Joanna O'Donnell

A rediscovered postcard photograph has allowed Derek Amey to identify himself, his cousin John and his brother David riding Weymouth Miniature Railway in the 1950s. Amey recalls the railway’s route near the seafront and Backwater, including its turntable and short journeys, while reflecting on the lost railway bridge to Portland and the later creation of the Rodwell Trail. The photographs evoke Weymouth’s seaside history and the enduring power of personal memories.

Residents of Weymouth and Portland recall childhood experiences including carnival floats, Punch and Judy shows, Chipperfields Fun Fair, Red Arrows displays, swimming to the Greenhill Beach rafts and visits to Weymouth's rose arch and Palm House. The memories were shared by members of the We Grew Up in Weymouth and Portland Facebook group.

Several roads in Buckland Newton, including sections of the B3143, will be temporarily closed from August 28 to September 4 while Dorset Council carries out resurfacing and carriageway maintenance. The closures may legally remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary. Signed diversion routes will be provided, and Dorset Highways and Dorset Council traffic officials will handle questions about access and the traffic order.

Wessex Musical Theatre will stage its summer showcase, “Sea Breeze and Showstoppers!”, at Weymouth’s Nothe Fort on August 29, with a reserve date of August 30 in case of poor weather. The outdoor event will feature solo and ensemble performances of songs from musicals and popular favourites, running from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets cost between free and £12, with seating, refreshments, wheelchair access and nearby parking available.

Two temporary road closures are planned in Blandford Forum while Scottish and Southern Power Distribution upgrades the local electricity network. Hunt Road between Carter Close and Elizabeth Road is scheduled to close from September 1 to 11, followed by a closure on Elizabeth Road at Barnes Close from September 14 to 25. Diversions will be provided, and vehicles, cyclists and horse riders will be barred from the affected sections during the works.

Historic photographs document the Mere Farm oil tanks on Portland, which were built for the Royal Navy between 1907 and 1913 and later stored fuel for homes, businesses and ships. The final tanks were demolished in 2008 after the site was bought by the borough council from Portland Port with regional development funding, allowing Osprey Quay to expand ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Historian Stuart Morris described the tanks as a visual disaster, while members of a local nostalgia group recalled them fondly as an important landmark and a sign that they were nearly home.

The PS Waverley will return to Weymouth from September 3 to 13, 2026, offering Jurassic Coast cruises, trips to Swanage, Yarmouth and the Isle of Wight, and an evening sailing. The schedule includes departure and return times, with tickets available through Waverley Excursions online or by phone. Launched in 1946 and preserved since 1974, Waverley is the world's last seagoing paddle steamer and has carried more than six million passengers from over 60 UK ports.

Woodsford Castle, a rare surviving section of a medieval fortified manor house near Dorchester, was built around 1337 and later fell into disrepair before receiving a large thatched roof in 1660. In 1856, Thomas Hardy assisted his father with preliminary drawings for repairs commissioned by John Hicks, work that helped Hardy secure an architectural apprenticeship. The castle is now owned by the Landmark Trust, is visible from the road, and is available to rent, with occasional heritage openings.

A photograph shows Westham Bridge in Weymouth around 1960, when the road was quiet and the bridge still carried through traffic. The article recounts the bridge's history, including its 1921 opening and the earlier 1859 structure, while identifying nearby landmarks such as St Joseph's Church and the former miniature railway. Local residents recall walking across the bridge to South Dorset Tech and visiting the miniature railway in the 1950s. Today, the bridge is no longer a through road and the surrounding area has undergone redevelopment.

A 4¼-mile, fairly easy circular walk beginning at Marnhull Post Office takes walkers through farmland and across the River Stour twice, including its meeting point with the River Cale. The route offers views across the Blackmore Vale and includes detailed directions, map and transport information, guidance on dogs and stiles, and a suggested refreshment stop at the Blackmore Vale Inn.

A cannonball-sized hole in the wall of a public toilet building on Maiden Street, Weymouth, is believed to date from the English Civil War. The projectile was likely fired from Nothe Fort or a Royalist ship during the February 1645 fighting between Parliamentarian forces controlling Weymouth and Royalists based in Portland. The article recounts the surprise Royalist attack, weeks of fighting and eventual Parliamentarian victory, noting that the original cannonball was replaced with a wooden replica for public safety.

Three people on motorbikes reportedly rode through Cheap Street, a pedestrianised area in Sherborne, during a busy lunchtime on August 1, forcing pedestrians, including a witness with young children, to move out of the way. Dorset Police classified the incident as anti-social behaviour; the riders had left before officers arrived and no arrests had been made.

A collection from the Terry Gale Collection documents Weymouth across several decades, featuring views of the town, harbour, Nothe, railway station, hospital, Pier Bandstand and Weymouth Bay from the 1920s through the 1980s. Particularly notable are 1924 British Rail publicity images preserved on glass negatives, which provide detailed views of Weymouth as a seaside resort more than 80 years ago.

St Augustine’s Well in Cerne Abbas is linked to a legend that Augustine created it by striking the ground with his staff after local shepherds asked for water. The well is said to provide good water, and local tradition holds that drinking from it with a laurel-leaf cup while facing the church can make wishes come true. The story also recounts Augustine’s visit to Dorset in 597 AD and his founding of Cerne Abbas Abbey.

Drowners' huts along the River Frome near Dorchester served as shelters for professionals who managed the seasonal flooding of water meadows. The carefully engineered irrigation system deposited silt, reduced frost effects and produced early grass and rich hay for cattle. Although drowners remained employed at one nearby farm into the 1940s, water meadows declined from the late 19th century because of agricultural recession and cheap imported grain.

The Delhi Inn, a long-lost pub on Portland's Delhi Lane, served quarrymen from early morning until its closure and sale in 1908. Its landlord, William Pearce, sold locally brewed ale supplied by John Groves Brewery, while his family later moved to the Red Lion in Easton. Family recollections also describe how a Great Western Railway signalman lodged at the Red Lion, married Pearce's daughter Betty, and became part of the family.

Patricia Harding recalls attending South Dorset Technical College in Weymouth in 1957–1958, describing its uniform, commercial studies course, examinations, student life and the opportunities it provided. The college later moved from its Newstead Road site to a redeveloped Cranford Avenue campus in 2001, and the old building was demolished. Other former students similarly remember the institution for practical and academic training in areas such as engineering, masonry, bricklaying and painting and decorating, saying it helped them gain employment and launch careers.

St Catherine’s Chapel, an 800-year-old hilltop building overlooking Milton Abbey near Milton Abbas, is highlighted alongside nearby Steeptonbill Farm Shop, which offers local food, plastic-free products and an outdoor cafe. The chapel was likely built for travellers and pilgrims, later fell into various secular uses, and was restored in 1901 after serious neglect. Its history includes medieval indulgences, the Reformation under Henry VIII and a tradition linking the site to King Athelstan. Visitors can obtain the chapel key from the farm shop and reach both locations from Milton Abbas and Milton Abbey.

Dorchester Prison appears briefly in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, whose cinema release has generated strong local interest, including sold-out screenings at Dorchester's Plaza. The former Victorian jail, filmed in November 2025, is shown in scenes featuring its central atrium and former B-Wing. Its precise significance remains unclear, while the production adds to Dorset's growing profile as a filming destination alongside other major film and television projects shot in the county.

The Dorset Sunflower Trail at Maiden Castle Farm in Dorchester is expected to return for its sixth season with 90,000 sunflowers and a “Love the Buzz” theme. Subject to growing conditions, the trail is planned to open for about three weeks from July 28 and will include short and long walks, art activities, storytelling, yoga, sound baths, live music and a charity running event. Since launching in 2021, the trail has raised £78,000 for Dorset County Hospital Charity, and organiser Hazel Hoskin hopes this year’s visitors will help reach £100,000.

A Douglas C-47 Dakota will make three passes over Weymouth Bay as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, commemorating Britain’s wartime defence and the aircraft’s role in World War II and D-Day operations. The flyover coincides with an American Car and Hot Rod Show on Weymouth Seafront featuring more than 50 vehicles, while the Royal British Legion will provide information about services for military personnel, veterans and their families. The Dakota is then expected to fly over Sturminster Newton before heading west.

Year 6 pupils across Dorset are being celebrated as they leave primary school and prepare to start secondary education. The Dorset Echo compiled a photo supplement featuring participating schools, including primary schools and academies in Weymouth, Portland and elsewhere in Dorset. Schools were invited to submit class photographs with parental or guardian permissions.

A former resident recalls childhood memories of the New Bridge Hotel in Weymouth, describing its lively atmosphere, proximity to the quayside tramway and local summer attractions. The pub once featured amenities such as a roof garden, children’s room and nightly live music, and was run by Bob and Babs Ellis in the 1970s. Recollections include watching trains pass outside, helping in the saloon bar and observing swans and fairground activities near the swannery.

A Messerschmitt 110 fighter plane shot down in 1940 was uncovered in a Dorset field in 1960 by ploughman Harold Brown. Historical accounts identify the aircraft and confirm its German crew bailed out and were captured unharmed after a dogfight with an RAF Hurricane. The discovery serves as a reminder of wartime remnants still present in the English countryside.

A 137‑metre vessel named Kas Marianne became the largest ship to enter Weymouth Harbour when it arrived in 1989 with a bow‑thruster issue. Port manager Peter Tambling and pilot Bob Runyeard coordinated the challenging entry, requiring ballast adjustments and support from the vessel Melwey to manoeuvre it safely. Two naval tugs were later needed to help the ship depart after taking on supplies, marking a memorable moment in the harbour’s working past.

Two ghost coach legends in Dorset are described, including a spectral carriage at Woolbridge Manor tied to the Turberville family and referenced in Thomas Hardy’s work, and a more macabre apparition at Kingston Russell House featuring a coach drawn by headless horses and occupied by headless figures.

A woman visiting Weymouth retraces the experiences of her late mother, who was evacuated to the town during World War II with her brother. The couple searches for information about the mother’s life there, hoping local residents may recall her stay. Memories from autograph books, family history, and later life events highlight the mother's adventurous spirit. The visit provides the daughter and her husband with a stronger connection to her past.

Historic photos of Weymouth Grammar School highlight students, productions and sports teams from 1926 to 1977, including early images provided by Stuart Morris. Details include a 1958 full-school photo, theatre productions, football teams from 1945 and headmaster 'Cocker' Linnett’s background and affiliations.

A retired police officer from Dorset completed a 3,600‑mile cycling journey across France, riding 60 miles a day for 60 days to mark her 60th birthday while raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her late brother‑in‑law. She faced challenging weather, physical exhaustion and extreme heat but remained motivated, including by the chance to see the England Women’s rugby team play in Bordeaux. Supported by her wife and dog, she completed the ride in the Champagne region and has so far raised £750 for the charity.

A set of twenty photographs from Dorset reception classes in 2003 highlights early school life for children who are now adults, offering families and former pupils a nostalgic look at classroom scenes from two decades ago. The collection reflects changes in local communities and invites readers to identify familiar faces among classmates, teachers and neighbours.

A former RAF air gunner recalls seeking shelter during a Luftwaffe raid in Weymouth in 1940 and mistakenly believing a group of German-speaking soldiers in an air raid shelter were enemy paratroopers. They were in fact German Jewish refugees serving in the British Army’s Pioneer Corps. The account highlights wartime tension, refugee military contributions, and the presence of Continental musicians such as Ray Martin stationed in Weymouth during the war.

A look back at the history of Weymouth’s Grand Hotel traces its origins from an early nineteenth‑century mansion through multiple owners before becoming a popular family‑run seaside hotel. Former guests and relatives share memories of weddings, garden parties, summer drinks, and the hospitality of the Wallis family, who managed the hotel until its closure in 1989. Though now converted into flats, the building remains fondly remembered for its lively social atmosphere and community connections.

A nostalgic look back at Weymouth’s Neptunes restaurant, Maximes nightclub and the Bowleaze Cove Tavern, highlighting popular family dining and nightlife from the 1980s and 1990s and featuring rare archival photographs shared with the community.

Happy Eater, a once-popular roadside family restaurant chain in southern England, is recalled through personal memories and historical details. The chain opened Dorset locations in 1986 and created around 125 local jobs. The author recounts celebrating her eighth birthday at a branch in Andover North, highlighting the chain’s distinctive branding and family-friendly atmosphere. Happy Eater closed after its owner Trusthouse Forte was acquired by Granada in 1995, leading to the brand’s replacement by Little Chef as part of a consolidation strategy.

Highlights four hillforts across Dorset, describing their locations, historical features and the scenic views they offer, from Chalbury Hillfort’s vantage over Weymouth Bay to the atmospheric Knowlton Rings and the high point at Pilsdon Pen.

Explains the historical origins of nine Dorset place names, drawing on Old English, medieval records and Domesday references to outline how each location’s name evolved and what it originally meant, often relating to landscape features, land ownership or local agriculture.

Dorchester Prison appears in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which releases July 29, adding another major screen credit to the historic site and reinforcing Dorset’s growing reputation as a filming location. The movie features Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker, with the story following his crime‑fighting life in New York after the events of No Way Home. Filming took place across several UK locations, and the cast includes Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Mando and Sadie Sink. The Victorian prison, already used in multiple productions, continues to draw filmmakers and visitors alike.

Residents express mixed reactions to increased police enforcement targeting loud modified exhausts in Weymouth. Many welcome the action, calling the noise disruptive and linked to nuisance driving, while others question how effectively the rules can be enforced and warn against unfairly targeting responsible car owners. Despite differing views, there is broad agreement that noise levels have become a problem and expectations that the crackdown should deliver noticeable improvement.

Reactions are sharply divided over Dorset Council’s decision to ban kayaks and paddleboards from Weymouth Harbour, with some residents calling it necessary for safety and others deeming it heavy‑handed. Supporters of the ban argue inexperienced paddlers pose risks in the busy harbour, while critics say there is no evidence of incidents and that the measure unfairly targets smaller craft. Suggestions for compromise include designated areas or access corridors. Concerns were also raised about consultation, enforcement and the balance between harbour safety and recreational access.

Penelope Keith is fondly remembered in Dorset after her death at age 86, with residents recalling her visits and her celebration of rural life through television work and public appearances. Her involvement in the series Village of the Year highlighted Charmouth and Burton Bradstock, while a 1998 performance in Wimborne reflected her love of gardening and storytelling. Her long career in theatre and television earned her numerous honours, and her family announced she died peacefully at home in Surrey.

Recounts the 1961 filming of Hammer’s The Damned in Weymouth and Portland, describing key locations, production details, stunt work, cast members and the film’s troubled post‑production history, later critical recognition and lasting influence on later works while offering a glimpse of the area in the early 1960s.