the community news that matters
Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) will reopen for applications at 10am on Thursday 5 October 2023 for low-income households in the Dorset Council area.
The government scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides support ...
Two years jail for man who inflicted GBH near Dorchester

A man has been jailed for a violent assault at a pub near Dorchester.
Simon Anthony Jeff, aged 47 and of Dorchester, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 26 September 2023 and was sentenced to two years in prison ...

Weymouth’s flirtation with the FA Cup lasted a little over 90 minutes at the Bob Lucas Stadium where they went out of the competition at the first hurdle losing by 2 goals to 1 against visitors Bath City.
The Terras ...
Dorchester FC has a new manager

Dorchester Town Football Club are delighted to announce that Tom Killick is to become our new first team manager with Glenn Howes working closely alongside him.
Killick returns to The Avenue following a hugely successful 20-year spell as manager at ...
Cars vandalised in Weymouth – can you help identifying the culprits?

Residents of Hanover Road in Weymouth and the Police are seeking help from the public in identifying a group of young people from CCTV video.
At around 6:45 AM on Friday 29th September 2023 some youths were caught on camera ...
UPDATE: missing woman last seen in Dorchester has been found

Police officers are pleased to confirm that Isabella Ellison, who went missing having last been seen near Dorchester, has been found.
The 21-year-old had last been seen on the evening of Thursday 28 September 2023.
Following searches by officers, she has ...
County lines gangs being tackled in regional operation

Communities across Dorset are being urged to come forward and report any drug-related activity to help build an intelligence-rich picture as part of a regional campaign to disrupt county lines gangs.
The regional intensification campaign – called Operation Scorpion – ...
Recent news items
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 16 Sep to Fri 20 Oct
Daily red squirrel walks
Location: Brownsea Island, Brownsea Island, Poole, BH13 7EEAutumn is the best time of the year to catch a glimpse of our shy red squirrels as they come down from the tree canopy to store food for the colder months ahead. Our free guided walks will not only show you the best places to spot them but also tell you more about the species. Walks will take place twice daily at 10.45 am and 1.00 pm, subject to volunteer availability. Booking is not required.
Contact: National Trust | 01202 707744 | Email | Web | MapFri 6 Oct to Sat 7 Oct
Weymouth Octoberfest
Location: Pavilion, Weymouth, This year’s Octoberfest sees an all Welsh beer and cider theme. The festival hopes to have around 60 Welsh beers and at least a dozen ciders all from Wales and the Marches area. Entry is by advance ticket only and cost £11 per session which includes a free pint of beer or cider, souvenir glass and programme. Sessions run on both days between 11.00 – 16.00 & 18.30 – 23.30 with entertainment in the evening sessions. Tickets available August 1st from: Weymouth – The Globe & the Dog House Micro pub; Chalbury Town Store; Portland – The Royal Portland Arms pub; Dorchester – Convivial Rabbit Micro pub; On line – www.camrawdorset.org.uk ; Weymouth Pavilion Box Office (Please note £2 booking fee).
Contact: CAMRA | WebFri 6 Oct to Sun 8 Oct
Weymouth Pirate Festival
Location: Harbour area, etc, Weymouth, Lots of live Pirate music throughout the town, re-enactments, lots of outdoor and indoor music & rumour has it … a Pirate Karaoke! amongst other attractions! Plus of course the traditional Grand Pirate Parade.
Contact: We Are Weymouth UK, Visit-Dorset and Loving Weymouth & Portland | Email | WebFri 6 Oct
Free Community Coffee Morning
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Relate Dorset & South Wiltshire, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3WAWhy not come along to our free coffee morning? It’s a chance to meet people or just sit and enjoy the free wifi and coffee … We are just off Middle Farm Way on Poundbury, next door to Castle Vets. Hope to see you there!
Contact: Debbie | 01305268690 | Email | Web | MapMon 9 Oct to Tue 10 Oct
‘And Breathe…Bridport’, a community wellbeing event
Location: Various Venues, Bridport, South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3AA‘And Breathe…Bridport’ is a new community event to celebrate World Mental Health Day in West Dorset. It aims to promote health and wellbeing. Bridport’s Burrough Harmony Centre, in partnership with other local health and wellbeing organisations and community groups will put on two days of creative workshops, music, film, art and nature activities plus exercise, information stands and talks. There will be something for everyone!
Contact: Becca Powis | 07597 379290 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Two interviews from Dorchester’s Heritage Open Day

Heritage Open Day was held in Dorchester on September 10th when High East and West Streets were closed to traffic for the day to allow safe to allow people to enjoy the architecture of the historic streets, visit the ...
Dorset Greener Homes celebrates its 10th anniversary

Forty Homes are open across Dorset, most of them for one day, as part of the 10th ‘Open Homes’ event which is running from 23rd September – 1st October. Homeowners who have installed energy-saving changes will give impartial advice, ...

On 22nd September Dorchester hosted the first ever Streets Alive event in the Acland Road car park which was cleared of vehicles for the day in celebration of International Car-Free Day. Throughout the afternoon there was music, demonstrations, talks, ...
Reflecting on COP 2023 and looking ahead to Streets Alive!

Our studio guest was Giles Watts who looked back on the recent COP (Conference of the Parties) event held in Dorchester Corn Exchange and hailed as a great success. Later, Giles looks forward to the Dorchester ‘Streets Alive’ which ...
50 things you can do to help animals

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has recently started a new initiative that aims to inspire an effort from the whole nation to collectively complete 1 million actions to help animals. To support this huge effort, the global ...
A preview of the Dorchester Literary Festival

The Dorchester Literary Festival, now in its 9th year, takes place from the 14th – 21st October at various venues in the town. The festival co-directors are Janet Gleeson and Paul Atterbury – Paul, of Antiques Roadshow fame and ...