the community news that matters
The People’s Emergency Briefing to be screened in Dorchester
Chris Packham backs Dorchester’s screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing which is being hosted by Dorchester Town Council, Dorset Climate Action Network and Dorset Action.
A free public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing will take place at The Corn ...
E scooter trial proposal to be considered by Dorset councillors
Dorset councillors are being asked to give their views on proposals to introduce a regulated e‑scooter rental trial in some of the county’s towns.
Dorset Council has been offered the chance to participate in a national government-supported e-scooter trial that ...
Witness and dashcam appeal following collision in Dorchester
Police officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to get in touch following a collision in Dorchester.
At around 4.20pm on Saturday 23 May 2026 a two-vehicle collision occurred involving a grey Hyundai i10 and a black ...
Air Ambulance second helicopter touches down – and you can help name it
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s second helicopter has touched down at Henstridge Airfield for the first time, marking a major step forward in the charity’s mission to reach more patients and save more lives.
The new helicopter will now join ...
Dorset partners mark Carers Week 2026 with new support to build carer friendly communities
Unpaid carers across Dorset are being recognised and encouraged to seek support during next month’s Carers Week, as local organisations work together to build communities where carers feel understood, valued and supported.
Carers Week (8–14 June 2026) is a national ...
Weymouth Town Council hold Service to Mark US Memorial Day
Idris Martin reporting.
Members of the public were invited to attend Weymouth Town Council’s annual US Memorial Day Service on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May, on the seafront.
The Deputy Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Peter Dickenson, hosted the ceremony for US Memorial Day. It took place at 11am at the newly restored US Memorial opposite the Royal Hotel.
Memorial Day is a national holiday in America, ...
The Dorset & Wilts Senior Men’s Rugby Team were eliminated from this season’s Bill Beaumont RFU County Championship at Banbury Rugby Club by their hosts, Oxfordshire, in a contest where the result could have gone in either direction, ending ...
Recent news items
- Weldmar Hospicecare is Weymouth Half Marathon’s charity partner for 2027
- West Dorset Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2026
- Woman due to appear in court in connection with fatal collision in Dorchester
- Woman assaulted in Asda car park – appeal for witnesses
- Bakery proposal for former Halifax premises approved
- Dorchester credited as a Watermark Town
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…
Thu 28 May
Meet the Author event with Michael Malay
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Weymouth Library and Learning Centre, Great George Street, Weymouth, DT4 8NNJoin us for a Meet the Author talk with Michael Malay, prize winning author of Late Light. Michaels work explores nature and belonging. This will be an opportunity to hear about Michaels inspiration and to ask your own questions. Tickets are Pay what you can – including free and everyone is welcome! – see web link below. This event is part of the Words Alive in Libraries tour. (Also see creative writing workshop in separate listing above).
Contact: Dorset Council, Libraries | 01305762404 | Email | Web | MapFri 29 May
HMS Dorsetshire and the sinking of Bismark
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Dorchester Army Reserve Centre, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, DT1 1TAHosted by military historian Lt Col James Porter along with a drinks reception, this fascinating talk is about the County Class heavy cruiser HMS DORSETSHIRE and will follow her career from the laying of her keel on 21 September 1927 to her loss on 05 April 1942. However, the main focus will be on DORSETSHIRE’s role in the hunt for and the eventual sinking of the German battleship BISMARCK.
Contact: The Dorchester Keep Military Museum | 07586161872 | Email | Web | MapSat 30 May to Sun 31 May
Wessex Folk Festival
Location: Weymouth South Harbourside & Hope Square, Weymouth, The free Wessex Folk Festival returns to Weymouth, bringing live music, Morris dancing, workshops and family entertainment back to the town’s picturesque harbourside for another weekend of celebration. This year’s programme includes performances from Granny’s Attic, The Countrymen, Captain’s Beard, Threepenny Bit, and many more. New for 2026 is the launch of The Fringe, an exciting programme of performances and workshops hosted at Weymouth Drama Club.
Contact: Wessex Folk Festival | WebSat 30 May
Piddlefest
1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Piddletrenthide, Main Street, Piddletrenthide, DT2 7QLCommunity run event in Piddletrenthide. Music festival with food and drink. Kids go free money raised goes to Piddle Valley First School and Air Ambulance.
Contact: Piddlefest | 07540381749 | Email | Web | MapSat 30 May
Choral Evensong
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XAYou are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 30th may at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes Gibbons’s ‘Come, Holy Ghost’, the ‘Preces & Responses’ by Martin Neary, Blair’s ‘Evening Service in B minor’ and Elgar’s ‘The spirit of the Lord’. Admission is free and there is a glass of wine to follow. All are very welcome. More information via web link below.
Contact: Music at St Peter’s | 01305250719 | Email | Web | MapOn demand, at your convenience
Reporting from the Dorchester Annual Town Meeting
On 8th May Dorchester Town Council held the Annual Town Meeting in the Corn Exchange. This was a chance for members of the public to meet local Dorchester Town Councillors and hear more about the work of the Town ...
A live session with guitarist Paul Sundt
Paul Sundt has been on Andy Senior’s list of prospective guests for quite some time. With around 25 years of experience as a professional guitarist, musician and tutor, Paul brings both talent and passion to everything he does. If ...
Countryside Matters 62, 11.05.26
In this edition:
Mike Burks, Managing Director of the Gardens Group, explains the advantages of growing dwarf varieties of fruit trees if you only have a small garden, or a patio, since a number of them – apples, pears, cherries ...
Red for Archie – a fun run in memory of a special lad
Please listen to the audio track below…
Archie Miller sadly passed away in June 2024 at the age of 11 and in his memory Archie’s parents set up a charitable organisation, ‘Archie’s Warriors’ in honour of their beautiful boy with ...
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 ...
