May Day celebrates nature springing into life and this year the Talking Tent project launches on May Day and hopes to capture what you love about the landscape and nature all around you.

During the last year many people have rediscovered the nature on their doorsteps and enjoyed both walking and relaxing outdoors. Having time to sense the slowly unfolding seasons has also allowed us to reconnect with strong memories of past experiences in the places we know and love in Dorset. Do you have a special place, a fond memory, a story from times past?

If so, come along to the Talking Tent when we pitch up – virtually and for real – across Dorset this year, gathering your collective stories, memories and hopes for the future.

Storyteller Martin Maudsley and nature poet Sarah Acton will be in the Tent to get the tongues wagging through a series of outdoor walks, online ‘in conversations’ and interviews. To celebrate and share stories about Spring, two guided walks have been planned on 18th & 19th May and Let’s Talk Spring online conversation will be online on 26th May – all events are free and covid-safe.

Designed to start conversations about the local landscape, Talking Tent has been set up by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Sue Dampney, Dorset AONB Team explains ‘As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we created a real Talking Tent to tour round local events last summer but then the pandemic happened. We’re delighted that our Talking Tent hosts have come up with some creative ways of bringing Talking Tent to you safely this Spring and Summer. Fingers crossed we can actually pitch up in September for the Talking Tent finale!’

For further details of the events and to book, visit our Talking Tent pages