The Story Behind Our Designs: Creativity, Community and Spirit

Every design has a starting point, but Poundbury Good Things didn't begin with a sketchbook or a brand brief. It began with people — a small group of volunteers sitting around a table last spring, brought together by a shared sense that Poundbury had something quietly special, worth celebrating.

What struck us most wasn't just what you can see, but what you feel. There's a warmth and a rhythm to life here — in the easy conversations between neighbours, the sense of history beneath our feet, and the green spaces and changing seasons around us. 

From that first team meeting, the seeds of our creative identity were sown.

Mary's Story: A Creative Journey Reignited

At the centre of that journey is Mary O'Flaherty, a Poundbury resident and one of our original Good Things volunteers. Mary gives her time freely — an unpaid contributor whose artistry now graces Poundbury Good Things' range. As a teenager, she studied at Limerick College of Art & Design, completing a Foundation course and beginning a degree in painting. Life, however, had other plans, and she was forced to step away from her studies due to her mental health. Four decades later and now living in Poundbury, Mary felt inspired to return to drawing through volunteering.

Mary reflects on how much her surroundings and life in Poundbury have meant to her: "I feel incredibly grateful to live here — to be part of such a beautiful place, surrounded by nature and such a warm, joyful community. It gave me the confidence to pick up my art again." We are so lucky to have her!

The Hare Takes Shape

It was at our very first meeting that the idea of the hare emerged — almost instinctively. We'd been talking about how remarkable it is that, despite being part of a large town, Poundbury feels so connected to the natural world. Hares can still be spotted here, darting across green spaces or even glimpsed along quiet streets at dusk. For Mary, who has a natural affinity for the rhythms of the natural world, the hare resonated deeply: a symbol of rebirth, vitality and connection to the land.

By our second meeting, Mary brought along her first pencil sketches. That was the moment everything clicked. From those drawings emerged "Spirit" — our now familiar Poundbury Good Things hare, with its forward-facing paws, wide eye and distinctive ear, inspired in part by the Roman-era brooch discovered locally and part of the Dorset Museum's collection. From there, the design grew organically. Mary developed the logo's Love Poundbury font, and began weaving intricate motifs into Spirit's body. For these, she drew on Celtic designs found on ancient coins from nearby Maiden Castle.

Inspired by Poundbury: Layers of Meaning

What made the artwork special is not just how it looks, but what it holds. Each element carries meaning — from the Royal Pavilion and Maiden Castle, to the garland of wildflowers inspired by The Great Field. Spirit leaps at the centre, embodying renewal and our connection to the land. Subtle details, like Mary's moon-phase signature, hidden within each of her designs, reward those who look a little closer. People often respond to the designs instinctively, even if they can't quite say why. We think that's because they tap into something timeless: a shared affinity with nature, place and story.

Looking Ahead: An Evolving Artistic Voice

This year, we've encouraged Mary to follow her instincts even more freely: to create new designs inspired simply by what catches her eye in Poundbury. The results have been remarkable. As an allotment holder and passionate plantswoman, it was perhaps inevitable that "The Plotters Pest," inspired by the walled allotments at Middle Farm Way, would be one of the first. Soon after came "Sirens' Song," as Mary entered a rich creative flow.

Her style is evolving beautifully; a distinctive palette, subjects rooted in the natural world, and a growing confidence in her brushwork. There's a looseness and energy in these newer pieces that brings a fresh charm while staying true to the spirit of our original design.

As a team, we couldn't be prouder of what Mary is creating. That she does so entirely as a volunteer, giving her time and talent for the benefit of the community, makes it all the more extraordinary. Poundbury Good Things exists to celebrate connection, creativity and to raise funds for community good causes — and in Mary's work, all three come together in the most meaningful way.

We really are very lucky to have her.

Emma Taylor, Project Lead, Poundbury Good Things

An initiative of the Community Association of Poundbury

Find out more here: Poundbury Good Things