News Archive

New figures show the COVID-19 vaccination programme which started on December 8 has delivered more than 200,000 doses. In Dorset, the programme has gone from strength to strength with 201,211 doses (as of February 7 2021) being delivered and rising. The NHS, in a joint health and care system effort, is working tirelessly together on this monumental ...

The owner of a dog that reportedly bit a man in Weymouth has been identified. It was reported that a man aged in his 80s was bitten on his hand by a dog as he walked along St Thomas Street at around 5pm on Monday 25 January 2021. The victim further reported that he was approached ...

West Dorset MP Chris Loder is calling on residents to respond to Dorset Council’s Local Plan, which is now open for consultation and runs until 15th March. He says the Local Plan for Dorset, which not only sets out the quantity of future houses planned but identifies where those houses can be built, will impact the ...

Detectives investigating an alleged assault on Portland are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police was called by the ambulance service at around 5.50am on Sunday 7 February 2021 to an address in Castletown following a report a man had sustained head injuries. It is reported that the victim – a man ...

Dorset County Museum has been successful in its appeal to raise £150,000 pounds to save and display the Dewlish mosaic. The 1,600-year-old Roman floor panel showing a leopard attacking an antelope was unearthed by a team of archaeologists at Dewlish in 1974. The mosaic, measuring 2m by 2.4m, was discovered in the grounds of Dewlish House ...

Local people are being invited to choose the images which will be used as artwork on the sides of Dorset County Hospital’s new multi-storey car park. The metal facades will be added to three sides of the building and feature images of local landscapes and landmarks, a theme chosen by hospital staff to illustrate the hospital’s ...

The Women’s Action Network Dorset (WAND) are hosting Dorset Women’s Day virtually for the first time for our “Zoom Into Wellbeing” event. This will take place on Saturday 6th March, 10am-5.30pm so please save the date! The day will involve a series of 50-minute workshops over Zoom, all generally themed around self-care and wellbeing. Things have ...

There appears to be a significant power outage around the Wyke Regis area (06th Feb), which started at approximately 11:15 AM – which is affecting a significant number of properties in the DT4 area. Major mobile network providers EE and Three are also reporting some loss of service on their website, likely to be caused by ...

Nothe Fort’s team of volunteers and staff has just been given two reasons to celebrate. On Thursday 4 February, Nothe Fort won the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ category in the Dorset Tourism Awards. This comes on top of Dorset Council awarding Nothe Fort its top tier revenue grant, the first time the heritage ...

There are currently more than 20 sites delivering COVID-19 vaccinations across Dorset including GP-led vaccination services, pharmacies, and the large vaccination centre at the Bournemouth International Centre. The COVID-19 vaccination programme in Dorset has made a strong start, with the most vulnerable being vaccinated first, according to national guidance. Sites have been chosen in order to deliver the vaccination ...

Police and Crime Panel members have approved plans to raise the amount households pay to fund Dorset Police by £15 a year*. Martyn Underhill, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Dorset, asked the panel for their agreement to increase the precept – the part of a monthly council tax bill that funds policing – by the ...

Organisers of the first Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards, launched at the end of 2020, are delighted to announce that response from local businesses has been fantastic. The website and launch video have received over 500 viewings and entries are rolling in. Nigel Reeve from MWSW Ltd told KeeP 106: ‘We see the awards as a great ...

Dorset Police has seen a 6.1 per cent drop in recorded crime, according to new figures released on Wednesday 3 February 2021. Data released by the Office for National Statistics, shows the Force has continued to see a drop in overall crime for the third consecutive quarter. In early 2020 Dorset Police received a ‘Good’ grading from ...

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency. Flooding is possible for: Bridport, Chideock, Martinstown, Milborne St. Andrew, Nottington, Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Upwey, Winterborne Abbas, Winterborne Kingston, Winterborne Steepleton, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Whitechurch and Winterborne Zelston. Groundwater levels in West Dorset are set to rise further over the next few days, bringing a risk of flooding ...

The team at Artsreach are incredibly pleased to announce that the Dorset based touring arts charity has been successful in its application to the Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund, securing the future of rural touring for Dorset’s communities for the next three years. Artsreach Co-Director Yvonne Gallimore said “The continued support Dorset Council is invaluable ...

Officers are appealing for information after a man was bitten by a dog in Weymouth. The incident occurred at around 5pm on Monday 25 January 2021 in St Thomas Street. The victim, a man aged in his 80s who is partially sighted, was walking to the Post Office when he saw a man with a dog ...

Flood protection improvement works to the River Brit in West Bay have made good progress despite challenges from recent adverse weather conditions and Covid restrictions. This partnership project, between the Dorset Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team (FCERM), Parkdean Resorts UK and Dorset Highways as Principal Contractor will see the installation of a 380m ...

A man is due to appear in court in connection with a reported assault on Portland. It was reported that at around 1.30am on Sunday 9 August 2020 two men were assaulted on Fortuneswell. One of the victims was reportedly hit in the face with a large rock and had his head stamped on, knocking him ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched an updated version of its online Hazard House, a 360° virtual tour that highlights the importance of fire safety. This bespoke educational tool is designed so that both children and adults can really think about their safety in their own homes. Yasmine Ellis, Education Coordinator, told KeeP 106: ...

On Friday, 29 January 2021, officers executed a Section 8 Police and Criminal Evidence Act warrant at an address in Mount Skippet Way, Crossways. The local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and patrol officers seized a number of items including substances believed to be controlled drugs. A 53-year-old Dorchester man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to ...

Local infection rates have fallen again this week but they are not falling quickly and are still at high levels. Hospital admissions have levelled off but local NHS services are still under significant pressure and we are also seeing outbreaks in care settings across Dorset. Sadly these factors mean COVID-related deaths continue to rise. It remains critically ...

She’s raised more than £2,000 this month! January is typically a month where we promise ourselves we’ll do a bit more exercise and look after ourselves a little better. Billie Rose Hampshire from Weymouth has taken it to the next level, and completed a walk that was the equivalent distance of eight marathons – 337.56km! Billie Rose was ...

Weymouth’s best eateries are in the spotlight and eating up the competition with the recent announcement of the Dorset Tourism Awards 2020 shortlist. Fish ‘n’ Fritz are finalists in the ‘Casual Dining’ category. Al Molo is a finalist in the ‘Restaurant Of The Year’ category. Shalims Indian Restaurant was narrowly pipped at the post for the finals but ...

Public Health Dorset, on behalf of Dorset Council, is setting up a Dorset Community Rapid Testing Service and is inviting local businesses to register. They are offering weekly asymptomatic testing to employees of businesses, charities and voluntary organisations (employing fewer than 250 people), and the self-employed across Dorset who cannot work from home due to the nature ...

The deadline to apply for help with the costs of utility bills like gas, electric and water this winter is 12 February. The funding is available for vulnerable families across the county, from the government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme. This is part of the Reaching Out campaign to support people struggling financially because of the impact of ...

Local officers in Dorchester have secured a closure order for a property in the town. The order was secured for an address in St Georges Road following reports of anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity. At a hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 28 January 2021 the three-month partial closure order was imposed under the Anti-Social Behaviour, ...

The last 12 months have been a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought communities together like never before and prompted many people to take stock and think about making changes to their lives, including looking at a new career. If you are looking for a new and meaningful role in 2021, now could ...

Detectives investigating a reported robbery in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident occurred at around 4.45pm on Monday 25 January 2021 on a gravel path that runs between Weymouth Rugby Club at the rear of Weymouth Bay Avenue and Lodmoor Country Park. It was reported that a woman aged ...

Could you be a lifesaver? RNLI Weymouth seeks a new recruit. The team at Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station is calling for a new volunteer to help them to save lives at sea. In particular, the charity is looking for a new volunteer to take up the role of Volunteer Water Safety Officer Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station ...

Chris Loder, Member of Parliament for West Dorset, has proposed changes to the Environment Bill which came before Parliament today (26th January), to cut the use of single-use plastics. The MP wants the government to set targets and commit to dates by which the volume of non-essential single-use plastic products sold will be reduced. The UK’s ...

Fire stations in Weymouth, Poole and Westbourne are calling on the community to donate any working laptops or tablets to ensure that children, who may not have suitable technology to learn from home, will not be left behind. All fire stations have set up COVID safe drop off points for anyone wishing to donate a laptop ...

Patient facing team members, such as Weldmar Community Nurses, and doctors and nurses based at our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester, have been having their shots over the last few weeks. Pictured above are some of the IPU team with their vaccination cards. Caroline Sweetland, Director of Nursing and Infection Prevention and Control, says, “The clinical staff at ...

Officers are appealing for information following a serious injury road traffic collision near Dorchester. Dorset Police received a report at 9.01am on Sunday 24 January 2021 of a single vehicle collision on the westbound carriageway of the A35 Puddletown Bypass, near to the Northbrook junction. It was reported that the vehicle, a white Toyota Hilux, had collided ...

An accident on the A35 Puddletown bypass has closed the road in both directions. Emergency services were called this morning following reports of a single vehicle road traffic collision. Services arrived to find the man laying in the road and considerable front end damage to his vehicle. He was already being attended to by members of the public. The ...

Officers from Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team attended the area of Wakeham on Portland on Saturday following reports of people rock climbing in large groups. Keep 106 understand officers spoke to several small groups. Two groups of two stated that they had travelled down from the Southampton and London area to carry out their daily exercise. All ...

Two EV fast charging points will be installed next week in the Buttermarket, to be available for use from early February. The Duchy of Cornwall is pleased to advise the provision of additional public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. There has been a facility at Poundbury Garden Centre for some time; however the need for further ...

A man has been charged and has appeared in court in connection with a reported burglary and alleged vehicle offences on Portland. It was reported that at around 5am on Friday 1 January 2021 someone entered a house in Easton Street and took a set of keys. A blue Ford Focus that was parked on the ...

Talbot Village Trust has made a £10,000 donation to the Dorset Blind Association to ensure that blind and partially sighted people across the county, still receive the required support throughout the ongoing pandemic. Using the money donated from the Trust, the charity was able to continue running its community support service, which cares for vulnerable members ...

Households across Dorset will soon be asked to take part in the 2021 Census. The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every 10 years since 1801, with the exception of 1941. It will be run predominantly online, ...

NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in Dorset hitting the 28-day COVID recovery mark to register as plasma donors. People can only donate 28 days after they’ve recovered, so the number of potential donors is now at the highest ever level following the national record number of cases over the New Year. More than 3,000 people ...

At approximately 9.10 this morning, crews from Wareham and Poole fire station attended a road traffic collision on the Wareham side of Sugar Hill. The service received reports of persons medically trapped in their vehicle. On arrival, 2 female casualties had self-extricated themselves with the assistance from South West Ambulance Service. Image: Wareham Fire Station Facebook.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has today (22 Jan 2021) received a positive inspection report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). It details how the Service has responded to the pandemic, maintaining vital services to its communities, and working to support partner agencies. The letter, which follows ...

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is concerned about a continued rise in assaults against its people. The service, which covers Dorset, explains that its staff experienced 50 incidents of violence and aggression from patients and other members of the public between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, including 16 physical assaults. That represents ...

“We have started to see case rates level off and decrease marginally, but until we see a significant reduction in cases our hospital admissions are likely to remain high” say Public Health Dorset as the latest update for the country has been published. The BCP Council area now has the 20th highest infection rate (793.8 per ...

A message of thanks has been issued to the Dorset team working tirelessly to vaccinate the most vulnerable. The NHS in Dorset is working incredibly hard to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination to the most vulnerable local people, at the same time as providing care to all those who need it and whilst coping with the rising ...

Diverse Abilities, in partnership with Charity Challenge, has launched its Dorset 3 Peaks challenge for 2021. Taking place on Saturday June 19, participants trek across the Wessex Ridgeway to raise funds for Dorset’s disability charity. Participants will ascend to the top of Lewesdon Hill, Pilsdon Pen, and Bulbarrow Hill on Saturday June 19. Summiting an accumulative ...

Officers investigating a serious injury collision in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. An investigation is underway into a collision that occurred at around 8pm on Monday 18 January 2021 on Chafeys Roundabout involving a blue Nissan GTR and a silver BMW. Officers attended the scene of the collision, ...

Councillors have approved plans to improve services and accommodation for Dorset children in care. Today (19 January 2021) Dorset Council’s Cabinet approved a ‘Placement Sufficiency Strategy’ for 2020-22. The strategy sets out plans to improve accommodation for children in care in Dorset, by for example refurbishing and registering several small properties as children’s homes. Read the plans here. Cllr ...

The Pavilion in the Park was handed over by builder C G Fry, who have built at cost, on Friday 15th January ready for fit out, with PiP café and community hub planning to open in early April. Located on the Great Field at Poundbury, Pavilion in The Park (PiP) will be a sustainable community based café ...

Crews from Wareham fire station were sent to an alarm activating in a property on Corfe Road shortly after midday today (Sunday). The alarm was heard by a member of the public who called 999. When crews arrived, they had discovered that the occupier of the property had gone out and left cooking unattended on the hob. Dorset ...

It is with a heavy heart that the directors of Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show must announce that our 2021 show will not be going ahead as hoped. Despite the good news of the vaccine roll out it is still very much unknown how the Covid19 situation will pan out over the rest of the year, ...

Gary Hepburn, Chair of Governors at Wyke Regis Primary Federation, has sent KeeP 106 this appeal: If you have a laptop or computer pad device you no longer require, there are young people from our schools in Wyke Regis who would be pleased to receive your device to use for their studies. With all young people currently ...

Communities across Dorset are being asked to keep up the good work in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Agencies tasked with stopping the virus in its tracks have written an open letter to everyone across the county thanking them for their efforts and urging them to keep following the restrictions. Local authorities, NHS services, police, fire, utilities ...

A former school site will remain an asset for Dorset after being secured by the council. Dorset Council has bought the former St Mary’s School site near Shaftesbury for £10.05m excluding taxes and fees. Opportunities to secure sites like this for Dorset are very rare. Cllr Spencer Flower Leader of Dorset Council, told KeeP 106: “This is ...

Dorchester’s Brewery Square has announced delivery, Click and Collect, and online services during the closure of non-essential businesses. During the lockdown period, which commenced on Tuesday 5 January 2021, several businesses will be keeping their doors open for essential services. These include Tout’s Pharmacy, F.I.T.T. Chiropractic, Moorland Express, and the Atrium Health Centre. Click and Collect and delivery for ...

The community film Dorchester at Christmas 2020 has been a huge success. Over 550 DVDs of the film were given out in Dorchester and surrounding villages to those most needing a Christmas boost: those in hospital, the hospice, care homes, sheltered accommodation and others who are struggling.   It has been viewed on You Tube over 2,500 ...

COVID-19 vaccinations in Dorset – be reassured, the NHS will let you know when it is your turn. People in Dorset are being reassured that the NHS will contact them about the COVID-19 vaccine when it is their turn. Those most at risk in our local communities will be invited to get their vaccination first, in ...

A drink driver who caused a serious injury collision in North Dorset has been jailed. Robert Shapland-Hill, aged 52 and of Hillside Drive in Okehampton, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 8 January 2021 after admitting offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving. He was sentenced to two years in prison ...

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is leading a call for police and council key workers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. Martyn Underhill has coordinated a letter, co-signed by police and council leadership, making the request to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises health departments on immunisation. The letter ...

Dorset Police is launching a campaign to raise awareness around domestic abuse and the emotional and psychological impact of controlling and coercive behaviour. The campaign also aims to reassure people that they will still have access to vital police and support services despite restrictions related to COVID-19. Victims can also often see an increase in domestic ...