THE new owner of a 16th century manor house said he wants to create a venue everyone can enjoy - and it won't be a rave party mansion - after a controversial 24 hour alcohol and entertainment licence was granted for the premises.

STAFF at a bookstore had a visit from a camera crew this week - and are set to be featured on a popular TV programme in the near future.

AN MP has waded into the debate about Bridport's traditional torchlight procession which could be at risk.

FEWER people in Dorset became British citizens last year after participating in special citizenship ceremonies, figures show.

A MONTHLY showcase of all things vegan is returning to Bridport this weekend.

MORE than 3,000 complaints were recorded across Dorset as noisy neighbours caused a headache during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.

PLANNING procedures at Dorset Council have been criticised by a residents' association as being unfair and lacking rigour.

A LOCAL transport group is set to resume its public meetings following an 18 month break due to the pandemic.

BRIDPORT boss Rob Marquis feels the Bees’ clash with Cadbury Heath presents a good chance for points on Saturday (3pm).

LAST week in this column, I said that I would go into more detail about the new health and social care levy that the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday 7th September.

BRIDPORT rider Catriona Ross sprinted to fifth place in the women’s junior race at the Tour of Britain criterium in Penzance.

LYME Regis suffered a rollercoaster 4-3 defeat at Thorverton in the Joma Devon & Exeter League Premier Division.

BRIDPORT Bowls Club dished out a plethora of trophies at their annual club championships, bathed in good weather.

PLANS for a solar farm which partly crosses into Dorset from South Somerset near South Perrott will soon be decided.

THERE has been a new coronavirus-related death recorded at Dorset County Hospital.

A MAJOR road has been partially closed following a crash involving two vehicles this afternoon.

CELEBRITY Martin Clunes is auctioning off a walk-on part on the popular TV show, Doc Martin, in a bid to raise money for a local hospice.

WARNINGS have been issued by police to be on the lookout for fraud attempts after an elderly person was advised to pay £2,000 to fix a scratch on her car door.

Tickets are now on sale for pre-release screenings of a Dorset-filmed movie.

Your favourite local paper is giving local charities the chance to take a share of a whopping £125k cash giveaway.

BRIDPORT is a lovely town. Everyone says so. It’s welcoming, and full of quirkiness and creativity.

TravelSupermarket has found the best deals to Spain from airports across the UK.

FARMING and agricultural skills will be on display as an annual tradition returns this weekend.

A RETIRED midwife from Dorset has described the ‘exciting’ moment she got the call that she was going to be on the latest series of Great British Bake Off.

MORE people have died at home in Dorset during the coronavirus pandemic than in the years before it, figures suggest.

DELAYS which have held up house purchases across the Dorset Council area should improve – according to the authority.

THE number of special constables working alongside police officers in Dorset has fallen by more than half over the past decade, figures reveal.

Book lovers who have missed a festival celebrating their favourite hobby are in for a treat this year.

A DORSET business leader has expressed his views on the government's new winter Covid plan and warns residents 'we are not out of the woods yet'.

VETERANS and their families are reminded that support is available for them in Dorset.

CONSULTATION exercises by Dorset Council are generally getting a good response, according to the authority – although often fail to attract many responses from younger people.

The fire service is marking gas safety week by raising awareness of the importance of keeping safe from dangerous gas appliances.

WESSEX Water’s first cohort of Kickstarters have joined the company in placement positions across the business and have been benefitting from the experience.

A NEW system of storing and sharing health and social care information in one place is said to be enhancing patient safety across the county.

More than half a million people will be impacted by Utility Point and People's Energy ceasing trading in the UK

Research compiled by the camper rental company PaulCamper has revealed the UK's top 25 most chilled out staycation locations.

TV STAR and Dorset resident Martin Clunes has revealed the touching reason why he created a field of sunflowers at his Dorset farm.

A KEY route through Dorset will close in both directions for several nights due to roadworks – with a 34.6-mile diversion route in place.

An investigation has been launched into the three-vehicle and police officers are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

PLANS have been proposed to combine several parish and town councils in the Bridport area into one single council.

A BUSINESS in The Street at Charmouth could be converted back to residential use if Dorset planners agree.

Bridport have done it again after the Covid rest, and have given us a wonderful day out at the Millennium Green – food, drink, cakes, cream teas and a bar.

A FORMER midwife from Dorset is among the 12 contestants aiming to battle it out on this year’s Great British Bake Off.

A 'CHARMING' one-man show is set to go ahead in a village on the outskirts of Bridport next month.

BOSSES at a Dorset hospital are begging people not to visit unless they are in a 'life-threatening situation', as figures revealed admission rates at the site had almost doubled in a week.

ORGANISERS say a showcase for flowers, fruit, handicrafts and more was very successful.

Boris Johnson discussed vaccine passports, jabs for 12 to 15-year-olds, the booster vaccine programme, and face coverings.

HERE are today's tide times for Portland, West Bay and Lyme Regis.

A MINOR injuries unit in Bridport is requesting residents book an appointment before visiting.

A MOTORCYCLIST has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a crash involving a lorry on the A35.