Editor's View: Exploring new parts of my beautiful patch across East Devon and West Dorset

Covering a wide area across the county border and spanning the Jurassic Coast – from Seaton in East Devon to Dorchester in West Dorset – I often think how lucky I am to be working in such a beautiful part of the world.

There's plenty of places to explore, and that's exactly what I did last week...although I can't say all of it was intentional!

The Shire @ Crockermoor, near Corscombe

As part of an upcoming series of features I'll be writing on each of the local causes currently being supported by Bridport and Beaminster Co-op, I headed to the outskirts of my patch to visit The Shire @ Crockermoor, near Corscombe. 

The Shire is a therapeutic care farm, offering a unique day service for adults with learning disabilities, who are able to learn new practical skills, work with the farm animals, enjoy interacting with one another and explore nature in this idyllic setting. 

Founder Pip Clarke showed me around he farm, introducing me to some of the animals and showing me where they hope to create an artificial beach area and memorial garden in memory of Pip' sister - the inspiration behind The Shire - and other loved ones with the funding from the Co-op Local Community Fund. 

Look out for our full feature coming soon.

Having surprisingly found the remote farm with no trouble at all, I set off home confident I knew exactly where I was going – but one or two wrong turns later, I found myself completely lost in deepest, darkest Dorset! 

I must have toured every country lane on the Dorset, Devon and Somerset border before finally getting back on to a route that I recognised. At least I got to explore the more rural parts of my patch, and I did enjoy a stunning sunset along the way, but next time I think I'll take the sat-nav!

Celebrating local businesses

Winners at Bridport Business Awards (photo credit: Paul Collins)

The next day it was back to more familiar ground, as I arrived at Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype for the annual Bridport Business Awards. 

Now in its their fourth year, the awards have really supported local businesses through the most difficult of times and those attending the ceremony were in great spirits on Thursday. It was great to catch up with a few familiar faces and make lots of new contacts.

I must praise Highlands End as an excellent events venue and it offers stunning views looking back across Bridport and the surrounding valleys.

Looking back over Bridport from Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype

World-renowned exhibition right on our doorstep

Finishing off another busy week, on Sunday I visited the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, currently on loan from the Natural History Museum at Seaton Tramway. 

I think it's great that we get the opportunity to see this world-renowned exhibition right here on our doorstep. The photos were incredible and thought-provoking, and reading the lengths that some of the photographers took to capture such unique images was unbelievable. 

I've got myself into a few funny situations photographing events over the years, but nothing quite on this level!

The exhibition will be open at Seaton Tramway station until April 23rd and I'd highly recommend a visit. 

Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago

Exploring more of the Jurassic Coast

I combined my visit to the exhibition with a coastal walk from Seaton to Beer and back. This short section of the Jurassic Coast is one that I had not completed in full before and offers a walk that's not too challenging (although Beer Hill is a bit of a killer!), with there and back just over four miles. 

I'm always taken aback by that beautiful view of the cliffs and beach as you descend into Beer, where my friend and I enjoyed a picnic before heading back into Seaton for a slice of cake at Pebbles Coffee House. A perfect Sunday! 

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