Below are the 30 latest news items
UPDATED: Several yachts damaged by fire at Portland Marina
Idris Martin reporting.
Operations are underway in Portland Marina to salvage the yacht that was deliberately sunk by the Fire Brigade after in caught fire two weeks ago.
With Liquid Petroleum Gas canisters on board it was decided that the best ...
Barclays Bank Dorchester branch to get an upgrade
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A Dorchester bank is to get an upgrade with a range of internal improvements.
The Barclays Grade 2 listed South Street building is identified as the Mayor’s house in Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge.
The ...
A few days ago Dorset Police issued an appeal to locate a wanted man who had links to west Dorset and Devon.
Officers now confirm that 68 year old Malcolm John Clarke, wanted for stalking offences, has been located and ...
Man left seriously injured after being dragged by a vehicle in Weymouth
Police officers investigating a road related incident that left a man seriously injured in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
The incident occurred at around 8.30pm on Monday 4 May 2026 in Rodwell ...
Both of the Dorset & Wilts County Rugby Teams played in their respective County Championship competitions over the weekend.
On Saturday, the men’s team locked horns with Berkshire at Royal Wootton Bassett rugby club and emerged victors by an impressive ...
The story beneath your feet at Weymouth community excavation open day
Idris Martin reporting, including text from Dorset Council website and Wikipedia.
Residents and visitors were invited to explore Weymouth’s hidden history when a major community archaeology dig opens its doors to the public today, 9th May 2024.
The Weymouth Community Excavation ...
Beerex 2026 raises a massive £24k for local good causes
by Rich Gabe, Press Officer, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale.
Members of the Dorchester Beerex committee, made up of West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club members, are proud to announce the final profit ...
Public support helps detectives catch two men involved in stabbing in Weymouth
Information received from the public helped detectives bring forward a case against two men involved in a serious assault in Weymouth.
At around 2.50am on Saturday 14 June 2025, two men aged in their 20s were assaulted outside King of ...
500-home scheme for Crossways approved
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
The 500-home scheme for Crossways has been given planning consent – for the third time.
The scheme, wrapping around the business park and on the same side of the main road as the village hall, ...
Weymouth new bandstand approved
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Live music will again feature from a seafront bandstand in Weymouth.
The resort has enjoyed bandstands in the past – but all have long fallen out of use and were demolished.
Now a Weymouth Town ...
500 new homes for Crossways could be approved
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
UP to 500 homes for Crossways could be approved today (Thur 07th) – despite some local opposition.
Planners are being asked to consider a full planning application for 99 open market homes and an ‘in ...
CCTV appeal following theft in Weymouth
Officers investigating a theft at a funfair in Weymouth are issuing CCTV images of two men they would like to identify.
It was reported that between 12.45pm and 2.30pm on Monday 6 April 2026 £1,140 was stolen from two fruit ...
Dorset man to run 100km Jurassic coast ultra challenge for ME/CFS awareness
Eddie Smith (30) from Portland, Dorset, is set to embark on a challenging 100km ultra marathon along the Jurassic coast. His goal is to raise awareness of ME/CFS, and to fundraise for The ME Association.
The motivation behind the challenge ...
Discover the story beneath your feet at Weymouth community excavation open day
Residents and visitors are invited to explore Weymouth’s hidden history when a major community archaeology dig opens its doors to the public this month.
The Weymouth Community Excavation 2026 Open Day will take place on Saturday 9 May, from 10.30am ...
Unique relay challenge takes place along the Dorset Coast involving a jar of chutney!
At 4 am on Sunday 3rd May 2026 a jar of chutney made by Amber Rosenthal began it’s 86-mile journey along the Dorset coast in a unique and poignant fundraising challenge.
The idea for the sponsored relay event came from ...
Meram Kitchen/XO Lounge licence review
By Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
The family running a Dorchester venue say there is no objective evidence to support claims of noise and disturbance from the premises.
Mr Hamit Kircal, one of owners of the Meram Kitchen/XO Lounge, said there ...
Skyglow Festival drinks licence agreed
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A drinks licence for the Skyglow Festival, planned for the Dorchester Showground later in the year has been agreed.
A public hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday after concerns about some of the proposals were ...
Explore the Thomas Hardy collection online and at the Dorset History Centre
An archive which includes manuscripts for three of Thomas Hardy’s major novels, his notebooks, photographs and over 5,000 letters is now accessible to all.
It is the largest collection of Hardy material in the world. It is free to access ...
The rain decimated the first full Dorset Cricket League Saturday with most of the matches either called off without a ball being bowled or abandoned.
However, the Dorset Premier Football League has not yet reached its climax, and three local clubs were in action over the weekend.
Results:
Balti Sports 3 vs Dorchester Sports ...
Glenn Howes appointed as Dorchester FC’s new manager
Glenn Howes has been named as Dorchester Football Club’s new manager.
The Magpies have released this press statement.
“Dorchester Town Football Club are delighted to announce the return of Glenn Howes as our new first team manager
The former Magpies midfielder has ...
Festivals concerns lead to hearing
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Two Dorset festivals will be making their case for having a drinks licence in the coming days.
The seperate organisers of the Skyglow Festival, planned for the Dorchester Showground and Don’t Panic Festival at Stalbridge ...
Brewery Square eatery licence review
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Complaints about late-night noise and rowdy behaviour until the early hours have led to a licence review for a Dorchester business.
Residents living nearby say the Meram Kitchen/XO Lounge in Brewery Square has, at times, ...
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Advanced technology – which Dorset Council hoped would make it more efficient – is having the opposite effect as residents use Artificial Intelligence to frame an increasing number of complaints.
Complaints against the authority, often ...
Winners of Shopfront of the Season Award – Wedding Time clinches it!
Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) are pleased to announce that Wedding Time Bridal Salon and Men’s Formalwear on Dorchester’s High East Street are the Spring 2026 winners of the Shopfront of the Season Awards.
This spring’s ...
Major changes to renting to come into force under the Renters’ Rights Act
Renters and landlords across Dorset are being urged to familiarise themselves with major changes to renting as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on Friday (1 May 2026.)
The new legislation represents the biggest reform of the private rented ...
Dorset Drafters cycle to the moon to raise £3,600 for Dorset County Hospital
Local cycling group, the Dorset Drafters, collectively cycled the distance to the moon (over 230,000 miles) in one year, in an epic ‘Moonshot’ cycling challenge which also saw them raise £3,600 for the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.
The group, ...
Claims that council officers lied
by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dorset Council has declined to comment in public on whether senior council officers, accused of lying, are still working for the authority.
Cabinet portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Simon Clifford, made the claim over the ...
Find out more about the work of Dorchester Town Council at its annual Town Meeting
For a chance to meet your local Dorchester Town Councillors and hear more about the work of the Dorchester Town Council over the previous year, do pop along to their Informal Annual Town Meeting on Friday 8 May between ...
Council team recognised with national SEND award
Dorset Council, working in partnership with Mountjoy School, has won a national award recognising its work to strengthen inclusive mainstream education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Dorset Council SEND team, in partnership ...
Renewed appeal in search for missing Portland man
Police officers are issuing a new image of a missing Portland man as they continue their searches for him.
Gary, aged 59, was last seen in the area of Park Estate Road at around 1.30pm on Thursday 23 April 2026.
It ...