News Archive

Dorset History Centre are beginning a project to catalogue the papers of Dame Elisabeth Frink, a renowned sculptor with strong local connections. Dame Elisabeth Frink RA (1930-1993) was one of Britain’s most renowned sculptors. Her works are held by museums and galleries throughout the UK and worldwide. Frink moved to Dorset in 1976 and lived here ...

Officers investigating a burglary at an address in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward – an image of some of the stolen items has been released. Between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 5 October 2019 a burglary occurred at an address on Abbotsbury Road. The back door of the property was ...

“Thank you (Extinction Rebellion) for my tree!” West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin has received a tree from the group whilst in Westminster today (10/10). Sir Oliver will be bringing it back from Westminster to West Dorset and presenting it to Damers First School. Taking to social media, Sir Oliver says: “Thank you @ExtinctionR for my tree! I will ...

Work to improve flood protection will begin on Weymouth beach next week. (15/10) Dorset Council will start work to lower the level of the beach near the sea wall on Tuesday. This will help protect sea front properties from coastal flooding. The work, which is expected to take up to three days, will also help reduce ...

Detectives investigating the death of a man in Weymouth have charged a man and woman with manslaughter. Dorset Police was called at 10.17am on Saturday 7 September 2019 by the ambulance service following reports of the sudden death of a 75-year-old man – named by detectives as John Cornish – at an address on The Esplanade ...

Councillors and officers at Dorset Council have been celebrating success recently as their efforts to care for the environment and fight climate change have been recognised by several organisations. Waste management and vehicle emissions are two of the most important areas of work Dorset Council is focusing on when acting to help prevent climate change, especially ...

Hundreds of people brought the spirit of 1944 to Castletown’s D-Day Centre and Portland Castle during Portland At War Weekend on 5 and 6 October. Members of the public were treated to the sights, sounds and even smells of wartime Britain as living history enthusiasts re-enacted Allied and German camps around the time of the D-Day ...

Dorset’s children in care and their foster families have been celebrated at the 2019 Star Awards. The Star Awards are hosted by Dorset Council to celebrate the achievements of foster families and the children they look after. The awards also recognise the accomplishments of young people who are leaving care. A record number of over 300 ...

Thousands of students from across Dorset, including Thomas Hardye School and Budmouth, will experience a hard-hitting road safety presentation over the coming months. Safe Drive Stay Alive targets students in Year 11 and above, who will soon be learning to drive and whose friends may already be driving. The presentation uses powerful personal testimony and dramatic ...

Dorset Police to receive an extra 50 officers in year one of Operation Uplift programme It has been announced that the recruitment target for Dorset Police is 50 new officers as part of year one in the 6,000 national Operation Uplift scheme. This figure will be in addition to the existing planned recruitment for officers that Dorset ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as they investigate a collision in West Dorset. Dorset Police was called at around 12.15pm on Tuesday 8 October 2019 to a report of a collision on the A35, around three miles west of Winterbourne Abbas on the westbound carriageway. The collision involved ...

Officers investigating an assault on a man in Weymouth are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. At around 9.30pm on Wednesday 2 October 2019 the victim – a local man aged in his 20s – was walking along Putton Lane near to Bennetts Water Gardens when he was confronted by two unknown male suspects. One ...

Detectives investigating a reported robbery in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At approximately 12.40pm on Sunday 6 October 2019 it is alleged that a man approached a woman on King Street and shouted abuse at her before hitting her face. The victim – a local woman aged in her 30s ...

Residents in Milborne St Andrew and in Broadwindsor now have influence over development in their local areas after Dorset Council adopted their neighbourhood plans. 91% of residents who took part in a referendum on the plan for Milborne St Andrew voted for Dorset Council to use their neighbourhood plan to help decide planning applications. Residents of ...

Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision near Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. At 2.56pm Dorset Police received a report of a collision on the A37 at Wardon Hill north of Dorchester. The collision involved a black Ford Transit panel van and a white Mercedes lorry. Officers attended, ...

Fancy doing your bit and helping us in our bid to tackle climate change? Join Dorset Council’s annual Liftshare week and turn your daily commute into something much more enjoyable. Not only will you pocket a few extra pounds, but car sharing is the perfect opportunity to: relieve stress of the daily commute, protect the environment, ...

Trimar House is the new home for Weldmar Hospicecare services in Weymouth, and new charity headquarters. It is home to Day Services for local patients, and a base for Weldmar Community Nurses in the south of the county, as well as head office functions such as Finance, Fundraising, Retail, Marketing, and People Services. Trimar House is located ...

Mary Berry and Claudia Winkleman are searching for passionate and talented cooks for the new series of BBC One’s Best Home Cook. They want to hear from cooks of all ages and abilities who serve up amazing dishes for the people they love every day of the week.    If you think you have what it takes to be ...

Fire crews from Dorchester station have been attending to a chimney fire tonight (Thursday 3 Oct). The fire is believed to be confined to a chimney on a property on St Helens Road. Crews used a Chimney Kit in order to investigate and extinguish the fire. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Safety have this advice about Chimney Safety. A ...

Dorset-based care provider Agincare is celebrating after its live-in care services in both the South West and the South East were rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Agincare’s live-in care staff provide one-to-one 24-hour care to people in the comfort and security of their home, right across England. Support ranges from companionship, personal care, ...

Don’t be spooked by digital technology this Halloween. If you are struggling to use the computer, tablet or smart phone to look up ‘what’s on’ over half term and Halloween there’s help at hand. Superfast Dorset has a network of 70 volunteer Digital Champions who offer free, one-to-one computer help sessions in libraries and other venues ...

Meet your new patrol officers who are working to make Weymouth even safer. Martin, Samuel and Jason have joined existing officer Sam on the beat. They are patrolling in Weymouth seven days a week. You can follow their progress on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow them on social media: Twitter @PatrolOfficers Facebook @weypatrolofficers Instagram: weymouthpatrolofficers Or find them via #weypatrols Follow to ...

Detectives investigating a reported robbery in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. At approximately 10.15pm on Wednesday 25 September 2019 an alleged robbery occurred in the area of Wyke Gardens off Portland Road. During the incident the victim, a local man aged in his late teens, sustained ...

Dorset Council condemns geese killings Seven Canada Geese carcasses have been found dumped on Dorset Council’s Blackdown Nature Reserve, near Hardy Monument. The birds were killed and had their breasts removed sometime overnight on 29 September. The remains of the birds were left in a ditch, believed to be the work of poachers. Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s ...

Cabinet agrees council tax exemption for young people leaving care. Care leavers in Dorset will not have to pay council tax until they are 25. Dorset Council’s Cabinet has agreed that young people who have spent time in foster or residential care will be exempt from paying council tax until the age of 25 if they live ...

The Met Office have issued a Yellow weather warning for rain across Dorset tomorrow (Tuesday). The Met Office have said: ‘Heavy showers are likely across south Wales and southern England on Tuesday with a small chance of disruption from flooding.’ WHAT TO EXPECT • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures • Where ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a reported serious assault in Weymouth. At approximately 4.15am on Friday 27 September 2019 it was reported that an assault took place involving a group of men on Maiden Street at the junction with Church Passage. The victim – a local man aged in his 30s – sustained ...

A fire crew from Dorchester station were called to a car fire this morning (Monday 30 Sept). A single crew tackled the vehicle fire in Poundbury on Peverell Avenue East. There have been no reports of injuries. Image courtesy of the Dorchester Fire Station Facebook.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses or motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as they investigate a fatal road traffic collision near Wimborne. Dorset Police received a report at 6.07pm on Saturday 28 September in relation to a single vehicle collision at Badbury Rings on the B3082 Blandford Road, at the junction with New ...

Officers searching for missing 21-year-old Cameron Marchant are pleased to confirm he has been located. Cameron was reported missing having left an address in Sturminster Newton at 11.40am on Saturday 28 September 2019. Following searches by officers, he was located in the North Dorset area. We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal.

Partners from across Dorset’s integrated care system and the voluntary sector came together on Thursday to discuss the impact of food insecurity in the county and how they can make changes to improve the situation. The event, titled ‘Dorset’s Hidden Hunger’, was jointly organised by Public Health Dorset, BCP Council, Dorset Council and the Bournemouth and ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned people to take care with household chemicals, following an incident last night (26 September). The occupier inadvertently mixed two household chemicals in an attempt to unblock a sink, but the resulting mixture created a noxious gas, causing irritation to their eyes and breathing problems. Thankfully, the property’s ...

Chief Constable delighted by report from HMICFRS which finds Force ‘good’ in all areas Following annual reviews of police effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and leadership (PEEL), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded Dorset Police as ‘good’ overall in all areas inspected. Reports published today, Friday 27 September, have been welcomed by ...

From Tuesday 1 October, Dorset residents will be able to visit their local household recycling centre (HRC, or ‘the tip’) daily from 10am until 4pm. Entry is still free of charge, with the vast majority of items still free to drop-off. The Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) operates two sets of opening hours at all their 11 HRCs ...

The New Hardy Players recently staged a production of Far from the Madding Crowd as a fundraiser for Dorset County Hospital. Each year The Players raise money for local charities and this year the Directors, Howard Payton and his wife Alison Payton had a very special reason for wanting to donate to a local worthy cause. ...

‘100 Days of Summer’ initiative reduces anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and public place violence in Weymouth. A policing initiative in Weymouth has reduced reports of antisocial behaviour by 22 per cent over the summer in the Melcombe Regis area of the town. The number of shoplifting reports also fell by 35 per cent and public place violence fell ...

Dorset Council has published its draft Council Plan for approval by Cabinet on 1 October. The Council Plan outlines the organisation’s aspirations and priorities for the next four years. The five priorities are: • Economic growth • Unique environment • Staying safe and well • Strong, healthy communities • Suitable housing. The Council Plan outlines proposed activity to achieve these priorities, all ...

Dorset Council is highlighting the problem of long-term empty properties during Empty Homes Week, 23-29 September, in conjunction with the Empty Homes Network. Throughout the week the council will be highlighting the issue of empty homes and showing examples of how homes that have been left empty for a long time have been brought back into ...

“It’s just like a fairytale wedding”: Wedding bells at Weldmar as Duncan and Kate tie the knot at the hospice in Dorchester. Weldmar Hospicecare has made dreams come true for patient Duncan Clarke and his bride Kate Baldwin, who were married at 4:30pm on Thursday in the hospice’s Orangery Restaurant. Licences, the order of service, flowers, ...

Dorset Council and its partners are celebrating after receiving a £248,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to improve physical access to the Dorchester Roman Town House and share its heritage with a much wider audience. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on delivering a range of improvements including ...

On 25th September 2019 at 7pm at All Saints Church Wyke Regis, the Bishop of Salisbury the Right Rev Nicholas Holtam will institute, induct and Install the Rev Brother Alasdair Kay (Ally) as the 56th Rector of Wyke Regis (since records began with Nicholas Lungspe in 1263), and the 2nd Rector of the combined parish ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate an alleged robbery in Weymouth. At around 2.20am on Friday 20 September 2019 a local man aged in his 20s was on The Esplanade, near to The Boat Café, when he was approached by a group of three white men. The men ...

Officers searching for missing Blandford teenager Shannon Smith are pleased to confirm she has been located. The 19-year-old was reported missing after it was believed she left her home in the early hours of Friday 20 September 2019. Following enquiries by officers, she has been located in the London area. We would like to thank all those who ...

Over 2000 athletes are set to take to the streets and coast as well as the sea in Dorset! Ironman 70.3 is back in Weymouth this weekend! A number of roads are closing for the cycle route around Dorset and drivers and residents are being asked to be prepared! Here you will find full details on the closures ...

Officers investigating a serious injury collision near Puddletown are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. Dorset Police was called at 12.30pm on Saturday 21 September 2019 to a report of a collision involving a tractor and a red Ducati motorcycle on Long Lane near Puddletown, by the junction with Druce ...

Landscapes for life; celebrating 60 years of Dorset’s Area of Outsandin Natural Beauty (AONB) The Landscapes for Life Festival, from 21 – 29 September, is celebrating Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s very special anniversary with a packed programme of free walks, talks and have-a-go activities. Sixty years ago, a line was drawn around nearly half of ...

The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester ran an inspiring launch to the 2019 Rugby World Cup as staff worked with Dorchester Rugby Club to surprise their pupils on Friday 20th September 2019. Year Four Pupil, Phillipa explains, ‘We came to school like normal to find all our teachers out the front dressed as rugby ...

A partnership involving local banks and Dorset Police has helped to prevent nearly £1 million getting into the hands of fraudsters. The banking protocol scheme sees bank staff trained to spot when someone is about to fall victim to a scam and aims to prevent them from withdrawing cash or transferring money to a fraudster, with ...

From Martin Clunes to Memory Trees – how the Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete raised more than £20,000! A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete on Saturday. Beautiful weather and special guest Martin Clunes helped attract more than three thousand visitors to the meadow at Weldmar’s in-patient unit in Dorchester, which was ...

Agincare’s innovative ‘Home First’ approach to reducing delayed transfers of care (DTOC) has been chosen as a finalist in the prestigious LaingBuisson Awards, which recognise and celebrate industry excellence and innovative services in the public, private and third sectors. The Dorset-based independent care provider has worked with 10 NHS Foundation Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups and ...

Access to both Weymouth and Dorchester’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs, or “the tip”) will be directly affected by road closures around the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth event this Sunday (22 September). Weymouth HRC on Preston Beach Road will be closed all day. Local residents are being urged to take their waste to Portland’s HRC, or wait until ...

The family of a man who sadly died following a collision in West Dorset has issued a tribute. Dorset Police received a report at 2.03pm on Sunday 1 September 2019 of a collision involving a silver Honda motorcycle travelling east and a black BMW 1 Series travelling in the opposite direction between Abbotsbury and Swyre, near ...

Residents of Dorset are being invited to attend their NHS Health Check this autumn. The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke. People may have already been sent letters inviting ...

A 38-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a man in Weymouth has been released from custody while enquiries continue. Dorset Police was called at 10.17am on Saturday 7 September 2019 by the ambulance service following reports of the sudden death of a 75-year-old man at an address on The Esplanade in Weymouth. The death ...

Officers searching for missing Portland woman Alison Annetts are pleased to confirm she has been found safe. The 48-year-old was reported missing having last been seen at her home address at 11.30am on Sunday 15 September 2019. Following searches by officers, she has been located in the Poole area. We would like to thank everyone who shared our ...

Looking round the world today, there isn’t too much to laugh about, but Casterbridge Speakers is inviting you to do just that – to have a laugh for a couple of hours. Six members of Casterbridge Speakers will be competing for the Club’s annual humorous speech competition at the Wessex Royale Hotel, Dorchester on September ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was seen acting suspiciously in Dorchester town centre. At approximately 11.30pm on Tuesday 10 September 2019 a local woman aged in her 40s was walking home from Brewery Square along Weymouth Avenue, Edward Road and Queen’s Avenue. The woman reported that a small white Enterprise rental ...

Officers investigating a commercial burglary near Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At around 11.35pm on Sunday 1 September 2019 a burglary occurred at a commercial premises off Dorchester Road in Grimstone. It is believed that two offenders arrived at the premises in a small white van, possibly a Vauxhall Combo. ...

A man and a woman arrested in connection with the death of a man in Weymouth have been released from custody while enquiries continue. Dorset Police was called at 10.17am on Saturday 7 September 2019 by the ambulance service following reports of the sudden death of a 75-year-old man at an address on The Esplanade in ...

Want to know what’s happening in your community? Have a question for a local councillor, or simply like to meet those representing you? As from 5th October Councillors from Dorchester Town and Dorset Councils will be holding regular surgeries on the first Saturday of the month from 10am until midday. Molly Rennie, Councillor for Dorchester ...