OSMINGTON is the latest local community to have completed its contribution to the 2012 Olympic scene on time and within budget. When the hillside figure of George III on his white horse was first carved in 1808, its position was chosen to present a distinctive landmark to seafarers approaching Weymouth Bay. Now, after 200 years, and thanks to the efforts of a dedicated project team, it is set to present the same image to the Olympic seafarers of 2012.

Led by the Osmington Society, the White Horse Restoration Project has taken over two years, and has involved both local and national organisations as well as teams of willing volunteers from many sources. Grants from Natural England have funded much of the work, while English Heritage, as the national custodian of ancient monuments has been involved at all stages – not least in the detailed research to establish the exact original boundaries of the carving, and to work with the Ordnance Survey to record them in accurate digital form for the future. Dorset County Council has supported the project throughout, and the tireless efforts of the Dorset Ranger Service in leading and coordinating the actual labour on the hill have been fundamental to its success. The owners of White Horse Farm, on whose land all the activity has taken place, have also played a full part in supporting the work.

Finally, tribute must be paid to the teams of enthusiastic volunteers from the Army, the Royal Navy, local scout troops, schools and residents, who have worked with pickaxes, shovels, buckets and bags of heavy stone, in all weathers, on a steep and often slippery hillside. The task has involved removing and carting away over 150 tons of limestone chips – the legacy of previous misguided attempts to refurbish the monument – and then digging and cutting back encroaching soil and vegetation to restore the original outline. There will still be a need for regular maintenance to suppress invasive weeds, but the basic aim has been achieved.

However, the project still has some time to run. Plans are in hand for a formal ‘launch’ ceremony between now and the Olympics, and there is a follow-up plan to establish an off-road viewing point from the A353 across the valley. The London Olympics organising committee, LOCOG, has acknowledged its contribution to the 2012 environment by awarding the project an “Inspire Mark” which will give it an ensured place in the world-wide publicity attending the Games. The Osmington White Horse restoration is also going to be included in a forthcoming BBC television programme on the preservation of England’s heritage sites.

For a full illustrated story of the project, including a fascinating day-by-day blog on events on the hillside, log on to the dedicated website at www.osmingtonwhitehorse.info.