This listing contains a selection of events taking place across West Dorset this month. For full event information pop into your local Tourist Information Centre
HIGHLIGHTS
Don’t miss this month…
Dorchester Christmas Cracker www.dorchestercracker.com
Beaminster Christmas Festival
02-04 Dorchester Christmas Tree Festival
Sherborne Chamber Choir Concert
03-11 Sherborne Christmas Tree Festival
Sherborne Festive Shopping Day
07 Bridport Christmas Festival with Late Night Shopping
07-14 Bridport Christmas Tree Festival
13-17 Lyme Regis Christmas Tree Festival
19 Celebrity Carol Concert in Sherborne Abbey
26 West Bay Wallow
27 Winter Warmer in Lyme Regis
21-31 December Shantymime at The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis
1st Jan New Year Duck Race – Lyme Regis
1st Jan Annual Lyme Lunge
WALKS
Fossil Walks Regular guided fossil hunting walks in Lyme Regis and Charmouth are run year round by Brandon Lennon
07944 664757 www.lymeregisfossilwalks.com, Lyme Regis Museum 01297 443370 www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk, Lyme Regis
Fossil Shop 01297 442088, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre 01297 560772 www.charmouth.org and Chris Pamplin
0845 00943757 www.fossilwalks.com Times vary according to the tides, telephone for full details and booking information.
Sunday Strolls With the Ramblers Association from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, 2.15pm. Tel: 01308 863754.
Walking the Way to Health in Bridport, with trained health walkers. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am from Bridport TIC. Walks last approx 30mins, all welcome, free of charge. Tel: 01308 452263 for more information.
Dorchester Strollers, walks with trained health walkers. Every Monday at 10.30am and Tuesday at 2.15pm. Occasional Thursday and Sunday afternoons. Walks last up to one hour, all welcome, free. Tel: 01305 263759 for more information.
Literary Lyme walking tours available throughout the year. Tel: 07763 974569 for details and to book.
Mary Anning Walks, Lyme Regis. Explore the paths and streets of Old Lyme as Mary knew them with expert guide Natalie Manifold. Details from Lyme Regis Museum. Tel. 01297 443370. www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
Marshwood Trails – guided walking and cycling tours in spectacular West Dorset 07796 135256 www.marshwoodtrails.co.uk
Bridport Christmas Ghost Walks Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th, both start at 7.30pm from Bucky Doo Square, Bridport. An hour of chilling ghost stories and grisly tales. Adults £5 Children (over 9 please) £2.50 07900 941741 www.thebridportghostwalk.weebly.com
COUNTRY WORKSHOPS
Highway Farm, Bridport www.highwayfarm.co.uk 01308 424321
Local artists and craftspeople share their skills at one and two day workshops including willow sculptures, hazelwood garden furniture, watercolour painting and many more. Small groups, booking essential. Gift vouchers available.
Kingcombe Environmental Studies Centre, Toller Porcorum www.kingcombe.org
Natural history, wildlife, archaeology and art and craft courses run all year. Booking essential. Gift vouchers available.
Mallinson Woodland Workshop, Holditch www.mallinson.co.uk
A wide range of two and five day courses, April-November, including carving a bowl, green woodworking, pottery, chair making and more. Also offer one day children’s courses suitable for ages 8 and up. Gift vouchers available. Booking essential.
The Dorset Wildlife Trust runs a programme of walks, talks, workshops, workparties and other wildlife events. Tel: 01305 264620. www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk
Monkton Wyld Court runs a programme of walks, talks, workshops and courses and other countryside events. Tel: 01297 560342. www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk
The Bodger’s Barn Nr. Bridport. Green woodwork courses throughout the year – short courses and evening classes, all small groups. Also workshop sessions for groups including special needs. Tel. 01308 425455 www.brightwater.org.uk
Arty Crafty Workshops – Cake Decoration, Textiles and Creative Crafts Contact Dennie Rose for details of this month’s workshops 01308 459100 www.dennierose.co.uk
Countryside Conservation Services – Hedgelaying Courses on 14th & 28th January. Tel. 01963 23680 or email coppiceworks@aol.com for more details
Local events diary
01 Tudor Women Shipton Village Hall, Shipton Gorge, 7.30pm. A talk by historical novelist Suzannah Dunn. A fascinating insight into the lives of Tudor Women. Tickets £4.50 to include a glass of mulled wine. This is a fundraising event for Dorset Womenkind Charity. 01308 897295 Email: apple.loft@btinternet.com
For a full list of Carol services taking place throughout December please ask at one of our Tourist Information Centres
A list of pantomimes in the area is also available from our TICs
NEW YEAR
01 New Year Duck Race Lyme Regis A New Year’s Day tradition – watch the ducks race down the river Lym, starting at 12 noon. Raising money for the town’s Christmas lights.
01 Annual Lyme Lunge Sandy beach area, Lyme Regis. A fancy dress dip in the balmy waters of Lyme Bay, 1pm at the Cobb Beach, all for charity. This year the charities supported are the RNLI and ShelterBox. All welcome, whether “dipping” or watching and contributing to the charity collection. Prize for the best fancy dress.
MARINE THEATRE
4th Tea and Tinsel with TheatreFriends
8th The Phoenix and the Carpet
15th Christmas Tea Dance
17th Ben Waters Christmas Party Gig
22nd Nigel John – Elton John
21st to 31st Griselda’s Grandad, A Lyme Regis Christmas Shantymime!
Daytime classes:
Ballroom Dancing – Wednesdays 11-12 (beginners) 12.15-1.15 (improvers)
Salsa DX Dance Exercise Class – Mondays 10.30-11.30
A Dance A Day – Thursdays 11.15-12.14
For full details 01297 442394
www.marinetheatre.com
Marine Theatre Box Office: 01297 442138 (Lyme Regis TIC)
ELECTRIC PALACE
01st National Theatre Live: Collaborators
02nd Julie Felix
03rd The Selecter
05th Met Opera: Handel’s Rodelinda
08th Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick
10th Arts Charity Launch with Richard Eyre
11th Royal Marines Concert Band
12th Met Opera: Gounod’s Faust
16th Magic of Christmas Show
17th The Arts Club Ball
18th Tallulah Swirls Puppet Theatre
22nd Jess Upton Soul Band
23rd JAN Met Opera: Enchanted Island
Electric Palace Box Office: 01308 424901 (Bridport TIC)
DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
1st Eric Knowles : “Antique Antics ”
2nd Call Mr Robeson
3rd Willie and the Bandits
11th Messiah in an Art Gallery www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
16th-17th Driving Home for Christmas
Ticket Office : Dorchester TIC 01305 267992
ARTS
Regular Art Exhibitions are held at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester (www.dorsetcountymuseum.org), Lyme Regis Museum (www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk), the Town Mill Gallery, Lyme Regis (www.townmill.org.uk) and Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com).
Dorchester Arts Centre (www.dorchesterarts.org.uk), Bridport Arts Centre (www.bridport-arts.com) and Eype Centre for the Arts www.eypechurcharts.co.uk run a full programme of performances and events – drama, music, comedy, dance and more – suitable for all ages.
Artsreach present a range of live professional arts events in rural Dorset. Full programme online at www.artsreach.co.uk
Opening times, programmes and further details from your local TIC
MARKETS
Bridport Weekly Market in the Town Centre every Wednesday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market 2nd Saturday in each month – Arts Centre 9.30am-2pm, West Dorset Country Market in the WI Hall, North Street every Saturday 9am-12 noon.
Dorchester Weekly Market in Fairfield Car Park, Weymouth Ave 8am-3pm every Wednesday, Farmers’ Market 1st Saturday in each month at Poundbury, 9am-1pm, Country Market at The Corn Exchange every Friday (exc Easter) 8.30-11am.
Sherborne Pannier Market on the Parade every Thursday and Saturday; Country Market in Church Hall, Digby Road, Thursday mornings, 9.15am-11.15am; Farmers’ Market 3rd Friday in each month – Cheap Street, 9am-1pm. Saturday Antiques & Flea Market – held the fourth Saturday every month (except April and December), Church Hall, Digby Road. 9am-4pm . Monthly Book Fair – held third Saturday every month, Church Hall, Digby Road. 9.30am-4pm.
Owermoigne Monthly market in the village hall 2nd Saturday of the month, 10.30am – 12 noon. Homemade produce, bric a brac, plants, crafts, books.
