Perched on the banks of the River Allen on the edge of Wimborne is the historic Walford Mill, the hub of Dorset's thriving crafts community.

This converted water mill, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this summer, was once part of the Kingston Lacy Estate and is now a contemporary showcase for both local and national makers.

Christine Fletcher Jones who has been at its helm for the best part of 19 years (she was enticed back following a brief retirement) has lost none of her passion for the place.

"I love working in such a creative environment," she enthuses. "We support 300 makers from small enterprises within the shop, through to small exhibitions. It is lovely to be able to bring on new people, new talent."

Christine, a former dressmaker who ran her own children's clothes shop in Ringwood for 11 years, is keen to raise awareness of how much goes on at the mill.

"We have come a long way over the last few years but many people may not realise just how much goes on here as we try hard to engage with different age groups and people of different abilities.

"Last year we had a total of 1,449 children taking part in 158 workshops over the space of 12 months and 1,182 adults attending 75 workshops.

"We also have regular after school clubs and we host around eight exhibitions a year - most of them are six weeks in length so we are very fortunate that we are able to bring so many opportunities to so many people."

Walford Mill Crafts is one of only three organisations in the south west of England that is a National Portfolio Organisation recognised by the Arts Council of England.

The centre is also supported by East Dorset District Council and the Arts Development Trust and also Wimborne Town Council.

"When we first started we had hardly any money only me, a finance manager and two ladies who ran the shop.

"It really has evolved over the years - it has grown with me. We also try to do a lot of A lot goes on try to do a lot of collaborative work with other organisations too."

Christmas is always a busy time at the mill with lots of Christmas crafts activities for children and its annual festive exhibition.

"Christmas at the Mill is our big exhibition which runs right through to the first week in January. It is a mixed craft exhibition and is an opportunity to find unusual items - everything is handmade in Great Britain.

"We will also be doing several events during that period such as late night opening on December 8."

The secret of the mill's success , says Christine, is to be always planning ahead. She is already working on several touring shows for 2017.

But Christine's dream project is a £3m purpose-built gallery with a new restaurant and a new entrance via the old bridge bridge across the pond.

"We have got the planning but not the money. The plan would be to demolish the gallery and restaurant and build a huge beautiful building with a new entrance. We would reinvent the old bridge that come across the mill pond and have a new access walk straight through to the gallery with lift to take you you to top floor.

"It would make us more accessible for people with disabilities because some of the more elderly can't make it up the stairs to participate in our workshops. We have tried to accommodate people by putting them downstairs in the gallery but it's not the same."

Christine adds: "Having a new purpose built studio would be the dream because we would be able to take bigger touring shows but whether or not we will ever achieve that I don't know - but I certainly don't plan on giving up trying!"