News Archive

The new NHS Test and Trace system launched on Thursday 28 May across England, and Public Health Dorset is encouraging any residents with symptoms of coronavirus to use the service. NHS Test and Trace will identify those who have had close contact with people who have tested positive for coronavirus, helping to reduce the spread of ...

In their latest newsletter Dorset Council’s Family Information Service has issued the following guidance:   When will schools and childcare reopen? The government plans to bring in new guidelines from 1 June, which could mean schools and childcare settings will open to more children. The government are expected to confirm whether this is possible later today (Thursday 28 May). Dorset ...

The risk of further devastating wildfires in heath and woodland across Dorset and Wiltshire has been assessed as extreme, which is the highest it can be. More than a week after firefighters started tackling a blaze affecting over 220 hectares of Wareham Forest, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a strong warning that ...

Officers from Weymouth Team Purple, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and colleagues from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service were called to Teddy Bear Woods today (Wed 27 May) following reports of groups creating fires. On arrival, 2 seats of smouldering embers were located and quickly extinguished. This comes after hundreds of hectares of woodland in Dorset ...

GMB, NEU and UNISON in Dorset and Dorset Trades Union Council have released a statement to KeeP 106 on the re-opening of schools in Dorset: The government has proposed to reopen schools on June 1 for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes. School staff, parents and carers in Dorset are concerned that this ...

Another example of how the NHS is #HereForYou Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, GPs throughout Dorset have been asking people to consider alternative ways of contacting them in order to help reduce the spread of the virus amongst local communities and minimising their own personal risk. This has included online, video and ...

A community group which supports local vulnerable families and individuals in Dorchester and the surrounding area is being aided in its vital work thanks to food donations from Tesco. Over the past three years the Food Share community group from Dorchester Community Church have been sharing food parcels to local families and individuals in need made ...

Dorset Council will be able to carry out more resurfacing and reconstruction work on its roads this year, thanks to a £9.1m injection from the Department for Transport (DfT). The Secretary of State for Transport has announced a £1.7billion Transport Infrastructure Investment Fund to be allocated to Combined Authorities and Local Highway Authorities for 2020/21. The fund ...

A number of residents in Dorchester have received a Letter from Wessex Water about the recommencement of sewer improvement works. Works were suspended in March as a consequence of COVID-19. In the letter from Bruce McAuslane: “I can confirm that we intend to recommence at the Great Field on Monday 8 June. The decision has been based ...

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS Dorset Council has now paid out a total of £93.3m to 7,830 business in Dorset. If you think you might be entitled to a small business grant check your eligibility and apply here: tinyurl.com/yaqljwkx Dorset Council continue to ask Government about the detail around the discretionary grant fund. The Council know they will have ...

One week ago (Monday 18 May) a forest fire was started through social activity in Wareham Forest, which has led to 220 hectares (the size of over 230 football pitches) of forest and heathland being destroyed. This is believed to be one of the most devastating forest and heath fires in Dorset, in living memory. Over ...

The Bere Regis crew from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue say that they have returned to the fire in Wareham Forest multiple times, most recently for 11 hours. Twenty Five fire engines plus more specialist vehicles are again required at the incident which was started several days ago by a BBQ/camp fire. The Bere ...

Organisers of Dorchester Beerex, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale, (CAMRA) and Casterbridge Rotary club are pleased to announce that now all accounts are complete the division of profits, a grand total of £19,932.00 has now been divided up and proceeds paid out to local worthy good causes with this year’s principle charity being Dorset ...

The four country parks managed by Dorset Council are re-opening to the public on Tuesday 26 May. Avon Heath, Durlston, Moors Valley and Thorncombe Woods will be open from 9am on Tuesday. The country parks closed in March due to Covid-19 restrictions. Following the easing of lockdown by central government, the council has made some adjustments to ...

Following new guidance, issued by Public Health England (PHE) a few days ago, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is now fully prepared and available to treat and convey patients by air, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 illness. Previous guidance specifically excluded the carriage of known or suspected COVID-19 patients in air ambulances across England. ...

Dorset Police will be stepping up its education and enforcement of the ‘fatal five’ with a focus on speed as part of a National Police Chiefs’ Council operation. With the gradual relaxing of lockdown restrictions, police forces throughout the UK are reminding motorists of the importance of travelling safely and within the speed limit, and will ...

Bryanston School near Blandford has become the first independent school to be recognised as a School Governor Champion by Inspiring Governance, a national and charitable organisation supported and funded by the Department for Education. The move will see Bryanston encouraging and supporting its staff to work with Inspiring Governance and make an active contribution as ...

Following an investigation into the fire at Wareham Forest, which has been ongoing since Monday, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue now believe the cause of this fire to be accidental, due to social activity in the forest. While they have said they cannot pinpoint the exact cause, they have found evidence of multiple disposable barbecues, ...

The doors may be closed but readers in Dorset are enjoying e-books and e-audio items that are available for downloads from Dorset Libraries. E-Books and e-Audio books issued peaked at almost 26,000 in April, an increase of 75 per cent on same period last year, perhaps proving that there’s nothing quite like a good book to ...

Dorset Council continues to ask people thinking of visiting Dorset’s seaside or beauty spots over the bank holiday weekend and half term to be considerate and think about the potential impact of any visit on Dorset’s communities. Dorset currently has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the country thanks to residents who have followed ...

At a Full Council meeting on Monday, 18 May 2020 held online, due to the Covid -19 Pandemic, Councillor Richard Biggs was appointed Mayor of Dorchester for a successive year, the first time that this has happened in over 60 years. It was also agreed that Councillor David Taylor would continue in his role as ...

This week Extinction Rebellion protested the escalating Climate and Ecological crisis in exactly the same spot as one year ago – outside the (empty) Dorset Council Office. Maintaining the 2m social distancing regulations and wearing facemasks, 10 rebels incorporated a 2 min break in regular exercise to be “alone together” silently. Dorset Council declared a Climate ...

Detectives working with the fire service to investigate the cause of a forest fire near Wareham are appealing for anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage to come forward. Dorset Police received a report from the fire service at 1.11pm on Monday 18 May 2020 in relation to a large forest fire in the area of ...

Advice from Public Health Dorset: Still stay home During this coronavirus time, it is important that we still stay home as much as possible to control the risk of infection. • Stay home as much as possible • Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible) • Limit physical contact with other people • Keep washing your hands ...

Plans are being made to welcome more pupils back into school across Dorset. Dorset Council is working with schools as they plan to open for more children from Reception, Year One and Year Six. The earliest possible start date for these pupils will be 1 June. This will depend on government advice and arrangements at individual schools. Secondary ...

Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from Monday 18 May 2020. This year’s theme is kindness. Approximately one in four people in the UK experience poor mental health each year. Mental Health Awareness Week aims to encourage people to share experiences and talk about mental health, which will help dispel the stigma associated with it, which ...

A new Wi-Fi network at Dorset County Hospital will enhance the experience of patients, allowing them to stay better connected to loved ones during their stay. The Trust is partnering with WiFi SPARK to launch a free NHS network for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy a faster and more reliable online connection. The network will allow ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is still battling to contain a fire affecting approximately 100 hectares of heath and woodland in Wareham Forest, which started shortly before 12.30pm this afternoon (18 May). With the flames being fanned by strong winds, 28 fire engines are currently in attendance from Bere Regis, Wareham (two), Wimborne, Christchurch ...

Visit Dorset report that the Government restrictions in response to COVID-19 have led to the cancellation of current events, as most of us know, and sadly there are daily reports of more local event cancellations, including: • Yeovilton Air Day • Dorset County Show • Great Dorset Steam Fair • Bath and West Show • Camp Bestival • Chesil Rocks • Jurassic ...

Weldmar Hospicecare has issued a plea for supporters to “stand by them” during the remainder of the Covid-19 pandemic, and help them “be resilient for the future”. It comes as the charity announces two key fundraising events have been cancelled this summer, with more in doubt in the coming months. The newly revamped ‘Moonlight Walk’, which men ...

VISITORS ASKED TO THINK TWICE BEFORE COMING TO DORSET Councillor Spencer Flower, leader of the council, issued a clear message earlier this week for any potential visitors or day trippers thinking of coming to Dorset as a result of the government easing of lockdown restrictions: “Thinking of visiting Dorset now? Please think twice. We really look ...

One year after Dorset Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency, communities and Councillors express disappointment at lack of action. Today, 16th May, marks one year since Dorset Council declared a climate and ecological emergency. However, 12 months on XR say there is still no strategy and action plan. A Spokeperson from XR told KeeP 106: “For ...

Our Dorset, the partnership of health and social care organisations from across the county, has launched a new online health app library. The launch coincides with the #HereForYou campaign which reassures Dorset residents that their health services are still available should they need them and that they should seek help and advice despite the current COVID-19 ...

Two young swimmers from Dorchester have set themselves a daunting challenge to swim the English Channel from a small pool in their garden, to help raise funds for Age UK North, South & West Dorset. Ethan (13) and Niamh (11) will swim in their small pool measuring just 3m x 2m for the same amount of ...

During this period of lockdown many local organisations, including KeeP 106, have been trying to ‘keep going’ and supporting the local community. One prominent local group has been doing just that and are looking forward to future events. Andy Rose from Dorchester Lions said “We’re still here at Dorchester Lions trying to ‘do our bit’ for ...

The Organisers of the Dorset County Show have announced that the Show will not take place this year, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Board of Management of the Dorset County Show Committee has made the decision after closely monitoring government guidance over the past months, recognising the health and safety of everyone involved with the ...

#Masks4All Dorchester (M4AD) is a small local not for profit group, that began at the start of April with the idea of supporting local volunteers and other frontline workers who were out in the community. It began with a conversation between Emma Scott from Dorchester Town Council, Rosie Lees from the Embroidery Barn and Emma Teasdale ...

Police in Weymouth have placed a cordon on the Esplanade and closed of a section of the beach after an unknown object was washed up. The cordon was put in place shortly after 8 this morning after the item was located. Roads were unaffected. Dorset Police received reports that a suspicious item was found on Tuesday (12th ...

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team would like you to be aware of the following suspicious vehicles to be on the lookout for across Dorset. The first vehicle is a 65 plate White Luton type van but unfortunately police don’t have the registration number of this vehicle. Please be on the lookout and if you see a ...

An estimated £7,000 has been raised for Weldmar Hospicecare over a bank holiday weekend that included everything from a virtual silent disco to a Dorset Knob eating competition. Virtual Quayfest and ‘The Big Fat Weymouth Quiz’ also featured in ‘Weldmar’s Big Weekend’. Kate Scott from Shaftesbury was crowned the Dorset Knob Eating Champion 2020, munching her way ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Education Team have produced online resources for families to assist with home-learning and helping younger children understand how they can stay safe at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Each week a new fire safety topic is introduced, based around a story which children can listen to alongside activities. The ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging local people to take care with open fires in the home during this week’s cold snap. Open fires are a warm, welcoming addition to the home, but they do carry risks. If you have an open fire, you should: • Always use a fire guard to protect against ...

A Dorset sixth-former has led a drive to support a pioneering medical research programme that is helping to find a cure for Coronavirus. Tristram Waters, an 18-year-old Computer Science student at Bryanston School near Blandford, researched and developed a plan to capitalise on the School’s computing resources to support a ground-breaking US research programme that ...

This year due to the lockdown an online Knob Noshing Contest took place online. The contest saw 100 contestants tasked with eating as many Dorset Knobs as they could within one minute, all raising money for charity. Kate Scott from Shaftesbury was crowned the winner after a tense final and now holds the title of Knob Noshing ...

The Prince of Wales First School in Dorchester has been a shining example of true community spirit during the Coronavirus pandemic. Just recently, the school has created a rainbow on its field. It’s their way of saying Thank You to everyone during this challenging time. Headteacher Mr Spracklen spoke to Keep 106: “The rainbow was created by the ...

Dorset’s communities are being reminded to stay at home while they celebrate the bank holiday weekend. Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “I’m fully aware that VE Day and the bank holiday weekend is very special to so many of you. “Unfortunately we are not going to be able to celebrate the way we all expected to and ...

Since the announcement of the UK Lockdown, communities have come together to support each other and those most vulnerable. Community groups were created overnight and have provided not only vital support for residents, but has highlighted just how caring Dorset Council residents are. With the help of communities and volunteers, support with services such as food ...

A survey has been launched asking the public how well they think Dorset Police are doing and whether they are taking the right approach to dealing with the Covid-19 lockdown. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset has launched a public perception survey inviting members of the public to comment on whether they ...

A new campaign from the local Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership asks children and young people to #TellSomeone if they feel unsafe. The campaign will take place across a range of social media channels, targeting different age groups from primary school upwards, telling them to tell someone they trust or call national charity Childline if they feel ...

Dorset Council has announced that 9 of its 10 household recycling centres (HRCs, or ‘the tip’) are set to open on Monday 11 May now that central government guidance on managing HRCs in England during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been updated. However, the government guidance puts strong restrictions on use to help reduce non-essential journeys. ...

Frontline staff from across Dorset are joining together thanking people for following social distancing guidelines and staying at home. In a video being shared on social media staff want to thank communities for their patience during lock down. Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils Sam Crowe said: “We appreciate all the efforts people ...

Friday 8 May marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the official end of the Second World War in Europe, and Dorset Council wants everyone to commemorate this special day safely. In line with advice, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) events have been scaled back nationally. However, there are still plenty of ways to ...

In November 2018, Weldmar Hospicecare launched a brand new service for community patients and their carers – a dedicated telephone advice line, manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s proved to be a real success, with the number of people calling for support steadily increasing every month. During the day, enquiries would ...

The Office for National Statistics website have been updated with the breakdown of Covid-19 deaths in the Dorset Council area. The information was collected between 1 March and 17 April 2020 The statistics show a significant difference between poorer and wealthier deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19), the rate for the least deprived area was 25.3 deaths per ...

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a dog was stolen in North Dorset. The 10-month old female chocolate Cocker Spaniel was stolen from her home in Mampitts Lane near Shaftesbury between 7.30pm on Thursday 30 April 2020 and 8am on Friday 1 May 2020. The dog, who is microchipped, was taken from ...

A woman who dug up an unexploded World War Two bomb in her garden said she threw it across the lawn for her dog before she realised what it was. Lulu Cirillo, 49, was gardening at her home in Weymouth when her spade struck the bomb 10in (25.4cm) down. She thought it was a large stone and ...

The pride of the Cunard fleet, the ocean liner Queen Mary 2 has anchored in Weymouth Bay having returned to Southampton on the 18th April. She joins a number of out of service cruise ships sheltering off the coast of Weymouth & Portland. Queen Mary 2 (also referred to as the QM2) is a British transatlantic ...

A new café has been approved for Dorchester by Dorset Council planners. The former Animal and Intersport shop units in Tudor Arcade have had change of use approved by Dorset Council from a shop to café. The planning application stated that opening times will be within 0700-1900 Monday to Saturday and 1000-1600 Sunday and Bank holidays. It ...

There are new road markings on Williams Avenue in Dorchester outside Dorset County Hospital following an initiative by Dorset Council. To show support for NHS staff, care workers, teachers, delivery drivers, supermarket workers, warehouse warriors & posties. The road now proudly displays “Thank You NHS” with a multicoloured heart underneath. Dr Ian Mew took to Twitter to ...

A video of First Wessex Bus staff dancing to a popular disco tune has gone viral after it was posted on the operator’s Facebook page. Within a week of posting, the video amassed well over 100,000 views and First Wessex’s Facebook page has been inundated with positive comments. Set to the 1998 music hit ‘We like ...