As a part of summer activities, Festival of Discovery has been celebrated and the festival has been organised by the South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership between 7th June to 24th June, 2018. The partnership has organised for free walks, exhibitions, family events and talks to discover the heritage of the South Doreset Ridgeway. All are being invited to take part in various events of the festival to be held between 18th to 24th June.
The South Dorset Ridgeway is a high ground which is running between Dorchester and Weymouth and it is a part of the South West Coast Path which has richest cultural connections, long walking trail, renowned rocks and gigantic coast area supporting the wild life. The experts say that as it has an ancient heritage, it is treated at par with Stone Henge. The Partnership is having partners of 14 local organisations with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and led by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can find the below free events to enjoy and learn.
The Beauty of Botanising – June 18
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Nick Gray will take the participants for 2 miles of walk through the rocky & amazing grassland of the South Dorset Ridgeway between 2 pm to 4 pm. As the route is having steep slopes and rough ways, good fitness is required. The participants are advised to wear long trousers, sturdy boots or shoes that suits to wet weather, a hat and drink. Please book for the event through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-discovery-the-beauty-of-botanising-tickets-46034804339.
Wallers without Mortar – June 19
Those interested aged above 16 years can find traditional art of how to build dry stone walls and you can get a chance to try to build along with the guidance of the professional instructors. There will be two sessions one at 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and second one at 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Goulds Hill, Nr Upwey, Weymouth. As the location is a remote area, please bring necessary things required and wear old clothes, sturdy boots, a hat and drinks. Please book for the event through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-discovery-wallers-without-mortar-tickets-46035418175.
Explore Maiden Castle – June 19
Archaeologist – Steve Wallis will take the partipants to one of the Britain’s great Iron Age Hillforts at Maiden Castle, Nr Dorchester, Winterborne Monkton DT2 9EY to find out its history and heritge. The event will be between 11 am to 1 pm on June 19. Please book for this event through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-discovery-explore-maiden-castle-tickets-45928978812.
Multitude of monuments – June 19
Those aged above 16 years can walk along with John Gale who is the Senior Lecturer in Archaeology Dept of Bournemouth University to find history on one of Bronze Age barrow cemeteries for a guided walk at Bronkham Hill, Nr Martinstown between 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Please wear proper outdoor clothing and footwear suit for wet weather. Please book for this event through https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-discovery-a-multitude-of-monuments-tickets-46141972883.
Booking is essential as there are limited places. Detailed information will be sent upon confirmed bookings. For all the above two days events, please contact Nikki Hawkins via email to landofboneandstone@gmail.com or call on 07741 660697 for enquiries.
Tramper around Black Down – June 20
You can join for the journey to Black Down, Nr Hardy’s Monument to enjoy viewpoints, heritage and wildlife around the highest ridgeway. There will be two sessions with free transport – one at 10 am to 12.30 pm, travel between Dorchester-Black Down-Dorchester and other one at 1.15 pm to 4 pm, travel between Weymouth-Black Down-Weymouth. You can also visit to Black Down between 12 pm to 2 pm if you have your own vehicle. For more details and booking, please contact Jules Hammon on 01305 224785 / 07823 790461 or email to julie.hammon@dorsetcc.gov.uk.
Booking for the above free events are mandatory as there are limited places. For more details, please visit www.southdorsetridgeway.org.uk.
