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…

To end June &nb= sp; = Baby Swans hatching at Abbotsbury Swannery www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.u= k

8-12 June = &nb= sp; = Flower Festival, Athelhampton House, nr Dorchester

21 June &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Dorchester Carnival

23 June = ; &n= bsp; Balmor= al Cruise from West Bay ***<= /o:p>

28-29 June = ; &n= bsp; = ; Bridport Food Festival

27 June-6 July&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Beaminster Festival

Throughout June &n= bsp; &nbs= p; Abbotsbury Village Festival www.abbotsb= ury.co.uk

&nbs= p; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; ***Tickets available from Bridport and Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centres


MA= RKETS & FAIRS	Bri= dport = ; Weekly Market in the Town Centre every Wednesday and Saturda= y, Farmers’ Market 2^nd Saturday in each month – Arts Centre 9.30am-2pm, West Dorset Country Market in the WI Hall, North Street every Saturday 9am-12 noon. Dor= chester = ; Weekly Market in Fairfield Car Park, Weymouth Ave 8am-3pm eve= ry Wednesday, Farmers’ Market 1^st Saturday in each m= onth 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<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> Monthly market in the village hall 2^{nd<= /sup> Saturday of the month, 10.30am – 12 noon. Homemade produce, bric a brac, plants, crafts, books.} Charmouth We= ekly Market every Monday during the Summer months in the fi= eld next to Manor Farm Holiday Centre, The Street, Charmouth

WA= LKS	= Fossil Walks Regular guided fossil hunting walks are run year round from Lyme Regis and= the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre www.charmouth.org. Times vary according to the tide= s, details from your local TIC. Town Walks = ; Guided walks of Sherborne, with a Blue Badge Guide, Fridays at 11am from = the TIC. Walks last 1½ hours. £3. Guided walks of Dorchester, with a Blue Badge Guide, Mondays at 11am from the TIC. £3, under 16’s free. &n= bsp; Nature Walks Every Wednesday at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. Different subject each week. Adults £6, Children £2. Tel: 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk = Sunday Strolls With the Ramblers Association from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport. 2.30pm. Tel: 01308 863754. Heritage Walks Gui= ded Heritage Walk of Abbotsbury every Thursday in June. Walk lasts app= rox 1 hour Meet at Village Car Park, Rodden Row at 2.30pm. Donations to the Abbotsbury Heritage Research project.=

AR= TS	Reg= ular Art Exhibitions are held at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester (www.dorsetcountymuseum.or= g), Lyme Regis Museum (w= ww.lymeregismuseum.co.uk), the Town Mill Gallery, L= yme Regis (www.townmill.org.uk) a= nd Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-a= rts.com). Dorchester Art= s Centre (www.dorchesterarts.org.uk)= , Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-a= rts.com) and Eype Centre for the Arts run a full programme of performances = and events - drama, music, comedy, dance and more - suitable for all ages. Art= sreach present a range of live professional arts events in rural Dorset. Full programme online at www.arts= reach.co.uk = Opening times, programmes and further details from your local TIC =

Local events diary

31/ 01 World WarII Weekend, Hyde Residential Home, Walditch, Bridport= . Living History Project with the 1st Division ret= urning to Walditch for w= eapon and training displays, exercises and a march through the village. Free and everyone welcome. 9am to 5pm 01308 427694 www.bupacarehomes.co.uk

31/01 Poyntington Festival, Nr Sherborne. Poyntington's biannual village festival. 10am - 4pm.

31/01&n= bsp; Templecombe International Medieval Pageant 2008 11am – 5.30pm. Includes medieval battle, falconry, craft, living history, jesters, belly dancing, jousting, home cooked food &= amp; bar, musical entertainment. Adults £4.50, Children/OAPs £3.00, = Fam £12

01 = ; Butterfly Walk at Court Farm, = Sydling (GR ST615001 Folly Hill). Meet at 11am for a circular walk. 0= 1305 264868 <= /u>

01 = Hardy Country Vintage and Classic Vehicle Run, Starting from Kingston Maurward House and Gardens, Dorchester, = 10am. Vintage and classic car run to Weymouth.

01 = Guided Walk on Powerstock Common Meet = at the Car park at entrance to Powerstock Common = (SY 540973) 2pm. Led by Ian Smart, mana= ger of Dorset Wildlife Trust (West Dorset). 0= 1305 268471 <= /u>

01 = The Great Dorset Bike Ride, Top O Town Car Park, Dorchester to Corfe Castle and back. Follow a fully-sign p= osted route on beautiful byeways an= d back roads. Starts 10am. 01305 268787

01 = ; Music in the Borough<= /st1:PlaceName> Gardens: Howling at the Moon, Borough Gardens, Dorchester. 3.00pm. Free

01 = An Evening of Russian Classical and Traditional Accordion Music, Digby Hall, <= st1:Street w:st=3D"on">Hound Street, Sherborne. 7.30pm. Perfor= mance by Alexander Korbakov, presented by the Mayor of Sherborne. Tickets £10 from Sherborne T= IC. 0= 1935 815341 <= /u>

01 = Recruitment Day, Kings Road Playing Field, Dorchester. Calling all Celts! The Invaders & Sett= lers Empire in association with Dorchester's = Roman Festival 30th - 31st Aug are recruiting would-be warriors and villagers of Durnovaria. 1- 5pm. Beth 0788 4032124

01 = Happy Days Charity Fashion Show, <= /b>Salway Ash Village Hall, Nr Bridport. Theresa Weller, well known collector of vintage clothes is celebrating her 60th birthday with this charity fashion show. St= arts 2.30pm. Tickets £5 from Bridport TIC. 0= 1308 424901 <= /u>

=

01         = Che= tnole Open Gardens, 2p= m - 5pm. Tickets £5 includi= ng tea, in aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Look out for the sunflowers!

=

02         = Wessex<= /span> Morris Men will be dancing at The Brace of Pheasants in Plush at 7:30pm, Mappowder village centre at 8:15pm and the Antelope Inn, Hazel= bury Bryan at 9:00pm.  &nbs= p;

=

02-08   Stone Carving, Abbotsbury Stonework, West Street, Abbotsbury. Come and watch= the stone mason at work. 1pm-3pm weekdays, 12-3pm weekends 01305 871958

=

04   = ;      Fingerz 'N' Fretz, The Blue Raddle, Chur= ch Street, Dorchester. Traditional Folk Music. 8pm.

=

04         = Talk on The Nothe Fort, Charlton Down Village Hall, Charlton Down. Talk by the Director of the Nothe Fort, accompanied by a short film. Starts 7.30pm. Cost £2.50.

=

04         = The Casterbridge Male Voice Choir – Music = for a Spring Evening, Village Hall, Crossways, 7.30pm. £6. Refreshments available. Tickets from Tree Stor= es & Premier Stores, Crossways & on the door.

=

04 = ;        West Dorset’s Big Green Day Corn Exchange, High West Street, Dorchester, 10am – 3pm. Find out how to live a greener life and what activities are going on in West Dorset from a variety of organisations and groups. How would you tackle climate change? 01305 252386 www.dorsetforyou.co= m/climatechange/west

05         = Fro= me Valley Morris Men visit Bothenhampton, <= /b>Performances at 8pm and 9pm - please telephone to confirm= : 01305 813102 or 01305 823013

=

05   = ;      Ashridge Cider Tasting, River Cottage Store & Canteen, Axminster. Tastings of this traditional sparkling cid= er 0= 1297 631715 <= /u>

=

06         = Music in May - Sherborne School's Swing Band, St. Mary's Church, Corscombe. 8pm. Tickets £6 including wine/or= ange juice (£3 under 16s) 01935 891335

=

06-07   The Lady in the Van, Woodmead Hall= s, Lyme Regis. Studio Theatre present Alan Bennett's 'The Lady in the Van'. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50 0= 1297 442138 <= /u>

=

07 = ;        Ride in a Ferrari MacDonalds Car Park, Nr. Dorcheste= r, 10am – 4pm. Have a pass= enger seat ride in a Ferrari or other guest supercar and donate to good causes. In aid of Jennifer Trust for Spina= l Muscular Atrophy and Ridgway Ward at Dorset County Hospital. 01305 826996 www.jtsma.org.uk

07         = Felt Making workshop, Highway Farm, Bridport. Beautiful Nuno felting & silk chiffon scarve= s. 10am-4.30pm. £35. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

=

07         = Seaton Tramway 14th Annual Vintage Rally,= Fairfield, Colyton, Devon. Vintage cars, commercial vehicles, motorcy= cles, trade stands and lots more. <= /span>01297 20375 www.tram.co.uk

=

07   = ;      Pronghorn live at The Ropemakers, = The Ropemakers, West St, Bridport. Starts at 9pm 0= 1308 421255 <= /u>

=

07         = Victorian Picnic in the Town Park, Borough Gardens, Dorchester. Hampers of snacks and fun (come dressed for the occasion)! 0= 1305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org=

=

07   = ;      Hospital League of Fr= iends Garden Party, = Borough Gardens, Dorchester, afternoon. Free entry.

=

07         = Mtiebi – Traditional Georgian Male Voice C= hoir, Portesham Village Hall, 8pm. Tickets £8/£6.50. Also wo= rkshop 3-5pm £6, for male or females aged 12+. Artsreach production.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> B= arbara 01305 871780 <= /o:p>

=

07         = The Thomas Hardy Society - Birthday Lecture, Council Chamber, County Hall, Dorc= hester, 3.30pm. Dr Simon Gatrell, Professor of English at the University of Georg= ia, U S A. Tickets £6, Memb= ers £5, students free, from the Dorchester T I C. 0= 1305 267992 <= /u>

=

07         = The Thomas Hardy Society - Birthday Celebration Dinner, King's Arms Hotel, Dorchester, 7.30pm for 8pm.Tickets £14, members £12, 2 -course meal. Availa= ble from Dorchester T I C. Speaker Dennis Holliday - ex head brewer of Eldridge Pope, The Thomas Hardy Ale Brewer. 0= 1305 267992 <= /u>

=

07         = The Thomas Hardy Society - Talk/Song Recital, The Dorford Conference Centre, Top O Town, Dorchester, 6.15pm. Tickets £5 / members £3 available from the Dorchester T I C. Talk by Gordon Pullen (tenor). Early setting of Hardy Poems. Also by Vaughan Williams, Boyton Smith, Rutlan= d Boughton. 01305 267992

=

07-08   Open Gardens, Piddlehinton. £4 per day or £6 for both. Refreshme= nts and light lunches available. Open 11am - 5pm. 0= 1300 348117 <= /u>

=

07-08   Open Gardens, Corscombe. Over 20 gardens open from 1.30-5.30pm. Adults &p= ound;3 per day, £5.50 for the weekend. Under 14's free. 0= 1935 891847 <= /u>

=

08         = Seaton Tramway Gala Day, Fairfield, Colyton, Devon. Enjoy a tram driving experience, guided de= pot visits - a great day out for all the family! 0= 1297 20375 www.tram.co.uk

=

08   = ;      Band Concert, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. Featuring Burtle Silver Band

=

08         = Open Gardens, Maiden Newton, 1.30 to 6pm. £2.50 adults, accompanied ch= ildren free. Stalls & cream teas. Kate Patmore 01300 320752

=

08-12   Owermoigne Flower Club present Tudor Pageantry, Athelhampton House, Puddletown, Dorchester. A colourful history depicted in a spectacu= lar festival of flowers. Open 10.30am-5pm. 01305 848363 www.athelhampton.co.uk

=

09-14   Cheese Tasting Week, Bride Valley Farm Shop, Abbotsbury.

=

10         = Bridport History Society Guided Visit to Beaminster Museum, Beaminster Museum= , Whitco= mbe Road, Beaminster.

    =          01308 456876

=

10-11   Bridport Pyramid Schools perform 'Song Re-Cycle', Electric Palace, South = Street, Bridport. Music composed by loc= al musician Andrew Dickson. The sequence of songs encourages 200 pupils to thi= nk abour re-cyling and caring for our local environment. Ticket £3 adult= s, £1 children available from the schools at 5pm P= at Crawford 01308 456297 =

=

11         = Mid Summer Music, Cheap Street Church, Sherborne. Concert by Italian pianist Francesco Attes= ti and German Mezzo Soprano Annika Kaschenz. Tickets £10/£12 from Dorset Music House. 7.30pm. 0= 1935 816332 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk

=

11         = Sherborne Flicks - Michael Clayton, Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. 7.30pm. Tickets £5 from Sherborne TIC. 0= 1935 815341 <= /u>

=

12         = Summer Soup Sampling, River Cottage Store & Canteen, Axminster. Sample this summer’s range of River Cottage Soups

&= nbsp;           01= 297 631715 <= /o:p>

=

12-13   The Voyage' Off the Wall Theatre Ensemble, Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury. Period drama (unsuitable for small children). 0= 1305 259308 <= /u>

=

13         = Leon Rosselson & Robb Johnson + The Heavens<= /span>, Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport. An opportunity to see two of Britain’s finest singer-songwriters perform together. P= lus local a capella group The Heavens open the evening. Tickets £12. (£11 concs) Starts 7.30pm&nbs= p; 01308 424204 www.bridport-arts.com

=

14         = Cave Painting and Rock Art, Wildlife Garden at St. Peter's Church, High East = Street, Dorchester. Find out about cave paintings & create your = own unique artwork. 10am-12pm. 01305 262735 www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

=

14         = Sum= mer Music School of Dorset, Sherborne Abb= ey. Talk 'Vaughan Williams and the Vision of Albion', performance by the City of London Sinfonia strings and the Joyful Company of Singers. 7.30pm. Tickets £32 to £8 available from Dorset Music House.

&= nbsp;           01= 935 816332 www.sherborneabbey.com

=

14         = Murder Mystery Evening, Clyffe Farm, Tincleton. In aid of Weldmar Hospice Trust. Tickets £= 30 (inc cold supper). Starts 7.30pm.&n= bsp; 01305 215315

=

14         = The Poundbury Ceilidh, Brownsword Hall, Pounbury, Dorches= ter. A traditional evening of dance and music f= or the whole family. No experience needed.

=

14         = The Yetties in Concert, Tithe Barn, Hinton St. Mary. Bring a picnic. Tickets £8 available from = the Dorset History Centre, Dorchester. 0= 1305 250550 <= /u>

=

14         = West Fleet Walk, Abbotsbury. Guided nature = walk with the Fleet warden. Meet Swannery car park 10am. 0= 1305 760579 www.abbotsbury.co.uk

=

14         = Upl= yme Village Fete, Cricket Field & Village Hall, Uplyme, Lyme Regis. Annual Village Fete to be opened by Gardener's Question Time personality, Anne Swithinbank.

=

14         = Holy Trinity Parish Fete, The Parish Centre, Culliford Road, Dorchester. Refreshments, music, magician & lots m= ore. £100 raffle first prize. 11am - 4pm. Adults £1 Children Free.

=

14   = ;      Summer Serenade, Buckland Newton Parish Church. An afternoon of favourite light classics.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> 2.30pm

=

14         = Lyme Regis Children's Centre Open Day, Kingsway, Lyme Regis. Free fun activities and a chance to look around this new centre. 10.30= am - 2.30pm 01308 861030

=

14-15   The 32^nd Annual West= Dorset Vintage Tractor & Stationary Engine Ra= lly, West Bay Road, Bridport. Vintage vehicles and craft t= ents plus and auction on Saturday morning and A= dams Axe men performing on Sunday. Adults £5, accompanied under 11's free.    www.wdvtsec.co.uk

=

14-15   Ope= n Gardens, Netherbury. 2pm to 6pm each day. Admission £5 pp. Unde= r 12's free.    <= o:p>

=

Dorchester Art= s Centre (www.dorchesterarts.org.uk)= , Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-a= rts.com) and Eype Centre for the Arts run a full programme of performances = and events - drama, music, comedy, dance and more - suitable for all ages.