THE ancient hills and hillforts of West Dorset are alive with poetry thanks to a pioneering South Dorset Ridgeway project developed with creative writing groups and local school children The South Dorset Ridgeway Poetry Parks, one of the first in the country working with local writers, will form part of the GPS Soundscape apps, through…
THE Great Dorset Steam Fair, the world’s largest celebration of rural and heritage crafts, machinery and trades, runs this year from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th August at the showground at Tarrant Hinton. The fair is famous for its support for many local charities, and this year, the charity steam engine-drawn trailer rides will be…
A NEW interactive activity pack offers families an adventurous way to enjoy the National Trust’s spectacular Stourhead landscaped gardens, with quizzes and trails that includes the house and wider estate. The book includes spotter sheets, to help children and families complete their ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list. The trail encourages families to…
FROM archery to Elizabethan dance, there is a variety of activities for all ages on offer during the summer holidays at the National Trust’s Montacute House and Garden, near Yeovil. Every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 4pm until 31st August visitors there are opportunities to try Tudor-style archery and learn more about Elizabethan…
GARDENERS of all ages can learn about hedgehogs at Hedgehog Day on Saturday 19th August, at Poundbury Gardens. The event, in the Poundbury garden centre, will run from 10am to 4pm, and will raise awareness and funds for Hayley’s Hedgehog Rescue, which rehabilitates wild hedgehogs, There will be a range of fun activities with the…
MELPLASH Agricultural Show, this year on Thursday 24th August, is a real celebration of food and farming in West Dorset, and this year’s programme promises some mouthwatering treats. Well known as one of the region’s finest one-day shows, Melplash has remained close to the farming community and the show organisers are among the supporters of…
A RARE baby giant anteater has been born at Longleat. Bubbles, as he’s been nicknamed by keepers, is the fourth giant anteater to be born at the Wiltshire safari park. His birth is part of a captive-breeding programme for the endangered and extraordinary looking South American mammal. The species is officially listed as “vulnerable” on…
BRIDPORT’s refurbished museum is attracting ;more visitors than ever and there is plenty to enjoy during the summer holidays, with free fun for all the family. Since it re-opened in May after its major Heritage Lottery funded redevelopment, more than 5000 visitors have passed through the doors of Bridport Museum- double the number of people…
BRISTOL’s Show of Strength theatre company is taking visitors (and locals) back to the dark and exciting days of smugglers, piracy and adventure on the high seas in the Treasure Island Story Walk, which runs twice daily from 21st August to 3rd September at 2pm and 4pm. The story walk begins, back where Robert Louis…
IMMENSE Air, the UK’s first ever aerobar, has been cleared for take off on Bournemouth Beach as part of this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival. The first passengers will “board” the venue on Friday 18th August. The bar and restaurant is housed in a decommissioned ATR-42 at the “airport terminal” between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. It…