West Dorset

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… Mid May-end June Baby Swans hatching at Abbotsbury Swannery www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk 2-6 May Sherborne Abbey Music Festival www.sherborneabbey.org 22-26 May Dorchester Festival www.dorchesterfestival.co.uk 24 May-8th June Dorset Arts Weeks – studios & workshops open to the public www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk 24 May – mid July Abbotsbury Village Festival www.abbotsbury.co.uk 26 May Sherborne Castle Country Fair www.sherbornecountryfair.com
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.
FOSSIL WALKS	Lyme Regis Fossil walks with Dr Colin Dawes every Sunday at 1pm. Meet at the Old Forge Fossil Shop, Broad Street. Lasts approx. 2.5 hours. Adults £8, Children £5. Tel: 01297 443758. Fossil walks at Lyme Bay with Brandon Lennon take place every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Times vary according to tide and start from The Anchor, Cobb Gate. Tel: 07944 664757 for further details and to book. www.lymeregisfossilwalks.com Fossil walks from Lyme Regis Museum Walks last approx. 2 hours – Adults £8, Children £5, including entrance to museum. Tel: 01297 443370 to book (essential) and for further details. Fossil walks from Lyme Regis Fossil Shop Booking essential on 01297 442088 Charmouth Fossil hunting walks from the Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth Walks last approx. 2 hours and include a 20 minute talk on fossils. £7 adults, £3 children. Tel: 01297 560772. www.charmouth.org.
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) and Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com) and Eype Centre for the Arts run a 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
WALKS	Guided Walks of Sherborne with Blue Badge Guide Rob Curtis every Friday at 11am. Meet at Sherborne TIC, Digby Road. Walk lasts approx 1½ hours and costs £3 per person Guided Walks of Dorchester with Blue Badge Guide Christine McGee every Monday at 11am. Meet at Dorchester TIC. Adults £3, under 16s free. Wednesday Afternoon Walks at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester, 2.15-4.30pm. No need to book although a telephone call would help with catering. Adults £6, Children £2. 01300 320684 www.kingcombecentre.org.uk Sunday strolls with the Ramblers Association from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, 2.30pm 01308 863754

LOCAL EVENTS DIARY

01 Fra H Newbery talk by John Jagged, Bridport Town Hall, 6.30pm. A free talk looking at Newbery’s cultural influences. 01308 458703 www.franewbery.co.uk

02 Dr. Nut live at The Ropemakers, The Ropemakers, West St, Bridport, 9pm. 01308 421255

03 Dance - Mainly Ballroom Lyme Regis, Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis, 8pm. Dance - Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Everyone welcome, price includes Tea & Biscuits. Adults £4. 01297 442439

03 Music Gig on Millenium Green, Bridport. Music Gig to support the commemoration of the Rex Trevett Memorial.

03 Annual British Legion Sponsored Walk, Bridport. Meet at Bucky Doo Square outside the Town Hall at 9.45am for this circular 11 mile walk which takes in 5 pubs. 01308 424230

03 Bridgend Male Choir, Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis, 7pm. Concert in aid of The Lyme Regis Organ Appeal. Adults £10, conc £8. 01297 442138

03 The Purbeck Village Quire, St Martin's Church, Broadmayne, 7.30pm. Tickets from The Corner House Stores, Broadmayne. 01305 853074/853765

03 Boys' Day: Japanese Flying Carp, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. In Japan, boys' Day is celebrated by flying paper carp. You don't have to be a boy to come and make a flying fish! 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

03-04 Charmouth Fossil Festival Charmouth Fossil Festival, 10am – 4.30pm. A celebration of rocks and fossils. All events are free of charge on this weekend, however places on the fossil walks are limited so please book on 01297 560772

04 Dorset Knob Throwing & Frome Valley Food Festival, Cattistock, 10am – 4pm. Dorset Knob Throwing, Knob & Spoon Race, Paint a Knob etc plus food festival with stalls, demonstrations and sampling! 01300 320404

04 Bridgend Male Choir, St Michael's Church, Church Street, Lyme Regis, 4pm. Concert in aid of The Lyme Regis Organ Appeal.. Adults £10, conc £8. 01297 442138

04 May Day Fete Anning Road Playing Field, Lyme Regis, 1.45pm. Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival’s annual fete. Lyme Regis Majorettes; Maypole Dancing; Lyme Regis Junior Band etc. 01297 442220 www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk

04 Leigh Grand Plant Sale Leigh Village Hall, 10am – 1pm. The sale for enthusiasts – plants you won’t see in every garden centre. In aid of Leigh New Village Hall Appeal. Refreshments available. Free admission.

04 Plant Sale, Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, 10.30am – 3pm. Many plants and shrubs some unusual and rare. Experts ready to advise. Refreshments available.

04 Songs of Praise in Chideock, Church of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and St Ignatius, Chideock. Including the Choir from St. Giles followed by Afternoon Tea in the Museum. All are welcome

04-05 Open Access between the Old and New Castle grounds, Sherborne, 11am – 4.30pm. Wander between the ruins of the Old Castle & the grounds of the ‘New’ Castle. 01935 813182 www.sherbornecastle.com

05 Duck Race Waterfall, Windsor Terrace, Lyme Regis, 12 noon. Proceeds to Lyme Regis Majorettes.

05 May Fair, Bridport, 11.30am – 4pm. Morris Men, Maypole, May Queen, Music by St Swithun’s Band, Stalls, Barbeque and Cream Teas on Millennium Green.

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

06 Undercliff Walk, Lyme Regis. Booking essential. 01395 517557 www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside

07 Remember When Show Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 2.30pm. Two hours of music, memories, nostalgia and good old fashioned fun. Tickets £9 on sale at Dorchester TIC. 01305 267992 www.therememberwhenshow.com

07 Charity Coffee Morning in Chideock, Chideock Village Hall. 10.30am. Cake Stall, Raffle, Bric a Brac.

09 A Summer Entertainment at Leweston, St Antony's School, Leweston, Nr. Sherborne, 7.30pm. A concert of words and music performed by The Trinity Singers. Tickets £10 (inc. refreshments) in aid of West Dorset CABs. 01935 812924

09-11 Sing it with Flowers - Lyme Regis Flower Festival, St Michael's Church, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Fri/Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm. Admission by walk-round guide £2.00, children free. All proceeds to fabric of church fund.

10 Coffee Morning The Gate House, Church Street, Abbotsbury, 10.30am-12.30pm. Cakes, plants, raffle.

10 Festival Concert, St Michael's Church, Church Street, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm. Concert by the Lyme Bay Chorale. £8.00. All proceeds to fabric of the church fund. 01297 442596

10 Plant Bring & Buy Sale Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis, 10am – 11.30am. Organised by the Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society.

10 Sheborne Jazz Club, White Hart Inn, Bishops Caundle, 7.30pm. John Law Trio Art of Noise. Adults £12. 01963 23301

10 Not Made in China + Nick Tatham, Royal British Legion Hall, Victoria Grove, Bridport, 7.30pm. Rising young acoustic band. Tickets £6 (£5 concessions) from Bridport Record Centre. 01308 425707 www.myspace.com/manufacturedintheuk

10 School Fair, Colyford, Devon, 10am - 4pm. Plant stalls, Indoor craft stalls, BBQ, Cream teas, Raffle, Childrens Area, Bouncy Castle, Tombola, Entertainment with belly dancers and Sidmouth Steppers, cake stall and much more. A super day out for the whole family. Admission 3 pounds, children free. For further information contact 01297 553211

10-11 Rustic Hazelwood Furniture Workshop, Highway Farm, Bridport, 10am – 5pm. A two day furniture making workshop with tutor Peter Moors. Cost £80 Materials £15 approx. Please bring lunch. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

11 Specialist Plant Fair, Minterne House, Minterne Magna. To coincide with Minterne Magna Village open day. 01935 421389

11 Plant & Craft Fair, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester. 01305 215003 www.kmc.ac.uk

11 Circle Dancing, Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis, 2pm-4pm. Learn European, Middle eastern and Balkan dances as well as modern Circle Dances. £5. 01297 444635

11 Plant Produce and Book Sale, St Martin's Community Hall, Broadmayne, 2pm-4pm. 01305 852866

11 Paws in the Park, Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth. 5 mile sponsored dog walk for Weldmar Hospicecare 01305 215315

15 Sherborne Comedy, Powell Theatre, Sherborne, doors & bar 7.30pm, show starts 8pm. Stand up comedy with Craig Campbell, support by Tom Deacon. 01935 810579 www.powelltheatre.co.uk

16 Charterhouse Auctions, Sherborne. Antiques, Silver, Plate & Jewellery. Viewing Weds 10am- 4pm and Thurs from 10am-7pm. Sales start on Friday at 10am. 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

16 The Dolmen live at The Ropemakers, The Ropemakers, West St, Bridport,9pm. 01308 421255

17 Dance - Mainly Ballroom Lyme Regis, Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis. Dance - Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Everyone welcome, price includes Tea & Biscuits. Adults £4. 8pm start. 01297 442439

17 Tutankhamun by Candlelight, Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester. Tying in with the Museums at Night initiative, the Tutankhamun Exhibition will be open this Saturday evening. 01305 269571 www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk

17 Bridport Choral Society present Musical Memories, Bridport United Church, East St, Bridport. Musical with David Knight accompanied by David Illingworth. 7.30pm. Songs and music from Gilbert & Sullivan and Lloyd Webber.

17 Barn Dance at Blackdown, Blackdown Village Hall nr Beaminster, 7.30pm. Barn Dance with Long Odds and Short Straws and Caller. In aid of Blackdown Church funds. 01460 30362 / 30661 / 30517 or 01308 868913.

17 Oxfam Trail Party, Stratton Village Hall, 7.30pm. A fundraising party as the Maternity staff of DCH are taking part in an organised charity walk of 60 miles in 30 hours to raise £3000 for Oxfam and the Churkha welfare trust. 01305 267088

17 The Y’strel’s Band Celebration of May Anniversaries Eype Centre for the Arts, 8pm. An eclectic mix of music and stories from Wessex and beyond. Tickets £8 (Friends £6.50) from Bridport TIC 01308 424901

20 Poundbury Ladies Meeting, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester, 2pm. Speaker Ken Rawles of The Dorset Wildlife Trust. 01305 751532 / 01305 257485

21 Illustrated talk - Temples of Convenience, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 6.30pm. Talk by Lucinda Lambton on the history of the lavatory. Tickets £6. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

23 Fashion Show, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 7pm. Ladies' summer clothes at 50% off in-store prices. £5.00 including glass of wine. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

23 Market in St. Martin's Community Hall, Broadmayne, St. Martin's Community Hall, Broadmayne (next to the church). Craft, plants, books, cakes and preserves on sale 01305 852886

23 Abacadabra - Art of the Impossible, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Magic and Mystery show. £7.50 inc fish & chip supper. 01305 257485

24 Garden Festival and Auction, Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre, Queen Camel, 10am – 5pm. Cream teas and lunches, garden tours, arts & crafts exhibition, plant and produce sales. 01935 850266 www.selfrealizationcentres.org

24 Sherborne Jazz Club, White Hart Inn, Bishops Caundle, doors 7.30pm. Dylan Howe Quartet. Adults £12. 01963 23301

24 Abbotsbury Heritage Fayre Candles to St. Catherine’s Chapel 1000 candles ilghting the historic pathway to St. Catherine’s Chapel. Service at 7.30pm. 01305 871085. www.abbotsbury.co.uk

24 Beaminster Singers' Spring Concert, St. Mary's Church, Beaminster. 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from the Church Office, Beaminster or from Mandy Alford (01308 488 635) or Barry Rutherford (01300 321267).

24-25 St. Nicholas Church Flower Festival St. Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury

24-26 Marshwood Goes For Green, St. Mary's Parish Church, Marshwood, 10am – 6pm. A display with flowers portraying simple ways to help preserve the environment locally. Entrance free. Songs of Praise on Sunday 25th at 6pm.

24-26 Tutankhamun Treasure Hunt, The Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Dorcheter. Crack the code to enter a prize draw! One lucky person each day will win a special prize. 01305 269571 www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk

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

26 Bank Holiday Organ recital, Sherborne Abbey, 2.30pm. 01935 812452 www.sherborneabbey.com

26 Duck Race Waterfall, Windsor Terrace, 12 noon. Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee’s duck race.

26 Freestyle Motorcross Stunt Show, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford. The world's top ranked freestyle motocross riders perform the latest heart stopping tricks. 0193 440804 www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk

27&29 Story Book Tales with Christel St. Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury, 2.30pm. Stories for Children. Free admission.

28 Whitsun Holiday Activity - Mask Making, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. Use templates and many diferent shiny materials to make fascinating and frightening masks 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

28 Oliver Ford Davis – Readings from the works of John Milton Alexandra Hotel, Lyme Regis, 12 noon. Tickets £25 to include a charity lunch in aid of Lyme Regis Museum Extension Fund. Tickets available from the Museum.

29-31 Farming in the Lim Valley, Village Hall, Uplyme. Thurs. 11 - 5pm. Fri. 10 - 8pm. Sat 10 - 4pm. Admission Free.

30 Conservation & Wildlife Walk with the National Trust, Stonebarrow Car Park (SY 383934) near Charmouth. Meet at 2pm for a guided circular walk exploring the Golden Cap Estate. Donations please. 01297 561900

30-31 Feltmaking for Children (pictures/purses/felt jewellery) with Textile Artist Mary-Clare Buckle Swann Inn family room, Abbotsbury. Age groups 4-7, 8-11, 12+. 01305 871561 www.feltmaking-workshops.info

31 Dance - Mainly Ballroom Lyme Regis, Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis. Dance - Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Everyone welcome, price includes Tea & Biscuits. Adults £4. 8pm start. 01297 442439

31 Workshop: Jewellery–Wire and Bead Scribble, Highway Farm, Bridport. Book in advance. Cost £35, small charge for beads, lunch included. 10am-4pm. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

31-01 Poyntington Festival, nr Sherborne. Poyntington's biannual village festival. 10am - 4pm.

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.
	Dorchester Tourist Information Centre, Antelope Walk, Dorchester. Tel: 01305 267992. dorchester.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk Bridport Tourist Information Centre, South Street, Bridport. Tel: 01308 424901. bridport.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, Digby Road, Sherborne. Tel: 01935 815341. sherborne.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre, Church Street, Lyme Regis. Tel: 01297 442138. lymeregis.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
JUNE	Coming up next month… 8-12 June Flower Festival, Athelhampton House, nr Dorchester 21 June Dorchester Carnival 23 June Balmoral Cruise from West Bay – tickets from Bridport & Lyme Regis TICs 27-29 June Bridport Food Festival