our community.”
Celebrate Dorset Day with us.
We will be using Dorset Day as a chance to highlight the reasons we love our County and the amazing communities that reside within it. Share your posts and photos with the hashtag #DorsetDay to join the conversation on social media.
And that’s not all! We have an exciting Dorset Emoji quiz on our social media platforms. Come and join the fun!
