the community news that matters
Free bus travel and cheaper days out for Dorset families this summer

Families across Dorset can enjoy free bus travel for children and cheaper days out this summer through the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign.
Throughout August, children aged five to 15 can travel free on local bus services in England. Families ...
Major electricity supply upgrade planned for Cerne Abbas

Homes and businesses in Cerne Abbas are to benefit from a £5.5m electricity infrastructure upgrade by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution, which will get underway this autumn.
The project to future-proof the local network will see SSEN decommission ...
New application for another 153 homes in Charminster

by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Ever-expanding Charminster could be set to grow again with a new application for 153 homes on farmland off Wanchard Lane.
The Bellway Homes application to Dorset Council comes after a prolonged period of growth on ...
Four people seriously injured in crash on the Old Sherborne Road

Dorset Police received a report at 8.33pm on Sunday 2 August 2026 of a collision on the Old Sherborne Road, near to Alton Lane in the area of Cerne Abbas, involving a black Mazda CX-5 and a silver Kia ...

Saturday –
Local Pre-Season Friendly Football Results:
Dorchester 1 vs AFC Portchester 2. Dorchester goal by Ollie Haste.
Frome Town 0 vs Weymouth 0.
Sunday –
Weymouth Women 1 vs Wells Women 7. Phoenix Women 2 vs Ridgeway Women 0.
Local Dorset Cricket League Results:
Bere ...

by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Weymouth could be getting a third Wetherspoon pub – based at one of the town’s main holiday sites.
Plans have been seen for the outlet at the Haven Weymouth Bay site off Preston Road, part ...
Neighbours claim they were not told of plans for large home

by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A Dorchester garage block site once considered for social housing has won planning permission for a large detached house with an in-ground swimming pool.
The former council garage blocks, with room for 20 cars off ...
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…
Wed 5 Aug
Midweek Music – Lunchtime Concert
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
Location: St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XAJoin us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester for our August ‘Midweek Music series’. Sarah Palfreman-Kay (soprano) and Ian Davis (piano) perform a programme of songs and arias including music by Britten, Purcell, Madeleine Dring and Benjamin Britten. Admission is free. More information via the web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapThu 6 Aug to Sat 15 Aug
Weymouth Lifeboat Week
Location: All over Weymouth and Portland, Weymouth, A whole week of events for everyone from Music, Crabbing Event, Emergency Services Vehicles, Funday at Nothe Gardens, plus the highlights are the Weymouth Lifeboat Crew showing you what our lifeboats do in 2 separate displays, one in Newton’s Cove on Saturday 8th August at 16.00 and the second one at Bowleaze Cove on Wednesday 12th August at 18.45, RNLI Fest and Silent Disco at the Closet on the 15th.
Contact: Weymouth Lifeboat Fundraising Team | 07917163459 | Email | WebSat 8 Aug
One World Festival
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Borough Gardens, Cornwall Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RGFree event. Harmony on a plate and rhythm in the air. Come and join us for a celebration of Multicultural Food, Music, Dance and Activities.
Contact: South West Dorset Multicultural Network | Web | MapSun 9 Aug
Dorchester Vegan Market Festival
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Maumbury Rings, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 1TYThe Dorchester Vegan Market Festival returns outdoors to the historic Maumbury Rings Roman Amphitheatre this Summer! With FREE ENTRY to 50+ stalls of 100% vegan products. A great family event with delicious food and drink, live lunchtime music plus an Inflatable Play Zone with bouncy castles and slides, an additional attraction for the children. Not just for vegans!
Contact: Dorchester Vegan Market | 07837584143 | Email | Web | MapMon 10 Aug
An Afternoon of tabletop games
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: PIP Cafe, St John Way, Poundbury, DT1 1FGCome and join The Oddfellows for an afternoon of table top games. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Upwords, Bananagrams, Rummicub, mah jong, Cribbage and much much more at PIP cafe on Poundbury. This is a free event. Refreshments including homemade cake.
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Local musician William Frampton performs live in the studio

Today local musician William Frampton joined Andy Senior in the Keep 106 studio to perform a selection of his original songs live…
Advice on how to prevent fires from an expert

With the current hot weather and prolonged dry conditions, the risk of fires starting is exceptionally high. To help reduce this risk, Dave Adamson, Group Manager at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, spoke to Andy Senior and ...
A forthcoming fascinating podcast called ‘Beyond The Lines’ will feature the stories of older people

We welcomed to the studio Sarah Rampton from the charity In Jolly Good Company which runs activity days for older people, and local video producer Gary Jarman. They are embarking on a new podcast which will focus on aging ...
It’s almost time for the sunflower selfies!

The Dorset Sunflower Trail at Maiden Castle Farm returns for a sixth summer. The trail opens on Tuesday 28th July, and is open daily from 11am, with last entries at 4pm – look out for some evening sessions too! ...
New book celebrates Thomas Hardy’s pubs

Today we raised a glass to Thomas Hardy’s pubs! Hostelries, inns, bars and hotels feature throughout Hardy’s novels, short stories and poems, from the famous Peter’s Finger on Mixen Lane in The Mayor of Casterbridge to the Buck’s Head ...
Another event to keep us amused – pulling a Boeing 737 aeroplane!

Home-Start Wessex is an organisation which offers friendship, practical and emotional support to families with young children living in Dorset who are having difficulties for a variety of different reasons such as poor mental health, postnatal depression, disability, domestic ...






















