Latest news with #DorchesterTownCouncil
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Dorchester Town Council's solar panel plan rejected
A town council's application to install solar panels on the roof of its Grade II listed building has been turned Town Council applied to put a total of 13 solar panels on 19 North Square, its 19th Century mid-terrace building, but saw an application rejected by Dorset applied to have that overturned by the Planning Inspectorate but that also dismissed the town council was told the proposal, if approved, would "fail to preserve a listed building and its special interest, would harm the settings of those nearby, nor preserve the character or appearance of the [Dorchester Conservation Area]". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beacons, beach party and flag raising: Events to commemorate VE Day
Round-up of events across Dorset for VE Day (Image: Dorchester Town Council) IT'S the 80-year anniversary of VE Day and Dorset communities have a lot planned to mark the occasion. Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945 - and for 2025 it's a landmark anniversary. There are many events happening across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester tomorrow and for the next few days. We have complied a list of the range of VE Day events happening across the three communities. Weymouth events Thursday, May 8 A VE day flag will be flown next to the Weymouth war memorial all day. ADVERTISEMENT At 9pm, the Royal British Legion will hold a short service at the Jubilee Clock followed by a beacon lighting ceremony organised by Weymouth Town Council. The special VE 80 beacon being lit at 9.30pm. Beacon lighting (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 From 1pm until 9.45pm, a line-up of local bands will perform on Weymouth Beach. The live music will follow an introduction speech from mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell. On the run up to the day, Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell, said: 'We are proud to be supporting a range of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day across Weymouth. 'Members of the public are invited to join us on the 8th May for the beacon lighting, and we are encouraging people to create a relaxed, festival-style atmosphere at the beach concert on Saturday 10th May, so bring a picnic, blankets, and sit back enjoy the performances. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've also funded a range of community events to complement our programme, so join together and be part of this significant occasion.' Other events in Weymouth include: The Nothe Fort: A new audio drama by ScreenPLAY about homefront life during World War II, featuring students from St Marys's Puddletown School from 11am until 12pm on May 8. VE day ScreenPLAY at the Nothe (Image: ScreenPLAY) RAFA Afternoon Tea: Free afternoon tea for all veterans, serving military and club members from 3pm on May 8. Mission Hall Sutton Poyntz: Fish and chips, quiz, beacon lighting on May 8. Tickets: Hillyd54@ Portraits on Parade: Portraits of WW2 veterans on parade on the promenade at Weymouth seafront on May 8 and 9. The Veterans Hub memorial mural: Created in the garden of the Veterans Hub in collaboration with local artists. The garden is used by veterans, friends and family members as a quiet reflection space. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Blind Club: Cream teas and music for members of Weymouth Blind Club. Open Air Concert: Refreshments and live music available to the community in the St Laurence Church car park in Upwey from 12pm until 4pm on May 10. MV Freedom: Veterans are invited to take a trip on the MV Freedom catamaran on May 10. Contact peteryork970@ to arrange. Portland events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a flag raising ceremony will be held at Victoria Square roundabout followed by the proclamation at the American Memorial. At 3pm, an Honouring our Heroes free event will run at Easton Lane Market Ground with music and stalls. At 4pm, a service will be held at the Portland Cenotaph. At 6pm, the bells will ring at St George's, All Saints and St John's church. At 9pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will be held at the New Ground with a performance from Weymouth Concert Brass. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Concert Brass (Image: Archive)Dorchester events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a VE tribute will be held at the town pump at Cornhill before a flag is raised at town hall along with a town crier tribute. From 8.15pm until 9.30pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will take place on Salisbury Field accompanied by music from the Decadettes, as well as a reading of local memories from As One Theatre. The town crier will also re-read his tribute before Joe Ansell performs the Last Post as the beacon is lit. The Decadettes (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 At 12.15pm, a free concert from Casterbridge Male Voice Choir will take place at the Corn Exchange- performing a range of music from the 1940s. Celebrations in Dorchester will conclude on May 11 with a free concert in Borough Gardens from 1pm until 4pm with music from the Decadettes and Durnovaria Silver Band.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Businesses delighted as high street reopens after devastating fire
Business owners in Dorchester are hoping trade will get back to normal in time for Easter after South Street was reopened following a devastating fire. Part of the street opened up yesterday afternoon - and shop owners and councillors celebrated the revival of the part of the high street. Part of the street has been boarded up since last December after a fire at the Gorge Café. While work is still ongoing to clear and stabilise the site, a walkway now safely reconnects both sides of the street. Shoppers can now also get to South Street via Hardye Arcade, with Scrivens, Specsavers, and Amplifon now accessible. The building owner's private contractors (Jordan and Faber Ltd) will continue works within the new cordon boundaries. Dorset Council said its Building Control Team will continue to closely monitor progress, and the authority will provide updates 'when appropriate'. (Image: Dorchester Town Council) (Image: Dorchester Town Council) As the walkway opened in time for the influx of tourists for the holidays, traders said they were hoping to return to normal after what has been a very difficult winter for businesses. Jana Pahlow, who owns Simply Stylish in Hardye Arcade, said: 'I was there (Friday) and I was part of the reopening. They opened it up around 2.30pm and people have gone back to walking up and down the walkway.' (Image: Alfie Lumb) Mrs Pahlow said most businesses in the arcade have been affected by the decline in people walking in the area, which majorly helps with profits. She said: "We lost all our footfall. People would just have to walk the other way. It has had a huge impact on our business. We know it has affected us and we're now hoping to get back to normal.' As previously reported, the Gorge café was devasted by a fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday December 9, partially destroying the building and seriously affecting surrounding properties. (Image: Chloe Boden) The café was a much loved by locals and was deep rooted in Dorchester history, as the place where Thomas Hardy trained as an architect. The building was made secure in February after contractors were assigned to start the big clean up job after being assessed by Dorset Council's Building Control Team. David James, owner of Wise Owl Toys in the Hardye Arcade, in response to the reopening said: 'We are very pleased, it's been four months since it happened and hopefully now we will see a lot more visitors. (Image: Alfie Lumb) As a toy shop, Mr James said South Street opening by Easter has been fantastic news, as it's a business that greatly profits from passing trade. He said: 'Being a toy shop it is always good to find new customers who don't come from the town. '[The closure] didn't help but we were very fortunate that we have been here a long time so locals knew we were here. But we do rely on passing trade as well. It wasn't quite the same.' Cllr Richard Biggs, representing Dorchester Poundbury, said: 'It wasn't open first thing. But it's fantastic news and long awaited. The high street has been struggling with traders burdened with national insurance [increases]. So, it's really welcome news. 'Everyone is really concerned and worried and the bid is there to support them directly and anything Dorset Council can do is on the small business part of the website. We need to pull together and use our little shops.' Cllr Andy Canning, from the West Dorchester ward, agreed that local shops need more support than ever before. He said: 'The important thing is to get the people who live in Dorchester rally round and support our shops as they were badly hit by no fault of their own. And residents of the town benefit by rediscovering the local stores.'
