Local Events Diary

28/04-02/05 Sherborne Abbey Music Festival A packed program of free & paid entry concerts. Emma Johnson, Tenebrae, Nicola Benedetti, Robert Sharp, the Festival Chorus +more! Tickets from Sherborne TIC. www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org

01/04-23/06 ‘Wood you know' Beaminster Museum. New exhibition exploring the local history of woodlands & woodand woodworkers. ‘40 years of Twinning’ New exhibition celebrating the anniversary of the link between Beaminster & St James in France . Open Tues, Thurs, Sat & Bank Hols 10:30am-4pm. Sundays 2pm-4:30pm. 01308 863623

Until 30/05/17 Nautilus: Beautiful Survivor Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester, DT1 1XA. Exhibition: 500 million years of evolutionary history. Closed on Sundays. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

01 Two Hardys Cycle Ride 20 or 25 miles, starting at Top O' Town, Dorchester. 10am-5pm. Along quiet country lanes. Lunch with talk in Portesham provided. £5per adult or £15per family not inc. entry to Hardy's Cottage & Max Gate. 01305 871649

01 Duck Race Windsor Terrace, Lyme Regis Midday from Windsor Terrace - (bottom of Woodmead Road). In aid of Lyme Regis Christmas Lights. Ducks available from 11:30am on the day. http://lymeregiscarnival.co.uk

02 National Trust South Dorset Association present The Masterpieces at Kingston Lacy Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3GW. 2:30pm. Annual membership £3 or £5 joint. www.southdorsetnt.org.uk

03,24&31 Dry Stone Walling Near Martinstown. 10am-4pm. Try this traditional craft. Tools & protective gear are provided. The location is quite remote however and there are no facilities. Places limited: 01305 228273 j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk

04 Lunchtime Concert Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester. 1pm-2pm. By Kevin Avebury and Bernardo.

04/04-10/06 Temporary Exhibition in the Tea Room Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester DT1 1XA. Hand printed and hand coloured images illustrating the poetry of William Barnes. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

05 Lyme Bay Photographic Club - Lyme 1200 / Dave King / Victor Ludorum / Wallis Competitions Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis. 7:30pm-10pm. 19th AGM/Social/end of season awards. 01297 442475 https://lymebayphotographicclub.org

05 A Concert Of Baroque Chamber Music St Martins Church, Shipton Gorge. 7:30pm Including works by Scarlatti, Locatelli & Besozzi performed by Rossignol. £10 ticket – inc. programme & glass of wine. 01308 898511 hughking111@yahoo.co.uk

06 "Grow your own" Plant swap and Give-Away Bucky Doo Square, Bridport. 9am-12pm. Bring donations of any spare seedlings, plants or small trees, and maybe take something away with you for your own garden. sally@thebeesons.co.uk

06 Car Boot Sale Crossways Youth & Community Centre, Old Farm Way, Crossways, DT2 8TU. 9am-12noon. Community café open serving bacon rolls & homemade cakes. Sellers £5 per car from 8am. cycc@mail.com 01305 854988’

06 Editions exhibition of prints Centre for the Creative Arts, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury. 10am-4pm. Workshops / tasters

06 Autism Wessex present Finding My Voice Through Music St. Mary's Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester. 6pm-9pm. Opera singer, Sophia Grech and concert pianist, Duncan Honeybourne. £15 in advance, £17 on the door. 01202 703587

06 Veteran Trees Workshop Near Littlebredy. Learn how to identify and record veteran trees. Important for wildlife, these ancient characters contribute to our own sense of place. Places are limited. 01305 228273 j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk

06 Dorchester Drama present 'Was He Anyone?' by N.F. Simpson Martinstown Village Hall, Nr Dorchester. 7:30pm. Tickets £10, £9 in advance from Trinity Stores, Dorchester, or box office: 01305 268692

06 St. Swithuns Band Evening of Music St. Marys Church, South St, Bridport. Evening of Music from the world of musicals, film and pop. Musical Director, Philip George. Saturday 6th May @ 7:30pm. Free admission with light refreshments.

06/13/20/27 Live Music at The Nag's Head The Town Mill, Lyme Regis Every Saturday from 9pm head over to the Nag's Head in Lyme to enjoy live music from local talents. 01297 442312 www.nagsheadlymeregis.co.uk

06-21 Desert to Dorset A fortnight of talks and displays exploring the life of T. E. Lawrence: from Lawrence of Arabia to T E Shaw. At Clouds Hill you can discover more about this complex individual. Details on: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clouds-hill

07 Friends of the Yeatman Hospital Car Boot Sale Terrace Playing Fields, Sherborne. Sellers from 8:15am at £5 per car, Buyers from 9am at 50p pp. We regret dogs are not allowed in carboot field, but are welcome in other areas. 07790 863518

07 Bridport 10km & 5km Fun Run Plottingham Fields, West Street, Bridport. Runs will start and finish at the Plottingham field just by the coach park on the western edge of Bridport. Free T-Shirt & Medal. Entries via: www.beyondevents.org.uk

07 May Day Fete Anning Road Playing Fields, Lyme Regis. 2pm. Many stalls & arena events. www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk

07 Village Evensong (circa 1830) sung in costume by Beaminster Gallery Quire The Church of the Holy Rood, Buckland Newton, Dorchester DT2 7BX. 6pm. All welcome, congregation invited (if they wish) to wear costume if early 19th Century.

07-21 Robert Organ Exhibition The Town Mill, Lyme Regis. 10:30am-4:30pm. An exhibition of work by acclaimed English painter Robert Organ, curated by Deborah Wood of The Art Room. www.townmillarts.co.uk

08 Lunchtime recital Sherborne Abbey. 1pm. By Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir. Free of charge.

08 Friends of Bridport Literary Festival: Philip Mansel The Tithe Barn, Symondsbury, Bridport. 2:30pm. An illustrated talk about ALEPPO: The Rise and Fall of Syria's Great Merhcant City. £12 (inc. a Dorset Cream Tea) from Bridport TIC.

08-11 Editions Exhibition of Prints Dorset Centre for the Creative Arts, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, DT1 8AR. 9am-4pm.

08-14 Dorset Residents’ Week A chance for residents to visit their local attractions for less. See: www.visit-dorset.com

08/04-06/01/18 Under the Surface: Paintings and Carvings by David West. Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester DT1 1XA. See website for opening times and details: www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

09 Outing to Dunster Castle in Somerset Depart Uplyme Village Hall. NT members £10, non-members £20. 01297 444927

09 Bridport 1760-1930 United Church Hall, East St, Bridport. 2:30pm. History talk. Members £1, vistors £2.50. 01308 425710

10 Charity Golf Day Lyme Regis Golf Club.Teams of four, Stableford, two scores to count. secretary@lymeregisrotary.org

10 Auction of Classic and Vintage Motorcycles Charterhouse, Long Street, Sherborne. www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

10 Harrods in Edwardian Times Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis. 11am-12pm. Illustrated talk by Yvonne Bell. 01297 443942

10 Organ Recital Sherborne Abbey. 1pm. Free recital by Stephen Bell, showcasing a wide variety of music. Approx 40mins.

10 Sherborne Artslink Flick: Sully (12A) Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. 7:30pm. Starring Tom Hanks. £6 from Sherborne TIC.

10 Dorset Postcard Club Talk Dorset Youth Association Hall, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, DT1 1QL. 7:30pm. 'Bournemouth Et Al' by speaker John Garrett. More details from Chairman, Brian Searle: 01305 832815

11 The Thursday Group St. George's Church Hall, Fordington. 2:15pm. A talk about Julia's House Hospice. 01305 269834

11 Sherborne Gardeners Assoc. AGM Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne. 7:30pm. Plus talk: Flowers for Cutting. 01935 814193

11-24 MillFest Open The Town Mill, Lyme Regis. 10:30am-4:30pm. An exhibition of paintings and photography that celebrate the Town Mill, mills and milling in general and engineers and engineering in particular. www.townmillarts.co.uk

12 Coffee Morning Smith & Smith, 8 West Street, Bridport. 10am-12pm. In aid of Dorset County Hospital Cancer Appeal to enable cancer sufferers to have radiotherapy at Dorchester. Come along for a cuppa, cakes and a raffle. 01308 422172

12 Evening of Mediumship Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne. 7:30pm. Marcus Burnett & friends. £15 from Sherborne TIC.

12 Duotone Eype Centre for the Arts. Live music plus Jack Harrison, Matt Benjamin & Aidan Simpson. £10 bridportLIVE.co.uk

12/05-02/06 Ann Armitage And Elsa Taylor Exhibition Jerram Gallery, Half Moon St, Sherborne. www.jerramgallery.com

13 Fleamarket Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. 10am-4pm. 1000s of collectables, antiques and crafts. 01749 677049

13 Coffee Morning United Church Hall, East Street, Bridport. 10am-12noon. Cakes, Tombola, Raffle, Knit & Natter Stall.

13 Plant Sale Parsons Yard, Cheap Street, Sherborne. Sherborne & District Gardeners Club. 01935 814193

13 Spring Plant Sale Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis. 9:30am-11:30am. Bring your spare seedlings and buy what others have brought along! Tea & cakes available, all donations of gratefully received. £1 Entry. https://ulrhs.wordpress.com/

13 The Channel Islands: A 19th Century Escape from the West Country' Loders Village Hall. 2pm-4:30pm Family History Society event with Paul Radford. Members £1.50, visitors £3 (Afternoon tea inc.) 01308 425710 jferentzi@aol.com

13 Dorset Chamber Orchestra: Soloist Alexandra Whittingham St Mary's Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester. 7:30pm. £12.50 in advance from Harmony Music, Forum Centre, Dorchester, £13.50 on the door. 01305 260360

13 Mozart Requiem St Marys Church, Beaminster. 7:30pm. £13 from Church Office & Yarn Barton. beaminstersingers.org

13 Race Night Dorchester Town Hall (above Corn Exchange) 7:30pm. £8 ( inc. a Ploughman's supper). Licensed bar available. In aid of University Hospital Southampton Neurology and The Mayor of Dorchester's charities. 07974 805821

13-14 Health Wellbeing & Spirit Fayre Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne. 11am-5pm. Workshops & Demonstrations throughout the day. Reiki, Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Tarot. £1 entry. 01963 251477

13-14 MillFest The Town Mill, Lyme Regis. Join us for a weekend of music, dancing, food & drink, baking & art activities, see our millers harness the power of the River Lym to turn the waterwheel, gears and millstones to produce traditional flour.

14 Coast to Coast Bike Ride From Watchet to West Bay. Fundraiser for Air Ambulance. See: www.dsairambulance.org.uk

14 Bridport Millennium Green Walk & Talk Starting from Mountfield Council Offices entrance. 2:30pm. A guided walk (approx 60min) around one of the towns fantastic open spaces will include a short history and outline plans to enhance its wildlife and public amenity value. Please pre-book via Bridport TIC. 01308 424901 bridport.tic@bridport-tc.gov.uk

14 An Afternoon Performance by The Quangle Wangle Choir St, Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury. 3pm - 4pm. Adult tickets £6 door, £5 adv. Child £4 door, £3 adv. Famil (2+2) £18 door, £15 adv. 01308 871532

14 Lyme Bay Chorale 2017 - Durufle Requiem St. Michael's Parish Church, Lyme Regis. 4pm. Tickets £13 in advance from Lyme Regis TIC, Penny Black Café or any choir member. U19s free. (inc. buffet) 01297 442138 lymebaychorale.co.uk

15 Dorset Wildlife Trust - Wildflower Meadows Puncknowle Village Hall, Swyre, nr Dorchester, DT2 9DA. 7:30pm. Bride Valley Gardening Club talk by Nick Gray from Dorset Wildlife Trust. Visitors welcome. Entry £2. 01308 482602

17 Organ Recital Sherborne Abbey. 1pm. Free recital by Chris Liddle, showcasing a wide variety of music. Approx 40mins.

17 ‘From Phaetons to Phantoms'- Coachwork designed in the 18th & 19th Centuries. Highlands End Leisure Centre, Eype. 2:30pm. NADFAS talk Speaker: Clive Barham-Carter. 07972472029 caro49@clutterbox.co.uk

18 English Wine Week - Dorset New Releases! Wine Tasting Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock Nr Bridport DT6 4RB. 7pm-9pm. Aperitif & canapes on arrival followed by an 8 wine tasting. £20pp. Pre-book on: 01305 261480

19 English Wine Week - Dorset New Releases! Wine Tasting Café Paninis, 11 Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester DT1 1QW. 7pm-10pm. Aperitif & canapes on arrival followed by 8 wine tasting presented by Furleigh Estate & Bride Valley Vineyards. After, a 2 course supper with wine. £40pp. Pre-book on: 01305 261480 www.morrishandbanham.com

19 Lyme Bay Photographic Club - AGM / End of season awards / Social Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PG. 7:30pm-10pm. For further information: 01297 442475 https://lymebayphotographicclub.org/

19-20 A Scallywag Party Burton Bradstock. 2 days of the finest underground music. £30. www.goodtimesmusic.bigcartel.com

20 Bookfair Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. 9:30am-4pm. New, second-hand & antiquarian books. 01803 613356

20 Cambridge Renaissance Voices & Concordia: Music for Voices and Viols Sherborne Abbey. 7:30pm. English music from the 17th century, from Downland to Purcell. £13.50-£17.50 from Sherborne TIC. www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

20 Trees for Dorset invites you to the Annual Plant Sale and Cream Tea Manor Orchard, Stratton, Nr Dorchester, DT2 9RY. 2pm-4:30pm. Gardens kindly opened by Mrs Chris David. Entrance £1, cream tea £3. www.treesfordorset.co.uk

20 May Fair Cerne Abbas CE VC First School playing field. Fete stalls, raffle, tombola, games for all ages, food, drink and live music all from 2pm. Shetland pony and cart rides. 01300 341319 office@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk

20-21 Spring Tide Food Festival Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock. 10am-4pm. £2 per person.Sample and buy the best food, drink and craft from a wide range of local producers at this coastal festival. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/burton-bradstock

21 Dorchester Race for Life Kingston Maurward College Nr Dorchester. Run, jog or walk with friends to raise money for Cancer Research. If not competing then come along and support this women-only event. Info: www.raceforlife.org

21 Rogatation Sunday: Blessing of the Boats: The Boathouse, The Cobb, Lyme Regis. 3pm. 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.

21 The Wessex Military Band presents Salute to the Stars Bridport Arts Centre. 3pm. Tickets £9, Concession £7. To book, contact 01308 424204. You can also email enquiry@wessexmilitaryband.co.uk www.bridport-arts.com

21 Plant and General Sale Bradford Peverell Village Hall DT2 9TT. Starts 3pm. Plants, Garden and D.I.Y. Tools, Home Made/Grown Produce etc. Cream teas available. Free entry. All proceeds to charity. More info: Marian 01305 257541.

24 Organ Recital Sherborne Abbey. 1pm. Free recital by James Henderson, showcasing a wide variety of music. 40mins.

24 ‘Searching in the Dark: Mysteries of the South West’s Rare Bats’ Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis. 7:30pm. Talk by Fiona Matthews, Chair of the Mammal Society. Tea/coffee beforehand. https://ulrhs.wordpress.com/

24 An Overview of the Wave and Tidal Stream Energy Sectors Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd, Sherborne. 7:30pm. Lecture by Dr Merry, Director of Focus Offshore Ltd. for Sherborne Science Café. https://sites.google.com/site/sherbornesciencecafe/

25 Milborne Movies: A United Kingdom (12A) Milborne St Andrew Village Hall, Nr Dorchester DT11 0JX. Viilage hall and bar open from 7pm, film starts 7:30pm. Heart-warming film of the power of love. Tickets £3.50 can be obtained on the door.

25 Looking after your Kidneys Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RR. Open at 7pm for registration, coffee and socialisation. Speaker starts 7:30pm. Diabetes UK group meeting. All welcome.

25 Literary Lives Lecture: Hardy and the Poetry of Encounter Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester, DT1 1XA. 7:30pm, doors open 7pm. By Phillip Mallett, University of St Andrews. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

26 Rum Fun Rum Tasting Morrish & Banham Wine Merchants, 1 Pope Street, Brewery Square, Dorchester, DT1 1GW. 7pm-9pm. Presented by Lloyd Brown of Grey Bear Bar Co. £25pp. Pre-book on: 01305 261480 www.morrishandbanham.com

26/05-07/06 Divine Essence Exhibition The Town Mill, Lyme Regis. 10:30am-4:30pm. Eclectic artist Liz Shewan continues to explore her experiences with nature in this year’s solo exhibition. www.townmillarts.co.uk

26-29 Lyme Regis Jazz & Blues Weekend Various Venues Around Lyme Regis. Programmes online or from Lyme TIC. Tickets from www.wegottickets.com/LymeRegisJazzBluesWeekend or Lyme Regis TIC. www.lymeregisjazzfestival.co.uk

27 Chasty Cottage Antiques Fair Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne. Up to 35 stands, homemade food and refreshments available at coffee shop within the fair. Entrance £1, opening 8:30am (trade) 9:30am (public) to 4pm. 01963 370986

27 Vintage Market Memorial Hall, Digby ROAd, Sherborne. 8:30am-3:30pm. Over 30 sellers of vintage items. 07809 387594

27 Friends of the Yeatman Hospital Plant and Cake Sale Outside the main Yeatman Hospital building. 9:30am-12noon. Lots of bargains. Donations welcome from 8:15am on the day. contact@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk 01935 814985

27 Wild Flower Walk on Cogden Beach 10am. A short walks to see fine coastal and shingle flora behind Chesil Bank. Meet at small NT car park, off B3157 east of Burton Bradstock. Donation of £2 to Dorset Flora Group welcome. 01929 481535

27 Morning Coffee & Jazz St Mary's Church, South Street, Bridport. 11am. Familiar jazz standards, coffee, cake & stalls.

27 The Fat Marrow Band The Royal Standard, Lyme Regis. 9pm-11pm. Live music. www.theroyalstandardlymeregis.co.uk

27 Anglo French Concert United Church, South Street, Dorchester. 7pm. The Casterbridge Male Voice Choir with L’Echo De Trun – Normandie. Tickets £8 available from Dorchester TIC and Harmony Music, The Forum Centre Dorchester.

27-04/06 Dorset Wild Flower Week. Discover some of Dorset’s most spectacular sites for wild flowers with a special programme of guided walks. Leaflet available from local TIC or download on: http://www.derc.org.uk/local/DFGleaflet2017.pdf

27-29 Flower Festival St. Nicholas Church, Moreton. 10am-4pm. Stalls, food/drink. Sunday 6pm Songs of Praise. 01305 848875

27/05-06/06 Lyme Regis Art Society Annual Exhibition at The Town Mill The Town Mill, Lyme Regis 10:30am-4:30pm. The Lyme Regis Art Society includes artists at all levels from beginners to professionals. www.townmillarts.co.uk

28 Pirates Day West Bay. 12noon-5pm. Pirates, a raffle and café for delicious tea & cakes! Games, prizes and fun galore!

28 Bridport Vintage Market St Michaels Trading Estate, DT6 3RR.10am-4pm. Vintage & Antiques, Food, Drink & Music.

29 Sherborne Castle Country Fair DT9 5NR. 10am-6pm. A traditional country fair with displays and attractions, trade & craft stands and a rare and native breed animal show. Tickets in advance from Sherborne TIC. www.sherbornecountryfair.com

29 Organ Recital Sherborne Abbey. 1pm. Free recital by Peter King, showcasing a wide variety of music. Approx 40mins.

30 Junior deep sea fishing trip Lyme Regis Harbour . 9am-1pm. For ages 9-16. All tackle, bait and tuition provided. £20 per person. Booking essential. Organised by Lyme Regis Sea Angling Club. Info: http://lymefishing.org.uk/juniorboat/

31 Wild Flower Walk at Kingcombe 10:30am A Walk through the DWT reserve, taking in some of Dorset's finest hay meadows and pasture, looking at the flowers and hearing folklore & history. Booking via email ngray@dorsetwildlife.co.uk

31/05-03/06 Bath & West Show Royal Bath & West Showground. Adult £22, Child £6, from Dorchester & Sherborne TICs.

West Dorset Tourist Information Centres
	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	email: dorchester.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk twitter: @DorchesterTIC email: bridport.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk twitter: @BridportTIC email: sherborne.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk twitter: @SherborneTIC email: lymeregis.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk twitter: @LymeRegisTIC