July 22, 2026
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The West Dorset Magazine Articles by: Emily Quance
Black and white photograph of a stone sculpture showing a veiled face in profile, carved religious monument detail from Jim Johnson's Dorset churches photography project"
News

Photographer reveals hidden beauty of all 438 Dorset churches

Jim Johnson is a man on a mission – to photograph the interior of every single church in Dorset. It will probably take

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Members of Bridport Gig Rowing Club row in a traditional wooden Cornish pilot gig on Lyme Bay, pulling in practiced unison with wooden oars. The rowers wear blue club shirts and life jackets, with one shirt displaying "Bridport Gig Rowing Club" and another showing championship details. A cox in a red cap sits in the centre directing the crew. The golden cliffs of West Bay rise dramatically in the background beneath a clear blue sky. The image captures the dynamic movement and teamwork of competitive gig rowing.
Sport

Bridport Gig Rowing Club: a recipe for joy and community

Six rowers are in a traditional Cornish pilot gig, pulling hard in practiced unison, and Dagger skims across Lyme Bay like she’s grown

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Two older men stand together at a Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) event in front of a blue RAFA flag displaying the RAF emblem. The man on the left wears a light grey jacket with a burgundy and navy striped tie and RAF insignia pin. The man on the right wears a dark blue blazer with RAF medals and insignia on his chest and holds a polished silver trophy with decorative handles.
News

Bridport Royal Air Force charity honoured for veteran support

A little Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) punching well above its weight was recognised for its outstanding service. The Bridport & Lyme Regis

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Jason Malone, Principal of Dorset Studio School, smiles at the camera while standing in a bright school corridor next to the school's branded signage. The blue sign features Dorset Studio School's distinctive geometric triangle logo in green, blue, yellow and orange, with "LAND & ENVIRO" visible below the school name. Jason wears a white shirt, patterned tie and a green lanyard with keys and ID badge. The modern school corridor stretches behind him with fluorescent lighting and students visible in the background.
Education

Dorset Studio School: How land-based learning transforms student confidence

By the time the school gates open each morning, Jason Malone has usually already walked the site. As Principal of Dorset Studio School,

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A cream-coloured historical ordnance survey map showing the Marshwood Vale area in Dorset. The map displays named locations including Balcombe Down, White's Wood, Cross & Hand, Gore Hill, Bazon Hill, Redpost Hill, Row Hill, Cumulus, and various farms such as Whistled Barn, Wether Hill Farm and Sheephouse Bottom. Wooded areas are indicated with small tree symbols, contour lines show elevation, and field boundaries are marked with dotted and solid lines. Place names visible include Cummulus, Cerne Vale and Celtic Fields. The map appears to be a historical survey document from the 19th or early 20th century.
News

Joy as mythical red fingerpost found in Dorset

Two explorers have made a significant discovery – a fifth red fingerpost, when it is believed that Dorset had only four. Dorset has

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Sepia-toned historical photograph of Thomas Hardy, the renowned Dorset novelist and poet, standing beside a vintage bicycle on a tree-lined country road. He wears a formal suit jacket, patterned trousers, waistcoat and fedora hat. The photograph dates from the early-to-mid 20th century. Trees and foliage are visible in the soft-focused background.
Culture

Thomas Hardy archive open to madding crowds

An archive which includes manuscripts for three of Thomas Hardy’s major novels, his notebooks, photographs and over 5,000 letters is now accessible to

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Seven people stand together on a wooden boardwalk or viewing platform overlooking a wetland nature reserve. The landscape behind them features tall reeds, open water, and tree lines under a partly cloudy sky. From left to right: a woman in a light cardigan and dark trousers, a young person in a dark hoodie, a man in a dark jacket with grey hair, a woman in a blue top with dark hair, a woman in a dark jacket in the centre, a man in light-coloured clothing, and an older woman in a dark jacket and blue top on the right.
News

SOS for café volunteers at RSPB HQ

By Sophia Long Volunteers are urgently needed to lend a few hours at the popular community café at Radipole Lake Nature Reserve in

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30. transfer to leg 13 Seatown to Charmouth
News

Chutney jar relay for Amber and Justin

At 4am on Sunday, May 3 a jar of chutney made by Amber Rosenthal began its 86-mile journey along the Dorset coast in

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A stained glass window in St Giles Church, Hooke, featuring multiple panels with religious imagery rendered in vibrant colors including blues, greens, reds, yellows, and purples. The ornate window depicts various figures and scenes arranged vertically within a traditional lead framework and arched top. Sunlight streams through the colored glass, illuminating the intricate details. A black metal railing stands in front of the window.
Church

Villagers’ delight as £13k raised to restore stained glass window

St Giles’ Church in the tiny village of Hooke, near Beaminster, is celebrating the restoration of its beautiful stained glass east window. With

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A performer on stage at an outdoor festival raises his arm to an enthusiastic crowd wearing a blue t-shirt. Thousands of festival-goers fill the field below, with multiple festival tents and marquees visible in the background, including a distinctive red and white striped circus-style tent. The rural setting features open countryside and blue sky with scattered clouds.
Culture

Top line-up for new-look Jurassic Fields Festival

A brilliant line-up of music legends are to appear at Bridport’s fabulous Jurassic Fields Festival from Friday, August 14 until Sunday, August 16.

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