7 things you can do in Dorset this weekend

With restrictions eased, many rescheduled events are now taking place across Dorset. 

Here are seven things you can do in Dorset this weekend:

VE And VJ Events In Dorchester

A weekend of events will take place in Dorchester to commemorate two of last year's milestone anniversaries remembering major British Armed Forces victories during World War Two.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented any sort of larger in-person events or gatherings to commemorate last year's 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in August.

Organisers of the events have announced that the relaxation of restrictions means they will now able to hold an a weekend of events which commemorates the special landmark anniversaries in what they feel is a more fitting way than was possible last year.

On Saturday, August 14, a VJ Day anniversary service will be held in the open air at 11am at The Kohima Stone outside County Hall in Colliton Park. It is a public event and organisers have said that anyone who wants to come is welcome to attend the service.

On Sunday, August 15 a 'Victory Day' service, which will be marking both VE Day and VJ Day, will be held in Borough Gardens at 11.30am.

The service will be followed by a band concert by The Durnovaria Band and a display of vintage vehicles in Borough Gardens. There will also be a display of vintage buses in the Top o’Town car park.

Following this, there will be a private lunch for 135 people at the Marabout Barracks on Poundbury Road for veterans of the Dorset Regiment and their families.

The Keep Military Museum which is close by, will be open on both days. In addition to the Museum’s extensive collection of historical displays, there will be a number of special activities including weapons on display and available for handling by the public.

Fun fair

Danter’s Fair continues to be situated on Weymouth seafront with fun rides and sideshows for all the family.

The rides open at 11am every day.

Lyme Regis Carnival

Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week concludes this Saturday after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The week culminates in the grand carnival procession on Saturday, August 14 which makes it way down Pound Street, Broad Street and along the seafront from 8pm.

Visitors can take part in seaside snaps, beach yoga or the children’s pavement art competition before the finale.

For more information and a full listing of events, visit www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk

Bridport Folk Festival

Bridport Folk Festival will continue to run throughout the town from tomorrow until Sunday, August 15 - and final calls are still being made for volunteers to help the event run smoothly.

The highlights of the festival are two shows featuring some top folk music talent, on Friday at Bridport Town Hall and Saturday at Electric Palace.

Friday's show will be headlined by Kent-based four-piece band, Open Water and supported by Antoine and Owena. Saturday will see fast, fun, foot tapping music courtesy of Quinns Quinney, followed by the highly acclaimed Gadarene, with their traditional English tunes, virtuoso acoustic musicians and funky beats.

There will also be music throughout the town over the three days at Bucky Doo Square, the Millennium Green, and Burrough Gardens. In addition to this, there will be Morris dancing groups performing throughout the town.

Things have not been easy for the organisers of the festival this year, with uncertainty over what restrictions may be in place this summer, the event being rescheduled several times and the team being unable to carry out their usual fundraising events due to the lockdown.

The last Bridport Folk Festival took place in 2019, with the 2020 event being cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

This year's festival will be raising money for the Burrough Harmony Centre, which offers support, information and a variety of enjoyable activities to local people who are living with a mental health problem.

The team behind the festival still need volunteers with local knowledge to help out across the weekend, with rewards such as free tickets available to those who sign up. 

Contender Fest

Dorset's newest festival of fitness and fun is taking place at The Triangle, Bournemouth.

The organisers are bringing part of its obstacle course centrepiece to Bournemouth town centre, offering people a chance to have a go for free.

This will take place between 10am and 5pm on Saturday (August 14).

Upton Country Park Food Festival

The first Upton House Food & Drink Festival is taking place this weekend, in an event which boasts live music throughout.

Being held at Upton Country Park on the north western shoreline of Holes Bay in Poole, the event was originally set for the last weekend of June.

It was, however, rescheduled for Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August.

Organisers say the event will have an "accent on food and drink produced in Dorset" and will accompany some of the county's best home-grown bands and singers.

Festival organiser Serena Wren said: "What better way to celebrate getting our lives back than with some of the tastiest food Dorset has to offer?"

"Add to that the company of good friends, great music and the stunning surroundings of Upton County Park and you have the perfect recipe for making the most of the weekend.”

Planned during lockdown, the festival is charging a nominal entrance fee and admissions. These are managed in six sessions over the three days from 11am until 5pm during the daytime and 5.30pm until 10pm in the evening (11am-3.30pm and 4-8pm Sunday).

For more information, visit: uptonhousefoodfestival.com

Victorian Weekend

Experience a living history weekend like no other within the walls of the Victorian Nothe Fort in Weymouth.

Guests will lose themselves in another time as you explore life in the Nineteenth Century through a variety of re-enactments, craft demonstrations, activities and displays.

Included in their list of attendees are The Ragged Victorians, a re-enactment group whose true-to-life portrayal of the Victorian working classes is not to be missed.

The Nothe Fort Artillery will also be manning the canons for firing and drills throughout the day.

Pre-booking is essential and can be booked through this link - http://nothefort.org.uk/news-events/victorian-weekend?occurrenceID=3411