Drawing the spirit of Poundbury: The story behind the new hand-drawn design that celebrates Poundbury

At the heart of Poundbury Good Things, the new volunteer initiative from the Community Association of Poundbury which celebrates our unique community, lies a symbol that we hope will embody the spirit of this place we call home. It's a design that aims to capture the essence of Poundbury — its people, its past, its landscape and future — and will soon feature proudly across a range of Poundbury Good Things merchandise.

How did the Love Poundbury design come to life?

The journey to the Love Poundbury creative identity was as thoughtful, layered, and distinctive as Poundbury itself. At its centre is Spirit, a stylised hare created by local resident and volunteer artist Mary O'Flaherty. Carefully hand-drawn and then rendered in ink and colour pencil, Spirit isn't just a visual mascot — it's a symbol of vitality, renewal and rootedness, drawing inspiration from a Roman brooch found nearby in Dorchester and held at the Dorset County Museum, as well as ancient Celtic motifs.

Our design began with a question: what makes Poundbury truly special? While visitors often comment on the town's architecture — the classical facades, elegant squares and landmark buildings — those of us who live or work here know that its greatest strengths lie elsewhere. It's the green spaces, the rich historical layers beneath our feet, and above all, the warm and open community that truly define Poundbury.

Each of these themes found its place in the final design. The Royal Pavilion appears modestly to one side, representing Poundbury's recognisable silhouette. But it's balanced with something far older: Maiden Castle, the mighty Iron Age hillfort just to the south of town, with its familiar grazing sheep. Around the edges of the design, a garland of wildflowers from The Great Field forms a gentle frame — seed heads and clover, dog rose, dandelion and thistle, all drawn from life by Mary.

Spirit the Hare leaps joyfully at the centre, soaring over a Celtic heart — a nod to the ancient past beneath our feet. Look closer, and you'll find even more meaning within the details. In Spirit's hind leg, Mary has subtly placed her artist's signature: a waxing, full and waning moon symbol, with the letter "M" for Mary placed in the full moon. It's a tiny mark, but one that beautifully ties the hare's ancient symbolism of vitality and spiritual renewal to the personal care and craft behind its creation.

Our community — vibrant, diverse, and woven together by warmth and openness — is symbolised by the roundel design itself: a shape that encircles, yet reaches out. The green ground beneath Spirit speaks of the parks, play areas, and fields where life happens: from picnics to parkruns, art fairs to after-school games.

Join us at the Dorset Food Festival

You'll have your first chance to view Spirit the Hare and our new design in person at the Dorset Food & Arts Festival on Saturday, August 2nd on the Great Field. Visit the LovePoundbury gazebo where we'll be showcasing our very first collection of Poundbury Good Things. Come and see samples of our beautiful greetings cards and prints featuring the full colour design, and discover the LovePoundbury candle lovingly crafted by local candle maker Rhubarb Candle Company. You'll also find a sample of our new tote bag and tea towel featuring Spirit, our special hare motif.

We're excited to share these items with you and would love to hear your feedback. All profits from Poundbury Good Things will go directly towards supporting community initiatives at Pavilion in the Park, making each purchase a way to give back to our wonderful community.

The new Love Poundbury design isn't just decorative. It's a celebration of everything that makes Poundbury more than just a place to live. It's about new beginnings, deep roots, and shared pride in our home. With it, we aim to raise funds for community initiatives, support Dorset makers and creatives, and share the story of Poundbury with the wider world. One beautiful item at a time.

For more information about community volunteering in Poundbury, visit: https://www.lovepoundbury.org/volunteering-projects