Wednesday, Sept 4
Dorchester and District Gardening Club welcome Susan Vincent MA Classical Studies, President of the Richard Wagner (Dorset) Group and committee member of the T E Lawrence Society and the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship, for a talk: Pompeii: Eumachia in Pompeii at the time of Augustus. The club meet at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB. Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry for members, visitors £4 on the door. All welcome. Contact: Jane, secretary 01305 268523 or email dorchestergardening@gmail.com
An exhibition entitled A Stitch in Time runs until October 27 at Beaminster Museum (Whitcombe Rd, DT8 3NB). It explores the history of stitching trades – dressmaking and tailoring, shoe and boot making, and saddlery – in Beaminster and the surrounding parishes. There are plenty of hands-on activities to entertain younger visitors, not to mention a selection of child-friendly craft kits in the museum shop. The museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays, 10.30am-4pm, Sundays 2pm-4pm. beaminstermuseum.co.uk Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Thursday, September 5
West Dorset Ramblers Group will take an eight-mile walk around Moreton and Culpepper’s Dish. To book and for details ring 07798 732252.
Friday, September 6
Internationally renowned vocal ensemble, The Gesualdo Six, will perform at St Peter’s in Dorchester at 7pm. Book at ticketsource.co.uk/st-peters-church-dorchester
The Cerne Abbas Star Party will be held at Cerne Abbas Brewery at noon. For tickets head to Eventbrite!
Saturday, September 7
A two-day celebration of all the delights Dorset has to offer will be held at Cokers Frome in Dorchester today and tomorrow. Dorset County Show will feature hundreds of animals, a huge range of food and drink, entertainment and more. dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
A double open day will be held at the Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre today and tomorrow 11.30am-3.30pm. Refreshments, picnic area and toilet. Free parking on adjacent Oborne Road, DT9 3RX. Entry by donation. Sswc.co.uk
The Friends of Weymouth Library (FOWL) will be hearing a talk in the library at 10.30am entitled Keep your Hair on by Alan Jones. Straight, wavy, long or natural, we discover the secretive and lucrative international world of hair. Tickets from the library at £2 for members and £3 for non-members. Refreshments available, everyone welcome.
A guided tour of Dorchester’s famous Borough Gardens will start at 6pm, by Friends of the Borough Gardens member Joy Wallis, wildlife expert and Blue Badge Guide. Free!
A Hedgehog Fair is being held in Chickerell 10am-12.30pm to raise funds for a new group to support hedgehogs and a hedgehog hospital planned by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors to the fair, at Chickerell Methodist Church in North Square (DT3 4DX), can learn about these creatures, the gardener’s friends, and learn how to help Chickerell become a Hedgehog-friendly Town. There will be stalls, hedgehog novelties, tombola, raffle and more. Refreshments served – GF and vegan catered for.
Artwey CIC has been promoting art in the local community for 15 years and has more than 100 artists. To celebrate they will be creating a temporary art trail in Weymouth with the theme of Peace until September 21. The 15 venues will display artwork from not only members but other groups including Weymouth College, schools, and other care groups. There will be free workshops too. The art trail will finish on United Nations International Peace Day, September 21, with the Mayor planting a Rose of Peace in the new sensory gardens at Radipole. There will be a free, open to all, celebration where there will be the opportunity to view other artworks, meet members of our team and other invited guests as well as enjoy planned entertainment including music, readings and performing arts. Go to artwey.co.uk
Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club six-mile walk from Musbury. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/visitors welcome.
Mosterton Art Group will hold their annual exhibition from 10am-7pm today and 10am-4pm tomorrow. There will also be a preview party from 6pm-8pm on Friday 6th to meet the artists. All are welcome to the preview! The exhibition will be at Beaminster town hall, Fleet Street, DT8 3EF.
A Blow Your Own Trumpet comedy night will be held at The Convivial Rabbit in Trinity Street, Dorchester (DT1 1TT) from 8.30pm-10pm. An evening of fun and laughter in this welcoming microbar. Featuring six comedians and your MC Gavin Egan. Tickets £5 plus booking fee from jokepit.com
Monday, September 9
Kevin Patience will be talking to the members of Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild at 2pm, on ‘The man who never was’. A true WW2 espionage tale. Visitors welcome (£3). 01305 832857
Bridport Choral Society’s first rehearsal will be held at the United Church Hall at 7.30pm. bridportchoral.wordpress.com
Weymouth Choral Society also returns to rehearsals today. The AGM will also be held (members only). They will also rehearse on September 16, 22 and 30 before performances in November, December and March. Go to weymouthchoralsociety.org.uk
Tuesday, September 10
Southill Gardening Club will meet at the Southill Community Centre at 7.30pm. Experienced Dorset-based horticulturalist Alan Eason will be talking about a range of gardens to visit in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Members and non-members are welcome and refreshments will be available. Further info from Nigel Smith on 01305 788939.
West Dorset Ramblers Group eight-mile walk around Sydling and Bushes Barn, To book and for details 07826 150114.
Wednesday, Sept 11
West Dorset Community Orchestra rehearsals restart after the summer break in the Christian Fellowship Hall, East Street car park, Bridport each Wednesday during term time from 6.30pm to 7.45pm. New members welcome, the first four rehearsals free. For more information 01308 456297 or westdorsetmusic.org.uk
The best of World Cinema is returning to the Corn Exchange with the launch of Dorchester Film Society’s new season. The programme features 18 titles, including two winners and six nominated titles at this year’s Oscars as well as a number of successes on the international film festival circuit. The season opens today with Fallen Leaves, a droll comedy from the acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. The programme continues with a wide range of recent world cinema titles. Full details of the programme to be shown at 7.30pm on the Corn Exchange’s wide screen with Dolby sound on selected Wednesdays, are available at dorchesterfilmsociety.org.uk with the details of how to join. Films are for members and their guests only – tickets cannot be purchased at the door.
Thursday, Sept 12
Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association will meet at the Digby Hall, Hound Street at 7.30pm to hear from Paul and Helen Strickland of Black Shed Flowers. Non-members £3. Contact Richard Newcombe on 01935 389375.
A free ploughing practice & training day is being held at Dunster Farm, Broadoak DT6 5NR 10am-4pm. Bring your own refreshments, spectators welcome,
Friday, September 13
Film Night: The Eagle Huntress at Wyke Regis Memorial Hall, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm). 2016 Kazakh language documentary film narrated (in English) by executive producer Daisy Ridley. Heart-warming story of a 13-year-old girl as she attempts to become the first female to compete in the eagle festival at Ulgii, Mongolia. Entrance £6, includes glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Tickets parishofwykeregis.org.uk/events, or Jeff Thomas on 07710 096174.
Saturday, September 14
Cream Tea Afternoon and Tower Tours at All Saints church Wyke Regis, 2pm to 5pm. Browse our books and bric a brac sale. Book a tower tour and climb the 100 steps to explore the bell tower and experience the wonderful panoramic view at the top. Tour tickets £6, bookable at parishofwykeregis.org.uk/events
Saturday, September 14
There’s prize bingo at Maiden Newton village hall, 2pm for a 2.30pm eyes down.
Dorset Greener Homes: Over 30 homes across Dorset will be open for visitors today and tomorrow – and again on September 21 and 22 – to find out about heat pumps, wall insulation, solar panels and batteries, wildlife-friendly gardens or just how to save money on your heating bills. Talk to householders who have greened their home, to get the unbiased and unvarnished truth. dorsetgreenerhomes.org for times and details.
A free, one-day health and wellbeing festival with a host of therapists on hand is taking place at St Mary’s Church Hall in Bridport (DT6 3NN) between 10am and 5pm. Members of Bridport Health and Well Being are hosting this event to encourage and inspire people to lead healthier lives. Nutrition, massage therapies, energy healing, homeopathy plus herbal medicines and essential oils. Bridport Health and Wellbeing can be found on Facebook.
IMAG(IN)E 2, an exhibition and open day by Bridport Camera Club, is being held at the WI Hall, North Street, (DT6 3JQ) between 10am and 4pm. Imag(in)e is a different kind of photography club. In their friendly group they encourage all photography, from phone cameras to film. Take their 15-minute photography challenge, using camera or smartphone, meet members and browse photos. bridportcameraclub.co.uk, info@bridportcameraclub.co.uk
A free one-day festival celebrating Bridport’s amazing multi-cultural community will be held 10am-noon at Bridport Arts Centre, then from noon at the community orchard and from 6pm at the arts centre. There will be food, storytelling, art, music, crafts and drumming. Go to facebook.com/jurassicmulticultural to find out more.
Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club will host an eight-mile walk from Bridport. Ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. Visitors welcome.
A colourful event will be returning to Bridport today – a Quilt WalkAbout! The event used to be held bi-annually in Broadwindsor from 2001 to 2011. Its organiser has been teaching patchwork and quilting for 25 years and to mark the event she wanted to exhibit the quilts her students and locals have made over the years.
The event has been taken from the Amish idea that they hold in the spring called The Airing of the Quilts. They spring clean & air their quilts by hanging them outside making a fabulous colour display around their towns. Weather depending quilts will be hung around the town outside, or in / as well as shops, churches & cafes. They will also be hosting workshops and demos and a competition as well as a big reveal of a super quilt on the last day. To find out more, go to studi0ne.com
An RAF Association quiz night will be held at 7pm at Bridport & District Social Club on North Street. Teams of four to enter (£2.50pp). Great prizes, cash bar and raffle. Further details from Mike White 07821 167278.
One of the biggest and best summer fetes will be held today, at Weldmar Hospicecare’s inpatient unit (Herringston Road, 11am-4pm. Lots of family fun, entertainment, food and drink, games, and more. Free shuttle bus service from Dorchester South Station to the fete. Just £2 entry, and children are free! All proceeds towards Weldmar’s specialist care for local adults with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones. TV star Martin Clunes will be there.
Sunday, September 15
There’s a Choral Eucharist with music by Mozart, Messiaen and Victoria at 10.30am at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. Free.
A free hedgelaying Dorset-style taster day will be held 9.30am-4pm at Wyke Farm, Chedington, DT8 3HX. Wear strong shoes and gloves, no shorts. Bring a billhook and loppers if you have them. Bring your own refreshments. Book on 01308 423337 or office@melplashshow.co.uk
Bridport and Lyme Regis Royal Air Forces Association Group will host the annual Battle of Britain church service at St Swithun’s Church, North Allington, Bridport at 3pm.
Weymouth & Portland branch of the Royal Air Force Association are holding their annual Battle of Britain Remembrance Service at the BoB Memorial Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth at 3pm. All are welcome at either service.
Tuesday, September 17
West Dorset Ramblers Group 7.5-mile walk – Beaminster circular to Toller Whelme – taking in Mapperton, Toller Whelme and Beaminster and surrounding countryside. No dogs. To book 07947 881635.
Wednesday, Sept 18
Bridport Camera Club will host a presentation by Barry Lewis at Bridport Town Hall 7pm-10pm. Barry has been a photographer and film maker for over 40 years. His presentation will include a mix of the international photojournalism that paid his bills and his more left-field personal work. There will be images from his 1991 visit to Russia’s Gulag during Perestroika, which is the subject of his recent book, Gulag. Non-members welcome for £5 via bridportcameraclub.co.uk or pay at the door.
The New Arts Group will be hosting its next talk at Bridport Town Hall 1.30pm for a 2pm start, with a talk on Charles I: King and Collector by Barbara Askew. £10, no membership required.
Thursday, Sept 19
A talk by Barbara Whillock on her experiences as a Bag Lady for Cancer UK will be held at 2.30pm in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport. Entry is £5 or £4 for Friends of Bridport Millennium Green members.
Wyke Regis Horticultural Society will hold its AGM at 7pm in the Club House, Rylands Lane, DT4 9PY. Free cheese and wine from 6.30pm. All welcome.
Anna May from Bridport will be giving a talk about the glorious, colourful world of Dorset Dahlias at a meeting of Bridport and District Gardening Club at the Women’s Institute building on North Street at 7.30pm. Anna grows around 800 plants a year in 80-100 varieties, which yields thousands of blooms.She sells to florists for weddings and events and also direct to brides doing their own flowers. Free for members and £2 for non-members. For more information, visit bridportgardeningclub.co.uk
Friday, September 20
The next meeting of the South Dorset Group of the Somerset & Dorset Family History Society, at St. Aldhelm’s Church Centre (DT3 5EW) will hear from Felicity Herring, who will present a talk about the amazing, mysterious life of Doctor James Barry, who was born in 1789. The talk will begin at 2.30pm, preceded by tea or coffee. Admission is £2 for members and £3 for non-members.
West Dorset Ramblers Group 11-mile walk. Hooke Woods circular via Loscombe, West Milton & Powerstock. Dogs by prior arrangement with the walk leader. To book and for details contact 07587 098079.
Saturday, Sept 21
A coffee morning will be held at All Saints’ church Wyke Regis, 10am to midday. All welcome. Cakes, books, Fairtrade stall, brass music.
Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club is taking on a seven-mile walk from Little Bredy. Ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/visitors welcome.
A Dorset Extravaganza will be held in Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton at 7pm, with The Dorset Wrecks, a sea shanty group, in aid of the chancel roof. Surprising stories of Dorset history with a humorous twist. Bar and refreshments. Tickets £10 from 07971 277584, 01300 345434 or Old Chapel Stores.
A lunchtime concert will be held at St Peter’s Church Dorchester 12.30pm-1pm. Schubert’s The Shepherd on the Rock with songs by Mozart and Handel and music for clarinet. Sue Adams (soprano), Natalie Burton (clarinet), Ian Davis (piano). Free.
A Mind Body Spirit Fayre will be held 11am until 5pm at Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne.
Psychic mediums, a psychic artist, aura camera, therapists, massage and beauty treatments plus dreadlock extensions and faery hair sparkles. Demos held all day. Delicious homemade cakes and coffee. Entry £1.
Dorset Greener Homes are opening 30 homes across Dorset for visitors today and tomorrow to find out about heat pumps, wall insulation, solar panels and batteries, wildlife-friendly gardens or just how to save money on your heating bills. Talk to householders who have greened their home, to get the unbiased and unvarnished truth. dorsetgreenerhomes.org
Sunday, September 22
The Friends of St Mary’s Church, Beaminster, invite you to a Harvest Celebration from 10am to 5pm. The church will open for a harvest festival service at 9.30am before the day-long celebration, which will have many and varied displays! All are welcome. Free admission.
An open mic poetry afternoon will be held 3-5pm at The Occasional Bookshop, Durngate St, Dorchester DT1 1JP. Visiting poets from Stroud and Southampton will perform but Dorchester/Dorset poets are needed – just come along with your poems. All welcome. Free (though donations for Refugees Charity welcome).
A Sunday DJ event will be held at Mercato Italiano, unit 3b, Dreadnought Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 5BU, from 5pm. Call 01308 459274 or see the menu at mercatoitaliano.uk
Tuesday, September 24
Sherborne Historical Society will hear from Michael Hill on Mapping Dorset’s Historic Buildings at 8pm at Digby Hall, Hound Street. An architectural historian shares his expertise, from country houses to churches and towns in the county. Members free, visitors £5. sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk
The next Bridport U3A talk is at 2pm in the Bridport United Church Hall. It will last for about an hour, followed by a Q&A then refreshments. Members free, visitors £3. Speaker is U3A member Karen Herbert on National Coastwatch in Lyme Bay. Karen is one of 2,700 volunteers around the English and Welsh coasts who keep us safe.
Wednesday, Sept 25
The Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society hosts a talk ‘Plant Hunters’ by Ambra Edwards at Uplyme Village Hall (DT7 3UY) at 7pm. Books for sale. Members free, non-members £3. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, talk starts 7.30pm. ulrhs.wordpress.com
Thursday, Sept 25
Sherborne Science Café presents speaker Prof Mike Tipton of Portsmouth University on Cold Water Immersion In Humans at 7.30pm at Digby Memorial Hall (DT9 3NL). £3 entry on the door, no membership required. Sherbornesciencecafe.com
Friday, September 27
St Mary’s Church Weymouth will host Wacapella at 11am for one of their Elevenses concerts – a short performance followed by refreshments in the Simeon Room. See wacapella.co.uk or ring 07747 373516. Free concert, donations welcome.
An organ recital with Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien will be held at All Saints’ Church Wyke Regis, 7.30pm. Twenty-two year old New Zealander Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien is much in demand as a solo, orchestral and chamber musician, and organist. A recital to celebrate the re-emerging of the church’s 1884 Henry Jones organ from its plastic cocoon following completion of the recent north aisle roof works. Entry £6 (children under 16 free). Cash bar. Tickets at parishofwykeregis.org.uk/events
Saturday, Sept 28
A Last Night of The Proms with Weymouth Concert Brass will be held at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church (DT4 7TH) at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 on door (cash only) or £10 in advance from 01305 812637.
Maiden Newton Youth Football Club is holding a bingo evening in the village hall. Doors open 6pm, eyes down 7pm. Raffle prizes welcome on the night.
St Peter’s Church, Dorchester will hold a choral evensong at 4.30pm with music by Parry, Beeby, Brewer and Bainton. Free with a glass of wine to follow.
Saturday 28 September
An evening of outdoor film and talks about ‘the commons’ and ‘shifting landscapes’ at the new Pavilion of Regenerative Practice in Askers Meadow, Bridport. With a bar from Selected Grapes and music from Aidan Simpson. 6pm-8pm. Free entry, all welcome. chasingcow.co.uk
Cerne Abbas Village Hall will host The Quangle Wangle Choir 7.30pm-9.15pm. £10, children free. Refreshments. quanglewanglechoir.co.uk or ring 07747 373516.
Sunday, September 29
Minterne Magna Music’s third concert is a performance of Schubert’s C major String Quintet by Magnus Johnston and Max Baillie – violin Brett Dean; viola, Gemma Rosefield and cello Guy Johnston at 6.30pm. Tickets £60 inc reception. Email: MusicatMinterne@outlook.com
Melplash Agricultural Society’s annual Hedgelaying and Ploughing Match takes place today at Wyke Farm Chedington DT8 3HX from 9am-3pm. Entry is free. Entry forms and info at melpashshow.co.uk
Monday, September 30
West Dorset Ramblers Group eight-mile walk at Cerne Abbas for area and Minterne Parva and Wessex Ridgeway. To book and for details contact 07974 756107.
The National Trust Golden Cap Association is hosting an illustrated talk entitled Life in Victorian Britain by well-known TV personality Paul Atterbury at the United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport at 2.30pm. This talk reveals the changes – cultural, social, economic and technical – from contemporary Victorian paintings, that changed Britain in that period and set the foundation for our modern world. Members £3, Visitors £5. Mike Nicks 01308 45855.
The Live Wire Choir welcomes new members. Rehearsals are at St Ann’s Schoolroom, Radipole Lane Weymouth on Mondays 7.30-9pm. A capella harmony singing, sociable and fun. julietharwood@hotmail.com 07747 373516.
Wednesday, October 2
Plymouth Gin tasting is on at Mercato Italiano at unit 3b, Dreadnought Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 5BU. Call 01308 459274 or view the menu at mercatoitaliano.uk
The Dorchester and District Gardening Club welcome back local historian and senior archaeologist Steve Wallis for an illustrated talk on ‘A Journey along the River Frome’, heading from the headwaters in the Evershot area all the way to Poole Harbour – and looking at some of the historic and other features of its valley along the way. St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB, doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry for members, visitors £4 on the door. There is also a bring and buy stall and a draw, with tea/coffee and biscuits available afterwards. All welcome. Contact: Jane, secretary 01305 268523 or email dorchestergardening@gmail.com
Robert Read: professional photographer and author will talk to Bridport Camera Club from 7pm-10pm at Bridport Town Hall (DT6 3LF). Non-members £5 via bridportcameraclub.co.uk or on the door. Rob is perhaps best known as one of the founders of Bird Photographer of the Year and, more recently, WildArt Photographer of the year. His images have been used in countless publications across the world and he’s a regular contributor to Bird Watching Magazine.
Friday, October 4
Wacapella welcomes new members. Rehearsals are at Weymouth Drama Club, Hope Street, Weymouth on Friday mornings, 11am-12.30pm. A capella harmony singing. wacapella.co.uk 07747 373516.
Weymouth Octoberfest is set to return this weekend! The festival is organised by West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale volunteers and held in Weymouth Pavilion’s Ocean room. This year sees the debut of local Dorchester brewery Copper St as the guest brewery bar. The beer theme this year will be ales from King Alfred’s Wessex 871AD and will be a celebration of the original Wessex region of Britain. Customers can expect over 60 cask ales from Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire complemented by a selection of traditional ciders of varying style. Entry is by advance ticket only – £12 per session which includes a free pint of beer or cider, a souvenir glass and a programme. Book at camrawdorset.org.uk/ shop/tickets/weymouth-octoberfest-tickets
Saturday, October 5
The Quangle Wangle Choir will rehearse at Radipole School, Radipole Lane, Weymouth. A capella harmony singing. quanglewanglechoir.co.uk 07747 373516.
A quiz night will be held at Wyke Regis Memorial Hall, 7pm. Doors open 6.30pm. Entry £6 (includes £2 of raffle tickets), payable on the door. Bring your own refreshments. Team (max 6) and individual entrants welcome. Contact Jeff Thomas on 07710 096174 to reserve.
Sunday, October 6
Dorset Cottage Garden Society will meet at 2pm at Puddletown Village Hall to hear from Tamsin Westhorpe on how to prepare for the perfect spring. Visitors and guests £5. Plant stall, raffle, tea and coffee.
Tuesday, October 8
Want to know how Putin ticks? Then pop along to Sherborne Historical Society’s talk at 8pm at Digby Hall, Hound Street to hear from Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, who will be trying to answer why Putin invaded Ukraine, and how the influences and experiences in Putin’s formative years have shaped his attitudes today. Members free, visitors £5. sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk
Bere Regis Floral Group welcome you to Limelight, a demonstration by Lucy Ellis, national demonstrator, at 2pm at Tarrant Keyneston Village Hall, DT11 9JE. Tickets £15 to include refreshments available from Bob Holman at bobanddiholman@outlook.com or 01305 848262.
Southill Gardening Club will meet at the Southill Community Centre at 7.30pm. Experienced fuchsia grower and exhibitor Derek Dexter will be talking about how best to care for fuchsias over the winter, in order to protect the health of your plants ready for next spring. Members and non-members welcome, refreshments available. Info from Nigel Smith on 01305 788939.
Thursday, October 10
Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association will meet at the Digby Hall, Hound Street at 2.30pm to hear from Bryan Madders on salvias and other flowering perennials. Non-members £3. Contact Richard Newcombe on 01935 389375.
Saturday, October 12
The Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society autumn show and coffee morning will be held at Uplyme Village Hall (DT7 3UY) 10am to noon. Informal event judged by public vote. Also plant sale and raffle. Show open to all, free of charge. ulrhs.wordpress.com
There’s prize bingo at Maiden Newton village hall, 2pm for a 2.30pm eyes down.
A gala dinner is being held for Weldmar at the George Albert Hotel at Wardon Hill, between Dorchester and Yeovil on the A37 (DT2 9PW), 7pm-midnight, promising glam and sparkle. Vocalist Emily Jean will entertain, and there will be an auction of promises. Tables up to 10, discounted B&B available. Tickets £40 from 07785 544482.