the community news that matters
UPDATED: Man in his 20s from Poundbury arrested on suspicion of Weymouth rape
Detectives investigating a report of rape in Weymouth town centre are issuing an update.
Dorset Police received a report at 2.44am on Thursday 18 June 2026 that a man had raped a woman aged in her 20s, with the incident ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorchester residents have seen a series of planning applications approved, ranging from house extensions and shopfront changes to new homes and works to listed buildings.
Dorset Council has granted permission for a larger illuminated fascia ...
SEND transport costs questioned
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Questions are being asked about Dorset Council’s annual £18.5million budget to take children with additional needs to and from school.
A breakdown show some taxi firms and bus operators being paid staggering sums – one ...
Former Dorchester Town striker Shaq Gwengwe, who left the County Town club to move to Poole Town last season, has been recruited by League Two side Newport County.
The ex-Magpie secured the move to the English Football League outfit after ...
Man who went missing near Dorchester has been located
Police officers searching for missing man Robert, who had last been seen near Dorchester, can confirm he has been located.
Robert, aged 48, was reported missing having last been seen on the afternoon of Thursday 18 June 2026.
Following searches by ...
Derek ‘Kip’ Hansford – Dorset FA Bobby Moore Award Winner!
A massive congratulations to Kip, who received the prestigious Bobby Moore Award at the Dorset FA local football awards. The award is to recognise Derek’s lifetime achievement to both Piddlehinton ...
Witness appeal following rape of woman in her 20s in Weymouth
Detectives investigating a report that a woman was raped in Weymouth town centre are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Dorset Police received a report at 2.44am on Thursday 18 June 2026 that a woman aged ...
Recent news items
- Witness and dashcam appeal following reported dangerous driving incident
- Better Care Fund progress
- Learning Disability Week – Meeting the transport needs for people with learning disabilities
- Appeal for information following burglary at Maiden Newton Fire Station
- Plans for Statue of Dorchester’s Famous Cat Susie to Be Decided On 30 June
- Family hub changes at Littlemoor Youth Club
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…
Mon 15 Jun to Sat 20 Jun
Educating Rita
Location: Royal Manor Theatre Company, 138A Fortuneswell, Portland, DT5 1LT7:30 pm. We are proud to present Willy Russell’s much loved “Educating Rita” for 6 nights from 15th June 2026. Frank, a disillusioned and alcohol dependent professor, finds his spark reignited when he agrees to tutor Rita, a working-class hairdresser hungry for self-improvement. This witty and moving comedy explores the price of “fitting in” and the true meaning of personal freedom.
Contact: Royal Manor Theatre | 03336 663366 | Email | Web | MapSat 20 Jun
Wud Eye Lye 2 Ewe
Location: St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester, DT1 1LB7:30pm. Teams of 4 to 6 are invited to participate in a hilarious ‘Dorset’ version of the popular BBC panel show. Rustic supper included £5.00 per person. Bring your own bottle. Prize raffle!
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapSun 21 Jun
Choral Eucharist
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XAYou are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 21st June at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Bruckner’s ‘Locus iste’, Gabrieli’s ‘Missa brevis’ and Fauré’s ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’. All are very welcome to this free service. All are very welcome to this free service. More information via web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapWed 24 Jun
Carvery lunch at The Sun Inn
Location: The Sun Inn, Lower Burton, Dorchester, DT2 7RZ12:30 pm. Come and join us for a midweek carvery lunch. Cost £16.50 with a £5.00 subsidy for members of The Oddfellows. Please confirm by 17th June if you would like to join us.
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapThu 25 Jun
Evening Echoes: Bird and bat safari on Brownsea Island
7:20 pm to 10:30 pm
Location: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole, BH13 7EEA nocturnal safari looking at birds settling down for the evening there will also be bat detecting and we will be looking out for the mysterious nightjar. There will be plenty of moths on the wing too. There are 2 sailing times with the second boat leaving at 19.50 and returning at 22.50.
Contact: National Trust | 03442491895 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
A hike with a difference to raise funds for MND
Today we heard from from Graeme Lloyd and John Kelly who will be taking part in a charity walk with a difference. On 18th June, they will be walking from Bovington to Portsmouth wearing specially created 3D-printed models of ...
Reporting from Kushti Boc in Dorchester
Kushti Bok, the leading, and award-winning, Gypsy and Traveller advocacy charity in Dorset formed in 2002, hosted a Roma History Day in Dorchester on Saturday, 13 June 2026. The event took place at Borough Gardens and featured traditional crafts, ...
Mark Topp is the Pastor at The Storehouse Church in Cambridge Road, Dorchester and he regularly calls into the studio with news of the latest goings-on at the church and elsewhere, Messy Church being one topic. Once again Mark ...
Countryside Matters 64, 08.06.26
This programme’s theme is almost entirely plants. First, Mike Burks, Managing Director of the Gardens Group, reveals some of the more fascinating and secret ways that plants communicate – and defend themselves from enemy predators!
then Dr Stuart Thompson of ...
The High Sheriff of Dorset walks the County Lines path
The High Sheriff of Dorset, Helena Conibear, has recently embarked on a marathon trek around the outline of Dorset’s border with other counties – Wiltshire, Hampshire, Somerset and Devon – all to raise funds to help against the criminal ...
Reporting from the Dorchester Community Lunch
The Dorchester Community Lunch, an event aimed at members of the Dorchester local community and voluntary organisations and those that work to support the voluntary sector, was held in the Town Hall on 12th June. Our reporter Andy Worth ...
