A GRAN is making a big splash with a starring role in a tea firm's new campaign.
Keen year-round sea swimmer and grandmother-of-four Val Hall of Portesham features in Dorset Tea's 'get outside' initiative.
Dorset Tea is urging people to get outside and enjoy all that the county has to offer this winter.
The brand’s latest campaign has worked with real-life Dorset residents, who embrace the winter and the great outdoors.
One of them is Mrs Hall, whose favourite places to swim are the 'the groyne' at Weymouth Bay and Chesil Cove. She also belongs to the Bluetits swimming group.
She said: "The best thing about sea swimming in the winter is that it gets me up and out in the morning, the natural high of the cold water sets me up for the day. A great way of socialising and making new friends.
“Post swim, I love warming my hands on a steaming hot mug of tea with cake and friends.”
Mrs Hall appears in the campaign alongside Greg Weekes, 40, a cycling enthusiast from Southbourne.
Mr Weekes said he loves 'getting out for a ride on a blue-skied crisp winter's day as it's a good release from otherwise short and dark days in the office'.
His favourite place to cycle in Dorset is Purbeck. “It is a stunning part of the world and on our doorstep, we are so lucky,” he said.
Lauren Forecast, Brand Manger for Dorset Tea says: “Dorset is at the heart of our brand, so it felt important to put local people at the centre of our campaign.
"These are real people showing their own true-life moments, when there is nothing better than getting outside, followed by a cup of warming tea!”
Dorset Tea is encouraging people to 'stay active, positive, and healthy through the winter - all followed by a cup of warming Dorset Tea sunshine, of course'.
It suggests adding the following activities to your 'Dorset to-do list':
Winter walks: Wrap up warm and soak up some sea air. A firm favourite is Chapman’s Pool on the southwest coast path offering spectacular views.
Sunrises and sunsets: With such a beautiful stretch of coastline, rolling hills and enchanting woodlands, there are plenty of dramatic spots to watch the sunrise at dawn, and tranquil places to enjoy sunset at dusk. If you are a ‘get up and go’ type, then one of Dorset’s best spots to watch the sunrise is West Hill, Corfe Castle.
Cold water dips: There have been a lot of studies about the benefits of cold-water swimming – not only is it said to boost your immunity, but the activated endorphins result in a natural high. There is a growing cold-water swimming scene in Dorset; from the Bluetits in Weymouth to the Cold Water Collective in Boscombe, these inclusive communities dip year-round.
Sunshine cycles: With quiet roads and some of the toughest hills in the South of England, Dorset is one of the best places to ride in the UK. You will soon warm up climbing one of the hills in in the Purbecks – considered one of the best kept secrets for cycling enthusiasts. Hit one of the national cycle network’s recommended routes (route 26 takes you from Sherbourne to Dorchester, and onwards to the coastline in Weymouth, with rolling hills and stunning coastline along the way) or join a local group for weekly tours, followed by a cup of tea.
Winter warmer: More and more saunas are popping up along Dorset’s coastline. Most with views out to sea, take a cold-water dip and then relax and enjoy the many benefits of a wood-fired sauna, including reducing stress, eradicating body toxins, improving heart health and providing deeper sleep.
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