the community news that matters
New sensory garden opens for patients, staff and visitors at Dorset County Hospital
A new sensory courtyard garden has been opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).
Dorset County Hospital Charity received over £50,000 from the Greener Communities Fund – a partnership between NHS Charities Together and the environmental charity Hubbub, supported by Starbucks ...
The Dorset & Wilts RFU Women’s Rugby team, who lost out to Leicestershire women in the Jill Burns RFU County Semi Final by 26 points to 22 at Coalville Rugby Club on Sunday, have been reinstated back into competition ...
New booking system coming later this year at household recycling centres
A brand-new booking system is set to be brought in later this year at Dorset Council’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs, or ‘the tip’), which will require users to book a slot before they visit.
Already in use in other counties, ...
Poetry Evening Launches Pop-up Pride Dorchester Month
A vibrant poetry evening at Vinyl Van record shop on 5th June has successfully launched Pop-up Pride Dorchester, marking the beginning of a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ community and culture in the historic market town.
The “Proud Poems” event, organised ...
Tony walks 80km to celebrate 80 years of Christian Aid and raises £1,540
Christian Aid supporter Tony McDougal marked the charity’s 80th anniversary with an 80 km walk in memory of his father, raising £1540.
The organisation was founded in 1945 to give aid to refugees in Europe after World War Two. Since ...
Major harbour wall construction programme to begin in autumn to allow seahorses to breed
Essential repair and replacement work on two key harbour walls at Weymouth Peninsula will now start in the autumn, with contractors and machinery beginning to assemble over the summer at the far end of the Pavilion car park.
Work was due ...
DCH’s new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit reaches construction milestone
Work to build a new £100million Emergency Department (ED) and Critical Care Unit at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has reached a major milestone.
Contractor Tilbury Douglas has started the main construction phase of works for the new state-of-the-art building which ...
Recent news items
- Iconic stretch of South West Coast Path reopens following major restoration
- Weekend Sports Report
- Police seize nitrous oxide cannisters in Weymouth
- Weymouth man jailed after assaulting a paramedic and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order
- Could you help Citizens Advice make a difference to local people most in need?
- Family tribute following fatal collision in Dorchester
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 11 Jun to Sat 14 Jun
The Harmony Festival
10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester, DT1 2HJFlower Festival, Art exhibitions and Music Concerts in the glorious setting of St Mary’s Church. The event is raising funds for Weldmar Hospicecare. Free Admission. Artisan stalls on Friday and Saturday, 13th & 14th. Meet Ben McGregor the winner of Landscape Artist of the Year 2025 on Saturday 14th. Floral demonstration on Saturday 14th 11am.
Contact: Art at the Duchess | 07879167435 | Email | Web | MapThu 12 Jun to Fri 13 Jun
The Handlebards – Much Ado About Nothing
6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole, BH13 7EEStart your adventure with a scenic boat ride from Poole Harbour. Set up your picnic and get ready for a performance filled with laughter, romance, and a touch of magic. Ice-cream will be served during the interval by the island’s food and beverage team. Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of theatre in one of the UK’s most beautiful settings.
Contact: National Trust | 03442491895 | Email | Web | MapSat 14 Jun
Dr Jazz Concert for Julia's House & St. Nicholas Church
Location: St. Nicholas Church, Dorchester Road, Broadwey, Weymouth, DT3 5DN7:00 pm (doors open 6:30 pm). For the first time at St. Nicholas Church, Dr Jazz (4 retired doctors & well known in Dorset) will be playing ‘medicine for your ears’, in their easy jazz style. Tickets £10 (under 16’s Free). Cash Bar. 1/2 of the ticket sales will go to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice & the other 1/2 to the St. Nicholas Church Restoration Fund. Contact Susana for tickets.
Contact: St. Nicholas Church | 07944617553 | Email | MapSat 14 Jun to Wed 18 Jun
Stampede by the Sea Farewell Event
Location: Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HFAlmost sixty brightly decorated elephants have transformed the west of Dorset into a vibrant, fun, and free art trail that local families and visitors will never forget. Each designed and painted by talented artists and local schools. Before the large sculptures are auctioned to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare, and the Mini Herd are returned to the schools who designed them, there is a final gathering of the herd in the Corn Exchange – the only time to see every elephant together under one roof! Follow the web link below to book tickets.
Contact: Weldmar Hospicecare | Web | MapSat 14 Jun
The Harmony Festival – Organ concert by Matt Walters
Location: St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester, DT1 2HL7:30 pm. This concert promises a captivating blend of classical and contemporary music. Matt’s musical journey began at Downside School, and he later earned an organ scholarship at Homerton College, Cambridge, while studying classics. He is currently on a UK tour of Cathedrals and Churches across the UK. Supporting Weldmar Hopsicecare. Tickets via the web link below.
Contact: Art at the Duchess | 07879167435 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
An interview with soul singer PP Arnold
Andy Senior’s guest on the drivetime show was soul singer PP Arnold who has had several hits including The First Cut Is The Deepest and Angel Of The Morning. She has also worked with many top artists including Ike ...
Children Of WWII, an audio series performed by local school children
Children from local schools have recorded a series of plays in which they play the parts of children during World War 2. The series is a ScreenPLAY production for Nothe Fort, Weymouth, and all credits are given at the ...
West Dorset Magazine – a great read for free!
Another recent guest on our KeeP Driving show was Miranda Robertson from The West Dorset Magazine who came in to tell us about the magazine and what’s coming up in the next issue. Miranda also spoke about her career ...
Fun, Games & Music in store for Piddletrehide & Plush Fete + some Hairy Coos!
We welcomed to the studio Suzy Rushbrook and Tony Brooker who talked about some of this year’s attractions at the Piddletrenthide and Plush Village Fete including two very special (and very hairy) guests! The charming Hairy Coos are local ...
Local musician George Hall in session at KeeP 106
KeeP 106 frequently aims to promote local musicians and we were pleased to welcome to the studio George Hall. George talked about his life in music and played some live acoustic numbers. We also heard some tracks from his ...
A musical treat – Sam Brown’s Fabulous Portesham Ukulele Band
We were delighted to welcome to the studio the infectious fun sound of members from Sam Brown’s Fabulous Portesham Ukulele Band. They will be one of the acts performing at this year’s Chesil Rocks festival on 21st June. The ...
