Enjoy a free concert

After the success of last year’s series, Music at St Peter’s launch the new season of summer coffee concerts at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester on Sunday, May 14 with a recital of organ music given by William Bishop. William is currently the organ scholar at Tewkesbury Abbey and Dean Close School and

30 countries. Major General Cowan was a soldier for 30 years, serving in Northern Ireland, Germany, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. He led the Black Watch in Iraq, commanded Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan and planned the military security operation for the London Olympics. Tickets are £15 from ticketsource.co.uk/ his programme includes music by Bach, Bruhns and Mendelssohn. This 30-minute concert starts at 11.45am just after a monthly cathedralstyle service of Choral Eucharist. Do join them from 10.30am or 11.45am. caundle-marsh-pcc including a glass of wine/canapes. To pay by cheque call 01963 23670.

Abbotsbury Swannery Summer Fair takes place today and tomorrow. See the advertisement for details.

Sunday, May 28

Beaminster Festival 2023

MUSIC

Gardens will be held today and tomorrow, 2pm-6pm. Many beautiful gardens will be open and there’ll be tea, cakes and locally grown plants on sale. £5 entry, children free. Tickets on the day from the village hall on the main road, DT2 9NX (sorry, no dogs). For more information, contact Maureen on 07771 623973.

Monday, May 29

A car boot sale will be held at Alweston Village Hall and Playing Field, Sherborne DT9 5HT. Sellers 7am, buyers 8am. Info: 01963 23436.

Sherborne Castle Country Fair will be held from 9am5pm, showcasing traditional rural skills, as well as those more modern.

A fun and varied programme of events, rural activities, stands and entertainment is promised, including one of the

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, June 3 largest standalone rare breed shows in the country. The Fair was started by a small group of volunteers, in 1996, to raise money for local charities, especially those working with children and young people. It is still run by volunteers and has raised over £1.3M for local charities and support groups. Head to herbornecountryfair.com to buy tickets

The hugely popular Burton Bradstock Village Fayre will be held in the Rectory Walled Gardens from 2pm to 4.15pm on Monday, May 29. Described as a traditional English event ‘straight out of Midsomer Murders’ it’s an ideal afternoon out for families, with tests of skill for children and people of all ages, lots of stalls and games, ice creams, soft drinks, barbeque and renowned Dorset cream teas. Featured again for children this year are face painting, high striker, supervised games with prizes for winners, toy pig racing, toy stall, coconut shy, train game, splat the rat and many more!

There’ll be bargains for sale at the many stalls. There is bound to be the usual queue of ‘early birds’ to search for that special piece of bric-a-brac, book, CD, various crafts, spring plant or delicious home made cake or jam. The bottle tombola stall is hugely popular as is the chance of a fine cream tea in the village hall or a burger from the barbecue. Entry is £1 for adults, children under 12 free. For further information see posters around the area or

Bridport Auction

No 1, St Michael’s Trading Estate, DT6 3RR

Established and selling successfully for 25 years l Full and part house clearance service l Valuations for probate & insurance

Michael Dark and his team of Linda, Maggie, Sallie, Mo, Sarah and Judy work hard on your behalf to identify, research and market your goods to get the best prices for you in our popular worldwide monthly live on-line auctions of collectables and antiques. Entries are now being accepted for our forthcoming auctions.

Telephone 01308 459400 or email for auction valuations

Opening Hours:- 9am-3pm every weekday

Website: bridportauctionhouse.com

Email: info@bridportauctionhouse.com contact the organiser on 07791 870778.

A section of Church Road, Burton Bradstock outside the Village Hall will be temporarily closed from 9am6pm on the day of the fayre.

Tuesday, May 30

Folk Night at The Drax

Arms

Bere Regis BH20 7HH. Kevin '’The Growling Fruit Cake’ Anderson, Peter Aston and The New Billionaires. There is no cover charge and entrance is free to all.

Saturday, June 3

Crossways Youth & Community Centre in Old Farm Way, DT2 8TU is holding a coffee café and car boot sale with bacon butties and homemade cakes, books nd bric-a-brac stalls. Tables or pitches are £5 each: email Open to traders from 8am to set up, open to the public from 9am to 12 noon

Sherborne Digby Hall monthly market antiques, arts, crafts, food & more. Cafe, free entry. Parking and toilets. First Saturday of every month, 10am-3pm, March-December. New Digby Hall next to the library (DT9 3AA).

The Friends of Weymouth

Library speaker will be Ian Williamson, on his travels in Australia, particularly Tasmania where he trekked across the Cradle Mountains. Tickets are £2 for FOWL members and £3 for nonmembers from the library. Refreshments provided and everyone welcome: 10.30am.

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A wildlife count entitled Churches Count on Nature will be held in All Saints churchyard, Portland Road, Wyke Regis. Spend a quiet hour or two in the beautiful churchyard observing and recording the variety of wildlife to be found there. Friendly welcome and written guides provided. Call Jane Thomas on 07712 179932 or visit parishofwykeregis.org.uk Every day until June 11

Dorchester & District Angling Society’s Juniors will be hosting a free fishing open day at Revels Fishery and Tackle shop in Cosmore. Have a go at coarse fishing (fishing on lakes, canals, and rivers), with experienced coaches showing juniors the basics of fishing equipment, which baits to use, and how to care for and look after the fish.

No previous experience is required, and no equipment will be needed.

The event will run 10am-3pm with a break for a barbeque/refreshments.

Juniors over 13 will require a one-day rod licence (if you do not already have one) which the club can sort out.

To book or for more info contact Graham Howard at juniors.sec@d-das.com or look for DDAS Juniors on Facebook. Bookings will close on June 1 at 9pm.

Bradpole Village Fete is back after four years !

It will be held in The Orchard by Norman’s butchers at 12pm, raising money to help Bridport Young Performers. There will be plenty to do with food, a bar, craft stalls, kids activity tent, Punch and Judy, games and lots more. They are looking for donations for the plant and cake stall: contact Dawn on 07825

707623 or bring on the day. More volunteers welcome. To book craft stalls email hollygood96@outlook.com

An NGS Open Day will be held today and tomorrow at Swallows Rest B&B, South Road, Wyke Regis DT4 9NR, 2pm-6pm. Homemade cakes, tea and coffee, proceeds to support Weldmar. £6 entry supporting NGS Charities. Tel: 01305 785244/07747753656. swallowsrestselfcatering.co.uk

Sunday, June 4

Friends of Greenhill Gardens (greenhill-gardens.co.uk, 01305 768446) are holding live music every Sunday in June, 2pm4pm: 4th Scandals 21, 11th The Decadettes, 18th Dorset Wrecks and 25th Dr Jazz.

Local author and historian

Brian Bates will be giving a talk on the heritage of Dorchester’s Borough

Gardens, in the gardens themselves, at 3pm – free. The beautiful Victorian park is of prime importance to the town. Lovingly maintained by Dorchester Town Council, it remains a popular landmark and source of civic pride. Brian will tell of some of the events there over the years, some amusing some tragic. We will also peek through the curtains of some of the villas surrounding the gardens to see who was living there at the end of Victoria’s reign.

Celebrate St Wite’s Day with a service and the launch of St Wite’s Way Pilgrimage Walks at St Candida, Whitchurch Canonicorum, led by Bishop Stephen Lake, followed by tea and cake. The day starts with a band of intrepid pilgrims, including the Bishop, walking some of the St Wite’s Way pilgrimage route up Golden Cap, down to St Gabriel’s ruins and on to St

Whasson?

Wite’s Well, guided by Revd Ginny Luckett and writer and journalist Jason Goodwin. The walk will be around five miles. In places it’s very steep. To book email virginia@ goldencapchurches.org

At 2.30pm the Bishop will lead a service at the church.

The 44th Great Dorset Bike Ride starts from Top o' Town car park, Dorchester at 10am. This free, unsupported event is open to all. The circular route is about 50 miles but there are many opportunities for short cuts if needed. There is no fee but contributions to charity are welcome at justgiving.com/ fundraising/gdbr

It is not a race, go as fast or as slow as you like. More details, map and gpx file available at cyclinguk.org/2023-greatdorset-bike-ride

Wednesday, June 7

£4. Bring and buy stall and a draw, with tea/coffee and biscuits available after the talk. All welcome.

Call Jane, secretary 01305 268523.

Chard History Group will hear about The Victorian Railway Navvy by Tessa Leeds. Visitors £3.50, members £2.50, membership £5 a year. Chris 07914 079067.

Chesil Bank Writing Shed meet on the second Thursday of the month 7pm-9pm at Portesham Village Hall. From poetry to prose, fan fiction to literary fiction, and biography to travel guides. Whatever your style and genre come and share it for feedback; challenge yourself. New writers welcome. Find out more: lindaph.co.uk

Sherborne secondhand book, postcard, map & ephemera fair Email Lsbookfairs@gmail.com or call Ed Bailey on 07967 643579

Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th May

Come and meet the fluffy cygnets and enjoy food & craft stalls abbotsburyswannery.co.uk for full details and tickets Kids for £1 & Adults £7.50