Viewpoint highlighted in Townswomen’s Guild history display

Dorset Federation of Townswomen’s Guild joined together to celebrate 95 years of history. Each individual guild put on a display showing how their area has changed since 1929 when the TG was founded. Held at Canford Heath Community Centre on 19 October the groups came from Dorchester, Verwood and Wimborne as well as across Poole.

Dorset Federation chair Julie Sanderson said: “I’m very pleased with the turnout.” She said a total of seven groups plus the Poole Canford Heath group who meet at the community centre had stands.

Members had assembled newspaper cuttings, produced artwork, embroidery, photographs and even a local magazine, which was first published in Verwood by volunteers over 45 years ago.

The first copy of Viewpoint, a community magazine that is still in print today, was on display on Verwood Afternoon TG’s stand. Now published by Pulford Publicity in Ferndown along with its sister publication Dorset View, it maintains its strong community ethos including local news and articles about clubs and groups as well as covering local events. It is now a free publication, rather than having to be purchased. The first Viewpoint magazine was stencil cut on a typewriter in the late 70s by resident Angela Daymond, a current member of Verwood Afternoon TG. She could not be at the display, but her colleagues were on hand to be photographed with various Viewpoints through the ages including the first issue, early copies, the 25^th birthday edition and the current October 2024 issue. Recently retired editor of Viewpoint, Janine Pulford, attended the event. She was appointed editor in 1998 at which time the magazine was owned by Airborne Printing. In 2003 she purchased the title after the company went into liquidation following the death of its owner. Pulford has been involved with Viewpoint for more than 26 years.

“It was rewarding to see Viewpoint on display and regarded so highly as part of Verwood’s history,” said Pulford. “Were it not for the original volunteers, who spotted the need for a local magazine, Viewpoint would not have enjoyed such a long and successful history. I am humbled to have been part of the story and proud to have helped the magazine endure. Although it has a much wider distribution these days, and it’s free, it still serves its hometown of Verwood.”

Other TG stands displayed equally interesting points in history. Wimborne Evening Townswomen’s Guild had produced outstanding artwork of The Square depicting ‘then’ and ‘now’.

The Chairman of the Federation of TG, Beryl Hales, joined the celebration and a special 95^th birthday cake was baked for the occasion. Entertainment included a quiz and songs by the Land Girls.

Founded in 1929, there are now almost 500 Townswomen’s Guilds throughout the UK.