Dorset Ladies’ Craftwork Helps Rescue Dogs Find ‘Forever Homes’

Crafty ladies at a Dorset care home rounded off months of careful attention to detail with a sale of imaginative handmade items at their village festival.

Dog rescue charity Waggy Tails was the beneficiary of gifts designed, knitted, crocheted and decorated by eleven residents of Colten Care’s Brook View in West Moors and sold at the nearby Westival.

Fairy jars, woollen bird hangers, floral wands, turtle coasters and cardboard tube puppies were among dozens of items made in craft sessions and put on display to tempt visitors at the summer get-together.

It was the first time Brook View has had a stall at the annual community event, held on West Moors’ Fryers Field, a short walk from the home.

Jo Vardy, Companionship Team member, said: “Our residents worked hard over several months producing craftwork to sell from very cute cardboard puppies to pretty flower wands and many other summery items.

“On the day, we were joined at the stall by Brook View volunteer Claire Valvona and a Waggy Tails representative.

“Together, we chatted to customers and it wasn’t long before we had a steady stream of sales, with the crocheted animals and woollen birds, especially the garden robins, proving popular.

“We also have an order book with specific requests such as more cardboard tube dogs in particular colours so our tally of around £120 for the day is still on the rise and our residents will be kept busy creating for some time to come.”

Brook View resident Paula Marels said: “It’s wonderful to play at least a small part to help some dogs find their forever homes.”

As well as the stall at Westival, a ‘doggy food bank’ of donated items was arranged back at Brook View ready for collection by Waggy Tails manager Nicky Chapman.

The idea of choosing Waggy Tails as the home’s main charity for this year came from Senior Receptionist Sarah Weaver. She took on her late dog Buddy via the charity. He used to come into the home while she was on duty, proving a hit with residents, staff and visitors.

Resident Pat Upshall, a former winner at Crufts with both Bassett hounds and long-haired dachshunds, said: “It has been wonderful to see people’s generosity regarding our stall and food bank. I know times have been hard of late so it’s lovely to see how much people care about the animals.”