the community news that matters
West Dorset CAMRA Pub Garden Of The Year 2026 announced
Rich Gabe, Press Officer and Social Secretary, CAMRA.
Lying in the shadow of Eggardon Hill, and with distant views of Golden Cap and the Marshwood Vale, the Spyway Inn at Askerswell is located, just off the A35, between Dorchester and ...
Dancing shoes on and head down to the Anonymous Festival
The ever-popular Anonymous Festival returns this bank holiday Monday 31 Aug to Borough Gardens in Dorchester. This free family friendly event, now in its 16th year, is literally bursting to the seams with activities for all ages, from craft ...
Following victories last week against Dorchester and on Wednesday evening away at Larkhall Athletic, Weymouth sit on top of the Southern League Division 1 table. On Saturday, the Terras host Falmouth Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
Dorchester, who bounced ...
Buckham Fair raises £138,000 for DCH Charity Appeal
The Buckham Fair Committee has raised a record-breaking amount of £138,000 for the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. All proceeds taken at Buckham Fair, held on Sunday 2nd August 2026, have been donated to the DCH Charity Appeal.
The Emergency ...
Cerne Abbas burial extension withdrawn
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A proposal to extend the burial ground at Cerne Abbas has been withdrawn.
Historic England had raised concerns about the effects the use of the land, adjacent to the existing burial ground, might have had on ...
Go behind the scenes at Dorset History Centre as major heritage project moves forward
History lovers and people curious about Dorset’s past are invited behind the scenes at Dorset History Centre this September as part of Heritage Week.
Four free guided tours will provide a rare opportunity to explore areas of the centre that ...
New funding opportunities for local community groups
Grants are available for organisations seeking to start new activities and events that benefit their local communities.
The Community and Culture Project Fund, now in its 11th round, is open for applications from 10 August to 30 September 2026.
Dorset Council, ...
Recent news items
- Dorset Museum & Art Gallery launches fundraiser to enhance Mary Anning exhibition
- High West Street changes
- Residents invited to help decide how £20 million is invested in Littlemoor and Broadwey
- Man found with injuries on the Dorchester bypass
- Man sustains head injury in altercation on the Rodwell Trail
- Weekend Sports Report
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 17 Aug
Visit to Salisbury cathedral
Location: Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, SP1 2EJ12 noon. The Loyal hand in hand Lodge of Oddfellows is organising a trip to Salisbury Cathedral to include a tour of the bell tower at 2pm. Ticket price includes access to the cathedral. There is a cafe within the cathedral. Discount for members of The Oddfellows.
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapWed 19 Aug
Midweek Music – Lunchtime Concert
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
Location: St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XAJoin us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester for our August ‘Midweek Music series’ on Wednesday 19th August between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for a lunchtime concert. Natalie Burton and Ian Davis perform a programme of music for clarinet, saxophone and organ including works by Mozart, Paul Reade and William Grant Still. Admission is free. More information via the web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapSun 23 Aug
The Keep Military Museum Book Fair
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: The Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HFDiscover your next great read while keeping history alive at our Charity Book Fair. The event celebrates a shared love of books, storytelling, and history — while also offering something for every reader, with a variety of genres available throughout the day. Browse stalls filled with books and enjoy a programme of engaging talks and panel discussions covering history, literature, and storytelling.
Contact: The Dorchester Keep Military Museum | 07586161872 | Email | Web | MapSun 23 Aug
Bark in the Park
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: The Great Field, Peverell Avenue, Poundbury, DT1 3RHA family Fun Dog Show supporting The Lexi May Trust. 6 fun dog show classes, refreshments, doggy trade stalls, Raffles and much more.
Contact: Art at the Duchess & The Lexi May Trust | 07956020165 | Email | Web | MapThu 27 Aug to Sat 29 Aug
Macbeth by The Handlebards
6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole, BH13 7EEJoin the HandleBards on Brownsea Island for a high-energy performance of Macbeth like you’ve never seen it before. Packed with laughter, mishaps and outdoor theatre magic, it’s a fantastic family-friendly evening in a beautiful setting. Bring a picnic and something comfortable to sit on and enjoy an evening of wonderful open-air theatre.
Contact: National Trust | 01202 707744 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Pastor Mark Topp with his regular update from the Storehouse Church
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 ...
Fundraising for refurbishment of The Keep
Sadly the museum had to close its doors well over a year ago due to structural repairs being required. Tiffany Carrington, fundraising officer, from The Keep Military Museum called into the studios at Little Keep to bring us an ...
Countryside Matters 66, 03.08.26
This programme concerns mostly birds. A visit to Castle Gardens to hear from staff member and bird expert Jacob Daley, and from Managing Director Mike Burks about the birds of the Garden Centre, which are very much part of the ...
Bridport Arts Centre has launched Come Together, a £400,000 campaign to buy its historic home and bring the building back into community ownership. Claire Tudge joined Andy Senior to tell us more about the campaign and what it means ...
Local musician William Frampton performs live in the studio
Today local musician William Frampton joined Andy Senior in the Keep 106 studio to perform a selection of his original songs live…
Advice on how to prevent fires from an expert
With the current hot weather and prolonged dry conditions, the risk of fires starting is exceptionally high. To help reduce this risk, Dave Adamson, Group Manager at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, spoke to Andy Senior and ...
