the community news that matters
Incredible Weldmar appeal response means additional Cuddle Bed for hospice patients in Dorset
Local charity Weldmar Hospicecare is celebrating an extraordinary fundraising triumph after the community rallied together to raise a stunning £49,320 in less than four weeks for its Cuddle Bed Appeal.
The appeal initially set out with a £30,000 target to ...
Woman who assaulted two people in Weymouth nightclub jailed
A woman who assaulted two people in a Weymouth nightclub has been jailed following a detailed investigation by detectives.
An investigation was launched by detectives from Dorset County CID following a report that during the early hours of Saturday 12 ...
Following a gap of 148 years, Sturminster Newton Football Club has entered next season’s F. A. Cup competition.
Originally known as Panthers FC, the club eventually became Sturminster Newton United in 1945.
Last season’s promotion into the Wessex Premier League and ...
Government legal threat over funding
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Legal action could be taken against the Government to improve funding for Dorset Police.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said after months of waiting for a reply from the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, about ...
Rachel Farrell confirmed as new Chief Constable of Dorset Police
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has welcomed the confirmation of Rachel Farrell as the new Chief Constable of Dorset Police following a hearing by the Dorset Police and Crime Panel.
Rachel Farrell, who currently serves as Deputy Chief Constable, ...
Work starts on Dorset History Centre
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
WORK has now started on expansion plans for the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester.
County archivist Sam Johnston told a joint BCP-Dorset Council meeting that a £603,000 Lottery development funding, agreed in March, for the ...
Security staff assaulted in Weymouth holiday park – CCTV appeal
Police officers are issuing an image of a man they would like to identify after four security staff were assaulted at a holiday park in Weymouth.
At around 8.25pm on Thursday 18 June 2026, staff at Weymouth Bay Holiday Park ...
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 4 Jul
Encore Singers Concert for Cycling Without Age
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: United Church, South Street, Dorchester, DT1 1BYCome along and join us for our Summer Concert in the United Church, Dorchester. The concert will feature many favourite songs, both old and new, and will even include the opportunity for you to join in, if you wish to. Admission is free of charge and there will be a retiring collection to support the wonderful work of local charity CyclingWithoutAge https://www.facebook.com/reel/986389530469280/
Contact: Encore Singers | 01305786421 | Email | Web | MapSun 5 Jul
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 5th July at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Stanford’s ‘Beati quorum via’, Palestrina’s ‘Missa Aeterna Christi munera’ and S. Wesley’s ‘Ave regina caelorum’. All are very welcome to this free service.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapSun 5 Jul
Free Family Fun Day
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Dorchester Youth and Community Centre, Kings Road, Dorchester, DT1 1NJWe have a free bouncy castle, games, face painting and much more. Come along for a day of fun, gather with friends and help us celebrate this important milestone. Refreshments and a raffle will be available for a small cost and some of our young makers will be selling their beautiful creations for those that love a homemade gift.
Contact: Dorchester Youth and Community Centre | 07901805647 | Email | Web | MapMon 6 Jul
An afternoon of table top games
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: PIP Cafe, St John Way, Poundbury, DT1 2FGCome and join us for an afternoon of tabletop games at PIP cafe Poundbury. Come and play or learn to play Scrabble, Rummicub, Canasta, mah jong, crib and much much more!
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapMon 6 Jul
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
Countryside Matters 65, 22.06.26
In today’s programme:
The Isle of Wight is about to launch its third nine-day Biosphere Festival, which will take place all over the island, and involve many local communities. The island is one of seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Martha ...
Claire Skinner from the Dorset History Centre tells us about their Summer Gala
Today, Claire Skinner, Principal Archivist at the Dorset History Centre, called in to the studio to talk about the work of the Dorset Archives Trust and its upcoming Summer Gala, which takes place on Thursday 2nd July at Mapperton ...
Sam is taking part in the Special Olympics in Birmingham
Today we were visited by Annette and Sam Craddock who joined Andy Senior to share Sam’s exciting news that he has qualified to compete in the Special Olympics, taking place this August in Birmingham. Good Luck Sam!…
Armed Forces Day ceremony held at County Hall – audio and pictures
Among several ceremonies organised annually by Dorset Council and held at the Memorial Area outside County Hall in Dorchester, is the the Armed Forces Day commemoration which was held on 22nd June 2026. Several speeches were given by, first, ...
Dorchester’s Community Garden project holds event to help shape its future
A community garden project in Dorchester held an event recently inviting ideas to help shape its future. Volunteer Centre Dorset has taken over the running of the project formerly known as The Garden & People (GAP) project. Our reporter ...
UPDATED: Reporting from the Armed Forces Day in Weymouth, with pictures
Weymouth proudly hosted a weekend celebration honouring our Armed Forces—past, present, and future from the 19th to the 22nd June 2026. This annual event recognises the dedication of serving personnel and veterans, highlights the work of veterans’ associations, and ...
