Dorset Council has looked at ways to double the number of affordable homes by measures including the use of council-owned land and buildings.
Pupils from Bethany Junior School learnt golf skills at Remedy Oak Golf Club thanks to Variety the Children’s Charity.
Douch Family Funeral Directors raised £4,000 which will be divided between Wimborne Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Gros Islet.
Working on environmental projects, residents at care homes in Broadstone and Ferndown met up with children from Parley and Broadstone.
Nasen Saadi will serve a minimum of 39 years in prison for murdering Amie Gray and attempting to murder Leanne Miles.
Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the proposed Canford Magna waste incinerator during PMQs.
Artist Merlin Summers ran the Bournemouth Vitality Bay Charity 5k run in his homemade, life-size Dalek costume in March.
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Pete Miles, opened the library during a visit to Broadstone First School.
The Big Clean Up saw 29 volunteers remove 41 pieces of graffiti and 58 bags of rubbish during this annual event.
Anyone with information about the disappearance of the victim should come forward as Dorset Police continue their investigations.
Nursing students from Bournemouth University were on high alert when they dealt with a (simulated) alien invasion.
Day centres across Dorset could be closed under new plans by Dorset Council to shake up care for adults with dementia or special care needs.
‘The Sound of Music’ is to be staged at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne from 12–14 June.
The chamber was disappointed that the Spring Statement announced by Rachel Reeves has done little to boost businesses.
Residents in Bournemouth and Poole will have the chance to share their views on the establishment of parish and town councils.
In response to health risks from smartphones, a Ringwood secondary school is implementing a new policy for Year 7 students.
Lindsay Anderson from Poole is urging people to share their views on how NHS data is used for research.
Police are appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage following the burglary of the studio in Christchurch Road.
Local business owners gathered at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne for the Wimborne Business Awards ceremony.
Austin, the youngest child in his class at Witchampton First School, raised funds for Comic Relief by running 30km during March.
The 12th annual Inter-school Photography Competition received more than 900 entries from 25 schools across Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire.
The police believe they have established the identity of the body, but are appealing for any information regarding suspicious activity in the area.
Works starts on 31 March to construct new walking and cycling paths, crossings and street lighting improvements.
A full day of activities will take place in the town of Wimborne Minster starting at 9am and continuing to 9.35pm.
Additional energy saving solar panels are to be installed at both Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
The Potteries care home in York Road organised a special meal for Oscar and Gina Isaac who married in 1965.
At long last the walking, wheeling and cycling route from Wimborne to Tricketts Cross has been completed.
Wimborne Square came alive with excitement on Saturday 22 March as the ‘Freedom of the Town’ was granted to the 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron.
Dorset Police, together with local councils, the fire service and Business Improvement Districts, are working together to keep the county safe.
People living in the Dorset Council area have until 4 May to have their say on alterations to the street lighting policy.
Wimborne BID says the opinions of businesses will be the key to helping shape Wimborne’s Town of Culture 2026.
Alpacas Liquorice and Caramac paid a visit to Kings Park Care Home to surprise the residents.
The Spring Statement will be delivered by the Chancellor on Wednesday 26 March and the Chamber is calling for support.
A garden designer from Poole and students from Dorchester will present their designs at the event at Beaulieu in the New Forest from 2–4 May.
Christchurch and Boscombe & Southbourne Rotary Clubs are organising a river pageant to take place in August and inviting groups to participate.
Just under 20 boys from Dorset took part in a flashmob performance in Covent Garden on 16 March to celebrate young males in the dance industry.
Poole BID has commissioned a new mural by a local artist to give a stunning makeover to the underpass by Poole Bus Station.
Patrick Barlow’s hilarious stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The 39 Steps’ will be performed by Ferndown Drama at the Barrington.
Broadstone Middle School now offers a Sport Stream for pupils which will enable them to take part in a wide range of sports.
There will be nearly 200 events taking place as part of the Discover Wimborne festival during the month of April.
Santander is to close 95 bank branches across the UK, including locations in Wimborne and Shaftesbury.
Operation CeCe, which took place last week, saw products seized across Dorset including Ferndown, Weymouth, Bournemouth and Poole.
Swaffields Wimborne recently celebrated a decade of hair styling.
Buckholme Towers School closed in 2019, but its legacy will help young people to pursue their career options.
Residents are asked to get involved with beach cleans taking place along Dorset’s coastline from 5 to 13 April.
MP Vikki Slade has helped secure an agreement to maintain ground-level access at a rail crossing in Wareham.
The blue plaque which commemorates the town’s contribution to Operation Overlord has been replaced at Customs House.
With 250 entries, The Verwood and District Horticultural Society’s 78th annual Spring Show was a big success.
People have until 28 April to have their say on a proposal to introduce a 20mph limit in the Winton, Moordown, Charminster and Talbot Woods area.
Anyone who was in Leigh Road late in the evening on Saturday 2 March and who witnessed this should contact the police.
As part of Operation CeCe, vapes, hand-rolling tobacco, tobacco sticks, shisha, and packs of cigars were seized.
This week is the first ever national awareness week for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, and patrols will be taking place across the region.
Friends Chris Helberg and Chris Bryer-Ash attempted to run seven marathons in a week to raise funds for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.
Grants worth up to £5,000 are being offered to help community groups reduce anti-social behaviour across the county.
Daniel Bagwell is behind bars for committing a sustained assault on a woman for which she needed hospital treatment.
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, which was founded in the year 2000, is hoping local people will help with fundraising.
Three designs have been shortlisted for the reusable Wimborne Cup and now local people have the chance to select the winner.
Verwood library is the first in Dorset to offer access to most services outside of regular staffing hours.
Police are keen to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident which took place between the Purewell Cross and Somerford roundabouts.
More than £24 million is to be spent on priorities in the three towns, including Bearwood and Merley education provision.
St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole is closing with the new unit opening in the BEACH building at RBH on Monday 31 March.
People will no longer be permitted to smoke at the Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch hospitals or other UHD trust locations.
A Dorset animal lover who founded a charity to help street dogs and cats in Sri Lanka will be on a mission later this month.
Commonwealth Day took place on Monday 10 March and the town of Wimborne Minster marked it with a ceremony.
The Hub and Spoke Day Opportunities Model consultation, which is organised by Dorset Council, runs until 9 June.
The Maternity Unit is moving from Poole into the BEACH Building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital this spring.
Percy met residents at Care South’s Talbot View home, and was delighted when they gave him a stroke – and a banana.
The number of Fixed Penalty Notices for fly-tipping in Dorset has increased by more than three quarters in the last year.
Women in Dorset are invited to sign up to join a project celebrating the contribution of women in local history.
Dorset Council is organising business events in Wimborne, Wool, Bridport, Shaftesbury and Portland during March.
A 19-year-old motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the collision on Friday 7 March.
After four years of having to take place inside the Minster due to bad weather, this year’s pancake race was held outside in bright sunshine.
Planet Wimborne hosted the event at Wimborne Methodist Hall to give community groups the chance to network.
Anyone who witnessed this collision on Ringwood Road or has dashcam footage should contact Dorset Police.
Volunteers from Bournemouth-based Ukraine Relief were delivering supplies in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine when a Russian missile struck.
Schoolchildren across the country dressed as their favourite fictional characters to celebrate World Book Day.
The nursery worker has expressed her gratitude to Dorset Cancer Care Foundation for helping to help pay her food and heating bills.
The Hillbourne housing development will offer homes plus careers advice sessions for children and free cooking classes.
Forces from across the South West worked together to take down suspected large-scale cannabis cultivation and other drug supply networks.
Reviewers from the Local Government Association praised New Forest District Council’s leadership and financial management.
The team at a charity raising aid and support for Ukraine received special recognition from the mayor of Bournemouth at an event in February.
The plasma of local donors is being used to make life-saving medicines for NHS patients, reducing reliance on imports.
Children from St Barnabas Pre-School dressed as their favourite storybook characters and joined residents at Castle Dene home.
The A35 Christchurch Bypass is to close for essential maintenance for a short period of time during March.
Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s charity, will hold its 20th Walk for Wards event in July.
The free exhibition, called “Echoes of the Deep”, will be open to the public from 14 March to 27 April at The Lighthouse Centre.
The award-winning Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival will mark its 11th year when it takes place this June at Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne.
Canford Heath Infant and Junior School will provide new bases for pupils with language and communication needs.
Anyone driving through Winton on Tuesday 4 March and who witnessed this collision is asked to contact the police.
Dorset Police are trying to establish the circumstances following the collision near the BP garage at St Leonards.
Wimborne BID has commissioned artist Kizzi B Creative to design a mural for the town’s underpass.
The award means that next year, the town will deliver a programme of extraordinary cultural and community events.
To be held at Care UK’s The Potteries on Friday 14 March, participants will have the chance to create special colourful T-shirts.
As several changes are proposed in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the council is keen to get people’s views on a draft policy.
Clubs supporting older people in Dorset and Hampshire provided by Brendoncare face closure.
To mark five years since the start of the pandemic, Dorset Council is to hold an informal gathering in Dorchester.
There are 45 uniquely designed mermaid tail sculptures, which will be in place across the area from 5 April to 1 June.
Saturday 8 March is International Women’s Day and this is to be marked by Poole Sea Cadets which offers equal opportunities.
The Rotary Club of Verwood now offers corporate membership to local businesses and inaugurated its first one at its 37th charter night.
Sam Crowe takes up the reins of Dorset Council until a new chief executive of the authority is found.
Anyone near the Bournemouth Carlton Hotel at around 1pm on Tuesday 25 February who witnessed the assault should contact the police.
Witnesses to the two-car collision at St Leonards or anyone with dashcam footage are asked to contact Dorset Police.
The report from Healthwatch Dorset has found that residents in Boscombe are concerned about lack of access to health and social care services.
Hampshire Mobile Park Homes Enterprises Ltd, the licence holder for Iford Bridge Home Park, has been fined more than £27,000.
The head of a Bournemouth-based charity has been asked to speak to the Austrian Parliament about her work.
St Mary’s Maternity Unit is soon to close and people are welcome to visit the unit for a trip down memory lane.
Stained glass dating from the 15th century to the 19th century is now on show at Highcliffe Castle in a new exhibition.
In the early hours of Thursday 6 February, three vehicles were vandalised in New Road and Hampshire Police are seeking witnesses.
Shane Chapman has been handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order following an incident in Minterne Magna.
The popular British Pedal Car Grand Prix in Ringwood was cancelled last year, but the organisers say it will return on Sunday 13 July.
Wimborne BID has announced that the Wimborne Food Festival will return for a second year this September.
Hengistbury Head Outdoors has signed a 99-year lease with BCP Council for the ownership of the Outdoor Activity Centre in Christchurch Harbour.
An equine charity in Devon is at capacity and is hoping existing or prospective horse owners would consider rehoming a companion pony.
To help cheer people up on a gloomy, rainy day, children from Tops Day Nurseries handed out bunches of flowers to the public in Poole.
Sydnie Christmas, winner of ‘Britain’s Got Talent 2024’, will visit The Barn in Ringwood as part of her 2025 tour.
The council is considering implementing Public Space Protection Orders to ban the lighting of fires on heathland and camping on Studland beach.
Dorset HealthCare occupational therapists are setting up music groups to help people with mental health problems.
Bookings are being taken for beach huts from Sandbanks to Southbourne, with some available for just one week.
Myrna Chave MBE received a birthday surprise when Majorie House care home organised a visit from Guide Dogs
Anyone who witnessed these assaults in Bearwood on 20 February or who has CCTV footage should contact Dorset Police.
People from Canford Magna, Merley, Oakley and Bearwood are urging BCP residents to sign an online petition opposing plans for an incinerator.
The new facility in Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre is due to open at the beginning of April.
The annual ‘treecycling’ initiative raised a record amount for Diverse Abilities, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Julia’s House.
The Social Housing Wait Time Calculator will inform people of their position on the social housing property list.
Police are appealing for dashcam footage or witnesses to the collision on the Ameysford Roundabout along the A31 on Saturday 22 February.
The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, an annual celebration of rural life, will return on 13 and 14 August.
Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency has helped to install the new battery system at Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club.
Wimborne and Ferndown Lions Club are organising a day of free cancer tests for Saturday 15 March to help save lives.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to people who want to clean their air fryers following a property fire in Bournemouth on Saturday 15 February.
A returnable cup scheme has been launched at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest by Litter Free Dorset in partnership with other organisations.
The emergency services responses to a terrorism incident were tested in Poole at the beginning of the year.
Dorset Council to fly the flag of Ukraine on Monday 24 February, the third anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Local employers have until 30 March to nominate trainees for these awards with an award ceremony to be held on 15 May.
Applications can be made to the Dorset CPRE Grant Scheme for the restoration of the fingerposts which are a common feature in Dorset.
Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset is supporting Dementia Action Week 19–25 May with a Forget-Me-Not campaign.
Works will be carried out in more than 100 play areas in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.
The Museum of East Dorset was awarded silver in this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards as a small visitor attraction.
A wreath was laid on the grave of James Hammett, who is buried in St John the Evangelist Churchyard in Tolpuddle.
Naomi and Richard Sutton, who became engaged 69 years ago, were treated to an intimate dining experience at their Ferndown care home.
Dorset Community Foundation have launched a website featuring stories from people in need or who face disadvantages in Dorset.
There is increased policing presence in the Crossways area, following an attempted robbery of a Mercedes car with police appealing for witnesses.
As part of a project by Dorset Peat Partnership, 37 acres of land have been re-wetted since the start of 2025.
A business support group is seeking four Dorset-based startups to take part in a virtual masterclass in entrepreneurship.
Students at Ferndown Middle School are learning the art of mixing at the turntables thanks to the new ‘DJ Club’.
This summer, pools in Hamworthy, Christchurch, Littledown and Redhill will re-open for families with free entry.
Teenagers are invited to apply to become a Police Cadet Leader in Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Broadstone, Christchurch or Weymouth.
The collision took place near to the junction with Cox Avenue on Tuesday 11 February and witnesses are sought.
The Chamber conducted a poll which found that 91 per cent of respondents were concerned about the rise in NI contributions.
Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival has announced that local chef Colin Nash will be this year’s headline sponsor
The bus station had been a cause of concern for Dorset Police with numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour over the years.
Witnesses and dashcam footage are sought following the collision which took place at the junction of Ensbury Park Road and Cherries Drive.
The Green Gram Community Refill Shop is helping people in Fordingbridge to become ‘clean and green’ with a free event.
Dorset Police and AFC Bournemouth are working together to keep women and girls safe at local football matches.
Allenbourn Middle School was rated ‘outstanding’ in personal development following a visit by inspectors in January.
People are urged to vote in a March referendum on local plans for the villages of Wimborne St Giles and Wool.
This Valentine’s Day 14 February, people are urged to get a free pack giving them advice on online dating safety.
National Apprenticeship Week runs from Monday 10 to Sunday 16 February and shines a light on the work being done by apprentices across the UK.
23-year-old clothes designer Max Onn has received two SWEF Enterprise Fund grants from Dorset Community Foundation to help grow his business
The town council will hold an extraordinary meeting of the full council on Wednesday 12 February to address the proposed closure of Lloyds Bank.
After 40 years of trading, The Fordingbridge Bookshop has made the difficult decision to close its doors.
Attendees to the South West Really Useful Family History Show will be able to learn about how to research their own family tree and lineage.
A 10-year-old from Holt near Wimborne is collecting trainers and t-shirts for young runners in South Africa.
Electric vehicle charging points have already been installed in towns such as West Moors, but more are needed in other sites.
There has been a spate of thefts from ATMs in in Wimborne Road, Christchurch Road, Queens Road and Castle Lane West.
Dorset Tea made the donation to Dorset mind to mark Time to Talk Day, which encourages people to open up about their mental health.
The government has rejected BCP, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils’ proposal for creating a new Wessex combined authority.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care opened its 10th retail shop, the House Clearance Shop, at the end of January.
Research by Wild New Forest has found 36 priority species that are classified as nationally rare or scarce.
Road policing officers together with the Vehicle Standards Agency conducted a campaign at the end of January.
The council has been named a Startup Ecosystem Rising Star 2024 after introducing its Digital Innovation Dynamic Purchasing System.
The £1,500 grant from the SWEF Enterprise Fund was just what Morgan Reeves needed to be able to further his photographic business.
Home-Start Wessex raised £10,295.18 in The Big Give. It will use the funding to help homeless families across the region.
Pupils from six different schools will be performing in this musical at Queen Elizabeth’s School Theatre on 6, 7 and 8 February.
Joseph Henry Lydon Pickett, 20, admitted a charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving on 16 September 2023.
People in Dorset who are in possession of Turkish manufactured top-venting blank firers should hand them in to the police this month.
A total of 8,200 young singers and 10,000 parents and family members were at the O2 Arena for a performance from the largest choir ever assembled.
A reduction of the speed limit on the B3082 from 60mph to 50mph has persuaded motorists not to drive too fast.
Lloyds Bank has announced it will shut the branch on Victoria Road in Ferndown on 17 November.
Local station Bournemouth One was crowned the best new business at an award ceremony.
Why not make it a double dose of love this Valentine’s Day? Come and spoil your loved one with a special treat in the heart of Wimborne, and at the same time, show your love for the town’s array of local businesses.
Tourist attraction Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park has announced a decision to say farewell to its herd of red deer.
Community feedback showed that residents considered the blanket fine of £1,000 to be too high and so the authority is reconsidering the policy.
If the full council approves, changes will be made to evening car parking charges in council-owned car parks.
In this latest and last round of funding, Dorset businesses will be able to apply for a share of £1.4 million.
The super-swimmer was filmed before, during and after his epic 37-hour non-stop swim around Grand Cayman.
Adwy Hady and Ali Mohamed Nakouda, both of no fixed abode, have gone to prison following a fight in Meyrick Road.
Forest Holme Hospice Charity’s Strictly Extravaganza Gala Dinner saw both amateur and professional dancers take to the floor.
The incidents took place in the early hours of Sunday 26 January and police are seeking witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage.
A total of 20 organisations received funds from a pot provided by Blandford-based brewer Hall & Woodhouse.
Horticulture experts from Knoll Gardens Foundation and Planet Wimborne will help to transform the outdoor space at Wimborne First School.
Anyone with dashcam footage or who witnessed this incident in St Swithun’s Road on 25 January is asked to contact the police.
Reception class pupils climbed into cockpits as Bournemouth Aviation Museum as part of the school’s ‘On the Move project’.
The event to raise funds for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity and to raise awareness of prostate cancer takes place in March.
Anyone with CCTV footage or who witnessed this assault in the Triangle on Sunday 26 January is asked to contact Dorset Police.
Rising river levels following Storm Eowyn has led the Environment Agency to issue a flood warning along the lower parts of the River Stour.
Traffic management will be in place from February to June whilst the new Blandford Waste Management Centre is being constructed.
Beryl bikes and bays will be removed from the Wimborne, Colehill, West Parley, West Moors and Ferndown areas by Friday 28 February.
six volunteer gardeners at the Museum of East Dorset have been awarded The Volunteer Team of the Year.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust has received Veteran Aware Accreditation for a further three years.
Vikki Slade is calling for automatic tree protection to prevent developers causing environmental vandalism.
Residents within the New Forest District Council will receive two new wheely bins and food waste caddies in the coming months.
