The ‘Lichen Lady’ of Studland

‘Bare patches; don’t forget the bare patches…’ Joy Fildes has been careful to keep the sharing of her apparently boundless scientific knowledge to an elementary level in keeping with the degree of understanding in her one-man class. Thankfully, at 87 years young, a lifetime of teaching has more than prepared her for the task. After all, Read More…

‘Photography is saving my life’

‘Not only is Brownsea Island a jewel in Poole’s crown, it is absolutely instrumental in me being here at all.’ Photographer Paul Williams is talking about the significance of Brownsea Island in his on-going recovery from the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that saw him make three serious attempts on his life following an incident Read More…

Ant arts for all

On one level it’s a gaggle of eccentrically dressed actors pretending to chow down in the belly of a dinosaur, but on another it’s an introduction to notions of evolution, extinction, science and discovery. Whatever it is, it looks like a lot of fun. Created by Dorset-based arts company Emerald Ant, The Iguanodon Restaurant debuted in Lyme Read More…

Cow’s about that…?

Since the end of World War 2, the population of Verwood has exploded from around 2000 to nearly 15,000. As development has swallowed up brown-field sites, Bugdens Copse and Meadow has continued to provide the promise of a small haven of tranquility, right in the middle of the modern town. Lying between the main Ringwood Read More…