HIGHLIGHTS	Don’t miss this month… 29th April - 1st May Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 2011 (www.fossilfestival.com) 1st May - Dorset Knob Throwing & Frome Valley Food Festival (www.dorsetknobthrowing.com) 6 th May - HMS Heron Volunteer Band, Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester 14th May - Museums at Night in Dorchester, Tickets from Dorchester TIC 21st - 30th May - Bridport Open Studios (www.bridportopenstudios.co.uk) 21st-22nd May - Spring Tide Festival, Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock (www.spring-tide.org.uk) 25th May - Tom Jones – Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company- Digby Hall, Sherborne, Tickets from Sherborne TIC 27th May - Cricket – Dorset CCC v Gloucestershire CCC, Sherborne School Playing Fields, Tickets from Sherborne TIC 30th May - Sherborne Castle Country Fair, Tickets from Sherborne TIC
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 3 rd 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. Broadmayne - Monthly market in St. Martin’s Community Hall, Broadmayne, 3rd Friday of the month, 2-3.30pm. Raffle, craft, plants, books, jigsaws, cards, local produce, Fair Trade goods. Proceeds to St. Martin’s Community Hall. Bridport - Vintage Market St Michael's Art & Vintage Quarter, Bridpor, 12pm til 4pm. Bridport's Vintage Market takes place on the last Sunday of each month. Lots of stalls, music and café. 07879 051362 (www.oldalbion.co.uk)
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. Sunday Strolls With the Ramblers Association from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, 2.15pm. Tel: 01308 863754. Walking the Way to Health in Bridport, with trained health walkers. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am from Bridport TIC. Walks last approx 30mins, all welcome, free of charge. 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. Literary Lyme – walking tours available throughout the year. Tel. 07763 974569 for details and to book. Mary Anning Walks, Lyme Regis. Explore the paths and streets of Old Lyme as Mary knew them with expert guide Natalie Manifold. Details from Lyme Regis Museum. Tel: 01297 443370. (www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk) Monday Town Walk of Dorchester with Blue Badge Guide Starts from Dorchester Tourist Information Centre. Adults £3 accompanied children Free. Christine Mc Gee 01258 817751. Tuesday Town Walk of Dorchester with Blue Badge Guide (24th May – 27th Sept) Meet at Town Pump 11am. Adults £5, Children £2. No booking required. 07773 286197. The Green Tolpuddle Tour Thursdays 26th May – 27th October. Meet 11am outside County Museum, Dorchester 07773 286197. Dorchester Ghost Walks 5th May – 27th October. Meet at the Kings Arms Hotel, High West Street, Dorchester 8pm. Adults £5, Children £2. Tel. 07773 286197 for further details. Lyme Regis Town Walk Historical town walk every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11am – meet outside the Marine Theatre. Tickets adults £6, children £3 – book at the Tourist information Centre.
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 (www.dorchesterarts.org.uk), Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com), Electric Palace, Bridport (www.electricpalace.org.uk) and Eype Centre for the Arts (www.eypechurcharts.co.uk) 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

29/4-1/5 Lyme Regis Fossil Festival A natural science and arts cultural extravaganza featuring live performances in street theatre, music and exhibitors from some of the UK's top natural science organisations and institutions. (www.fossilfestival.com)

29/3-3/5 Sherborne Abbey Festival Sherborne Abbey and Castleton Church A feast of music by performers including The Sixteen, Sherborne Festival Chorus, Cleo Laine, Nicola Benedetti and more. (www.sherborneabbey.org)

30/4-2/5 Craft and Garden Fair Sherborne Castle, 10am – 6pm. Superb selection of crafts, artwork, plants and garden supplies direct from the makers. Admission £5 (includes gardens and grounds of the Castle), accompanied children free. (www.sherbornecastle.com)

01 Wessex Morris May Day Celebrations Wessex Morris will be welcoming the dawn on the hill above the Cerne Abbas Giant at 5.15am, followed by dancing in the village square and The Royal Oak from 7am. Later on (12pm) catch them at the Dorset Knob Throwing event in Cattistock. (www.wessexmorrismen.co.uk)

01 May Day Fete Anning Road Playing Fields, Lyme Regis, 2pm. Join the many local organisations who will have stalls around the arena. There will be displays from the young people of Lyme to entertain you. Regatta & Carnival Committee 01297 442220. (www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk)

01 Dorset Knob Throwing & Frome Valley Festival Cattistock, 10am - 4pm. Admission £2 under 12s free. Fun event and food festival with over 50 local producers. Knob throwing, knob & spoon race, knob painting and more. 01300 320404 (www.dorsetknobthrowing.com)

01 West Dorset Ramblers Walk Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, 2.30pm. A 1-2 hour Sunday walk. 01308 863081

01 Churches Together Songs of Praise Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, 3pm

01 NCCPG Plant Fayre Athelhampton House & Gardens, Athelhampton, 10.30am - 3.00pm. Specialist nuseries. Many plants and shrubs, some unusual and extremely rare. Garden tombola. Normal house and gardens admission charges apply for non - members. Free entry for Athelhampton Season ticket Holders and NCCPG Members. 01305 848363 (www.athelhampton.co.uk)

01 Castleton Waterwheel Open Day Oborne Road, Sherborne11am - 5pm (www.castletonwaterwheelmuseum.org.uk)

01 Dorchester Trades Union Council May Day Celebration Borough Gardens, 12 - 5pm. Features: Bag of Rats, Tom Caulfield, Tim Ross, Skimmity Hitchers, Thomas & The Mockups and Elijah & Wife. (www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk)

01 May Day Earth Fair Broadoak, nr. Bridport. Concentrating on sustainability, sharing and swapping. Local organisations represented, entertainers, maypole dancing. 01308 898788 or 426501 (email: earthfairb@gmail.com)

01 - 22 “Bread - a slice of history" Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Rd, Beaminster 01308 863577

01 - 31 "New to View" Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster 01308 863577

01 - 31 Village Exhibition: A to Z of Netherbury Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster 01308 863577

02 May Fair Bridport Millennium Green, Grounds of Mountfield, top of Downs Street, Bridport. Starts 12 noon. Maypole dancers, country dancers, stalls, crafts and raffle. Refreshments and cream teas.

03 Ancient Stones on Old Postcards Dining Room, The George Hotel, Bridport, 8pm. A talk by Author Jerry Bird about his new book. Tel 07975509198

04 Sanctus Sacred Songs United Church, South Street, Dorchester, 7 - 9pm. Cost £5. Come and learn simple harmonies and chants from around the world (email: sanctusdorset@hotmail.com)

04 Tudor Women – Revisited Shipton Gorge Village Hall, 7.30pm. A talk by historical novelist Suzannah Dunn, author of 'The Sixth Wife' & 'The Confession of Katherine Howard'. Funds being raised for Womankind Worldwide Charity. Tickets £5 to Include a glass of wine. Raffle & second hand stall. 01308 897295 (email: apple.loft@btinternet.com)

04 Dorchester Horticultural Society - Monthly Meeting St Georges Church Hall, Fordington, 7.30pm. Visitors and new members welcome. Speaker Jan Wilment from Island Nurseries, Upwey on Fuchsias & Pelargoniums

05 Talk by Virginia Mckenna OBE Leigh Village Hall, Nr. Sherborne, 1pm. Weldmar Hospicecare Trust event - guest speaker Virginia McKenna OBE, star of "Born Free". Cost £25 per person including two course lunch plus a glass of wine and coffee. 01305 261800

05 Jazz concert with The Bobby Wellins Trio St. John the Baptist Church, Plush, 7.30pm. Benefit Concert for St. Mary's Middle School, Puddletown. Tickets £12.50 01305 848180 / 848293

05 Thomas Coram and the Foundling Hospital Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 2.30pm. Anne Sankey discusses the Lyme-born philanthropist - the man who saved children. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

06 HMS Heron Volunteer Band Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester. Bandmaster Band Colour Sergeant Tim Watson, a musician serving in The Royal Marines Band Service introduces a programme inc Thomas Hardye students. Includes a “corps of drums". Tickets from Thomas Hardye School reception at £10 or from Nicoll World Travel. 01305 264070 (email: peter@gshow.co.uk)

06 Peter Owen-Jones St Peter's Church, High West St, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Peter will be speaking, taking questions and reading from his books. Tickets £10 from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992

06 Floral Design St Mary's Church, Cerne Abbas, 2pm – 4.30pm. Homemade cakes and tea. A flower arranging demonstration by three of our local experts. Tickets £5 to include tea available from the Village Stores from mid April. Raffle. Sales Table of gardening & flower arranging items. 01305 261800 (www.weld-hospice.org.uk)

06 Organ Recital – David Bednall Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne School, 7.30pm. “Silent Movie Improvisation”

07 Craft & Country Garden Market Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, 10am - 4pm. Free admission. 01749 677049

07 Plant Sale and Coffee Morning Uplyme Village Hall, Uplyme, Near Lyme Regis, 10am – 12 noon. Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society sale. Entry £1 01297 444034

07 The Garden Fair Colyton Grammar School, Colyton, Nr. Lyme Regis, 10am – 4pm. Indoor and outdoor plant stalls and craft. Café, BBQ, indoor children's area with craft activities and outside fun sports area with archery and football skills run by Exeter Football Club. Also musical entertainment, cake stall, raffle and much more. Admission £3 adults, children free. 01297 55321

07 Skatepark Birthday Celebration Dorchester Skatepark, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, 12noon - 7pm

07 The Denner Ensemble - 'Virtuosi' St Laurence Church, Affpuddle, 7.30pm. Benefit concert for St Mary's School, Puddletown. A concert of Baroque music writen by and for some of the leading virtuosi of the 18th century. Tickets £12.50. (£20 for 2 concerts - see 5th May) 01305 848180 Kasia Robins or 01305 848293 School.

07 Benefit Concert for First Dorset Credit Union St Peter's Church, High West St, Dorchester, 7.30pm. New settings of 3 Barnes Poems. Music, drama & poetry. Tickets are £10 including refreshments available 42 High East St Dorchester. 01305 268444

07 Howdenjones in concert Leigh Village Hall, Nr. Sherborne, 7.30pm - 10.30pm. A concert of original, northern tinged music and banter. Bar available. Tickets £7 each from Bridge Garage Leigh or 01963 210154 / 210619 (www.howdenjones.co.uk)

07 The Andrew Massey Duo Cerne Abbas Village Hall, 7.30pm. The Hardy Society presents classical and folk music, with jigs and ballads from Thomas Hardy's notebooks. All welcome. Tickets £10, £8 members, includes glass of wine, call or visit Cerne Abbas Village Stores for tickets. Some available on the door. 01305 251501

07 Plant Sale and Coffee Morning United Church Hall, Dorchester, 10am – 12noon. Plants, bric-a-brac, books, cakes, produce, raffle. Everyone welcome. Refreshments available. RSPB South Dorset Local Group.

07 Skatepark Birthday Celebration Dorchester Skatepark, Weymouth Avenue.12 noon - 7pm (www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk)

07 - 15 Exhibition and sale of paintings by Cyril Bolam Eype Centre for the Arts, St Peter's Chapel, Eype Nr Bridport, 10.30am - 4.30pm, Thursday 10.30am - 8pm. Jeff Bolam 01297 443135

08 Dorset Bike Ride Have fun, get fit, save lives. 25, 50 and 66 mile routes available In Aid of British Heart Foundation 0800 1693672 (www.bhf.org.uk/dorset)

08 Concert In Aid Of The Roof Appeal St Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury, 3pm. John Bryden Piano and Calum Robertson Clarinet, playing Debussy, Schumann and John Ireland. Tickets £10 including a glass of wine. 01305 871261 / 01305 871085

08/29 Beth is Back! The Old Tea House, 44 High West Street, Dorchester, 4pm-5.30pm. Beth Blake, Debbie & Derrick Dalley invite you to Cream Tea and Poetry on Sundays second and last of every month. £8.00 per person 01305 267293

09 Bridport Feminist Group The George , South Street, Bridport, 7.30pm 07921 311518 (email: bridfem@hotmail.co.uk)

09 West Dorset Flower Club (Bridport) The Electric Palace, South Street, Bridport. To celebrate their 60th Anniversary the club presents: 'April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers' Michael Bowyer (National Demonstrator) Tickets £8 from 01308 424319

10 Evening Garden Visit to 'Lift The Latch', Forton, nr. Chard Depart from Uplyme Village Hall Car Park in shared cars at 6pm £4 including refreshments (non members £6). Ann Prince 01297 443793

10 Bridport History Society Talk: Wordsworth in the North & West and Life in the West Country Bridport United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport, 2.30pm. A talk by Emily Hicks (Curator at Bridport Museum) 01308 456876 / 488034

10 Rotary Charity Golf Day Lyme Regis Golf Club. In aid of Devon and also Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

11 Vinyl Saturday Bridport Town Centre, 10am – 3pm. Record & CD Fair across 2 venues. Free admission. 07882 392 508 (www.vinylsaturday.co.uk)

12 Jane Austen Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 2.30pm. Descendant Diana Shervington's talk will provide amusing reasons for Jane's spinsterhood. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

12 WI - Denise Edwards Dorchester Cricket Club House, Weymouth Avenue, 10am – 12pm. Denise Edwards, guest speaker, talking about working as a stunt performer in films and T.V. 01305 751715 01305 268364

12 U3A Monthly Social Morning Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. Coffee 10am-11am, followed by a talk by Deborah Watkins from the Dorset Wildlife Trust 11am-12pm.

12 Cobb/Harbour/Boats: Charcoal Drawing Workshop The Cobb, Lyme Regis, 10am-4pm. Charcoal drawing for the terrified! Using charcoal to draw the subjects around the Cobb and harbour. £25 for half day, £45 all day. Max 10 students (18+). (email: lyn.whiteman@btinternet.com)

12-25/6 Ridgeway Voices Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester. An exciting multi-media exhibition celebrating the South Dorset Ridgeway in sound, photography and film. Voices from oral history and audio trails projects, photogarphy from Sue MacPherson and short films from the Live IT Love IT Film IT project.

13 Palmers Wine Store Annual Spring Tasting in Association with Dorset County Council Brownsword Hall, Poundbury. Tickets £5 in aid of Digital Mammography Appeal. Tickets from Dorchester TIC. (www.palmerswinetore.com) (www.westdorset.com)

13 Spring Concert-Burton Bradstock Festival of Music & Art Village Hall, Burton Bradstock, 7pm. With David Juritz, violin and Sphia Rahman piano - a concert giving a flavour of the 2011 Festival. Tickets £10 from Village Post Office or 2 St Laurence, Midd St, Burton Bradstock 01308 897203 (www.burtonbradstockfestival.com)

14 Dance - Ballroom, Latin and Sequence Uplyme Village Hall, Uplyme, Near Lyme Regis, 8-11pm. Everyone welcome. £4 per person including tea and biscuits.

14 70's Spectacular The Corn Exchange, Dorchester, 7.45pm – Midnight. Features V I P Abba, Reflections, Disco. £10 admission. Tickets from Harmony Music, Trinity St, Dorchester 01305 269360

14 Family Fun Day Dorchester Borough Gardens, 10am - 4pm

14 Ramblers Get Walking Day 2011 Abbotsbury Village Car Park, meet 10.30am for a leisurely walk of 5 miles along the coast path to Portesham and back along the disused railway.Free. Everybody welcome - optional pub lunch afterwards. Peter 01305 871527 (www.southdorsetramblers.org.uk)

14 Museums at Night Tutankhamun Exhibition, Terracotta Warriors, The Keep Military Museum, Dorset County Museum, Dinosaur Museum, Roman Town House, Teddy Bear Museum. Visit all 6 museums plus the Roman Town House in one night. All museums specially open from 5pm - 9pm on Saturday 14th May 2011. Family tickets £6 in advance or £10 on night. 01305 262735

14 The Sky at Night Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 8pm. A stargazing party with experts from the Norman Lockyer Observatory. A talk, refreshments and then outside for telescope views of stars, planets and an almost-full moon .01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

14 Poyntington's Plant, Cake & Produce Show Poyntington, Nr Sherborne, 10am - 3pm. With coffee, lunches, BBQ, bar and raffle. Proceeds In aid of the church.

14 Prize Bingo Frampton Village Hall, eyes down 7.:30pm. Raffle and Refreshments. In aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust

14 Coffee Morning & Plant Sale Frampton Village Hall, from 10.30am. Other stalls to include Gifts, China/Glass, Bring & Buy, Tombola. In aid of Weldmar Hospiscare Trust.

14 Family Fun Day Borough Gardens, 10am - 4pm (www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk)

15 West Dorset Ramblers Walk Bucky Doo Square, Bridport Town Centre, 2.30pm. A 1-3 hour walk. Myra 01308 424787

15 Know your Fossils Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 2.30pm. A talk on how fossils lived, and how to find, identify and handle them, with museun expert Chris Andrew. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

15 A Bit Of A Do LATCH Hall, School Lane, Litton Cheney. Vintage afternoon of historic vehicles, cream teas/cakes, Pimms, vintage mar ket & music. Bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the afternoon, dress in vintage style to really get in to the swing, or not if you prefer ! Something for the whole family. £1 adults, children free. Raising money for the rural Bride Valley Fledglings Pre school

15 Open Garden Afternoon Lower Ware, Ware Lane, Lyme Regis, 2.30pm – 5.30pm. With cream teas and bring & buy plant sale. Raising funds for action medical research for children for life.

16 Bride Valley Gardening Club Puncknowle & Swyre Village Hall AGM followed by 7.30pm talk on Construction and Maintenance of Ponds by Andrew Mc Connachie. Members free, visitors £2.

16 Mark Hix’s Kitchen Table 11.30am – 3pm. Join Mark at his Charmouth home for an open cooking class where he will demonstrate dishes using the best British seasonal produce around. Cost £175 – max. 6 participants. 01689 855390 (email: august@hixfoodetc.co.uk)

17 AGM Friends of Bridport Museum St John Hall, Rax Lane, Bridport, 8pm. AGM followed by talk by local furniture expert Tom Baldry 'How British History has influenced furniture' 01308 458703/459039

18 Jazz at The Three Compasses - Jam Night The Three Compasses Inn, The Square, Charminster, 8.30pm. Resident Jazz trio - all musicians and audience welcome. Free admission 01305 263618

18 Vintage Motorcycle Club The Dorset branch visit Lyme Regis, with a line up of over 100 bikes at the Guncliff around midday. (www.vmcc.net)

19 Peter Owen-Jones St Michaels Church, Lyme Regis, 7pm. BBC presenter of "Around the world in eighty faiths", "Extreme Pilgrim" and "How to live a simple life", will be reading from his new book and taking questions. £10 ticket in aid of Church and Orphanage in Rajasthan, India - tickets from Lyme Regis Tourist Information. 01297 442138

20 The Dorchester Association for Research into Local History & Archaeology - Sir Ernest Debenham and Farming at Bryantspuddle Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Ann King discusses the farming experiment promoted by Sir Ernest Bryantspuddle in the early part of the 20th Century. Visitors £2. Refreshments available.

20 Ceilidh The Parish Centre, Culliford Road North, Dorchester, 7.30pm. Dancing to “Jump At The Sun” with caller. Tickets £8 to include pasty supper. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Raffle. In Aid of Inner Wheel Club of Dorchester Charities. Tickets from Harmony Music. Barbara Noble 01305 264070 Val Hellin 01305 268844. (email: barbaranoble7@gmail.com) (email: valhellin28@gmail.com)

20 An Evening with Paul Atterbury The Town Hall, Dorchester, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. A talk by the world famous author and specialist in 'Ceramics & Fine China'. Tickets £10 to include complimentary drink at the interval from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992, Sherborne TIC 01935 815341 and Weymouth TIC 01305 785747. (www.soldierscharity.org/events-and-campaigns/?region=4)

20 Broadmayne Today 47 Main Street, Broadmayne. Photographic competition - entries to be sent in by 5pm on this date for showing at the Broadmayne Scarecrow weekend 4th & 5th June.

20 Book launch party Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 6pm. In this Year of Maritime Lyme, the museum celebrates the publication of local author Peter Lacey's book "Ebb and Flow - A Maritime History of Lyme Regis. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

21 Minerva's Emporium Dorchester Town Hall, High East Street, Dorchester, 10am - 4pm 07866 595596 (email: minervasemporium@hotmail.com)

21 Swing Band Milborne St Andrew Village Hall, 7.30pm. Wed. Social Club's 35th Anniversary. Members £10, non members £12 to include buffet. Tickets from Londis, The Royal Oak or Margaret Evans 01258 450518

21 RAF reunion evening Lyme Regis Museum. Calling all RAF veterans! A reunion at the museum to celebrate the RAF’s contribution to Lyme’s wartime history. 01297 444463

21 Taunton Dean Male Voice Choir Woodmead Halls, 7.30pm. In aid of Lyme Regis RNLI.

21 Sherborne Jazz – Iain Houston’s Planetary Project Plume of Feathers, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, 7.30pm. Tickets £12 on the door, students with ID £8 (www.sherbornejazz.org.uk)

21-22 The Spring Tide Festival The Hive Café, Burton Bradstock Nr Bridport Outdoor food event offers you the chance to meet and buy from West Dorset's producers. Tel 01297 489481 (www.spring-tide.org.uk)

21-22 Flower Festival Rampisham, Saturday 2:30-6pm Sunday 10-5pm. Church teas and coffee, plants and cakes sale in the village hall. Songs of praise in church - Sunday 6pm. Exhibiton and auction of woodturnings donated by Peter Thomas and Trevor Ball.

21-30 Bridport Open Studios Various venues in the Bridport area. Over 50 venues to discover showing a wide range of arts and crafts. Pick up your free guide from Bridport Tourist Information Centre or see (www.bridportopenstudios.co.uk)

21-5/6 Purbeck Arts Festival Artists open studios,exhibitions, concerts, dance, talks, films and Fringe Events events. Tickets available from Dorchester and Sherborne TICs

22 Owermoigne Antiques Fairs 2011 Owermoigne Village Hall, Coffee, lunches, afternoon teas. Free entry/parking 01305 854835

22 The Anonymous Travelling Market Minterne House Open Day. A colourful and vibrant market with live music. £3 entry fee. Free Parking. Emma 07983464202 or Rae 07932477436 (www.theatm.co.uk)

22 Bagshot Concert Band Dorchester Borough Gardens, 12 noon

22 Sherborne Town Band Pageant Gardens, Sherborne. The band will play in the afternoon in the garden bandstand - time to be confirmed (www.sherbornetownband.co.uk)

22 Celebrating the Lerret Day Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 11am. An all-day celebration of the historic Dorset fishing vessel, the lerret. Newly built lerret "Littlesea" and 1923 motherboat "Vera" will be launched from Cobb Gate for a ceremonial row to the Cobb, where there will be an evocative exhibition of memories from lerrert fisherfolk. Museum open free 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

22 Bagshot Concert Band Borough Gardens, 12 noon (www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk)

22 Guided Rockpooling Lyme Regis Museum, 3pm. Investigate the rock pools of Broad Ledge with museum geologist Paddy Howe and marine biologist Chris Andrew. Sessions last one and a half hours. 01297 443370 (www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk)

23 Rockpooling Lyme Regis Museum, 3.45pm. Investigate the rock pools of Broad Ledge with museum geologist Paddy Howe and marine biologist Chris Andrew. Sessions last one and a half hours. 01297 443370 (www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk)

24 The Cathedrals Express comes to Sherborne The Cathedrals Express steam train pulled by “Tangmere” arrives in Sherborne on a day trip from London. 01483 209889 (www.steamdreams.com)

25 Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society Talk - The Bee Friendly Garden Uplyme Village Hall, Uplyme, Near Lyme RegisTalk by Joh Hewson, East Devon Bee-Keepers' Association. 7.30pm 01297 444034

25 Dorset Wine Society The Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dorchester £30 per person to include wine, canapes on arrival. 8 - 10 wines will be presented, with the evening focused on the understanding and enjoyment of wine. A two course supper with wine will be served after the tasting. Advance Booking required 01308 427500 (www.palmerswinetore.com)

25 Sherborne Science Café The Senior Lunch Club Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, 7.30pm. Dr Glenn Patrick - the quest for the antimatter. 01935 813896 (email: rwbarber@tiscali.co.uk) (www.sherbornesciencecafe.co.uk)

25 The Casterbridge Male Voice Choir St Mary's Church Hall, Dorchester, 7.15pm. A open evening, all men are invited to come along and listen or sing (bring your wife or partner with you). 01308 897275 (www.casterbridgemvc.co.uk)

25 The Bee Friendly Garden Uplyme Village Hall. Talk by John Hewson – Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticulture Society. 01297 444034

25 Coffee Morning Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, 10am – 11.30am. Cakes, plants, books, raffle etc. Sherborne Area Over 50s group. 01935 813150 / 389086

25 Bristol Old Vic Theatre School present Tom Jones Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, 7.30pm. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School perform their fine new interpretation of Henry Fielding’s classic romp. Tickets £12/£10 from Sherborne TIC.

26 My Life, My Death, My Choice - The Right to Die with Dignity Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High West Street, Dorchester , 8pm. Talk and discussion led by Dr Evan Harris. All meetings are free, suggested donation of £2. Everyone welcome.07921 311518 (email: westdorsethumanists@hotmail.com)

26 Lyme's Literary Links Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 2.30pm. David Coates talks on great literary figures with Lyme Regis connections - from Jane Austen to John Fowles. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

26 Recital – Gordon Curtis (Clarinet) and The Brodowski Quartet Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne School, 7.30pm. Mendelssohn Quartet in F minor, Op.80, Mozart Quintet for clarinet and strings, K581. Tickets from School Reception 01935 812249 (email: enquiries@sherborne.org)

27 T20 Cricket Dorset CCC v Gloucestershire CCC Sherborne School Playing Fields, Horsecastles, Sherborne. 20/Twenty match featuring international superstars from all around the world. Tickets £10 adults, concessions £5, family £20 from Sherborne TIC.

27 Palmers Wine Society Palmers Brewery, West Bay Road, Bridport. Tickets £12.50 per person includes wine and canapes. 8 - 10 wines presented with the evening focused on the understanding and enjoyment of wine. Advance booking required. 01308 427500 (www.palmerswinestore.com)

27 The Sinking of the Bismarck Town Hall, Dorchester, 7.30pm. To commemorate the 70th Anniversary the epic story will be retold by Graham Rhys-Jones (naval historian) and Mr George Osborne (an eyewitness). Proceeds to Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Tickets £3 from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992

27 The Mary Rose talk by Bill Moore Brownsword Hall, Pummery square, Poundbury. Doors open at 7 for 7:30pm start. Built for Henry the VIII this warship patrolled the Solent and English Channel untill it sank during a battle with the French. £3..50 advance tickets or £4 on the night. Tickets by calling. 01305 251582

27-29 Bronzes at the Abbey Forde Abbey. Ian Edwards Exhibition

27-29 Magdalen Folk Festival Magdalen Farm, Winsham, Chard, Somerset. Weekend tickets from £120, day tickets £35 (discounts for children). Tickets include all meals and entertainment. Full licensed bar available. 01460 30144 (www.themagdalenproject.org.uk)

28 Dance - Ballroom, Latin and Sequence Uplyme Village Hall, Uplyme, Near Lyme Regis, 8-11pm. Everyone welcome. £4 pp

28-29 Know your fossils Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street Lyme Regis, 2.30pm. Talks on how fossils lived, and how to find, identify and handle them, with museum expert Chris Andrew. 01297 443370 (email: lymeregismuseum@talktalk.net)

28-30 Lyme Regis Art Group's Annual Exhibition T he Woodmead Halls. Lyme Regis Art Group's annual exhibition and sale of work with free admission and tea and coffee available.

28-5/6 Triple Vision The Malthouse, Town Mill, Lyme Regis. An exhibition of photographs by John Marriage, Moya Paul and Peter Wiles (email: john@tapestry.org.uk) (email: moya.paul@virgin.net) (email: peter@lymescapes.co.uk)

29 Archaeology Walk Maiden Castle, Dorchester, 10.30am. Meet archaologist Chris Tripp at the car park. Adults £5, Children £1. 0776 869 5162 (email: tripp.chris60@gmail.com)

29 Blessing Of The Boats The Lifeboat Station, The Cobb, Lyme Regis, 3pm. Rogation Sunday - when traditionally, the Lyme Regis Lifeboat holds a Blessing of the Boats family service. Wreaths are blessed and taken out to sea by the lifeboat where they are laid to commemorate those lost at sea. The (short) service, with the Lyme Regis Town Band, starts at 3pm. All welcome.

29 Waterwheel Open Day Castleton Waterwheel, Oborne Road, Sherborne11am - 5pm (www.castletonwaterwheelmuseum.org.uk)

29 Charity Poultry Auction, Farmers’ Market and Car Boot Sale The Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton. Supporting Julia’s Hospice, The Alzheimer’s Society plus sponsor a lollipop lady for the local schools 01300 345249 (www.thegaggle.co.uk)

29 -31 Tutankhamun Exhibition, Treasure Hunt Dorchester Solve the riddle of the missing Treasure 01305 269571

30 Sherborne Castle Country Fair and Rare Breeds Show Sherborne Castle, 10am - 6pm. Advance discount tickets available from Sherborne TIC (Adults £9, Children £2.70, Family £20, OAPs £7.50) 01935 815341 (www.sherbornecountryfair.com)

30 Bank Holiday Organi Recital Sherborne Abbey, 2.30pm. Recital by Paul Ellis. Free entry with retiring collection. (www.sherborneabbey.com)

30 The Crack Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 2.30pm (www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk)

31 Bingo Blackdown Village Hall, 7.15pm for 7.30pm eyes down. In aid of Blackdown Church. 01308 868735/ 01460 30661

31 Nathan Laube St Michaels Church, Lyme Regis, 7.30pm. Concert by renowned young organist Nathan Laube. Tickets £10, £8 and £5. Buy tickets from Lyme Regis Tourist Information. 01297 442138

MARINE THEATRE LYME REGIS	07 May 10-14 May 18 May 19 May 20 May 28 May 29 May	Paines Plough: Tiny Volcanoes Lyme Regis Operatic Society: Me and My Girl Theatre Friends Quiz Night Hayseed Dixie & support Skimmity Hitchers Just Fair Laughs: Comedy @ The Marine Theatre Patchwork Theatre: Resounding Tinkle CD and Record Fair Daytime classes & activities including Ballroom Dancing, Pilates and Over 50s Fun & Fitness – for full details 01297 442394 www.marinetheatre.com Marine Theatre Box Office: 01297 442138 (Lyme Regis TIC)
ELECTRIC PALACE BRIDPORT	01 May 02 May 05 May 06 May 14 May 16 May 21 May 28 May 29 May 04 June 10 June	Neil Morrisey Ultimate Eagles Comedy Night with Craig Campbell Good Ol’ Bluegrass Concert with Stompin Dave and others Met Opera Live: Wagners Die Walkure Circus of Horrors: Freaks & Fishnets (Over 16’s only) Show of Hands Abba Magic Coppelia: Live Bolshoi Ballet from Moscow Dub Pistols (Over 16’s only) Grandmaster Flash DJ (Over 16’s only) www.electricpalace.org.uk Electric Palace Box Office: 01308 424901 (Bridport TIC)
COUNTRY WORKSHOPS	Highway Farm, Bridport (www.highwayfarm.co.uk) 01308 424321. Local artists and craftspeople share their skills at one and two day workshops including willow sculptures, hazelwood garden furniture, watercolour painting and many more. Small groups, booking essential. Gift vouchers available. Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre, Toller Porcorum (www.kincombe.org). Natural history, wildlife, archaeology and art and craft courses run all year. Booking essential. Gift vouchers available. Mallinson Woodland Workshop, Holditch (www.mallinson.co.uk). A wide range of two and five day courses, April-November, including carving a bowl, green woodworking, pottery, chair making and more. Also offer one day children’s courses suitable for ages 8 and up. Gift vouchers available. Booking essential. The Dorset Wildlife Trust runs a programme of walks, talks, workshops, workparties and other wildlife events. Tel: 01305 264620. (www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk) Monkton Wyld Court runs a programme of walks, talks, workshops and courses and other countryside events. Tel: 01297 560342. (www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk) The Bodger’s Barn, Near Bridport. Green woodwork courses throughout the year - short courses and evening classes, all small groups. Also workshop sessions for groups including special needs. Tel. 01308 425455 (www.brightwater.org.uk) Arty Crafty Workshops – Cake Decoration, Textiles and Creative Crafts. Contact Dennie Rose for details of this month’s workshops 01308 459100 (www.dennierose.co.uk) Marilyn Allis water colour artist. (www.marilynallis.co.uk) (email: info@marilynallis.co.uk) Tel: 07789 026546
	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 *