There must be something in the water in West Dorset – there’s a mighty army of OAPs who keep on working and refuse to hang up their boots, working past retirement age. With those in their 50s and early 60s now looking down the barrel of retirement at 67 and 68, maybe this is less […]
A military researcher wants to hear from readers of The West Dorset Magazine if they have an Anzac soldier in their family tree, and especially anyone with wedding photos from that era. Charlie Owen is researching the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, who went through Weymouth during the First World War. Between 1915 and […]
A campaign has been launched to save Weymouth’s landmark Riviera Hotel, after a couple who married there grew increasingly concerned about its future. Tess and Des Shepherd married at the Bowleaze Cove hotel in 2018, having decided it would do just as well as a venue abroad with its breathtaking setting and sweeping views of […]
A Weymouth man is walking 650 miles across England with a 36kg cast-iron postbox on his back, inviting anyone he meets to join him and talk about loneliness. Stu Skinner MBE, 45, set off from Carlisle on September 21 and expects to finish at Portland Bill around December 20. Stu has experienced periods of feeling […]
Portland’s b-side festival is looking for help to buy its premises and secure its future, while fending off an attempt to force its bed and breakfast to change its name. b-side, the organisation that runs the isle’s international arts festival, has secured grants and loans towards the £800,000 it needs to buy its premises, and […]
Dorset archaeology is in the spotlight as archaeologists behind two major Weymouth excavations share their finds. Head to County Hall in Dorchester on Wednesday, October 21 from 11am to 2pm for your exclusive chance to view artefacts unearthed at the North Quay and Weymouth Bowl sites. Historic maps will also be on display during this […]
By Shirley Booth While driving along the A303 from West Dorset, many people, like myself, will have been intrigued by the huge signs alongside the road: Teals Farm Shop… Only three fields to Teals… Usually I am reluctant to break my journey, but last week I stopped to find out more. I am so glad […]
Some bands win you over slowly. Chou Pahrot gave you about 10 seconds to either love them or run for the door, says their biggest fan. Marco Rossi remembers one performance vividly. Chou Pahrot had stepped in as last-minute support for the Rezillos at the Glasgow Apollo, and as the band tore into the noise […]
With Carlos Guarita An important piece of living history was captured by Bridport-based photographer Carlos in July when he attended the annual Stoke Abbott Sick Club Parade. Stoke Abbott Sick Club Founded in 1860, and long before the dawning of social security, this Sick Club or ‘friendly society’ allowed working-class men and women to pool […]
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.
