Fraser Simpson

Wimborne Gardening Club announced the schedule for its late summer show on September 5 at the Allendale Community Centre. The update follows a meeting where town crier Chris Brown discussed planting on war graves. The show features categories across gardening, crafts, and cookery, with free entry for members and children. Organisers encouraged broad community participation, including junior entrants, and schedules are available locally and online.

New Milton will host a two‑week arts trail from August 1 to 15, displaying works by 80 artists across shops, businesses and public spaces. Organised by the Friends of New Milton Station following public demand for more art, the trail includes contributions from schools, community groups and artists of all levels. Events feature an exhibition launch, a Meet the Artists evening and an Artists of the Year competition. Funding comes from several local organisations, and maps will be available in venues and online.

Kimmeridge Coastguard Rescue Team has opened recruitment for new volunteers to begin training in early September, seeking individuals who are fit, team‑oriented, and available to respond to coastal emergencies. The team provides full training and equipment, encouraging those interested in contributing to community safety to apply through the HM Coastguard recruitment page.

Dorset recorded the highest rate of Premium Bonds high‑value wins in the UK, with 590 winners per 100,000 residents and total prizes exceeding £14 million, according to Bitz.io research. Surrey and West Sussex followed closely, while Greater London topped raw winner numbers but fell to 36th when adjusted for population. Rural counties dominated the top rankings, reflecting differences in bond holdings and wealth distribution.

A 24‑hour community challenge at The Blandford School covered 2,026 kilometres to raise funds for Teddy20 and Andy’s Man Club. Students, staff, families and local partners took part in walking, running and cycling the distance from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. The event, led by the PE department and organiser Niall Clinton, concluded with a Family Day featuring entertainment and a raffle, including tickets donated by Riverside Travel. Fundraising pages remain open.

A memorial dinner hosted by Southampton College in honour of former student Joe Abbess raised nearly £4,000 for air ambulance services across southern England. More than 60 attendees, including Abbess’s family and MP Darren Paffey, gathered at the college’s Aspire Restaurant for a four‑course meal themed around the regions supported by the charities. Speakers highlighted Abbess’s impact on his community and the talent of current hospitality students.

Year 3 pupils from Hill View Primary School visited Butser Ancient Farm to learn about prehistoric life through activities such as fire‑lighting, archaeology and exploring reconstructed roundhouses. Headteacher Victoria Buckland praised the hands‑on experience for enhancing engagement and deepening historical understanding. The farm, operated as a not‑for‑profit educational site, supports learning through accurate reconstructions and archaeological research.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is relaunching its Music-Making Competition for amateur musicians aged 18 and over across the UK, offering £3,000 in prizes plus category awards. Applicants submit a short performance video, with judges assessing confidence and musical control. The panel includes broadcaster Tom Service, guitarist Dagan Wilkin and presenter Helen Arney. The orchestra, which delivered nearly 400 educational events last year, highlights that previous winners used the opportunity to advance creative projects. Entries close on September 3.

Folk musician Beans On Toast, the stage name of Jay McAllister, will perform at the Bear Cave in Bournemouth on December 9 as part of his winter tour. Known for storytelling-driven songs that range from personal themes to protest music, he has earned widespread critical praise and released 15 studio albums. His In Your Neck Of The Woods Tour will run across the UK from mid‑November to mid‑December, with tickets for the Bournemouth performance available on his website.

Volunteers in the New Forest are surveying ponds to track dragonfly populations as part of a broader conservation effort. Data collected through the VESPA programme and Freshwater Habitats Trust aims to assess pond health, identify species presence, and guide strategies addressing threats such as climate change, pollution, and recreational pressure. Early results show significant variation among ponds, underscoring the need for targeted habitat protection.

Outdoor vendors face elevated skin cancer risks during recurring UK heatwaves, prompting Big Issue to distribute Summer Support Kits containing sunscreen donated by DIC, along with caps and water bottles. Bournemouth vendor Rodney Lyall describes the sunscreen as vital due to his medical vulnerability to sun exposure. Industry and parliamentary findings highlight significantly higher cancer risks for outdoor workers, while Big Issue leaders urge vendors to stay protected amid continued high temperatures. Public support is encouraged through purchasing kits aimed at aiding more than 1,000 vendors across the UK.

St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole hosted its annual Base Fest, showcasing creative work from students in Years 7 to 11 with displays ranging from metalwork and woodwork to acrylic design and 3D printing. The event highlighted hands-on learning, celebrated Year 11 student commitment, and promoted inclusivity in engineering. Hundreds of visitors attended and enjoyed refreshments prepared by hospitality students.

A section of the seawall at Milford on Sea has been repaired and nearby rock defences upgraded by New Forest District Council to reduce erosion, flooding risk and storm damage. Councillor Geoffrey Blunden highlighted the works as essential for protecting homes, infrastructure and access routes. The repairs, completed using a long‑reach excavator, were finished on July 3 and form part of the council’s broader coastal management strategy.