News Archive

Dorset Council has set out proposals for a £416 million budget for 2025/26. This marks a £39 million increase in spending from last year, injecting much needed funding into essential services for residents, especially vulnerable children and adults. Additional funding includes: £14.5 million for adult social care and housing services £1.5 million for children’s services, and £4 million for Place ...

Police officers investigating an assault near Dorchester are issuing an image of a man they would like to identify. At around 12pm on Thursday 19 December 2024 a woman was reportedly assaulted by a man in the Broadmayne area. It is alleged the man pushed the victim several times before grabbing her phone and throwing it to ...

With temperatures set to drop over the coming days and the arrival of snow in some places, the local NHS is reminding people that cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications for people with a long-term health condition. Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and ...

Dorset County Hospital Charity is delighted to announce its £2.5 million Emergency and Critical Care Appeal has reached £500K, its first major milestone. The Charity’s appeal is funding significant enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, on which construction has commenced at Dorset County Hospital.   The new build Emergency Department and Critical Care ...

Only one of our local senior football teams managed to record a win on Saturday, and that was in the Southwest Peninsular League East, where Bridport beat Bovey Tracey away by four goals to two. Solomon Ayunga, Kieran Daniels, Kieran Coombs and Riley Weedon all scored a goal each for the Bees. Weymouth hosted Boreham Wood at ...

Another fire has broken out this morning (4th January) seriously damaging another restaurant in a Dorset town. The fire is at the Dorset Burger Company in King Street, Weymouth. Road closures are currently in place and many fire engines are in attendance. Dorset Council advises access to Weymouth Railway Station is severely restricted and ask people to avoid ...

Dorset Police received a report at 5.05am on Friday 3 January 2025 that a male cyclist had been found with serious injuries in All Saints Road. Officers attended, along with the ambulance service, and road closures were put in place. The injured man, aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious ...

Detectives investigating a report of an assault and threats in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at around 7.30am on Wednesday 1 January 2025 that two victims – a man and woman – who were sitting in a Fiat Panda in Grosvenor Road were approached ...

“Christmas can be expensive and stressful. An average household in the UK spends more than £700 extra in December than in other months, according to the Bank of England”, says CAP money coach Dick Howard. “Many families will find that every penny counts in January. Rebuilding your finances can help you feel more at ease ...

As cases of Norovirus, commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug,” continue to rise, clinicians in Dorset are issuing an urgent request to the public: please avoid visiting hospitals and other premises if you are experiencing symptoms. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, putting vulnerable patients and healthcare workers at risk. ...

Idris Martin reporting. This game is claimed to be so ancient that it dates back to pre-Roman Britain. There are references to it being played as far back as 1602 in Cornwall. Another account says it was also played in Dorset in 1583. The ancient Dorset art of nurdling made its welcome return to Roman Road in ...

On the morning of 31st December, eager collectors risked lives and limbs in search for fossils at West Bay following recent rock falls below the Jurassic Coast cliffs, which were made famous by the TV drama Broadchurch. Not only were they at risk from further falls, but some got very close to the waves that were ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after an attempted robbery in Dorchester town centre. The incident occurred between 1pm and 2.30pm on Monday 23 December 2024 in the area of Trinity Street. The victim – a local man aged in his 80s – was approached by a group of people aged ...

Idris Martin reporting. The power outage that struck businesses and domestic dwellings around mid-day in Weymouth on Christmas Day has been traced to a fault in an 11,000 volt HV electric cable beneath the pavement on Weymouth’s Custom House Quay. Southern Electric engineers isolated the faulty cable and restored the supply to the area, and now that ...

Boxing Day Football. Southwest Peninsular League East. Result: Axminster nil vs Bridport 4, Fred Parsons, Kieran Daniels, Riley Weedon & Noah House scored the Bees’ goals. National League South. Result: Weymouth 2 vs Torquay United 2 Both the Terras’ goals from Brandon Goodship; the second was his 100th for the club. Southern Premier League. Result: Poole Town 1 vs Dorchester 1 The Magpies’ goal ...

Idris Martin reporting. A mains electrical fault caused many commercial and domestic properties in the south of Weymouth to lose their power on Christmas Day. A spokesperson for the Ship Inn on Custom House Quay said: “We have been told that the power could be back on at 5:00 pm, so until then, we can’t serve anyone”. The ...

Dorchester Chamber for Business has made a generous donation of £500 to the Dorchester Food Bank to support local families and individuals in need during the festive season. The funds were raised through a raffle at the Chamber’s annual President’s Breakfast earlier this month, an event that celebrated Christmas and the conclusion of another successful ...

Christmas came early for Nico and Oliver earlier this week when Father Christmas drove the morning delivery to Waitrose in Poundbury. The children who live close to the branch have a fascination with the lorries and like watching them daily when they arrive.  Father Christmas gave out gifts and a miniature lorry as well as chance ...

Weymouth Football Club’s new manager, Warren Feeney, took his team to Essex for his first National League South game at the helm of the Terras senior men’s team and returned to Dorset with a share of the points following their goalless draw against Chelmsford City. In the Southern Premier League, Dorchester scored a 5-star display against ...

A man has sadly died following an alleged serious assault in Weymouth. Detectives continue to investigate an incident in Abbotsbury Road, which was reported at 8.12pm on Tuesday 10 December 2024. Officers attended with the ambulance service. The victim, 75-year-old Anthony Jacob from Weymouth, was taken to hospital for treatment to head and facial injuries. Sadly, he ...

A statement issued on 19th December by David Sidwick, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, reveals that Dorset Police will be faced with a shortfall in excess of £6m. Mr Sidwick calls on Dorset’s MPs to recognise the severity of this situation and work with him to address with Government its unfair treatment of Dorset. The ...

Major safety improvement work will begin at the 4-way Maumbury Cross junction in Dorchester on Monday 13 January. This includes installation of much-needed signal-controlled pedestrian crossing points, widening and levelling of footways where possible and upgrading existing equipment. Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services at Dorset Council said: “The current junction layout, with its narrow footways, ...

Dorset Council Waste Services have experienced another fire in their recycling collection vehicles in Bridport this morning. The crew managed to eject the load, saving the vehicle in the process. Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue attended to extinguish the blaze. Photos captured show the cause was a pack of batteries that were placed in ...

Staff and patrons of The Onyx Bar & Restaurant, Weymouth, part of the Kings Hotel Group, raised £889 for local charity ‘Staffie & Stray Rescue’ during a festive quiz night held earlier this month. The event welcomed 11 enthusiastic teams, a bustling crowd of patrons and even a few four-legged friends. The dog-friendly venue, located within ...

An eight-month-old ginger cat named Otto is safely back with his owners after spending a nerve-wracking 24 hours stranded high in a tree on Lorton Lane, Weymouth. The dramatic rescue was carried out by Knighton Countryside Management, whose act of kindness has touched hearts across the community. Otto’s adventure began when his curiosity led him to ...

The spokesperson for the Stop Portland Waste Incinerator Campaign, Laura Baldwin, has told KeeP 106 that campaigners against the hugely unpopular plans for a waste incinerator at Portland Port in Dorset have had a win as High Court Judge validates one of the three grounds filed for a Statutory Review. The Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign ...

The recent fire at The Gorge Café on South Street has had a significant impact on neighbouring businesses during one of the most critical times of the year for trade. However, the outpouring of support from the community so far has been truly inspiring. Now, local businesses are calling on everyone to come together once ...

Join Weymouth Fire Station as firefighters race to save Santa from the drill tower in time for Christmas at their festive open day this Sunday (22 December) between 10am and 2pm. Visit Santa’s Grotto, meet your local firefighters, visit the craft fair stalls and dust up on your knowledge with their Chip Pan Demo. Other activities include ...

Can you help re-unite a much-loved Bunny toy with their young owner in time for Christmas? Dorchester Town council staff found the toy on a path in Borough Gardens last week and would very much like to reunite it with its owner. It’s been in the gardens office window with a note for a few days ...

Christian Aid supporters in Dorchester are warming up their vocal chords for some festive fundraising to support people living through conflicts around the world. The international development charity has launched its Christmas Appeal  which this year is shining a light on South Sudan where hundreds of thousands of people are seeking safety from the conflict in ...

Dorset Police officers are investigating criminal damage to a shop in Dorchester and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. It was reported that damage was caused to the window of No. 36 Gifts and Lifestyle in South Street at approximately 12.0am on Sunday 15 December 2024. Police Constable Toby Norman, of Dorset Police, said: ...

Listen to a daily sports bulletin on the Keep Radio 106.3 FM breakfast show from 8:30 am Monday to Friday. Weymouth Football Club’s mid-week FA Trophy victory at Huish Park against their arch-rivals Yeovil Town is just a distant memory following their 3 goals to nil National League South defeat at Hemel Hempstead. This result leaves ...

One of the garden centres which form the Gardens Group, Poundbury Gardens, has won third place in the Local Garden Centre Category of the national Christmas Competition run by the Garden Centre Association (GCA). The other two centres in the group, Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil, have won first and second ...

Alfie Chambers, aged 21 and previously of Aldershot, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 2 December 2024 to three years in prison after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage and possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place. At around 3am on Wednesday 7 December 2022, ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after an alleged robbery in Weymouth – with one man arrested. Dorset Police received a report at 6.26am on Wednesday 11 December 2024 of a robbery at the Morrisons Daily store at the Littlemoor Shopping Centre. It was reported that a member of staff sustained ...

A drug driver who caused a fatal collision in West Dorset has been sentenced at court. Joshua Jack Craven, aged 22 and of Trinity Way, Bridport, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 12 December 2024 after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and disqualified from driving for a ...

This item has been updated following the death of the victim: Update following reported serious assault in Weymouth A man has been charged following an investigation by detectives into a report of a serious assault in Weymouth, with officers continuing to appeal for any witnesses to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at 8.12pm on Tuesday 10 ...

As well as your collection date changing over the Christmas period, the crews might pick up your waste at a different time of day than usual. Therefore, Dorset Council asks that you put your containers out on the correct day by 6am to ensure collection. Also note, there are no garden waste collections between Wednesday 25 ...

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, held a special Facebook Live event last week to discuss the issue of shoplifting, along with representatives from Dorset Police. During the online event, the PCC along with Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan and Chief Inspector Alyssa Forrest, discussed what was happening in Dorset to tackle shoplifting, and answered ...

Dorset Police is supporting Action Fraud’s 12 Frauds of Christmas campaign for residents to have a #FraudFreeXmas. When celebrating this festive season people are being encouraged to have a #FraudFreeXmas and stay alert to fraudsters taking advantage of the time of year, as Action Fraud reveal the 12 frauds of Christmas. Action Fraud, the national fraud and ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue have had crews in attendance this morning (11th December) to deal with some hot spots within the collapsed building in South Street. Fire crews will be carrying out regular re-inspections over the next few days to keep the area safe. The fire service is advising anyone that if they see smoke ...

DocBike has launched a brand-new ride out to bring festive cheer to children and young people at Dorset County Hospital this Christmas. DocBike’s Santa Toy Run will take place on Sunday 22nd December 2024 and calls upon big-hearted bikers to donate an unwrapped gift, which can be given to young patients staying in Kingfisher Ward at ...

On Tuesday evening, former Yeovil Town striker Brandon Goodship returned to Huish Park to haunt the Glovers, scoring both of the goals that put Weymouth into the fourth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, January 4 fourth, when they will host Borehamwood at the Bob Lucas Stadium. Our Man at the Match named his Man ...

Kieran Williams reporting. As of 6pm on Monday evening (9th December), Firefighters are still tackling a blaze which has destroyed the mid-terrace commercial premises on South Street in Dorchester. After an initial attendance from 11 fire stations, when the fire broke out at approximately 03:30 this morning, the fire service have now scaled back their operation to ...

A pair of illegal pet breeders and sellers who made over £34,000 were sentenced in court last week, following an investigation by Dorset Council’s Animal Welfare team and Dorset Police. Ebony Membury (25) and her father Michael Membury (58) of Dorchester, were prosecuted for the unlicensed breeding and advertising the selling of dogs, and also the ...

Storm Darragh put paid to most local sports this weekend, but some did go ahead. In the Southern Premier League, Dorchester overcame the challenge of Hungerford Town at the Avenue Stadium, beating their visitors by 4 goals to 2. The Magpie’s goals came from Olaf Koszela, who scored a pair with a goal each courtesy of Luke ...

Residents in Dorchester have woken this morning to the devastating news of a fire in South Street. The fire broke out in the early hours this morning in the Gorge Café in the town. Fire crews from around Dorchester were alerted to the blaze at 3.34am today (9th December). The service sent crews from Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, ...

Our reporter Idris Martin has been out and about visiting West Bay this morning, 7th December, to see the effect of Storm Darragh which has battered Wales and south west England overnight and Saturday morning. Idris took the photos below commenting “It was bracing, to say the least. At times, I had trouble standing up, the ...

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for: Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, West Bay, Bothenhampton, Burton Freshwater, Burton Bradstock, Cogden Beach, Chesil Beach, West Fleet, East Fleet and Chiswell. Storm Darragh will bring strong winds, large waves and spray overtopping on the coast on Saturday morning which may lead to flooding, though flooding ...

A van driver who failed to check his rear-view camera before carrying out a manoeuvre causing a fatal collision in Weymouth has been jailed. Edgaras Kondratas, aged 41 and of Southampton, appeared at Winchester Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday 6 December 2024 after being found guilty at an earlier trial of causing death by ...

Due to the recent bad weather, Weldmar Hospicecare’s Light up a Life tree at Lodmoor Country Park has sadly sustained significant damage. With very strong winds also forecast over the weekend due to Storm Darragh, it is not safe to continue with the outdoor service as planned. We acknowledge an important part of Light up ...

Weymouth is set to celebrate the Salvation Army’s vital contributions to the community by lighting up its iconic Jubilee Clock in the charity’s vibrant colours—yellow, red, and blue—from Saturday 7th December to Monday 9th December. Additionally, The Salvation Army band will perform at the Carols on the Coast concert on December 7, starting at 5pm at ...

Cllr. Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He has requested the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) intervene following the government’s decision to grant planning permission for the proposed incinerator in Portland. The letter, addressed to Rt Hon ...

Plans to overhaul the rail network have been announced as the Transport Secretary reveals South Western Railway’s services will be the first to transfer into public ownership next year. The move comes just days after one of the Government’s first major pieces of legislation, the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, received Royal Assent, paving ...

Dorchester Town Council has announced the reopening of two tennis courts in the Borough Gardens following a successful resurfacing project. This important upgrade, made possible by a generous grant from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), ensures the courts are now in top condition for local tennis enthusiasts to enjoy for many years to come. The resurfacing ...

A local community has taken a significant step closer to having greater influence over planning decisions in their area. A final version of the Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan (the parishes of Tincleton, West Knighton, West Stafford and Woodsford) has been submitted to the council for examination. The plan has been drawn up by local people, and agreed by the group ...

Dorset Police received a report at 2.54am on Sunday 1 December 2024 of an altercation taking place outside The Closet in Maiden Street. It was reported that a 19-year-old man was assaulted and he was taken to hospital for treatment to a serious head injury. Following enquiries at the scene, three people – all aged 19 and ...

None of our 4 top local football teams could muster up a victory between them on Saturday. The very best they could provide was at the New Cuthbury, where Dorchester, despite ending the game with only 9 players out on the park, came from behind to salvage a Southern Premier League point against Wimborne. In the ...

Dorset Police received a report at 1.49pm on Sunday 1 December 2024 of a collision between Dorchester and Winterbourne Abbas, near to Tilly Whim Lane, involving a black Ford Fiesta, a white Seat Ibiza and a black Land Rover. Emergency services attended and a passenger from the Seat, a woman aged in her 50s, was taken ...

Our reporter Idris Martin was out for a Sunday morning stroll on Weymouth beach when he sadly came across a dead dolphin which had been washed up for reasons as yet unknown. Next to the carcass a sign has been erected by the local resort management team stating that the deceased dolphin would be reported to ...