the community news that matters
Dorset Council responds to criticism over gas leak
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorset Council have responded to criticism from a resident who was, along with others, evacuated from their homes following a gas leak in Dorchester on Monday morning.
A total of 31 properties in Fordington High ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A Dorset kart racing circuit which helped launch the careers of Formula One stars Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton is to be demolished under redevelopment plans for the Clay Pigeon leisure complex.
Developers want to ...
Dorset County Hospital emergency and medical care rated ‘good’
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated urgent and emergency care, and medical care, at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) as ‘good’ following an inspection.
An inspection was carried out at the Dorchester hospital in January 2026 as part of the ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorchester’s Susie the Cat is to be immortalised with a South Street statue of the town’s friendly feline.
The pampered puss, which has her own Facebook page with thousands on follows, is having her statue ...
Help name Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s new helicopter
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has today announced the launch of a competition to find a name for its new second helicopter which entered operational service in May.
Thousands of people and businesses in the local community helped make the ...
Gas leak help ‘mishandled’ claims resident
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Claims have been made about poor and badly timed information over Monday’s gas leak in Fordington, Dorchester.
The leak was first reported at 6.30am with roads closed two hours later and residents from 31 properties, ...
Community cycle ride to take place at The Great Field in July
The Dorchester Transport Action Group are holding a Community Cycle Ride on Sunday 12th July.
The ride starts at The Great Field, Pondbury, at 13:00 and will follow a similar route to last year. There will also be a kids ...
Recent news items
- Dorchester homes evacuated following suspected gas leak
- Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage following serious collision in Weymouth
- Weekend Sports Report
- July 4th is Independents’ Day in Dorchester
- New project aims to make Weymouth Beach a leading example in beach accessibility
- Tumbledown Farm changes
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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…
Thu 2 Jul
Dorset Archives Trust Summer Gala
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Mapperton House, Mapperton, DT8 3NRAll are welcome to join us at the Dorset Archives Trust Summer Gala, which is being held this year at Mapperton House, with permission of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. This event is an important annual fundraiser for Dorset Archives Trust (DAT). Tickets are £25 for DAT members or £30 for non-members. Tickets include strawberries & cream with a glass of fizz. Please book via ticketsource – click web link below.
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | Web | MapSat 4 Jul
Car boot and Table Top Sale
9:00 am to 11:45 am
Location: Crossways Youth & Community Centre, Old Farm Way, Crossways, Dorchester, DT2 8TUFree Car boot a table sale please book if you require an indoor space. gates open 8.30am for sellers. Refreshments available in the centre cafe. Bacon butties and homemade cakes.
Contact: Crossways Youth & Community Centre | 01305 854179 | Email | Web | MapSat 4 Jul
CAP Money Coaching
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RRCAP Money Coaching is free and will help you manage your money better. £20 Co-op voucher reward for those who live in DT1/DT2 and complete the course. Full details and sign up via the web link below. Max 8 people per course. Please note: we are not financial advisers; this is not a Bible course in disguise; you are not obliged to reveal any personal financial details. It really works!
Contact: Dorchester Baptist Church | 01305 262045 | Email | Web | MapSat 4 Jul
Joe's Barefoot Run
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival Field, Main Rd, Tolpuddle (what3words: changing.fiction.sleepers), DT2 7EHJoe, 13, will be running a half marathon BAREFOOT around the field where the TUC hold their festival in Tolpuddle on 4th July at 10am. He is raising funds for a Camps International trip to Tanzania and has been sponsored by barefoot shoe brand Nackt. He would like to make this a community event and would love to be joined by anyone for a lap or two. Refreshments will be served.
Contact: Joe’s Barefoot Run | 07956323749 | Email | Web | MapSat 4 Jul
William Barnes & Leader Scott Talk
10:00 am to 12:15 pm
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RPJoin us for a morning of talks to celebrate the life and work of William Barnes and his daughter Lucy Baxter, known by the pen name Leader Scott. Tickets are £8 for members of the Dorset Archives Trust OR William Barnes Society, or £10 for non-members. Please book via web link below.
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Countryside Matters 65, 22.06.26
In today’s programme:
The Isle of Wight is about to launch its third nine-day Biosphere Festival, which will take place all over the island, and involve many local communities. The island is one of seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Martha ...
Claire Skinner from the Dorset History Centre tells us about their Summer Gala
Today, Claire Skinner, Principal Archivist at the Dorset History Centre, called in to the studio to talk about the work of the Dorset Archives Trust and its upcoming Summer Gala, which takes place on Thursday 2nd July at Mapperton ...
Sam is taking part in the Special Olympics in Birmingham
Today we were visited by Annette and Sam Craddock who joined Andy Senior to share Sam’s exciting news that he has qualified to compete in the Special Olympics, taking place this August in Birmingham. Good Luck Sam!…
Armed Forces Day ceremony held at County Hall – audio and pictures
Among several ceremonies organised annually by Dorset Council and held at the Memorial Area outside County Hall in Dorchester, is the the Armed Forces Day commemoration which was held on 22nd June 2026. Several speeches were given by, first, ...
Dorchester’s Community Garden project holds event to help shape its future
A community garden project in Dorchester held an event recently inviting ideas to help shape its future. Volunteer Centre Dorset has taken over the running of the project formerly known as The Garden & People (GAP) project. Our reporter ...
UPDATED: Reporting from the Armed Forces Day in Weymouth, with pictures
Weymouth proudly hosted a weekend celebration honouring our Armed Forces—past, present, and future from the 19th to the 22nd June 2026. This annual event recognises the dedication of serving personnel and veterans, highlights the work of veterans’ associations, and ...
