News Archive

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 ...

A man who subjected a woman to repeated sexual and physical assaults in Weymouth has been jailed for 19 years. Reece Vella, 32 and of Weymouth, was sentenced on Monday 25 November 2024 at Bournemouth Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault and was also subsequently found guilty following a trial of a ...

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance came out winners in four categories at this year’s 2024 Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence. Organised by Air Ambulances UK and sponsored by Kwik Fit, the awards took place last night to celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who tirelessly contribute their specialised life-saving skills and unwavering commitment to the air ...

Weldmar Hospicecare has confirmed that they have received formal notification that NHS Dorset is reducing their funding, which will have a financial impact to the level of commissioned income they receive in an already financially challenging climate. Currently, Weldmar is commissioned by NHS Dorset to provide specialist hands on care in patients’ own homes, usually in ...

A disqualified driver who drove into a police officer who attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in Bridport has been jailed. Joshua Joseph Hayward, aged 31 and of Bridport, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday 27 November 2024 after admitting offences of dangerous driving, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, failing to stop following a ...

Weldmar Hospicecare is once again helping Dorset residents to tick something off their Christmas to do list early, by launching their Christmas Tree collections for January. For homes and businesses that have a real Christmas tree, Weldmar Hospicecare’s Christmas Treecycle can ease the pressure of disposing of the tree at the end of the festive ...

Neighbourhood policing officers have made three further arrests following multiple reports of thefts from vehicles in Dorchester. Officers are continuing to investigate a number of reported offences of theft from vehicles or attempted theft from vehicles in Dorchester and the surrounding area since the start of September. Following enquiries from Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) officers a ...

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) is continuing to provide good urgent and emergency care, despite the ongoing pressures faced by Emergency Departments throughout the country. The latest Urgent and Emergency Care Survey, carried out by the Picker Institute on behalf of the Care Quality Commission, captured the views and experiences of 467 patients who attended DCH’s Emergency ...

The Society of Dorset Men, an esteemed organisation dedicated to preserving the heritage and camaraderie of Dorset, has made a significant change. At a recent Special General Meeting, the society agreed to extend membership to everyone with a connection to Dorset, regardless of gender. Founded in 1904, the Society originally aimed to provide a community for ...

Dorset Wildlife Trust is looking for volunteers to join their visitor centre teams at the Wild Chesil Centre at Portland and the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre in Kimmeridge. Open sessions will be held at both visitor centres in January, when staff and other volunteers will be available to talk about what is involved in ...

In the run up to Christmas, Weldmar Hospicecare is once again holding Light up a Life services across Dorset, where those who will be missed this Christmas can be remembered. Anyone can dedicate a light to a loved one – whether they were cared for by Weldmar or not – on special trees that will be ...

The 25th November marks the beginning of 16 days of action, a time when communities across the country come together to end domestic abuse in all its forms and supports those affected by domestic abuse. Dorset Council is using this opportunity to raise awareness of the services available to all people affected by domestic abuse, details ...

A procedure room at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has been transformed into a full operating theatre for Special Care Dentistry and other surgeries. The £2million project was jointly funded between DCH and NHS Dorset, which commissions the Special Care Dentistry service provided by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust at the main hospital site. The space within main theatres ...

Weymouth Football Club’s senior men’s team returned from Essex with nothing to show for their exploits, losing the National League South game at Hornchurch by a solitary goal to nil, bringing the Terras eight game unbeaten run to an abrupt end. Our Man at the Match said: “The Terras were a goal down at the break. ...

Storm Bert has been battering Dorset for several hours creating some spectacular scenes along the coast, but also flooding along much of the Upper Frome. The Environment Agency issued a flood warning at approx 04:30 on Sunday 24th November. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Upper Dorset Frome, Hooke River, with low lying land and ...

A second arrest has been made following an image appeal after a minibus was reportedly stolen in Weymouth. Dorset Police received a report at 11.15am on Sunday 22 September 2024 that a man and woman stole a minibus from an address in the Melcombe Regis area. Officers attended and searched for the vehicle, which came to a ...

Andy Venton reporting. With a demonstration of the fickleness of the British weather, it won’t have escaped your notice that much of Dorset, and the south-west of England, was covered in a blanket of snow this morning following a forecast of rain and sleet, fairly unusual weather for the extreme south of the county! And yet, the ...

In a statement released today, 18th November, Dorset Council Leader Nick Ireland says he is disappointed in the reply he has received from MPs regarding the proposed Portland Incinerator development. The statement reads: Cllr. Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, has now received a reply from Rushanara Ali MP, responding to his letter to Rt Hon ...

Dorset Police and partners are encouraging communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and highlight the actions that can be taken to tackle it during a week of targeted action. Running from Monday 18 November to Sunday 24 November 2024, ASB Awareness Week is a national campaign aimed at alerting members of the public ...

The Dorset General Practice Alliance have launched a survey asking people in the county how confident they feel about managing their own health, when to self-treat illnesses and the type of information people find useful. The Alliance, which represents all general practice surgeries in the county, will use this information to help surgeries better understand the ...

Weymouth Football Club’s senior men’s team did one better than they managed on Bonfire Night when they returned to the Bob Lucas Stadium following their notable draw away against National League South leaders Weston Super Mare. The Terras travelled back to Dorset from Weston again, this time following their 3 goals to 2 FA Trophy ...

Idris Martin reporting If anyone had any doubts about the strength of opposition towards Portland Port, siting a waste incinerator within the port, then a protest march along Weymouth Esplanade on the morning of Saturday 16th November 2024 would probably might well have their minds up for them. A crowd that was estimated to be somewhere between ...

Dorset Police received a report that at around 5am on Sunday 10 November 2024 a man was assaulted by a group of men outside an address in London Road. It was reported that the victim – a man aged in his 40s – was walking along the street with a woman when she attempted to climb ...

Work has started on a Weymouth building which has stood derelict for more than 20 years and is now going to be converted into apartments and a three bed cottage. In 2002 the Grade II listed Maiden Street Methodist Church was badly damaged by fire which was brought under control by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, ...

The 2025 Dorchester Beerex in Dorchester’s Corn Exchange will be held on Friday January 31st & Saturday February 1st 2025 contrary to a previous press release. The festival originally advertised as a week later was highlighted to the Beerex committee made up of members of West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) & Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary ...

On Remembrance Sunday, 10th November 2024, the crowds turned out in force in Weymouth to pay their respects to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The service was conducted by the mayor’s chaplain, Neil Biles, with the Act of Remembrance being followed by a two minute silence marked by canon fire. After the parade, ...

Dorset Police report that at around 6pm on Monday 11 November 2024 a collision occurred on Bridport Road near to the junction with Williams Avenue involving a car – described as possibly a dark blue hatchback – and a pedestrian. The driver of the car failed to stop at the scene and made off in the ...

Dorset Council is forecasting an overspend of £13.2 million by the end of this financial year, equivalent to 3.5% of the £376.7 million budget set in February 2024. This has increased from the £10.1 million that was forecast at the end of July. Much of the overspend is due to increases in demands on services growing ...

Lest We Forget. Both Weymouth & Portland and Blandford rugby teams observe a minute silence as a mark of respect for the fallen before their match kicks off at Monmouth Avenue on Saturday. For the second week in succession, the Weymouth Football Club’s long-serving wing-back Calvin Brooks saved the blushes of his manager Mark Molesley, scoring ...

Detectives investigating reported assaults on two men in Weymouth have made a further arrest. It was reported that at around 4am on Sunday 27 October 2024 two men aged in their 20s were involved in an altercation with a group of up to eight people in Westham Road. One of the victims sustained a fractured jaw and ...

New electric vehicle charging points have now been installed in Cerne Abbas and West Moors, thanks to help from Dorset Council, with further points to come including in Dorchester and Weymouth. The new chargers, located in car parks at Kettle Bridge, Cerne Abbas, and Park Way, West Moors are set to go live in the coming ...

Residents of Weymouth can now enjoy free health cycle rides, led by trained volunteers, every fortnight as part of Dorset Council’s exciting ‘Get Back in the Saddle’ initiative. These free, fun, hour long rides take place every other Wednesday from The Palm House café, offering a fantastic opportunity to get active, boost your health and wellbeing, ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following an aggravated burglary at an address in Weymouth. At around 7.30pm on Tuesday 5 November 2024 two men with their faces covered gained entry to an address in Bayard Road. The men, who were reportedly in possession of baseball bats, assaulted a female occupant ...

The Shetland Performance Display (SPD) Team has made a generous donation of £1,000 to Dorset County Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The team raised the money by performing at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show and the Dorset County Show in 2023. The team chose to support Dorset County Hospital’s SCBU this year because sisters Delanie ...

A further arrest has been made following a CCTV appeal in relation to a reported theft from a vehicle in Dorchester. Between 11pm on Thursday 24 October and 5.25am on Friday 25 October 2024, it is reported that a car was broken into in Celtic Crescent. Two watches were allegedly stolen from inside the car and are ...

Weymouth Football Club’s Senior Men’s team moved off the bottom of the National League South league table into 22nd place courtesy of their long-time servant, wing-back Calvin Brooks, who put the Terras into a 1-goal lead in the 44th minute, driving the ball into the back the Aveley net, then after the break despite both teams ...

This article has been updated due to a date change. Read the updated article here: Date change for Dorchester BEEREX The organisers of Dorchester Beerex, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) & Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club, are proud to announce the dates for next year’s Dorchester festival will be Friday & Saturday 7th & 8th of ...

The Environment Agency has issued the following advice regarding what, and what not, to burn on Bonfire Night. Only dry, untreated and unpainted wood, along with small amounts of paper or cardboard should be used for bonfires Burning household waste can cause pollution and harm to people, wildlife and the environment Burning the wrong kind of waste could ...

Police officers investigating a series of thefts from vans across Dorset are issuing advice and asking anyone with information to come forward. In October 2024, there have been a number of incidents where vans have been targeted and tools have been stolen. The incidents are primarily occurring in the North Dorset area, including Gillingham and Shaftesbury. Despite ...

Detectives investigating reported assaults on two men in Weymouth have made a further arrest. It was reported that at around 4am on Sunday 27 October 2024 two men aged in their 20s were involved in an altercation with a group of up to eight people in Westham Road. One of the victims sustained a fractured jaw and ...

Starting in mid-January 2025, significant safety improvements will be made at the Maumbury Cross junction in Dorchester. This includes incorporating more signal-controlled pedestrian crossing points into the junction (south of the skate park), widening of footways and upgrading existing equipment. This will provide a safer and more pleasant experience for people waiting to cross. Maumbury Cross is a busy ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward as they investigate thefts from motor vehicles in Weymouth. Dorset Police received a report shortly after 12am on Tuesday 29 October 2024 of a man and a woman breaking into cars in Greenway Road in the Redlands area. It is believed access was gained ...

A motorist has been jailed for a fail-to-stop road traffic collision in Weymouth that left a man with serious injuries. Leon Fowler, aged 25 and of Bournemouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 28 October 2024 after admitting offences of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted inflicting grievous ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate an incident where two men were assaulted in Weymouth town centre. It was reported that at around 4am on Sunday 27 October 2024 two men aged in their 20s were involved in an altercation with a group of up to eight ...

Following a public vote, Visible Women UK have announced that the remarkable writer and poet Sylvia Townsend Warner will finally be honoured with a long-overdue statue, enriching Dorchester’s literary and visual heritage. She will be the town’s first non-royal statue of a woman, joining the six statues of men that Dorchester already proudly displays. The statue, ...

Dorchester Football Club’s flirtation in the FA Trophy ended at the Snows Stadium, where they went down by a goal to nil against AFC Totton, and to make matters worse, the Magpies manager Tom Killick engaged the wrath of the referee was red carded after the final whistle. National League South basement boys Weymouth had better ...

Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care appeal has received a major boost following the announcement of the total fundraising figure from Dorset Sunflower Trail this summer. The Hoskin family of Maiden Castle Farm visited the hospital to celebrate the success of the many and varied events that took place at this year’s trail and ...

Dorset Council has told KeeP 106 that the Council leader, Cllr Nick Ireland, has written to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Raynor, expressing his disappointment following the government’s decision to allow the Portland incinerator to go ahead despite much local opposition. Cllr Ireland’s letter ...

On 16th October 2024, members of the Dorchester Joint Heritage Committee gathered to see the unveiling by the Mayor, Cllr Robin Potter, of two new heritage information panels in Dorchester – celebrating different aspects of the town’s rich history. At Fordington Mill, the Mayor revealed a new heritage information panel which told of the history of ...

In honour of over four decades of hard work to help forge strong links between Dorchester and the German town of Lubbecke, town councillors and members of the Dorchester-Lubbecke Society came together to thank Mr Klaus Herrmann at a reception in the Council Chamber last Sunday. Dorchester Town Council has a long tradition of supporting twinning ...

Dorset Council have told KeeP 106 that thousands of people who are over State Pension age are missing out on financial support that could mean they are £75 a week better off. Pension Credit is extra financial help to assist with living costs if you are of State Pension age (66+) and on a low income. ...

See link below for images of the weekend’s Weymouth Beach MotoX It’s not the best of weekends for our local senior football teams, with only one managing to record a solitary league point. Weymouth hosted Chesham Town for a National League South fixture, and the Terras went a goal down in the 12th minute, scored by Samson ...

Yesterday, Saturday 19th October, the Environment Agency issued a flood warning for parts of Weymouth Harbour and Portland Harbour at Ferrybridge. They weren’t wrong. The scene at Weymouth Quayside near the Town Bridge, an area which has been notorious for flooding over many years, clearly shows the effect the overnight rain had on the area ...

Flood Alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency for Weymouth Harbour and Portland Harbour at Ferrybridge. Flooding is possible for Weymouth Harbour and the tidal stretch of the River Wey and expected for Chesil Bank and The Fleet Nature Reserve and Ferry Bridge Marine Services, Portland Beach Road. For Weymouth Harbour flooding of roads and low ...

Since the launch of this winter’s campaign to vaccinate people against flu and COVID-19, nearly 250,000 vaccinations have been delivered to eligible people living in Dorset. Vaccinations have been delivered this autumn across general practice, pharmacies, community settings and to vulnerable people via the HealthBus Trust. If you are eligible but haven’t had your vaccinations yet, it ...

Dorset Council issued a statement today (18th October) regarding the council’s position on the Government’s decision to grant a licence for the operation of a waste incinerator on Portland. The statement, on behalf of the council leader Nick Ireland, reads as follows: Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Secretary of ...