Born and Bred Fundraiser for Dorset Village Amenities

Above: Margery Hookings and Sandra Burrows – picture by Nathalie Roberts

The White Lion pub and Broadwindsor Community Stores have each been given nearly £400 from the sale of a book about the West Dorset village of Broadwindsor, compiled by local resident Margery Hookings.

The book was launched at the beginning of November, as part of Windrose’s Born & Bred oral history and art project.

It features interviews with older residents who were born and brought up in the village, along with photographs from the past, and potted histories of local groups and organisations.

“The book is being sold at the shop and pub and is doing really well,” Margery said. “I’ve also been able to give nearly £800 from the proceeds to Windrose.”

Treasurer Sandra Burrows received the money on behalf of Broadwindsor’s Community Shop and pub.

Reflecting on the Born and Bred venture, Margery added, “This has been such a lovely project, with lots of people taking part and some very significant outcomes.

“Participants were interviewed for a local history book and a film produced about the making of the project.

“There was also a creative strand connected to a 17th century vicar of Broadwindsor, Dr Thomas Fuller, who was responsible for many well-known sayings, including the phrase ‘charity begins at home – but it should not end there’.”

Bridport artist Jemma Thompson incorporated Fuller’s witty sayings on the overhead beams of The White Lion, and a flower festival on the same theme was held at the church during Broadwindsor’s inaugural Oak Apple weekend earlier in 2025.

• Born & Bred: stories of then and now in Broadwindsor, Dorset, is available from Broadwindsor Community Stores and The White Lion pub, Broadwindsor, price £20.
• A film about the project will be shown, together with archive footage from the area, on Sunday 25 January 2026 in Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor, at 3pm. Proceeds from the event will be given to the hall.