A church organist has been playing at the same church on the same instrument every week for more than 70 years. Keith Watts, 88, is thought to be the longest continually-playing church organist in the country, after starting to play at Thomas a Becket Church in aged 15. He has only missed his two years […]
Anyone who remembers the old Eldridge Pope brewery site knows how far Brewery Square has come. What was once a derelict station with boarded-up eyesores is now a cluster of Grade II listed buildings, restored with real care. The old Stationmaster’s pub has transformed into a craft beer destination with the Brewhouse & Kitchen microbrewery. […]
Weymouth YouTubers are undertaking a feat of endurance billed as Great Britain’s toughest outdoor challenge. Ashley Wild runs The Big Adventure Show with his friend Barney. Together with another mate, George, they are attempting the National Three Peaks challenge on September 5. The trio aim to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales […]
Europe’s largest monster truck is crushing its way into the Dorset County Show 2026, returning to Dorchester on September 5 and 6. The county show has announced its headline main arena attraction, and it is BIG. Big Pete and The Grim Reaper Monster Trucks will be jumping, car crushing and even ripping cars apart. Get […]
Residents have been warned time is running out for comments and objections to the controversial ‘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). The planning application for the first phase – a scheme named […]
Three sold-out performances of Unearthed, Women of Dorset’s powerful new community theatre production, culminated with a lantern parade through Dorchester celebrating the county’s extraordinary women. Following the final performance at Dorchester Arts, the audience joined the cast and community in a moving, joyful procession through the town, singing songs from the play and carrying handmade […]
By Kim Berlin We did it! Some time ago I wrote about a proposal for the community to buy two acres of France Quarry, a little known but accessible area of woodland and former quarry behind the village of Easton on the Isle of Portland. Unsignposted, and hidden from view, when the proposal was first […]
The countdown is underway for the 2026 Melplash Agricultural Show, taking place on Thursday, August 27 at the West Bay Showground near Bridport. The Show has been bringing together the farming community and the wider public for generations and remains one of Dorset’s most anticipated summer events. Organised by the Melplash Agricultural Society, the annual […]
Wessex Morris Men are holding a ‘Bring-a-friend’ night in the hopes of attracting new members of all ages. The side are resuming their practice season in their new home of Charminster Village Hall, North Street, Charminster, DT2 9QS, on Monday evenings between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Bagman Ray Dyson said: “Our first practice on September 14 […]
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.
