the community news that matters
Public appeal in search for missing Portland man
Police officers are appealing for help from the public as they search for a missing man on Portland.
Gary, aged 59, was last seen in the area of Park Estate Road at around 1.30pm on Thursday 23 April 2026.
It is ...
Weymouth Football Club’s Southern Premier League survival will be decided on Saturday at Berkhamstead.
Last week’s win against Chertsey lifted Weymouth out of the relegation zone after Evesham’s defeat at the hands of Gosport with just one game remaining. That means a victory at Berkhamsted on the final ...
Can you help Dorset Council be an age-friendly county?
Dorset Council is seeking volunteers to build a countywide network of Ambassadors, to help make Dorset a better place to grow older.
The ambassadors can be any age, from any background; all they need is a commitment to helping shape ...
Repeat fraudster sentenced following investigation by Dorset Police
A repeat fraudster from Weymouth who took advantage of his victims and defrauded them of £190,000 has been jailed.
In late 2018, the defendant – 49-year-old Simon John Turner of Reading – was living in a caravan at a caravan ...
Arrest in connection with reported serious assault in Weymouth
Detailed investigations by detectives have led to a suspect being arrested in connection with a reported serious assault in Weymouth.
Dorset Police received a report at 9.16pm on Thursday 16 April 2026 that a 19-year-old man had been assaulted near ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A new wind turbine, almost twice the size of an existing one, has been approved for a site just off the A35 at Rogers Hill Farm near Bere Regis.
A voluntary share of income from ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Thomas Hardy’s home in Dorchester, which he designed, is to have a series of repairs and improvements.
Max Gate on Alington Avenue is managed by the National Trust and, at more than 140 years old, ...
Recent news items
- Stay alert, slow down: summer safety reminder for Dorset drivers and riders
- Library helpers needed – Littlemoor area
- Witness appeal following attempted robbery in Poundbury
- Growing success at STARS Dorset
- Victorian Street Fair returns to celebrate Hardy’s heritage
- Dorchester Reveals Finalists for ‘Shopfront of the Season – Spring 2026’
Delightfully Different, every time
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Is your organisation running an event which the community needs to know about? You can promote a charitable or non-profit event on our popular What’s On page, FREE OF CHARGE, to boost interest.
Below are the next 5 upcoming events. There’s much more in the Local Events Diary…
Thu 30 Apr
Transported for the Rest of Your Natural Life!
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RP7:00 pm. A Talk by Mike Randall. Learn about the sufferings of “unfortunate and melancholy souls” convicted at Dorchester Assizes in the late 18th and 19th centuries and what befell them and the families they left behind. Tickets are £8 for Dorset Archives Trust members, or £10 for non-members. Please book via ticketsource (web link below)
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | Web | MapFri 1 May to Sun 3 May
'Life Class' a comedy for Dorchester Arts
Location: Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HF7:00 pm. Two local writers have written a brand new comedy, ‘Life Class’ and it is being staged as a fund raiser for Dorchester Arts. A talented cast of local actors are bring to life the story of a London artist, who flees to Dorset and sets up an art class in a village hall. Lives are changed by the power of art.
Contact: Dorchester Arts | 01305 266926 | Email | Web | MapFri 1 May
Age UK North South and West Dorset Maker's Market
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: The Age UK NSW Dorset Hub, Crown Square, Poundbury, DT1 3ENOur Maker’s markets are hosted by a team of our volunteers. These clever creative volunteers keep busy creating handcrafted, knitted, sewn, items to sell alongside and home-grown plants.
Our Maker’s market will be held on the 1st Friday of each month. Come along and join us for a cuppa and a home baked sweet treat.
Fri 1 May
May Day Kiddies' Keilidh
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Location: The Thomas Hardye School Theatre, Queen’s Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ETCome and celebrate May Day with the bright and colourful TatterBand accompanying dances especially chosen so younger families can enjoy some gentle folk dancing. Friendly caller Angela Laycock will teach the dances, so no experience is necessary. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per person from Dorchester Arts.
Contact: Tatterdemalion and Dorchester Arts | 01305 266926 | Web | MapFri 1 May
The Big Dorset May Day Ceilidh
7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Location: The Thomas Hardye School Theatre, Queen’s Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2ETCome and celebrate May Day with folk music, dancing for everyone, and good company at the Thomas Hardye Theatre.
Join us for another of their seasonal family ceilidhs, this time to celebrate the coming of summer. The TatterBand play tunes which were used for dancing in Dorset 200 years ago, and now you can enjoy communal dancing, with the moves taught by experienced caller Angela Laycock.
On demand, at your convenience
Countryside Matters 60, 13.04.26
It’s undoubtedly the busiest time of the year for gardeners, and maybe even busier this year with more people thinking of growing their own veg. Mike Burks of The Gardens Groups talks about some of the more unusual vegetable ...
A plan Dorset Wildlife Trust to release beavers into the Frome and Hooke rivers
Dorset Wildlife Trust recently held an event in Dorchester’s Town Hall to publicise their plan to release beavers into the wild on the Frome and Hooke rivers. The trust wanted as many members of the public to attend and ...
World Heritage Day celebrated at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
On Saturday 18th April Dorset Museum & Art Gallery marked World Heritage Day and the 25th anniversary of the Jurrasic Coast becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site. Running just for one day the event brought together science, art, and ...
Commemorative Plaque unveiled at County Hall to honour those conscripted under National Service
On Monday 30th March a ceremony was held at the Memorial Area outside County Hall in Dorchester to honour the people of Dorset who were conscripted to serve under National Service. Their contribution and time in the armed forces ...
Moonfleet: Crimson Tide – a new take on a classic story
Making a welcome return to Keep 106 today was local musician and storyteller Will Adams. He’s joined by the very talented guitarist Paul Sundt, along with 13-year-old local performer Toby, who plays the lead role in Will’s new audiobook ...
Countryside Matters 59, 30.03.26
Food resilience and the Feeding Dorset Partnership: Jon Sloper, CEO of Dorset charity Help and Kindness talks about what the Partnership is and does, and about the importance of growing and distributing more food locally – and how Dorset ...
