A Dorset club for men has built and designed silhouettes of a World War One soldier for two local care homes.
Countrymen Club, based on Ryland’s Farm near Sherborne, has been helping men with conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease for more than a decade.
With Remembrance Sunday just around the corner, the club was approached by two care homes to create a silhouette of a World War One solider.
The men felt it should also represent the sacrifices made by animals during the war and came up with a design that included a war horse being led by a soldier.
Jan Millard is a group coordinator at the farm and says that a lot of 'love' has gone into the project.
Jan added: “Trinity Manor asked us to make a silhouette of a World War One solider but it was important to us as a farm to acknowledge the role of horses and all animals during the war.
“It’s quite unique, so as a farming group we thought it was appropriate we made the connection, and it was our way to acknowledge them.
“A lot of work, love and care has gone into it.”
Once the first design was completed, Abbey View care home, also in Sherborne, contacted the club about creating a silhouette for their display.
Before they knew it, a third one had been created to go at the farm’s front gate.
Jan continued: “It’s a real success story where men have an opportunity to work on the farm or if they just want social interactions.
“It’s lovely to do projects that give them purpose and a challenge."
The farming club is a sanctuary for these men who get to enjoy outdoor activities and projects amongst like-minded people and help retain their independence.
With around 40 acres, the farm includes a wide range of animals such as cattle, pigs, donkeys, sheep and ponies.
Its barn is used as a meeting place which hosts the men twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons where they get together and take on jobs around the farm - even growing flowers in two poly tunnels for their wives.
Jan added: “It was set up 11 years ago by Julie Plumley, after her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s as there was no suitable day care for him.
“Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, and we get men from all walks of life that enjoy being outdoors.”
“Some have dementia and Parkinson’s but some are just lonely or socially isolated.
“What we do is also vital to support wives and careers – it is critical for them to get some rest.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here