the community news that matters

Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Changes to Dorchester Market have been welcomed by both shoppers and traders, according to markets panel chair Cllr Molly Rennie.
“People are now full of praise for the market…it’s been good to hear the compliments” she ...

Many thousands are expected on Weymouth Esplanade this weekend as the Beach Motocross returns.
Dorchester face the Students of Hartpury College in a Southern League Division 1 fixture at the Avenue Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Students have made the ...
Dorchester cafe-bar closes except during performances

Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
The café at Dorchester Corn Exchange has closed after running up losses.
Dorchester Arts, which manages the building, said the bar will remain open for performances and the café-bar’s exhibition space will stay open.
Dorchester Arts Director ...
Many Dorset women not feeling safe

Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Almost a third of Dorset women say they feel unsafe, while nearly half avoid going out after dark and 10 per cent of teenage girls surveyed said they had missed school to escape sexual harassment.
“We ...
Nettle eating and Pokémon Champion wins £30,000 for SCBU at Dorset County Hospital

Mike Hobbs, father of two, from Dorchester, has nominated the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) to receive £30,000 from Pokémon, after he won a competition playing the new Pokémon video game, Champions, in London ...
Dorset’s SEND Transformation Plan gets Minister approval

Ministers have approved Dorset’s plan to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) which means Dorset Council has the green light to go ahead with improvements.
Ministers have approved Dorset’s plan to transform ...
Young photographers create lasting record of Dorset Pride celebrations

Dorset History Centre is inviting residents to explore a new exhibition celebrating Dorset Pride through the eyes of young photographers, helping to preserve an important chapter of the county’s modern history for future generations.
The exhibition, which will run from ...
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…
Sat 10 Oct
St Swithun's 75th anniversary Concert
Location: St Mary’s Church, 84 South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NN7:30 pm. The band will be celebrating their 75th anniversary with a concert in St Mary’s Church, Bridport. Guest soloist Hannah Plumridge, principle cornet player of Grimethorpe Band, will play a number of solos throughout the evening. Tickets are available online via the band’s website.
Contact: St Swithun’s Band | 07818630183 | Email | Web | MapSun 11 Oct
Apple-y Day with Noddys Cider
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Cerne Abbas Brewery, Cerne Abbas, DT2 7JSCerne Abbas Brewery collaborates with Noddys Cider, noddy himself will be demonstrating Apple crushing with local stalls in attendance and activities to kick start autumn!
Contact: Cerne Abbas Brewery | 01300341999 | Email | Web | MapMon 12 Oct
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 | MapMon 12 Oct
The People’s Emergency Briefing Film
6:45 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: St Mary’s Church, Maiden Newton, DT2 0AAThe film presents a clear, measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain, and what the evidence says about risks and responses. The purpose of the Briefing is to support informed democratic discussion and ensure that communities share understanding of the scale and urgency of the challenge.
Contact: Community event | Web | MapTue 13 Oct to Thu 15 Oct
Troubadours Sailing Hibiscus Seas
11:30 am to 6:00 pm
Location: St Mary and St Catherine Church Bridport, Victoria Grove, Bridport, DT6 3ADA unique exhibition of art and reflections. A healing journey from trauma to hope and healing. (Warning: content may be distressing). Art nourishes the soul. This art touches grief, opens our souls to God’s mercy, prayer and healing whatever our past choices. We all matter! Free event. Refreshments served.
Contact: St Mary and St Catherine Church Bridport | 07544595633 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Singer/songwriter Graham Dee in conversation with Andy Senior

Graham Dee has enjoyed a fascinating career in the music business. He’s written songs for The Applejacks, Dave Berry and Bobby Vinton, played alongside Steve Marriott, The Walker Brothers and Them, and accompanied stars including Carl Perkins, Memphis Slim ...
Countyside Matters 68, 28.09.26

Professor Neil Ward, who’s a climate scientist from the University of East Anglia, speaks out about the current problem of lack of food resilience as we face the likelihood of a changing climate that will throw up more extremes ...
Talking to the Mayor & Mayoress of Dorchester

We recently broadcast a programme which celebrated 60 years of voluntary radio in Dorchester with former volunteers of hospital radio stations taking part who went on to create the community station, KeeP 106, together with former employees of Wessex ...
Celebration 60 years of voluntary broadcasting in Dorchester

On 29th September 1966 a new radio station launched in Dorchester exclusively for patients in the old Dorchester Hospital in Princes Street. It was called the Dorchester Hospital Broadcasting Service and played record requests for one hour a week ...

The world famous triathlon returns to Weymouth on 20th September. Our sports reporter Idris Martin spoke to one participant…
There’s more info about Ironman 70.3 here: World famous triathlon makes 10th return to Dorset
A conversation with musician Dominic Crane

Musician Dominic Crane once encountered George Harrison in a halo of light and famous music producer Mike Hurst offered to work with him. He has opened for Mike & The Mechanics, George Ezra, Nick Heyward, Sharon Corr and Roachford. ...






















