the community news that matters
Man assaulted on Portland – Police appeal for witnesses
Dorset Police received a report at 8.22pm on Thursday 6 November 2025 of a disturbance in the area of the Britannia Inn in Fortuneswell and they are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
It was reported ...
Officers are appealing for information from the public as they search for a wanted man.
Michael Robert Southwood, aged 60, is wanted in connection with an investigation into alleged non recent sex offences after failing to return on bail.
He is ...
Wessex Premier League side Portland United FC and Western League Club Sturminster Newton FC take pride of place this weekend as the 2 Dorset clubs meet at Grove Corner on Saturday for a FA Trophy second round tie.
Neither side ...
Appeal to stop Portland incinerator fails as judges give the green light to go ahead
As news of a High Court decision to allow the building of a waste incinerator on Portland broke, the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) have vowed to fight on to ensure it never gets built.
SPIC were also responding to ...
‘Modest’ fee increases coming in 2026 for History Centre services
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service
ARCHIVE users for Dorset History Centre services will be facing ‘modest’ fee increases from April.
Not all charges will rise although the service has tried to stick to a guideline rise averaging 3.4 per ...
More funding needed from councils to keep History Centre running
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
EXTRA money will be needed from both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils to keep the county’s Joint Archive Service running.
Even with a 5 per cent increase from both unitary authorities in ...
Winner Announced for Dorchester Shopfront of the Season – Autumn Charm Edition
Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) announced that Serenity Nails & Beauty on High West Street has been crowned the winner of the inaugural Dorchester Shopfront of the Season Awards – Autumn Charm Edition.
Serenity Nails & ...
Recent news items
- Could you balance Dorset Council’s budget? Here’s your chance to have a go
- Brunel’s connection to Dorchester West Station and Great Western Railway to be marked by plaque
- Next chapter for Weymouth: Council to decide on major regeneration plans
- Weekend Sports Report
- Dorset HealthCare reminds parents that school immunisations are crucial for children’s health
- SandWorld thanks Dorset’s heroes with free family entry
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 7 Nov to Fri 12 Dec
Energy Efficient Cooking Course
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: St Francis Church, Merredin Close, Littlemoor, Weymouth, DT3 6SJDiscover new cooking techniques, save money, and reduce food waste! Littlemoor, Weymouth’s 6-week energy-efficient cooking course. Join us for FREE!
Contact: Friendly Food Club | 01202 057100 | Email | Web | MapMon 10 Nov
An afternoon of table top games
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: Pavilion in the Park, St John’s Way, Poundbury, DT1 2FGA Monday afternoon of tabletop games at PIP Café Poundbury 2pm-5pm. This is a free event, tea and coffee provided. Cake available to purchase. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Rummikub, Bananagram, chess, backgammon, mah jong, canasta. Dates include:10th November 8th December 12th January 2026 and 9th February 2026
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapThu 13 Nov
Talk: The Pont Aven to Paris with Mike Aylott
Location: Magna Community Centre, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, DT1 1QL7:00 pm. Mike tells us about the Pont Aven school of artists, including Gauguin, and their impact on the Parisian perspective at the time. Mike leads the local U3A History of Art group.
Contact: Dorchester-Bayeux Twinning Society | 01305854915 | Email | Web | MapThu 13 Nov
The Story of Portland Bill's Lighthouses: An Online Talk
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Online – Zoom, For more than 300 years Portland Bill’s famous lighthouses have warned ships of this treacherous coast. Join renowned local historian Stuart Morris online to explore the fascinating history of these iconic buildings. This talk will take place over Zoom on Thurs 13 Nov 2025 and the event link will be sent out two hours before the event. Tickets £5 DAT Members, £6 non-members. Book via ticketsource – see web link below.
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | WebFri 14 Nov
Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Crossways Village Hall, Moigne Coombe Road, Crossways, DT2 8JACome to our village hall to enjoy a coffee and a chat, catch-up with old friends, make new friends enjoy a raffle and a Bring and buy sale.
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Wild Words Literary Festival coming to Symondsbury Estate
As we reported a few days ago a brand new literary festival is coming to Symondsbury Estate near Bridport in December. ‘Wild Words’ reflects a growing national appetite for books about places, the environment and sustainable living. Many authors ...
Fiona designs another poppy display for the RAF Benevolent Fund
Today Fiona Matthews joined Andy to tell us about her new poppy display which is in aid of The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The display is titled The Unknown Airman and Fiona has also written a poem titled ...
Energy efficient cooking courses starting in Weymouth
Dorset charity The Friendly Food Club is running two more of its popular Energy Efficient Cooking courses in Weymouth. The free sessions include preparing and cooking a tasty meal, alongside advice on meal planning, batch cooking, budgeting, and making ...
Three short stories by Jenny Devitt
A departure from her normal Countryside Matters programme, KeeP 106 presenter Jenny Devitt has written three excellent and diverse short stories and you can hear them below read by Jenny herself. Ranging from a spooky and murderous hiking adventure, ...
This is a taster of David Taylor’s Saturday show on Keep 106 called DT@1 which is broadcast on Saturdays at 1:00 pm. (for the uninitiated DT1 is the post code for Dorchester….see what we did there 🤦♀️) Enjoy the ...
Countryside Matters 47, 13.10.25
Our programme Countryside Matters, presented by Jenny Devitt, features topics associated with gardening, farming, wildlife and the environment. In this edition Mike Burks waxes lyrical on the lovely autumn colours of some of the garden plants we might like ...
