the community news that matters
Tragedy as motorcyclist dies in accident near Chickerell
Police officers investigating a fatal collision near Chickerell are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
At 10.22am on Sunday 14 June 2026 a road traffic collision occurred on the B3157 Chickerell Hill near to Bagwell ...
Buckets through Maiden Newton to keep fire station open
Over 50 villagers from Maiden Newton came together to reenact how a village would have fought fires a century over 200 years ago before modern fire appliances. Villagers formed a line to haul water from the bridge over the ...
Weymouth Football Club’s wide man Matt Burrows has parted company with the Terras after signing 12 months ago.
Local Dorset Cricket League Results:
Martinstown beat Broadstone by 7 wickets. Dorchester beat Bere Regis by 6 wickets. Blandford beat Marnhull by 6 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 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 | MapThu 18 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 | MapSat 20 Jun
Wud Eye Lye 2 Ewe
Location: St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester, DT1 1LB7:30pm. Teams of 4 to 6 are invited to participate in a hilarious ‘Dorset’ version of the popular BBC panel show. Rustic supper included £5.00 per person. Bring your own bottle. Prize raffle!
Contact: The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows | 07788436797 | Email | MapSat 20 Jun
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 on Saturday 20th June between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for our monthly lunchtime concert. Jonathan Prentice (baritone) and Rob Taylor (piano) perform an eclectic programme of songs and arias. Admission is free. More information via web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | 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 ...
