Work should begin early 2011 on the £60 million redevelopment of the Charles Street site in Dorchester town centre. First up: new offices for West Dorset District Council.
Archive for September, 2010
A thin veil of mist hangs over Lush Places this morning, the sun low in the sky as blinded drivers attempt the ascent of the hill out of the village.
Over the brow and in the valley below, Beaminster is covered in a carpet of fog, the tops of the trees and church tower poking out like something from The Lost World.
Down on the allotment, the tomatoes in the polytunnel are putting on a growth spurt, the final push before they are turned into chutney to go with cold ham and turkey on Boxing Day.
But there’s one little fella I just can’t bring myself to eat.
THE ORGANISERS of Maiden Newton at War have donated £8,700 to village organisations following the spectacular success of their World War 2 re-enactment event earlier this year.
Committee members have also managed to keep several thousand pounds in their armoury for the next Maiden Newton at War weekend in June 2012.
The Friends of Greenford School received the biggest gift: £4,000. They provided the venue and bar staff for the 1940s themed weekend, held in June.
Maiden Newton’s youth centre, parish council, fire station, preschool and senior football club all received £500.
Webbers Piece sheltered accommodation, the reserve football club, the youth football club and the allotment association all got £400.
The village hall, the play area, the Frome Valley Players, the youth club, the vicars’ band Dogs Without Collars and Sustrans received £100.
Cheques totalling £8,700 have been given to organisations in Maiden Newton following the success of Maiden Newton at War. Chairman Andy Elliott is on the front row, at the right.
Maiden Newton at War chairman Andy Elliott said: “We were delighted to be able to distribute the profits from Maiden Newton at War to so many local groups, all of whom were either nominated by our volunteers or contributed directly to the running of the event.
“Without the support of volunteers events such as ours could not take place.
“We are particularly pleased that we were able to donate £4,000 to the Friends of Greenford School who host this event for us.
Sponsor sought for 2012
“Maiden Newton at War is set to run again over the weekend of June 22 to 24 2012.”
Some of the profits from this year have been set aside to help fund the 2012 event but the committee is seeking a main sponsor to make it even bigger and better.
Anyone interested should contact Mr Elliott on 07967 504716.
Mr Elliott added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch for joining in and making this possible and in particular the land owners that provided the battlefield, car parks and camp sites.”
Splendid photographs of Bridport Hat Festival by the brilliant portrait photographer George Wright, who lives in Bridport. Check out a big crowd photograph to see lots more people and read more about Guy Heathcote (pictured above).
Bridport Gig Rowing Club member Sally Vaughan reports on an unusual end to the club’s first season, and looks ahead to the start of the Jurassic Coast Gig Rowing League.
FOR THE THIRD time in four years, The Colliton Club opposite County Hall in Dorchester has won the Wessex regional Club of the Year competition, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
A framed certificate will be presented by CAMRA Regional Director John Buckley at the start of the West Dorset branch’s annual general meeting at the club on Wednesday 22 September.
The Colliton Club in Dorchester - CAMRA's Wessex Regional Club of the Year 2010.
The Colliton Club won the award after being visited by three judges and some of their comments are published in the citation. One said: “No background irritants or musak. A good selection of six cask ales covering four breweries. The club is clean and tidy.”
The second judge praised the warm welcome, a pleasant atmosphere and free wifi, while the third judge commented: “This is a restful club with a nice atmosphere and six cracking real ales on handpumps. Good service and excellent product knowledge from the hard working steward and his staff.”
Colliton Club Steward Neil Gatehouse was ecstatic at again being judged among the 16 top clubs in the UK. He said: “It’s nice to see that in the present economic climate, people still appreciate real ale.”
The club was automatically entered for the Wessex regional award after winning West Dorset Club of the Year. The CAMRA Wessex region comprises Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.
The Colliton Club now goes forward to CAMRA’s national Club of the Year competition against 15 other clubs from around the UK.
West Dorset CAMRA Chairman Dave Harris said: “We in West Dorset CAMRA are delighted to have such a vibrant club in our area. We wish the club every success in the national competition!”
Bridport Hat Festival’s main organiser Roger Snook: “Everybody’s happy, everybody’s wearing a hat – what more could you wish for?”