A Place to be Real Together

Blog

by Tony Jaques
Friday 15th March 2024

Photo: Young adults event to build the new stone fire circle!

Use your energy and drive to support our very experienced centre manager/warden to further develop the business and renew the buildings and facilities of our Christian retreat centre in Dorset.

At our centre we provide fun and restorative times for individuals and families.

You will live on the Dorset coast, overlooking The Chesil beach and Lyme Bay, in a 2 bedroom flat, with all meals and household bills provided. 

Salary £16,520.00, 20% employer’s contributory pension, 28 days leave including bank holidays and statutory days.

The centre is staffed by a small resident community who live by a simple rhythm of life described by our founder Rev. Norman Motley as “... Read More

by Tony Jaques
Friday 1st December 2023

Here's a link to our current programme. Have a browse!

We have a range of events including family events, quiet retreats, walking, working together, creative and musical activities, nature and environment focused, space to question and explore - and more!

 

Othona West Dorset is...

A beautiful seaside spiritual retreat...

combining the experience of community life...

with the arts, nature, contemplation & relaxation...

and, as we say, "the natural place to be real together".

 

You're new to Othona?

We hope you'll enjoy finding your way round this site. It's still being added to -... Read More

by Robin Shaw
Monday 20th November 2023

We are featured in the Guardian Newspaper's Readers' Best Wellness Breaks! Thank you so much to Charlotte Marples for your appreciation and recommendation. We hope to see you again soon.

If you are one of the Guardian readers who found your way to us via Charlotte's recommendation, and would like to be the first to hear of our upcoming events...

Join Our Newsletter :-)

We'd love to tell you about our events programme - from retreats to family holidays. But not all of it is published yet. Our events until May are here... Read More

by Liz Howlett
Wednesday 30th August 2023

This will be an online meeting, 10.30-12.30, on Saturday 23rd September

Papers will be circulated by email by 9th September

Written questions to Trustees to be emailed to communitysecretary@othona.org.

A link to this meeting will be made available nearer the time.

We hope to see you there.

by Tony Jaques
Sunday 13th August 2023

We've begun a project to renew our websites and we're looking to refresh all of Othona's online presence. This means more people with interest and skills getting involved - not just staff members at the two Othona centres. Whether as part of the Website Development Working Group (even as project leader), or in other ongoing roles around social media and marketing, photo and video curating, or Google Workspace admin.

This one hour video presentation (passcode: r#YR316! to access), with Q&A, was recorded on Saturday 12th August. Do have a look if you're interested.

After... Read More

by Tony Jaques
Wednesday 14th December 2022

Great news about our continuing bid to reduce Othona's carbon footprint. We have replaced the gas boiler heating the chapel and library by two types of air-source heat pump.

Within the same project we've also installed an Eddi energy diverter. This makes smart use of power generated by our photovoltaic panels. It will enable expansion of this renewables technology at Othona in the future.

Our project has been part funded by Low Carbon Dorset as part of the European Regional Development Fund and will save over 5.3 tonnes of CO2 each year. Thank you so much to these organisations for their support!

by Robin Shaw
Thursday 10th November 2022

Thank you to our Roll Ups gang for our new energy saving insulated thermal cooking bag (also called a wonderbag, or pot wrap). Enables us to cook porridge etc using a lot less energy.

A real community creation. The idea from Kathryn, the pattern by Eleanor, the sewing by Roll Ups crew, the cooking by chefs!

Boiling water and porridge - no further heating required

After 30 mins wrapped up.... Yummy porridge!

by Robin Shaw
Wednesday 28th September 2022

Chill time, ideas, shared jobs, fun, spiritual refreshment - with flexible arrival and departure dates. And PAY WHAT YOU CAN - no set charges.

This event is unusual for Othona.

You can book to arrive and depart on dates that suit you (between Thursday afternoon and Wednesday morning).

You only pay as much as you choose - we have no set charges for this event!

Visit the event page: Growing Community - Pay What You Can for more details.

by Robin Shaw
Wednesday 28th September 2022

Don't miss this chance to have this handmade quilt and to support two community projects.

Raffle drawing date is now Fri 21 October 2021.

Buy a raffle ticket (or 6!) and have a chance to win a beautiful quilt made especially for OthonaWDorset by June McColm.

Proceeds from the raffle will support SHARP (Sandwell Homelessness and Resettlement Project) in Birmingham AND help fund Othona West Dorset's new stone seating circle and firepit.

Below is a photo and the story of the making of the quilt.

See poster for details and use this... Read More

by Liz Howlett
Saturday 10th September 2022

The Othona Community joins the Nation in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her long reign has been marked by her faith in God, her dignity and her commitment to public service. We mourn for her loss, celebrate her life and pray for her family.

Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth, for her faith and her dedication to duty. Bless our nation as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen