West Dorset

to 27 St. Mary's Church Lunchtime Concerts St. Mary's Church, South St, Bridport, 12.30pm. A 'Come and Go' Lunchtime Concert series taking place every Saturday in July and August at 12.30pm. Just pop along and listen to the concert for as long as you like.

to 01/09 Summer Yoga In Bridport St Mary's Church Hall, Bridport, 10.30am – 12pm every Thursday, £5 per session.

01 - 20 Concertfest At Sherborne Various Venues In Sherborne. Canford Summer School of Music and Concertfest present thirty five concerts in twenty days. Contact Sherborne TIC for a full programme.

07 Charmouth Fayre Barrs Lane Playing Field Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Fancy dress parade at 1.45pm, fete opens 2pm. BBQ, Bar, Live Music at 7pm followed by fireworks at 10.30pm.

07 Exploration Of The Beach Along The Hamm Chesil Beach Centre, Ferrybridge, Meet at 2pm. An exploration of the beach at low tide along the Hamm at Ferrybridge. Bring wellingtons or water shoes for two hours of fun!

07 Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival – today’s events Today's events include regatta races, family dog show, outdoor barn dance

07 Osmington Village Fete Osmington Village Hall, Shortlake Lane, Osmington, 2pm - 5pm. Traditional style village fete - stalls, sideshows, children's activity, pony rides, jazz band etc.

07 RNLI Trawler Parade West Bay Harbour. Trawler parade with Weymouth lifeboat, helicopter etc.

07 Rockpool Ramble Meet at The Anchor, Cobb Gate Car Park, Lyme Regis, 12.30.pm. Investigating Lyme Regis' Rockpools. Great for young children and adults.

07 Salway Ash Village Fete Salway Village Hall And Sports Field, ,2pm - 4pm. Village fete with stalls, competitions, refreshments, bar, live music with Dr Stomp, Punch and Judy, bouncy castle, alpacas, grand draw

07 Village Open Day South Perrott Village (A356), Nr Beaminster, 10.30am - 5pm. A great family day out with classic cars, flower festival, crafts, produce market, gardens and alpacas!

07 Walk The Wessex Ridgeway - Lambert's Castle The Bottle Inn, Marshwood, 10.30am. A 3-4 mile walk discovering more about the hill forts and Lambert's Castle and Coney Castle, finishing with a pub lunch at the Bottle Inn, Marshwood

07 West Dorset Ramblers Association Walk Starts from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, 2.30pm

08 'The Flutes Of Love' - Broadmayne St. Martins Community Hall, Dorchester, 7pm. Presented by Mean Time. A performance based on the four 'loves': friendship, godly love, eroticism and affection. Including music for voice, recorder and virginal by Purcell, Telemann, Bach, Henry VIII and Bennet.

08 Coastlink Relay Walk Swannery Car Park, Abbotsbury, Nr. Weymouth. Relay walk from Abbotsbury to Ferrybridge (approx. 12 miles), starting from the Swannery car park; bring a packed lunch, wear suitable shoes and don't forget sun protection! Booking essential on 01305 760579, when the start time will be confirmed.

08 Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival – today’s events Today's events include a pavement art competition, Family scavenger hunt Wheeled Derby

08 Rockpool Ramble Starts from The Anchor, Cobb Gate Car Park, Lyme Regis, 1pm. Investigating Lyme Regis' Rockpools. Great for young children and adults.

08 Concertfest Sheborne - Today's Events 12.45pm Sherborne Abbey - mini recital by Julian Wilkins (organ)

08 Weymouth Fireworks Weymouth Beach / Bay, Weymouth, Entertainment from 6pm onwards.

09 Coastlink Relay Walk Day 2 Chesil Beach Centre, Ferrybridge. For the more energetic, a chance to try another leg of the Coastlink Relay Walk from Ferrybridge to Lulworth (approx. 16 miles) (see 08/08 for details).

09 Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival – today’s events Today's events include smugglers and ghost walks, tea with music, Town Band concert

21 Sea Dragons & Volcanoes Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, 12.00 noon.

21 West Dorset Ramblers Association Walk Meet at Bucky Doo, Bridport, 2.30pm. A 3 mile Sunday stroll.

22 West Dorset Ramblers Association Walk Meet at Shatcombe Picnic Area, Eggardon Hill, 10am. 8 mile walk –

22 Weymouth Fireworks Weymouth Beach / Bay, 6pm onwards.

22 New Trafalgar Dispatch visits Hardy’s Monument, Portesham & Portland This morning is devoted to Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, captain of Nelson’s flagship the Victory. At approx. 10am Lt Lapenotiere will join the Lord Leiutenant of Dorset, Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson at the monument erected in Hardy’s honour. A short service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Bishop of Sherborne. The Dispatch will then visit Hardy’s home in Portesham at approx. 11.45am, to be welcomed by Deputy Lieutenant for Dorset Mrs Margaret Romanes for presentation of the Dispatch to the Chairman of the Parish Council. The St. Swithin’s Band from Bridport will be on parade. At approx. 5.50pm the Dispatch arrives at Portland, welcomed by Deputy Lieutenant for Dorset, Rear Admiral John Croydon, for a presentation of the Dispatch to the Portland Town Mayor at Pennsylvania Castle, followed by an historical sketch by the Royal Manor Theatre Company, This is followed by a tour of Portland.

23 New Trafalgar Dispatch at Weymouth The Dispatch visits Weymouth seafront at approx. 11am, to be welcombed by Lord Digby, formerly Lord Lieutenant of Dorset for presentation of the Dispatch to the Mayor of Weymouth.

24 New Trafalgar Dispatch arrives at Dorchester Dorchester Cricket Ground, Dorchester 11.45am. The New Trafalgar Dispatch arrives at Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, and Lieutenant Lapenotiere will be welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson,CVO, KStJ, JP, Royal Navy, the Mayor of Dorchester, the Chair of the Dorset County Council. The welcome ceremony takes place at the Dorchester Cricket Ground where the Chairman of the County Council and the Mayor of Dorchester will be presented with copies of the Dispatch. A Trafalgar Way plaque will be unveiled and later inserted in Antelope Walk. The Durnovaria Silver Band and the Band of the Weymouth Sea Cadet Unit will be on parade.

24 Plankton Trawling Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, 2.30pm.

24 Weymouth Arts Centre - Lunchtime Concerts St. Mary's Church, Weymouth, 1-2pm. Andrew Littlemore (horn), Duncan Honeybourne (piano)

25 Melplash Show West Bay Road, Bridport, 8am – 7pm. The annual Melplash Agricultural Society Show

26 Adult Disco - Lyme Regis Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, 9.00pm till late.

26 Bat Detectives At Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve Lorton Meadows Wildlife Centre, Lorton Lane, Broadwey, Weymouth, 8 - 10pm. Join the wildlife officer for a short talk and guided walk. Activities to follow and refreshments.

26 The Bats Of Powerstock Common Meet at Powerstock Common Near Bridport, 7.15pm A 1 mile evening walk on Dorset Wildlife Trust's Powerstock Common, searching for bats with night vision equipment and bat detectors.

26 Kids' Disco Party - Lyme Regis Woodmead Hall, Hill Road, Lyme Regis, 6.30pm - 8.00pm. Part of the Candles on the Cobb celebrations

26 Market in St Martin's Community Hall St Martin's Community Hall, 2pm-3.30pm. Produce, cakes, plants, craft, Local farm produce, fair trade goods, a Raffle, library etc

26 - 29 Milton Abbas Music Festival Concerts in Milton Abbey and St Mary’s Church, Dorchester

27 Candles On The Cobb Weekend The Cobb, Lyme Regis. Day of events including : Afternoon - Junior football; Evening - 'The Same Old Faces' concert in the gardens , Torchlight procession and Fireworks 9.30pm Concert continuing after fireworks

27 Halstock Flower Show And Fete Halstock Village Hall, Halstock, Nr Yeovil, 2pm. Flower show and fete

27 Nobody Rides The Unicorn At Bridport Arts Centre Bridport Arts Centre, 2pm. Performed by Puppetcraft, this show has gorgeous puppets and spell-binding live music to tell the tale of a little girl. The show is aimed at 4 to 10 year olds and their families, and is just under an hour long. Tickets £7, children £4.

27 Sherborne Antiques & Flea Markets Church Hall & Age Concern Day Centre, Digby Road, Sherborne, 9am - 4pm.

27 Vintage Fly-In Henstridge, nr. Sherborne. Annual vintage and classic aircraft fly-in, plus model flying displays. Classic vehicles, restaurant and on-site catering, trade stands etc. In support of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

27- 29 Batcombe Festival of Walks All walks start from Batcombe Village Hall, 10am. A choice of three free walks is available each day of 6, 8 or 10 miles. Tel. 01935 850227 for further information.

27 - 29 Swan Fayre The Swannery, Abbotsbury, 10am to 6pm - last admission 5pm. Falconry displays, sheepshearing (Sat and Mon only) and lots of family activities.

28 Candles On The Cobb The Cobb, Lyme Regis, from 8.00pm. Spectacular display of Candles on the Cobb; first candles lit by The Mayor and other special guests at 8.00pm

28 Fossil Roadshow Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, 10.30am - 4.30pm. A whole day of events

28 Historic Vehicle Rally Sherborne School Quadrangle, Abbey Road, Sherborne, Road run 11am Display in courts 2pm - 5pm. Road run and concours of veteran, vintage and classic cards and motorcycles.

28 Symene Fair Symene Cricket Ground, Symondsbury. Large fair and car boot sale

29 Bank Holiday Organ Recital Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne, 2.30pm. Recital by James Henderson, Head of Music at Sherborne School. Retiring collection in aid of the organ appeal.

29 Borough Gardens - The Crack Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 3.00pm

29 Broadwindsor Annual Flower Show Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor, 3p.m. Flower and produce show

29 Car Boot Sale Alweston Playing Fields, Nr. Sherborne, 10am - 1pm. In aid of Folke Church repairs

29 The Crack In The Borough Gardens Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 2.30pm.

29 Grand Fete At Martinstown Cricket Ground Martinstown Cricket Club, Nr Dorchester, 12 noon The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows in conjunction with Martinstown Cricket Club are organising this Grand Fete in aid of Cancer Research UK. Lots of entertainment for all the family!

29 Village Fete Athelhampton House & Gardens, Dorchester, 12 noon - 4pm. Traditional church fete in aid of several local churches

29 Weymouth Fireworks Weymouth Beach / Bay, entertainment from 6pm onwards.

30 Plankton Trawling Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, 11.30am. Plankton trawling

31-04/09 Great Dorset Steam Fair Great Dorset Steam Fair, South Down, Blandford, Gates open 9am until midnight (closes 5pm Sunday 4th September). This annual extravaganza is held on a 600 acre showground where you can find an old time steam driven funfair, the world famous line-up of showman's engines and the magnificent steam driven heavy haulage, threshing, woodsawing, ploughing and road rolling demonstrations. Also featured are traditional 'can can' girl dancing shows, fairground organs, heavy horses, rural crafts, vintage tractors, stationary engines, old commercial and army vehicles, vintage cars and motorcycles, models, trade stands, auto jumble and five entertainment pavilions with live music and over 50 real ales/beers.

31 Nature Trail Through The Kingcombe Meadows Meet at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, 2.15pm. Guided walk with Pauline Lowry.

FOSSIL WALKS

Lyme Regis Fossil walks with Dr Colin Dawes – meet at the Old Forge Fossil Shop, Broad Street

Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 1pm. Walk lasts appprox. 2.5 hours. Cost Adult £7, Child £3

Fossil walks with Paddy Howe – meet at Lyme Regis Museum. Walks take place on 3^rd at 9.30am, 4^th at 10.15am, 5^th at 11am, 6^th at 11am,7^th at 12pm, 8^th at 12.30pm, 9^th at 1pm, 19^th at 10.15am, 20^th at 11.15am, 21^st at 12pm, 23^rd at 1.15pm. Walk lasts approx. 2 hours. Limited to 12 people – booking essential on 01297 443370.

Fossil walks with Brandon Lennon daily from Lyme Regis. Details and times available from Mike’s Minerals & Fossils – tel. 01297 444405

Charmouth From the Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth. Walks last approx. 2 hours. Adults £7, Children £3. During August, guided walks take place on 2^nd at 11am, 3^rd at 12noon, 4^th at 12.30pm, 6^th at 1.30pm, 7^th at 2pm, 8^th at 2.30pm, 9^th at 3pm, 17^th at 10am, 18^th at 11.30am, 20^th at 1.30pm, 21^st at 1.30pm. 22^nd at 2.30pm

GUIDED WALKS

Bridport Discover Bridport with a Blue Badge Guide Every Thursday from Bridport Tourist Information Centre, 2.30pm. Discover the footpaths and alleys of this fascinating Saxon town and what it means to be stabbed by a Bridport dagger.

Dorchester Discover Dorchester with a Blue Badge Guide Every Tuesday from Dorchester Tourist Information Centre, 11am. Explore the county town and uncover its past from Judge Jeffreys' Bloody Assize to Thomas Hardy's Casterbridge and the Roman occupation.

Historic Town Walk every Monday 11am – meet at the Tourist Information Centre

Town crying and half hour walks with Alistair Chisholm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 11am, 12pm and 1pm – meet at Town Pump except the Wednesday 11am walk which meets at the market.

Lyme Regis Ghost Tour every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm – meet at the Guildhall

Lyme Regis Smugglers every Tuesday and Thursday at 2.30pm – meet at the Guildhall

"Health Walk" every Monday 7pm – Meet at the Anchor, Cobb Gate

Sherborne Discover Sherborne with a Blue Badge Guide Every Friday from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, 11am. Gain an amazing insight into this historic mediaeval town and explore the courts of Sherborne School, the setting for three major films.

Also :

to 09/09 Guided Tours Of The Old Crown Court And Cells In Dorchester The Old Crown Court And cells, High West Street, Dorchester, 2pm to 4.15pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holiday Mondays) plus 10am to 12.15pm on Wednesdays. Tours every 45 mins. Visit the old courtroom and cells in Dorchester, famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, with a Blue Badge Guide. Experience two hundred years of gruesome crime and punishment in a setting little changed over the years. Stand in the dock and sit in the dimly lit cells, where prisoners waited for their appearance before the judge. Children's quiz prize.

to 26/08 Evening Hauntings (Fridays) Portland Castle, Castletown, Portland, 6.45pm - 8pm Fridays only. Join an evening ghostly tour to discover the secrets of the castle.

to 30/08 History Of Portland Portland Castle, Castletown, Portland, Castle open 10am - 6pm. 3pm Tuesdays only,join a special guided tour to discover the fascinating history of the castle.

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

Don’t miss the chance to explore beautiful hidden gardens open as part of the National Gardens Scheme – pick up a free copy of the yellow booklet Dorset Gardens 2005 from one of our TICs for details of open dates and times. West Dorset gardens open during August include: Brook House, Leigh (7^th, 10^th, 21^st, 24^th); Broomhill, Rampisham (14^th); Domineys Yard, Buckland Newton (14^th); Knowle Farm, Uploders (16^th); Sticky Wicket, Buckland Newtown (21^st).

EXHIBITIONS

to 14/08 V For Victory - Bridport Salutes The Home Front This exhibition and 1940's rooms is on display at the Town Hall, Bridport. Further details to follow. Further details from Celia Martin 01308 458061. There will be a Church Service At St. Mary's Church, Bridport followed by a Veteran's Reception and Children's Party.

to 14/08 Alpha House Gallery Summer Exhibition Alpha House Gallery, South Street, Sherborne, Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm.

to 11/09 Beaminster's Home Front - Memories In Sound And Pictures Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster. Beaminster memories of WWII in pictures and sound. Museum open Easter to 27th September on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30 to 12.30 and 2.30 to 4.30, also Sundays 2.30 to 4.30. Admission £1, children free. Further details from 01308 863623.

to 10/10 The Branch Line Art Cafe At Whitchurch Canonicorum Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.Taking place every Monday from March to October, the Branch Line is an art cafe that offers drinks and light refreshments in relaxed surroundings. With changing exhibitions of work, posters, magazines and books for sale. Open from 10am to 4pm. For further details please telephone 01297 489232

to 30/10 The Bridport Branch Line Exhibition Bridport Museum, South St, , Bridport, Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm A commemoration of the Bridport railway from 1855 - 1975

to 30/10 Fifty Years Established The Undercroft, Forde Abbey, Nr Chard, 10am - 4.30pm, daily. Exhibition of 300 pieces of woodfired, Raku. stoneware & porcelain by the Eeles family of potters.

to 31/10 An Exhibition In Weymouth Museum Brewers Quay, Hope Square, Weymouth, 10am-4.30pm.Moments from Dorset's Maritime Heritage.

to 31/12 Gallipoli Exhibition At The Keep Museum Military Museum Of Devon & Dorset, The Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Mon-Sat 9.30am - 5pm April - September. An exhibition to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign.

to 08/10 Dorset And Trafalgar - Exhibition Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, 10am - 5pm Daily

An exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar with stunning displays including : *letters from HMS Victory, *replica of a gun port and cannon from HMS Victory, material on public display for the first time, interactives and activities for children of all ages, personal possessions belonging to the three Dorset captains.

to 12/08 White Stones Cafe/Gallery Presents 'To The Earth' White Stones Cafe/Gallery, Easton Road, Portland, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm. A selection of paintings by Kate Wyatt.

to 14/08 Embroidery Exhibition Strangways Hall, , Nr.Weymouth, 10am-4.30pm. By West Country Embroiderers. Greeting cards, books and stiched gifts

to 14/08 V For Victory - Bridport Salutes The Home Front This exhibition and 1940's rooms is on display at the Town Hall, Bridport. Further details to follow. Further details from Celia Martin 01308 458061. There will be a Church Service At St. Mary's Church, Bridport followed by a Veteran's Reception and Children's Party.

to 14/08 The 1940's House Bridport Town Hall. 60th Anniversary of V-For-Victory - Bridport salutes the Home Front - displays include Dig for Victory Garden, The British Restaurant, Make Do and Mend Free Entry

to 11/09 Beaminster's Home Front - Memories In Sound And Pictures Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster, . Beaminster memories of WWII in pictures and sound. Museum open Easter to 27th September on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30 to 12.30 and 2.30 to 4.30, also Sundays 2.30 to 4.30. Admission £1, children free. Further details from 01308 863623.

15/08 - 30/08 The Matchstick Fleet Nothe Fort, Weymouth, . An extraordinary exhibition: hundreds of warships (post 1945) made entirely from matchsticks. The lifetime work of one man.

27/08 - 02/09 Mosterton Art Group Annual Exhibition Skyrm Room / Beaminster Public Hall, Fleet Street, Beaminster, 10am - 5pm.

27/08 – 29/08 Art Exhibition And Sale At Eype Church Centre For The Arts Eype Church Centre For The Arts, Eype. To coincide with the Bridport Open Studios series of art exhibitions, Eype Church will be hosting an Art Exhibition and Sale over the Bank Holiday . On show will be the works of popular local artist Stephen Bishop and it will be open from 10am to 4pm on the three days of the holiday.

27/08 – 29/08 Bridport Open Studios 2005 Various Venues Around Bridport Area, , Bridport, . The famous Bridport Open Studios event will be taking place at various venues in and around Bridport, where local artists and craftspeople open their studios to the public for a long weekend. Open from 10am to 5pm. Admisssion free.

MARKETS

BEAMINSTER Farmers’ Market 4^th Saturday in each month – Town Hall 9am-1pm

BRIDPORT Town Centre. Every Wednesday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market 2^nd Saturday in each month – Arts Centre 9.30am-2pm, W.I. market in the WI Hall, North Street every Saturday 9am-12 noon

DORCHESTER Fairfield Car Park, Weymouth Avenue 8am – 3pm every Wednesday

Farmers’ Market 1^st Saturday in each month – Poundbury, 9am-1pm

CHARMOUTH Market every Monday during the Summer months

SHERBORNE The Parade, every Thursday and Saturday, W.I. market in Church Hall, Digby Road Thursday mornings, 9.15am, Farmers’Market 3^rd Friday in each month – Cheap Street, 9am-1pm

FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON EVENTS AND THE LOCAL AREA PLEASE CONTACT: