News Archive

Two men from Weymouth have been jailed for sexually abusing girls. Kenneth James Rogers, 59 and of Weymouth, previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of rape of a child under the age of 16, one count of rape of a child under the age of 13, indecent assault, assault of a child under the age of ...

Cllr. Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, has told KeeP 106 about the importance of Local Plans. “Local Plans are a key component of the planning system. They shape how land use and places will change and develop in the future. This is why I have been, and continue to be, in a dialogue with the ...

The organisers of Dorchester Beerex, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and charity partner Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary club, are delighted to announce that profits for the 33rd Dorchester Beerex held in the Corn Exchange, Dorchester will be in the region of £18K all in. Amongst other donations a large part of profits will go to ...

GO Girls welcomes the NICE decision to recommend the use of a new cancer drug which provides a treatment option for patients with a common and aggressive form of advanced endometrial cancer (cancer of the womb lining). The decision has been announced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to issue a final ...

A week-long celebration of Brewing and Distilling is taking place in Dorchester from Friday 18th February – Sunday 27th February 2022. The festival will honour the town’s prestigious brewing and distilling history through a series of tastings, exhibitions, talks, poetry, and world-class drinks. It will launch with a weekend celebrating women in brewing and locally ...

It was two days after the first Covid lockdown came to an end: Sunday, 5 July 2020. Warren Wright (34) was in the back of the family car, caring for his six-month old baby daughter as they travelled back to London. His wife of nearly three years was driving. They had enjoyed a happy, sunny, ...

A motorist who admitted that his dangerous driving caused a fatal road traffic collision in Wool has been jailed. Stephen Sheppard, aged 41 and of Redhill Drive in Bournemouth, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday 7 February 2022 after admitting an offence of causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to three ...

The weekly Covid-19 update for 4th February from Public Health Dorset reveals that, again, infection rates have continued to rise gradually over the past week. Cases remain lowest in over 65s and highest amongst school aged children. The number of people in hospital in Dorset with COVID-19 has risen this week from 61 to 90. Public ...

From Monday 21st February to Saturday 26th February, Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester is hosting a range of seaside themed activities for half-term. Based in Dorchester, Shire Hall Museum brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life. With interactive galleries, immersive cells and the impressive courtroom, there is something for everyone at the Museum. For ...

It has been announced that returning to Dorchester this year is Window Wanderland, a walking trail to light up our streets described as “a Covid-safe way to connect people, transforming streets into magical outdoor galleries.” Volunteer organiser Kathy O’Borne has told KeeP 106: “Last year, over 200 households, schools and businesses helped to create a magical outdoor ...

The main contractor on the current Dorset County Hospital construction project, Willmott Dixon, recently donated 600 tree whips to be planted at the rapidly emerging new community woodland at Kings Road in Dorchester, but the input didn’t stop there. Willmott Dixon team members then helped to plant the whips during a fun morning alongside staff ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after a seagull was shot with an object from a catapult in Dorchester. At around 3.25pm on Sunday 30 January 2022 a group of male and female teenagers were shooting at a seagull using a catapult on Weymouth Avenue. An injured seagull was taken to ...

A man has been jailed for three years after admitting grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a Weymouth teenage girl he had met online. Joshua McLoughlin, 24 and of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 28 January 2022 after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to grooming a child, meeting ...

Dorset Museum has announced its first Wedding Fair is to be held on Sunday 20th February 2022, 11:00-15:00, working alongside a variety of local suppliers to help couples plan their forthcoming nuptials. Offering exclusive hire of its wonderful spaces and facilities, Dorset Museum can create the perfect setting tailored directly to your needs. The Museum is ...

The significant fall in case rates that we have seen over the past few weeks has now tailed off and infection rates have started to rise again since last week’s update, reports Public Health Dorset. However, case rates for Dorset remain below the national and regional averages. Case rates are highest amongst children. There are currently ...

Officers conducting enquiries on behalf of HM Coroner of Dorset into two non-suspicious deaths in the Bridport area are appealing for information from the public. At 10.11am on Tuesday 25 January 2022 Dorset Police received a report of two people, a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man, having been found dead at Bothenhampton Reservoir, Wych Hill. Officers ...

A Weymouth roofer has been prosecuted and sentenced after pleading guilty to charging for work he did not do and unnecessary work at the homes of two women in Dorset, one aged 94, the other 67. Frenny William Jordan (aged 60) of Wyke Road, Weymouth, trading as Ultimate Roofing and Building, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court ...

The Coroner for Dorset is seeking the assistance of the public to find the next of kin for a woman who died in Weymouth. Karen Edmunds, who was 72 years old, died at her home on Tuesday 25 January 2022. Her home address was 8 Lansdowne Square, Weymouth. Her death is not suspicious and no police investigation is ...

Officers investigating an assault in Wool are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident occurred at around 3pm on Saturday 22 January 2022 in Wareham Road. It was reported that a 14-year-old boy was approached by two other male teenagers and punched a number of times to the face and body. He ...

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has lobbied Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a clampdown on absentee landlords who exploit tax loopholes for holiday lets. The Government has responded by announcing on Friday 14th January a clamp down on those who avoid paying their fair share of taxes to support local services. Mr Loder told KeeP 106; “Tax ...

Cllr. Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, has told KeeP 106 about the importance of Local Plans. “Local Plans are a key component of the planning system. They shape how land use and places will change and develop in the future. This is why I have been, and continue to be, in a dialogue with the ...

On Sunday 16th January a group of concerned Dorset constituents gathered outside the office of local MP Chris Loder, in Poundbury. They were there to express their collective concern that the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill, currently under review in the House of Lords, if passed in it’s entirety,  would mean the end ...

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has told KeeP 106 it is delighted to announce the launch of its ‘Blossoming and Blooming’ Open Gardens initiative. ‘Blossoming and Blooming’ is the charity’s latest fundraising initiative, which asks people to show their support by opening their gardens to members of the public between June and September this year. The ...

A cyclist is recovering in hospital after coming off their bike following what is believed to be a medical episode. The cyclist was traveling towards Bockhampton when witnesses reported that he veered off the road landing in the verge. The casualty was lying unconscious on the side of the road whilst being cared for by members of ...

Public Health Dorset report that infection rates in Dorset have fallen steeply from a peak in early January. This is a similar picture to the national trend and case rates in Dorset are now below the average rates for England and the South West. Infection rates remain high and there are still thousands of people ...

Refurbishment of Dorset County Hospital’s Emergency Department is progressing well, with two new clinical areas now in use. The Trust received one-off funding from NHS England of £15million, as part of a drive to upgrade several Emergency Departments across the country. The scheme aims to enhance infection prevention and control measures and reduce the risk of ‘corridor ...

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, provides an update on Redlands and the current discussions around the future of the on-site sports centre. “Last June, Weymouth College announced it is unable to continue funding all facilities at Redlands Community Sports Hub, which it leases from Dorset Council. While the outdoor facilities ...

People across the Dorset Council area that are in digital need can now apply for a free device and data. The council has been awarded £20,000 for its new Digital Doorway scheme, which will see it issue around 60 tablets and laptops with up to two years’ worth of data, to people who are currently digitally ...

Today (19 January) the Prime Minister announced the easing of ‘Plan B’ coronavirus measures. This includes: • Removing the requirement to work from home from 19 January • Removing the requirement for staff and pupils in secondary schools and colleges to wear a face covering in classrooms from 20 January • Removing the requirement to wear a face ...

The 17th January saw the launch of the ‘Dorset Deserves Better’ campaign which aims to change the Dorset Local Plan. In the Plan Dorset Council proposes to build over 39,000 new dwellings – plus roads, car parks & services – which, according to the campaign alliance, encroaches on the Green Belt and famous Areas of ...

The annual Christmas drink and drug drive campaign saw Dorset Police target those who drive while under the influence. In total, Dorset Police recorded 112 arrests during the December 2021 initiative – of which 84 were for drink driving, 30 for driving under the influence of drugs, and one for failing to provide a sample for ...

Following a stabbing on Saturday afternoon which led to the victim being taken to hospital, Weymouth & Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team have updated the information. At around 1:45 pm on 15th January 2022 Dorset Police was alerted to the report of a stabbing on Weymouth Beach. The victim, a female in her 30s who was visiting ...

The A35 between Dorchester and Bridport was blocked on Sunday from 16:10 after a two vehicle collision. Fire crews from Dorchester, Bridport Fire Station and Crew Maiden Newton responded to incident which happened near Kingston Russell. A statement from the fire service said: “Once in attendance the crews found there had been a collision between two cars ...

Public Health Dorset report that in line with the national picture, infection rates have started to fall slightly across Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Infections remain at very high levels, meaning your chances of catching COVID-19 remain high and we urge everyone to continue to exercise caution by following the public health measures. The number ...

A Weymouth bar has had its licence revoked following an application by Dorset Police. The licence for Actors Bar & Club on Maiden Street was revoked following a decision made by Dorset Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee at a meeting on Wednesday 12 January 2022. The premises’ licence had previously been suspended following an earlier hearing by the committee ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following a serious injury collision in Dorchester. Dorset Police received a report at 12.13pm on Wednesday 12 January 2022 of a collision involving a white Mercedes van, a red Toyota Aygo and a black Peugeot 208 on the A35 near to the Stinsford ...

In July 2021, Weldmar Hospicecare announced that their overseas challenge would be to the Sahara Desert in November 2022. The response to the trek has been phenomenal, and Weldmar have now reached maximum numbers. Keen to not disappoint those that just missed out on a place on the November 2022 challenge, or those that we’re considering ...

Dorchester’s Brewery Square and its retailers took part in a number of events throughout 2021, raising a total of £4,541.26 for various local charities. Through live music performances, raffles and more from Brewery Square’s busy events calendar, collections took place over the course of the year to help those in need. Charlotte Spracklen, Centre Manager at Brewery ...

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward following a fail-to-stop collision near Dorchester. It is reported that at around 1.10pm on Tuesday 21 December 2021 a collision occurred involving a silver Mercedes, which was stationary, and a silver or grey Mini Clubman in the car park outside Parkhouse Pet Supplies on the Marabout ...

Dorset Coast Forum are holding a Flood Awareness drop-in event for the residents of Melcombe Regis to discuss flooding issues in the area. The event will be held at The Park Community Centre, Chelmsford Street, Weymouth, DT4 7HR. Interested persons can drop-in anytime between 4-6pm. The project is a part of the project ‘Building Resilience in ...

The latest Covid-19 update from Public Health Dorset shows that case rates have continued to rise quickly over the past week across Dorset, and remain higher than at any other point during the pandemic. Infection rates are very high across the country. In Dorset we have started to see hospitalisations related to COVID-19 rise, up to ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of the Fire Kills campaign is asking people to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them regularly. Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, and fire safety should be top of the list. So, ...

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is delighted to announce that online registration for this year’s Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will open at 10.00am on Tuesday 11th January 2022. The charity’s ever-popular Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge takes place on Sunday 15th May 2022 and supporters wishing to take part, will have to be quick, as ...

Parents and carers whose children will be starting primary, infant, junior or middle school for the first time this September, have just a few days left to apply for a place at their chosen school. If you haven’t already done so, you need to apply by 15 January 2022 to have the best chance of securing ...

The Coroner for Dorset is seeking the assistance of the public to find the next of kin of a man who lived in Dorchester. Alan Beau Barlow, who was 55 years old, died at his home address in North Square on Wednesday 29 December 2021. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Senior Coroner’s Officer Ian Parry ...

Dorchester and Dorset councillor and retired police officer Les Fry has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Years Honours List. The award recognises Mr Fry’s voluntary service to the community in Dorchester and West Dorset. Whilst humbled by the award, Les says it’s nice to be recognised, although he doesn’t expect this ...

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat was tasked by Solent Coastguard at 10.20am on Monday 3rd January 2022 to go to Portland Harbour where there had been reports of a kite surfer in difficulties. Arriving on scene shortly after, the volunteer crew found that a kite surfer had become separated from her kite. Both surfer and kite were ...

A host of great ideas have been put forward by staff at Dorset HealthCare to improve local services – and your help is needed to choose the best ones. The Trust has re-opened its Dragons’ Den staff innovation competition, with £10,000 up for grabs to support proposals for the benefit of patients, carers and/or staff. Some fantastic ...

COVID-19 cases have risen sharply across the SW region and we are seeing this in both Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas and Dorset Council areas. Hospitalisations have remained fairly stable but Public Health Dorset continue to monitor the trend as there can be a delay between rising cases and the impact on hospitalisations. Find ...

Dorset Council are planning to make improvements to bus services and has submitted its Bus Service Improvement Plan and bid for Government’s Bus Back Better £3 billion fund. The plan requires around £92m of funding over an initial three-year period to deliver the council’s ambitious vision to transform bus services across Dorset. The next step is ...

Recently published figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show that Dorset Council’s recycling rate hit a record high last year. But modest officers have been quick to point out that the pandemic had a large part to do with the increase this time around. For the 2020/21 fiscal year, the latest DEFRA ...

On Boxing Day at 4:22pm the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was requested by Solent Coastguard to attend a suspected incident at Durdle Door. It had been reported that a person was trying to jump into the water. Seven minutes later, as the light was fading, the request was made for the All-weather lifeboat to join the Inshore ...

Fans of George Michael, Tina Turner, the Bee Gees and more are set to enjoy again Music By The Lake following Weldmar Hospicecare’s announcement that the popular event is due to return in 2022, all at a new, larger, venue. Dorset County Showground is the new home for the weekend long, live music extravaganza, which takes ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following a fatal collision in Weymouth. The collision occurred at around 11.29am on Friday 24 December 2021 on the A354 Weymouth Way and involved a silver Mitsubishi 4×4 and a cyclist. Very sadly, the cyclist – a local man aged in his 50s – ...

Public Health Dorset report that case rates have risen sharply in England over the past week and we are now starting to see this in our local data as cases have risen in both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas. More info in our weekly update. Changes to self-isolation The guidance on self-isolation for ...

News from the North Pole! Santa Claus is officially covid secure. According to the Lancashire Hotpots Santa’s suit has been pressed, the sleigh’s looking pretty and he’s got the go ahead from Professor Chris Whitty. Among the many responses to this excellent news was this from Adrian: “I first heard this song for the first time on ...

National Highways will start a scheme next month to ease flooding issues and improve safety for motorists in Dorset. Following a recently completed drainage scheme at the Monkey’s Jump roundabout near Dorchester, the company will be start working on 4 January to improve drainage at the Max Gate junction further along the A35. Improvements at the Monkey’s ...

David Collins, along with his wife Debbie, mother Sylvia and pet dog Ozzy, called at Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station on Tuesday 21st December to hand over a cheque for £873 to Weymouth RNLI Coxswain Andy Sargent. David, who is the skipper/owner of dive boat Waverider and runs Jurassic Aqua Sports from Lynch Lane Weymouth, organised a ...

Dorset Council remind us a health walk is a free, short and regular guided walk that lasts between ten to ninety minutes for people of all abilities. They are the perfect way to get more active and to meet new people. With so many beautiful parks, green spaces, towns and villages waiting to be explored ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following an alleged theft and subsequent assault near Dorchester. It is reported that some time between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday 13 December 2021 a laptop and handbag were stolen from a car parked on Bull Lane in Maiden Newton. After discovering the reported theft, at around 7.30pm the ...