The BV

Cattistock in Concert
2022-04-23 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | Cattistock Church, Cattistock, DT2 0JD
The inaugural “Cattistock in Concert” will take place in our beautiful Parish Church on Saturday 23 April 2022. This is a very exciting new project to bring back classical music to the village and it is planned to hold many more interesting events in the future. The first one promises to be outstanding and will be performed by The Cassandra String Quartet, all local professional players.
Their programme will consist of some well-loved classical pieces:
Haydn Quartet Op 76 No 1 in G Major
Britten: The Simple Symphony
Mozart Quartet in E flat major K428
as well as a light-hearted piece, with a possible reference to St George’s Day.

CONCERT FOR UKRAINE
2022-04-22 19:00 - 22:30 | Athenaeum Centre, Warminster, 18-20 High Street, Warminster, BA12 9AE
A fundraising concert for the people of Ukraine

CRESS African-themed Fundraising evening
2022-04-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Coombe Bissett Village Hall, Shutts Lane, Coombe Bissett, SP5 4LU
CRESS UK is hosting an inspirational African evening of information and anecdote, sharing African refugee stories by Zoom, highlighting the life changing impact of CRESS funding.
This event will take place on Saturday 23rd April (7pm-10pm) at Coombe Bissett Village Hall.
Tickets cost £20 per person for a relaxed supper, including glass of wine, suitable for all diets. African themed dress optional.
CRESS’ vision is to enable the refugee community to become self-sufficient, now whilst in exile and eventually on their return to South Sudan. The emphasis for CRESS is on long-term development based on continuing personal contact.
You can buy tickets via the website, here: https://cressuk.org/shop/
Or, alternatively, tickets can be purchased from Coombe Bissett Stores or Broadchalke Hub.

“Come and Sing” Classical Choral Concert
2022-04-23 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Mary’s Church Bradford Abbas, Church Road, Bradford Abbas, DT9 6RF
An evening concert of classical choral pieces including Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Handel’s “Messiah”
under the expert musical direction of Alice Dicker BMus(Hons) DipABRSM(perf) and with accomplished organist Kris Emmett BA(Hons) taking place on Saturday, 23rd April 2022 at 7.00pm in St Mary’s Church, Bradford Abbas, performed by our “Come and Sing” choir following an intensive one-day workshop. Tickets £5 on the door, in aid of St. Michael’s Church, Beer Hackett.

Earth Day
2022-04-23 12:00 - 16:00
Earth Day is a positive event, celebrating what is already being done to help the environment and what we can do next!
There will be local groups, sustainable sellers, yummy food, inspirational speakers, fun activities and great music!
Some of our activities include exotic animal handling, mindfulness sessions, crafts, a solar workshop and much more!
There will also be a clothes swap too, you are welcome to bring an item of clothing that can be re-loved by someone else! #ReduceReuseRecyle
You can also wear something green to show solidarity with the environment
Be sure to bring a reusable coffee cup too if you’d like a hot drink.
Dorchester Town Council have created the event with our partners Bournemouth University, Litter Free Dorset, Dorset Climate Action Network, The Embroidery Barn and PiPs Café.

Earth Day
2022-04-23 12:00 - 16:00 | The Great Field, Poundbury, Peverell Avenue East, Dorchester, DT1 2FD

Spring Handmade Craft Market - Yandles
2022-04-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Yandles Arts & Crafts, Hurst works Hurst, Martock, TA12 6JU
Timber|Tools|machinery|Hobbies|Gifts
Free Family Day Out
Special Offers in the Arts & Crafts shop Demonstrations in the tool shop.
Free onsite parking
Find us just off the A303 at Martock

Murder at Checkmate Manor
2022-04-22 19:30 - 22:00
Murder at Checkmate Manor returns
Quotes from the audience:
Absolutely hilarious – loved every minute of this very professional production. The Group never fail to provide a totally entertaining event.
Wow wow wow we absolutely laughed out loud from beginning to end. It was so funny. The acting was brilliant the timings with the jokes etc fab. So funny, so enjoyable. Brilliant!
A really good laugh !! A fabulous production…go and see it and enjoy
Just seen this, joyously funny
Last November’s Murder at Checkmate Manor was so much fun that we’ve decided to take it on tour around the local villages. So if you didn’t get to see it then there will be another chance.
There will be four performances:
The Victoria Hall (April 22nd), Shaftesbury Arts Centre (April 23rd), Dinton Hall( April 29th ), and The Athenaeum in Warminster (April 30th)

An Evening of Mediumship
2022-04-22 19:00 - 22:30 | Pimperne Village Hall, Newfield Rd, Pimperne, DT11 8UZ
An Evening of Mediumship (in aid of Teddy20) with Mediums Mickey Havelock & Mark Stone – Tickets are £12.50pp which can be purchased from Veronica by contacting 07961796585.
This event has been organised by Veronica Jenkins to help raise funds towards the refurb of the Teddy20 Santa Sleigh. The Teddy20 Santa Sleigh stops were extremely popular last year but after being towed from stop to stop across Dorset over the past few years extensive work is now needed to keep the Sleigh in a safe, usable condition.

An evening with Benedict Allen
2022-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Digby Hall, Sherborne, The Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3NL, United Kingdom
BENEDICT ALLEN – Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown
Thursday 21st April, 7pm, Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne.
Part meditation, part memoir, this is an enquiry into the mind of an explorer and what it means to explore in the twenty-first century. Explorer is the story of what led Benedict Allen to travel to the farthest reaches of our planet – at a time when there were still valleys and ranges known only to the remote communities who inhabited them. It is also the story of why, thirty years later, he is still exploring.

The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project Easter Egg Hunt
2022-04-16 10:30 - 12:30 | The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project, Shillingstone
The Big Yellow Bus Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday 16th April between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Entry is free and it’s great fun for the whole family. With thanks to Shillingstone Co-Op for supporting this event once again.
The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project is located alongside the North Dorset Trailway at Shillingstone, between Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton,

Faure Requiem
2022-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | St Peter’s Church Dorchester, 26 High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA
Music at St Peter’s offer a performance of Faure’s Requiem for Good Friday 15 April, 18.00 in St Peter’s Church Dorchester. Organist: Chris Dowie, Director: Ian Davis. The performance is offered in the context of an act of worship, so admission is free and all welcome.

Phoenix Cafe Orchestra
2022-04-10 15:15 - 16:30 | Motcombe Village Hall, The Street, Motcombe, Dorset, SP7 9NT
Do you enjoy music? Would you like a bit of a lift after the last two difficult years – a musical treat, some exciting rhythm and melody played with great motivation and skill?
Come and hear the expert 12 piece PHOENIX CAFÉ ORCHESTRA playing mainly 20s and 30s music on Sunday 10th April 2022 in Motcombe Village Hall, from 3.15–4.30pm. Doors open 2.45pm. Tickets are £10.00 each and the price includes refreshments. The hall will be set up ‘café style’ so do order tickets for your friends and make up a table of 4, 5 or 6. The hall is wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are available from:
Lydia – events.regs@gmail.com or Judy – events.rebvn@gmail.com
Motcombe Village Shop (cash only)
Mere Library (cash only)
Read Easy Blackmore Vale North is the local branch of the national charity, Read Easy UK, offering free 1-2-1 coaching for adults who have difficulty reading. We now have readers being actively coached in Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Wincanton, Sturminster Newton, Sherborne and in the villages between.

Mappowder Jumble Sale
2022-04-09 14:30 - 16:30 | Mappowder Village Hall, The Green, Mappowder, DT10 2EL
Mappowder’s jumble sale is back! There will be lots of bargains – clothes, books, toys, bric-a-brac etc, refreshments with lovely homemade cakes and a raffle at this popular lively event.

Blackmore Vale Bonsai Group meeting
2022-04-08 19:30 - 22:00 | Charlton Memorial Hall, Parham road Charlton, Charlton, United Kingdom
The group meets on 2nd Friday each month. New members are always welcome, we cater for beginners to more advanced growers.

Gary's Gift Spring Ball
2022-04-08 18:30 - 23:59 | Wincanton Memorial Hall, High Street, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9JX
On Friday 8th April we will be holding the inaugural Gary’s Gift Spring Ball at the Memorial Hall in Wincanton. The Ball is to raise funds for our friend and colleague, Gary White who was diagnosed with the devastating condition, Motor Neurone Disease in July 2021.
Gary’s Gift was formed with a single goal in mind – To raise as much as we possibly can to support our friends, Gary, and his partner Sarah as their battle with Motor Neurone Disease develops.
MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.
Gary is loyal, driven, loving and has a huge heart. He is always the first to be there and support you before you even ask. With the support of his employer, Gary continued to work up until November last year, which has helped to keep his morale up. He has now taken up baking to keep him busy, for those of us that know Gary it came as a bit a shock as he was never known for his culinary prowess…..
Although Gary is now unable to talk it’s still the same Gary, still smiling and laughing and still doing all he can to help those around him.
But the truth is it’s our turn to be there for Gary and his family.
The aim of the Ball is to raise as much as we possibly can to help Gary to buy much needed equipment, as his needs will dictate, but more importantly to help Gary to create some amazing memories with his family as they embark on the incomprehensibly difficult time ahead of them. Our aim is to raise well over £10,000 and we are on track to do so.
We also want to raise awareness of just how devastating MND is.
The Ball will include, live music, a Hog Roast, a live auction and raffle with some incredible prizes – everything has been donated by amazing local and national businesses.
Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GarysGift.co.uk and website can be found on the links below.
We do still have a limited number of Tickets available – They are available by using the contact us function on our website or by emailing info@garysgift.co.uk

Open Call for Artists - “High Tops, Knobs, Birdseyes and Mites” celebrating 400 years of Dorset Button
2022-04-07 - 2022-06-14 | Shaftesbury Arts Centre, 13 Bell St, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8AR, United Kingdom
Dorset Buttons 2022
Exhibition
at
Shaftesbury Arts Centre
13 Bell Street
SP7 8AR
We are looking for artists who are prepared to share your interpretation of the Dorset Button industry at an exhibition from
13 July to 19 July 2022 to celebrate the birth of this local cottage industry 400 years ago.
Full details and application forms go to
www.dorsetbuttons2022.co.uk
Closing date for applications Friday 14th June 2022

Easter Bingo - Gillingham Carnival Committee
2022-04-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Gillingham, Vicarage School Rooms, GILLINGHAM
Easter Prize Bingo, Monday 4th April 2022. at Vicarage School Rooms Gillingham Dorset.
Doors open 7:00 pm, eyes down 7:45 pm. Run by and in aid of Gillingham Carnival

Sydling St Nicholas Craft Fair
2022-04-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Sydling St Nicholas Village Hall, East St, Sydling St Nicholas, DT2 9NX
Spring fair with over 20 varied craft stalls.

Tristan Gooley in Conversation
2022-03-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Digby Hall, Sherborne, The Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3NL, United Kingdom
Tristan Gooley, the Natural Navigator, has spent decades hunting for clues and signs in nature all over the world. Each day we pass dozens of small weather signs that reveal what the weather is doing all around us – and what is about to happen. The clues are easy to spot when you know where to look, but remain invisible to most people. This is the art of Natural Navigation.
Tristan Gooley will be in conversation with Brian Bleese, CEO of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Tickets £9 members, £10 non members available through the Sherborne Literary Society website and Winstone’s Bookshop.

The Neal's Yard Remedies Factory SALE is here!
2022-03-28 09:00 - 2022-04-03 18:00 | Neals Yard Remedies, Peacemarsh, Gillingham, SP8 4EU
The Neal’s Yard Remedies Factory SALE is here! With up to 75% off at their Factory store in Peacemarsh Gillingham.
Don’t miss out! Ends on the 3rd April.

Spring Concert - DCO
2022-03-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Sherborne Girl’s School, Bradford Rd, Sherborne, DT9 3QN
Dorset County Orchestra are delighted to announce their Spring concert, this year taking place in Grandsen Hall, Sherborne (Girl’s School) on Saturday 26 March 2022.
Their programme is a delight for lovers of classical music everywhere from Mozart – the Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, followed by Dvorak – Cello Concerto, played by the gifted soloist Arturo Serna (who just happens to also be our resident conductor) and finishing with the flourish of Schumann – Symphony no. 3 (The Rhenish).
Dorset County Orchestra has long been active on the local orchestral scene, and usually perform three concerts, in varying venues across the county, but like many musical organisations during the past two years, they have had to cancel or scale down their performances.
They are delighted to be bringing this programme to Sherborne, home to both our resident and guest conductors, John Jenkins.
Venezuelan born British conductor Arturo Serna has a dynamic career as a conductor/cellist and teacher. His musical journey began as a second generation graduate of El Sistema in Venezuela and was influenced by his mother, a violinist with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. After leaving Venezuela, he studied in France, Switzerland and England and holds a Masters in conducting.
Arturo currently conducts the Dorset County Orchestra, Exeter Symphony Orchestra, Axe Vale Orchestra and Shaftesbury Symphony Orchestra. He has guest conducted for numerous events locally, including Hazelmere Music Society, Sherbourne Community Orchestra, Yeovil Community Orchestra, Bruton Choral Society and Wincanton Youth Theatre. Arturo teaches at Sherborne Girls, King’s Bruton, Hazel Grove and Lewiston schools. Many of his former pupils are now studying at world class conservatoires and university or play active roles in the music profession.
Leader Bärbel Glaser graduated with a diploma in orchestral music and a degree in music education from the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Academy, in Leipzig, in former East Germany.
Now with more than 20 years experience as a freelance musician in Dorset and Hampshire, she leads the Dorset County Orchestra, Dorset Chamber Orchestra and Wimborne Chamber Orchestra and many local choral societies. She is also the leader of Magna Sinfonia and the Parry String Quartet and enjoys solo recitals, as well as teaching at local schools and privately.
John Jenkins joins the orchestra to conduct the Cello Concerto. He has led a varied musical career, from chorister at Bristol Cathedral, organ scholar of Durham University where he conducted the University College Orchestra and Chamber Choir. Roles as assistant organist at Bristol Cathedral followed, and included recording, television and radio broadcasts. He has conducted the Derwent Singers, enjoys regular engagements as organist and continuo player, whilst his choral work with young people has embraced music courses across the country. John was appointed organist of Sherborne School for Girls in 1992, becoming Director of Music in 1996, and co-conductor of the Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society.
The orchestra looks forward to welcoming you to this fantastic concert – tickets are available
from Winstones Book Shop, Sherborne (cash only), online from TicketSource here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dorset-county-orchestra , and on the door!

Choral Evensong for Lent
2022-03-26 16:30 - 18:00 | St Peter’s Church Dorchester, 26 High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA
Music at St Peter’s offer Choral Evensong for Lent this Saturday 26 March, 16.30 at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. This is the latest in our series of monthly cathedral-style evensongs. This month, enjoy some wonderful music by Byrd, Tallis, Smith and Howells. Graham Scott is at the organ and Ian Davis directing. All are very welcome and warmly invited to join us for a glass of wine after the service.

Writing Workshop: From the Historical to the Personal
2022-03-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Sturminster Newton Library, Bath Rd, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1EH
This is a small group workshop facilitated by Sue Ashby. Participants need to bring ideas and will enjoy a session aimed at helping them craft historical fiction.
The workshop fee includes tea and coffee.
The workshop will involve writing activities with the opportunity to share what has been written if comfortable to do so. Please bring a pen and writing materials.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-workshop-from-the-historical-to-the-personal-tickets-267762303257

Gillingham Carnival Committee - AGM
2022-03-25 20:00 - 20:30 | Gillingham – Coronation Club, Buckingham Road, GILLINGHAM, SP8 4QF
Gillingham Carnival Committee Annual General Meeting – Everyone welcome

A Concert for Ukraine
2022-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Wells Cathedral, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE
Featuring a selection of short pieces specially selected for the occasion, including:
Hultmark – Fanfare for Ukraine
Evelyn Glennie – A Little Prayer
Gliére – Nocturne
Dvorák – Serenade for Winds
Admission is free with no booking required.
The collection from this concert will support the humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
If you cannot attend but would still like to donate, visit wells.cathedral.school / ukraine

Bingo
2022-03-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Village Hall, Marnhull, Burton St, Marnhull, Dorset, DT10 1PP
By jingo it’s Easter Bingo!
The village hall, Marnhull. Eyes down 7.30pm.
Ticket price includes supper, a bingo book and a raffle ticket
Guest starring Simon Hoare as our bingo caller!
Raffle & Bar
For tickets please email ptfastgregs@gmail.com or call Bethan on the number below.

Thomas Cameron at Shaftesbury Arts Centre
2022-03-12 19:45 - 21:30 | Shaftesbury Arts Centre, 13 Bell St, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8AR, United Kingdom
After unavoidable delays, singing sensation’ Thomas Cameron is making a welcome return to Shaftesbury Arts Centre.
A charismatic English tenor, Thomas has a powerful voice that’s making waves in the world of classical music. His first three singles, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ and ‘Music of the Night’, taken from his beautiful debut album ‘The Voice of Thomas Cameron’ have been met with critical acclaim and great enthusiasm from his fanbase.
Thomas was featured on BBC television where they described him as ‘wowing the music world’, a statement fully endorsed by his nominations for The Best In Music Award 2019 and the 2018 Classic Brit Awards.
With his inimitable personality and performing a number of well-loved songs including musical theatre hits and beautiful classical pieces, Thomas is sure to please many tastes and gives a very special performance to remember.

Shaftesbury Book Festival
2022-03-11 - 2022-03-13 | Shaftesbury
The theme ‘Reading the Land’ is an invitation to share in the passion, experience and insight of our authors as we explore the best of nature writing.
With much of the last 18 months spent adjusting to new limitations, many of us have explored the lanes and paths closer to home in a bid to find new ways to stretch our minds (and legs!). For some, it has been a chance to reconnect with nature, while for others it has proven an opportunity to examine more closely the natural world around us.
