June 15, 2026
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The West Dorset Magazine Articles by: Emily Quance
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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A group of people seated at a table during a community cooking event in a church hall with arched ceilings. The participants wear aprons with a colorful logo and are smiling while enjoying meals on green placemats. Plates of food, water glasses, and activity sheets are arranged on the table. Other participants and volunteers are visible in the background.
News

Food club’s cooking with TV chef Lesley Waters

Celebrity chef Lesley Waters led 80 people from across the county in a mass cook-along at Dorchester Corn Exchange to promote simple healthy

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Bridget Houseago, Lyme Regis Museum director, and artist David Manners hold a framed painting depicting Mary Anning collecting fossils on Charmouth beach, set against coastal cliffs. They stand in the museum's exhibition space surrounded by geological specimens and fossil displays, with wooden display cabinets and museum artifacts visible in the background.
News

Mary Anning portrait donated to fossil museum

A new portrait of Mary Anning has been donated to Lyme Regis Museum. The original oil painting, by celebrated local artist David Manners,

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Two people posing with a large inflatable rainbow pride frame reading "love is love" at an indoor Pride event. Both wear black t-shirts and pride-themed accessories including rainbow sunglasses and a rainbow fan. The venue is a pub or bar with wooden paneling and green wainscoting, decorated with Pride signage and rainbow decorations visible in the background.
News

Everything you need to know about Pride month in Dorchester 2026

Pop-up Pride Dorchester is back for its second year with a fabulous and packed programme. The initiative, led by Dorchester Town Council, brings

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Electric Palace cinema
News

Electric Palace for sale as owner retires

The Electric Palace cinema in Bridport is on the market, as its high-profile entrepreneur owner seeks to reduce his business commitments. Alasdair Warren,

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Lucas
News

Chance to see youngster’s incredible talent on show

A young artist from Dorchester is exhibiting his work until Saturday, June 6 – and we urge you not to miss it. Thomas

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Two people sitting atop a large pile of purple and black plastic bags filled with donated clothing during a Slimming World clothes throw donation event. The bags are labeled "Slimming World Clothes Throw" and are stacked in a community space with white brick walls. A Slimming World promotional sign is visible on the left side of the room. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall.
News

In the bag for super slimmers

Slimming World members across Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland have raised an estimated £14,000 for Cancer Research UK by donating clothes, shoes and accessories

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Two men sitting at a bar smiling at the camera. The man on the left wears a bright yellow jacket with an orange shirt and a lanyard badge, while the man on the right wears a dark navy t-shirt. Both hold pints of beer on the bar in front of them. Behind them is a warmly lit pub or lounge interior with green-trimmed walls, windows with patterned curtains, framed artwork, potted plants, and dark wood furniture.
News

Hip, hip hooray: Sunray restored to its former glory

Brothers who used to visit a landmark pub with their parents have saved it for the community seven years after it shut its

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Four women stand outside The Royal Courts of Justice holding a white banner with red text reading "NO INCINERATOR." The building behind them features Gothic architecture with ornate stone archways, decorative windows, the royal coat of arms, and black decorative fencing. The women are dressed in winter clothing and appear to be at a public demonstration or protest.
News

Incinerator on track for 2030

A massive waste incinerator on Portland is ‘on track’ to start operating by 2030. Powerfuel Portland says contracts to enable the operation are

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