Broadwindsor has well and truly put itself on the map with the culmination of a community project led by Windrose Rural Media Trust.

Artist Megan Edwards created an interpretive map as part of The place I Love, which celebrates the local landscape and rural heritage of the West Dorset village.

The project included field names research, local folk songs, poetry and an art exhibition.

Margery Hookings, who managed the project for Windrose, said: "The idea for [I[The Place I Love[.I] came during the first lockdown when I was walking to Lewesdon Hill and wondered what the fields were called.

"As a farmer's daughter, I'm aware that all fields have names but I didn't know the ones in Broadwindsor, which has been my home for the past 21 years."

So, as a member of the Windrose team she set about finding out.

The Place I Love was launched on October 16, 2021, with a village art exhibition and display of the 1840 parish tithe map.

The project grew into something bigger than just field names, with the lynchpin being the creation of a village map by local artist Megan Edwards.

The map was unveiled this month at Broadwindsor's Comrades Hall by Barry and Denise Dennett.

Margery added: "I was so pleased when they agreed to do the honours. They've lived in the area all their lives and walk everywhere. They probably know the fields, paths and lanes around Broadwindsor better than anyone."

The map will be encased in a protective frame and installed in a central location in the village later in the year.

As well as the unveiling, professional poet Peter Roe gave a poetry recital - he is also working with the village primary school as part of the project - and Amanda Boyd, also a member of the Windrose team, performed local folk songs she had collected.

Maps showing field names around the village, collated by volunteer Kenzie Bicher, were the subject of much interest, as were photos by 1st Broadwindsor Guides and bloodthirsty limericks by pupils from the local primary school.

"The project was not just about heritage and the past but also the present and future and how we connect with and protect our local landscape," said Margery. "So, I was pleased that the village's eco group had a stand at the event. They've recently planted trees in the village as part of the 'Gurt Darzet Hedge' project and are keen to work with people of all ages to look after the place we love."

The project was funded through Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Sustainable Development and Stepping Into Nature funds, Dorset Council's Community and Culture Project Fund and Broadwindsor Group Parish Council.

A video of the project made by Windrose cameraman James Harrison looks set to be released in March and form part of a village film show.

Windrose specialises in saving old films from Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire and creating new film to add to the archive. The charity uses the media to carry out educational, archival and creative work in rural communities. For more information, visit windroseruralmedia.org

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