Not-So Borset

Rarely will a day go by without one of my peers saying that there is nothing to do in Dorset. Having lived in Greater London for 14 years, however, I believe this is certainly not a case of warranted boredom. We are lucky to grow up in Dorset - whether you believe it now or not.

When I moved to Dorchester from Romford in 2011, the freedom that I was met with was almost a culture shock for me. I had come from a town where I simply couldn't go to the park on my own, yet now I was in a place where it seemed children could roam free at any time; without any fear at all. I could go to the skate park in Dorchester well into the evening - all parks were locked at 6 in Romford - and this freedom to do anything without the threat of being mugged (or worse), was something I could never have dreamed of before.

I guess I've now grown out of the skate park, but the scope for venture in the Dorchester area is still massive. Just last year saw the development of the new sports centre; along with gym and swimming pool. Alongside the 3G AstroTurf, it's clear that we have some of the best modern sporting facilities in Britain. Before I moved here, both my home and training pitches were nearly half an hour away - in separate locations. That's why I refuse to take for granted the incredible sporting facilities that we have here. In the local area there's a rugby club, a dance troupe, a hockey team, a gymnastic group, water polo, the nearby Clay Pigeon Raceway, basketball courts and t-w-e-l-v-e football pitches. And if none of this tickles your fancy, there's always the Fun Run (30th March, Dorchester Middle School!).

We are lucky enough to live in immediate proximity to Weymouth, and the opportunities provided by it's trademark coast line are countless. We live by a coastline ideal for the sailing, windsurfing and kayaking courses accessible in Portland Harbour, all of which are sporadic opportunities - accessible to us. That's not to mention the cinemas, bowling alley, shopping facilities, and sports clubs in Weymouth. Not forgetting fishing off the stone pier on a drizzly day in March!

I don't know about you, but I'd take the beach over the Thames any day.

Although it must be said that a Saturday afternoon trip down to The Avenue will always provide an eventful game of football, if there is a chance that sports aren't providing a solution to your boredom, then the arts and music in Dorchester certainly will. The Dorchester Arts Centre is forever a venue for performance- ranging from comedic warm up gigs to theatre - but also hosts live artists. And if you're not put off by the potentially terrifying idea of 3 hours unattached to a mobile phone, then Pop Club is another great boredom- killer. With young musicians ranging from virtually every age, this is a one-off opportunity to play live music in a group, no matter what instrument you happen to play. Also, with Brewers Quay back open in Weymouth, new doors have been flung open for the creative minded, with record stores and the Art Asylum leading the way in the music/art revolution. When the word 'art' extends further than graffiti riddled suburbia, then you know you're in the right place.

It seems then that claims of 'having nothing to do' are plain nonsense. Even if the spectrum of opportunity provided in Dorchester isn't enough for you, then with swift train links to Weymouth, Yeovil and Poole within half an hour, there really is no case for complaint. This 'boredom' is not the result of living in a small country town but is instead the result of having no intention of looking for things to do. People are far too obsessed with the world of iPhones and Vines, and as a result are forgetting to look up and see what's actually going on around them.  Interest is a certain antidote for ennui; in a world of 6 second attention spans. That's why spending my teenage years in Dorset isn't - at least I don't believe - a burden at all.