He put millions of pounds’ worth of paintings through some of the world’s biggest and best-known auction houses, exposing their frailties and leaving the art world shaken to its core. Ten years ago his luck ran out and at the age of 63 Billy Mumford, aka Billy the Brush, was handed a two-year prison stretch […]
It started as a flight of fancy in 2008. But Dorset Falconry Park near Dorchester is now a reality – and the family behind it all need your help to continue protecting endangered birds of prey. Martin Ballam, 50, is a wildlife enthusiast. He has worked with animals and birds all his life, and takes […]
The spirit of union activism will return to Dorset this weekend as the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival makes its triumphant comeback. Running from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17, festival organisers promise an eclectic mix of live music by local and international artists as well as spirited political discourse. The festival will build up to […]
Children in Ravens’ Class at Stickland’s School in Evershot have been learning about bees and becoming beekeepers at Summer Lodge. Once a week, the chair of governors, Suzie Mutch, has been teaching the children the vital role of bees in pollination, enabling children to gain a thorough understanding of why bees are so important and […]
Excitement is palpable as the Melplash Agricultural Show will be returning to West Bay after a two-year break on August 25. The show is a true celebration of farming and rural life by the sea, bringing together the very best of West Dorset with animals, food, fun and entertainment and with agriculture at the top […]
Budding young writers from Beaminster School are celebrating the launch of their creative writing anthology. The ‘I Have a Dream’ anthology launch event will be held at Little Toller Books in Beaminster at 6pm on Thursday, July 14. The anthology is the culmination of a series of creative writing workshops for pupils in Years 7, […]
First Beaminster Scout Group is crying out for a new leader to take charge of its Beaver colony. Scout leader Joy Edwards said the First Beaminster Scout Group has continued to thrive despite the covid pandemic. But she added that the forthcoming departure of their current Beavers leader leaves a gap that needs to be […]
A family farm is making all the difference to their cows – and the proof is in the taste of the milk. The Marsh family, who have been farming in Martinstown since 1963, extend such a high standard of care to their herd at Eweleaze Farm they even provide them with an Astroturf strip for […]
The results of one of the ‘most prestigious garden competitions’ in the West Dorset area, the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Annual Gardens and Allotments Competition are in. Some 16 gardens were judged over two days by Tim and Sibyl Gale, Jackie Seogalutze, accompanied by society president Nigel Jones, Society Chairman James Vickery and Vice Chairman Philip […]
It’s rare that a medicinal nostrum from a bygone era is held in high regard. Images of snake oil salesmen plying their dubious wares from roadside stalls spring to mind. But in Bridport there was one medicinal product the locals swore by for more than 50 years – Fudge’s Mentholated Honey Syrup – known affectionately […]