Local News

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Young people with health challenges grow confidence and skills through cooking

Dorset Youth and The Friendly Food Club help young people with long-term health conditions build confidence and life skills through family cooking sessions.

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Dorset Echo | Dorchester

National Care Leavers Month being marked in Dorset with exhibition this month

Dorset Council's County Hall exhibition celebrates care-experienced people during National Care Leavers Month, alongside support including its Lifelong Offer.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Dorchester RFC’s comeback falls short in tight 19-15 defeat to Swanage & Wareham

Dorchester RFC fell 19-15 to Swanage & Wareham after a second-half fightback, while the A XV lost 27-14 to unbeaten Sherborne 2XV in Dorset rugby.

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Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Bestselling author backs £5.28m bid to protect Dorset's history

Bestselling author Tracy Chevalier is backing a £5.28m project to protect Dorset's archives, with Dorset History Centre's storage now 96 per cent full.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Claims of 20mph vote rigging denied after poll goes against lower limit

A CLAIM that the voting on Dorchester’s proposed 20mph town speed limit might have been ‘rigged’ has been denied. Several town councillors say they were surprised that more than 62per cent of the votes went against the blanket 20mph limit – after hearing most people at...

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Power cut affects council meeting to discuss traffic calming

A POWER cut forced a change of venue for a Dorchester Town Council meeting last night.The planning and environment committee had to move from the council chamber in the Corn Exchange building to the café/bar area at the front of the building – using emergency lighting...

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Former Dorchester department store to get 16 co-living rooms and a gym

CHANGES to a former Dorchester town centre department store have been agreed – to offer 16 small ‘co-living’ units.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Dorchester site manager wins south west award for high-quality house building

Steve Walker of C G Fry & Son Limited won the Medium Builder category at the NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards 2026 for his work at Poundbury in Dorchester.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

‘Doom-mongers have won again’ over bonfire

A reader says Dorchester is losing a cherished community tradition after action to stop a bonfire and the ‘doom-mongers have won again’

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Popular Christmas market in Dorset preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary

The Poundbury Christmas Market, now a beloved tradition in Dorset, will mark a decade of festive cheer on Saturday, November 28.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Reassurances on safety after woman found in alleyway suffers life changing injuries

DORCHESTER'S mayor has moved to reassure the public the town is a safe place after a woman was found with potentially life-changing injuries in an alleyway.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Nursery praised for caring staff as manager welcomes positive Ofsted report

Chipmunks Day Nursery in Dorchester met all six Ofsted expected standards, with manager Anna Chainey praising staff, families and new leadership

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Woman found with potentially life-changing injuries in alleyway

A WOMAN has been found with potentially life-changing injuries in an alleyway in Dorchester.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Bandits stay top as Bolton sets season-high break

Bandits stay top as Bolton sets season-high break

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Two injured in crash involving multiple vehicles

Two people have been injured in a crash involving three vehicles near Dorchester

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Static caravan fire on main road started 'deliberately'

A mobile home has been destroyed after a fire on the A35

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Help bring Christmas joy to Dorset children with our 27th Toy Appeal

Here's how you can donate to the Dorset Echo's 27th Christmas Toy Appeal

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Dorchester chamber warns tax changes will do little to ease firms' rising costs

Dorchester Chamber welcomes Budget tax changes, including business rates relief and a £3,000 trading allowance, but warns rising costs will still hit firms.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

New Dorchester toy and games shop open after busy first day

New independent Snaps Games opens in Dorchester town centre with toys, board games, trading cards and collectables, plus gaming events and community sessions.

Dorset Echo | Dorchester

Dorchester residents warned not to build or light bonfire on Elizabeth Place land

DORCHESTER residents have been warned not to build or light a bonfire on a local play area because of safety and waste concerns.