What’s on in Dorset: September

Hello everyone, and welcome to the first of September’s posts!

Like many of you, we were amazed and inspired by the Olympic Games in August, and we know the Paralympic Games will be just as exciting and inspiring.

We were lucky to have the Olympic sailing events very close by in Portland and Weymouth, and there were plenty of thrills and spills and lots of very well-deserved medals for Team GB. We’re looking forward to more top sailing in the Paralympics, and we wish team ParalympicsGB and all the other athletes the very best of luck and a wonderful Paralympics.

Later this month we’ll be posting ideas for spooky things to do over half-term. We’ll also be posting details of some wonderful theatre shows, pantomimes and music events that will be showing in the run up to Christmas - book your tickets and your holiday accommodation early :-)

But first, here’s our usual selection of what’s on in Dorset in September.

1st and 2nd September - Dorset County Show Dorchester. Show attractions include Scott May’s Stunt Show; fun fair; dog agility; sheep shearing; terrier racing; falconry; gymnastic displays; cookery demonstrations, and much more. Free parking with disabled parking area. Dogs welcome on a lead. Opening times - 8.30am till 6.00pm both days.

1st September to 31st October - Global Images Gallery Photographic Exhibition at 2 Hound Street, Sherborne. A fascinating display of images of Iconic Mountains; Lhasa & Kathmandu, and Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm; Sundays 10am to 4pm.

8th to 9th September - River Cottage Autumn Fair at Park Farm, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster. Celebrate the harvest with a trip to the River Cottage 2012 Autumn Fair! It’s a “great opportunity for guests to come and explore River Cottage HQ and meet the gang off the telly.  You'll enjoy cookery demonstrations and talks from the team and contributors, fun activities for children, as well as a range of food, drink and artisan producers selling their wares” plus “lashings of Stinger beer and local cider, with local musicians playing throughout the day. Tickets £15.50, under 12s go free.

8th to 17th September – Lyme Regis ArtsFest at various venues around Lyme Regis. Experience art in unusual contexts; chat with artists; and attend special demonstrations, exhibitions, events and workshops.
12th September - Evolution, Extinction and Biodiversity in the Fossil Record: How Much is Real? at the Dorset County Museum. Alex Dunhill of the University of Bristol gives the first in a series of Geology Lectures. 7pm. Free entry (a £3 donation is encouraged).

14th to 16th September –the Bridport Hat Festival at various venues across Bridport. The 3rd Bridport Hat Festival promises shows, entertainment, live music, food and drink, and much more. Take part in the mass hat wearing photograph in Bucky Doo Square and you could win a prize!

21st September - Electric Bike Tour of Hardy's Monument and Upwey from Portesham “Starting at the Hardy Monument (the sailor rather than the author in case you were unsure) you will enjoy what is arguably the best view in the whole of West Dorset. Cycling along quiet country lanes we will stop at out of the way farmshops, superb country pubs, art galleries, vineyards to name just a few of the tour's highlights.” Tours start at 10.30am. Pre-booking is essential.

22nd September – Garden Opera Company: La Boheme at the Electric Palace, Bridport. Bars open at 6.30pm. Show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £25 in advance, £27 on the door.

23rd September - Dorset One World Festival, Kings Road Playing Field, Dorchester and Dorchester Youth Centre: a family fun day celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism. Telephone 07870 805404 or email dorsetoneworld@gmail.com for more information.

30th September - Antiques Fair at Kingston Mauward House, Dorchester. 10am to 4pm.

We say it every month, but this really is just a small sample of the wonderful events happening in our area: there’s always a huge variety of activities to choose from so if you plan to visit Dorset in September for any of these events or activities, don’t forget to book accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible.  We look forward to welcoming you here.