West Dorset

 

This listing contains a selection of events taking place across West Dorset this month.

Pop into your local Tourist Information Centre for full event information and programmes for all local theatres and art centres.

HIGHLIGHTS	Don’t miss this month… 04-06 July Lyme Regis Jazz Festival Tel. 01297 442491 04-07 July Abbotsbury Music Festival: ‘Don Pasquale’ at Abbey House Gardens www.abbmusic.org.uk 05 July RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day (tickets available from local TICs) www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk 05 July ‘Show of Hands’ at Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk 10-13 July Lakeside Magic Concerts, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester (tickets from Bridport/Dorchester TICs) 18-20 July Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, Dorchester 0117 947 0521 www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle 26 July-02 Aug Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week 26 July-02 Aug Thomas Hardy Festival and Conference, Dorchester
MARKETS & FAIRS	Bridport Weekly Market in the Town Centre every Wednesday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market 2nd Saturday in each month – Arts Centre 9.30am-2pm, West Dorset Country Market in the WI Hall, North Street every Saturday 9am-12 noon. Dorchester Weekly Market in Fairfield Car Park, Weymouth Ave 8am-3pm every Wednesday, Farmers’ Market 1st Saturday in each month at Poundbury, 9am-1pm, Country Market at The Corn Exchange every Friday (exc Easter) 8.30-11am. Sherborne Pannier Market on the Parade every Thursday and Saturday; Country Market in Church Hall, Digby Road, Thursday mornings, 9.15am-11.15am; Farmers’ Market 3rd Friday in each month – Cheap Street, 9am-1pm. Saturday Antiques & Flea Market – held the last Saturday every month (Jan-Nov), Church Hall, Digby Road. 9am-4pm. Monthly Book Fair – held third Saturday every month, Church Hall, Digby Road. 9.30am-4pm. Owermoigne Monthly market in the village hall 2nd Saturday of the month, 10.30am – 12 noon. Homemade produce, bric a brac, plants, crafts, books. Charmouth Weekly Market every Monday during the Summer months in the field next to Manor Farm Holiday Centre, The Street, Charmouth
WALKS	Fossil Walks Regular guided fossil hunting walks in Lyme Regis and Charmouth are run year round by Dr Colin Dawes 01297 443758, Brandon Lennon 07944 664757 www.lymeregisfossilwalks.com, Lyme Regis Museum 01297 443370 www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk, Lyme Regis Fossil Shop 01297 442088, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre 01297 560772 www.charmouth.org and Chris Pamplin 0845 00943757 www.fossilwalks.com Times vary according to the tides, telephone for full details and booking information. Town Walks Guided walks of Sherborne, with a Blue Badge Guide, Fridays at 11am from the TIC. Walks last 1½ hours. £3. Guided walks of Dorchester, with a Blue Badge Guide, Mondays at 11am from the TIC. £3, under 16’s free. Nature Walks Every Wednesday at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum. Adults £6, Children £2. Tel: 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk   Sunday Strolls With the Ramblers Association from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport. 2.30pm. Tel: 01308 863754. Walking the Way to Health in Bridport, with trained health walkers. Every Tuesday at 10.30am and Thursday at 2pm from Bridport TIC. Walks last approx 30mins, all welcome, free. Tel: 01308 425298 for more information. Dorchester Strollers - walks with trained health walkers. Every Monday at 10.30am and Tuesday at 2.30pm. Walks last up to one hour, all welcome, free. Tel: 01305 264955 for more information.
ARTS	Regular Art Exhibitions are held at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester (www.dorsetcountymuseum.org), Lyme Regis Museum (www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk), the Town Mill Gallery, Lyme Regis (www.townmill.org.uk) and Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com). Dorchester Arts Centre (www.dorchesterarts.org.uk), Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com) and Eype Centre for the Arts run a full programme of performances and events - drama, music, comedy, dance and more - suitable for all ages. Artsreach present a range of live professional arts events in rural Dorset. Full programme online at www.artsreach.co.uk   Opening times, programmes and further details from your local TIC

 

Local events diary

21/6-6/7 Beaminster Festival Beaminster’s 13^th festival of music and the arts. Programme available from local TICs or www.beamfest.org.uk or Box Office 01308 862943

01-31/8 Gallery Talks Lyme Regis, every Wednesday and Friday at 11am throughout July and August. www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

01 Lyme Regis Town Band - Music by the Sea, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. 7.30pm weather permitting 01935 873846

01 Tea Dance, Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport. An elegant tea dance with wonderful music, 1940's films and refreshments. 01308 424204 www.bridport-arts.com

02 Fingerz 'N' Fretz, The Blue Raddle, Church Street, Dorchester, 8pm. Traditional Folk Music.

02 Vineyards Wine Fair, The Donkey Paddock, Sherborne Castle, 5.30pm-9.30pm. Tickets £7.50 each or £10 on the day. Available from Vineyards, Digby Road. In aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. 01935 815544 www.vineyards-sherborne.co.uk

03 Frome Valley Morris Men with Babylon Border Morris perform at The Crown at Puncknowle and the White Horse at Litton Cheney. Performances at 8pm and 9pm - please telephone to confirm. 01305 813102 or 01305 823013

03 PACT Meeting, Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 7pm. Meeting held by Dorchester Safer Neighbourhood Team.Vote on issues you would like us to help tackle in your area. 01202 222222

03 Strawberry Cream Tea & Gift Stall, The Rectory Gardens, Burton Bradstock (if raining in the village hall), 3pm to 5pm. Teas, gift stall and quiz. In aid of Breast Cancer Care.

03 FAB Beatles and Rollin Clones Lulworth Castle, 6pm – 11pm. Tickets from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992 www.lulworth.com

03-05 Explore the Herbs that Grow around Us, Monkton Wyld Court, near Charmouth. This is a weekend course with Gwyneth Owen, where the emphasis will be on everyone going away really able to find and identify the herbs that grow around us. Residential £164, non-residential £75. 01297 489594 fairytime.gwyneth@btinternet.com

04 Shakin' Stevens with Ben Waters & His Big Band, Lulworth Castle. Tickets from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992. www.lulworth.com

04 St Swithun's Church Lunchtime Recital - Duncan Honeybourne (piano), St Swithun's Church, North Allington, Bridport, 12.30pm. Admission free with a retiring collection. Light lunch available.

05 Thomas Hardye School Concert, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 7pm. Pupils from Thomas Hardye School perform English music from the late 18th century including works by Haydn and English composers such as Boyce, Stanley, Croft and Greene. Tickets £6.00 (students free). 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

05 Barn Dance and Spit Roast, Longlands Farm, Littlebredy, 7.30pm-11.30pm. With Jump To The Sun. £10 per person, £25 per family. £12 on the gate. 01308 482270 / 01308 482768

05 Bridport Charter Fair, Bridport. 01308 422500

05 Family Treasure Hunt & Barbecue, starting from Blackdown Church Car Park, near Beaminster. Explore West Dorset's beautiful hidden countryside in this family-based treasure hunt and barbecue. Staggered starts between 5pm and 7pm, finishing at Hillside in Blackdown. Phil Hardwill 01460 30661 or 30517; or Alison Bailey 01308 868913

05 West Dorset & the RAF, Town Hall, Bridport, 10am - 4pm. Exhibition of memorabilia, records and photographs of the RAF and RAFA in West Dorset to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bridport & Lyme Regis Branch RAFA 01306 420135

05 Coffee Morning & Bring & Buy, Broadmayne Village Hall, Nr Dorchester, 10am – 12 noon. Come and bring your cakes produce, plants, books etc. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat. In aid of Dorset Historic Churches Trust. 01305 853074

05 Bag of Rats – Folk Music Hope & Anchor, 13 St. Michael’s Lane, Bridport, 9pm. Free. 0789 9848 604 www.bagofrats.co.uk

05-7/9 The Great Dorset Maize Maze Rodden Farm, Rodden, Nr Weymouth. Daily 10am – 6pm (last entry to maze 4.30pm). 01305 871 281 www.greatdorsetmaizemaze.co.uk

06 Cancer Research UK Race for Life, Sherborne Castle Grounds. 5k ladies charity fun run, 11am. 01935 813182 www.sherbornecastle.com

06 Walk in West Dorset, Powerstock Mill Farm (SY 505963). Led by Debbie Watkins (Dorset Wildlife Trust Farm Liaison Officer) using part of the Ant Hill Trail. Meet at 2pm, teas available at farm afterwards. Booking essential. 01305 268471

06 Swingtime in the Gardens, Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 12.00pm. Free

06 Garden Day at Thornhill House, Nr. Stalbridge. 10am - 5pm. Visit the newly created gardens plus specialist plant, craft and gardening stalls, lunches, cream teas etc. Adults £5, children free. www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk

06 Open Gardens Afternoon, Coburg Road, Clarence Road, Queens Avenue and Lime Close, Dorchester, 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Visit individual gardens, refeshments at Dorchester Middle School. Plant stall, cake stall. Admission £2. In aid of Weldmar Hospice Trust. 01305 215315

06 Sidmouth Gospel Choir Concert St. Michael’s Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 3pm. Followed by tea and cake!

07 Sherborne Area Over 50s Group, Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, 2.30pm "Summertime Survival" – speakers will include representatives from the British Red Cross, Sherborne Fire & Rescue Service, Age Concern and the Primary Care Trust. Free refreshments, raffle. Mainly aimed at over 50s but all ages welcome! 01935 813150.

08 Bridport History Society Visit to Palmer's Brewery, Palmer's Brewery, West Bay Road, Bridport. Members should arrive by 2.15pm. Cost £6 per person. Please contact organiser to confirm. 01308 456876

08 Lyme Regis Town Band - Music by the Sea, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm (weather permitting) 01935 873846

09 Sherborne Flicks - An Evening with Jacques Tati (Double Bill), Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. 7.30pm. Special Jacques Tati evening - see Monsieur Hulot's Holiday and Jour de Fete and enjoy some French wine and cheese. Tickets £12.50 from Sherborne TIC (£13.00 on the door). 01935 815341 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk

10 Chamber Orchestra of Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood Cheap Street, Church, Sherborne, 1.30pm. Performance of J S Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G Major and Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony. Admission free – returing collection.

11 Outdoor Theatre - The Tempest, Mapperton House & Gardens, nr Beaminster, 6.30pm. Shakespeare presented by Castle Theatre, Durham. Bring a rug, chair & picnic. 01308 862645 www.mapperton.com

11 Little Fishes, St. Peter's Church, Dorchester. 2.15pm. Short service for pre-school children and their parents or carers. 01935 873719

12 Dance - Mainly Ballroom Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis, 8pm. Dance - Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Adults £4. 01297 442439

12 Picnic in the Park, Millenium Green, Bridport, 6 – 9pm. Picnic in the Park with Julie Dunn - easy listening Jazz and French Chansons.

12 Sherborne Abbey Choir, Sherborne Abbey, 7.30pm . The choir's annual concert of anthems and motets. 01935 812452 www.sherborneabbey.com

12 BBQ and Jazz Evening, Seaton Tramway, Colyton Station, Colyton, 7pm – 10.30pm. With Colyriver Jazz Band. Tickets £12.50 BBQ & Jazz, £17.50 BBQ Jazz & Tram Ride departing Seaton at 6.30pm. 01297 20375 www.tram.co.uk

12 Yetminster Fair, Yetminster, nr Sherborne, 1pm. Village fair - stalls, music, Yetminster irish dancers. Free entry.

12 The Summer Music Society of Dorset - Tamas Vasary and Gabor Farkas, Herrison Hall, Charlton Down, 7.30pm. Celebrity concert taking in music by Mozart, Dohnanyi and Brahms. Tickets £25.00/£18.00. 01300 341425

12 Mass Balloon Release, Cattistock Playing Field, Cattistock, 2pm. Balloons £1 each from The Fox and Hounds Cattistock or Mr & Mrs Long - 01300 320433

12 Church Fete, The Vicarage, Cerne Abbas. 12.30pm to 4pm. Traditional village fete with stalls and side shows for all ages. Plus novelty dog show, musical entertainment, hog roast, BBQ and Pimms tent 01300 341227 www.cerneabbas.org

12 RSPCA West Dorset Coffee Morning Wrenfield, Bradford Road, 10am – 12 noon. Cakes, raffle, books, bric-a-brack, plants, RSPCA goods. All proceeds to RSPCA West Dorset Branch.

12-13 Feltmaking workshop, 13 Market Street, Abbotsbury. Feltmaking workshop for adults/teenagers with textile artist Mary-Clare Buckle in her studio. 01305 871561 www.feltmaking-workshops.info

13 Outdoor Theatre - The Tempest, Mapperton House & Gardens, nr Beaminster, 2.30pm. Shakespeare presented by Castle Theatre, Durham. Bring a rug, chair & picnic. 01308 862645 www.mapperton.com

13 Lyme Regis Town Band Concert, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm weather permitting

13 Summer Concert, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester, 7.30pm. The League of Friends of the Dorchester Hospitals charity. Concert introduced by Minette Waters. £7.00. 01305 261157

13 The John Wells Classic Motorcycle Road Run, Freshwater Holiday Park, Burton Bradstock. 9.30 sign on, dep 10.30am. Classic Motorcycle Road Run and Bar-B-Que. £8 entry fee per bike. 01308 423788

13 St. Nicholas Church Fete & Dog Show, Rodden Row overflow car park, Abbotsbury, 1pm to 4pm. Church fete plus Bridport Dog Training Society Dog Show 01305 871085

13 Bere Regis Open Gardens 10am – 5pm. www.bereregis.org

13 Dorset Police Blue Light Day, Dorset Police HQ, Winfrith, Nr. Dorchester. 10am. A community open day for all Dorset residents. Free entry. Attractions include police dog display, opportunity to look behind the scenes etc. 01202 223893 www.dorset.police.uk

14 Wessex Morris Men Morris dancing at The Helyar Arms, East Coker 7.30pm; The Royal Oak, Stoford, 8.15pm, The Kings Arms, Thornford, 9pm.

15 Folk Night Weavers Sports & Social Club, Westbury, Sherborne. All welcome. Food provided and friendly atmosphere. 01935 812770

15 Romanian Group Anatoly Performance, St John's Church, West Bay, 7.30pm. Romanian group fresh from the Eisteddfod present a varied program of religious music.. Free admission but there will be a collection. 01308 897445

15 Tea Dance, Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport. An elegant tea dance with wonderful music, 1940's films and refreshments 01308 424204 www.bridport-arts.com

15 Owermoigne Flower Club - "Summertime" Owermoigne Village Hall, 2pm. By demonstrator Elizabeth Witcomb. Visitor admission £3.00 Carrie Diamond 01305 852285

15 Lyme Regis Town Band - Music by the Sea, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. 7.30pm (weather permitting) 01935 873846

16 Open Air Theatre on the Green, Millenium Green, Bridport.

16 Royal British Legion Cricket Match with Melplash C.C., Melplash Cricket Ground. Annual cricket match British Legion vs Melplash CC next to the Half Moon pub. 6.30pm. Anyone wishing to play for the RBL should contact Mr P Billingham 01308 456854.

16 Romanian Group Anatoly Performance, St Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock, 7.30pm. Romanian group fresh from the Eisteddfod present a varied program of religious music. Free admission but there will be a collection. 01308 897445

16 Walk Around The Cobb, Lifeboat Shop, The Cobb, Lyme Regis, 7pm. Walk with local boatman Ken Gollop, approx 1½ hours. Donations to Lyme Regis Museum. 01297 443370

17-19 Dorchester Drama - Antigone by Sophocles The Roman Town House, Dorchester, 7.45pm. Tickets £9 from Dorchester TIC or £10 on the door. Under 12 free with paying adult.

18 Tolpuddle Martyrs Song and Story, Old Crown Court & Cells, Dorchester, 7.30pm. With Graham Moore and Gill Redmond on Cello. Tickets from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992. Adults £9, under 18 £6.

18 Garden's Exotica "Architectural Shapes and Hot Colours", Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens. Tickets available from RHS 0845 612125 www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens

18 Messages from Water - an audio visual presentation with Michael Chamberlain, The Diamond Doorway Centre, 54 South St, Bridport 7.30pm – 9.30pm. This presentation is on Dr Emotos work, taeching the healing aspects of water and the power of intention. Cost £5. www.soundsalive.org

19 Leigh Village Festival, Leigh, Nr. Sherborne. 10am - 3pm. Leigh's 3rd Food Fair and Classic Car Show plus flower arrangements and luchtime concert in the Church. 01935 873846

19 Choral Evensong sung by Laudemus, The Church of the Holy Rood, Buckland Newton, 6pm. Cathedral-type Choral Evensong. Service conducted by Revd. Canon Karen Curnock.

19 Bradford Peverell Village Fete, Bradford Peverell village playing field, 2pm. Fete with a character of a Garden Party!

19 Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Show, Cricket Field, Uplyme, Lyme Regis. 2.00pm

19 Duncan Honeybourne Piano Recital St. Michael’s Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm

19 Church Fete & BBQ, Piddlehinton. 2pm - 9.30pm. Traditional fete with stalls, games, sideshows, teas and entertainment. Evening BBQ with music and bar. 01300 348304

19-20 The Portland Steam & Vintage Show, Portland. Annual Show with vehicles of all types, steam engines large and small, children's activities, helicopter rides and more. www.theportlandsteamshow.co.uk

20 Classics at the Castle - Classic Car Show, Sherborne Castle Grounds, 10am. Vintage and classic car displays, classic car run, trade and craft stands, children's entertainment. 01935 813182 www.sherbornecastle.com

20 Chard Concert Brass Concert, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. 7.30pm (weather permitting)

20 Village Fete, Whitchurch Canonicorum, nr Charmouth. 2pm. Durnovaria Silver Band, cream teas, vintage tractors and cars, bouncy castle, stalls. Adults £1, under 10s free, under cover if wet. 01297 489523

20 Much Ado About Nothing, Manor House, Hinton St Mary, Sturminster Newton, gates open 5.45pm, performance 7.30pm. An open air performacne of the Shakespeare comedy by the Festival Players. Tickets £19.00 available from Dorchester and Sherborne Tourist Information Centres 01305 267992 / 01935 815341

22 Lyme Regis Town Band - Music by the Sea, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. 7.30pm (weather permitting) 01935 873846

21 Wessex Morris Men Morris Dancing at The Fox Inn, Ansty 7:30pm; The Village, Hilton 8:15pm;. The Hambro Arms, Milton Abbas 9:00pm. www.wessexmorrismen.co.uk

23 Open Air Theatre - Little Women, Kingston Maurward, nr Dorchester, 7pm. Performed by Theatreworks. Gardens open for picnics from 6pm. Please bring low backed seating or rugs to sit on. 01305 215003 www.kmc.ac.uk

24 Raft Race (RNLI) at West Bay, Bridport, 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Come and watch home made rafts race (and sink!!) down the River Brit. 01308 427212

24 Sunray Folk Club, Broadmayne Village Hall, Nr Dorchester, 8.15pm. 07786 654 074 www.bobkirkpatrick.co.uk

24-26 Dorset Opera - The Pearl Fishers, Coade Theatre, Bryanston School, Blandford Forum. Performances nightly at 7.30pm plus matinee on 26th at 2.30pm 01935 816332 www.dorsetopera.com

25 The BEC's Quiz Night, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester. Bring your own drink and nibbles. Coffee will be available. Tickets £2 in advance/£2.50 on the door. 01305 257485

25 Market, St Martin's Community Hall, Broadmayne. 2-3.30pm Sylvia Dooley 01305 852866

26 Using plants for dyeing, Wildlife Garden at St. Peter's Church, High East Street, Dorchester. Experiment with plants from our wildlife garden to make colourful home-made dyes 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

26 Local Walk and Cream Tea at Bradpole, Holy Trinity Church, Bradpole, Bridport. Meet at 2pm for this escorted 4 mile walk from Bradpole Church to Pymore, Watton Hill and Asker Valley and return to the church for a wonderful cream tea. Cost £3 to include the cream tea at 4pm. Note: you are welcome to come for tea and not do the walk!

26 Puncknowle Church Fete, St. Mary's Church, Puncknowle. Fancy goods, quality curtains, clothes, plants, grand draw, coconut shy, Punch & Judy, cakes, parking. 01308 897716

26-27 Moth Trapping & Barbecue, Lankham Bottom Nature Reserve, off the A37 to Cattistock (GR 605003). Starts at 7.30pm with overnight camping available. Then from 9am on Sunday further activities and a guided walk at 2pm. Nigel Spring 07981 776767 or 01963 23559

26-3/8 Sherborne Art Club Annual Exhibition Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, 11am – 5pm (closes at 3pm on final Sunday).

26-8/8 Art Exhibition by the Wednesday Art Group, Bridport Tourist Information Centre window, 47 South St, Bridport, Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm. Paintings available to view at all times, and available to buy. Diane Regan 01308 456845

27 Gartell Light Railway Open Day, Yenston, nr Templecombe, open 10.30am - 4.30pm. Narrow gauge steam on the old Somerset & Dorset Railway. 01963 370752 www.glr-online.co.uk

27 Open Air Theatre - Pinocchio, Sherborne Castle. Open-air theatre on the castle lawns. Starts 7pm, doors open 6pm. Tickets available from Sherborne TIC 01935 815341 www.sherbornecastle.com

27 Lyme Regis Town Band Concert, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. 7.30pm (weather permitting)

27 Recruitment Day, Kings Road Playing field. Dorchester, 1pm – 5pm. The Invaders and Settlers Empire in association with Dorchester's Roman Festival are recruiting would be warriors and villagers of Durnovaria. 0788 4032124

27 Warmwell Fete, Warmwell House, Warmwell. Maze & walled gardens to explore, main arena events, stalls & displays. Adults £2.50, children free. Free parking.

27-31 Canford Summer School of Music, Sherborne School, Sherborne. A series of concerts - programmes available from Sherborne TIC. Continues to 17 August. www.canfordsummerschool.co.uk

28 Wessex Morris Men Morris dancing at The Kings Arms, Portesham 7:30pm; Illchester Arms, Abbotsbury 8:15pm; The Crown Inn, Puncknowle 9pm. www.wessexmorrismen.co.uk

29 Tea Dance, Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport. 2.30pm. An elegant tea dance with wonderful music, 1940's films and refreshments. £3. 01308 424204 www.bridport-arts.com

29 Lyme Regis Town Band - Music by the Sea, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm (weather permitting) 01935 873846

30 Annual Sir George Somers Civic Parade St. Michael’s Parish Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm.

30 RNLI Choral Concert St. Michael’s Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm. The Sheldon Singers and Lyme Bay Chorale join forces with local children and adults, proceeds to RNLI. Tickets from Lyme Regis TIC, Adults £8/£7, Children £2.

31 Forde Abbey Summer Fair Forde Abbey, Nr. Chard, 11am – 4pm. Smallholder and journalist Rosie Boycott and cookery writer Tamasin Day-Lewis will be doing a hog roast and Brigit Strawbridge from "Its Not Easy Being Green" will be giving a demonstration on green living. Also falconry, ferret racing, classic cars, farmer’s market, Punch & Judy, stalls etc. 01460 220231. www.fordeabbey.co.uk

NGS Gardens open for Charity
Pick up a free copy of the Dorset "yellow book" from one of our Tourist Information Centres for details of local gardens opening under the National Gardens Scheme this month

SPECIAL INTEREST	The Dorset County Museum and the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society hosts a programme of events, including lectures (on natural sciences, geology, travel, literature and more), study days and concerts. Tel: 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org Sherborne Science Café has a programme of presentations, talks and meetings and provides a forum to discuss all aspects of science. www.sherbornesciencecafe.co.uk The Dorset Wildlife Trust runs a programme of walks, talks, workshops, workparties and other wildlife events. Tel: 01305 264620. www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk The Sherborne Historical Society organises a programme of lectures by noted historians and summer field trips. Tel: 01963 364075. There are many other special interest clubs, societies and groups across West Dorset – for a full list see www.dorsetforyou.com or contact your local TIC.
AUGUST	Coming up next month… 02-10 Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week 08 Open Air Theatre – The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sherborne Castle (Tickets Sherborne TIC) 15 Open Air Theatre – Sleeping Beauty, Minterne Magna (Tickets Dorchester & Sherborne TICs) 16 Bridport Carnival 17 Bridport Torchlight Procession 21 Melplash Show 22 Open Air Theatre ‘Tess of the D’urbervilles, Kingston Maurward 22 Great Dorset Steam Fair, Blandford (tickets available from all local TICs) 24 Candles on the Cobb, Lyme Regis 31 Open Air Theatre – Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherborne Castle (Tickets Sherborne TIC)
	Dorchester TIC, Antelope Walk, Dorchester. Tel: 01305 267992 Bridport TIC, South Street, Bridport. Tel: 01308 424901 Sherborne TIC, Digby Road, Sherborne. Tel: 01935 815341 Lyme Regis TIC, Church Street, Lyme Regis. Tel: 01297 442138		dorchester.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk bridport.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk sherborne.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk lymeregis.tic@westdorsset-dc.gov.uk