Concerns voiced over homes plan

By Miranda Robertson

More than 200 people packed into Dorchester Corn Exchange’s upstairs room to hear about proposals for a 4,000-home ‘garden village’ in countryside north of the town. Many people had to listen from out in the corridor as councillors and Wessex Water’s head of catchment services, Paul Stanfield, addressed the meeting, hosted by the campaign group STAND –Save the Area North of Dorchester – among other speakers.

It’s clear the proposals have hit a collective nerve in Dorchester. Writing to the WDM (see Letters), Furse Swann from Dorchester said: “It was made abundantly clear (at the meeting) that the present Conservative Dorset Council seemed to be set on the policy of building 4,000-plus new homes on land above the water meadows to the north of the town and to transform the small parish of Stinsford with a possible increase in population from the current 325 to something in the region of 14,000, regardless of concerns about the literary importance and heritage of its associations, the practical consequences with regard to water demands, the huge increase in the number of cars to be accommodated, the extra need for parking in town (where?), and the need for new facilities – schools, shops, surgeries, sewage etc.”

Labour’s Claudia Sorin also attended (see Politics). She said: “A young woman put her hand up to speak.

“I was sure she was going to accuse the mostly middle-aged and older audience of nimbyism for protesting the proposed 4,000 homes.

“Instead she said the fields and water meadows were vitally important to her and her friends for walking, horse riding and generally for their mental health and wellbeing and that they would be devastated to lose this precious space.”

Mr Stanfield told the meeting that the entire development proposed in Dorset Council’s draft local plan is inside the Environment Agency’s water source protection zone. He added: “We are having a town built in our water catchment area.

“The implications of this are what we are trying to work through.

“Wessex Water is not against this development per se, but are working with Environment Agency, Planners and Council to understand the risks , so we can make plans to deal with any water quality reductions in good time.”

Mr Stanfield said it was not possible to put a figure to the cost of a new water supply for the town and new waste water processing but it would run to millions of pounds.

STAND spokesman Alastair Nisbet said nearly 300 people took part in the meeting. He said: “It’s clear people are not happy that a huge housing development in the countryside has been proposed by Dorset Council with inadequate supporting evidence and too little consultation.

“Two years after the consultation ended we still don’t have a viability assessment and many other key reports which should have been published before the draft plan.

“People are worried that this huge urban development will damage their town, their community and their lives.

“It is going to affect our water supply, sewage treatment, environment, infrastructure and much more. We don’t even know if it is viable or if there is a need because the council hasn’t done the work yet.”

An Easter Spotters Trail is on at Abbotsbury Swannery every day until April 16.

A community coffee morning will be held 10.45am-11.45am at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport, DT6 5DU. Raffle, all welcome.

Kingdom is on 10am-5pm at Redlands Sports Hall from April 7-10. Free entry. Children will have unlimited access to 15 large bouncy castles, a designated under-5s Soft Play Zone. Hot food available, lots of sweets, Slush and ice cream. Session times: 10am-12pm, 12.30pm-2.30pm and 3pm-5pm.

A drop in cafe for people with dementia and their carers is held at Weymouth Bay

Methodist Church on the first Friday of every month 24pm. Enjoy a cuppa/cakes/ music and activities. £2. Call Esme on 01305812637

Portland Passion Play –following the success of the Walking Nativity at Christmas, the churches on Portland are performing the Easter story in Easton Gardens. Follow the cross from Tesco at 11.30am and then into Easton Gardens at noon for the Passion Play. Free refreshments. Just turn up. If wet, it will be in Easton Methodist Church building. outreach@portlandpraise.co.uk

A Good Friday Mini Fayre will be held from noon-4pm at The Old Barn Club, Old Barn Way, Yeovil BA20 2NX, featuring reclamation creations, candles, wax melts, soaps, Fimo bugs and signs, mosaics, tote bags, original art and prints, bunting glass trinkets, crocheted soft toys, blacksmithing, sweet treats and trays of eggs, origami flowers and acrylic pouring paintings, natural/ resin coasters, tableware, cards. Pub grub available.

Music at St Peter's Church, Dorchester present a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion at 6pm. The choir will be accompanied by the organist Chris Dowie with Colin Howard and Stefan Oakes tenor and bass soloists. The performance is offered as an act of worship, so admission is free and all welcome.

How do you like them apples?

Learn about the importance of the humble apple to the South West’s economy at Beaminster Museum this summer. From April 7, the museum will be hosting a special display all about apples, orchards and cider and their role in West Country life and trade. Children are also encouraged to come to the

Saturday, April 8 museum over the Easter holidays to ‘design an ammonite’ with stickers available for those taking part.

A whist drive is held every Saturday, 7.30pm, at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU. Just turn up, or call Nigel on 01935 862325 for more details.

The Originals band, playing hits from the 60s 70s 80s, are playing at Weymouth Working Men’s Club.

A food fair in association with Dorset Food & Drink is being held at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens from 10am-4.30pm, with around 25 stalls of makers and producers, food, drink and crafts from across Dorset. Tickets (£7,50, kids £5, U5 free) includes entry to the gardens.

There’s an Easter market and egg hunt at Crown Square Poundbury hosted by Boos Toy Shop from 10.30am2.30pm. The Easter Egg Hunt will run 11.30am till 1.30pm.

Clocktower Music is hosting Psychedelic folk rock collective The Good Beast. All tickets are though Bridport Tourist Information Centre 01308 424901.

Nick Dow and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne head a cast of local musicians at 8pm for a unique concert at The Pointe, Dorchester, The Old Salvation Army Hall, Durngate St, DT1 1NA. Hear songs sung in the pubs and fields of Dorset by ordinary working people – carters, thatchers and labourers. Tickets £7 at Eventbrite.

Monday, April 10

Abbotsbury Gardens is hosting a classic and vintage vehicle display. Usual entry fee applies.

A car boot sale will be held at Alweston Village Hall and

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Covers band available for your event

The COVERS are a fivepiece band formed last year by a group of enthusiastic and experienced musicians living in West Dorset and rehearse every week in Piddlehinton. They specialise in playing great cover versions of a wide range of hits and favourites right the way from the 70s through to the present day.

Artists they cover include the Beatles, Eric Clapton, REM, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, UB40, Erasure, The Cure, David Bowie and many more. They aim to give all their audiences two hours or more of great music that will be thoroughly enjoyed by all. They are well booked up for this year but are keen to add more gigs to their schedule whether they be pubs, parties, social clubs or fetes. For samples of their music and sample set list email thecoversdorset@outlook.com

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Playing Field, Sherborne DT9 5HT. Buyers 7am, Seller 8am. Info: 01963 23436.

An Easter Egg Hunt is being held at Queen Charlotte Nursing Home in Chickerell from 11am-12.30pm.

Tuesday, April 11

Radipole & Southill

Horticultural Society will be holding its next meeting at the Southill Community Centre at 7.30pm, when Paul Atterbury will talking about The Making of a Garden, based in part on his personal experience in Dorset. Open to members and non-members. 01305 788939.

Ann & Neil's Acoustic Night will be held at the Woodman in South St, Bridport at 8pm. Solos & duos play and sing folk, blues, country and all things rootsy in the round. They include material for all to join in with.

Every 2nd Tuesday. New performers and singers welcome or just listen and enjoy. Formerly Val and Dave's Folk Night.

Thursday, April 13

Sherborne and District Gardeners Association will hold their Spring Show at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, at 7.30pm. Entries are members only, but visitors welcome for £2. Call Richard Newcombe on 01935 389375.

Chard History Group will enjoy photos of old Chard courtesy of Chris & Craig at the Phoenix at 7.30pm. Visitors £3.50, members £2.50, membership £5 per year.

Call Chris on 07914 079067.

Outfitters Smith & Smith Bridport will be holding a fashion show of their 2023 men’s and ladies’ collections at 2.30pm at the Town Hall, in aid of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

Tickets are £10 to include refreshments and an entry to win a gift voucher, and can be purchased from Smith & Smith at 8 West Street.

A talk by local author Bernard Paull on Dorset Bridges –Spanning the Ages will be held at Bridport WI Hall, North Street, at 2.30pm, in support of Bridport Millennium Green. £5/£4 members to include tea and biscuits. Raffle.

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Saturday, April 15

The Bridport Big Band will play at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church DT4 7TH at 7.30pm.

£10 in advance from Pete 01305 812637 or on door £12.

The Dorset Branch of the British Printing Society Wayzgoose is holding an open day at Stratton Village Hall 10am to 5pm. A wide selection of printed items, plus type and equipment on display and for sale. Refreshments available. Admission free.

Richard Foord, MP for Tiverton & Honiton, and Edward Morello, West Dorset Parliamentary candidate, will be holding a public meeting in Uplyme Village Hall at 4pm. Edward will also be holding a public meeting in The Royal Lion Hotel in Lyme Regis at 6.30pm. All welcome.

Sunday, April 16

There’s a folk workshop at Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne, DT9 3NL from 1.30pm-4.30pm, admission £15 on the door or cheaper in at sherbornefolkband.org

Workshops are led by Julia Catovsky or a guest musician, who will teach tunes and harmonies by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and acoustic instruments. Sheet music and audio supplied in advance. info@sherbornefolkband.org or call Julia: 07527 508277.

Lyme Town Band will play an afternoon of band music at St Andrew’s Church, Charmouth at 2.30pm with tea and cake from 2pm. Free entry, donations welcome. Call 01297 560681.

Dorset Cottage Garden Society will be holding their

April speaker meeting at Puddletown Village Hall at 2pm for 2.30pm.

TV’s Paul Atterbury will speak on ‘The Making of a Dorset Garden’. Plant stall, raffle and refreshments. Members free, guests £5.

An art exhibition will be held from today until April 23 at Weymouth Drama Club, The Warehouse Theatre, 7 Hope St, 10am-5pm daily. How do we define ‘Home’? Is it a physical place, the people we share a space with, or is it more about a feeling, a memory or a sense of belonging? This mixed-media exhibition will explore personal responses to these questions, and more. Free entry. artwey.co.uk/whatson

A Singing Bowl Soundbath will be held 2pm-3.30pm at Bridport Unitarians, 49 East St, DT6 3JX, cost £15. Lie down, relax, and allow the pure sounds of a crystal and Tibetan bowl soundbath plus sacred vocal overtoning take you into the deeper brainwave states of ‘the relaxation response’, while charging and balancing the aura and chakras of the subtle body, and detoxing the physical body. Bookings in advance only 01935 389655 or email ahiahel@live.com

Tuesday, April 18

Dorset Geologist’s Association Group (DGAG) will host a talk on Why do all brachiopods look the same? At 7pm at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester Speaker Dr Keith Holdaway studied zoology and geology at Bristol before researching the distribution of mid

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The Covers

5-piece band

They’re finger-clicking good!

A fabulous selection of hit numbers from the Beatles, Oasis,UB40, Eric Clapton, The Temptations,The Cure, REM, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac and many more besides. We play pubs, clubs, parties, fetes –anywhere great music is needed. Contact for setlist and music samples

Moonfleet 2000 Indoor Bowls Club

The Marsh Sports Ground Knightsdale Road Weymouth DT4 0HU

OPEN DAY

Saturday, April 22, 10am-2pm

Come and try indoor bowls

Fully qualified coaches

FREE PARKING, SHOES AND BOWLS

No need to book

If you need any more information please ring 01305 759106

Cretaceous brachiopods for his PhD in London; carrying out much of his fieldwork in Dorset. After working as an ecologist, he went into learning and development setting up his own company. Keith now manages artist studios on Portland and draws much inspiration from the geology around him.

Lecture Entry Cost: £6 (£5 for DGAG members) collected on room entry .

Thursday, April 20

Bridport & District Gardening Club will meet at WI Hall, North Street, Bridport at 7.30pm. Speaker David Usher will talk about bedding plants, suggesting suitable species and other plants they can be associated with to extend the season.

Friday, April 21

A fun quiz will be held at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport, DT6 5DU. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7pm.

Teams of 6 (max) @ £5 a head, cash at the door bring your own nibbles and drinks. Raffle. Reserve a table in advance 07741 457505.

A quiz night will be held at Moreton Village Hall in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare from 6.30pm.

Prizes, light supper and raffle. Tables of four or six. Bring your own snacks and tipple. Tickets from moretonvillagehalldorset.uk

An afternoon concert with the Delphine Trio (clarinet, cello and piano) in St Mary’s Church, Beaminster at 3pm. Programme to include Beethoven Trio (arranged

2 Poundbury Business Centre, Dorchester DT1 3WA Enquiries@relatedorset.org.uk

• Adult Relationship and Individual Counselling

• Children and Young Person’s Counselling

• Supervised Child Contact

• Domestic Abuse behavioural change programmes from Septet in E flat major Op.20), Clarinet Trio in D minor Op 3 by Zemlinsky and the Scherzo from Clarinet Trio by Delanoff. Promoted by the Friends of Beaminster Festival.

Tickets £12 from Yarn Barton Centre, Fleet Street, Beaminster, the Bookshop, South Street, Bridport or on the door (cash or card).

Saturday, April 22

A cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong will be held at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music for Easter includes: Parry My soul, there is a country, Sumsion Preces & Responses, Howells Gloucester Service and Stanford Ye choirs of new Jerusalem. Graham Scott is at the organ and Ian Davis directing. Do join us for a glass of wine after the service.

A St George’s Day Fair will be held on Fordington Green from 1pm-4pm. Fun and games for all the family with entertainment, food and drinks on the beautiful village green. Rummage through the stalls for a bargain or enjoy cakes and cream teas in the hall.

The second Max Gate Area

Jumble Trail will be held from 10am-2pm – head for the Trumpet Major pub and follow the signs.

Grab a bargain from the stalls hosted by residents outside their homes.

A school reunion for Hardye's and Castlefield pupils born between September 1972 and August 1973 will be held at Dorchester Cricket Club (may move due to numbers). Email schoolreunion2023@ hotmail.com for more details.

There will be a recital of classical guitar duets played by Anthony Dodds and Colin Thompson at 7pm at The Salt House, West Bay (DT6 4HB). The programme will include music from Italy, England, Germany and Brazil. Tickets £10 from the Tourist Information Centre at Bridport Town Hall.

Bovington Military Wives Choir presents a choral concert at St Mary’s Church, Charminster, DT2 9RD at 6pm. Tickets £10 from 01305 213403 (children free). Wine and nibbles included, proceeds towards church funds.

Dorset Family History Society is hosting a Family History Day 10am till 3pm, at St George’s Church Hall, Darbys Lane, Oakdale, Poole, BH15 3EU. Free Admission and parking.

Family history societies and commercial companies from around the country will be attending. Dorset Family History Society will have its own stall and research advice will be offered especially now the 1921 Census is available at their Treetops Research Centre. Hot drinks and refreshments will be on sale. There will be a raffle with great prizes donated by genealogical companies. dorsetfhs.org.uk

Beaminster Connect Day will be held 10am-2pm at the Prout Bridge Project, Prout Bridge Beaminster.

The event will showcase the wide range and variety of social and community activities and organisations in the town. Over 20 groups will be taking part from the Table Tennis Club to the Horticultural Society. There will be music, tea/coffee and cake, books for sale and the event is free.

A fund-raising ceilidh for the RNLI will be held in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport, from 7.30 to 10pm. Join the Bridport Folk Dancers for a swing and a stomp. Live music and a caller will lead the dances, so beginners and children all welcome as no experience is necessary. Tea, biscuits and soft drinks available or BYO. Adults £5 children free. Cal 01308 863552 or 459001.

Bridport Choral Society presents Sing into Spring, music for a Spring evening at 7.30pm in Bridport United

Church, featuring songs from musicals, operetta, opera, traditional songs and spirituals. Musical Director: James Crawshaw Accompanist: Peter Parshall. Soloist: Anna-Maria Geare. Tickets £12 (to include refreshments), from Bridport Music Centre, Smith & Smith or on the door.

Clocktower Music is hosting Tom Cox and RJ McKendree with support from Eve Appleton. Record Store Day Special. All tickets are though Bridport Tourist Information Centre 01308 424901.

A plant and gardening fair will be held at Bridport Millennium Green from

9.30am. Tools, books, tubs, etc at reasonable prices, proceeds to the upkeep of the green. If you have any items to donate please bring them along, or phone Sandra Brown, 01308 423078 to arrange collection.

Harbour Rhythms: Liz JamesA delightful exhibition observing the changing rhythms of fleeting sunlight, ripples and reflections will be held at The Salt House, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4EL 10am4.30pm today and on Sunday, April 23.

The exhibition celebrates the versatility of coloured pencils on paper. Original works and limited edition prints. The Chard & District

Modellers Club is holding an exhibition at the Chard Guidhall 10am-4pm. Entry £5, children free. Food available.

Sunday, April 23

A 'Vagus Nerve Reset Day Retreat' will be held at Launceston Farm, Tarrant Launceston, (near Blandford Forum) 10am-4.30pm.

Yoga, meditation, culinary adaptogens talk, breathwork session, delicious organic lunch (gluten and dairy free). Bookings essential as limited places. More info: thewelllife lab.systeme.io/dayretreatapril

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Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

April 23 continued

A glorious two-acre garden, with extensive herbaceous borders planted for colour and bees will be open for the NGS at Broomhill, Rampisham, DT2 0PT from 2-5pm £5 entry. The garden has lawns leading to a less formal area with a large wildlife pond and a small meadow, plus a productive vegetable garden and orchard. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome, wheelchair access. Delicious homemade teas and quality plants for sale. 07775 806 875.

Tuesday, April 25

Bridport u3a will hold its AGM and talk on how to avoid banking fraud at Bridport United Church Hall at 2pm prompt.

The AGM is expected to take no longer than 30 minutes. The HSBC talk will follow

Easter trail for children

Durlston Country Park is offering an Easter Trail and fun activities with the Rangers until Wednesday, April 19.

From ‘Wild Wednesdays’ to ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ and ‘Plant-pot Planting’ there is plenty to get involved with. There will also be a kids’ Easter drawing workshop with artist Mark Page and a drawing workshop with artist and last for 45 minutes or so followed by a Q&A session before refreshments. bridportu3a.org.uk

A lunchtime concert by piano trio Catriona Bevan (Cello), Jane Bultz (Violin), Walter Brewster (Piano) with music by Haydn and Mozart will be held at St Andrew’s Church,

Madeleine Devenay. There’s a unique art exhibition inspired by seeds and the natural landscape from ’15 Days in Clay’. Go to durlston.co.uk

Charmouth at 12.30pm, with light refreshments from noon. Free entry, donations welcome. Contact 01297 560681.

A Folk Night will be held at The Drax Arms Bere Regis BH20 7HH. A very special evening with finger style guitar virtuoso Steve Hicks

Beaminster Festival 2023

MUSIC THEATRE ART LITERATURE

JUNE 11 - JULY 2 and singer songwriter Lynn Goulbourn who have a mutual love of folk, jazz, roots and acoustic genres, their musical partnership has flourished and taken them to all corners of the UK, to Germany, France, The Netherlands and the USA. Tickets are £5. Reserve a seat: pipthebass@btinternet.com

Weds, April 26

Wessex (Weymouth) Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild meet at St Ann’s Schoolroom, Radipole Lane, Weymouth DT3 5HT on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Demonstration by Cassie Brown on cold porcelain flowers and air brushing. Cassie is an internationally-renowned sugarcrafter. Come along and learn new cake decorating techniques and be inspired! All welcome. £7 on the door.

Three Inch Fools As You Like It

Talent in the Town Exhibition

Braimah Kanneh-Mason Violin

Sue Stuart-Smith ‘Well Gardened Mind’

Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Choral Concert

Richard Gowers Organ

Stephen Moss ‘Ten Birds that Changed the World’

Timothy Ridout Viola

Ethan Loch Piano

Sacconi String Quartet and Morgan Szymanski Guitar

Ryan Corbett Accordion

Tom Fort ‘Rivets, Trivets and Galvanised Buckets’

Yuanfan Yang Piano

Faith I Branko Serb/Roma/Jazz

Dominic Alldis and Friends Jazz and Cabaret

Alison Weir ‘Henry VIII The Heart and the Crown’

Zoots Sounds of the 60s and 70s/Dance

Orpheus Sinfonia Gala Symphony Concert

Information and tickets : www.beaminsterfestival.com

Saturday, April 29

A repair café will be held at Shire Hall Museum, High West St, Dorchester, 10amnoon. clothing, textiles and more - our volunteer repairers will do their best to fix them. If you want to check any details before you come call 07870 950666.

Refreshments available, homemade cakes, tea and coffee etc. Volunteer repairers always welcome.

Dorchester Trinity Club will host Elton John tribute Martin Cox & Elvis tribute Craig Jefferson. Book via dorchtrinityclub@gmail.com or 01305 262671.

Royal Manor Workshops are holding a coffee morning at the Methodist Church Easton from 10am-noon to raise funds for the group. Raffle and cake stall.

A hay fever and allergy event will be held at Aquae Sulis Therapy Centre on Damers Road, Dorchester from 10am-2.30pm. Talk to experts in natural approaches to healing allergies, Intolerances and IBS. Featuring 1-1 advice from qualified professionals. Featuring 1-1 with Kinesiologist Martina Weidner, BANT Nutritional Therapist & IBS Specialist Helen Ross and other professional therapists. Book a free ticket at Eventbrite.

The Rotary Club of Bridport will be presenting a Coronation Celebration Concert featuring the Weymouth Salvation Army Band and Timbrels at 7pm for 7.30pm at the United Church in East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LJ. There will be refreshments and community