A community just outside Bridport offering refuge to those in crisis has been praised for its response to the pandemic and awarded a High Sheriff Community Award.

The Rev Sue Langdon, warden of Pilsdon Community, and other members worked had to ensure residents were kept safe since the first lockdown last March.

Presenting the award, George Streatfeild, Dorset High Sheriff, said: "It's a privilege to be able to visit and to be able to present to you, [the Pilsdon community] with a High Sheriff Community Award.

"During the time of the pandemic, Sue and her team of members have worked assiduously to keep safe all those living in the community. She was able to use all her skills from an earlier career as a ward sister to ensure that protocols for safety were devised and followed.

"For months from the start of the first lockdown, she made sure that everything needed to keep the community running day-to-day was achieved and she, and all the members, took no proper time off during that period or even left the site.

"Everyone who lives and works at Pilsdon should be congratulated on the way that they are living through difficult times and Sue's leadership has been a beacon of light through it all."

The Pilsdon Community was established more than 60 years ago to offer refuge to people in crisis. Through a common life of prayer, hospitality and work, it provides an environment where people can begin to rebuild their lives.

For the first time in its history, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been in isolation, unable to welcome wayfarers and visitors, to protect its members and guests who live in the community.

The Rev Sue Langdon said: "People come to share our life and we offer them supported housing while they get their lives back on track - a few stay for many years, making their home here.

"We are radically inclusive and there is no compulsion to join in with our prayer life though everyone respects our ethos.

"The oldest person is 79 and the youngest 28, 17 altogether which changes as occasionally tested volunteers come to help when the three of us who hold responsibility take a break.

"As some of us need shielding, we have been unable to welcome new people since the end of March or give respite to those who would come for a weekend break.

"Everyone takes their turn on our rota to do the various jobs of keeping our community running smoothly. We have some fantastic cooks here, have a large vegetable garden and have been able to share some of our produce with the food bank at St Mary's Church in Bridport. Two hand milked jersey cows give us milk, butter and yoghurt, we have sheep and often pigs are self-sufficient in meat.

"We live in a beautiful place and are grateful to be able to live as one household."

Find out more about the Pilsdon Community at pilsdon.org.uk

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