After the rush of Christmas, West Dorst and East Devon always seems to go into a kind of hibernation in the New Year.

Events become few and far between and, with a lot of doom and gloom in the national press, it's easy to get pulled into those winter blues.

But as we reach mid-February, things start to pick up again and – from theatre and museums to historic houses – I have enjoyed a week of culture amid the first signs of spring.

Firstly, I have to mention Bridport Pantomime Players' excellent production of 'Peter Pan', performed at the Electric Palace last week. Full of upbeat song, dance, colour and a pinch of fairy dust, there was no chance of coming away still feeling down in the dumps.

I did suffer a little set back later in the week when my laptop (which is basically permanently attached to me!) decided to give up, so I headed off to Exeter for a rather unsuccessful visit to the Apple Store. 

A new view of the world

Luke Jerram's new Gaia exhibition at Exeter Cathedral

While in Exeter, I saw a banner reminding me of Luke Jerram's new Gaia exhibition, which has just opened in the cathedral, so I made time later in the day to pay it a visit. 

Following Jerram's successful Museum of the Moon installation, the Gaia installation features high-resolution NASA imagery of the Earth's surface and specially-composed surround sound by BAFTA award-winning composer, Dan Jones.

The installation is supposed to create a sense of the 'Overview Effect' – a term author and philosopher Frank White used to describe astronauts' feeling of awe for the planet when viewing it from space; a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

I was certainly in awe. Starring up at the seven-metre installation in the beautiful surrounds of the cathedral, I felt rather small, but in a sort of comforting way. A feeling of calm washed over me and all my own worries or stresses suddenly seemed so insignificant compared to everything going on across this vast planet, suspended above me.

While I was very happy to have seen it, I would suggest that perhaps a visit in the evening would be even more effective having seen photos of the atmospheric lighting. 

You can find out more and book tickets at www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

Exploring the history of Dorset's county town

Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester

The following morning I set off in the opposite direction to Dorchester, where I was covering the opening of Dorchester Beerex at the Corn Exchange, now in its 35th year having hoped raise hundreds of thousands local good causes. 

After taking a few photos, I found time for a quick hot chocolate at the Tate Café at Dorset Museum, hot on the heels of its success at the Dorset Tourism Awards, where the cafe won silver for Tearoom of the Year and the museum itself took home three awards. 

I then headed to the neighbouring Shire Hall Museum, where communication manager Tamsin had kindly offered me a tour of the former courthouse, followed by an interesting chat about the tourism industry in Dorchester.

This social justice museum uncovers moving and important stories of everyday people's interactions with the justice system, since the late 18th century, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the jail cells where infamous names such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs and Martha Brown – the last woman publicly hanged in Dorset and an inspiration of Thomas Hardy in 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' – were once held, before ascending to the dock yourself. 

First signs of spring at Mapperton

Snowdrops on show at Mapperton Estate, near Beaminster

I finished the week off by taking my Mum to Snowdrop Sunday at Mapperton Estate, near Beaminster. It was a first time visit for both of us and we were blown away by the award-winning formal topiary gardens, said to be among the best in the South West, before enjoying a woodland walk around the wider grounds to enjoy the sea of snowdrops. 

The gardens will be open for the second Snowdrop Sunday this weekend, before opening for the main season later in spring. I'll definitely be making a return visit to see the plethora of daffodils that looked almost ready to bloom, and to tour the house itself – home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich.

A new week is now underway, which I started on Monday with a charity lunch at the Alexandra Hotel in Lyme Regis, raising funds for the Rotary Club's Water Survival Box, which will be very much in need in the aftermath of this week's devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria this week.

And later this week I'm looking forward to the Bridport Business Awards, and visiting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum at Seaton Tramway, opening this weekend. 

You can read all about it in next week's column!

The formal gardens at Mapperton

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