the community news that matters
UPDATED: Several yachts damaged by fire at Portland Marina
Idris Martin reporting.
Operations are underway in Portland Marina to salvage the yacht that was deliberately sunk by the Fire Brigade after in caught fire two weeks ago.
With Liquid Petroleum Gas canisters on board it was decided that the best ...
Barclays Bank Dorchester branch to get an upgrade
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A Dorchester bank is to get an upgrade with a range of internal improvements.
The Barclays Grade 2 listed South Street building is identified as the Mayor’s house in Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge.
The ...
A few days ago Dorset Police issued an appeal to locate a wanted man who had links to west Dorset and Devon.
Officers now confirm that 68 year old Malcolm John Clarke, wanted for stalking offences, has been located and ...
Man left seriously injured after being dragged by a vehicle in Weymouth
Police officers investigating a road related incident that left a man seriously injured in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
The incident occurred at around 8.30pm on Monday 4 May 2026 in Rodwell ...
Both of the Dorset & Wilts County Rugby Teams played in their respective County Championship competitions over the weekend.
On Saturday, the men’s team locked horns with Berkshire at Royal Wootton Bassett rugby club and emerged victors by an impressive ...
The story beneath your feet at Weymouth community excavation open day
Idris Martin reporting, including text from Dorset Council website and Wikipedia.
Residents and visitors were invited to explore Weymouth’s hidden history when a major community archaeology dig opens its doors to the public today, 9th May 2024.
The Weymouth Community Excavation ...
Beerex 2026 raises a massive £24k for local good causes
by Rich Gabe, Press Officer, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale.
Members of the Dorchester Beerex committee, made up of West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club members, are proud to announce the final profit ...
Recent news items
- Public support helps detectives catch two men involved in stabbing in Weymouth
- 500-home scheme for Crossways approved
- Weymouth new bandstand approved
- 500 new homes for Crossways could be approved
- CCTV appeal following theft in Weymouth
- Dorset man to run 100km Jurassic coast ultra challenge for ME/CFS awareness
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 16 May
Children’s treasure hunt and plant sale
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Taylor’s Rehoming Centre, Higher Dairy, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, DT2 8PYJoin us for a fun animal themed children’s treasure hunt and plant sale (for the adults!) on Saturday 16th May. Open 10am until 2pm. There will be clues to solve and stamps to collect in our fun treasure hunt (£5 per child) and a plant sale where we will be selling a range of plants. All raising money for RSPCA Taylor’s Rehoming Centre, enabling us to continue caring for animals across Dorset.
Contact: RSPCA West Dorset Branch | 01305 259672 | Email | Web | MapSat 16 May to Sun 17 May
Dorchester Vegan MegaMarket
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Maumbury Rings, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 1TYThe Dorchester Vegan MegaMarket returns outdoors to the historic Maumbury Rings Roman Amphitheatre this Spring! With free entry to our 2 Day May MegaMarket, with 50+ stalls of 100% vegan products situated at the north end of the rings, everyone can enjoy this superb outdoor event. And with a massive grass amphitheatre you can bring your own blankets or chairs for relaxing and dining.
Contact: Dorchester Vegan Market | 07837584143 | Email | Web | MapSat 16 May
Free 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 16th May between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for our monthly lunchtime concert. Natalie Burton (clarinet) and Rob Taylor (piano) perform the Copland ‘Clarinet Sonata’ and Finzi’s ‘Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano’. Admission is free. More information via web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapSun 17 May
The Occasional Singers: Choral Masterworks
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester, DT1 2HLEvent description: A concert of short choral pieces for choir with chamber orchestra including Handel’s ‘Let God Arise’, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42, The famous soprano aria ‘Scherza Infida’ from Handel’s Ariodante. They will be joined by the outstanding young Soprano Sumei Bao-Smith. Entrance is FREE. There will be a retiring collection for Weldmar Hospicecare.
Everyone is most welcome.
Thu 21 May
Smuggling in Dorset and Hampshire
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RP7:00 pm. In the 18th & 19th centuries high taxes led to increased illicit imports to Britain. Stories of the battles between smugglers & excisemen have been handed down in archival records, family stories, local legends & songs. Join us for an evening of music, folklore and local history with Bonny Sartin. Tickets are £8 for Dorset Archives Trust members or £10 for non-members. Please book via web link below.
Contact: Dorset History Centre | 01305 250550 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Idris Martin reporting from the archaeological dig at the old Weymouth bowling ally
Residents and visitors were invited to explore Weymouth’s hidden history when a major community archaeology dig opened its doors to the public on 9th May. The Weymouth Community Excavation 2026 Open Day took place at the excavation site on ...
Countryside Matters 61, 27.04.26
Trevor Bailey, who is a long-time resident of the village of Bourton in north Dorset gives the reasons why he accuses the government’s housing policy of creating an “unprecedented assault” – his words – on rural England, and Dorset ...
On KeeP 106 we take great pleasure in featuring local people who make a difference to the local community in one way or another. Here is one such example. Bob Bunyar is an interesting chap from Swanage, in the ...
Into My Arms – a new book by Estelle Phillips
When Andy Senior asked Estelle Phillips to share some details about her new book, she replied: “A tree saved my dad’s life.” ‘Into My Arms’ tells the remarkable story behind her father’s miraculous escape. Estelle told us more when ...
The General Witchfinders rediscovering overlooked British gems
The General Witchfinders is a horror podcast dedicated to rediscovering overlooked British gems, from iconic Hammer films to long-forgotten classics. Local witchfinder Ross Cleaver told us more when he called into the studio and spoke to Andy Senior…
ANZAC Day Service – audio and pictures
On Saturday 25th April, Weymouth’s Anzac Day service took place at 11am by the Anzac Memorial, which is opposite the Hotel Prince Regent. Members of the public were invited to attend the service of remembrance which commemorates the thousands ...
