Landscapes for Life Week 2020
Although face to face activities may not be possible this year, AONBs across the country are still keen to celebrate Landscapes for Life Week, albeit in a quieter way.
Last year poet laureate Simon Armitage kick-started Landscapes for Life week with his new poem ‘Fugitives’, seeing landscapes as a ‘Natural Health Service’ for all to enjoy.
Although face to face activities may not be possible this year, AONBs across the country are still keen to celebrate Landscapes for Life Week, albeit in a quieter way.
The ‘Week’ kicks off today (Saturday 19th September) at 2pm with a virtual National Moment – we are inviting people to share their #MyNationalLandscapes either from back yards and gardens, local green spaces or favourite National Landscape. If you are out and about, we’d love to see photos of your favourite places and spaces in the Dorset AONB!
Each day the AONB family will be looking at different aspects of the landscape that enrich our lives. Keep an eye on our website News, Facebook page and Twitter posts – we’ve got lots of ideas for enjoying our outstanding landscapes on your own, with friends & family or from your own home.
Things to do this weekend
The ever-popular Open Farm Sunday has adapted to the pandemic with the new Online Farm Sunday this weekend with a whole day of virtual farm tours.
At midday on Sunday 20th September, you can join organic West Dorset farmers Tom and Sophie Gregory who supply Arla with the organic milk produced by their 380 cows. They will be welcoming you virtually to Mapperton where they grow the next generation of their dairy herd.
For a more hands-on experience, in Dorset we have a wealth of Farm Shops, stocking an amazing array of food produced in Dorset.
Taste of the West finalist Steeptonbill Farm Shop (near Milton Abbas) and award winning Washingpool Farm (near Bridport) are just a few of the Dorset Food & Drink farm shop members you can buy direct from (and both have outdoor cafes too!). Visit the Dorset Food & Drink website for details of more farm shops near you.
We are delighted that our Free Photography Exhibition at Durlston Castle has been extended until the end of September. You can see the top 60 images from our Landscapes for Life Photo Competition 2020.
Helen Stiles, Editor of the Dorset Magazine and on the judging panel enthused “The standard of photography has been very high, with a wide range of stunning images taken in all weathers and all seasons – Dorset really does look as beautiful in winter as in summer. We are very pleased to feature the top 12 images in our Dorset Coast & Countryside Calendar 2021”
The Photo Competition is part of the Dorset AONB 60th anniversary celebrations, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.