What’s On – Local events guide

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.

Live pantomime horse racing. There will be four races with four panto horses competing in each race. The winner of each race will compete against each other in the Manor Classic. Fun event with bar, food (pizza, burgers & hot dogs, coffee & cake). There will also be a tote (cash only) and not forgetting the Ascot Style hat competition (£50 prize to the winner)! Free parking! £5 entry U15s free.

Charity trail run in memory of Phil Carpenter and Bonnie Christopher who lost their lives to cancer. Entry £18 for 10k and £11 for 6k with discounts for affiliated runners. Money raised will be for Bonnie’s Last Wish for Suffering Donkeys and Mosaic who offer support to children and young people who have been bereaved. Prizes for winners and medals and goody bags to all entrants.

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.

Dorset Connect brings together people and organisations who are passionate about making a difference in your community. Whether you’re from a local community group, business, education, faith, arts and culture, sports and leisure, health, social care, or a town or parish council – we’d love to welcome you.

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.

This free and effective CAP Money Course provides coaching support to help people manage their finances. Course participants will learn how to put a budget together, with tips on how to make money go further and how to be disciplined about spending. Dorchester Poverty Action and Dorchester Foodbank are backing this course by offering a £20 voucher to participants who live in DT1/DT2 postcodes.

Join us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester on Saturday 19th September between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for our monthly lunchtime concert. Soprano Iris Lam is accompanied by Rob Taylor in a programme of Romantic songs and arias by Robert and Clara Schumann and Franz Schubert. Admission is free. More information via the web link below.

You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 20th September at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Amy Beach’s ‘Peace I leave with you’, Byrd’s ‘Mass for Four Voices’ and Elgar’s ‘O salutaris hostia’. All are very welcome to this free service. More information via the web link below.

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.

6:30 pm for 7:00 pm start. Murder mystery night, Murder at the BBQ. Price £35 per person (10% discount if purchased before end of August) group discount also available. Price to include BBQ supper. All proceeds to Weldmar Hospicecare. Contact John as per phone or email below.

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.

12:30 pm. Celebration harvest lunch at Crossways Village hall.  members and non-members both welcome to join for this friendship month event.  Please book by 1st September via phone number below.

7:30 pm. Much-loved hilarious Franco-British comedy. Shot down over German-occupied France, an RAF crew is helped to escape by two characterful Frenchmen. Comedy/War adventure—Cert G (all ages). In French with subtitles. £6 cash or card on the door (members £5).

7pm for 7:30pm start. The Lions Club of Dorchester & District proudly present a CASH & PRIZE Bingo evening. There is no entry fee – you and your friends can buy books and cards on the night to take part in what promises to be a fun occasion There is a top prize of £100, and any profits raised will be donated by the Lions to charitable causes.

Free event! Come and find out what a Social Prescriber based at your GP’s Surgery does, and what services do Access Wellbeing on High East Street provide. Everyone welcome!

10:00 am. Come and enjoy a coffee with the Oddfellows who have been part of the Bridport Community since 1881. The first coffee/tea is on The Oddfellows.

7:30 pm. Prize Bingo in aid of Chairman’s charity, Little Acorns. Members and non-members both welcome.

7:00 pm. Fun quiz and ploughman’s supper and a raffle.

Join experts from the Dorset Fungus Group for a fungi walk on Brownsea Island. Discover and identify fascinating fungi and learning more about the different species that grow on Brownsea. Novices and experts are all welcome to come and learn more about the role that fungi play in the ecosystem and how important they are on a global scale.

She Belongs Here, Find Your People is a free evening event for women in Dorchester on Saturday 3rd October at The Snug at Vivo Lounge. Think speed dating, but for finding your people not your partner. 30 women split into two teams. One team stays put. One team rotates every 5 minutes.

10:00 am. Come and enjoy a morning at Lower Muckleford Farm picking heritage apples. We have 120 trees and eight different varieties. This is a free event, coffee and ploughman’s lunch provided.

2:00 pm. Come and get crafty at Crossways Village Hall, members and non-members both welcome. £5.00 per person to cover costs of materials and refreshments. There will be experienced crafters on-hand to help. Board and card games also available to play.

Come and enjoy a coffee and a chat together with a bring and buy at Crossways village hall.

Join experts from the Dorset Fungus Group for a fungi walk on Brownsea Island. Discover and identify fascinating fungi and learning more about the different species that grow on Brownsea. Novices and experts are all welcome to come and learn more about the role that fungi play in the ecosystem and how important they are on a global scale.

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.

The film presents a clear, measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain, and what the evidence says about risks and responses. The purpose of the Briefing is to support informed democratic discussion and ensure that communities share understanding of the scale and urgency of the challenge.

7:30 pm. Military historian James Porter speaks about the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings with images describing the epic battle. In partnership with Dorset Museum and Art Gallery. DBS Members £6; non-members £7.50. Tickets available online from 1st September at www.ticketsource.com/dorchester-bayeux-society.

The coffee, cake and stalls event has become a popular fundraiser for the Dorchester Committee of the Children’s Society. Entry is free, with coffee and delicious homemade cake for £3.00. There will be a variety of stalls and a tombola. It is always a warm, friendly atmosphere – we hope to see you there.

Join experts from the Dorset Fungus Group for a fungi walk on Brownsea Island. Discover and identify fascinating fungi and learning more about the different species that grow on Brownsea. Novices and experts are all welcome to come and learn more about the role that fungi play in the ecosystem and how important they are on a global scale.

10:00 am. Come and enjoy a morning at Lower Muckleford Farm picking heritage apples. We have 120 trees and eight different varieties. This is a free event, coffee and ploughman’s lunch provided.

2:00 pm. Come to our whist drive at St George’s Church Hall. Members and non-members both welcome. £5.00 per to cover costs. Both experienced and novice players welcome. Come and have a go! Refreshments included.

2:00 pm. Come to Poppies Tea rooms in Bovington, choose your own pot to decorate, once decorated enjoy cream tea for £6.00. Cost of pots vary between £15.00 and £30.00. Your pot will be returned to you having been glazed and fired.

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.

2:00 pm. Come to our whist drive at St George’s Church Hall. Members and non-members both welcome. £5.00 per to cover costs. Both experienced and novice players welcome. Come and have a go! Refreshments included.

10:00 am. Come and enjoy a coffee on The Oddfellows at The Bull Hotel, Bridport.  The Oddfellows have been part of the Bridport community since 1860.  Members and non-members both welcome.

7:00 pm. Come and enjoy a traditional bonfire at Lower Muckleford Farm. Fireworks and refreshments provided. £10.00. Please contact Rosemary for catering purposes.

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.