Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester, has a new ‘Lost Words’ trail for visitors to follow, inspired by the book of the same name by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris.
The Lost Words celebrates the once-common ‘nature’ words – including acorn, wren, starling and dandelion – that were dropped from the Oxford Junior Dictionary. It takes these words that have been falling out of use amongst children – such as adder, kingfisher and bramble – and brings them back to life through Macfarlane’s ‘spell poems’ and illustrations by Morris.
An accompanying leaflet also highlights some old Dorset dialect words to stimulate memories for the older generations and inspire interest in younger generations:
This trail is part of a wider crowd-funded Dorset Lost Words project supported by Westbourne Books, in which schools across Dorset are being given a copy of The Lost Words. Together with funding from Dorset AONB a programme of school workshops, an exhibition of children’s work and the development of a website using the hashtag #LostWordsDorset is being delivered across the county.
The concept will also be taken to Memory Cafes for those living with dementia in Dorset.
Thorncombe Wood ranger Claire Platten said: “We hope that people of all ages, and those caring for others, will enjoy this trail. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to nature and to search for, find and speak about The Lost Words.
“The trail encourages everyone to write, illustrate and share their own poems and ‘lost words’. Have a go – the most outstanding artist and wordsmith will win a copy of The Lost Words.”
The short trail runs alongside Thomas Hardy’s cottage and follows paths that can be used by off-road mobility scooters (which can be hired from Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre) and will be open from February half term until 10 April.
To celebrate the opening of this trail, local storyteller Martin Maudsley will be leading a Lost Words story walk on 20 February. It will feature folktales, myths and legends that celebrate plants and animals found in Dorset. To book, visit: hardysbirthplace@dorsetcc.gov.uk
The Lost Words Trail is funded by Stepping into Nature – a local community lottery funded project which provides activities for Dorset’s older generations, including people with dementia and their carers, to access and enjoy our unique landscape, wildlife and culture.
