Dorchester Dorset.com Blog

Archive for June, 2010

200 comments and rising

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
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The £60 million development of Charles Street that includes the £10.7m new West Dorset District Council office has now received 200 comments.

This development has really polarised opinions within the Dorchester, Dorset.

A final decision will be made by the district council’s development control committee later this year. If plans are approved building work will start in April next year.

Last week Dorchester town councillors voted to recommend the application for refusal at a special planning meeting.
They said it breaks planning policy and the district council, who are funding the plans, had bent the rules.
Objections were also raised over the lack of trees and shrubbery, disabled access and sufficient parking at the site.
About 50 members of the public attended the meeting which saw six town councillors recommend refusal of the application and two abstain.

Last week (w/c 21 June), town councillors voted to recommend the application for refusal at a special planning meeting with concern that the council broke their own planning policy  rules.

Whilst 200 comments seems to be a lot, taken in context of the County it only represents 0.049% of the local population.

We at Dorchester, Dorset are keen to hear your opinions.

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Tendering for Public Sector Contracts

Friday, June 25th, 2010
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Tendering for Public Sector Contracts
It’s not as scary as it first sounds.  Many small business tender for contracts that, In fact the Government actively encourages it.
Contracts come in all shapes and sizes.  They can be something as straight forward as stationary supplies like Manila envelopes, computer equipment or software, or major construction works like the new Dorchester, Dorset Council office in Charles Street.
http://www.dorchesterdorset.com/blog/uncategorized/the-charles-street-development/
One recent example is the Dorset Police force is looking for “fully managed service of an accommodation vessel“ for the Weymouth 2012 Olympics. This particular contract is worth a staggering £3 million
Have at look at Tenders electronic Daily website.
http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:168978-2010:TEXT:EN:HTML
But let’s catch our breath here.  Most small business might not be able to support that kind of business.
The Business Link website has some excellent information on how to tender for contracts.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?site=106&r.s=m&r.l1=1073858805&r.lc=en&r.l3=1073900012&r.l2=1073859164&topicId=1073900012&r.i=1073790708&r.t=RESOURCES
Tendering for contracts

Tendering for contracts

Tendering for public sector contracts is not as scary as it first sounds.  Many small business tender for contracts that, In fact the Government actively encourages it.

Public sector contracts come in all shapes and sizes.  They can be something as straight forward as stationary supplies like Manila envelopes, computer equipment or software, or major construction works like the new Dorchester, Dorset Council office,  Charles Street development.

One recent example is the Dorset Police force is looking for “fully managed service of an accommodation vessel“ for the Weymouth 2012 Olympics. This particular contract is worth a staggering £3 million

Have at look at Tenders electronic Daily website.

But let’s catch our breath here.  Most small business might not be able to support that kind of business.

The Business Link website has some excellent information on how to tender for contracts.

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Dorchester Carnival

Friday, June 18th, 2010
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Dorchester Carnival http://www.dorchestercarnival.co.uk/ (559)
The world cup has got us all flag-waving and in a party mood. Add to that the great settled weather we’re enjoying and this year’s annual Dorchester Carnival, taking place on the 16th to 19th June, should be one of the best ever. We all love the traditional carnival; they bring back special memories with great family entertainment for all ages. The Carnival is organised by Dorchester Round Table and other voluntary organisations. This fantastic fundraiser brings in thousands of pounds every year for local children’s charities and good causes. There are plenty of festivities to keep you entertained over the four days, be it partying in the park, 4 legged pub race, street fair, funfair or the vibrant grand procession.
Party in the Park, Wednesday 16 June 6pm to 9.30pm
You can’t beat a Party in the Park in the delightful Borough Gardens, where you can sit back enjoy the warm weather, listen to the fountains and soak up the atmosphere. Sit down to a picnic while listening to the entertainment and music provided by local schools and groups and it promises to be an enjoyable evening. There is plenty to keep the younger audience busy with a bouncy castle and sideshows. You can also buy BBQ food and there is a bar on hand to quench your thirst.
4 Legged Pub Race, Thursday 17 June
The hilarious 4 Legged Pub Race starts at 7pm commencing at the Blue Raddle pub. You can take delight in watching teams of three, many in fancy dress, hobble or race to six of Dorchester town centre pubs in the hope of winning the prestigious Dorchester Carnival Pub Race Trophy. The £12 entry fee goes straight to the Carnival charities and the participating pubs have generously donated the free half pint or soft drink that each team member needs to drink at each venue. It promises to be great fun for both the participants and their supporters.
Street Fair & Music in South Street Saturday 19 June
Dorchester’s South Street will be packed with tempting and interesting colourful stalls from 9am to 1pm. You can sample the live music all day on the specially erected stage at the south end of South Street with the grand procession taking place at 6pm.
Grand Procession Saturday 19th 6pm
Enjoy watching the colourful and inventive local business floats and the multitude of playgroups, playschools, individuals, Guides/Scouts and clubs as they weave their way around Dorchester Town whilst marching to the beat of the background music. Cheer the newly crowned Dorchester Carnival Queen and remember to bring change for the rattling buckets.
Wynn’s Funfair Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th June
The Dorchester Carnival would not be the same without the traditional funfair. Pop along to Wynn’s Funfair at the Dorchester Market Car Park and enjoy the sounds, thrills and excitement with all rides just £1 on the opening night of Thursday 17th June.
Sponsors
It would not be possible to run the Dorchester Carnival without the support of voluntary organizations and in particular sponsorship from local Dorchester businesses. This year’s main sponsor is Magna Housing Association with support from Wessex FM 96 & 97.2.  Wynn’s Funfair also opens their rides specially for children from a number of local special needs schools in Dorchester.
Thank you for supporting the Dorchester Carnival, an important fundraiser for localities.
Carnival Band

Carnival Band

The world cup has got us all flag-waving and in a party mood. Add to that the great settled weather we’re enjoying and this year’s annual Dorchester Carnival should be one of the best ever. We all love the traditional carnival; they bring back special memories with great family entertainment for all ages.

The Carnival is organised by Dorchester Round Table and other voluntary organisations. This fantastic fundraiser brings in thousands of pounds every year for local children’s charities and good causes. There have been plenty of festivities to keep everyone entertained over the four days, be it partying in the park, 4 legged pub race, street fair, funfair or the vibrant grand procession.

Street Fair & Music in South Street Saturday 19 June

Dorchester’s South Street will be packed with tempting and interesting colourful stalls from 9am to 1pm tomorrow.

You can sample the live music all day on the specially erected stage at the south end of South Street with the grand procession taking place at 6pm.

Grand Procession Saturday 19th 6pm

Enjoy watching the colourful and inventive local business floats and the multitude of playgroups, playschools, individuals, Guides/Scouts and clubs as they weave their way around Dorchester Town whilst marching to the beat of the background music.

Cheer the newly crowned Dorchester Carnival Queen and remember to bring change for the rattling buckets.

Wynn’s Funfair Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th June

The Dorchester Carnival would not be the same without the traditional funfair.

Pop along to Wynn’s Funfair at the Dorchester Market Car Park and enjoy the sounds, thrills and excitement.

Sponsors

It would not be possible to run the Dorchester Carnival without the support of voluntary organizations and in particular sponsorship from local Dorchester businesses.

This year’s main sponsor is Magna Housing Association with support from Wessex FM 96 & 97.2.  Wynn’s Funfair also opens their rides specially for children from a number of local special needs schools in Dorchester.

Thank you for supporting the Dorchester Carnival, an important fundraiser for local charities.

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A Company 4th Battalion the Rifles marching through Dorchester yesterday

Thursday, June 17th, 2010
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The people of Dorchester, Dorset really showed their support for A Company 4th Battalion yesterday (Wednesday 16 June) as they lined the streets for a homecoming parade.

150 soldiers marched through the streets accompanied by the Salamanca Band.  The soldiers  had just finished their 6 month tour of Afghanistan.  Dressed in desert combat uniforms, they marched from Poundbury Barracks to the War memorial.

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Kingston Maurward Open Day Success

Monday, June 14th, 2010
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The Kingston Maurward Open Day certainly lived to its title of “A Taste of Summer” with glorious sunshine and crowds out in their droves.

The annual open day saw live music, food and entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. It was only towards the end of the last band’s set that the heavens decided to open and there we a few showers.

The event was the perfect showcase for the The Kingston Maurward College to show off the changes that have taken place over the last 60 years and invite more students and adults to join them in next years courses.

The college is home to some 400 students and offers over 300 full time and part time courses. Well known for its rural and land based subjects, there are courses for everyone including outdoor adventure, equine, IT and business releated studies. Tutors were on hand from all departments to give advice for those looking to start a new career or just learn a new skill.

The highlight of the day for our children were the tractor rides and falconry display. Whilst the cake stalls and floristry exhibition were a great draw for the Mums and Dads.

Kingston Maurward a “Taste of Summer”

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The Oak Room Dorchester

Thursday, June 10th, 2010
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Our market town of Dorchester is steeped in history with an abundance of visitor attractions and shops and restaurants for visitors to explore. One hidden gem with historic credentials that is well worth seeking out is the tea rooms at The Oak Room located in Dorchester’s Antelope Walk in South Street.

History

Inside The Oak Room, Dorchester

Inside The Oak Room, Dorchester

The Oak Room dates back to 1589 and was famously used by Judge Jeffreys ‘the Hanging Judge’ as the courtroom of the Bloody Assizes when in September of 1685, 302 cases were heard, of which a total of 74 of the accused were executed, 175 transported, 9 fined or whipped and 54 discharged. Jeffreys didn’t believe in half measures and hanged, transported, whipped and fined hundreds of the unfortunate accused.

During this period Judge Jeffreys lodged at 6 High West Street Dorchester, (now the restaurant, Judge Jeffreys) and for his own protection used a secret passage linking his house with the Oak Room of the Antelope Hotel. This tunnel is wide and high, with enough room for two to three people to walk side by side.

The ghost of Judge Jeffreys is said to haunt the Antelope courtyard.

The Oak Room – Present Day

The Oak Room entrance in Antelope Walk

The Oak Room entrance in Antelope Walk

Today the The Oak Room in Dorchester has a much more pleasurable and relaxing use.

Now housing traditional style tea rooms the Oak Room retains the beautiful oak-panelling and has a wonderfully welcoming ambience. Table service is provided by waitresses in ‘Nippy’ uniform, based on the old style Lyons Corner House service.

The whole experience is so very different from that of modern coffee chains common to our high streets these days.

A customer review on www.dorchesterpeople.co.uk said

“A visit to the Oak Room tea room in Dorchester is like a step back in time! The waitresses wear old-fashioned pinnies and serve cucumber sandwiches, cream teas and home made cakes. The Oak Room also does good, simple hot food like soup and jacket potatoes, so it’s a great place to stop for something warming while out shopping in Dorchester.”

The tea rooms are open every day  from 9.30 am to 4.30pm (except Sunday) serving morning coffee, mouth watering light lunches, afternoon teas and delicious Dorset cream teas.

Antelope Walk

After a refreshing snack you’ll be ready to explore the present day Antelope walk which still retains its historical charm and ambience with an arcade of tempting shops lining the pedestrianised cobbled street. Dorchester Tourist Information Centre is sited at the top end of the walk from where you can find more details on Dorchester Town, and its tourist attractions.

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DORIS Dorset Seabed Mapped

Monday, June 7th, 2010
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Tomorrow is World Ocean Day and to coincide with the celebrations, a seabed map of Dorset is now available on Google Earth.

The mapping exercise known as DORIS (Dorset Intergrated Seabed) captures reefs, wrecks and rocky ledges along the Jurassic Coastline from Abbotsbury to Swanage.

DORIS Seabed Study

DORIS Seabed Study

Users can zoom in on any part of the map which also include species lists of various areas.

Uncovering Life beneath the Waves

Peter Tinsley, marine conservation officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said:

“This map marks a huge step for the marine environment.

“Already it has enabled us to find important wildlife hotspots and we want to continue pushing back the boundaries of knowledge about a part of the county that still holds many mysteries.”

The DORIS project has been undertaken by Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Channel Coastal Observatory, with a major biodiversity grant of £300,000 from environmental company Viridor Credits, through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will use the map to update navigation charts, the Channel Coastal Observatory will provide information to coastal engineers, and Dorset Wildlife Trust will use it to identify important and vulnerable seabed habitats.

It will also be used by the Dorset Coast Forum’s C-SCOPE project, to create a marine plan for Dorset.

How you can help contine the DORIS Survey

DORIS began with an acoustic survey, plotting the exact contours of the seabed. Later stages involved hundreds of dives and thousands of photographs to find out more about different habitats.

Peter added:

“Recreational divers can now choose an interesting or unexplored spot from the map, take the GPS co-ordinates and head straight to it.

“We are particularly keen for volunteer divers to help us to continue the surveying, so that we can fill in more habitat information.”

Lisa Nelson, general manager of Viridor Credits, said:

“We are delighted to have been able to support such an interesting and unusual biodiversity project.

“There is still so much to learn about the seabed and the marine environment.

“I know the DORIS map will make a huge difference to everyone from scientists to leisure divers and be quite fascinating for older children.”

Portland DORIS map

Portland DORIS map

Following the success of the project, there is now an opportunity to continue the work over the next 2 years, to extend the map to the western tip of the Isle of Wight in the east, and to cover the whole of Lyme Bay in the west, giving full coverage of the Dorset coast.

You can see the DORIS map with linked photos appearing as you zoom in, on Google Earth [which can be downloaded to your computer free of charge].

Divers who are interested in helping to record Dorset’s underwater wildlife can contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.

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