the community news that matters
Bird hide at Chesil Centre approved
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A new bird watching hide has been approved for the Wild Chesil Centre just off the Portland causeway road near Ferrybridge.
Councillors on the area planning committee, meeting in Dorchester on Monday, voted unanimously in ...
Man assaulted and robbed in Weymouth
Police officers investigating a report of a robbery in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
It was reported that at around 12.45am on Friday 5 June 2026 a man aged in his 20s was ...
The Dorchester Tourism Partnership, led by Dorchester Town Council, has unveiled a brand new, free self guided walking leaflet showcasing Poundbury’s architecture and design — released to coincide with the official birthday of HRH King Charles III on Saturday ...
Idris Martin reporting.
Congratulations go to Dorchester Rugby Club players Callum Angell and Flynn Drumund who have both been selected to represent their club and the Dorset & Wilts RFU in the South West Region Under 20 squad.
Weymouth Football Club ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Fresh planning decisions in Dorchester include a series of town centre conversion schemes, transport improvements and home extension proposals, with Dorset Council approving most applications.
Among the most notable approvals were twin permissions for 38 ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A community gardening project in Dorchester is to hold an event next week (June 17) inviting ideas to help shape its future.
Volunteer Centre Dorset has taken over the running of the project, on a ...
Carers Week shines a light on unpaid carers’ wellbeing and local support
Unpaid carers across Dorset are being encouraged to recognise their caring role and find out what support is available to them during Carers Week 2026 (8–14 June).
The week highlights the importance of creating communities where carers feel understood, supported ...
Delightfully Different, every time
Click this image to enlarge it
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…
Thu 11 Jun
Evening Echoes: Bird and bat safari on Brownsea Island
7:20 pm to 10:30 pm
Location: Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole, BH13 7EEA nocturnal safari looking at birds settling down for the evening there will also be bat detecting and we will be looking out for the mysterious nightjar. There will be plenty of moths on the wing too. There are 2 sailing times with the second boat leaving at 19.50 and returning at 22.50.
Contact: National Trust | 03442491895 | Email | Web | MapFri 12 Jun
Coffee morning and Bring and Buy
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Crossways Village Hall, Moigne Combe Road, Crossways, Dorchester, DT2 8JACoffee and get together and bring at buy at Crossways village hall. Raising money for charity.
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 01305 853125 | MapSat 13 Jun
Vox Serenata Concert in Aid of Myeloma UK
Location: St. Nicholas Church, Dorchester Road (on the corner with Mill Street), Weymouth, DT3 5DN3pm (doors open at 2.30pm). Vox Serenata are performing a Vocal Concert with music from the Renaissance to the present day in aid of Myeloma UK & St. Nicholas Church Repair Fund. Tickets £10 p.p (children £4, Under 5’s Free). Includes tea, coffee & delicious home made cakes. Tickets available at the door – Cash Preferable or in advance via Susana. There’s a Raffle too.
Contact: St. Nicholas Church | 07944617553 | Email | MapSat 13 Jun
Messy Church
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: The Storehouse Church, Cambridge Road, Dorchester, DT1 2LRFree event open to all. Please note that this event is for parent/carers to attend and stay with their children. To confirm your space or for more information please email or phone as per the links below.
Contact: The Storehouse Church | 01305267045 | Email | Web | MapSat 13 Jun to Sun 14 Jun
Puddletown Open Gardens
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: St Mary’s Church (tickets/maps), The Square, Puddletown, DT2 8FYPuddletown Open Gardens returns this coming weekend, with a colourful mix of over 15 interesting and varied gardens to visit, (one includes a model railway). There are tours of St Mary’s Church Bell Tower (T&C’s & weather permitting), stalls, refreshments, children’s quiz, village history display and live music. Hosted by Friends of Puddletown Church. £5 entry covers both days – under 12’s free. Free parking in Doctors Surgery Car Park.
Contact: Puddletown Open Gardens | 07802 280997 | Email | MapOn demand, at your convenience
111 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn’t Miss – a new book for visitors and residents alike
Karen Heaney and Jeni Bell are the authors of 111 Places in Dorset That You Shouldn’t Miss, a travel guide celebrating the county’s hidden gems, quirky attractions and must-see locations. Whether you’re a local resident, a seasoned traveller or ...
All about community mental health services in Dorchester
A local community mental health service called the Community Front Room opened in January in Dorchester and Josh Hevicon, the Service Development Manager, called in to the studio and explained more about the service to Andy Senior…
There’s more information ...
The People’s Emergency Briefing discussed in Dorchester
On Thursday 4th June a public screening of a film titled The People’s Emergency Briefing was shown in Dorchester’s Corn Exchange hosted by Dorchester Town Council. Following the viewing a discussion session with a panel including; Edward Morello MP, ...
Celebrating the Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair 2026 – audio and photos
The 31st May 2026 saw another Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair held in Dorchester. In a change from previous events the main venue for the music, displays and stallholders was South Street. Our reporter Peter Foster attended the event and ...
New ‘quirky’ shop opens in Dorchester
A new shop has opened up in Dorchester’s South Street. It has the unusual name of ‘Work the Quirk’. Andy Worth was intrigued and went along to speak to one of the proprietors, Erin Holden, to find out more…
Countryside Matters 63, 25.05.26
The North Dorset Beekeepers Association has just recently opened a splendid shiny new bee centre on the edge of Shillingstone, and Ian Condon told Jenny about what the Centre is for • Bob Maurer cut the ribbon to officially ...
