DORCHESTER Community Plays Association is looking ahead to the next – eighth – in its record-breaking list of community plays. The next play is planned for 2029, and a first meeting to launch the project is planned for 16th January.

The Dorchester Community Play Association (DCPA) has already began exploring some fascinating possibilities for the production, all rooted in Dorchester’s rich (and sometimes surprising) history.

Ideas so far include:
Dorchester Prison – exploring the stories of people who were imprisoned and how this affected their families and the community;
The “Swing” riots of 1830 – a time of great unrest, when agricultural workers rose up to protest against poverty, rising costs, poor working conditions and the impact of the introduction of machinery;
Dorchester Castle 1154 – 1290 – King John stayed at the castle several times during his reign;
The Woodhenge beneath Waitrose Carpark – this was a massive henge, around three times the size of Stonehenge … why was it built and what happened there?

Joe Doak from The History of Dorchester Facebook page will head up the research team and DCPA is looking for volunteers willing to assist with this vital part of putting the story together.

At the launch on 16th January, the organisers will be inviting people to come along, share ideas and find out how they can get involved.