News Archive

Lloyds Banking Group have announced that they are to close the Dorchester branch of Lloyds Bank in June 2025. It is one of 136 branch closures across the country which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches. The group say the reasons for these closures are that customers are using digital services more and more for their ...

Dorset County Hospital Charity is seeking enthusiastic participants to join the DCH100 Jurassic Coast Challenge on 17-18 May 2025 in aid of the hospital’s Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit Appeal. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a lasting impact for our local hospital, whilst also getting fit and having fun. Launching the 2025 event, the ...

Jake McCarthy saved the Weymouth’s blushes by converting a 95th-minute penalty and winning the Terras a valuable point at the Bob Lucas Stadium against fellow National League South strugglers Enfield Town after the visitors had taken the lead 10 minutes earlier, also with a penalty to make the final score Weymouth 1 vs Enfield Town ...

After four years of intensive work by a team of dedicated Weymouth community members in collaboration with planning professionals, the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council for examination. This is a significant step closer for Weymouth residents to having greater influence over planning decisions in the designated Weymouth neighbourhood area. A final version of the plan has ...

NHS Dorset is extending its gratitude to the thousands of local people who have already had their flu, COVID-19 and other winter vaccinations, helping to protect themselves, their loved ones and the wider community. Flu and COVID-19 are still making people very ill across Dorset. Even more people are being encouraged to get protected and take ...

A major bequest has funded the redevelopment of Dorset County Hospital’s Prince of Wales Renal Unit. Dorset County Hospital’s Haemodialysis Unit and Prince of Wales Ward form the renal hub for in-centre renal replacement therapy across Dorset and South Somerset. The unit works closely with satellite units in Poole, Bournemouth and Yeovil to safely and ...

Officers are issuing an appeal and issuing an image of suspected stolen statues that were recovered in Dorchester and believed to have been stolen from West Dorset. On Tuesday 7 January 2025, officers recovered a large number of suspected stolen items, including high-value power tools, gardening equipment and two statues from a vehicle in the town. Police ...

Dorset charity Weldmar Hospicecare has raised an incredible £16,778 in its most successful annual Treecycle campaign to date. 1,440 trees were collected by volunteers from across the county, in return for donations to the charity. The money raised from supporters’ generous donations will help to fund the specialist end of life care for adults with a life limiting ...

A motorcycle ride out led by Dorset-based charity DocBike, has brought festive cheer to young patients staying in Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital on Christmas Day. On Sunday 22nd December 2024, over 50 big-hearted bikers took part in DocBike’s brand-new ‘Santa Toy Run’ event, to donate special gifts to young patients unable to spend Christmas ...

Between 8.15pm and 8.45pm on Saturday 11 January 2025, Dorset Police received a report that a 16-year-old boy had been assaulted on The Esplanade at the end of St Mary Street. It is reported that the victim was with three friends when a black car has stopped at the end of St Mary Street. The occupants of ...

A fire which broke out in the roof of a Dorchester care home on the night of Saturday 18th January is believed to have been caused by a faulty power wall socket. The fire, at Grassington House in Prince of Wales Road,  was extinguished by several hose reel jets by around 50 firefighters from across Dorset ...

Following their 1 nil defeat away against Worthing, Blue Terra wrote on the Fan’s Forum: “The most disappointing stat is no one hammers us, but our inability to score is sending us down”, and according to our Man at the Match, that just about sums it up. He added: “The Terras played ok, but they ...

Police officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following a reported public order incident in Dorchester. The incident occurred at around 4.30pm on Thursday 16 January 2025 in Trinity Street involving the driver of a Mercedes and a male pedestrian. It is reported that the pedestrian told the driver of the car ...

A Weymouth man has been jailed for a violent domestic assault at a home in the town. Jethro Cray-Morris, aged 45 and of Lennox Street, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 10 December 2024. He was sentenced at the same court on Friday 17 January 2025 ...

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is held annually on 27 January to remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust and in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than a million people died during the ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following an assault in Weymouth. Between 11pm and 11.30pm on Friday 13 December 2024 a woman was reportedly assaulted by an unknown woman at The Rock pub in Abbotsbury Road. It was reported that the victim was grabbed by her hair and pulled to the ...

Weymouth Town Council agreed to increase its precept for the coming year, which will see residents pay an extra £1.50 a month on a Band D property. The recommended precept of £3,899,180 for 2025/26 was agreed at Full Council on Wednesday 15th January. The £1.50 a month increase, or £18 a year towards services the Council ...

An inclusive community music event with the message of One Beat Many Sounds is taking place in Dorchester on Saturday 25th January 2025. The Love Music Hate Racism gig will celebrate both the vibrant local music scene and communities standing together in unity against hatred and division. Love Music Hate Racism is a non-partisan campaign which ...

Rich Gabe, Press Officer and Social Secretary for the West Dorset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) sends us this report: It’s nearly time to raise a glass and toast the annual Dorchester Beerex which opens on Friday January 31st & February 1st in Dorchester’s Corn exchange. The popular sell out event now in ...

Martinstown Circle Suppers have launched their 10th year of fundraising by presenting a cheque for £7,350 to Dorchester Poverty Action (DPA). The funds, raised throughout 2024, will support individuals and families in need across the DT1 and DT2 postcode areas. At the cheque presentation, which took place during the January launch event for the 2025 Circle Suppers ...

Dorset Council has announced it is taking a second look at its development plans for North Quay and Weymouth Bowl. This decision comes after a thorough evaluation process revealed that the applications the council received from potential development partners did not meet the standards the council had set for the development of these two prime real ...

Weymouth Football Club’s Senior men’s team hosted Dorking at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday and, despite putting up a valiant display, went down by 3 goals to 2. This result leaves the Terras still rooted firmly to the foot of the National League South League table, although our Man at the Match said: “Weymouth were ...

The Leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils have submitted a letter to the Government to confirm they wish to be considered as part of the Devolution Priority Programme. In a joint statement, the leaders of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, and Cllr Richard Clewer, said: “We are pleased to confirm ...

Even the most optimistic of Weymouth Football Club fans are beginning to doubt that the Terras can haul themselves out of the National League South relegation zone after Tuesday evening 2 goals to 1 loss away against fellow strugglers Welling. The Terras are rooted to the bottom of the league table in 24th place with 15 ...

Dorset Council has set out proposals for a £416 million budget for 2025/26. This marks a £39 million increase in spending from last year, injecting much needed funding into essential services for residents, especially vulnerable children and adults. Additional funding includes: £14.5 million for adult social care and housing services £1.5 million for children’s services, and £4 million for Place ...

Police officers investigating an assault near Dorchester are issuing an image of a man they would like to identify. At around 12pm on Thursday 19 December 2024 a woman was reportedly assaulted by a man in the Broadmayne area. It is alleged the man pushed the victim several times before grabbing her phone and throwing it to ...

With temperatures set to drop over the coming days and the arrival of snow in some places, the local NHS is reminding people that cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications for people with a long-term health condition. Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and ...

Dorset County Hospital Charity is delighted to announce its £2.5 million Emergency and Critical Care Appeal has reached £500K, its first major milestone. The Charity’s appeal is funding significant enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, on which construction has commenced at Dorset County Hospital.   The new build Emergency Department and Critical Care ...

Only one of our local senior football teams managed to record a win on Saturday, and that was in the Southwest Peninsular League East, where Bridport beat Bovey Tracey away by four goals to two. Solomon Ayunga, Kieran Daniels, Kieran Coombs and Riley Weedon all scored a goal each for the Bees. Weymouth hosted Boreham Wood at ...

Another fire has broken out this morning (4th January) seriously damaging another restaurant in a Dorset town. The fire is at the Dorset Burger Company in King Street, Weymouth. Road closures are currently in place and many fire engines are in attendance. Dorset Council advises access to Weymouth Railway Station is severely restricted and ask people to avoid ...

Dorset Police received a report at 5.05am on Friday 3 January 2025 that a male cyclist had been found with serious injuries in All Saints Road. Officers attended, along with the ambulance service, and road closures were put in place. The injured man, aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious ...

Detectives investigating a report of an assault and threats in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at around 7.30am on Wednesday 1 January 2025 that two victims – a man and woman – who were sitting in a Fiat Panda in Grosvenor Road were approached ...

“Christmas can be expensive and stressful. An average household in the UK spends more than £700 extra in December than in other months, according to the Bank of England”, says CAP money coach Dick Howard. “Many families will find that every penny counts in January. Rebuilding your finances can help you feel more at ease ...

As cases of Norovirus, commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug,” continue to rise, clinicians in Dorset are issuing an urgent request to the public: please avoid visiting hospitals and other premises if you are experiencing symptoms. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, putting vulnerable patients and healthcare workers at risk. ...

Idris Martin reporting. This game is claimed to be so ancient that it dates back to pre-Roman Britain. There are references to it being played as far back as 1602 in Cornwall. Another account says it was also played in Dorset in 1583. The ancient Dorset art of nurdling made its welcome return to Roman Road in ...

On the morning of 31st December, eager collectors risked lives and limbs in search for fossils at West Bay following recent rock falls below the Jurassic Coast cliffs, which were made famous by the TV drama Broadchurch. Not only were they at risk from further falls, but some got very close to the waves that were ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after an attempted robbery in Dorchester town centre. The incident occurred between 1pm and 2.30pm on Monday 23 December 2024 in the area of Trinity Street. The victim – a local man aged in his 80s – was approached by a group of people aged ...

Idris Martin reporting. The power outage that struck businesses and domestic dwellings around mid-day in Weymouth on Christmas Day has been traced to a fault in an 11,000 volt HV electric cable beneath the pavement on Weymouth’s Custom House Quay. Southern Electric engineers isolated the faulty cable and restored the supply to the area, and now that ...

Boxing Day Football. Southwest Peninsular League East. Result: Axminster nil vs Bridport 4, Fred Parsons, Kieran Daniels, Riley Weedon & Noah House scored the Bees’ goals. National League South. Result: Weymouth 2 vs Torquay United 2 Both the Terras’ goals from Brandon Goodship; the second was his 100th for the club. Southern Premier League. Result: Poole Town 1 vs Dorchester 1 The Magpies’ goal ...

Idris Martin reporting. A mains electrical fault caused many commercial and domestic properties in the south of Weymouth to lose their power on Christmas Day. A spokesperson for the Ship Inn on Custom House Quay said: “We have been told that the power could be back on at 5:00 pm, so until then, we can’t serve anyone”. The ...

Dorchester Chamber for Business has made a generous donation of £500 to the Dorchester Food Bank to support local families and individuals in need during the festive season. The funds were raised through a raffle at the Chamber’s annual President’s Breakfast earlier this month, an event that celebrated Christmas and the conclusion of another successful ...

Christmas came early for Nico and Oliver earlier this week when Father Christmas drove the morning delivery to Waitrose in Poundbury. The children who live close to the branch have a fascination with the lorries and like watching them daily when they arrive.  Father Christmas gave out gifts and a miniature lorry as well as chance ...

Weymouth Football Club’s new manager, Warren Feeney, took his team to Essex for his first National League South game at the helm of the Terras senior men’s team and returned to Dorset with a share of the points following their goalless draw against Chelmsford City. In the Southern Premier League, Dorchester scored a 5-star display against ...

A man has sadly died following an alleged serious assault in Weymouth. Detectives continue to investigate an incident in Abbotsbury Road, which was reported at 8.12pm on Tuesday 10 December 2024. Officers attended with the ambulance service. The victim, 75-year-old Anthony Jacob from Weymouth, was taken to hospital for treatment to head and facial injuries. Sadly, he ...

A statement issued on 19th December by David Sidwick, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, reveals that Dorset Police will be faced with a shortfall in excess of £6m. Mr Sidwick calls on Dorset’s MPs to recognise the severity of this situation and work with him to address with Government its unfair treatment of Dorset. The ...

Major safety improvement work will begin at the 4-way Maumbury Cross junction in Dorchester on Monday 13 January. This includes installation of much-needed signal-controlled pedestrian crossing points, widening and levelling of footways where possible and upgrading existing equipment. Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services at Dorset Council said: “The current junction layout, with its narrow footways, ...

Dorset Council Waste Services have experienced another fire in their recycling collection vehicles in Bridport this morning. The crew managed to eject the load, saving the vehicle in the process. Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue attended to extinguish the blaze. Photos captured show the cause was a pack of batteries that were placed in ...

Staff and patrons of The Onyx Bar & Restaurant, Weymouth, part of the Kings Hotel Group, raised £889 for local charity ‘Staffie & Stray Rescue’ during a festive quiz night held earlier this month. The event welcomed 11 enthusiastic teams, a bustling crowd of patrons and even a few four-legged friends. The dog-friendly venue, located within ...

An eight-month-old ginger cat named Otto is safely back with his owners after spending a nerve-wracking 24 hours stranded high in a tree on Lorton Lane, Weymouth. The dramatic rescue was carried out by Knighton Countryside Management, whose act of kindness has touched hearts across the community. Otto’s adventure began when his curiosity led him to ...

The spokesperson for the Stop Portland Waste Incinerator Campaign, Laura Baldwin, has told KeeP 106 that campaigners against the hugely unpopular plans for a waste incinerator at Portland Port in Dorset have had a win as High Court Judge validates one of the three grounds filed for a Statutory Review. The Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign ...

The recent fire at The Gorge Café on South Street has had a significant impact on neighbouring businesses during one of the most critical times of the year for trade. However, the outpouring of support from the community so far has been truly inspiring. Now, local businesses are calling on everyone to come together once ...

Join Weymouth Fire Station as firefighters race to save Santa from the drill tower in time for Christmas at their festive open day this Sunday (22 December) between 10am and 2pm. Visit Santa’s Grotto, meet your local firefighters, visit the craft fair stalls and dust up on your knowledge with their Chip Pan Demo. Other activities include ...

Can you help re-unite a much-loved Bunny toy with their young owner in time for Christmas? Dorchester Town council staff found the toy on a path in Borough Gardens last week and would very much like to reunite it with its owner. It’s been in the gardens office window with a note for a few days ...

Christian Aid supporters in Dorchester are warming up their vocal chords for some festive fundraising to support people living through conflicts around the world. The international development charity has launched its Christmas Appeal  which this year is shining a light on South Sudan where hundreds of thousands of people are seeking safety from the conflict in ...

Dorset Police officers are investigating criminal damage to a shop in Dorchester and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. It was reported that damage was caused to the window of No. 36 Gifts and Lifestyle in South Street at approximately 12.0am on Sunday 15 December 2024. Police Constable Toby Norman, of Dorset Police, said: ...

Listen to a daily sports bulletin on the Keep Radio 106.3 FM breakfast show from 8:30 am Monday to Friday. Weymouth Football Club’s mid-week FA Trophy victory at Huish Park against their arch-rivals Yeovil Town is just a distant memory following their 3 goals to nil National League South defeat at Hemel Hempstead. This result leaves ...

One of the garden centres which form the Gardens Group, Poundbury Gardens, has won third place in the Local Garden Centre Category of the national Christmas Competition run by the Garden Centre Association (GCA). The other two centres in the group, Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil, have won first and second ...

Alfie Chambers, aged 21 and previously of Aldershot, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 2 December 2024 to three years in prison after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage and possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place. At around 3am on Wednesday 7 December 2022, ...

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after an alleged robbery in Weymouth – with one man arrested. Dorset Police received a report at 6.26am on Wednesday 11 December 2024 of a robbery at the Morrisons Daily store at the Littlemoor Shopping Centre. It was reported that a member of staff sustained ...

A drug driver who caused a fatal collision in West Dorset has been sentenced at court. Joshua Jack Craven, aged 22 and of Trinity Way, Bridport, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 12 December 2024 after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and disqualified from driving for a ...