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… 13 Oct Pack Monday Fair, Sherborne 16 Oct-02 Nov Autumn in the Gardens with floodlights & candles, Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens 25 Oct Apple & Veg Day, Kingston Maurward, nr Dorchester 25 Oct-02 Nov Dorset Food Week www.dorsetfoodweek.co.uk Includes tastings/events at all our TICs 25-26 Oct Autumn Colours weekend, Sherborne Castle www.sherbornecastle.com 25 Oct Halloween Ghost Tours, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford www.haynesmotormuseum.com 26-31 Spooky fun at Lulworth Castle www.lulworth.com 31 Oct Halloween in the Tomb, Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk 31 Oct Halloween Tram of Terror, Seaton Tramway www.tram.co.uk
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.
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. Nature Walks Every Wednesday at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum. Adults £6, Children £2. Tel: 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk (to 17th October) 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 452263 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 263759 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) and Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com) 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 Coming up at Eype Centre for the Arts is a jazz evening with singer Julie Dunn (02 Oct), flamenco dance and music with Mi Terra Flamenca (16 Oct) and the Côr Meibion Morlais Welsh choir (18 Oct). Tickets available from Bridport TIC 01308 424901

 

Local events diary

to 05 Lyme Regis Arts Fest Art trail featuring over 35 artists in over 100 venues around Lyme Regis. www.lymeregisartsfest.com

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

01 Scottish Dancing in Bridport, St Mary's Church House, South St, Bridport (note first meeting each month is at Salwayash Village Hall). New season, classes every Wednesday (September-May). Beginner's classes start at 6.30pm, general classes at 7.30pm 01297 560335 / 01297 489509 www.bridportscottishdancers.org.uk

01 Ancient Artifacts discovered on North Dorset’s Farmland Milborne St. Andrew Social Club, 2.30pm. Presented by Maurice Hann. All welcome.

02 Ramblers Walk Winyards Gap Inn, Chedington nr Beaminster GR492061. This moderate 4 mile walk starts at 10.15am, and the hills will be taken slowly. Please contact the organiser to confirm details. 01935 862721 www.somersetramblers.co.uk

02 Stand-up Comedy Powell Theatre, Sherborne, 8.30pm 01935 810579 www.powelltheatre.co.uk

03 Bridge Day with Andrew Robson Herrison Hall, Charlton Down. For further information tel. 01308 862955

03 Bridport & West Dorset Music Club Concert: Status Cymbal Sir John Colfox School, Bridport, 7.45pm. As part of the 60th Anniversary Season string quartet Status Cymbal will be playing Mozart, Schumann and 20th Century song. 01308 424673

03 Dorset Wildlife Trust - West Dorset Group Friends' Meeting House, South Street, Bridport, 7.30pm. "The Exe Estuary and Jurassic Coast" - an illustrated wildlife presentation by Rod Lawrence. Non-members welcome. 01297 560081

04 Dance - Mainly Ballroom Lyme Regis Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis, 8pm. Adults £4. 01297 442439

04 The Reading Phoenix Concert Choir St. Michael's Church, Lyme Regis, 8pm. www.lymeregisorganappeal.com

04 Book Week Special Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 10.30am - 12.30pm. Come and learn how to design and make comics, graphic novels or story boards. A Museum Club activity for under 15s. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

04 Afternoon Bingo Magistrates Room, Ground Floor, Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 2.45pm. Organised by Dorchester District Scout Council in aid of local Scout Funds. All welcome. Cash prizes. 01305 262158

04 Talk on "The Lopen Mosaic" Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, 2.30pm. A talk by Angela Naunton-Davies for the National Trust Blackmore Vale and Yeovil Association. Tickets on the door – members £3, guests £3.50. 01747 838810

04 Sherborne Autumn Craft Fair Church Hall and Age Concern Day Centre, Digby Road, Sherborne, 10am - 4pm. 01749 677049

04 The Trumpet Major Walk Mill Pond, Sutton Poyntz. A 5 mile walk, led by Tony Finchman, on the Budmouth Downs over the countryside of the Trumpet Major and The Melancholy Hussar, visiting Bincombe and White Horse Hill. Some steep gradients. The walk is free but please book. 01305 251501 www.hardysociety.org

04 Multicultural Celebration Family Day Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, 11am – 4pm. Music, food, performances, workshops, dance, crafts, storytelling, poetry, Black History, exhibitions etc.

04 The Yetties in Concert Puddletown Village Hall, 7:30pm. 01305 848646

04 Stiletto Showcase Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, 7pm. A sensation of song and dance featuring Emilie Hardy. Tickets £8. Admission includes aftershow disco. 01305 250401

04 Coffee Morning The Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 10am - 12 noon. Royal British Legion Women's section. Lots of stalls. Admission £1 including coffee. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

04 Supper At The King's Arms King's Arms, Dorchester. Buffet supper with The Thomas Hardy Society. Tickets £13, members £11- available from The Hardy Society or Dorchester TIC. 01305 251501 / 01305 267992

04-8/11 Screen Bites - Dorset Food Film Festival Various locations in Dorset. Film festival with a food theme including a chance to meet local food producers and sample their delicious cakes, cheeses, biscuits, beers, wines, ciders etc etc 01963 32525 www.screen-bites.co.uk

04 & 18 Family History Courses in Bridport - Getting Back to 1837 Marsh Barn Farm, Burton Road, Bridport. New two day Beginner Courses aimed at those starting to research their family tree. (Repeated on 18th October). 01308 425710 janefhistory@aol.com

04-05 Rustic Hazelwood Furniture Highway Farm, West Road, Bridport, 10am - 5pm. Try your hand at furniture making, be inspired and guided by tutor Peter Woods. Two-day workshop. Cost £80. Materials £15 approx. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

05 Dorset Archaeological Walk Meet outside main door,County Hall SY 690 908, 10.30am. Explore Dorchester's hidden archaeology and the work of the Dorset Historic Towns Project with Peter Bellamy of DCC. 1½ hours. 01305 224921 www.dorsetforyou.com

08 Sherborne Flicks - "The Edge of Love" Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, 7.30pm Tickets £5 available from Sherborne TIC. 01935 815341 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk

09 Dorchester Film Society - Fear and Trembling Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Members Only. 01305 262005

09 Everestmax - the longest climb on earth St Antony's Leweston School, Leweston, Nr Sherborne, 6pm for 7pm. A talk by Richard Walters and Rowena Wright. Tickets £15 (including a glass of wine) available from Mrs W Hannam, Totnell House, Leigh DT9 6HT (cheques payable to I.T.N.C.) Proceeds to be shared between 3 Himalayan charities

10 In Search of Stardom Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, wine and music 7.30pm, performance at 8pm. A powerful play, powerfully presented by Sue Wylie - in aid of The Rendezvous, Sherborne. Tickets £7.50 (inc.wine) from Sherborne TIC

11 Gloriana - Music for the Two Elizabeths. Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir Sherborne Abbey, 7.30pm. Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor, Walton - Coronation Te Deum, Britten - Choral Dances from Gloriana plus pieces by Byrd and Tallis. Tickets £12, £10 (£2 students) available from Sherborne TIC 01935 815341 or 01258 880118 www.sherborneabbey.com

11 Presumed Curable - Lunatic Asylums & Their Records Salway Ash Village Hall, near Bridport, 2pm. A talk by Daniel Williams for the Somerset and Dorset History Society. £1.50 for members or £2 for non-members. 01935 825098

11 An Evening with Mervyn Stutter at Thorncombe Thorncombe Village Hall, 7.30pm. Star of the Radio 4 hit comedy "Getting Nowhere Fast", he is the comic voice of the Baby Boom Generation. Tickets £6.00 adults from Village Stores or 01460 30247.

11 Voice Workshop St Georges Church Room, Fordington, Dorchester, 10.30am-3.30pm. Hosted by the Weatherbury Singers. Cost £15, music provided, all welcome. 07747 610746

11 The Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert St Mary's Church, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Czech Suite-Dvorak, Trumpet Concerto-Neruda, The Lark Ascending - Vaughan Willams, Symphony No 104 - Haydn.. Tickets £10 from Harmony Music 01305 260360

12 Wedding Fair Kingston Maurward, Dorchester. 01305 215050 www.kmc.ac.uk

12 Kerr Fagan Harbron and Methera Portesham Village Hall, 7.30pm. Part of Artsreach. A magical double-bill featuring two of the most exciting bands on the English folk scene performing individually and together. Tickets £8 or £6 for under 18s. 01305 871780

12 Bump-a-Story Meet 4pm at Portesham Village Hall. Storytelling at dusk on the South Dorset Ridgeway. Free. Bring a torch, wear suitable clothing and footwear plus something to sit on. Booking essential. 7500078351 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

13 Painting and Sketching Day for beginners Highway Farm, West Road, Bridport, 10am-4pm. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

14 Bridport History Society Meeting: Wessex Watermills Bridport United Church, East St, Bridport, 2.30pm. Talk by Mrs Marian Pattinson. Note the talk will follow the Society's AGM which starts at 2.30pm. 01308 456876 or 01308 488034

15 Enchanted Floodlit Garden Charity Preview Night - in aid of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens. 01305 871130 www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk

15 Zephr Wind Quintet Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Music by Verdi, Reicha, Milhaud, Patterson, Vintner, Arnold, Ligeti and Farkas 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

15 A Bridge Afternoon Alweston Village Hall, Nr. Sherborne, 2pm - 5pm. £25 per table (including tea). In aid of Parkinson's Disease Society, North Dorset Branch. 01935 812940 www.parkinsons.org.uk

15 The Magic Flute, Plaza Cinema, Dorchester, 8pm. Public screening of Kenneth Branagh's film which transforms Mozart's opera into a spectacular musical adventure on the Western Front. Tickets in advance or on the door from The Plaza 01305 262488

16 Lunchtime Concert, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 1pm. Dorchester Piano Trio plays music by Haydn, Clementi and Gibbs 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

16 Dorchester Film Society – The Magic Flute Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 8pm. Members Only. 01305 262005

17 Ceilidh, Chetnole Village Hall, next to the Chetnole Inn, DT9 6NU, 8pm. With live band Five Prong Fork. £6. 01258 817963

18 Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles Charity Concert, Sherborne Abbey. 7.30pm. Performance bu Sherborne Chamber Choir in aid of St. Margaret's Hospice and other local charities. Tickets - Dorset Music Shop 01935 816332 www.dorsetmusichouse.co.uk

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

18 Antiques Fair, Corn Exchange, Dorchester. Free Admission. Antique furniture, China & Pottery, Jewellery, Books, Cutlery, Musical Instruments, Silver etc.

18 Burton Bradstock - War Time Memories Walk - Dorset Archaeological Days, National Trust Car Park (Hive Beach), Burton Bradstock, 2pm. Look for war time defences and traces of the preparations for D Day with Gorden Le Pard of Dorset County Council. Walk lasts 1.5 hours, steep in places. Cost £3 in advance (£5 on the day). 01305 224921

18 Dorset Palestinian/Israeli Peace Group – "Never Again. End Israel’s War Crimes" Dorchester Baptist Centre, Top o’ Town, Dorchester, 7pm. Talk by holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein. Cost £2 includes refreshments.

18-19 Eat Dorset Food Fair Parnham House, Nr. Beaminster. Over 40 stalls representing a wide variety of local produce, plus café, champagne and oyster bar, children’s activities all weekend plus cookery demonstrations from top chefs Lesley Waters and Mark Hix. Entrance £5 per adult, under 16s free.

18 Second Hand Book Sale Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. 10.30am - 4.30pm. Secondhand book sale incorporating sale of books published by the DNHAS and Dorset Record Society 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

19 Tea Dance Herrison Hall Ballroom, Charlton Down, 3pm-6pm. Tea dance organised by Inner Wheel Club of Dorchester in aid of Farm Crisis Network. Tickets £5 to include a cream tea. 01305 250808 or 01305 264070

20 Northanger Abbey Powell Theatre, Sherborne. 8pm. Performed by the Dorset Corset Theatre Company Tickets £10, Concessions £8, Students £5 01935 810579 www.dorsetcorset.co.uk

23 Dorchester Film Society – The Mountain Patrol Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Members Only. 01305 262005

24 The Yetties The Clock House Hotel, Chideock. Starting around 8pm, in support of Robin Teague's new autobiography. email; info@theyetties.co.uk www.theyetties.co.uk

24 BEC Quiz Night Brownsword Hall, Pummery Sqaure, Poundbury, 7:30pm. Tickets £2 in advance, £2.50 on the door. Coffee and biscuits included. Bring your own drink and nibbles. 01305 257485

24-25 Dorset Art and Craft Show Digby Hall, The Library, Sherborne. Exhibition and demonstrations by craftworkers and artists. www.dorsetartandcraftshow.co.uk

25 Concert with Belinda Evans (soprano) & James Williams (piano) Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, 7.30pm. A programme of vocal allsorts! Tickets £5 to £12 from Dorset Music House 01935 816332 www.dorsetmusichouse.co.uk

25 The Big Draw at Dorset County Museum Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 10am - 12pm. Take part in a national event – for further details tel. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

25 Thorncombe Art Group Exhibition Thorncombe Village Hall, 10am-5pm. Admission free, donations welcome. Profits to charity. Raffle and Refreshments. Paintings and cards for sale. 01460 30247

25 Rag-Rugs Workshop Highway Farm, West Road, Bridport, 10am-4pm. Create a small rug or wall hanging - technique can be learnt in a day. Cost £35 includes materials. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

25-26 Seaton Tramway End of Season Gala Seaton Tramway. Enjoy a tram driving experience, guided depot visits and lots more for all the family. 01297 20375 www.tram.co.uk

26 Table Top Sale Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis. In aid of Christmas Lights Fund

26 Duck Race Windsor Terrace, Lyme Regis, 12 noon. In aid of Christmas Lights Fund.

27 Land's End to John O'Groats Illustrated Talk Bridport United Church, East St, Bridport, 7.30pm. Illustrated talk presented by the Golden Cap Centre of the National Trust. Speaker Mrs A Moscrop. Non member are welcome. 01308 863577

29 Images of Dorset Charlton Down Village Hall, Nr Dorchester, 7.30pm. Paul Sturgess, Dorset photographer, will present a collection of photographs and postcards showing Dorset as it was between 1880 and 1950. Entry £2.50. 01305 269522

30 Stand-up Comedy Powell Theatre, Sherborne, 8.30pm 01935 810579 www.powelltheatre.co.uk

31 Murder Mystery Kingston Maurward, Dorchester. 01305 215050 www.kmc.ac.uk/gardens/events

31 Ghost Walk with Dorchester Town Crier Meet at Town Pump, Dorchester at midnight. £5 per adult.

MARINE THEATRE AT A GLANCE	3 October 4 October 7 October 10 October 11 October 12 October 15 October 16 October 18 October 22–25 October 26 October 31 October	Dorset Corset Theatre Company: Northangar Abbey Viva Santana Play writing course (continues 14, 28 October and 4, 11, 18 November) Dominic Holland, comedian Macbeth (Youth Theatre) Pimlico Opera: Falstaff Theatre Friends Quiz Night Heritage Coast U3A: Jonathan Aitkin The New Seekers – In Perfect Harmony Lyme Regis Dramatic Society: Outside Edge Royal British Legion: Festival of Remembrance King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, 6 piece Jazz & Blues band www.marinetheatre.com Marine Theatre Box Office: 01297 442138 (Lyme Regis TIC)
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.
NOVEMBER	Coming up in November & December… 01 Nov Firework Extravaganza, Sherborne Castle 05 Nov Lakeside Fireworks, Kingston Maurward, nr Dorchester 07-16 Nov Bridport Literary Festival – Celebrating the Bridport Prize 29 Nov Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights turn on in Lyme Regis 10 Dec Bridport Christmas Festival and late night shopping 6-14 Dec Sherborne Christmas Tree Festival 10-17 Dec Bridport Christmas Tree Festival Cards for Good Causes Charity Christmas cards will once again be on sale in our Tourist Information Centres in November/December
	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