the community news that matters
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorset Council says it will have to wait for further guidance before deciding its stance on new powers to tackle pavement parking.
In January the Department for Transport confirmed that councils will be given improved ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
WHILE construction work continues on the redevelopment of the Portland Heliport site the company behind the business has made changes to its original plan.
With the metal framework of the new building for servicing ...
Fatal collision near Wareham – witness and dashcam appeal
Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision near Wareham are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
Dorset Police received a report at 8.42pm on Wednesday 18 February 2026 of a single vehicle collision involving a ...
Chief Constable to retire this summer after more than 33 years’ service to policing
After three years as Chief Constable in Dorset, and over 33 years’ service to policing, Amanda Pearson has announced her intention to retire this summer.
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said: “I have often said it is an honour and a ...
Dorset Art Weeks 2026: An Annual Celebration of Visual Arts
Dorset Art Weeks (DAW) returns from 23 May to 7 June 2026. The largest visual arts event of its kind in the county offers 16 days to explore an extraordinary variety of art, from traditional to contemporary, showcased by ...
“Put yourself in our shoes” – Ask care leavers in Dorset
Dorset care leavers are inviting the public to see the world from their perspective as they mark Care Day 2026, which takes place on 20th February, with a new short film titled In My Shoes.
The film was created by ...
Council to carry out work to repair and improve some car parks
Dorset Council have announced that they are to begin essential resurfacing work at ten of their council-owned car parks.
Wear and tear has been accelerated by the recent wet weather and the work is to prevent further deterioration avoiding further ...
Recent news items
- Dorchester is looking tatty and untidy – according to a councillor
- Claims that a parish council’s views on proposed new housing were “brushed aside” by Dorset Council
- Weldmar staff and volunteers join the King and Queen at Windsor Castle to celebrate the role of carers
- Village wine bar in Abbotsbury approved
- Man due to appear in court in connection with report of rape in Weymouth
- A Triple Whammy for a New Business in Town
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…
Fri 13 Feb to Sun 26 Apr
Love Poundbury "through your lens" – a photography competition
Location: Poundbury, 8 Marsden Street, Poundbury, DT1 3DHWelcome to our inaugural photography competition organised with Art at the Duchess. We invite you to celebrate our unique community through photography, and capture what makes Poundbury special to you. Whether you’re a seasoned amateur photographer or simply love taking pictures on your phone, we want to see Poundbury through your eyes.
Contact: Art at the Duchess & Love Poundbury | 07879167435 | Email | Web | MapFri 20 Feb to Sat 21 Feb
Barry Trotter and the Witches of Oz
Location: Broadmayne Village Hall, Cowleaze Road, Broadmayne, DT2 8EWFriday 20 Feb 7.30pm. Saturday 21 Feb 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Event description: Prepare for a magical mash-up as two legendary worlds collide in our spellbinding new pantomime! Will Dorothy and her new friends find their way home? Will Barry Trotter defeat the Evil Mouldywart? This laugh-out-loud adventure is the perfect treat for all ages!
Contact: Broadmayne Players | Web | MapFri 20 Feb
Dorchester Lions Charity Fun Quiz Night
7:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Location: Dorchester Cricket Club, The Sawmills, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2EN7:00 pm for 7:30 pm. A Fun Quiz Night 🤣 for all -answers on trivia, general knowledge and the simply ridiculous..! You may not be competing for a place on Mastermind but you’ll go home with a smile on your face..! Teams of 4 or 6, £10 per head, to include a ploughman’s supper – and there will be a bar to keep the brain cell lubricated….all profits to Dorchester Lions charity work in our community.
Contact: Lions Club of Dorchester and District | Email | Web | MapFri 20 Feb
Mozart by Candlelight
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XAMusic at St Peter’s present ‘Mozart by Candlelight’ – an opportunity to enjoy performances of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K.525 and the Clarinet Quintet K.581 (soloist Natalie Burton) in the evocative, candlelit setting of St Peter’s Church Dorchester. The programme is presented without interval. Tickets are £15 and available to buy online – follow web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapSat 21 Feb
LGBTQ+ Community Heritage Celebration
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RPJoin us at Dorset History Centre for an afternoon celebrating the heritage of Dorset’s LGBTQ+ Community! The afternoon will include a short talk from Mark Chutter on Sylvia Townsend-Warner at 1.15pm, an exhibition of archival documents highlighting the heritage of the LGBTQ+ community in Dorset, a make your own print craft session and complimentary refreshments! Free Entry! All are welcome!
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Countryside Matters 55, 02.02.26
In this edition we hear about the recent Strategies & Priorities Day held in Dorchester Town Hall by the Dorset Climate Action Network • a member of the River Lim Action Group updates us on the status of that ...
Memories of Dorchester in the 1950s
In this programme John Wareham made a welcome return to the Keep 106 studios. On this visit, he took us back to the late 1950s in Dorchester, sharing his memories of growing up near Maiden Castle and what life ...
Famous Hardy story brought to life as a live audiobook
Local actor and musician Alastair Braidwood called in and told us about a new and special event. Alastair will be reading Thomas Hardy’s famous novel ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ as a live audiobook every Tuesday evening from 17th ...
Interview with the legendary Suzi Quatro
With a new album release and tour on the horizon, Andy Senior was lucky enough to catch up with Suzi Quatro on a Zoom call to talk about her incredible career — from how it all began to what ...
Dorchester’s annual beer festival, Beerex, took place in the Corn Exchange on 6th and 7th February. In its 37th year the festival is an excellent event for the community to come together and at the same time raise funds ...
The memories of a record plugger (part one)
After leaving school and trying his hand at several jobs, KeeP 106 presenter Geoff Atherton – “the host with the toast” – found his calling in music. He went on to become a record plugger representing some of the ...
