News Archive

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on motorways and major A roads overnight and through the weekend due to the potential for heavy rain. Following Met Office yellow warnings for rain, wind and thunderstorms, through tonight, tomorrow and into Sunday, Highways England is asking drivers in the South West, South East, East and South ...

Officers in the Highways team at Dorset Council will begin removing the old bike shelter on Westham Bridge in Weymouth after a recent survey showed overwhelming support for relocating the facilities. As reported early last month, the existing cycle shelter has been set fire to, broken into and damaged from vandals climbing on it. Maintenance and ...

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Chilton has been chosen as the preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Dorset Police. The decision was announced on Wednesday, 21 July, by Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, but will be subject to a confirmation hearing by the Dorset Police and Crime Panel taking place in August. If confirmed, he will take ...

A new multi-agency initiative has been launched to help look after vulnerable people on nights out in Weymouth, taking pressure off the ambulance service and A&E wards. The Safe Space project ensures that people have a safe place to go when they are vulnerable or unable to get back to their accommodation. The Safe Space can ...

Dorset Police has seen a 13.4 per cent drop in recorded crime, according to new figures released on Thursday 22 July 2021, and has the ninth lowest crime rate in England & Wales. Data released by the Office for National Statistics show the Force has continued to see a drop in overall crime for the fifth ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following an assault in Weymouth. At around 7pm on Monday 19 July 2021 the victim – a 16-year-old girl from Somerset – approached a group of people on the Pleasure Pier to speak to them about their behaviour toward another individual. One of the group ...

Ron Kingman is auctioning his 1948 MG TC classic car on Friday 30th July and is hoping that it will raise thousands of pounds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA). After approaching South Western Vehicle Auctions (SWVA) in Poole, Ron amazingly informed them that he wanted all proceeds from the sale to be donated to ...

On Monday 2nd of August, Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum will be launching a Memory Cafe, a relaxed drop-in session for those with memory difficulties and their carers and/or family members. The sessions will run from 1 0AM-12PM every first Monday of the month. The first session wilI be starting with a coffee and chat, and ...

‘Weldmar at Home’ – a brand new service to provide care and support at home for patients and their loved ones. Weldmar Hospicecare in Dorset has launched a brand new service today, with the aim of providing care to patients who are in their last weeks and days of life, as well as support for their ...

Detectives investigating an attempted robbery in Blandford are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At around 9am on Monday 19 July 2021 the victim, a woman aged her 50s, was walking along an alleyway that runs from Barnes Close to Salisbury Road, behind Damory Garage, when she felt someone grab hold of ...

The Met Office are warning residents of Dorset, and the South-West in general, that high temperatures both by day and night will continue this week leading to public health impacts until midnight on Thursday 22nd July. It is believed that temperatures will fall on Friday. Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable ...

Detectives investigating a report of rape in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward – with one man arrested. Dorset Police received a report at around 10.15pm on Friday 16 July 2021 that a woman – aged in her 40s and from Weymouth – had been raped in St John’s Gardens ...

Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision in Blandford are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. At approximately 12.30am on Saturday 17 July 2021 a collision occurred involving a silver Vauxhall Insignia and a pedestrian on the A354 Blandford bypass between the Badger Roundabout and Two Gates Roundabout, also known ...

A farming couple from Dorchester have come up with a colourful way to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit which helped their premature son, as he celebrates his18th birthday. Organisers Richard and Hazel Hoskin have created a 20 acre Dorset Sunflower Trail on their land at Maiden Castle Farm, which is nestled at the ...

Emergency services in Dorset have met to discuss resilience issues in the county and are working together to ensure a safe level of service is maintained across the weekend. The ambulance service, Dorset Police and the county’s hospitals are currently under strain due to staffing shortages and high numbers of emergency call outs. This pressure is ...

The latest public health update on COVID-19 in Dorset shows that, whilst cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across the county, case rates in both the Dorset Council and BCP Council areas are below the average rates for the South West and England. Cases are increasing across all age groups, but the majority of infections continue ...

People in Dorset are being urged to bring forward their second life-saving COVID-19 vaccination to eight weeks to protect themselves and others. They can either attend a walk-in clinic or rebook their appointment at one of the many vaccine clinics being held across Dorset. All adults are now eligible to have the second dose of their COVID-19 ...

Dorset Police remind the public that, as of Wednesday 14th July, changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mean that all weapons banned in public by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, including zombie knives, shuriken or death stars and knuckledusters, will now also be banned in private, meaning people can no ...

Weymouth RNLI All–Weather lifeboat was launched at the request of Solent Coastguard to assess and assist, if required, a yacht off Portland Bill. It was reported that the 40′ vessel had suffered engine failure and had issued a Pan Pan radio message. (A Pan Pan message means “I need assistance, but it is not life ...

General Practice in Dorset is well above the national average in all areas of a newly published patient survey. According to the national 2021 GP Patient Survey, 88% of patients describe their overall experience of their GP practice as good – well above the national average. Patients across Dorset were asked to provide their insight into their ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after damage was caused to a taxi in Weymouth. Dorset Police was called at 10.23pm on Saturday 10 July 2021 to reports that something had been fired at the rear windscreen of a taxi as it was being driven along Radipole Lane toward Spa Road. It is reported ...

As part of their campaign to stop the proposed development of over 4,000 houses to the North of Dorchester, STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester), started a public petition in September 2018. The petition has now closed with well over 5,000 people signing it. STAND have told KeeP 106 that they are going to present ...

As cases continue to rise nationally, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week across Dorset. Dorset Council’s case rate remains below the averages for the South West and England. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s case rate is higher than the South West average but below the England average. There are currently ...

A man has been charged and is due to appear in court following a suspected drug deal where he reportedly became violent toward officers in Weymouth. At around 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 July 2021 officers responded to a report of a suspected drug deal taking place on Rodwell Road and a man was subsequently detained for ...

The team raised over £2,500 from donations through JustGiving, with Waterside Holiday Group matching the amount and contributing additional funds to bring the total to £5,326. Waterside’s Group General Manager Allen Main, who took part in the walk, commented: “Weldmar Hospicecare plays a fundamental role in our Dorset community, supporting many local patients and their families ...

The Dorset Food and Arts Festival Market – lite is back on Saturday 7th August from 10am -4pm at The Great Field, Poundbury, in Dorchester and getting ready to showcase a bumper crop of local food, drink, art, craft, and community talent! Dorset Food and Coordinator Caz Richards said. “The festival market will look and feel ...

At Wednesday’s 11th annual Pearson BTEC Awards ceremony, the exceptional achievements of Weymouth College BTEC students. Tamryn Williams (Construction) and Meredith Samways (Sport) were celebrated as they were each awarded a coveted Bronze BTEC Learner of the Year Award. Commenting on Tamryn’s achievements Maria Norris (BTEC and HNC lecturer, Weymouth College) said: “We’re all very proud of ...

Detectives investigating the alleged assault of two police officers in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward. At around 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 July 2021 officers responded to a report from a member of the public of a suspected drug deal taking place on Rodwell Road. A man was ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after a woman was bitten by a dog in Weymouth. At around 11.30pm on Friday 2 July 2021 the victim was walking on Chickerell Road with friends when they approached Boot Hill traffic lights under the arch and heard a dog bark from the ...

Officers carrying out enquiries to locate a teenage girl who went missing in Weymouth have confirmed she is safe and well. Tiana Anderson, aged 16, was reported missing having last been seen in the town on the evening of Wednesday 23 June 2021. Following enquiries by officers, it has been confirmed Tiana has now been seen by ...

Weymouth RNLI reports that an intensive search of Portland Harbour for an adult kayaker with a young child, believed to be in difficulty, was carried out on Tuesday 6th July but resulted in nothing being found. A kite surfer in Portland Harbour reported to Solent Coastguard that he had seen a adult and young child on ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following a criminal damage incident in Weymouth. It was reported that sometime between 2.40pm and 3pm on Monday 5 July 2021 petrol was poured over a front door and through the letterbox of an address in Wyke Road. A green petrol can with ribbons ...

Places are now up for grabs for Weldmar Hospicecare’s annual Overseas Challenge for 2022 – a trek across the Sahara Desert. Apart from a pandemic hit 2020, Weldmar have organised fundraising adventures all over the globe every year since 2013, raising vital funds towards the end of life care that the charity provides in Dorset. The first ...

It’s been announced that Dorset Museum has been shortlisted for a Kids in Museums Family Friendly Award, 2021. The charity ‘Kids in Museums’ has run a prestigious annual award for the past 15 years, recognising the most family-friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families. From April to ...

Dorchester Town Council is calling on anyone inspired by great literature and a love of nature to suggest a name for the new Writers’ Rose Garden in Dorchester Borough Gardens. The flower beds have been planted with David Austin English roses from the celebrated Literary Collection.  The award-winning roses are renowned for their fragrance, bloom, and ...

Weymouth RNLI All-weather lifeboat was launched at 2.46pm on Sunday 4th July 2021 to go to the assistance of a yacht which was in difficulties close to Mupe Rocks near Warbarrow Bay. A local 9m yacht with three sailors on board was returning from the Around The Island Race when the engine failed. The experienced yacht crew ...

Officers investigating an assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident happened at around 10.45pm on Tuesday 22 June 2021 on The Esplanade near to the King’s Statue when the victim was approached by four people and then assaulted by two men from this group. The group consisted of ...

Activist group Animal Rebellion has told KeeP 106 that they held a sit-in from noon on Saturday in the St Marys Street Weymouth branch of the McDonalds restaurant. Branded a McSit-in, they say areas of the restaurant were occupied for 2 hours. The protesters are urging McDonalds to change “to a fully plant-based menu to address ...

Advice from Public Health Dorset – If you are watching the football tonight, remember hands, face, space, fresh air. When meeting friends, it’s safest to meet outside in the fresh air where COVID-19 particles are blown away. However, if you are meeting indoors, remember to keep windows and doors open to allow fresh air in. You must ...

The Roman Town House project celebrated its official launch in Dorchester on Tuesday. The launch, which was held outside for 30 guests, recognised the work of Dorset Council and partners to improve, preserve and make the site more accessible for a wider audience. The project has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players. ...

Ambassadors have been busy on the streets of Weymouth and other towns across Dorset, helping residents, welcoming visitors, and putting smiles on people’s faces. The Dorset Ambassador programme was conceived, as it was anticipated that, like last year, many people would choose to holiday within the UK rather than travel abroad. This new band of Ambassadors ...

Sustrans Big Pedal, the UK’s largest walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school challenge saw school communities across Dorset complete over 29,000 active journeys to school and physical activities between 19-30 April. During the competition, Dorset school children were physically active – walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting to school, and completing physical activities- for a total ...

Bryanston and Bold Voices are preparing for a “pioneering” programme to address societal issues that contribute to gender inequality and gender-based violence. Bryanston School has confirmed plans to extend its established Relationships and Sex Education courses for pupils by introducing a major programme that aims to set a new standard in gender equality education and to ...

South Western Railway (SWR) has announced a new trial of body worn cameras for its guards working out of Fratton depot, Portsmouth. The use of cameras is hoped to reduce anti-social behaviour on SWR’s trains and at its stations, as well as act as a deterrent to assaults, threats and abuse experienced by SWR colleagues. The trial ...

Dorset Police is reminding residents and visitors not to become complacent and to continue to stick with the current COVID-19 restrictions to help halt the spread of the virus. The number of positive COVID-19 cases is increasing across England, mainly involving the Delta variant, and cases in Dorset are highest the younger age groups, particularly among ...

Pharmacies across Dorset offering the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine are reminding people over 40 who have not yet it to get the jab done. There are free jab slots over the coming days of the life-saving vaccine at local pharmacies. There’s still time to get a first dose. And people aged 40 and over are also now able ...

We are continuing to see a rise in COVID-19 infections across Dorset. Case rates in both the Dorset Council area and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area are now around double last week’s figures. The situation has changed quickly in recent weeks – at the start of June case rates were around 5 per 100,000 ...

Free parking arrangements for NHS and care workers will remain in place through to the end of Sunday 18th July 2021. NHS and care workers can continue to use any Dorset Council-operated car park free of charge until Monday 19th July, provided they are on duty and displaying a relevant permit, or they have registered with ...

Weymouth RNLI lifeboat was launched at 1.30am on Friday 25th June to go to the assistance of a 37’ catamaran with engine failure. Solent Coastguard reported that the vessel which was broken down some 3 miles West of Portland Bill had a single sailor onboard who was exhausted. He was on passage from Salcombe to Portsmouth ...

Officers searching for a woman who went missing from Weymouth are pleased to confirm she has been found safe and well. Lorna Allan, who is 43 years old, was reported missing at 6.11am on Thursday 24 June 2021. It is believed she left an address in the town at around 2am. Following enquiries and searches by officers, ...

The winners of the first Dorchester & Poundbury Business Awards were announced at an awards ceremony held at lunchtime on Thursday, 24th June at the prestigious Minterne House, near Dorchester. Entries for the awards were 80% higher than expected with a split of roughly 50/50 between Dorchester and Poundbury. Congratulations to the following winners: Arts, Crafts and Artisans ...

A scheme to give free PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to people who provide care and support for others in the Dorset Council area is being extended. Personal assistants (PAs) and unpaid carers living in the Dorset Council area can request free personal protective equipment as they continue to carry out their caring duties through the COVID-19 ...

Dorset Council is working closely with residents, Town and Parish Councils, and community and business representatives as we look to change the way we charge for parking at our car parks across the county from next year. As part of the Parking Transformation project, which seeks to standardise car park prices across the council area, the ...

Next week, Dorset Highways will start carrying out premium surface dressing on large sections of ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads, protecting them from water damage and keeping them in a good condition for longer. Many of these roads have already had patching work completed on them over the last 12 months – repairing any structural defects – ...

The Golden Horizon, the largest square rigged sailing vessel in the world, has just headed to Weymouth Bay. Arriving at Portland, the near-replica of a 1913 vessel is a cruise ship capable of carrying 272 passengers. She has 140 cabins with breath-taking views according to the ship’s website. Its back to basics in terms of propulsion using ...

Officers are appealing for help from the public to identify the owner of a dog that bit a four-year-old girl in Weymouth. At around 3pm on Tuesday 15 June 2021 the victim was walking with her mum on Victoria Street when they saw a man and a teenage girl with a Dalmation dog coming the other ...

The local NHS is reminding anyone aged 18 and over that they are eligible for their COVID-19 vaccination and is asking them to book their appointment to help return to normal life as soon as possible. Vaccination sites are open throughout the county with a number of pharmacies recently coming on-line to offer protection against the ...

A two vehicle collision closed the A354 at Thornicombe today (Monday). It is understood that a silver Honda was traveling in the Dorchester direction and collided with an oncoming Land Rover. It’s believed that the driver of the Honda sustained only minor injuries and the driver of the Land Rover was not injured. The road was closed ...

There’s still time to enter the Thomas Hardy Window Trail Competition. Closing date is Wednesday 30th June at 5pm – Entry forms are available from various locations in Dorchester, including Dorchester town council offices, or can be downloaded from the THVF website www.thomashardyvictorianfair.co.uk. Just like this year’s Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair, there is a live element ...

At last Dorchester Choral Society is able to sing together and perform as a full choir. The choir is putting on a celebratory, free concert, “Music for a Summer Evening” on Saturday 26th June 2021 at 7.00pm outdoors in Borough Gardens, Dorchester. Choir conductor, Colin Howard has put together a programme of short, popular choral pieces ...