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Kingston Maurward House
A new event celebrating Dorset’s heritage, traditional skills and cultural crafts will take place this spring at Coastland College’s Kingston Maurward Campus in Dorchester.
Heritage & Harmony, hosted by Coastland College in partnership with Bournemouth University and inspired by the philosophy of The King’s Foundation, will take place on Saturday 18 April at the historic Kingston Maurward Estate.
The event is also supported by Michael Dooley, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, bringing together educators, craftspeople and community leaders to celebrate and sustain heritage traditions for future generations.
Inspired by The King’s Foundation vision of harmony, the event highlights the importance of traditional crafts, local culture and sustainable skills that connect people with place, nature and community.
The morning session, open to the public from 9.30am to 12.30pm, will offer visitors the chance to explore hands-on demonstrations and exhibitions from skilled craftspeople.
From blacksmithing and stone masonry to wool spinning and basket weaving, attendees will be able to experience traditional Dorset crafts first-hand while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Kingston Maurward Estate and its 18th-century house.
The event is free to attend, and members of the public are encouraged to register in advance.
In the afternoon, an invite-only conference will bring together leaders, educators, practitioners and heritage advocates to share best practice and explore ways to sustain and promote traditional skills in the region.
The discussion will focus on how education, industry and communities can work together to safeguard these essential traditions.
Coastland College is currently inviting expressions of interest from businesses and organisations involved in heritage crafts and skills who would like to exhibit during the morning event and attend the afternoon conference.
Kate Wills, Principal and CEO of Coastland College, said: “We are incredibly proud to host Heritage & Harmony at Kingston Maurward. Our campus and estate have a long history of supporting land-based education and traditional skills, so it feels especially fitting to bring together craftspeople, educators and our local community to celebrate Dorset’s heritage.
“Events like this help shine a light on the value of these skills and inspire the next generation to learn from them, protect them and carry them forward.”
Michael Dooley, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, said: “As Lord-Lieutenant, I am constantly reminded that the true strength of Dorset lies not only in the beauty of its landscape, but in the skill, dedication, and quiet pride of its people.
“The crafts that have shaped our county over centuries are not simply part of our history; they are living expressions of who we are – connecting land, community, and tradition.
“When we honour this heritage and place it with care into the hands of the next generation, we do more than preserve the past – we create a lasting harmony that will inspire, sustain, and shape Dorset’s future for generations to come.”
Visitors can register to attend the public morning event via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983445856951?aff=oddtdtcreator
Those interested in exhibiting or taking part in the conference can contact the College at marketing@coastland.ac.uk