Hear tales of ghosts, war-time heroics, the stories behind some of Thomas Hardy's most moving love poetry and much, much more in fifteen interesting and entertaining programmes.
This fascinating Audio Book includes eye-witness accounts, such as a World War 2 tank commander and a resident of Tyneham, archive audio such as Viola Bank's memories of Edwardian Kingston Lacy and days by the sea, and fascinating insights into the life of Dorset today provided by experts, such as the Head Swan Herd at Abbotsbury Swannery and the woman who gave the Cerne Abbas giant a wife. The result is a compelling portrait of this beautiful County.
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1. Heritage Coast – Dorset’s best known and loved attraction and now part of a United Nations ‘World Heritage Site’. Hear about Enid Blyton's love of the coast, of wildlife and coastal walks and the bare facts on Studland's nudist beach.
2. Jurassic Past – fossils found in Dorset contributed to the scientific revolution that led to the theory of evolutionary. Hear of the Loch Ness monster's cousin lurking near Charmouth and encounter rocks that spontaneously combust.
3. Ancient Images – the brooding presence of Maiden Castle and the well-known figure of the Cerne Abbas Giant tell of a past very different from the Dorset of today. We hear of the giant's wife and late-night drink parties with the nuns.
4. The Big House – Dorset is divided up into many estates, with the manor house central to each. News reports straight from the battle field and original archive audio of Edwardian summers at Kingston Lacy.
5. Dorset Villages – the County has many beautiful villages, each with its unique character and history. A Tyneham resident remembers and we hear of landlords, good and bad.
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6. Smugglers! – with its hidden coves and secret caves, Dorset was once a haven for smugglers. They may have scared the locals but they were patriotic souls.
7. Dorset Ghosts – believe in them or not, ghosts always make good stories and Dorset has its fair share. Listen to eye-witness accounts.
8. Dorset Churches – Dorset’s churches represent some of the most beautiful buildings in the County. Frankenstein's monster, miracles, faith and the search for love are all included.
9. Farming County – above all, Dorset is a farming County and was the home of the world famous Tolpuddle Martyrs. When alcohol was better than water and how old farming equipment is become a collectors' dream.
10. Military Dorset – travel in Dorset and it would be difficult to miss the military presence; the army is important in many ways. Hear what it was like to command a tank during World War 2 and what the Army is doing today to save the environment.
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11. Thomas Hardy – the author’s novels are known around the world, while his poetry gives an insight into Hardy’s private life, with funny, beautiful and moving extracts.
12. Dorset Crafts – buy a craft object and you get something special: the combination of natural materials, individual creativity and centuries of tradition. See how they got the high-and-mighty on to the toilet seat.
13. Natural Selection – there are a lot of attractions for those interested in things natural: fauna and flora, exotic and native, cultivated and wild. Hear how swan and cygnets communicate before the egg is hatched.
14. Seaside Towns – Dorset’s seaside towns are now facing a renaissance, from the beaches of Bournemouth to the charm of Charmouth. From the 'tardis effect' of Russel Cotes to some local bother in Weymouth, there are many surprising things to discover.
15. Get Active! – if you want to get active in Dorset, there’s certainly a lot to do, whatever the weather. Pushing parents over the edge, hanging by a thread and the thrills of zorbing.
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