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Posts Tagged ‘things to do in Dorset’

Lawrence of Arabia: Genius or Charlatan

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
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TE Lawrence

TE Lawrence

Are you are T.E. Lawrence fan?  Are you passionate about the history of World War 1 and in particular the Great Arab Revolt.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, or commonly know to you and I as TE Lawrence has been much credited with mobilising the Arab Revolt in World War One and subsequently became famous as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

A brief history off TE Lawrence

Born in Wales, Lawrence went on to study at Oxford University.  After graduating he  joined an archaeological dig in Syria, where he stayed from 1911 to 1914, learning Arabic.

When the first World War broke out Lawrence joined the army and due to his already in-depth knowledge of the Syria and the Arabic language he was posted to Cairo as an Intelligence Corp.

For more information about Lawrence’s history a detailed account can be found on Wikipedia.

TE Lawrence, the debate

But are all Mr Lawrence’s involvement in Great Arab revolt to be believed?

Interested in hearing more?

Neil Faulkner of the Great Arab Revolt Project is presenting an evening at the Dorset County Museum.

Tickets Cost £5

Map of Dorset Museum

19 October

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From Time to Time

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
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From time to time by Julian Fellowes

From time to time by Julian Fellowes

Athlehampton House is a beautiful stone built manor house set in the heart of Dorset.  At first sight of this resplendent privately owned manor home you immediately struck by its grandeur.

The History of Athelhampton House

Dating back to 1485, this 160 acre manor was built by Sir William Martyn.  The house remained in the Martyn family for the next 4 generations when the house was then passed to four daughters, the shares of the house were not re-united until 1848 and through successive owners the house was eventually purchased by Alfred Cart de Lafontaine in 1891, who set about restoring the house and creating the formal gardens we see today.

Despite five centuries passing, timing has not withered the appeal of Athlethampton House, so it’s no surprise that this magnificent house was the setting for the film From Time to Time film by Julian Fellowes.

Based on the book Chimney’s of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston the book is set just after the 2nd World War where a young boy, Tolly is sent to stay with his estranged grandmother – enter Maggie Smith.

Young Tolly, begins to see, and then participate in scenes from the past, which in turn throws up mysteries from the family’s past.

Much of the film was filmed in the house itself, but also takes in Puddletown and West Stafford and the surrounding Dorset countryside.  It stars the redoutable talents of Maggie Smith and Timothy Spall.

Here is a film review by the Times website

As of 23 September  2010 you can watch the film in the House itself.

Althelhampton House is also showing the movie on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesday at 7.30pm

And a Sunday matinee at 2.30pm

Athelhampton House the beautiful backdrop for Time to Time

Athelhampton House the beautiful backdrop for Time to Time

Opening Times for Athlehampton House

March to October
10.30am to 5.00pm (Closed Friday & Saturday)

November to February
Sundays only
10.00 til dusk

Admission charges
Adult – £9.25
Senior – £8.75
Children – Free
Discounts available online.

Directions to Athlehampton House

Here is where to find Athlehampton House

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The Dorset Shepherd

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
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Dorset Shepherd plack

Dorset Shepherd plack

Dorchester Dorset

Most local residents are familiar with the Thomas Hardy Statue set back from the road at the ‘Top of Town’ roundabout but there is also a less well know bronze sculpture of The Dorset Shepherd inspired by a William Barnes poem located in Durngate Street in the town of Dorchester.
Bronze sculpture inspired by Williams Barnes
The statuesque ‘The Dorset Shepherd’ sculpture was inspired by William Barnes’ poem, The Shepherd o’ the Farm. William Barnes was recognised and admired as a great poet by some of the foremost literary men of his time, including Thomas Hardy who regarded him as an equal. John Doubleday, made the sculpture in 2000 and sees it as a tribute to quiet heroism and wisdom and said “We look back at the values of a past age, to men who were intelligent, wise and interesting people. They were in harmony with the seasons and the natural world and probably had more to teach us than we could possibly teach them.”
Who was Williams Barnes?
The Dorset dialect poet was born in 1801 at Bagber near Sturminster Newton into a farming family. Even though his formal schooling finished at 13 he went on to work for Solicitor Thomas Coombs in 5 South Street, Dorchester, as an Engrossing Clerk until 1823, when he became a schoolmaster at Mere, Wiltshire. During this time he studied many subjects including sciences, history, archaeology, philology and languages. He was a gifted, intelligent and self educated man, who learned to play several musical instruments and mastered painting and engraving, as well as writing poetry in standard English and the Dorset dialect. In 1823 William Barnes opened a school at Mere in Wiltshire, and after his marriage to Julia Miles in 1827, the couple later moved to Dorchester and ran a boarding school – it closed early due to economic and rural poverty. William Barnes would have witnessed the unrest in the countryside with the Crown Court in Dorchester used as the setting for the 1834 trial of the “Tolpuddle Martyrs,” a group of 6 brave men from the nearby village of Tolpuddle who protested against pay cuts by wealthy landowners.
In 1835 the Barnes family set up a school in Durngate Street, Dorchester. The large property housed ten boarders, twenty five day students (boys) as well as the Barnes’ four children, two servants and a trainee schoolmaster. It was also during this time that he started studying for his Divinity Degree with St. John’s College, Cambridge. Studying mainly from home over a ten year period, he was awarded the degree in 1850. He was ordained in 1848 and was appointed curate at Whitcombe near Dorchester. Barnes died in 1886.
Poems of rural life
His first poem was published in the Dorset County Chronicle in 1834 with a full collection of poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect being published in book form in 1844. Barnes drew inspiration from rural life and was one of the founder members of the Dorset Field Club, which established the Dorset County Museum.
His wife’s death, in 1852, affected him deeply with many of his poems describing his love for her. He left, for our enjoyment, poems that paint a picture of the life and language of rural Dorset which had almost disappeared at the time he was writing. The Collection at Dorchester Reference Library contains most of his published works and is available for reference only.
With Barnes’ close association with Durngate Street, having lived and worked there, this area is a fitting location for ‘The Dorset Shepherd’ sculpture. This statue is a poignant reminder of Dorchester’s on-going role as a market town with strong historic links to sheep farming and the wool industry.
Sculpture Trail
When next in Dorchester why not follow the Sculpture Trail to discover more of Dorchester Town’s secrets and historical past. http://www.dorchesterdorset.com/secrets.php
Dorset Shepherd plack

Dorset Shepherd plaque

Most local residents are familiar with the Thomas Hardy Statue set back from the road at the ‘Top of Town’ roundabout but there is also a less well know bronze sculpture of The Dorset Shepherd inspired by a William Barnes poem located in Durngate Street in the town of Dorchester.

Bronze sculpture inspired by Williams Barnes

The statuesque ‘The Dorset Shepherd’ sculpture was inspired by William Barnes’ poem, The Shepherd o’ the Farm. William Barnes was recognised and admired as a great poet by some of the foremost literary men of his time, including Thomas Hardy who regarded him as an equal. John Doubleday, made the sculpture in 2000 and sees it as a tribute to quiet heroism and wisdom and said “We look back at the values of a past age, to men who were intelligent, wise and interesting people. They were in harmony with the seasons and the natural world and probably had more to teach us than we could possibly teach them.”

Who was Williams Barnes?

The Dorset dialect poet was born in 1801 at Bagber near Sturminster Newton into a farming family. Even though his formal schooling finished at 13 he went on to work for Solicitor Thomas Coombs in 5 South Street, Dorchester, as an Engrossing Clerk until 1823, when he became a schoolmaster at Mere, Wiltshire. During this time he studied many subjects including sciences, history, archaeology, philology and languages. He was a gifted, intelligent and self educated man, who learned to play several musical instruments and mastered painting and engraving, as well as writing poetry in standard English and the Dorset dialect. In 1823 William Barnes opened a school at Mere in Wiltshire, and after his marriage to Julia Miles in 1827, the couple later moved to Dorchester and ran a boarding school – it closed early due to economic and rural poverty. William Barnes would have witnessed the unrest in the countryside with the Crown Court in Dorchester used as the setting for the 1834 trial of the “Tolpuddle Martyrs,” a group of 6 brave men from the nearby village of Tolpuddle who protested against pay cuts by wealthy landowners.

Dorset Shepherd Statue

Dorset Shepherd Statue

In 1835 the Barnes family set up a school in Durngate Street, Dorchester. The large property housed ten boarders, twenty five day students (boys) as well as the Barnes’ four children, two servants and a trainee schoolmaster. It was also during this time that he started studying for his Divinity Degree with St. John’s College, Cambridge. Studying mainly from home over a ten year period, he was awarded the degree in 1850. He was ordained in 1848 and was appointed curate at Whitcombe near Dorchester. Barnes died in 1886.

Poems of rural life

His first poem was published in the Dorset County Chronicle in 1834 with a full collection of poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect being published in book form in 1844. Barnes drew inspiration from rural life and was one of the founder members of the Dorset Field Club, which established the Dorset County Museum.

His wife’s death, in 1852, affected him deeply with many of his poems describing his love for her. He left, for our enjoyment, poems that paint a picture of the life and language of rural Dorset which had almost disappeared at the time he was writing. The Collection at Dorchester Reference Library contains most of his published works and is available for reference only.

With Barnes’ close association with Durngate Street, having lived and worked there, this area is a fitting location for ‘The Dorset Shepherd’ sculpture. This statue is a poignant reminder of Dorchester’s on-going role as a market town with strong historic links to sheep farming and the wool industry.

Sculpture Trail

When next in Dorchester why not follow the Sculpture Trail to discover more of Dorchester Town’s secrets and historical past.

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Archaeology Holidays in Dorset

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
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Archaeology holidays
Instead of lying at the beach or sitting by the pool, how would you like to be inspired and learn something new about an ancient civilisation? Delving into the remains of human history on an Archaeological holiday in Dorset can really be immensely rewarding.
When you think about an Archaeological holiday you might think of the great pyramids, Pompei or Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors in China.  But the county of Dorset in Britain has much to offer.
Here are some of my possible Archaeological trips in Dorset along with my favourite locations.
Maiden castle
Maiden Castle, just two miles south of Dorchester town centre, is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Britain.
18 August 2010
Time 18.30
Map
Read more
An evening walk with Claire Pinder of Dorset County Council to get a taste of life in the Iron Age at one of Dorset’s great hill forts.
This walk will take approximately one and a half hours.  It is one mile in length and includes some slopes.
Meet at the Maiden Castle car park (grid reference SY 668 889).
Sensible footwear recommended.
Tickets: adults £3 in advance (£5 on the day), children £1
Get in touch
Name: Claire Pinder
Email: c.j.pinder@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 224921
Fax: 01305 224835
Full details for Claire Pinder
Archaeology holidays in Dorset

Archaeology holidays in Dorset

Instead of lying at the beach or sitting by the pool, how would you like to be inspired and learn something new about an ancient civilisation? Delving into the remains of human history on an Archaeological holiday in Dorset can be immensely rewarding.

When you think about an archaeological holiday you might think of the great pyramids, Pompei or Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors in China.  But the county of Dorset in Britain has much to offer.

Here are some possible Archaeological trips in Dorset along with my favourite locations.

Maiden castle

Maiden Castle, just two miles south of Dorchester town centre, is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Britain.

Event: An evening walk and talk
Date: 18 August 2010
Time: 18.30
Map
Read more

An evening walk with Claire Pinder of Dorset County Council to get a taste of life in the Iron Age at one of Dorset’s great hill forts. This walk will take approximately one and a half hours.  It is one mile in length and includes some slopes.

Meet at the Maiden Castle car park (grid reference SY 668 889).
Sensible footwear recommended.
Tickets: adults £3 in advance (£5 on the day), children £1

Get in touch

Name: Claire Pinder
Email: c.j.pinder@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Dorchester Roman aqueduct

An opportunity to see the Roman aqueduct at Dorchester in a new way following recent improvements to access, with Steve Wallis of Dorset County Council.

Event: Dorchester Roman aqueduct
Date: 14 September 2010
Time: 11.00
Map
Read more

This tour takes one and a half hours.

Meet at the lay-by on the Poundbury Road, Dorchester, opposite the entrance to Poundbury cemetery and close to Poundbury hill fort (grid reference SY 680 911). Limited numbers, so booking required.
Sensible footwear recommended.
Tickets: adults £3 in advance (£5 on the day), children £1.

Get in touch

Name: Claire Pinder
Email: c.j.pinder@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Badbury Rings: temple, barrows and hillfort

Explore the archaeology of the Kingston Lacy Estate as seen from the twin peaks of Badbury and High Wood with Martin Papworth of the National Trust.

Event: An evening walk and talk

Date: Saturday 9 October 2010
Time: 14:00
Map
Read more

The tour will take approximately two hours.  It includes some slopes.
Meet in the National Trust car park at Badbury Rings (grid reference ST 965 030).
Sensible footwear recommended.
Tickets: adults £3 in advance (£5 on the day), children £1.

Don’t forget the some of my other favourite locations.    Try, Maumbury Rings or the Roman Town House.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay here is a link to some respectable accommodation in Dorchester, Dorset.

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Badbury Rings

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
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This Hillfort dates from the Iron Age was built on a site that was occupied from much earlier times. This can be seen by the four Bronze Age (2200BC-800BC) round barrows, the most notable of which are the three that lie to your right as you travel up the track to the car park.
It comprises of three concentric, circular ditches that protect a large inner sanctuary for the inhabitants. Chalk spoil taken from each ditch was built up as loose scree on the inner edge of the ditch, effectively doubling its height and providing an earthen rampart. From the bottom of the ditch to the top of the rampart would have reached a height of some 40ft (15m) and, even accounting for 2,000 years of erosion, the ditches are formidable even today.If you are out and about in Dosret

If you are looking for an Interesting walk in Dorset why not try the Badbury rings.

This Hillfort is situated at the cross of two Roman roads, between Dorchester, Old Sarum (Salisbury), Bath and Hamworthy (Poole).

It dates from the Iron Age was built on a site that was occupied from much earlier times. This can be seen by the four Bronze Age (2200BC-800BC) round barrows, the most notable of which are the three that lie to your right as you travel up the track to the car park.

It comprises of three concentric, circular ditches that protect a large inner sanctuary for the inhabitants. Chalk spoil taken from each ditch was built up as loose scree on the inner edge of the ditch, effectively doubling its height and providing an earthen rampart. From the bottom of the ditch to the top of the rampart would have reached a height of some 40ft (15m) and, even accounting for 2,000 years of erosion, the ditches are formidable even today.

Badbury rings

Badbury rings

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Things to do in Dorset

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
Tags: , , , , ,
Things to do in Dorset
If you are looking for family days out,     xxxxxxxx Dorset is an incredibly rich county.
Pride and Prejudice
27 August 16, 2010
Athelhampton House & Gardens plays host to Chapterhouse Theatre Company latest incarnation of the Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
Gardens open 6pm, performance starts 7pm.
Tickets £12 Adult, £8 Students/Children, £35 Family (2 Adults, 2 Children).
Tickets available from Dorchester TIC    01305 267992 / 01305 848363
Chapter House Theatre Company
http://www.chapterhouse.org/2010_tour_lists.htm
Dorchester’s free youth festival, Anonymous is back with a bang, with even more music, activities and performers for young people and around Dorchester

If you are looking for family days out, walks, adventure holidays, historical trips or just lazing about on the beach, then you certainly won’t be short of things to do in Dorset.

Pride and Prejudice at Athlehampton

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

Athelhampton House & Gardens plays host to Chapterhouse Theatre Company latest incarnation of the Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

Date: 27 August  2010
Gardens open 6pm, performance starts 7pm.
Tickets: £12 Adult, £8 Students/Children, £35 Family (2 Adults, 2 Children).

Tickets available from Dorchester TIC    01305 267992 / 01305 848363

Anonymous Youth Festival 2010

Anonymous Youth Festival 2010

Dorchester’s free youth festival 2010

Dorchester’s free youth festival, Anonymous is back with a bang this year, and organisers Dorchester Youth Extra (DYE) and West Dorset District Council are delighted to announce that will be building on last years inaugural event with an even stronger line up of local and nation al talent.

The festival will be headlined by The Stow, who will be launching their Autumn tour at the event after a summer of festival as well as being filmed for a Sky 1 show about them.

Date: 28 August , 2010
Location: Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, 12pm-10pm.
Contact: 01305 252204

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Roman Town House, Dorchester

Monday, July 26th, 2010
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The Romans arrived on our little island in c. AD43.  Since their departure we have slowly and surely been discovering insight into the way they used to live.
A great example of Romano-British urban life is the Roman Town House in Collition Park, Dorchester, Dorset.  Built in c. AD307 it is the only Roman Townhouse visible in Britain and is the best preserved in the country.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Collition+Park+Dorchester&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=20.982131,29.619141&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=County+Hall,+Colliton+Park,+Dorchester,+Dorset+DT1+1XJ,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=16&iwloc=poi1
Every Wednesday throughout August the Roman Townhouse is opening up to closer inspection.
Donation are welcome
sources;  English Heritage
Roman Town house Dorchester

Roman Town house Dorchester

The Romans arrived on our little island in c. AD43.  Since their departure we have slowly and surely been discovering insight into the way they used to live.

A great example of Romano-British urban life is the Roman Town House in Collition Park, Dorchester, Dorset.  Built in c. AD307 it is the only Roman Townhouse visible in Britain and is the best preserved in the country.

Every Wednesday throughout August the Roman Townhouse is opening up to closer inspection.

This uniuque opportunity takes you inside the building’s protective structure and examine the mosaics and hypocaust and find out a little more about this unique site. The Dorchester Roman Town House will be open from 2.00 to 4.00pm on Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August and again on the 15 September.

Admission is free. Donations welcome.

Sources:  English Heritage
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Dorset Arts Week – 29 May to 13 June

Friday, May 28th, 2010
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Dorchester Arts Week, 29 May to 13 June

Dorchester Arts Week, 29 May to 13 June

Dorset Arts Week
During May and June each year, Dorset plays host to artists and crafts people from the local area.
From Gillingham and Shatfesbury to Dorchester and Wimborne, artists will come together to exhibit their work sought from inspiration not only the County but from around the world.
Photography; pottery; glass and ceramic; furniture; metalwork; painting; textiles; sculpture and textiles.  Most disciplines will be on show.
Dorset has long been a county where artist have been drawn.  It stunning Jurassic coast lines and beautiful rolling countryside has been a constant draw of inspiration for artists.
Jem Main, Director of DAW commented that “Almost all of the artists, designers or makers will be on hand to help you engage with their work, keen to talk to vistors about the extraordinary range of materials, traditions and skills that inform their work”.
So if you are keen to expand you collection or pick up a unique piece for your home, with some 800 artists to choose from there should be something to suit the most discerning art lover.
For more information on each artist, special exhibitions in your area, visit the Dorset Arts Week website.

During May and June each year, Dorset plays host to artists and crafts people from the local area.

From Gillingham and Shatfesbury to Dorchester and Wimborne, artists will come together to exhibit their work sought from inspiration not only the County but from around the world.

Photography; pottery; glass and ceramic; furniture; metalwork; painting; textiles; sculpture and textiles. Most disciplines will be on show.

Dorset has long been a county where artist have been drawn. It stunning Jurassic coast lines and beautiful rolling countryside has been a constant draw of inspiration for artists.

Jem Main, Director of DAW commented that

“Almost all of the artists, designers or makers will be on hand to help you engage with their work, keen to talk to vistors about the extraordinary range of materials, traditions and skills that inform their work”.

So if you are keen to expand you collection or pick up a unique piece for your home, with some 800 artists to choose from there should be something to suit the most discerning art lover.

For more information on each artist, special exhibitions in your area, visit the Dorset Arts Week website.

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Race for Life – Kingston Maurward

Thursday, May 20th, 2010
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‘Good Luck’ to everyone who is taking part in the Dorchester Race for Life event on the 23rd May raising funds for  Cancer Research UK. The event will be opened by West End dancer David Hodgson from Weymouth, who has recently joined the Nivea male cheerleader and motivational team.  He said: “This year we will be performing a special routine to S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Moving, which is sure to get the women going”.
Everyone has their own personal reason for taking part, be it in memory of a loved one who died from the disease or perhaps they themselves have benefited from the work of cancer research. It is a worthy, enjoyable, and colourful (mainly pink) event, as well as a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. The annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. For the past 16 years women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at local organised events to raise much need funds to help beat cancer.
Dorchester Race for Life
The Dorchester Race for Life takes place in Kingston Maurward College , just outside Dorchester Town on Sunday 23 May 2010 at 11:00am. There is no prize for first place , you can jog or run the 5k route or join up with friends for a leisurely walk.
Up to 2500 women will be helping the Dorchester event to reach a fundraising target of £139,000 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. Participants are recommended to arrive at least an hour before the start of the Race for Life event to avoid queuing. Parking is available at Kingston Maurward College, although to avoid traffic congestion, it may be best to park in Dorchester Town and walk to the college.
Tips if you are taking part in the event for the first time:
If you are planning to run, it is worth working on your overall fitness. Using a running machine will help you to gauge the distance. The route includes some up hill climbs.
Wear the right shoes. If you are running the route it is worth investing in running shoes.
Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun cream and coat if necessary.
Walk, run or jog at your own pace.
Make sure you take a bottle of water, although refreshments will also be available to buy on the day.
Local sponsors of the event include Heart radio 102.3, Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Echo.
Funding for Cancer Research in UK
Every pound raised in sponsorship or fundraising helps to fund the work of over 4,500 researchers, doctors and nurses dedicated to helping more people beat cancer. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Race for Life supporters, Cancer Research UK funds vital research all over the UK and helped to make a difference to people with cancer.
Since 1994 the Race for Life event has raised more than £327 million in total for Cancer Research UK and over the years they have seen real improvements in the outlook for cancer patients in the UK. Today almost two thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer are expected to survive their disease for at least 20 years. When Race for Life first started, fewer than half could expect to survive this long. There has also been development and improvement of cervical screening resulting in an overall drop of around 15 per cent in the death rate from all cancers since Race for Life began.
Charity Single
You can make a contribution by buying the Race for Life charity single, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, on sale now at Tesco’s stores and available to download on iTunes.
Together we can all do our bit to beat cancer.
Dorchester race for life 23rd May

Dorchester race for life 23rd May

‘Good Luck’ to everyone who is taking part in the Dorchester Race for Life event on the 23rd May raising funds for  Cancer Research UK. The event will be opened by West End dancer David Hodgson from Weymouth, who has recently joined the Nivea male cheerleader and motivational team.  He said: “This year we will be performing a special routine to S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Moving, which is sure to get the women going”.

Everyone has their own personal reason for taking part, be it in memory of a loved one who died from the disease or perhaps they themselves have benefited from the work of cancer research. It is a worthy, enjoyable, and colourful (mainly pink) event, as well as a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. The annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. For the past 16 years women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at local organised events to raise much need funds to help beat cancer.

Dorchester Race for Life

The Dorchester Race for Life takes place in Kingston Maurward College , just outside Dorchester Town on Sunday 23 May 2010 at 11:00am. There is no prize for first place, you can jog or run the 5k route or join up with friends for a leisurely walk.

Up to 2500 women will be helping the Dorchester event to reach a fundraising target of £139,000 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. Participants are recommended to arrive at least an hour before the start of the Race for Life event to avoid queuing. Parking is available at Kingston Maurward College, although to avoid traffic congestion, it may be best to park in Dorchester Town and walk to the college.

Tips if you are taking part in the event for the first time:

If you are planning to run, it is worth working on your overall fitness. Using a running machine will help you to gauge the distance. The route includes some up hill climbs.

Wear the right shoes. If you are running the route it is worth investing in running shoes.

Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun cream and coat if necessary.

Walk, run or jog at your own pace.

Make sure you take a bottle of water, although refreshments will also be available to buy on the day.

Local sponsors of the event include Heart radio 102.3, Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Echo.

Funding for Cancer Research in UK

Every pound raised in sponsorship or fundraising helps to fund the work of over 4,500 researchers, doctors and nurses dedicated to helping more people beat cancer. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Race for Life supporters, Cancer Research UK funds vital research all over the UK and helped to make a difference to people with cancer.

Since 1994 the Race for Life event has raised more than £327 million in total for Cancer Research UK and over the years they have seen real improvements in the outlook for cancer patients in the UK. Today almost two thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer are expected to survive their disease for at least 20 years. When Race for Life first started, fewer than half could expect to survive this long. There has also been development and improvement of cervical screening resulting in an overall drop of around 15 per cent in the death rate from all cancers since Race for Life began.

Charity Single

You can make a contribution by buying the Race for Life charity single, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, on sale now at Tesco’s stores and available to download on iTunes.

Together we can all do our bit to beat cancer.

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Museums at Night

Thursday, May 6th, 2010
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Museums at night

Museums at night

Just like Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais now’s your chance to have “A night at the Museum” as Dorchester’s curators open their doors for you to enjoy an evening exploring these fine and varied facilities. Museums at Night 2010 is a special initiative, organised by Culture24 and takes place during the weekend of Friday to Sunday 14-16th May. The event is part of European wide celebrations of International Museums Day and is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)

Everything comes to life

‘Museums at Night’ is coming to Dorchester in a big way on Saturday 15th May. The historic county town of Dorset boasts no fewer than five superb museums and this initiative will see all five open to visitors from 5pm to 9pm.

Dorchester is blessed with a wealth of top quality museums covering a fantastic range of topics and themes. There is sure to be something to surprise and educate be it  Roman Britain; Tutankhamun; Teddy bears; Thomas Hardy; Dorset’s military history; Dinosaurs, or simply Dorchester’s rich history. Museums at Night promises to be a very special night offering families and individuals an unrivalled opportunity to explore and discover.

‘Museums at Night’ venues

Dorchester County Museum

Dorset’s award winning County Museum located on High West Street, Dorchester is a fantastic base for exploring the history of Dorchester and the surrounding area. The family friendly Museum has fascinating modern galleries, dealing with a wide range of subjects including archaeology, farming history, Dorset wildlife, art, history and literature with special emphasis on the history of Thomas Hardy and the Jurassic Coast.

Dinosaur Museum

For dinosaur lovers, Dorset has the Dinosaur Museum, most recently chosen as one of Britain’s Ten Best Child-Friendly Museums. Located on Icen Way in the centre of Dorchester, the museum is a real treat for children and it combines life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and skeletons to create an exciting hands-on experience.

Teddy Bear Museum

The Teddy Bear Museum houses a large display of teddy bears from throughout the last century starting from the earliest examples right up to today’s TV favourites.  Located on the corner of High East Street and Salisbury Street, Dorchester, the wonderful and varied displays offer sheer enjoyment for the young, and for the not so young, with a fascinating and nostalgic look at this much loved toy,

The Keep Military Museum

The Keep Military Museum is sited in an impressive prominent historical building located at the top of the town in Dorchester, Dorset. It houses the splendid archive collection of the participating regiments that make up the Military Museum of Devon and Dorset. People of all ages can experience realistic battle environments, together with exhibitions and tales of courage, humour and sacrifice spread over 300 years.

Tutankhamun

The Tutankhamun Exhibition holds a spectacular recreation of Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures. The Tutankhamun Exhibition opened in 1987 and houses the most comprehensive exhibition on the boy pharaoh outside of Egypt.

Bovington Tank Museum

Away from the town centre, but most certainly not to be overlooked, the Royal Tank Regiment Museum located at Bovington is also joining in this special event. On the evening of May 15th, you can experience how the Army and tank crews have operated in darkness, from World War One to the present day in an extra special night at The Tank Museum. For this special evening you will be able to experience a torchlight tour of The Museum, try out state of the art night vision equipment with the Export Support Team, watch a night time vehicle exercise by the Army and discover what it’s like to crew a vehicle in the dark.

Special admission ticket

There is a special ticket available for the evening of 15th May only, giving you admission to all six museums. Advance family tickets can be purchased for £6 from any of the ‘Museums at Night’ participating museums or from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre. Special tickets purchased on the night will be £10. Five of the museums are within a short walk of each other and Culture 24 have produced a Google map listing all the participating ‘Museums at Night’ venues and their locations in Dorchester.

Many of the high quality restaurants, cafes and pubs in the centre of Dorchester, Dorset are linking in with ‘Museums at Night’ with special offers for those on the museum trail. The town will be sure to have a special vibrant atmosphere on the night so come along and enjoy a really great evening out.

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