A Place to be Real Together

Blog

Local Volunteers Days - New for 2020!
by Tony Jaques
Monday 20th January 2020

As you know, Othona isn't just a place but a loose-knit community of people. Those of us who live and work here would be absolutely lost without many others who give their time and effort in all sorts of ways!

One such way is practical volunteering. We're experimenting this year with a new pattern for this kind of help. We've begun scheduling Local Volunteers Days (LVD) for which you can sign up online, using Eventbrite. There will usually be places for just 6 volunteers per LVD.

Does this seem bureacratic? Why not just turn up?... Read More

Our New Washrooms are Coming!
by Tony Jaques
Wednesday 15th January 2020

We had become very aware over the last few years that the toilet and washing facilities in Community House were in need of a serious overhaul. They were cramped and hard to keep clean, the showers weak and not always hot enough, etc. These facilities dated back to the time our warden, Tony Jaques, first took on the role - 25 years ago this April 2020. Thank you for your patience with them (and Tony? Just kidding ;-D)!

Well...it's happening!!! Working with a local architect and designer, we have planned a toilets and washrooms revolution! The first floor washing area will be totally transformed. The work has now started and we are closed for residential events until end of Feb 2020. Roll Up Your... Read More

Allchurches Trust Supports Four Seasons Studio
by Robin Shaw
Saturday 23rd November 2019

We wish to say a big THANK YOU to Allchurches Trust. In Oct 2019 we received a cheque for £5,250 from the trust to help with equipping Four Seasons Studio. Allchurches Trust is one of the UK's largest grantmaking charities and has a thematic programme 'Growing Lives'. Visit their site for more info (allchurches.co.uk).

Completion target for Four Seasons Studio is before the start of '... Read More

EasyFundraising - Feel Good Shopping
by Robin Shaw
Thursday 3rd October 2019

No cost! No catch! Raise donations whenever you shop online.

We have registered with EasyFundraising!

This is a completely free and simple way to raise money towards big projects such as the Four Seasons Studio - without any cost to yourself or Othona! The donation comes from the retailer and is sent automatically to Othona.

All sorts of big retailers are involved: John Lewis, Ebay, Sainsburys, M&S, Trainline, Expedia, ScrewFix, GoCompare, uSwitch, Amazon... and many many more. 

Learn more about joining by visiting our ... Read More

Inlight Trust Supports Four Seasons Studio
by Robin Shaw
Wednesday 31st July 2019

We wish to say a big THANK YOU to The Inlight Trust. In July 2019 we received a cheque for £25,000 from the trust to support the Four Seasons Studio project. This financial support meant that we could give the green light and start building! Learn more about this wonderful new space on the Four Seasons Studio page.

The Inlight Trust first funded an Othona West Dorset project in 2008. Having the support and encouragement of this respected trust means a lot to us. Thank you!... Read More

10% Summer Discount for Othona Newbies!
by Robin Shaw
Wednesday 8th May 2019

10% Summer Discount if it’s your first time at Othona

Othona West Dorset – the best seaside retreat on the south coast?

Creativity, community, spirituality… and fun!

10% off for newcomers applies to all residential bookings from 24 May to 30 August 2019

Here are a few you might like!

Bags of Creativity Sewing as a creative meditative gift (May 24-26)

Thomas Hardy Confidential  Secret loves of his life? Exploring... Read More

Our Bread is the Best!
by Robin Shaw
Sunday 14th April 2019

Hee Hee! Not our bread exactly. Leakers Bakery is the main supplier of Othona West Dorset's bread and they have been recognised as one of Britain's 20 best bakeries in The Daily Telegraph (30.3.2019). No surprise to us!

Food has a central place in the ethos of Othona. We encourage everyone to value and enjoy preparing food and eating together, not only as a pleasure in itself but also as a powerful symbol (a ‘sacrament’) of community.

We have a polytunnel for salads, an orchard and a soft fruit cage. We serve homemade jams, marmalades and chutneys, as well as honey from beehives right here in our... Read More

Bags & Bags of Creativity
by Robin Shaw
Sunday 14th April 2019

Swim against the tide of our throwaway society! Our multi-skilled, multi-creative housekeeper and core member, Kate Ross will be facilitating her first Othona workshop in May, Bags of Creativity, joined by ace seamstress Jane Parker and our beloved local mindfulness teacher Sue Howse. They will be offering an experiential exploration of creativity and meditative mindfulness - and fun!

Kate has been beautifying and rediscovering many forgotten gems here at Othona West Dorset. Everything from picture hanging and curtain making to mixing moisturisers, furniture polish and mead from our honey and bees wax. 

Keep a look out for future... Read More

2019 Events @OthonaWDorset
by Tony Jaques
Saturday 30th March 2019

 

Have you seen our new highlights (and old favourites) this year?

Thomas Hardy Confidential - early love life and poetry of Dorset's great novelist: talks, visits, walks, folk dance (June 12-16)

Listening to the Green Heartbeat - nature-based retreat (June 20-23)

See, Love, Be - mindfulness and the spiritual life (July 3-7)

Four varied family-... Read More

Soulful Singer Launches Tour at Othona!
by Robin Shaw
Wednesday 25th July 2018

On 16 August 2018, Othona will have the pleasure of presenting the beautiful music of the creative, warm and funny soul that is Joanna Eden, who is in the South West launching her new album, 'Truth Tree'.

In a twenty year career, Joanna Eden has shared stages with The Buena Vista Social Club, Jamie Cullum, The Blockheads and Ronan Keating as well as her superstar student Sam Smith who was her backing singer as a teenager. The Grammy and Oscar winning artist has cited Joanna simply as “The reason I sing”. Sam studied with Joanna for nine years although she laughs:

 “It didn’t feel like teaching or studying, we... Read More