What’s On – Local events guide

Embark on a fascinating journey through Brownsea Island’s rich history as you explore the island and the castle’s picturesque grounds. A rare opportunity to enter the castle itself, view the paintings and artefacts of past owners. Afterwards, head to the Morning Room and help yourself to a warm drink and a delicious scone with cream and jam. Two walks per month except Mar/Aug & Dec.

A rare 18th century fire engine – once the town’s frontline defence against disaster – is the star of the show of Fire Flood Frost. New for 2026, the exhibition brings to life the extraordinary story of how Beaminster and surrounding communities battled flames, floods and freezing winters long before emergency services. Admission free.

Adventure awaits on Brownsea Island this summer, throughout August there are weekly bug hunting sessions and Pokémon crafts along with nature printing, wild Wednesdays, squirrel challenges and the spectacular Bee Circus. Take on the Summer of Play Activity Trail which runs daily and enjoy games, activities and nature-inspired challenges. Free events, normal admission fees apply.

Come and join us for a coffee and chat at The Kings Arms, Dorchester where a warm welcome awaits you.  The first two drinks are paid for by The Oddfellows.  Refreshments available to order from the bar.

Join us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester for our August ‘Midweek Music series’. Sarah Palfreman-Kay (soprano) and Ian Davis (piano) perform a programme of songs and arias including music by Britten, Purcell, Madeleine Dring and Benjamin Britten. Admission is free. More information via the web link below.

The Dorchester Vegan Market Festival returns outdoors to the historic Maumbury Rings Roman Amphitheatre this Summer! With FREE ENTRY to 50+ stalls of 100% vegan products. A great family event with delicious food and drink, live lunchtime music plus an Inflatable Play Zone with bouncy castles and slides, an additional attraction for the children. Not just for vegans!

Come and join The Oddfellows for an afternoon of table top games. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Upwords, Bananagrams, Rummicub, mah jong, Cribbage and much much more at PIP cafe on Poundbury. This is a free event. Refreshments including homemade cake.

Coffee and get together and bring at buy at Crossways village hall. Raising money for charity.

Celebrating refurbishment of rec ground & new permissive path from Portesham. Live music by Talia and Jurassic Beats, traditional, local crafts, local foods and drink, family dog show, scarecrow competition, treasure hunt, bake-off competition, face-painting, children’s activities and races, parents’ race. Free entry and free parking.

12 noon. The Loyal hand in hand Lodge of Oddfellows is organising a trip to Salisbury Cathedral to include a tour of the bell tower at 2pm. Ticket price includes access to the cathedral. There is a cafe within the cathedral. Discount for members of The Oddfellows.

Join us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester for our August ‘Midweek Music series’ on Wednesday 19th August between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for a lunchtime concert. Natalie Burton and Ian Davis perform a programme of music for clarinet, saxophone and organ including works by Mozart, Paul Reade and William Grant Still. Admission is free. More information via the web link below.

Discover your next great read while keeping history alive at our Charity Book Fair. The event celebrates a shared love of books, storytelling, and history — while also offering something for every reader, with a variety of genres available throughout the day. Browse stalls filled with books and enjoy a programme of engaging talks and panel discussions covering history, literature, and storytelling.

A family Fun Dog Show supporting The Lexi May Trust. 6 fun dog show classes, refreshments, doggy trade stalls, Raffles and much more.

Join us for the Symondsbury Summer Dog Fête – a fun-filled day for dogs, their owners and the whole family, while also supporting the Ferne Animal Sanctuary. There’s a packed programme of activities , including agility & obstacle courses, fun dog show, family games, Puppy Zone & Pup-Up Market, delicious food for humans and treats for dogs. Great fun whether you’re bringing a dog or just yourself.

Free taster session for Adult Education Courses. Tuesday – Microsoft Word, Art, Bookkeeping. Wednesday – Counselling, Italian, Photography. Thursday – Maths, English. Friday – Creative Writing, Microsoft Excel, Art, Spanish. Register in the Library on Mon Weds or Fri OR on Skills and Learning Website OR phone as below.

Register on our website and then try an adult education course for Free. Tuesday 1 Sept – Art, Bookkeeping and Maths. Wednesday 2 Sept – Maths, Italian and Microsoft Word. Thursday 3 Sept – Photography, Counselling and English. Friday 4 Sept – Art, Spanish and Microsoft Excel. Learners can do as many or few as they want and it is all free.

12:30 pm. The Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows is going on a guided tour of Shepton Mallet Prison. Please if you need transport there will be plenty of opportunity for a lift. Cost £25.00 with a discount of £10 for members.

7:00 pm. A talk by Philip Browne on the introduction of clean drinking water and a sewerage system to Dorchester in the 1850s. Tickets are £8 for Dorset Archives Trust members, or £10 for non-members. Tickets include a glass of wine and nibbles. Please book via ticketsource – follow web link below.

Come and join The Oddfellows for an afternoon of table top games. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Upwords, Bananagrams, Rummicub, mah jong, Cribbage and much much more at PIP cafe on Poundbury. This is a free event. Refreshments including homemade cake.

Come and enjoy a fun afternoon with an expert from Duke’s who will tell us amusing anecdotes from the world of auctioneering and look at and value items of interest that we have bought along.

Retired or thinking of retiring? Joining u3a gives you the chance to make friends and learn something new or further an existing interest. We currently have over 90 member run groups/activities in Dorchester during the day for you to take part in ranging from Archaeology and Art to Science, Weaving, Wildlife and Conservation . Please come along to learn more about what we have to offer.

Come and join us for a coffee and a chat at The Kings Arms where a warm welcome awaits you. The first two drinks are paid for by The Oddfellows. Refreshments are available to buy at the bar.

Brownsea Island is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our guided walks, led by an expert Dorset Wildlife Trust ranger, take you through the island’s beautiful wetlands. Brownsea Lagoon is one of the best birdwatching sites in England. The lagoon’s shallow, nutrient-rich waters draw in thousands of birds annually, creating an ever-changing avian spectacle.

Come and join The Oddfellows for an afternoon of table top games. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Upwords, Bananagrams, Rummicub, mah jong, Cribbage and much much more at PIP cafe on Poundbury. This is a free event. Refreshments including homemade cake.

Brownsea Island is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our guided walks, led by an expert Dorset Wildlife Trust ranger, take you through the island’s beautiful wetlands. Brownsea Lagoon is one of the best birdwatching sites in England. The lagoon’s shallow, nutrient-rich waters draw in thousands of birds annually, creating an ever-changing avian spectacle.

Come and join The Oddfellows for an afternoon of table top games. Come and play or learn to play: Scrabble, Upwords, Bananagrams, Rummicub, mah jong, Cribbage and much much more at PIP cafe on Poundbury. This is a free event. Refreshments including homemade cake.