News Archive

Dorset County Hospital is transforming its Fortuneswell Unit for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Funded by the Trust and money raised from Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Chemotherapy Appeal, the £2million refurbishment will include a revised layout with more space, better facilities and an outdoor courtyard space. Nick Johnson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Dorset County Hospital, said: “We are ...

On the night of 22nd November 1824 a storm of unprecedented ferocity hit the Dorset coast, flooding many houses, destroying villages in its path and claimed many lives during the two days that it besieged the coast. Now, 200 years on, Dorset Coast Forum in collaboration with the Environment Agency and BCP council bring together ...

DocBike held its annual motorcycle ride out on Saturday 21st September 2024 and what a brilliant day it was, raising over £8,000 for the life-saving charity. DocBike Regional Leads led separate convoys starting from locations in Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Somerset, and after completing their routes, motorcyclists were greeted with the warmest of welcomes at the ...

Weldmar Hospicecare has told KeeP 106 that they will be partnering with Just Racing UK for the Weymouth Half Marathon in March 2025. On Sunday 16th March, participants will get to run around beautiful landmarks in Weymouth, including the seafront, Lodmoor Country Park, the historic harbour and through Nothe Gardens. Weldmar Hospicecare is pledging to refund the ...

Weymouth Football Club’s senior men’s team’s sorte into this season’s FA Cup competition ended at The New Lawn Stadium, where they were beaten by Forest Green Rovers by 2 goals to nil. Our Man at the Match said, “Weymouth travelled up as massive underdogs against the recent EFL team and were still in the game well ...

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for residents to complete the Annual Survey, which provides key information over how safe the people of Dorset feel where they live. Following the Police and Crime Commissioner elections earlier this year, PCC David Sidwick was returned to office for a second term and has set about updating his ...

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery has revamped the format of their Relaxed Openings to offer new and improved Quiet Openings which provide a calm environment for individuals and families alike to explore the Museum at their own pace. Following invaluable visitor feedback, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery has extended the hours of Quiet Openings so that ...

Dorset Council is to trial a new traffic management scheme on the A354 in Milborne St Andrew, a key road connecting Blandford to Dorchester and a well-used and important route for local residents. Following a review of traffic management, Milborne Parish Council asked Dorset Council to enhance pedestrian safety and manage vehicle speeds through the village centre. Although the ...

This autumn, Dorset Council will be upgrading two pedestrian crossings in Dorchester town centre. The crossings at High West Street and High East Street are reaching the end of their maintainable life, so updated equipment will make them safer and easier to use by all. Modern technology will improve traffic management, and the new operating systems will ...

First Wessex has announced network changes for its bus services in Dorset. Its winter season timetables, which are part of a twice-yearly network review, come into force on Sunday 20 October. Created using feedback from bus users, as well as First Wessex drivers, the changes include the retiming of the morning service for Weymouth College students, ...

Police officers searching for a missing man from Portland are pleased to confirm he has been found. Mark Smith was last seen on Thursday 26 September 2024 in Weymouth. Following enquiries, Mark has been found. Dorset Police thank everyone who shared the appeal and provided information.  

The closure of the Chickerell to West Bay coast road, the B3157 at Portesham, while contractors install a new water main, is causing significant problems on New Barn Road which runs from Abbotsbury to the village of Rodden. It is a single-track road used mainly by local farmers with deep mud gulleys that are beginning to ...

An initiative to support patients who are unexpectedly admitted to hospital is going from strength to strength. The Friends of Dorset County Hospital have been providing free comfort bags to patients who are unexpectedly admitted to hospital. The initiative launched in May 2023 and the charity have now donated more than 1,000 comfort bags to patients. The bags ...

From Monday 7 October, developers are invited to submit formal proposals to work with Dorset Council on developing two key sites in Weymouth. The two sites currently being considered for development, subject to planning consent, are North Quay and Weymouth Bowl. Developers have until early November to make their formal applications to work with Dorset Council ...

It was not a good day out for the Weymouth Football Club fans who travelled to Enfield to watch their team play in a National League South relegation 6-pointer as the Terras went down by a goal to nil. Dorchester were also away and took the road to Tiverton for an FA Trophy third-qualifying round tie. Neither ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate a fatal house fire in Weymouth. Dorset Police received a report at 10.59am on Friday 4 October 2024 of a fire at an address in Southdown Road in Weymouth. Officers attended the scene, along with the fire and ambulance services. Very sadly, a ...

A series of hard-hitting videos highlighting the devastating impact of knife crime have been created as part of an education package to be delivered to young people in schools. Filmed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Dorset Police, each video features different people who have all experienced the tragic consequences ...

A man has been sentenced at court after admitting causing a fatal road traffic collision in Bere Regis. Michael Stewart, aged 51 and of Millfield, Poole, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 4 October 2024 to be sentenced after previously entering a guilty plea to offences of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and ...

The Flu Fighters are being called in to help protect Dorset’s children this winter! In a collaboration between the NHS and schools across the county, a colourful storybook, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, is being distributed to thousands of children. The book tells the story of three slimy alien invaders from the Planet Bogey who ...

Motorists are advised that the B3157 coast road from Weymouth to Bridport is closed at Portesham while Wessex Water lay a new water main, although pedestrians and pedal cyclists can pass through. The work which began on 30th September is likely to take six weeks to complete with diversions in place.  

A firework display in Portland Harbour late yesterday evening around 10 pm, that is thought to be linked with Netflix filming on a super yacht that was seen in Weymouth Bay recently, has drawn mixed emotions. The loud explosions were heard all over Weymouth, and although it was advertised and a warning had been issued by ...

Dorset Council have told KeeP 106 that in the first month since the launch of Beryl electric assisted bikes in Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth on 20 August 2024, riders have collectively covered an impressive 27,000 kilometres. Over 5,000 journeys were taken in the first month, with the average journey being just under 5km. Many people also ...

A man has been sentenced after admitting the manslaughter of 35-year-old Daniel Mark Hrycyszyn in Weymouth. Joe Michael Williams, aged 19, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday 2 October 2024 to be sentenced after he had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to four years in custody and will be the ...

At around 10.40pm on Friday 27 September 2024 a man aged in his 20s was assaulted by three men outside the male toilets on the first floor of The Royal Oak Wetherspoon pub in High West Street and Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The man was subsequently taken ...

A man has been arrested in connection with a reported assault in Weymouth town centre. Officers are continuing to investigate an incident that was reported to have occurred at around 12.50am on Sunday 29 September 2024 near to the junction of Caroline Place and Westham Road. It was reported that a man aged in his 30s was ...

Trains services resumed this morning (Monday 30 September) between Castle Cary and Weymouth following a week-long closure of the Heart of Wessex line for vital upgrades. During the week-long closure, Network Rail’s team of engineers replaced around a mile’s worth of track between Thornford and Yeovil Pen Mill, including installing over 2,000 new sleepers and 3,600 ...

Two Winchester City goals, one each from Jamie Barron and Tommy Wright, put the Citizens in control of the proceedings at Hillier Way. Weymouth were within ten minutes of crashing out of the FA Cup at the third qualifying round stage before scoring twice to earn themselves a replay on Tuesday night at the Bob Lucas ...

Spotted anchored in Weymouth Bay (you can hardly miss it) by our roving reporter Idris Martin is this Superyacht Savannah. A boat full of sightseers cruising alongside the superyacht were hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood stars Keira Knightley or Guy Pearce, who are rumoured to be filming on board. Savannah is an 83m luxury motor ...

On Wednesday 25 September, managing director of The Gardens Group, Mike Burks, was presented with the Pearson Memorial Medal by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). Recognised for his role at the forefront of environmental work within the industry and his outstanding contributions and leadership within the sector, while running Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester, Castle Gardens ...

A service launched earlier this year for children and young people with additional needs is already making a difference to their lives. Dorset Council’s Birth to Settled Adulthood service, which launched in April, supports children and young people with complex health needs, disability or who have special educational needs and is currently making a difference to ...

Dorset residents are being urged to go online and spend five minutes to complete the council’s annual canvass. This is to confirm the details of those living at the address to ensure the electoral roll is updated accurately. There have been local and national elections this year, but the annual canvass is still a legal requirement and ...

At around 3.10am on Sunday 3 December 2023 Dorset Police received a report that a group of people were behaving aggressively towards members of the public in the area of Park Street. It was further reported that a member of the public was threatened by two men carrying knives. Following enquires by officers, a 20-year-old man and ...

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of a road traffic collision in Weymouth to come forward. On Monday 23 September 2024 at 8:38 pm the police received a report of a collision involving a grey BMW 3 series and a silver Honda motorcycle in Lynch Road. The rider of the motorbike – ...

On Friday 20th September 2024 the Environment Agency reopened the final consultation into an application for a permit to operate a new waste incinerator in Portland. This has come about because an administrative error during a public consultation in the summer meant some people who wanted to submit a response may have been unable to. However, ...

An operating theatre at Weymouth Community Hospital has been upgraded to allow Dorset County Hospital (DCH) to perform a range of elective surgeries and reduce waiting lists. Dorset HealthCare, which manages Weymouth Community Hospital, has refurbished and upgraded the theatre, so that DCH can use it to perform a range of elective surgeries, including orthopaedic procedures ...

A 70th-minute Charlie Rowan equaliser from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area that the Worthing keeper fumbled salvaged a National League South point for Weymouth after the Rebels had taken the lead in the first half, making the final score Weymouth 1 vs Worthing 1. Our Man at the Match said, “Considering. ...

By Idris Martin This Burnt Out motorbike appeared overnight between Thursday to Friday morning on the track at the bottom of Grove Avenue Weymouth, popular with dog walkers and children making their way towards the Lodmoor Country Park play area. A local resident who declined to be identified said, “It’s disgusting to deliberately set fire to a ...

At around 4am on Friday 20 September 2024 a blue Audi A4 car was stolen from outside an address in Jestys Avenue, Weymouth. Police Constable James Janssen, of Dorset Police, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the Audi A4 being driven around the relevant time of the incident to please contact us. “I am reaching ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward after a serious collision in Dorchester. Dorset Police received a report at 1.47pm on Thursday 19 September 2024 of a collision involving a red Jeep Compass and a pedestrian on the A35 at Kingston Pond. The pedestrian – a woman aged in her 70s ...

A warm, sunny day, a bumper crowd, and the appearance of television star Martin Clunes have all contributed to the highest ever total raised by the Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete. The 27th annual flagship fundraiser has added a stunning £28,211 to the coffers, in a year where the charity is expecting to spend a million pounds ...

Read Easy South Dorset are appealing for redundant tablets that you would be prepared to donate to a worthwhile cause. If they can be wiped clean then RESD could put them to very good use. RESD offers free, one-to-one help to anyone aged 18 or over who struggles with reading. They may not be able to ...

Great Western Railway services will be affected by rail improvement work taking place between Somerset and Dorset later this week. Network Rail will replace track on the Heart of Wessex line this autumn, and train services will be impacted between Dorchester and Weymouth on Sunday 22 September: GWR trains will still run between Dorchester West and Westbury, ...

Dorset Council is pleased to announce that empty food and drink cartons, as well as foil trays and sheet foil, can now be placed in your household recycling bin for collection. The Recycle for Dorset kerbside collection scheme has been an enormous success since its introduction over a decade ago. Dorset Council is currently the number ...

The Office of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Michael Dooley LVO MMs FRCOG succeeding Angus Campbell CVO, who recently retired after serving 10 years in the role. Mr Dooley commenced his new role on 5th September, taking on the responsibility of representing His Majesty The King in Dorset. As HM ...

Officers investigating a road traffic collision in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward. The collision occurred at around 2.30pm on Saturday 7 September 2024 on Chickerell Link Road, at the junction with Link Park Road. It was reported that a vehicle travelling along Chickerell Link Road toward Chickerell Camp ...

Another man has been jailed for his part in public disorder during a protest in Weymouth. Ian Wyn Thomas, aged 47 and of Elliott Road in Bournemouth, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison after admitting offences of violent disorder and assaulting ...

All of our local senior men’s non-league football teams were successful this weekend. Weymouth progress into the hat for the third qualifying FA Cup draw after beating Sholing away on Saturday by 4 goals to 1. The Terras scores came from, Josh McQuoid, Charlie Rowan, Harry Jones and Tom Bearwish. In the Southern Premier League, Dorchester’s Polish striker ...

A police superintendent has appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a drink driving offence. Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, aged 45, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 September 2024 and pleaded guilty to driving while over the prescribed legal alcohol limit. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday 5 November 2024. At around 4pm ...

Dorset Coast Forum is inviting residents, visitors and businesses to have their say on proposed works to repair and update the Chesil Cove Curved Sea Wall. The current wall was built in 1965 and designed to deflect waves and prevent major slumping of the land above which includes the main A354 road. Some repairs were undertaken on ...

People living in Dorset are being reminded to find out which vaccinations they are eligible for ahead of the coming winter months. Vaccinations are the most effective way of protecting yourself against potentially life-threatening diseases including COVID-19 and flu. Children and pregnant women are the first in line for the annual flu vaccination programme this September.  There ...

A local community has taken a significant step closer to having greater influence over planning decisions in their area. Wool Parish Council has submitted a new Neighbourhood Plan for independent examination. The plan has been drawn up by residents, and agreed by the parish council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of ...

Preparations for Ironman 70.3 2024, on 15th September, are underway already. The organisers of the international event taking place on Sunday are already constructing their facilities at the Lodmoor Country Car Park, which is close to the start line on Preston Beach. If past events are to go by, it takes at least 6 days to get ...

A minute’s silence was observed before the kick of the Weymouth & Portland v Bridport rugby game at Monmouth Avenue as a mark of respect for the Seahorses’ former player and committee man Derek Smith, who passed away recently. The Tribute Rugby Leagues kicked off on Saturday with Dorchester at home against Melksham and Weymouth & ...

Dorset Police received a report at 6:40pm on Wednesday 4 September 2024 raising concerns for the welfare of a man on a roof at Dorset County Hospital. Officers attended and attempts were made to engage with the man. They were assisted by the fire service and the NPAS helicopter before the man was taken to safety at ...

Dorset Council will be honouring the heroic people who work for the NHS and the emergency services in the UK on Emergency Services Day Monday 9 September. The 999 Emergency Services Flag will be raised at County Hall in Dorchester to remember and thank men and women from police, fire and rescue service and wider NHS. A ...

Portland United Football Club manager Kyle Critchell and his assistant Jamie Symes have both elected to stand down from managing the Blues senior team. Club chairman Matt Lucas thanked both Kyle and Jamie for all of the hard work that they had put in over previous seasons and wished them both all the best in their ...

After 10 years as Dorset’s Lord-Lieutenant, the Sovereign’s representative in the county, Angus Campbell CVO retires today, 4 September. Having been appointed in 2014, he first served Her Majesty the Queen, whom he welcomed to Dorset on two occasions as well as most members of the Royal Family visiting Dorset on a total of 43 occasions ...

Air Ambulance Week 2024 takes place between 9th – 15th September and is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the vital life-saving work of air ambulance charities across the UK. and three National Trust buildings will light up in support of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. One of those buildings is Corfe Castle. At ...

Detectives have issued a further update following enquiries into the circumstances of the death of a man at a holiday park near Dorchester. On Sunday 23 June 2024 at 12.27am Dorset Police received a report raising a concern for the welfare of a man believed to be in Heron Lake, situated within Warmwell Holiday Park, Crossways. Emergency ...

It is estimated over 200,000 people in Dorset are living with high blood pressure and without regular testing this can go unnoticed, sometimes leading to serious health issues including stroke and heart attack. This year to mark Know Your Numbers week (2 – 8 September), local clinicians are encouraging people to sign up to BP@Home, an ...