by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A three day open‑air festival combining food, music and family entertainment is being planned for the Dorchester Showground this summer.
The event, scheduled for 3–5 July, is being organised by Nationwide Festivals Ltd, a relatively new events company based in Ivybridge.
According to the application documents for licensing, the festival is described as a family event featuring a “diverse array of entertainment including tribute bands, a children’s entertainment area, funfair, stunt shows and hot air balloon displays”.
Plans include “a number of marquees and temporary outdoor stages, mobile food outlets, [and] two bars”.
Music performances, mainly tribute bands, are scheduled to finish at 21:45 on Friday, 21:30 on Saturday, and 20:00 on Sunday. The Designated Premises Supervisor is listed as Chanel Manders, who holds a personal licence from Somerset Council.
Nationwide Festivals, is listed by Companies House, as being based in Ivybridge, Devon was formally registered in September 2025.
Additional business directory information shows the firm as having fewer than 10 employees and turnover projected at under £1 million.
It is overseen by director David John Rowland, who holds several other directorships in events‑related companies.
The company has not responded to a request for more information on its proposals for the Dorchester event.
