At Dorset History Centre being inspired is our bread and butter. We are often lucky enough to find cardboard watercress sandwiches or secret letters; delicate flower pressings or romantic love poems – amongst just some of our recent discoveries!
Nothing is more pleasurable to us than sharing our records, and the Stepping into Nature project has given us the chance to do much more of that. The overall programme is managed by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B.), which received Big-Lottery funding in 2017. The project aims to improve well-being by helping people to connect with the beautiful local landscape and its heritage.
‘Inspired by Archives’ is our part of the programme and runs at DHC twice a month. We offer a warm welcome to anybody who would like to try the activities and enjoy some conversation. We are a small mixed group, some affected by dementia, some carers, people affected by other disabilities and people who just enjoy the stimulation! We have two great volunteers who support the sessions- another way in which volunteers contribute to the life of DHC!
The group has now been running for eighteen months and in that time we have been ‘inspired’ by a wide variety of archival documents – from garden designs to early twentieth century film; Poole Pottery to Egyptian landscapes. We enjoy chatting, catching up, viewing records and making an art or craft response to the original archival documents. Above all, we experiment!
Throughout May, in the display case in the foyer of our building, you can see some of the recent work produced by participants. We’ve worked with many mediums including poetry, watercolours, drawing, photography, Dorset buttons, clay and song. It has been great to be able to commission experienced artists to lead some of our sessions, and we are often learning a new skill together.
The sessions run in our lecture room on the first and third Monday of each month. The only charge is £1.00 for coffee and biscuits (although it has been ice-cream or apples at times!). We start at 10.30am and end at 12pm. It’s a good idea to arrive in plenty of time, so that you don’t miss out on anything. Our building has good access with disabled parking at the rear, ramps to our entrance, a disabled toilet and hearing loop. We are always very happy to discuss your access needs and do all we can to make sure that everyone can come and enjoy the Centre – so do get in touch with any queries.
If you, a friend or loved one would like to come along you can just drop in or, for more information or to discuss your needs, contact our Community Engagement Officer, Maria Gayton on 01305 228947, or by email m.gayton@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
**Please note that the May 2019 sessions are on 13th and 20th May due to the Bank Holiday.**