Below are the 30 latest news items
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorset Council faces a £30million budget gap as rising demand for adult and children’s services puts its finances under pressure.
The authority say frontline services will be protected “where possible”, ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to relax dog restrictions on Weymouth’s main beach have been scrapped.
Dorset Council had considered allowing dogs on leads between 6pm and 6am during the summer season, but the proposal was dropped following concerns raised ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Eleven new bedsit homes could be created in a Dorchester town centre hotel and above a nearby former bank.
The two High West Street properties are part of a trend in the street for conversions back ...
Dorchester Men’s Shed seeks a new home
Dorchester Men’s Shed is appealing to local businesses, landowners, organisations and residents for help in finding a new home as it prepares to leave the workshop it has occupied at Kingston Maurward College since 2017.
The Men’s Shed has 22 ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Proposals for temporary and seasonal campsites, new homes in Broadmayne and Buckland Newton, and upgrades to a water treatment centre in Portesham are among the latest local plans.
Here are the details of those plans –
Ringstead ...
Two graves uncovered during Fairfield Road improvements in Dorchester
Two graves containing human remains were uncovered during improvement work at Fairfield Road in Dorchester on Monday 2 November.
The remains were found as contractors excavated the pedestrianised section of Fairfield Road. An archaeologist was already supervising the work because ...
Investigation update following reported assault in Weymouth
Detectives continuing to investigate a reported assault in Weymouth are issuing an update.
It was reported that at around 7.50pm on Friday 6 November 2026 a man sustained a stab wound in Canberra Crescent.
The victim – aged in his 20s ...
Portland United Reserves thought they had scored against Balti Sports at College Fields, but the referee chalked it off, citing a foul on the Balti goalkeeper.
Final score: Balti Sports 3 vs Portland United Res. 0.
A Toby Holmes hat-trick, with ...
Witness appeal following reported assault in Weymouth
Detectives investigating a reported assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
It is reported that at around 7.50pm on Friday 6 November 2026 a man sustained a stab wound in Canberra Crescent.
The victim ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A £2.6 million skills centre and 125 new jobs are part of ambitious growth plans for Dorset’s only Innovation Park.
The jobs and centre are at the former nuclear site at Winfrith, owned by Dorset Council ...
Banned bonfire clear-up planned
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
The bonfire Dorchester Town Council tried to ban at Elizabeth Place was a great success – according to residents in the area.
They continued with their plans for the traditional fire, which has taken place over ...
During the week, both Dorchester and Weymouth football clubs overcame last weekend’s reverses, and both returned to winning ways.
The Magpies beat Bishop’s Cleeve away, and Terras won at home against Willand Rovers; that result sees Weymouth reclaim top place ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Town councillors in Dorchester have welcomed news of progress on a lift for Dorchester South Station.
But the project could still depend on whether Department of Transport approval is given and funding made available by the ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Residents have defied Dorchester Town Council and built a bonfire on the Elizabeth Place play area.
The substantial fire was in place on Tuesday morning with a painted sign saying “no waste.”
Most of the fire seemed ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A claim that the voting on Dorchester’s proposed 20mph town speed limit might have been ‘rigged’ has been denied.
Several town councillors say they were surprised that more than 62 per cent of the votes went ...
Dorchester Poverty Action launches winter campaign
Dorchester Poverty Action (DPA) has just launched its annual winter campaign. Over this last financial year the charity has seen a 28% increase in the number of grants distributed and a 66% increase over the last five years. As ...
Bestselling author Tracy Chevalier backs campaign to protect Dorset’s stories
Bestselling novelist Tracy Chevalier is championing efforts to preserve Dorset’s stories for future generations in a new film created by Dorset History Centre supporting a major archive project.
The internationally acclaimed author, who lives in Dorset’s Piddle Valley and is ...
Young people from across Dorset, including some home education families will come together on Friday 13 November for the first-ever Dorset-wide Youth COP, the opening event of Dorset ClimateAction Network’s (Dorset CAN) fourth annual Dorset COP.
Hosted with support from ...
Woman found with potentially life-changing injuries in Dorchester
Police officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a woman was found injured in Dorchester.
It was reported that a woman aged in her 60s had been found with injuries shortly after 10am on Thursday 29 ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Reeve the Baker plans to open latest shop in Dorchester during November – part of a wider expansion plan.
The bakery has applied for a pavement licence covering nine metres across the new shop at 6 ...
Portland United crossed the Causeway to Dorchester, then returned from the Avenue Stadium to the Royal Manor with all 3 Southern League Division 1 points, a result that even the most ardent Blues fan would have thought almost impossible ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Changes to a former Dorchester town centre department store have been agreed – to offer 16 small ‘co-living’ units.
The proposal, at Princes House in Trinity Street, include one shop unit, instead of the three originally ...
Poundbury Christmas Market Celebrates 10 Magical Years of Supporting Small Businesses
From just 20 stalls in 2016 to one of Poundbury’s much-loved festive traditions, the Poundbury Christmas Market celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday 28th November 2026.
This November marks a very special milestone for the Poundbury Christmas Market as it ...
Dorchester Care Worker Honoured With Top Award for Three Decades of Care and Compassion
Much-loved care worker Rachael Hayward, from Agincare’s Cheriton Care Home in Dorchester, has received the care provider’s highest honour in recognition of three decades of dedication and compassion.
Rachael was one of just six people from the leading national care ...
Dorchester 20mph proposals likely to be dropped
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Plans for a blanket 20mph speed limit look set to be abandoned following public opposition.
Almost all of Dorchester would have been covered by the proposed limit, but the idea is now likely to be dropped ...
Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorchester residents have been warned not to build or light a bonfire on a local play area because of safety and waste concerns.
Dorchester Town Council said it had learned of plans for a large bonfire ...
Survey reveals huge support for better bus services
Local Transport Action Groups in West Dorset have published the results of their survey to understand the need for more bus services between Bridport and Dorchester.
Almost 700 people responded to the survey – coordinated by WATAG (West Dorset Transport ...
Idris Martin reporting.
Polish born striker Olaf Koszela returns to The Avenue Stadium, having previously scored 49 goals in 128 appearances for the Magpies, signing on a permanent deal from Chippenham Town for an undisclosed fee.
After initially joining Dorchester on ...
Remembrance Service at County Hall to take place on Armistice Day
Residents across Dorset are invited to join the county’s annual Remembrance Service on Armistice Day as the community comes together to remember and honour those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, and in conflicts ...
Appeal for witnesses following reported arson on Portland
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following a reported arson on Portland.
It was reported that at around 1am on Thursday 29 October 2026 a caravan was destroyed by a fire in Yeats Road, ...