News Archive

On Tuesday 25 July 2023, Dorset Council’s draft library strategy will be reviewed by Cabinet for approval. The strategy aims to protect and enhance the council’s library service, with a fresh approach to delivering services and no proposed branch closures. The strategy has been shaped by public feedback and data. The first phase of consultation sought ...

Dorchester is to host a “Streets Alive!” event celebrating International Car-Free Day in Acland Road car park on 22nd September 2023. There will be a festival with stalls, music, activities, and demonstrations in the car park in the afternoon from 12pm to 5pm. Local school children will be taking part with members of the public ...

Three of Dorset’s leading climate action groups have come together to organise a pioneering event with the aim of spurring the local community into urgent action to combat the threats posed by climate change and ecological collapse. Zero Carbon Dorset, Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) and Sustainable Dorset have joined forces to launch the ...

A man has been arrested in connection with a report of an upskirting offence at a shop in Weymouth. It was reported that at around 3pm on Friday 16 June 2023 a 14-year-old girl was in the Tesco Express store on Portland Road in Wyke Regis when a man was apparently seen apparently trying to take ...

Our correspondent Idris Martin reports that the local charity Family Matters whose motto is “A Gift From One Family To Another” held a fund raiser at the Famous Old Spa pub in Weymouth on Saturday. The charity provides good clothes, toys and equipment for babies and pre-schoolers to local families in need and all items are ...

Weymouth Football Club’s senior men’s team welcomed Bournemouth’s under 21 side to the Bob Lucas Stadium for a pre-season fixture on Saturday and turned over the Premier League youngsters by 2 goals to 1. The Terras goals coming from Dan Roberts and Tom Bearwish. Dorchester were also in pre-season action at the Avenue Stadium against Frome Town and ...

A man has come forward following a CCTV appeal in relation to a report of an upskirting offence at a shop in Weymouth. It was reported that at around 3pm on Friday 16 June 2023 a 14-year-old girl was in the Tesco Express store on Portland Road in Wyke Regis when a man was seen apparently ...

Police have said that a motorist has come forward following an image appeal in relation to an alleged fail-to-stop road traffic collision in Dorchester. The incident occurred at around 8.50pm on Thursday 15 June 2023 in Kings Road. A 13-year-old boy was riding his bike when he reportedly had to take evasive action to avoid a ...

Officers searching for a missing man in the Weymouth area have very sadly found a body. At around 1.45pm on Tuesday 11 July 2023, it was reported that the body of a man had been found in the Nottington area. While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be that of John Manley ...

Three of our local football clubs were in pre-season action on Saturday. Weymouth travelled to Wimborne and returned with 3 goals to 2 win under their belts. The Terras goals coming from Tom Bearwish with a penalty with Tommy Stag and Elliott Rossiter adding a goal each. Dorchester went down at the Avenue Stadium by a goal to ...

Officers investigating a fail-to-stop collision in Weymouth are appealing for a witness who stopped at the scene to come forward. The incident occurred at around 6pm on Monday 19 June 2023 on Dorchester Road, near to the roadworks between the Manor Roundabout and Morrisons. It is reported that a male pedestrian was knocked to the ground by ...

Officers investigating an alleged assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. It is reported that at around 9.15pm on Saturday 1 July 2023 a woman was assaulted on the stairs near to Littlemoor Doctors Surgery. During the incident, it is alleged that the victim’s mobile phone was damaged. A 29-year-old local ...

It has been reported that the former Marks and Spencer store in Dorchester’s South Street is to become a hotel. The building was purchased by Whitbread, who own Premier Inn, in early June 2023, and it is the company’s intention to restore the building, which is in a poor state of repair, to be a 100 ...

Dorset Council has today (6th July) issued a further statement regarding the council’s position on the Portland asylum seekers’ barge scheme. It can be seen from the statement that, although the council opposes the scheme, it is not able to legally challenge the Home Office’s decision. The statement reads as follows: Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio ...

Officers investigating a road traffic collision in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch. Dorset Police received a report at 3.53pm on Wednesday 5 July 2023 of a single-vehicle collision involving a blue Renault Modus at the roundabout between the junctions with Peverell Avenue West and Bridport Road. The driver, a ...

A body has very sadly been found on a beach on Portland and is believed to be that of missing Joe Clements from Weymouth. Dorset Police received a report at 5.45am on Wednesday 5 July 2023 that a body had been found on Chesil Beach. While the body has not yet been formally identified, it is believed ...

An investigation is underway after a schoolboy sustained serious injuries following a collision in Weymouth in which the driver failed to stop. At around 2.45pm on Tuesday 4 July 2023 the boy, aged 12, was crossing Chickerell Road when he was struck by a car that subsequently failed to stop at the scene. Limited details are known ...

There are just three weeks to go until Dorchester is taken over by beautiful bright sunflowers this summer to raise money for Dorset County Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). From 1st August, visitors are invited to visit the town centre to see a sunflower extravaganza. Beautiful sunflower sculptures will be suspended across South Street and ...

Dorset Council has today (3rd July) issued information regarding the Bibby Stockholm barge due to arrive at Portland Port to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers. The information has been released by Dorset Council despite considerable local opposition – see the links at the end of this article. The information as supplied by Dorset Council reads ...

Officers investigating a report of an assault in Weymouth are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. It was reported that at around 3pm on Sunday 2 July 2023 a woman aged in her 40s was assaulted by a man on Westham Bridge. The woman did not sustain any serious injuries. Following enquiries, a local man aged in ...

Officers investigating reported criminal damage to eight vehicles near Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. It was reported at around 8pm on Saturday 1 July 2023 that damage had been caused to a number of vehicles parked at the Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show at Knights in the Bottom. Several ...

The staff at Wyke Regis Surgery have moved to reassure patients they are not closing in response to inaccurate information on being circulated online. Practice Manager Ann Klust said: “In recent days we have had patients approaching us asking if the surgery is closing as they have seen information circulating suggesting this is the case. “We can ...

Lock forward Ralph Green was elected by his Weymouth & Portland Rugby Club team mates as their Player of the 2022 / 23 Season . He was presented with the award by head coach Rich Bament at the Seahorse’s annual presentation evening held at their Monmouth Avenue clubhouse on Saturday. Bament also presented young scrum half Jacob ...

Officers investigating a report of a robbery on Weymouth seafront have made an arrest. Dorset Police received a report from a third party that some time between 5pm on Friday 26 May and 7am on Saturday 27 May 2023 a man was assaulted near to the Jubilee Clock Tower on The Esplanade, and items were allegedly ...

By KeeP 106 presenters and reporters, Nick Billings and Peter Foster: Crowds gathered in Poundbury today as King Charles and Queen Camilla made a visit there to mark the completion of the Queen Mother square. A local brass band welcomed the arrival of  the royal couple, who unveiled a plaque of commemoration at the Royal Pavilion, as ...

Following on from last year’s successful event, Home of Hillforts & Henges is back in 2023, taking place in Dorchester from 28th to 30th July. Celebrating a landscape rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years, activities will again take place at multiple locations across the town. A great opportunity ...

The Urban Heath Partnership (UHP), Litter Free Dorset (LFD) and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) are working together to raise awareness of the risk of wildfires on heathland and forests during the soaring summer temperatures. You might see large banners around these sites reminding everyone of the risks, these are a key ...

Dorset League Cricket Results: Premier Division. Bere Regis beat Poole by 2 wickets, Blandford lost at Wimborne by 5 wickets, Dorchester won at home against Sherborne by 6 wickets and Martinstown had an 8-wicket victory at home against Cattistock and Symene. Division 1: Portland Red Triangle overcame the challenge of of Puddletown beating the village side by 8 wickets ...

A new car parking system for patients, staff and visitors will come into operation at Dorset County Hospital on Monday 3 July. The Trust is introducing a barrier system with automatic number plate recognition for all patients, staff and visitors entering and leaving the main hospital site via Williams Avenue. It will allow patients and visitors to ...

Litter Free Dorset are excited to share that we have partnered with Weymouth Town Council and Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project to expand our popular beach toy library, with two additional locations on the busy Weymouth Seafront just in time for the start of summer holidays. The toy library allows visitors to borrow and ...

A statement issued by Dorset Council on 22nd June reported that the Council’s Facebook page had disappeared without warning. A further statement made today (23nd June) confirmed that it has now been restored. The statement reads thus: “We’re very pleased to announce that the Dorset Council UK Facebook page is back up and running. “Meta has reviewed ...

The #SeeYouOnTheRoad Competition is back for 2023. Following the success of last year’s competition, Dorset Road Safe are once again running a competition for young people aged between 9-16 to design a poster, social media image or animation that can be used to spread awareness of the risks of pedestrian distraction. Sadly, there were over 100 young people ...

Dorset Police received reports at around 8.45am on Friday 16 June 2023 that a man was in possession of a large metal pole on the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth and officers investigating are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. A 46-year-old man from Weymouth was arrested on suspicion of affray. He has ...

Officers investigating a reported assault and subsequent theft in Weymouth have made an arrest. The incident occurred at around 6.50pm on Saturday 10 June 2023 on Westham Bridge. It was reported that the victim – a man aged in his 20s – was assaulted by three young male offenders. The victim’s phone fell out of his pocket during ...

The Borough Gardens Play area in Dorchester has recently seen a new addition in the form of a communication board. Based on similar boards used in some schools, the communication boards feature pictures and symbols which are intended to allow autistic and verbally non -communicative children to express themselves to others in an easy fun way. ...

The Weymouth Flood and Coastal Protection Project is starting its second round of public engagement, giving everyone the chance to comment on the scheme. Led by Dorset Council, the project aims to deliver improved protection against flooding and coastal erosion in Weymouth. Dorset Coast Forum are leading on the engagement for the scheme. The team are now ...

The Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District) has been funding the provision of the latest technology defibrillators in town for over 10 years now. Improvements in technology mean that units become much easier to use. The latest Zol defibrillators that the DBID has purchased talk the user through how to use them, which means anyone should ...

Officers investigating criminal damage in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At approximately 3.55pm on Saturday 3 June 2023 damage was caused by two boys to the Brownsword Hall in Pummery Square, Poundbury. The offenders are described as white male teenagers, aged between 14 and 16 years old and approximately five ...

Dorset Police received a report at 12.16am on Tuesday 13 June 2023 of a burglary at the Thomas Hardye School in Queens Avenue. Officers attended and two boys, aged 16 and 17 from Dorchester, were arrested on suspicion of burglary. They have been de-arrested while further enquiries are carried out. Police Constable Dan White, of Dorchester police, ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after an assault and subsequent theft in Weymouth. The incident occurred at around 6.50pm on Saturday 10 June 2023 on Westham Bridge. It is reported that the victim – a man aged in his 20s – was assaulted by three young male offenders. The victim’s wallet and phone fell out ...

Ruby Clark, Chloe Lepage, Joy Sapsford, Lucetta Riley and Emma Potter have all re-signed for Weymouth Football Club’s women’s team for next season. The Wessex League have presented Portland United’s Programme Editor Lin McKechnie with the Programme of the Year award. The Blues have been paired with Totton and Elling in the first round of the Wessex League Cup ...

Diabetes Awareness Week takes place between 12 and 18 June with people in Dorset being urged to find out more about the condition and seek advice if they recognise the symptoms. Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. It can happen when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the ...

SummerFest, a one-day family fun festival organised by Weymouth and Portland Round Table at Redlands Leisure & Community Park on June 3rd has raised over £23,000 for local causes in the area. Members of the Round Table wanted to raise vital funds for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance after one of their own, Grant Tewkesbury, ...

The popular Dorset Sunflower Trail will open for its third season in summer 2023 at Maiden Castle Farm, on the outskirts of Dorchester. Some 750,000 sunflower seeds have been planted to create two spectacular trails for visitors from far and wide. As well as the stunning Sunflower Trail, visitors can also enjoy local ice creams, rest ...

Residents and visitors to Weymouth will notice an enhanced visible police presence in the town centre this summer in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal activity. This summer, the neighbourhood policing team will build on the success of past campaigns by working with members of Dorset Council’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) to ...

If you want to be guaranteed a tip top cider then the Woodman Inn pub in Bridport is the place to go. Having been nominated by West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale members it was judged and came top of the class in the annual cider pub of the year competition. The Woodman is a classic ...

Organisations that work with Dorset’s young people are being urged to get their skates on and bid for funding that could help transform lives. They have until 14 June to get on board and be in with a chance of securing funding from Dorset Council. The Dorset Youth Fund helps groups and clubs make a real difference ...

As part of the Wessex Folk Festival folk band Arish Mell played a re-union gig at the King’s Arms in Weymouth on Sunday afternoon. It was the first time they had played together for over 20 years. They were a regulars playing in the pub on most Sunday evenings. Vocalist Des Quick said, ” We are missing ...

Officers investigating a report of a robbery on Weymouth seafront are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report from a third party that some time between 5pm on Friday 26 May 2023 and 7am on Saturday 27 May 2023 a man was assaulted near to the Jubilee Clock ...

Bill Beaumont Division 2 County Championship Final: Dorset & Wilts 37 v Durham 15 at Ealing Trailfinders RFC, 03/06/2023. Three times past winners of the division 3 championship the Twin Counties lifted the division 2 silverware with a stunning second half display of rugby. The first 40 minutes were nip and tuck with both teams crossing the whitewash 3 ...

Detectives investigating an alleged attempted robbery in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident occurred at around 6.25pm on Tuesday 23 May 2023 on the beach under the Pier Bandstand off The Esplanade after the victim was approached by two men. It is reported that one of them told the ...

A cabinet containing a number of items of jewellery was stolen from a stall in Bridport Market at around 2.35pm on Saturday 13 May 2023 and officers are appealing for information which could assist their investigation. The stolen items include a vintage Eterna nine carat gold watch, a nine carat omega bracelet with ‘1963’ etched on ...

With recent rises in some public car parks in busy tourist areas, Dorset Council is urging people to check the cost benefits of its permits. The cost of its permits has been frozen this year, with the Short Stay and Flexi car park permits offering savings: Short Stay Two hours parking every day in most of the council’s ...

Events at Weymouth Bay will kick off a summer of fun to celebrate some of England’s most iconic scenery along the recently renamed King Charles III England Coast Path. Nothe Fort will be the site of events over the weekend of June 10 and 11 and is free for all to enjoy, enabling individuals and community ...

Detectives investigating an alleged assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward – with one man arrested. The incident occurred at around 1.30pm on Friday 26 May 2023 in Dorchester Road near to Tesco Express in Upwey. It is reported that two men – both aged in their 30s – were ...

Bill Beaumont RFU County Championship Semi Final: Dorset & Wilts 47 pts v East Midlands 24. At Dorchester RFC. Despite leaving the East Midlands at 7 00am the visitors were caught up in the Bank Holiday traffic and did not arrive at Coburg Road until 15 minutes before the scheduled kick off. A meeting with the management ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they are investigating a serious road traffic collision near Dorchester. At 4.17pm on Friday 26 May 2023, police were called to the incident on the B3143, Slyer’s Lane between Piddlehinton and Dorchester. The collision involved a dark blue Vauxhall Insignia, a white BMW 3 ...

Dorset & Wilts RFU Press release: Senior men’s county rugby returns to Dorchester on Saturday for the first time in over 20 years. The Dorset & Wilts senior men’s team lock horns with their East Midlands counterparts in the semi-final of the Bill Beaumont RFU County Championship kicking off 3 00pm with the winners going into ...

Dorset Police received a report at around 6.45pm on Tuesday 23 May 2023 of a disturbance involving a man outside The John Gregory pub in Radipole Lane and officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. It is reported that the man shouted threats toward members of the public. Officers attended and a ...

Officers investigating a serious road traffic collision near Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. The incident, involving a blue Land Rover Discovery and a Royal Mail van, happened on Westleaze near Charminster and was reported to police at 7.15am on Wednesday 24 May 2023. The driver of the Land Rover, ...