SOUTH West Heritage Trust has received a £993,345 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an ambitious two-year project to celebrate the Chew Valley Hoard and mark the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth. Comprising 2,584 silver coins, the Chew Valley Hoard is the highest-value treasure acquisition on record and comes from the…
LOCALS and visitors have just over a month to take advantage of a rare opportunity to climb high into the ruins of Corfe Castle, and see the breathtaking views from a special platform on the Keep. The platform will be closed to visitors from the end of February, as a £2 million, three-year conservation project…
A NEW free exhibition at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre, RNLI: Stories of Courage 1939-45, running until 28th February, explories the way the volunteer lifeboat crews saved lives at sea in dangerous conditions, including a lifeboat that was one of the famous “little boats” that rescued soldiers pinned down on the beaches at Dunkirk. The exhibition…
JOSIAH Wedgwood is best known nowadays for his Jasperware pottery, with its distinctive light-blue colour. But the 18th century potter was a true radical, as historian Tristram Hunt will explain when he gives Salisbury Museum’s annual lecture, on Wednesday 3rd December, at 7.30pm, at Salisbury Methodist Church in St Edmund’s Church Street. The museum currently…
DRAGONS’ Den investor and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden will join business leaders, educators and representatives of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) at North Cadbury Court near Yeovil on Thursday 6th November for Unlocking Somerset Talent, an event dedicated to exploring how apprenticeships and partnerships with education can help businesses thrive. The event has been organised by…
THE Mowlem Theatre at Swanage has stood proudly overlooking the sea for almost 60 years, sometimes battered by winds, rain and even snow. But now the old roof is leaking and the theatre has launched an urgent crowdfunding appeal for £10,000 to stop the leaks and save the building. This much-loved community space has a…
THE leaves are already turning golden and ochre, the hedges are heavy with red and black berries, and there is an autumnal feel to the mornings – what better time to get out around this beautiful region and enjoy the scenery and heritage of the south west. The National Trust has a host of interesting…
WILTSHIRE Community Foundation, one of the beneficiaries of our Deepest Wiltshire book sales, is 50 this year. It was the country’s first community foundation and the golden jubilee was celebrated at a sunny party at Wellington Barn near Calne, below the beautiful north Wiltshire downs and the Cherhill White Horse. The special guest at the…
AFTER 20 years of providing the best seats in the house, the distinctive first floor foyer sofas and benches at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre are being offered free to good homes, thanks to a generous donation from a wealthy patron of the arts. Thanks to what is described as “a significant personal donation” from businessman…
WINDROSE Rural Media Trust has a new team at the helm, fir the first time in the more than 40 years since it was founded by Trevor Bailey, who has retired but will remain as a trustee. Three women have taken over the charity, which works across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire on educational, archival and…