Traditional skills were revived as Dorchester’s retirees and their relatives were invited to get crafty as part of an event to celebrate heritage past times.

Held at Bowes Lyon Court, McCarthy and Stone’s new Retirement Living Plus development in Poundbury, the event invited McCarthy and Stone homeowners and older people in the community to sample basket making, crochet, woodcarving, painting and drawing through interactive workshops and demonstrations.

Kim Caldwell, regional sales and marketing director for McCarthy and Stone, said: “The older generation undoubtedly has a wealth of talent and knowledge and we wanted to provide a forum for sharing these skills.”

Sharing her crochet talents was Royal Voluntary Service volunteer, 73-year-old Celia Dennis, who hopes to inspire the older generation to take up new skills, crafts or hobbies.

Ms Dennis said: “It was my pleasure to visit McCarthy and Stone’s Bowes Lyon Court development and to give guests the opportunity to find out more about crocheting or to pick up a new skill. I get so much pleasure from practicing my craft and it is wonderful to be in the position of passing this on to others.”

Ms Dennis from West Sussex, originally learnt to crochet as a little girl sitting on her grandmother’s knee and has been crocheting several times a week ever since.

Guests were taught basic stitches and Ms Dennis shared her knowledge and skills to help individuals tackle their own projects at home.

Also on hand demonstrating wood carving and basket making was Dorchester Centre for Creative Arts tutor, Mark Vyvyan-Pennie who hoped to inspire retirees to take up classes at the centre.

He said: “Having hobbies or interests keeps people active and I think everyone should keep active. Everyone is welcome to our courses.”

Bowes Lyon Court resident, Daphne Little said: “I’m really pleased they put things like this on. I’m not a TV watcher so I like to be able to get out and do things."

The event was part of a series of events put on by McCarthy and Stone to mark their 40th anniversary. In 2017, McCarthy and Stone teamed up with the Royal Voluntary Service to raise £130,000 at events throughout the year.

Marketing executive at McCarthy and Stone, Gabrielle Dearling said that she hoped the events would allow residents to build social groups through shared interests.

She said: “Days like these build the community so no one feels isolated.”