Dorset Council has apologised after chopping and changing the deadlines for residents to have their say on the ‘Norchester’ development. The North Dorchester Consortium, a partnership between Grainger Plc and Wyatt Homes, wants to build up to 3,750 homes to create the North Dorchester Garden Community (NDGC). Consultation for the first phase – known as […]
Locally grown star PJ Harvey backed the final push to save Bridport’s historic Lyric Theatre, with a personal donation to its crowdfunder campaign to save the building’s roof. Urgent repairs are needed for the roof of the 250-year-old theatre. Tucked away on a side street in Bridport, The Lyric is one of those places people […]
Sherborne has been named Dorset Town of Culture 2027, beating other towns across the county to secure the title for next year. The award recognises the town’s cultural identity and existing arts scene, and comes with funding from Dorset Council, matched by Sherborne Town Council, to deliver a year-long programme of events. Town Clerk Steve […]
A Dorset man has completed an extraordinary solo trek to overcome tragic loss with love and hope. Chris McKenna decided to walk all 630 miles of the South West Coast Path by himself in aid of The National Brain Appeal, an organisation that supports pioneering research into a wide range of neurological conditions. Chris, 66, […]
Shannon was heartbroken when her wedding dress was stolen two weeks before the ceremony. But then she met the ‘angels in disguise’ at Scope’s Bridal Floor in Bridport and everything changed. In the guest book Shannon wrote to shop manager Sonia Hallett and volunteer Nicky Cullis: “What you do changes lives in ways you may […]
Families are invited to take part in the Melplash Show on August 27 for ‘A day for celebrating the best of agricultural and rural life by the sea’. BrokeFX Motorbike stunt displays, the Shetland Grand National, horse jumping competitions and a tractor pull are sure to wow the crowds. And this year as always, farming […]
Classical music fans will be in raptures as international soloists appear at the Opera in Oborne festival this summer. Every year, St Cuthberts Church in the village of Oborne, near Sherborne, is transformed into a theatre for a weekend of sublime sound. The event encourages first time operagoers and aims to make opera accessible to […]
Eight artists, all living within 15 miles of Eype, have come together to celebrate the colours and landscapes of the Jurassic Coast in a new exhibition. Wessex Artists will present their work in a show called Kaleidoscope at Eype Centre for the Arts. It features original prints, paintings and drawings by Alison Boyland, Sally Bowsher, […]
Dorset Council’s long-awaited Local Plan – which went out to consultation in 2021 then again in 2025 – is now going to be redrafted, and councillors are being asked to approve spending up to £1m on a new plan at their meeting tonight. The move is said to be down to changes in how the […]
We are Bird Media – two experienced journalists who have decided to break free and launch
their own news publication The West Dorset Magazine.
Editor Miranda Robertson has worked for a number of local papers, including the Dorset Echo, Salisbury Journal and The New Blackmore Vale. She lives in Maiden Newton with her husband Peter, son Robert, jug PugsieMfanwy, pug Hugo and the ginger ninja Kitten Mitten.
Karen Bate has worked for the Salisbury Journal, Wiltshire Living Magazine, Bournemouth Echo and The New Blackmore Vale. She lives with husband Stuart, daughter Florence, dogs Sir Alfred Sticks and Buddy and cat Milton. There’s also a bonkers horse called Mars in her menagerie.
