News Archive

“A Covid-safe way to connect people, transforming streets into magical outdoor galleries” . This winter has been especially hard for everyone. Would you like to brighten up your town and make your daily lockdown walk much more exciting? Window Wanderland is a fun community project that started in Bristol in 2015, with amazing results. Dorchester will ...

A man has been arrested in connection with a series of reported burglaries in the Weymouth and Dorchester area. The first incident occurred at around 5.40am on Sunday 25 October 2020 at Broadwey Village Stores on Dorchester Road in Weymouth. The offenders allegedly gained entry by smashing a glass panel. Nothing was reported as stolen. At 5.12am ...

Dorset Council’s budget proposals for financial year 2021-22 go to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 19 January for approval. Dorset Council is proposing to increase its budget for financial year 2021-22 to just under £313m (from £304m the year before). This budget funds all services the council provides to residents, communities and businesses throughout the year. The increase in budget is needed to fund the cost of responding to the ...

Two people have been arrested in connection with a reported suspicious fire on Portland. Dorset Police received a report at around 6.25pm on Friday 8 January 2021 of a fire in a garage in Ladymead Close. There were no reports of any injuries. Following enquiries by detectives from Weymouth CID a 27-year-old local woman and a 33-year-old ...

During December 2020 the residents of Queens Avenue and Treves Road in Dorchester decorated their front windows to form an Advent Calendar which could be seen from the road. Dorchester Middle School also joined in with a display. On the date of each individual window something extra was added or revealed and people were invited to ...

Dorset Police Rural Crime Unit launched operation Galileo on Saturday night (9th Jan) specifically targeting rural crime across Dorset. At Ringstead officers witnessed a vehicle involved in suspected poaching offences. The vehicle, an air rifle and a deceased rabbit have been seized. The men involved will be interviewed for poaching, Covid breaches and traffic offences. If you have ...

Detectives investigating a suspicious fire on Portland are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at around 6.25pm on Friday 8 January 2021 of a fire in a garage in Ladymead Close. Officers attended with the fire service. There were no reports of any injuries. Detective Sergeant George Graham, of ...

A crew from Dorchester station attended a property today (Saturday) due to reports of a chimney fire in Godmanstone. When crews arrived smoke and flames were issuing from chimney top. The fire was extinguished, in the fire place, by the owner of the property prior to the arrival of the crew. Crews dug out burnt materials from ...

Due to the ongoing situation with coronavirus, the team behind this popular event have made the decision not to run Abbey Hill Steam Rally in 2021. Whilst they had hoped to be able to be able to run a show this year, it clear that this will not be possible due to the show being held ...

Dorchester Police are appealing for information following Criminal Damage which has been caused to a van parked in Chalky Road, Broadmayne. The most recent incident occurred overnight between 05/01 & 06/01 and resulted in the damage pictured. Another incident of damage to this vehicle was reported occurring overnight between 21/12 & 22/12. If you have any information that ...

An intruder who stabbed a man in his Weymouth home has been jailed for nine years. Thomas Lee John Harmer, aged 24 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday 8 January 2021 after admitting offences of wounding with intent, burglary, possessing a bladed article, making off without payment ...

Clinicians and Public Health teams have written an open letter to the public asking for your help… Dear Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, We need your continued help, now. As set out in the Prime Minister’s announcement our NHS services are under great pressure. The new COVID-19 variant is spreading fast. We all need to play our part to ...

Dorset CCG reports that they are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination. To protect yourself and your family members from fraud and criminals, remember the following points: • The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups, and the NHS will contact ...

Entries for the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards are now open. To nominate and to find out more click here: keep106.com/dorchester-poundbury-business-awards-2021/ Nigel Reeve, of the awards organisers Marketing West, said: “It’s time to look to the future and focus on getting business moving again. Our plan is to use the awards to promote the range of local ...

Two more mobile testing units have been added to the list of mobile coronavirus testing site locations for residents who need COVID-19 tests. Mobile coronavirus testing units will be available at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Portland and Station Road Car Park in Sturminster Newton from 11 January. If any residents develop coronavirus symptoms: a ...

A man arrested in connection with a reported assault on a woman in Weymouth will face no further police action. At around 8.45am on Thursday 10 December 2020 Dorset Police was called to reports that a woman aged in her 20s had been assaulted on Dorchester Road. It was alleged that a man had got out of ...

People who received a device for Christmas and unsure how to use it are being urged to contact Dorset’s free Digital Hotline for help. The Dorset Council hotline is manned by a team of Digital Champion volunteers who have already helped hundreds of people get online. It is estimated that 150,000 people in Dorset lack basic digital ...

Officers searching for a missing man from Weymouth have very sadly found a body. Kenneth Rampton, aged 49, was last seen at his home address in the town at around 5.30am on Tuesday 5 January 2021. He spoke to a family member at around 2pm the same day and said he would return home around 9pm, ...

Free parking arrangements for NHS and care workers will remain in place throughout the current six-week lockdown. NHS and care workers can continue to use any Dorset Council-operated car park free of charge, provided they are on duty and displaying a relevant permit, or they have registered with Dorset Council. Originally run for a limited time early ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take care if they smoke at home, and to make sure they have working smoke alarms. Firefighters were called to a property in Wollaston Road, Dorchester at 4.07pm on 5 January 2021, with three fire crews attending; one from Dorchester, one from Weymouth and one ...

This is the latest advice from Dorset Council: Following the announcement last night (4/1), here is the government’s latest advice for parents and carers: Schools and colleges in Dorset remain open for critical workers and vulnerable children, details of who is included is here.  Other children will move to remote learning. Early years settings, special schools, alternative provision and learning ...

Officers investigating a burglary and the attempted theft of vehicles on Portland are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At around 5.30am 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 road outside was ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following an attempted knifepoint robbery in Dorchester. At around 5.30pm on Thursday 31 December 2020 the victim – a local man aged in his 50s – was walking on South Walks when he was approached by a man who asked for directions. The man ...

For a fourth year, Weldmar Hospicecare’s Christmas Tree-cycle project returns, where you can book a collection for your real Christmas tree, in return for a suggested minimum donation of £10. The charity is delighted that this year the Christmas Tree-cycle is supported by Trinity St. Christmas Trees, who will be making the collections on their behalf ...

Local fire crews were called to a serious kitchen fire in Dorchester on Wednesday 30th December. Fire appliances were mobilised from Dorchester, Bere Regis and Weymouth to the established property fire. A spokesperson from Bere Regis fire station said: “From our appliance we used four firefighters with breathing apparatus inside the property. “Once the fire was under ...

Local residents in Weymouth, Poole and Christchurch are set to see increased access to testing with the introduction of walk-in ‘local testing sites’ (LTS). The walk-in testing sites will be located at: Swannery Car Park, Weymouth Dolphin Swimming Car Park, Poole Two Riversmeet Car Park, Christchurch These sites are already in use and are currently visited around twice a week ...

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a man was fraudulently collecting money for charity in Dorchester. At around 12pm on Tuesday 22 December 2020 a man was standing on South Street collecting money in a bucket claiming to be on behalf of the ‘Food For Life’ charity. The man had photo ID ...

Following the Secretary of State’s announcement, the Dorset Council area will be moving to Tier 3 from Thursday 31 December. Tier 3 restrictions and guidance must be followed from Thursday 31 December, in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people. In Tier 3 people must not mix indoors or outdoors in ...

Like most parts of the country, Dorset Council reports that they have seen a significant increase in case numbers and rates over the last couple of weeks and are also seeing a rise in hospital admissions. Here are the latest figures released today (29 December) for the Dorset Council area: 7 day case rates per 100,000: 120.2 ...

The A31 was partially closed following a road traffic collision when a McLaren sports car left the road hitting a tree. The police tweeted on 29/12/2020 “Please be careful on the roads this morning. There is still plenty of standing water around, causing a risk of aquaplaning. Unfortunately the driver of this vehicle found this out ...

A dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area comes into force on 1 January. For the first few weeks the council will focus on advice and guidance to dog-owners explaining the new rules. The order replaces a number of existing dog related PSPOs across the Dorset Council area. The intention is that ...

The A35 Puddletown bypass was closed this morning (Saturday 26 Dec) following a vehicle fire. Dorchester fire station said: “At 10:43am we were mobilised to reports of a car fire on the westbound section of the A35, Puddletown bypass. Upon arrival we got to work setting up a safe working area whilst two BA wearers dealt with ...

Following the Secretary of State’s announcement, Dorset Council and BCP Council areas will be remaining in Tier 2. But, the Government’s criteria for Tier allocations will be closely monitored over the coming days and weeks. Dr Jane Horne, Consultant in Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said: “Our case numbers of people testing positive to Covid-19 ...

A man has been cleared of a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a man at an address in Weymouth. At 4.13pm on Saturday 4 April 2020 Dorset Police was called to a report of a possible assault at an address on Dorchester Road. Officers attended, along with the ambulance service, and found 32-year-old David ...

Officers investigating an incident in which a woman was bitten by a dog are appealing for the public’s help to identify the owner.  At around 3.30pm on Wednesday 2 December 2020 the victim – a woman aged in her 30s – was walking a friend’s Border Collie dog on Weymouth beach near to Avenue Road when ...

Dorset Council rangers have been checking on last week’s rockfall at Hive Beach. There has been no change in the situation, which means that the cliff and the fallen material is still unstable. People should stay away from the immediate area as a further fall or resettlement of the rocks now on the beach could happen at ...

COVID-19 testing sites will be open every day over Christmas and New Year. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms: a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change of taste or smell you must book a test. Book a COVID-19 test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119. The following sites will be available to residents depending on where ...

Work will begin on Dorset County Hospital’s much anticipated multi-storey car park in January 2021 to kick-start a major expansion of clinical facilities. The hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Willmott Dixon, who will be undertaking the construction works. The multi-storey car park is the first phase of the development of the Dorchester hospital site ...

At 7.54am on Monday 21 December 2020 a collision occurred on the A35 at the Bloxworth junction involving a refuse lorry and a red Peugeot 2008. The driver of the Peugeot – a woman aged in her 50s and from the Bridport area – sustained serious injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital. Her condition ...

On his re-election as Mayor in May, one of Richard Biggs’ commitments for the year was to use part of his Mayoral Allowance to support those most affected by the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. The town is lucky to have a local charity, Dorchester Family Support, who provide essential food and advice to families who ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following a fail-to-stop serious injury collision near Wool. Sometime between 9.45am and 10.15am on Sunday 20 December 2020 a collision occurred in Bindon Lane involving an Isuzu pick-up truck towing an agricultural trailer and a cyclist. The cyclist – a man aged in his ...

A man has been charged with a public order offence in connection with a reported disturbance on Portland. Dorset Police was called at around 8.30pm on Saturday 21 November 2020 to reports of a disturbance in the area of St Georges Estate Road, in which a local man was allegedly being threatened by another man. No ...

Help is never far away for anyone struggling this Christmas. Organisations across Dorset are there to offer support, and friendly advisers are at the end of the phone and ready to talk. Looking after yourself Feeling stressed, worried or low is normal. If you need help, support is available over Christmas and the New Year. Connection offers a free ...

Officers continuing to investigate a burglary at a home in a West Dorset village are renewing their appeal for anyone with information to come forward. The burglary occurred at a property in Beaminster Road in Melplash between 11am and 3.30pm on Friday 4 December 2020. Entry was gained to the rear of the premises, a search ...

Electric vehicle owners will have more places to charge their cars or vans from early next year. Chargepoints will be ready to use in 18 Dorset Council-owned car parks from February 2021. The fast (22kW) chargepoints, using 100% renewable energy supplied by Statkraft, will enable drivers to charge their electric vehicles whilst visiting the county’s towns. The fast chargepoints are well suited to town centre car parks for drivers who want a quick ‘top up’. Vehicles can also be fully charged at the chargepoints. ...

Dorset’s Police & Crime Commissioner is asking members of the public to pay an extra £1.25 per month to enable the Force to provide an enhanced service and recruit new officers. The proposed increase to the precept, the element of a monthly council tax bill that funds policing, will enable Dorset Police to deliver a balanced ...

Today the government has announced that the Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas will be remaining in tier two. Several factors are considered when looking at the tier system. Along with headline infection rates, the government also looks at the infection rate in older people, the impact on the care sector and pressure ...

Parish boundary markers, which lets walkers know when they have passed from one parish to the next, can now be found on each parish boundary along the Dorset coast path from Ware, on the Dorset/Devon boundary, all the way to Abbotsbury. Local artists and craftspeople were invited to design and create parish boundary markers to ...

Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Choral Society have created a wonderful film for the town, to bring the community together to celebrate Christmas 2020 in a different way. ‘Dorchester at Christmas 2020’ is available as a DVD from several outlets in the town including the Post Office, Goulds (household), the Tourist Information Centre and Poundbury Garden ...

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has made a powerful case to the Government that rural Dorset should come down to Tier 1 at Wednesday’s tier review. In the last 24 hours, the MP has made not one but three major submissions in the House of Commons, hammering home the point that not only should rural Dorset ...

Local vaccination services run by GPs will open this week in Dorset as the NHS continues its phased roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine to priority groups. GPs and other primary care staff have been working round-the-clock and throughout the weekend to deliver this part of the roll-out. The latest stage is being delivered by GP-led primary care ...

Dorset Police have issued an appeal on behalf of the Coroner for Dorset who is seeking the assistance of the public to find the next of kin for a woman who died in Dorchester. Betty Maynard, who was 95 years old, died at her home in Coburg Road on Tuesday 8 December 2020. Her death is not ...

Firefighters in Maiden Newton are looking for new recruits to join their ranks and keep the station operationally available. A fire engine needs at least four riders (a driver, an officer in charge and two trained firefighters) to ensure it can go out the door to emergencies. The on-call fire station at Maiden Newton has struggled ...

With just Christmas just around the corner, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service has released some top tips to help keep your family safe over the festive period! Make sure you test your smoke alarm every week – and buy sufficient batteries for those new Christmas toys so you don’t consider removing the ones from ...

Please Note: This item has been updated. In summary, the man arrested in connection with the incident has now been released from bail without charge and will face no further police action. Read the update here The original report was as follows: Officers investigating a reported assault on a woman in Weymouth are appealing for any witnesses to ...

Dorset County Museum has been awarded a £187,401 Capital Kickstart grant as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund enabling the organisation to push forward with the Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset project despite the financial challenge caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Dorset County Museum is one of 74 organisations receiving grants totalling £58.9 million ...

A GIG to raise money for the RNLI was held in memory of Bruce Smith who was 36 when he died in a tragic accident in 2017. His friends have been holding ‘Brucefest’ fundraisers each year as a way to give something back to RNLI lifeboat crews. Bruce had been jumping into the sea at Portland Bill ...

For the first time, two gynae charities join forces this month in the South West for an awareness campaign to encourage women to talk to their GP if they experience persistent bloating or other abdominal changes. Starting from December 13, Ovacome and Go Girls will be working together throughout this month to highlight the signs of ...

A popular feature in Weymouth’s Christmas build-up for the last few years has been the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Cracker at the town’s fire station. As with so many other festive events, the open day has had to be cancelled for this year due to the pandemic restrictions, but an online event ...

Detectives are appealing for the public’s help to identify fraudsters who scammed two elderly Bridport residents into handing over thousands of pounds. Sometime between 10am and 10.30am on Wednesday 9 December 2020 the first victim – a woman aged in her 70s – received a phone call from someone purporting to be a detective sergeant from ...