News Archive

Dorchester’s Brewery Square will play host to the Dorchester Classic Vehicle Club on Saturday 26th June as the popular shopping destination welcomes a range of classic cars to its main square. Vintage car lovers can get their fill of beautiful classic models between 12pm and 2pm at the show, which will also include live jazz music ...

West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) are pleased to announce that the Rose and Crown in the village of Longburton near Sherborne has won this year’s Pub of the Year Award. The competition this year was run slightly differently with local CAMRA members being asked to nominate a pub that not only fitted the usual ...

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat was launched on the afternoon of Saturday 19th June to reports of someone in the water at Newtons Cove with leg injuries believed to have been caused from a propeller of a boat which had been towing a ringo. It is believed that the injuries may have been sustained whilst attempts were ...

Throughout the past few months we have experienced low case rates across Dorset, but in line with the rest of the country, the local situation has changed in the last couple of weeks and cases have risen quickly. The Dorset Council case rate is now 28 per 100,000, up from 11.1 last week. In Bournemouth, ...

It is with sadness that we hear that the oldest person in the UK has passed away on the 6th June. Lillian Priest was 112 years old and lived in Swanage at the York House Nursing Home. The second eldest of 5 children, four girls and a boy, Lillian spent her early years in Tredegar, Wales ...

This item was originally published in April 2019. It has been updated with the latest information on where to find defibrillators in Dorchester. Following on from the great news of the newly installed community defibrillator outside of the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, we have been talking about additional places in the town where you ...

Emergency services will be able to respond faster to casualties in need, as they are ‘brought into the 21st century’ with new 5G connectivity. Lulworth First Responders – volunteers with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) – are working with technology and connectivity partner Excelerate Technology to benefit from 5G capabilities and better respond ...

As the largest ever NHS vaccination programme enters its last lap, local GP and Clinical Director of Shore Medical Primary Care Network Dr Andy Rutland (pictured) has encouraged local residents to come forward for their first jab and remember to get their second dose, which they called “vital and lifesaving”. The plea comes as people ...

Alcohol isn’t an excuse for bad behaviour. Dorset Police is advising people of the consequences of drinking too much and letting their emotions get the better of them during this summer’s European Football Championship. This summer’s event will see England, Scotland and Wales all in action across various venues – including Wembley Stadium. Many licensed premises have ...

On 15th June Dorset Action on Pensions held an event aimed to give a visual and emotional reminder to Dorset Pension Fund with their ‘stop’ funding fossil fuel companies before it’s too late and ‘go’ invest in something positive for our future messages. The group are stepping up their campaign because, they say, for every £££ ...

Water refill points are popping up in new locations in the Wessex Water region, including Weymouth and Dorchester. Three new units in Hope Square, Esplanade and Alexandra Gardens have now been switched on for Weymouth residents and visitors to enjoy, with a fourth in New Bond Street also installed and due to be ready soon. South Street ...

High-achieving former pupils return to support next generation of musicians at Bryanston. The insight and expertise of former pupils of Bryanston who are now highly respected musicians and performers on the world stage are proving to be invaluable for current music scholars at the School. Robert Saxton, an acclaimed composer who is currently Professor of Composition ...

Officers investigating an attempted burglary in Dorchester are asking for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident, in which the occupants of a property in the Lubbecke Way area saw a man trying to reach through a partially open window, happened at around 7.45pm on Sunday 13 June 2021. When one of the occupants ...

Minna Leatham, 20, is on a personal mission to raise funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) – the two charities who dramatically flew to her aid following a terrifying, high-speed road traffic collision on 16 November 2020. Minna has currently raised £22,000 to be ...

Detectives investigating an assault in Weymouth are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. Sometime between 4pm and 5pm on Thursday 10 June 2021 an altercation occurred in an alleyway off Louviers Road, opposite Goulds Garden Centre. The victim, a 17-year-old local boy, and another man were approached by a group of around five men. During the ...

If you’re aged 25 or over, or you’ll turn 25 before 1 July 2021, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine. It’s important that you have 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at 2 appointments and that you get the 2nd dose 8 to 12 weeks after getting your 1st dose. More information on booking your COVID-19 ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following an attempted robbery in Dorchester. At around 8.15am on Wednesday 9 June 2021 a nine-year-old boy was walking on Kings Road, near to the junction with Icen Way, when a man approached him and grabbed his rucksack. During the incident, the victim was punched ...

The RNLI has just started an award scheme to enable the charity to recognise the efforts of its supporters and fund raisers for their efforts during the annual Mayday Mile appeal. The RNLI Golden Welly Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work and the amazing contribution that RNLI fundraisers bring to the Mayday fund ...

Dorset Council has agreed a protocol that will allow Section 106 funds from developers to be transferred to town and parish councils and community groups to spend on agreed community facilities. Section 106 funding is a legal agreement between developer and planning authority (Dorset Council). It is used to make a development acceptable in planning terms ...

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat was launched at 5.10pm on Tuesday 8th June in response to reports of someone in difficulties near to the groyne at Greenhill. Arriving on scene shortly after, the crew found that a female who was up to neck level in the water was already being dealt with by RNLI lifeguards, Coastguards and ...

Officers would like to remind the public to respect the area following reports of anti-social behaviour at recent ‘car meets’ in Weymouth and Portland. During the evening of Saturday 5 June 2021 there were large gatherings of cars in various locations across the area, including Mount Pleasant Park and Ride, Radipole, Portland, Swannery car park and ...

A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into an alleged assault in Weymouth. Dorset Police received a report at 2.30am on Monday 31 May 2021 from the ambulance service of a stabbing on Westhill Road near to the junction with Pirates Lane. It was reported that the victim – a man aged in his ...

Weymouth lifeboat fundraising chair Teresa Drage has been shortlisted for a brand-new RNLI award called The Golden Welly. The RNLI Golden Welly Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work and the amazing contribution that RNLI fundraisers bring to the Mayday fund raising campaign. These brand-new awards are just for RNLI volunteers and staff, to recognise ...

Dorset Police have released two appeals on behalf of the Coroner for Dorset seeking the assistance of the public to find the next of kin of two persons who lived in Weymouth and have recently died. Stuart Gomm, who was 56 years old, died at his home address in Bedford Road on Tuesday 1 June 2021. Mark ...

A residential home for children with complex learning difficulties and disabilities has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors. The Cherries, run by Dorset Council, is based in Weymouth and provides long-term care and accommodation for up to nine children. Ofsted visited the home in April and looked at the following main areas: the experiences and progress of children ...

Case rates remain low in the Dorset Council and BCP area this week. However, nationally, cases are starting to increase so it is important to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Dorset. The best way to protect yourself and others is to continue to follow the rules on hands, face, space and fresh ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following reported assault and sexual assault on Weymouth beach. It is reported that at around 5pm on Tuesday 1 June 2021 a man approached a group of teenagers, aged between 15 and 16 years old, between Greenhill and Brunswick Terrace and during an interaction ...

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat was launched at 3.49pm on Thursday 3rd June to reports from the Coastguard of a person having fallen onto rocks/sea at Pulpit Rock, Portland Bill. On scene at 4.02pm, a request was sent for the station’s All-Weather lifeboat also be launched should extra help be needed. On scene, the volunteer crew of the ...

KeeP 106 has been told about the Raising Spirit Festival to be held at Came House near Dorchester later this month. Dave Harris says, “A Very Good Friend of mine, well known local musician Ben Waters, is holding an amazing festival on 18th – 20th June at Came House Dorchester and I am supporting him in ...

This morning (Thursday 3rd June) a patient at Dorset County Hospital was able to present a cheque, to Senior Sister Claire Thompson at the Renal Department, for £1089! Simon Marfell who is undergoing treatment said: “The money was raised by my two amazing daughters as they each managed to do 3,000 squats during the month of ...

Dorset Police worked alongside Dorset Council to tackle unauthorised encampments in West Dorset over the bank holiday weekend. At around 6.30pm on Friday 28 May 2021 officers were called to reports of a group of travellers at Weymouth Rugby Club. They attended and spoke to the group, before monitoring the incident overnight. Separate unauthorised encampments were ...

A roofer working on a house in Weymouth has pleaded guilty to misleading the owner about what he said was urgent work required to her roof. On 27 May, at Winchester Crown Court, Mr Michael Leonard Coppinger (aged 35) of Weymouth was sentenced to 60 hours community service and ordered to pay £735 costs. The prosecution ...

Dorset Police is reminding motorists to be mindful of all road users this summer in an effort to reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed on the county’s roads. The May bank holiday weekend saw residents and visitors make the most of the beautiful weather in our stunning county. Sadly, two motorcyclists lost their lives ...

A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault on Portland. It was reported that at around 10.30am on Saturday 29 May 2021 a man aged in his 60s was assaulted outside The Paper Shop on Fortuneswell. The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Following enquiries by detectives from Weymouth CID, ...

Friends Of MV Freedom, a group of volunteers based in Weymouth, have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The group have provided access to the sea for those people living with disability since 1984 and have recently taken delivery of their fourth ...

Chair of fundraising at Weymouth lifeboat station Teresa Drage has just completed the final mile in the RNLI Mayday Mile Challenge. The RNLI Mayday Challenge is the annual fundraiser for the RNLI in which everyone is encouraged to travel a mile a day by any means for every day of May. Teresa who uses a walking frame ...

Detectives investigating an assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at 2.30am on Monday 31 May 2021 from the ambulance service of a stabbing on Westhill Road near to the junction with Pirates Lane. It is reported that the victim – a man aged in ...

Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision near Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident, which happened on Coombe Road in Winterbourne Steepleton, was reported to police at 7.23pm on Sunday 30 May 2021. It involved a black Harley Davidson motorcycle and a grey Ford Focus. Sadly, the motorcyclist – ...

Police officers searching for a missing woman from Wareham are pleased to update that she has been located after a multi-agency search and rescue operation. Elke Jaeger, 61, had last been seen at 12.30pm on Saturday 29 May at her home and reported missing at 1.36am today (Sunday 30 May) when she was not found to ...

Officers investigating an assault on Portland are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At around 10.30am on Saturday 29 May 2021 the victim, a local man in his 60s, was walking past a Skoda saloon car, which was parked outside The Paper Shop on Fortuneswell, when a verbal argument occurred. The male front ...

Public Health Dorset say have a safe bank holiday. You may have plans to see friends and family this bank holiday but please stay safe: Take part in twice-weekly lateral flow testing to check you aren’t infectious Self-isolate and get a PCR test if you have any COVID-19 symptoms Follow the guidance on hands, space, face and fresh air when meeting ...

The warm, dry weather forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend and into next week has led to an Amber wildfire alert being issued for Sunday onwards in the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area. There have already been a number of sizeable heath fires in Dorset since Easter, causing devastation to acres of heath, ...

Officers carrying out enquiries to find a missing Weymouth woman are pleased to confirm she has been located. Charman Nile, aged 60, was reported missing having last been seen at an address in the town at around 3.55pm on Monday 17 May 2021. Following enquiries by officers, she has now been found safe and well. We would like ...

When profoundly deaf Bridport resident John Phillips received a free smartphone from Dorset Council, he had no idea just how much it would transform his life. The 76-year-old received the gift on Christmas Eve, as part of the council’s drive to help digitally connect people in need during lockdown. By then John, whose only method of communication ...

Officers investigating a commercial burglary on Portland are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Between 7pm on Tuesday 25 May and 7.30am on Wednesday 26 May 2021 entry was gained to Portland Scrap Metal Ltd on Wide Street. A number of items were stolen, including two grey and orange Stihl TS 410 saws ...

Dorset residents can once again get face-to-face advice on any digital queries such as setting up and using devices including phones, tablets and PCs. Digital champions have started to return to Dorset libraries to help people who are struggling to get online. Meanwhile the Digital Hotline will keep running to help people who can’t get to ...

Dorset Police is launching a new summer-long campaign to help reduce demand on their 101 non-emergency number. The new campaign – whichever way you choose to contact us, #ItsPersonal aims to educate visitors to the area about the different ways to contact the police and explain that every contact the Force receives about a policing issue ...

Sunday the 23rd May 2021 was the 90th birthday of a very special man to the RNLI. Joe Waterman was one of the charity’s dedicated army of fund raisers who are the volunteer workforce that enable the public to support the RNLI to save lives at sea. For over twenty years Joe did his bit for the ...

Litter Free Coast and Sea and Clean Jurassic Coast joined together to hold the annual Great Dorset Beach Clean over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd May. 19 beach cleans, hosted by local organisations and community groups, including Dorset Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Leave Only Footprints, took place from Lyme Regis all the ...

The rain held off for the assembled councillors and guests as the sun broke through the trees at the Borough Gardens in Dorchester where the Mayor Making Ceremony was held this evening (24 May 2021). The outgoing Mayor Richard Biggs was first elected to the Council in 1993 and also previously served on West Dorset District ...

Dorset Police Chief Constable James Vaughan went back to school to visit a group of children who had written to him during lockdown. On Tuesday 18 May 2021 Chief Constable Vaughan visited Hayeswood School in Wimborne to talk to a group of year one students about what it’s like to be a police officer and run ...

Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS Dorset) are asking anyone and everyone to do as many STAR JUMPS as they can in one minute, or for those who are keen for an extra challenge five minutes, and help raise money for the charity. The event is taking place on Friday 28th May and anyone can ...

Over three quarters of a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to people in Dorset since the programme started in December. If you are aged 34 or over, or you’ll turn 34 before 1 July 2021, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccine appointments. It’s really important to get your second dose of the ...

The bells of St Peter’s Church will ring out on Sunday 23rd May for the first time this year, and as a peal of 6 bells in over a year! The ringing starts at 9.50 am (ish), and goes on with gaps until 10.25. Leader Alastair Simpson said, “We’re only allowed 6 ringers, so we can only ring ...

Strong winds, heavy showers with some large sea swells are going to make sea conditions rough for a couple of days. There are early warnings around our coast from the Met office for the next few days. Please take great care if you are going to look at the waves. No photo is worth your life, it ...

Dorset’s COVID-19 vaccination programme continues well on track with over three quarters of a million doses now delivered. Figures published on 20 May show that 480,643 people in the county have received their first dose, with 292,315 receiving both doses since the launch of the vaccination programme late last year – a total of 772,958 doses. Over ...

Mayor of Portland Cllr Sandy West officially opened Castletown D-Day Centre on Wednesday 19th May. Cllr West commented “The D-Day Centre is a place to treasure and I’m delighted to be here today. “It’s the most wonderful place and brilliant for veterans, and as an education centre for children to learn about the sacrifice that people made ...

The A35 westbound (towards Dorchester) has now reopened between the A31 at Bere Regis and the A35 at Stinsford roundabout following extensive repair works by Highways England. Drivers heading westbound were unable to use the road following the emergence of a large surface defect and safety concerns. But following a successful programme of repair work, the ...

A man who illegally imported cropped and docked Doberman puppies into the UK has been sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison for risking the rabies free status of the country. On Monday 17 May, at Bournemouth Crown Court, Peter Graham HARMAN (aged 39) formally of Portland Road, Weymouth, was sentenced having previously pleaded ...

NO LONGER IN FORCE The Environment Agency had issued a flood warning for the Dorchester Road and Frome Lane area of Maiden Newton. River levels had risen at the Maiden Newton river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, potential flooding of property was advised at the time. However, the flood warning is no longer in force ...