What's on in and around the Vale
Coast and Countryside Events
May 2008

Tuesday 29 April
Beaminster & District Camera Club 'Sri Lanka' an evening with Jenny Wallis (slides). 7.30pm The Strode Room, Church Street, Beaminster. Contact Hon. Secretary Harry Worthington 01308 862453. Visitors welcome.

Antiques Fair 9am-4pm. Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. 01297 442138. www.marinetheatre.com.

Glories of the East at Abbotsbury with Roy Lancaster - Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens. An informal garden tour looking at many of the rare and choice flowering trees and shrubs of the new season many of which originate from the East, led by TV and Radio Gardener Roy Lancaster. www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk.

Bridport Town Hall - a tour with Elizabeth Gale of Fra Newbery's murals A chance to find out more about the history of the Town Hall and Fra H. Newbery's murals in the Council Chamber. 2.30pm. No need to book. Bridport Town Hall. 01308 458703.

Wednesady 30
Explore Your Energy Body workshop focusing on solar plexus chakra. 7pm. Contact Linda on 01297 33075.

Lichens of Hedgerow & Woodland 2.15pm at the
Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk.

East Devon Ramblers Walk Around Colyton to Shute. From Road Green, Colyton (SY245942). 9 miles. Starts 10.30 am. Bring a picnic. Please confirm details with organiser on 01395 519002.

Sherborne Golf Club
Charity Golf day for teams of 4. Clatcombe, Sherborne. 01305 871050.
www.lifeeducationdorset.org.uk.

Bridport Camera Club Meeting 7.30pm. New members always welcome. The Salt House, Fisherman's Green, West Bay, Bridport. 01308 459443. www.bridportcameraclub.co.uk.
The Two Noble Kinsmen by Cygnet Company 7.30pm Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.
01297 442138.

Wednesday 30 April -2 May
Create A Green Wood Foot Stool Learn the ancient craft of green (unseasoned) wood working with Guy Mallinson and other specialists. Mangerton House Mangerton Bridport. 01308 485111.

Thursday 1 May
Treacle Eater North West Clog Dance team May Day dance at 5.30 am (yes, you did read correctly!) - on the top of Ham Hill to see in the Dawn. Hosting Babylon Morris and Wyvern Jubilee Morris, and planing to have breakfast in the pub afterwards before all heading off to work! Contact the Secretary 01460 72162.

Wessex Morris Men and the Dorset Dozen join them at 5am on top of the Cerne Abbas Giant to welcome in the spring. More information 01258 818117.

Music at the Minster 24th Season All That Jazz. Woodroffe School Jazz Band. Director Jon Cullimore. 12.30-1pm, Minster Church Axminster, followed by lunch at five past one. Enquiries to Simon Byworth 01297 35310.

Spring Birds Week Walk Observe some migrating birds such as several species of Terns, Swallows, Swifts, Martins, and many more, including Linnets and Wheatears. Either meet at Abbotsbury Swannery Car Park at 10am or Chesil Beach Centre at 2pm, 01305 760579.

Bridport Electronic Organ Club David Lingwood. 7 for 7.30pm, Bridport United Church Hall, East St. Visitors welcome. Hon Secretary Neil Rutter 01297 20861.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society evening visit to Forde Abbey Gardens, plant centre and gift shop. Shared cars from VH meet 5.20pm for 5.30pm departure.

Talk on Fra Newbery by John Jagged, 6.30pm Bridport Town Hall. A talk looking at Newbery's cultural influences. 01308 458703 www.franewbery.co.uk.

Friday 2
Inaugural Organ Recital by Ashley Grote (Westminster Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral) on the new organ at St Mary's Church, Beaminster at 7pm Tickets from the Church Office 01308 862320; Symonds & Sampson 01308 863100; Bridport Record Centre 01308 425707 or on the door.

Lau formidable union of three of the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional music in Scotland today: Kris Drever (guitar and vocal), Martin Green (piano accordion) and Aidan O'Rourke (fiddle). Performing at the David Hall 8pm, Tickets from N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing box office@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Dr. Nut live The Ropemakers, West St, Bridport. Starts at 9pm. 01308 421255.

Friday 2 - Monday 5
Escot Church Flower Festival with The Theme of "Hymns". Contact Ottery St Mary TIC.
Raventales. A fun-filled, family Bank Holiday weekend, exploring folk and fairy tales through storytelling, drama, masks, shadow puppets, banners and at least one large construction, such as a giant or a dragon. Suitable for all ages. With Michael and Wendy Dacre. At Monkton Wyld Court near Axminster. Contact 01297 560342. www.monktonwyldcourt.org.

Friday 2 - Tues 6
Sherborne Abbey Music Festival Contact 01935 812452 during parish office open hours.

Saturday 3
Dance Ballroom, Latin & some Sequence Uplyme Village Hall
8pm - 11pm. In aid of Hall funds. 01297 442439.

West Stour Annual Church Plant Sale at Willow Halt, Church Street, West Stour from 10am-1pm. Profits will be used for repairs to the Church roof gutters. An especially large selection of Bearded Irises in many colours and young Agapanthus plants. 01747 838 810.

Plant and Craft Sale, Musbury Village Hall, 9.30am to 12 noon. Large selection of plants. Craft stalls available Mike Lock 01297 551556.

Matock Gardening Society Plant Sale vegetables, bedding plants, and more. 11am Martock Parish Hall. Contact Sheila Heaven on 01935 822018.

ZubopGambia in Concert London based afro-beat band at the Electric Palace, 35 South Street, Bridport. 8pm. Box off 01308 428354. www.zubop.com.
Blossom Day. Somerset Wildlife Trust lead environmental activities for children At Glastonbury Abbey. To book phone 01458 832267.

Petherton Picture Show Film Quiz In aid of the support The David Hall Campaign. Teams of up to four people. 01460 24034. 7.30pm for a prompt start. www.the davidhall.org.uk.
Music Gig on Millenium Green Bridport. Music Gig to support the commemoration of the Rex Trevett Memorial.

Annual British Legion Sponsored Walk Bridport. Meet at Bucky Doo Square outside the Town Hall at 9.45am for this circular 11 mile walk which takes in 5 pubs. 01308 424230.

Bridgend Male Choir Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis. Concert in aid of The Lyme Regis Organ Appeal. Starts 7pm. 01297 442138.

Boys' Day: Japanese Flying Carp Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. In Japan, boys' Day is celebrated by flying paper carp. You don't have to be a boy to come and make a flying fish! 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org.

National Low Tide Day
Meet at Chesil Beach Centre at 11 00 am. It's a good idea to wear Wellingtons or plastic sandals, 01305 760579.

Blagovest Concert at the Parish Church, Ottery St Mary. 7.30pm. The St Petersburg Blogovest Ensemble are coming to the parish church. They are bass, baritone, tenor, mezzo-soprano and soprano, conducted by Olga Kozlova. Blagovest sings sacred music. Russia'a sacred choral music and folk music. Contact Ottery TIC.

Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. 10am.

Allington Strings Spring Concert music by Handel, Parry, Telemann, Faure and Holst. 7.30pm St John's Church, West Bay. Tickets available from Bridport Music, The Book Shop and West Bay Stores.

The Purbeck Village Quire in St Martin's Church Broadmayne 7.30pm. Singing: "Around the Year with the village Quire" including music of the villages, both church and folk, that was sung to mark the seasons of the year. Tickets from the Corner House Stores, Broadmayne Tel: Anne 01305 853074 or Eleanor 01305 853765. All proceeds to St Martin's Church.

The Popular Fayre Chard Guildhall. doors open at 9am - 12.45pm. A mixture of homemade goods and crafts, jewellery, books, sweets, tombola and Bric-a- Brac.
Councillors Surgery will be held in the Town Hall at The Guildhall Chard from 10am til11am.

Sat 3 - Sun 4
Charmouth Fossil Festival weekend of events for all ages with an interest in fossils, dinosaurs and the "Jurassic Coast" World Heritage Site, with events running from 10.30am - 4.30pm on both days. www.charmouth.org. 01297 560772 or info@charmouth.org.

Plant Sale Royal Oak, Over Stratton. 10.30am-1.30pm. Lots of perennials, many unusual, also tomatoes etc. In aid of Ilminster Lions Club.

Until Sunday 4
Chideock Roman Catholic Church will be one of the venues on the 'Newbery Trail' when the Sacristy will be opened specially to visitors on Wednesdays and Sundays 2 -4pm. There will be an opportunity to see Fra. Newbery's painting of the Chideock Martyrs as well as access to the site of the original barn church. In an upper room of the original barn, Mass was said in secret for about 170 years after Chideock Castle was destroyed. (Chideock Castle can also be seen in Fra. Newbery's painting with Chideock village, Golden Cap and the sea beyond).

Saturday 3 - Monday 5
Optimist Selections Regatta Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. Website: www.wpnsa.org.uk

Kite Festival Fairground Weymouth Pavilion Forecourt.
Bridport Arts Society Art Exhibition. Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury. 10am to 5pm. everyday. Donations welcome. Local artists.

Sunday 4
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.10am.
Craft Fair Branscombe Village Hall. 10am-5pm. Refreshments available. Enquiries to Jean & Wendy Clarke 01395 568815.

International Fireworks Weymouth Bay 9.30pm.

Singing and ringing at Radipole on international dawn chorus day (RSPB). 5 am-8 am. Booking essential Tel: 01305 778313. Please wear boots, as some of this event will be off the main pathways Meet at the RSPB Radipole Lake visitor centre, Swannery car park, Weymouth DT4 7TZ.

Axminster Conducted Walk from Axminster to Hawkchurch, 8 miles. Meet 10.30am at Axminster Coombe Lane car park. Contact John at Axminster Town Council on 01297 34444 for further information.

Portland 10K Road Race Portland Football Club, Grove Road, Portland. Race organised by Royal Manor of Portland AC. www.rmpac.co.uk.

Frome Valley Food Fest and Dorset Knob Throwing Cattistock 10am -4pm. Besides Knob Throwing there will be additional fun knob attractions including Knob Painting, a Knob & Spoon Race, Knob Darts, a Knob Pyramid and guess the weight of the Big Knob. Also the Frome Valley Food Fest will feature over 30 producers from the Dorset & Somerset area. 01300 320404.

Bridgend Male Choir St Michael's Church, Church Street, Lyme Regis Concert in aid of The Lyme Regis Organ Appeal. Starts 4pm. 01297 442138.

Sunday Strolls with the Ramblers Association Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, From the centre of Bridport at 2.30pm. About 2 hours. 01308 863754.

Walking with map-reading with leader Marion Langridge. 10am-4.30pm, Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684.

Dorset NCCPG Annual Plant Sale 10.30am - 3pm, Athelhampon House, nr Puddletown, Over 20 specialist nurseries and members' stall and new this year, Gardeners' Tombola (every ticket wins a prize!) Free parking, refreshments and the chance to enjoy the lovely house and gardens and buy rare/unusual plants and shrubs. Members free, concessions for NCCPG programme leaflet holders (tel: 01305 833538) or with Dorset Gardens Open Yellow Book.

Sunday 4 - Monday 5
International Beach Kite Festival Weymouth Beach.

Monday 5
Cotley Point to Point meeting includes pony racing. First race 1.30pm. Cotley, nr Chard. Secretary Mr A Palmer. 01935 817692.

Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.10.30am.

Llama Experience at The Llama Day, West Bay, Bridport. Meet Cusco the llama and his chums. Refreshments and stalls from 10am at The Salt House. All proceeds in aid of Wawa. Further details from 01308 485207.

Axmouth Village Show Committee: Fund Raising Coffee Morning at The Harbour Inn Axmouth 10 -12, Plants, Books, Stalls and Childrens Maypole Dancing.

Museums in Somerset - Cultural Heritage Roadshow in Glastonbury Abbey grounds. 11am until 5pm. Museums from all over Somerset will be showing you what they have to offer, with activities for all the family. Plus Living History demonstrations during the day. No unaccompanied children.

May Fair Bridport
Morris Men, Maypole, May Queen, Music by St Swithun's Band, Stalls, Barbeque and Cream Teas on Millennium Green. 11.30-4pm.

Gartell Light Railway Open Day Yenston, nr Templecombe. Narrow gauge steam on the old Somerset & Dorset Railway. Visitor Centre, lakeside picnic area. Open 10.30am - 4.30pm. 01963 370752. www.glr-online.co.uk.

Xtreme Trails Motorcycle Stunt Show Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford Two of the world's best stunt riders perform their Xtreme Stunt Show. 01963 440804. www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk.

Tuesday 6
Antiques Fair 9am-4pm Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. 01297 442138. www.marinetheatre.com.

Mosterton Art Group meeting 7.30pm at the village hall. Demonstration 'Buildings in pastel' by Barrie Watkin. All welcome. 01308 868073. Other Tuesdays in the month are afternoon practical sessions, some tutored (2-4pm). All welcome.

Ottery St Mary Gardening Club invite you to an evening with Mrs Anne Swithinbank speaking 'My Devon Garden' at The Institute 7pm. Contact Ottery TIC.
Undercliff Walk Lyme Regis Meet at Monmouth Beach car park, booking essential. 01395 517557. www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside.

Wednesday 7
Wednesday Afternoon Walks at the Kingcombe Centre Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. Bird ringing at Kingcombe. 2.15 - 4.30pm. Telephone to confirm details. 01300 320684 www.kingcombecentre.org.uk.

Remember When Show A Neil Sands production. Corn Exchange, Dorchester. Two hours of music, memories, nostalgia and good old fashioned fun. Starts 2.30pm. Tickets on sale at Dorchester TIC. 01305 267992 www.therememberwhenshow.com.

Thursday 8
The Wessex Area Champion Hunters' Steeple Chase Final (Class 3) Wincanton Racecourse.

Thorncombe Village Trust AGM followed by Cheese and wine and a quiz. Thorncombe Village Hall, nr Chard. 7.30pm.

Spring flowers and bird song in the Undercliffs 10am - 4pm. National Nature Reserve. A long distance walk for experienced walkers. Packed lunch and stout footwear is essential.

Organised by EDDC and Natural England. Please book in advance: 01395 517557.

Music at the Minster 24th Season A Musical Menagerie by The Cameo Singers. Director Andrew Downie, Janet Webber on piano.12.30-1pm, Minster Church Axminster, followed by lunch at five past one. Enquiries to Simon Byworth 01297 35310.

To round off the Hinton Festival. St George's Church, Hinton St George, Somerset.
The Sunset Cafe Stompers play at a Traditional Jazz Family Service with choir. 10am. Rosemary Tout, Churchwarden; Veronica James, Rector Tel: 73226.

East Coker Gardening Club talk Den Bridell on 'Somerset Wildlife'. 7.30pm, East Coker Hall. New members and visitors are always welcome. Enquiries to the Secretary, Catherine Denney on 01935 862294 or to the Treasurer, Stan Shayler on 01935 420291.

Eckhart Tolle. Study Group. Tel 01297 23607 for further information.

Friday 9
Lyme Bay Photographic Club Margaret Jenkins judging competitions for trophies and cups. 7.30pm Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis. Contact Programme Secretary Ian Bolton on 01297 442288.

Chard History Group Annual Dinner at The Lordleaze Hotel Chard - 6.45 for 7.15pm. Guest Speaker will be Patrick Shooter with the tale of an Irish Adventurer - Hero or Villain? Details 01460 65443.

The Black Curtain presented by Angel Exit Theatre Company. 7.30pm New Theatre, Exeter. Box Office 01392 277189. The Black Curtain is inspired by classic film noir such as Double Indemnity and The Big Sleep. The language evokes Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, with music inspired by Mancini and Miles Davis and stories influenced by today's headlines.

A Summer Entertainment at St Antony's School, Leweston, Nr. Sherborne A concert of words and music performed by The Trinity Singers. Proceeds in aid of Friends of West Dorset Citizens Advice Bureaux. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets 01935 812924.

Willow Garden Sculptures with Sarah Meikle. Learn the basic techniques of working with willow then use the skills to create your choice of items which could be an arbour for climbing plants, an animal or bird or a hanging basket for trailing plants. Sarah will give you plenty of ideas and encouragement to make something which will really enhance your garden and is practical as well as decorative. 10am - 3.30pm. The Magdalen Project, Magdalen Farm, Winsham, 01460 30144.
www.themagdalenproject.org.uk,

Fri 9 - Sun 11
Flower Festival at St Michael's Anglican Parish Church in Lyme Regis. 10am - 6pm, (12noon - 6pm on Sunday). Come and enjoy the beauty and the buzz at St Michael's: some favourite hymns skilfully interpreted by our local flower arrangers. All funds raised for the fabric fund of the Church. For further information contact Ann Sargant on 01297 445922.

Art in Nature. Practical weekend course for all abilities, making art from found natural materials in the beautiful grounds of Monkton Wyld Court. With Ruby Taylor. At Monkton Wyld Court near Axminster. Contact 01297 560342 to book or visit www.monktonwyldcourt.org.

Soulwave ­ Wild Fire and May Flower. A weekend of Œ5 Rhythms¹ dance and ritual theatre with Julie Deal. At Monkton Wyld Court nearvAxminster. Contact 01297 560342 to book or visit www.monktonwyldcourt.org.

Saturday 10
Spring Flowers Walk enjoy an amble over a carpet of flowers. Meet 2.30pm, Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Beach Road, Portland. 01305 760579. www.chesilbeach.org.

Charity Auction of paintings and photographs by professional and amateur artists. To be conducted by Chilcotts Auctioneers & Valuers, from 8pm, The Hare & Hounds Inn, Putts Corner, Sidbury. Auction lots may be previewed from 11am in the marquee at the Hare and Hound or on the website www.farway-art.co.uk.

Thai Barbeque Cooking Course at Marsh Barn, Burton Rd. Bridport from 1.00-4.00pm. 01460 76391 or www.thaicooking4you.co.uk.

Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly two stalwarts of the British R&B scene, two great voices. 8pm. The David Hall. Tickets from N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk. Roundwell Street, South Petherton, The David Hall, Somerset, TA13 5AA. www.the davidhall.org.uk.

Dunn, Horler, Dankworth and Coe 8pm, Portesham Village Hall. 01305 871780. An Artsreach Production.

West Dorset Group of Somerset & Dorset Family History Society 2pm - 4.15pm at Salway Ash Village Hall. Talk by Robert Curtis on 'Turnpikes and Dorset Coaching Days'. All Welcome. For more information contact John Marshall 01935 825098.

Festival Concert St Michael's Church, Church Street, Lyme Regis. Concert by the Lyme Bay Chorale, 7.30pm. All proceeds to fabric of the church fund. 01297 442596.

Not Made in China + Nick Tatham Royal British Legion Hall, Victoria Grove, Bridport Rising young acoustic band. Tickets from Bridport Record Centre. 7.30pm. 01308 425707. www.myspace.com/manufacturedintheuk.

Coffee Morning/Plant Sale at Orchard Green, Wiggaton, nr Ottery St Mary. 10am. Contact the TIC.

Blackdown Hills AONB Stockland Area Walk 10am, A moderate walk around Stockland parish and along the Corry Brook. Meet at Stockland village hall car park. Contact Gill Thomas 01404 861406.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society Bring and Buy Spring Plant Sale, 10-11.30am. Uplyme Village Hall.

Whitford Village Produce Association Plant Sale in Village Hall, 10am.

Sherborne Jazz Club
at the White Hart Inn, Bishops Caundle, Near Sherborne. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets on the door. 01963 - 23301. John Law Trio Art of Noise. www.myspace.com/johnlawmusic.

The Garden Fair 10am-4pm, Colyton , Grammar School, Colyford, Devon. Over 40 stalls offering a variety of quality plant specimens, garden products and craft items; many of which are indoors. Also there will be cream teas, a BBQ, entertainment including the Sidmouth Steppers and the Colyton Grammar School Belly Dancers, a raffle, a cake stall, a children's indoor fun area and much more! For further information please contact 01297- 553211. Sponsored by Fortnam Smith & Banwell Estate Agents 01297 23939. The Garden Shop, Colyton 01297 551113.

Spring Flowers Walk
Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre at 2.30 pm and enjoy a slow amble over a carpet of flowers. The most popular of which is the Thrift, covering the pebbles with a pink haze. Other flowers to look for will be Sea Campion, Yellow Horn Poppy, Glass Wort and other salt marsh plants. For further information phone: 01305 760579.

Saturday 10 - Sunday 11
Rustic Hazelwood Furniture Workshop Highway Farm, Bridport A two day furniture making workshop with tutor Peter Moors. Please bring lunch. 10am - 5pm. 01308 424321 www.highwayfarm.co.uk

Olympic Classes Regatta Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. www.wpnsa.org.uk.

Sidbury Watermill, nr Sidmouth open to visitors 2-5pm as part of National Mills Weekend when many wind and watermills throughout Britain open their doors to visitors. Mill tours throughout the afternoon with teas served in the Kingfisher Gallery and an exhibition for spring of wildlife paintings by Devon artist Neil Cox.

Sunday 11
Plant & Produce Sale 2pm - 4pm. In St Martin's Community Hall Broadmayne. Come and buy all you need for your garden as well as home made cakes and preserves and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. For further information contact Sylvia Dooley 01305 852866.

Specialist Plant Fair Minterne House, Minterne Magna To coincide with Minterne Magna Village open day. 01935 421389.

Methera Contemporary folk music from a groundbreaking string quartet. Four dynamic folk musicians - John Dipper, Emma Reid, Miranda Rutter and Lucy Deakin on tour with their new CD. www.methera.co.uk
Jubilee Hall, Winsham, 7.30pm. Tickets from Winsham village stores or info on 01460 30283.

Plant & Craft Fair Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester. 01305 215003. www.kmc.ac.uk.

Circle Dancing Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis. Learn European, Middle eastern and Balkan dances as well as modern Circle Dances. 2-4pm. 01297 444635.

Paws in the Park Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth. 5 mile sponsored dog walk through the grounds of Lulworth Castle in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust 01305 215315. www.weld-hospice.org.uk.

Monday 12
Methera Contemporary folk music from a groundbreaking string quartet. Four dynamic folk musicians - John Dipper, Emma Reid, Miranda Rutter and Lucy Deakin on tour with their new CD. www.methera.co.uk. House concert Leigh, nr. Sherborne, 7.30pm. Tickets 07751 123812.

Axminster Operatic Society Rehearsals start for this great show at Axminster Conservative Club at 7.30pm. The show week is November 12th -15th 2008. More details from Rose Harvey 01308 425381.

Monday 12 - Tuesday 13
Blood Donors sessions will be held at The Guildhall Chard.

Tuesday 13
Beaminster & District Camera Club Annual General Meeting. 7.30pm The Strode Room, Church Street, Beaminster. Contact Hon. Secretary Harry Worthington 01308 862453. Visitors welcome.

Methera Contemporary folk music from a groundbreaking string quartet. Four dynamic folk musicians - John Dipper, Emma Reid, Miranda Rutter and Lucy Deakin on tour with their new CD. www.methera.co.uk. House concert - Chilson, nr. Chard, 7.00pm. Tickets 01460 221368.

Bridport History Society 'In the Wake of the Cockleshell Heroes' by Roger and Sandra Downton at 2.30pm, Bridport United Church Hall, East St. A true wartime story. All welcome. 01308 488034 or 456876.

Matock Gardening Society talk 'Stourhead' by Mike McCormack, Property Manager of Stourhead gardens. 7.30pm Martock School. Bring a plate for a shared supper. Contact Sheila Heaven on 01935 822018.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School presents Cider with Rosie, By Laurie Lee. Adapted by Nick Darke. 8pm. The David Hall. Tickets from N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk. Roundwell Street, South Petherton, The David Hall, Somerset, TA13 5AA. www.the davidhall.org.uk.

Tuesday 13 May - Tuesday 20 May
Portland Stone Carving Festival As the beginning of a proposed project for a monument which would depict images of extinct plant and animal species a stone carving festival is planned on the east coast of Portland on 16-18 May. Free Park & Ride bus from New Ground opposite Portland Heights Hotel. Talks at Royal Manor College, Portland 7.30pm on 13,16,17 and 18 May and plays (same venue and time) on 19 /20 May. More details from Wendy and Mike Kelly 01305 775363.

Wednesday 14
'What World Heritage Site Designation means to Devon' illustrated talk by Dr Sam Rose (Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Coordinator) in Colyton Sports Centre, Coly Road, Colyton at 7.30pm. All welcome, small donation requested, wine and cheese will be served from 6.45pm. Organised by the Devonshire Association, Axe Valley Branch (information 01297 678529).

Wednesday Afternoon Walks at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. Butterflies of Lankham Bottom. 2.15 - 4.30pm. Telephone to confirm details. 01300 320684 www.kingcombecentre.org.uk.

Hawkchurch Garden Club 7.30pm, Victorian Walled Gardens, Garden Club, Hawkchurch Village Hall. 01297 23784.

Early Music Concert in aid of Exeter Leukaemia Fund played by Rose Consort of Viols at 7.30pm at The Ottery St Mary Parish Church Tickets available from Information Centre .

Honiton and the Arts series of lectures. 'Books and Libraries' by Jenny Woods MBE, Librarian, Honiton Library. 7pm The Library, New Street. Honiton. 01404 42957.

Weston & Banwell Harriers Point to Point meeting includes pony racing. First race 5pm. Cothelstone, nr Taunton, Secretray Mr J Fear. 01278 783261.

Thursday 15
Bridport and District Gardening Club 7.30pm WI Hall, North Street, Bridport. 'Fruit and Flowers in Art' by Jack Thomas.

Chard Camera Club's competition evening. The Special Subject is "Flowers". in print and slide format. There are also Open Competitions in Slide and Print Format. New Members are always welcome. Meet at The Baptist Church Holyrood Street Chard at 7:30pm for 8pm start.Further information can be obtained from Membership Secretary Peter Partridge on 01460 66885.

Music at the Minster 24th Season 2 Violins and a Piano. Holly Chapman violin, Rachel Burrouh violin, Margaret Hurford, piano. 12.30-1pm, Minster Church Axminster, followed by lunch at five past one. Enquiries to Simon Byworth 01297 35310.

Sustainable Ottery's official launch. Rob Hopkins, the originator of the Transition Town concept will be the keynote speaker. 7.30pm at the Kings School, Ottery St Mary. Working towards buying green energy as a community (and generating own in the future); investigating community ownership and development of the factory site; ending the use of plastic bags in the town and looking at ways of improving local community food production.

May Plant Sale Ding Gardening Club. The oldest established annual plant sale in the local area, offering you a diverse range of plants: annual and herbaceous, shrubs and vegetables, houseplants and sundries. Victory Hall, Horton. 7.30pm prompt start. Further details from the Ding chairman on 01460 54509.

Sherborne Comedy Powell Theatre, Sherborne Stand up comedy with Craig Campbell, support by Tom Deacon. Doors & bar 7.30pm, show starts 8pm. 01935 810579. www.powelltheatre.co.uk

Thursday 15 -Saturday 17
Devon County Show at Westpoint Clyst St Mary, Nr Ottery St Mary.

Thursday 15 - Saturday 24
The 24th Honiton Festival A celebration of Musical Materpieces performed by internationally renowned artists and rising stars of the music world. For more information, please visit www.thehonitonfestival.co.uk. To book tickets or request a brochure please phone the Box Office on 01404 43716 (Honiton Tourist Information Centre, Lace Walk Car Park, Honiton EX14 1LT).

Friday 16
Charterhouse Auctions Sherborne Antiques, Silver, Plate & Jewellery. Viewing Wednesday from 10am to 4pm and Thursday from 10am to 7pm. Sales start on Friday at 10am, with viewing from 8.30am to 10.45am. 01935 812277. www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk.

Hawkchurch History Society Slide and talk about Thomas Hardy, the man, the novelist, the poet and his life at Higher Bockhampton, Casterbrid-ge and Max Gate by Mr Jack Thomas. A selection of some of Hardy's finest poetry written on the death of his wife Emma Gifford in 1912, will be read. 7.30pm, Hawkchurch Village Hall. Refreshments, non members welcome.

Area 52, a fabulous 10 piece function band are playing at The Woodroffe School Hall, 7.30 for 8pm. This is a music department fund-raiser and it'll be a blast! Come and dance 'til you drop. Licensed Bar. Tickets in advance from school reception 01297 442232 or Wendy on 01404 881207. Check out www.lemonrock.com/area52 for some rave reviews!!

Tanglefoot With over 20 years of performing under their belt, this Canadian roots institution is stronger than ever. This is a thunderous live band with a reputation for spectacular vocal harmonies. a band of adept songwriters who specialize in portraying their homeland through intelligent, well-written folk-influenced songs played with hell-bent, rampaging abandon. 8pm. The David Hall. Tickets from N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk. Roundwell Street, South Petherton, The David Hall, Somerset, TA13 5AA. www.the davidhall.org.uk.

The Dolmen live The Ropemakers, West St, Bridport. Starts at 9pm. 01308 421255.

Friday 16 - Sunday 18
Sacred Tree. An exploration of 13 native trees drawing on ancient tree myths and legends and ŒTree Ogham¹. With author and illustrator
Glennie Kindred. At Monkton Wyld Court near Axminster. Contact 01297 560342 to book or visit www.monktonwyldcourt.org.

Saturday 17
Dance Ballroom, Latin & some Sequence Uplyme Village Hall
8pm - 11pm. In aid of Hall funds.

New Elizabethan Singers of Bridport present Mozart Vespers 'Solennes de Confessore', Vaughan Williams 'Pilgrim's Journey'. 7.30pm St Mary's Church Bridport. Soloists Abi Temple soprano, Amy Payne mezzo-soprano, Thomas Hobbs tenor and James Davis bass. Organist Graham Scott. Tickets from Goadsby's South St, Bridport, 01308 455455, Washingpool Farm Shop 01308 459549 or at the door.

Chaffcombe Produce, Plant Sale and Coffee morning 10.30am Village Hall, set up from 6.30pm on 16th. All proceeds to St Michael and All Angels Church, Chaffcombe. Offers of help and more information 01460 65058.

Thorncombe Village Trust Plant Sale and coffee morning and more! 10-12 noon. Thorncombe Village Hall, nr Chard. All Welcome.

Harley Davidson Parade and Bike Show Lodmoor Country Park Events Area. Parade of over 400 gleaming Harley Davidson bikes parade along the Weymouth Seafront at approx 12.30pm before forming up as a static display at the Lodmoor Event Area.

Jumble Sale in aid of Cancer Research UK (Seaton and Axmouth branch) to be held at Seaton Town Hall from 10 am to 12 pm. Contact Paula Vickers for Cancer Research UK. 01297 23217.

y'Strel's Band present 'There's more to 17th May than a cup final' at Eype Church Centre for the Arts, Lower Eype, Bridport. 7.30pm. Tickets from Bridport Tourist Information Centre (01308 242901) One evening in the month of May.... a collective of local singers and musicians coming together to celebrate the goings on in May, weaving an evening of musical story-telling through traditional and contemporary songs. with John Bullock - Helen Coombs - Trilby Fairfax - Peter Dellensen

Bridport Choral Society Spring Concert 7.30 pm at Bridport United Church. An evening of Light Entertainment. Mr David Knight is the new Musical Director whose dynamic personality and demand for perfection should ensure a good standard of singing. Assisted on the piano by Mr David Illingworth.
Contact: 01308 427858. Songs and music from Gilbert & Sullivan and Lloyd Webber.

Ottery St Mary Gardening Club Plant Sale and Coffee Morning at the Institute 10.00am. Contact the TIC.

Blackdown Hills AONB Spring flowers and natural history. 2pm A walk at Otterhead Lakes. Meet at the lodge car park. Contact AONB office 01823 680681.

Dance - Mainly Ballroom Lyme Regis Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Regis. Dance - Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Everyone welcome, 8pm start. 01297 442439.

Tutankhamun by Candlelight Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester tying in with the Museums at Night initiative, the Tutankhamun Exhibition will be open this Sat evening. 01305 269571. www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk.

Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.10am.

Dorset History Forum Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Research. Forum from 10am-5pm at the Corn Exchange, Blandford. Members can book from the Dorset History Forum, c/o the Treasurer, Wilton Cottage, West Lulworth, Dorset BH20 5SA. philroberts@connectfree.co.uk

Loders School May Fair, 2-4pm Loders School, Loders.

Saturday 17 - Sunday 18
Beach Tag Rugby. Weymouth Beach.

Two one-day workshops at Rainbow's End, Branscombe - The Roles played in our Lives by Angels and Guides.

Basket making course with professional basket maker Malcolm Seal in his workshop near Bridport. www.malcolmseal.co.uk or 01308 485515.

Sunday 18
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.10am.
Craft Fair Branscombe Village Hall. 10am-5pm. Refreshments available. Enquiries to Jean & Wendy Clarke 01395 568815.

Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction, Stoford: Train and Model Engineering Day, 10am to 4.30pm. 01935-410420 for recorded information.

Dorset Vintage Motorcycle Club Weymouth Run
Annual motorcycle run, 70 miles through the Dorset countryside, open to vintage motorcycle club members riding motorcycles at least 25 years old.

TOY Car Rally - Meet the Club Day - Jubilee Clock, Weymouth. 10am to 4 pm. www.toydorset.co.uk

Digital photography at Lodmoor (RSPB) 10 am-12 noon. Booking essential: Tel: 01305 778313. Local photographer Edward Flatters will be giving his tips and hints on how to get that perfect picture. Bring your camera and meet at the main reserve entrance off the A353 Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset. Parking is available at the pay & display beach car park.

May Mad Hatters 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth.
Sunday Strolls with the Ramblers Association Bucky Doo Square, Bridport. From the centre of Bridport at 2.30pm. Each walk takes about 2 hours. 01308 863754.

Sing Your Hearts Out! a day workshop with Sammy Hurden, 10am - 4pm. Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684.

Exemption Dog Show in aid of Wawa, Nettlecombe near Bridport. Gates open from 11am. Breed and Novelty classes. Stalls and refreshments. Details from 01308 485271.

Sunday18 - Saturday 31
Charity Art Exhibition organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum in aid of the Museum Extension Fund. Tulips Gallery, Broad Street, 11am to 5pm daily. All paintings by Royal Academicians or Members of the New English Art Club. For further information contact Margaret Rose 01297 445503.

Monday 19
Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society coach outing with Axminster Horticultural Society to Upwey Wishing Well.

Moth Identification Evening at The Magdalen Project starting at 8.30pm. A mercury vapour moth trap will be used to attract insects for identification before release. Information will be given on all species that come to the light. This is followed by a reviving hot drink and piece of home-made cake. 01460 30144 to book. Event is weather dependent so telephone first to check

Tuesday 20
Mosterton Horticultural Society Plants worth knowing - Michael Pollock. 7.30pm Mosterton Village Hall. Visitors and non members welcome. 01308 868798.

Guided Wildlife Walk at The Magdalen Project, Winsham from 2 to 4 pm. The walk will focus on integrating organic farm practice with wildlife conservation. A delicious cream tea in the Centre afterwards. Wellies advisable. Ring 01460 30144 to book places.

Wednesday 21
Thorncombe Rail Activities Club 'Some experiences of a Mobile Ops Manager on Network Rail' by Robin Heyd-Smith. 7.30pm, Thorncombe Village Hall (near Chard) All welcome. Contact Michael Sheasby 01460 30474.

Wednesday Afternoon Walks at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. Early Summer Flowers at Powerstock. 2.15 - 4.30pm. Telephone to confirm details. 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk.

Illustrated talk - Temples of Convenience Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. Talk by Lucinda Lambton on the history of the lavatory. Starts 6.30pm. 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org.

Tea 'n' Talks at Otter Nurseries, nr Ottery St Mary. The Organic Kitchen at 4.00pm.

Thursday 22
Beginners Bread Making with Tracey Smith, BBC broadcaster & Downshifting expert
Tracey will take the fear out of bread making and teach you all you need to know about basic bread making plus a more exotic recipe.10am - 3.30pm. The Magdalen Project, Magdalen Farm, Winsham, 01460 30144.
www.themagdalenproject.org.uk.

Music at the Minster 24th Season Tribute to Dance Bands & Crooners of the 40s & 50s. Mike Collins, the old crooner. 12.30-1pm, Minster Church Axminster, followed by lunch at five past one. Enquiries to Simon Byworth 01297 35310.

Beaminster One World Fellowship Guantanamo Bay and the Secret Prisons, speaker Clive Stafford Smith, Director of the charity Reprieve, human rights lawyer representing prisoners on Death Row and in Guantanamo Bay. 7.30pm Strode Room, Church St, Beaminster. Enquiries to Peter Glanville 01308 458283.

Waterlands the latest RSPB wildlife film, capturing some of the UK's most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles, filmed at some of the RSPB's most beautiful and famous reserves. 7.30pm. The Henhayes Centre, South Street car park, Crewkerne. Everyone welcome. 01460 240740.

Sunray Folk Club, Broadmayne Village Hall, DT2 8EW. First Year Party with Paul Downes and much more inc Nicola Clark. Bob Kirkpatrick, Sunray Folk Club. Broadmayne Village Hall. Every 4th Thursday. 07786 654 074.

Methera Contemporary folk music from a groundbreaking string quartet. Four dynamic folk musicians - John Dipper, Emma Reid, Miranda Rutter and Lucy Deakin on tour with their new CD. www.methera.co.uk Ridgeway Hall, Langport, 8.00pm. Tickets 07751 123812.

An evening with Jason Carter, a very talented guitarist, (and raconteur) who has agreed to perform a selection of his own and other works in the Kilmington Village Hall at 7.30pm. In aid of the Axminster Twinning Association to raise money for a local musicians to travel to Douvres la Delivandre in France for the Twinning Event in July. Tickets from Hurfords Stores Kilmington and Archway Bookshop Axminster.

The National Trust Blackmore Vale and Yeovil Local Centre Visit to The Great Britain and The Floating Harbour at Bristol.

Concerts in the West Programme 7.30pm Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. Anna Devin soprano, Aoife O'Sullivan piano.

Western Women performed reading and music, Anne Jellicoe + Tim Laycock, Dorset County Museum, 7.30pm, doors 7pm. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 1305 266926.

Cider with Rosie presented by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Frampton Village Hall. 01300 320607. An Artsreach production.

22 - 24 May
TWO Jim Cartwright
presented by Cygnet Company. 7.30pm, New Theatre, Exeter. Box Office 01392 277189.TWO is set in a typical Northern Pub. Over the course of the night we meet the eclectic customers and staff, Fourteen characters - including the pub's warring landlord and landlady, an ageing womaniser, a troubled old man and a lost Elvis fan - are all played by just four actors who take the audience through a whole range of emotions from misery to joy. A hilarious and moving play, guaranteed to touch a nerve in anyone who sees it

22 - 26 May
Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Friday 23
Lyme Bay Photographic Club Mounted print folios, judged by Eric Hawkins and end of season awards. 7.30pm Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis. Contact Programme Secretary Ian Bolton on 01297 442288.

Fashion Show Dorset County Museum, Dorchester Ladies' summer clothes at 50% off in-store prices. Starts 7pm. 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org.

The Magic of Fish & Chips at 7.30pm at the Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dorchester. Bring the whole family to watch top Magic Circle entertainer, Paul Hyland, keep us all spellbound while we tuck into a delicious fish and chip supper! Paul's act is aptly named 'Art of the Impossible' and is a mix of stage and close-up magic. You must book at least a week in advance. info@brownswordevents.org.uk, or by phone on 01305 257485 or 01305 756502. Tickets will also be on sale at Poundbury Florist & House of Dorchester Chocolate Factory.

The Shaston Jazz and Swing Band - come and listen to jazz in The Rectory Garden in Frampton. You can bring along a picnic and there will be a licenced bar. For advance booking and ticket sales please contact Sally Turner on 01300 320116 or Karen Graham on 01300 320824. Gates open at 5.30pm. All proceeds will go to St. Mary's Church, Frampton.

Abacadabra - Art of the Impossible Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester Magic and Mystery show. Starts 7:30pm. 01305 257485.

Market 2 -3.30pm, St Martin's Community Hall Broadmayne, (next to the Church) Raffle, craft, plants, books, Jigsaws Cards, local trout, sausages & eggs, cakes and preserves, local Asparagus and a chance to sit and chat with a cup of tea or coffee. All proceeds for St Martin's Community Hall. For further information please contact Sylvia Dooley 01305 852886.

Terry Saunders Missed Connections is the story of a young woman called Ethel, who is obsessed with the 'I Saw You' style adverts in newspaers. She is desperate to be noticed by someone so every day she wears or carries something outrageous.... 9pm, Dorchester Arts Centre, School Lane, The Grove, Dorchester. 01305 266926. A Dorchester Festival 2008 event.

Concerts in the West Programme 8pm Meeting House Arts Centre, Ilminster
Anna Devin soprano, Aoife O'Sullivan piano.

Wow musical theatre/cabaret, 7pm, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Friday 23 - Wednesday 26
South Petherton Art Society Paintings Exhibition and sale at the Blake Hall, Market Square, South Petherton. Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon open 10am to 5pm. Preview Evening at 7pm on Thursday 22nd May tickets from N&D News, St James's St, the Publicity Secretary 01460 249 107 or a few at the door.

Saturday 24
Ottery St Mary Parish Church May Fair At Cadhay Elizabethan Manor House/Gardens.

Book sale & coffee morning, For Amnesty International, Lyme Regis, 2 Sherborne Lane, 10 am - noon.

South Somerset Peace Group Peace Vigil, Crewkerne in front of Victoria Hall 11-12 noon.

Binocular and telescope demo day at Radipole Lake (RSPB) 10 am-4 pm (arrive any time between). 01305 778313. A fantastic opportunity to get free expert advice and try out a wide range of binoculars and telescopes. Find the right optical equipment to make your wildlife watching experiences truly magical. Meet at the RSPB Radipole Lake visitor centre, Swannery car park, Weymouth DT4 7TZ.

Garden Festival & Auction 10am - 5pm at the Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel, Yeovil, Somerset. 01935 850266. Includes Garden Tours, Exhibition and sales of work by international artists and craftsmen, Auctions of goods and promises, Storytelling, Plants and Produce Sales, Information on therapies and training courses.. All proceeds will to the Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre Charitable Trust No: 800412 helping us to help others live life to the full. The Garden Festival & Auction celebrates the Centre's 20th anniverary in the village of Queen Camel, providing healing, counselling, retreats, training, and also includes providing bursaries and respite care for those in need.

Sherborne Jazz Club White Hart Inn, Bishops Caundle, Dylan Howe Quartet. Doors open 7.30pm. 01963 23301.

Beaminster Singers' Spring Concert St. Mary's Church, Beaminster. 7.30pm. Tickets from the Church Office, Beaminster or from Mandy Alford (01308 488 635) or Barry Rutherford (01300 321267).

Fossil Walk around Herbury Peninsula
meet at the field gate just before the Moonfleet Hotel, (Grid Ref. SY619807) at 2pm. Maybe you could find a fossilised Jurassic shellfish called at Brachilpod, or a Belamite or one of the other fossils found in this area. For further information 01305 760579

Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.1.30pm.

Samba Band Procession starts 12.30pm. Dorchester Corn Exchange, arrvies 1pm Borough Gardens.

Fiesta Cubano 1-5pm, Dorchester Borough Gardens. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Drum Circle workshop Putting Green, Dorchester, 4.30pm, Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Steven Berkoff Masterclass Dorchester Arts Centre, 4-5.30pm, Limited spaces. Talk 7pm 'My Life in Food'. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.
Show of Hands + Miranda Sykes English Folk Music, 8pm, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Candles to St Catherine's presented by Abbotsbury Heritage Fayre at St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury. Ecumenical service 7.30pm. 1000 memorial candles lit at dusk. Candles available from 01305 871085/871183 or any member of the Fayre team. All proceeds are for the St Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury, Fabric Fund.

Satuday 24 - Sunday 25
Cadet Class Selections - Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. Website: www.wpnsa.org.uk.

Saturday 24 -Monday 26
Marshwood Goes Green St Mary's Church, Marshwood 10am - 6pm. Displays and flowers, etc portraying simple ways to help the environment locally. Songs of Praise on Sunday 25th at 6pm.

Tutankhamun Treasure Hunt The Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Dorcheter. Crack the code to enter a prize draw! One lucky person each day will win a special prize. 01305 269571. www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk.

Saturday 24 - Sunday 1 June
Blackdown Hills food and drink festival a week of events, tastings and special menues at local restaurants, pubs and farms. Contact www.blackdownhillsfoods.co.uk, or Nick Strange at Beech Hayes Farm 01823 601565, email: beechhayes@aol.com.

Traditional Games - Portland Castle. Visit during Whitsun half term and enjoy playing traditional games such as croquet, buoits and giant jenga. www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Saturday 24 - Sunday 8
June Dorset Art Weeks 2008 Various venues across Dorset. www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk or www.dorsetvisualarts.org see p. 64

Exhibition by Local Artists Celebrating Creation St John's Church, West Bay, Bridport, weekdays and Sats 9am-5pm, Suns 1-5pm. Donations in support of Julia's House, Dorset's Children's Hospice. Everyone welcome. 01308 423475.

Sunday 24 May - mid July
Abbotsbury Village Festival The first Abbotsbury Village Festival promises to be a kaleidoscope of activities and events to excite the imagination with something to appeal to everyone. The festival includes; arts and crafts exhibitions and workshops, St. Nicholas Church flower festival, story telling, guided walks, drama and music - highlights being the Abbotsbury Heritage Fayre's candle-lit St.

Catherine's Chapel and Midsummer Merriment in the Great Tithe Barn, the Rude Mechanical Theatre's 'Noah Babel's Ark', 'Show of Hands' in the Sub-Tropical Gardens and Abbotsbury Music presenting Donizetti's opera 'Don Pasquale', performed by an internationally acclaimed touring company. Full programme of events and activities available from village outlets, tourist board centres, www.westdorset.com and www.abbotsbury.co.uk.

Sunday 25
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.1.30pm.

Louis de Bernieres Performed reading, 7.30pm, Dorset County Museum, Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

D Day Vintage and Classic Car Rally Jubilee Clock, Weymouth.

Dog Show organised by The Brit Valley Rotary Club Attractions,
Pedigree and Novelty classes for dogs, Displays of Police Dogs, Gun Dogs and Obedience Teams, Punch and Judy and Bouncy Castle, Refreshments and Charity Stalls. To raise funds for Julia's House, The Dorset Children's Hospice, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Local Rotary Charities. All are welcome. For Further details please contact 01308 423318.

Bacalao Salsa Big Band 8pm, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Open Garden Afternoon with cream teas and a bring and buy plant stall. Lower Ware, Ware Lane, Lyme Regis, by kind permission of Mr and Mr McGarry. 2.30-5pm. Organised by Lyme Regis Action Medical Research Committee raising fund for Action Medical Research.

Sunday 25 -Monday 26
Weymouth Sea Festival Weymouth Harbour. Two days of pure water fun and displays, stalls, french market, music, childrens fairground. Trawler race, bird man and much more. All in aid of local charities. www.weymouthseafestival.co.uk.

Sunday 25 - Thursday 29
Bed & Breakfast opportunity at Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684.

Monday 26
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.2pm.

US Memorial Day Weymouth Seafront.

Quangle Wangle Choir Workshop 10.30am - 12 noon, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Concert 12-12.30pm. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.

Stockland Country Fair 1.30pm. Come to Stockland for a fun-filled family afternoon, there's oodles to do and see;

Falconry display, Punch & Judy, Madcap Heroes of the Empire show, Games, loads of plant & craft stalls, Delicious WI teas and other refreshments.

Wootton Fitzpaine Village Fete 1.30pm To be opened by Lord Bradbury. Village hall and playing field

Rick Birley and Peter Oakes Classical Music, 1pm, St Marys Church, Dorchester. Part of Dorchester Festival 08. Festival box office 01305 266926.
Bank Holiday Lunch 12pm - 2pm. Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684.

Gartell Light Railway Open Day Yenston, nr Templecombe, Narrow gauge steam on the old Somerset & Dorset Railway. Open 10.30am - 4.30pm. 01963 370752. www.glr-online.co.uk.

Bank Holiday Organ recital Sherborne Abbey Recital by Paul Ellis, organist at Sherborne Abbey. Starts 2.30pm. 01935 812452. www.sherborneabbey.com

Freestyle Motorcross Stunt Show Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford 0193 440804. www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk.

Monday 26 - Friday 30
Half term but not half the fun various activities throughout the weeek to include some natural history, art and bush craft techniques. Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. 01300 320684.

Tuesday 27
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.2.30pm.
Antiques Fair 9am-4pm Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. 01297 442138. www.marinetheatre.com

South Somerset Peace Group public meeting "Children and War". Two DVDs will be shown, " Giving A Voice To Iraqi Children" and "Arna's Children", followed by a discussion on the issues affecting the children of Iraq and Palestine. Minster Rooms, Ilminster. 7.30pm. All welcome. The Palestine/Israel group will meet at 6.30pm.

Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31
Family Activity Week. Environmental adventures suitable for children of all ages including bushcraft, nature awareness, games, arts and crafts, music-making and cooking. Monkton Wyld Court near Axminster. 01297 560342 or www.monktonwyldcourt.org.

Wednesday 28
Larkhill Racing Club Point to Point meeting includes pony racing. First race 5pm, Larkhill, nr Amesbury. Secretary Mrs S Vickery 01980 655445.

Flower Sale and Coffee Morning The Combpyne -Rousdon Flower & Produce Society plant sale and coffee morning 10.30am Peek Hall, Rousdon. Everyone welcome. 01297 443135.

Sherborne Science Cafe Monthly café, starts 7.30pm. Eric Forest: Principles and Practices used to ensure Public Protection from Nuclear Power Station Accidents. Sherborne House, Newland, Sherborne. 01935 815052. www.sherbornesciencecafe.co.uk.

Wednesday Afternoon Walks at the Kingcombe Centre, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester. Mammals of Kingcombe. 2.15-4.30pm. Telephone to confirm details. 01300 320684. www.kingcombecentre.org.uk.

Charity Lunch 12 noon The Alexandra Hotel, Lyme Regis, organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum. Oliver Ford Davies reads from the works of John Milton to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his birth. Tickets from Martin Diplock or Lyme Regis Museum. Contact Margaret Rose. 01297 445503.

Wambrook Lecture on
Memories of a wartime evacuee and other tales of WW2 by Derek Stephens to raise money to repair the church tower. 7pm, Wambrook Church. Doors 6.30pm. Contact Peter Barbor 01460 61887.

Whitsun Holiday Activity - Mask Making Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. 01305 262735. www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

Wednesday 28- Saturday 31
Cloks present Disney's Jungle Book kids plus Back From The Jungle Guidlhall, Chard. 7.30pm. Saturday 2.30pm +7.30pm. Tickets on sale from 10th May at Barron's of Chard, Holyrood Street or 01460 234249.

Thursday 29
Half-term night ride!
Trinity Hill (SY304955)
8:45pm - 9:45pm. Introduction to mountain bike night rides whilst learning about bats and
nightjars. Children over 9 and accompanied by an adult. Booking essential for safety 01404 46663.

Music at the Minster 24th Season Music for Flute and Piano. Helen Organ, flute and Frances Waters, piano. 12.30-1pm, Minster Church Axminster, followed by lunch at five past one. Enquiries to Simon Byworth 01297 35310.

Thursday 29 - Saturday 31
Farming in the Lyme Valley. At Uplyme Village Hall. An exhibition by Lyme Regis Museum looking at the farming families of Lyme Regis and Uplyme in the past. Thursday 29:11-5pm; Friday 30: 10 - 8pm; Saturday 31: 10 - 4pm. Tel. 01297 443678 (Ken Gollop).

Friday 30
Conservation & Wildlife Walk with the National Trust. Stonebarrow Car Park, near Charmouth. Meet 2pm for a guided circular walk exploring the Golden Cap Estate. 01297 561900.

Concert Vale of the Bride toe-tapping songs, music and dance from the Sea and the Bride Valey with Rosi Brewster, Emma Batchelor, David Powell, Nigel Capon and Caitlin O'Farrell. St John's Church, West Bay, Bridport. 7.30pm. Donations in support of Julia's House, Dorset's Children's Hospice. Everyone welcome. 01308 423475.

Dragons in the lake - Family event at Radipole Lake (RSPB) 10 am-12 noon. Booking essential 01305 778313. A pond dipping session to discover the incredible creatures that live in Radipole lake. Meet at the RSPB Radipole Lake visitor centre, Swannery car park, Weymouth DT4 7TZ.

In Conversation with …… " In aid of the Support The David Hall Campaign. 7 for 7.30pm The David Hall. Tickets from N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk. Roundwell Street, South Petherton, The David Hall, Somerset, TA13 5AA. www.the davidhall.org.uk.

Saturday 31
Dance Ballroom, Latin & some Sequence Uplyme Village Hall
8pm - 11pm. In aid of Hall funds. 01297 442439.

Mosterton Marquetry Group Annual Marquetry Exhibition 2-5pm, Mosterton Village Hall, Mosterton, on A3066.

Summer Concert of Gallery Favourites with Beaminster Gallery Quire 7.30pm Broadwindsor Church. Tickets from Aileen Bishop (01308 868461) or at the door.

Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. 9.30am.

The Yetties in Concert St Andrews Community Hall, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth. 8pm. Doors 7pm. Raffle & Bar. Contact David 01883 343019.

Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies Folk Band. boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk. Roundwell Street, South Petherton, 8pm, The David Hall, Somerset.

Saturday 31 May-Sunday 1 June
Poyntington Village Festival nr Sherborne. 10am - 4pm.

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