the community news that matters
Hundreds of trees to be planted across Dorset this autumn
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Hundreds of trees will be planted across Dorset this autumn to mark the centenary of the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
The campaign will include planting endangered species.
The group say that ...
Weymouth & Portland Women’s team, player Faye Tatchell has been named as the Dorset & Wills County Team’s Most Improved Player of the Season.
A club spokesman said: “We are very pleased for Faye and the award she has won ...
New hospital discharge carers pilot launched
A new hospital pilot initiative designed to help identify carers earlier and connect them with practical support has been launched in Dorset.
Help & Care have been commissioned by Dorset Council to run the six-month pilot with a focus at Dorset County Hospital to reduce unplanned admissions and readmissions.
The pilot will support unpaid carers pre-hospital admission, offering contingency planning and telephone support following ...
Billy Bragg to headline incinerator campaign’s ‘Protestival’
Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) are hosting a community and fundraising event at the Little Ship pub on Portland this Saturday, 13th June. Among bands and artists to take to the stage from 2pm will be internationally renowned singer-songwriter ...
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 ...
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 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 | MapMon 15 Jun to Sat 20 Jun
Educating Rita
Location: Royal Manor Theatre Company, 138A Fortuneswell, Portland, DT5 1LT7:30 pm. We are proud to present Willy Russell’s much loved “Educating Rita” for 6 nights from 15th June 2026. Frank, a disillusioned and alcohol dependent professor, finds his spark reignited when he agrees to tutor Rita, a working-class hairdresser hungry for self-improvement. This witty and moving comedy explores the price of “fitting in” and the true meaning of personal freedom.
Contact: Royal Manor Theatre | 03336 663366 | Email | Web | MapWed 17 Jun
Community Garden Open Day
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Red Cow Lane Farm, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, DT1 1WQDrop in event. Whether you are a local resident, community group, charity or you support someone, we would love to welcome you. Our vision is to create a welcoming green space that promotes wellbeing, collaboration, creativity and opportunities, where everyone is supported to take part. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. Please RSVP by 10 June via the email link below.
Contact: Volunteer Centre Dorset | 01305 269214 | 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 ...
