Dorset Apple Cake

by Louisa Adjoa Parker (Weymouth)

After 38 years of chaos and a trail of wreckage behind him, he arrived in Dorset homeless. He’d lost his wife, his job, his home. He couldn't put his finger on why. It was easier to blame her. Eventually he realised it was all about him.

At first he struggled with the slow pace of life. After a while things started to make sense; he was in a stable relationship, had a 4 year-old daughter, a lovely 11 year-old step son. He felt blessed.

He got himself a dog, started college, became involved with the community. A highlight of his day was to sit with good company at a seafront café, eat a slice of Dorset apple cake with cream. In those moments regrets and worries would fade away.

He’d get excited at the thought of a day on the seafront. There would always be that chance encounter with someone that allowed him to forget himself and glimpse their world. He’d return home grateful for the gifts the seafront had given him.

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What Louisa Adjoa Parker says about Dorset Apple Cake:

Inspired by talking to Tony, a former drug addict who moved to West Dorset from London, and rebuilt his life here. Moments spent walking along Weymouth seafront, or sitting talking to people, stand out in his memory. He’s now very involved in the local community and spends some of his time working with addicts.