News in Dorchester

A Dorchester businessman is using lockdown to help mental health charities after already raising £12,000.

Steve Chaldecott, manager of the Wessex Royale Hotel in Dorchester, wants to do something with his time while the hotel is closed during the current lockdown.

Relatives of those in care homes should contact the home directly before visiting, amidst rising cases of Covid-19.

Managers in care homes and supported living have been working hard to facilitate visiting wherever possible, but with situations changing on a daily basis, the safety of residents and staff must come first. In some cases, that may mean that visits in person can't currently go ahead.

Residents are being warned of a Covid-19 vaccination scam.

Some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the Covid-19 vaccine.

When Dodgson's of Dorchester Ltd was established in 1961, never was it thought that the shop's 60th year would be celebrated with PPE, masks and hand gel.

Glenn House owns the independent hardware store, which is classed as an essential business, with his wife - and you may have seen him on BBC's Spotlight on Tuesday evening - after he worked at the shop in South Street since 1981 and took over it from Mr Dodgson in 2005.

A fundraising campaign to return significant documents from 19th century literary giant Thomas Hardy back to his home county has reached its target.

The Dorset Archive Trust raised the final £5,000 needed to purchase the collection of manuscripts, described as "the most significant" yet when delving into the works of the Dorset author and poet.

Entries are open for the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards are now open.

Do you know businesses that deserve to be recognised or would you like to enter your own business?

Free parking arrangements for NHS and care workers will remain in place throughout the current six-week lockdown.

NHS and care workers can continue to use any Dorset Council-operated car park free of charge, provided they are on duty and displaying a relevant permit, or they have registered with Dorset Council.

A postcard sent from the United States 66 years ago has finally been united with the person it was meant for after being found in a Dorchester charity shop.

It was found by sales assistant Samantha MacNicol in Weldmar Hospicecare's Clearance Outlet. She tracked down 75-year-old Chris Hermon on social media and the postcard was forwarded to his home in Pershore, Worcestershire, where he revealed that he had never previously received it.

A body has been found in Dorchester in the search of a man missing from Weymouth.

Kenneth Rampton, aged 49, was last seen at his home in Weymouth at around 5.30am on Tuesday, January 5. He spoke to a family member at around 2pm the same day and said he would return home around 9pm, but he had not been seen or heard from since.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people of the importance of working smoke alarms and to take care if they smoke indoors after a woman had to be rescued from her home.

Firefighters were called to a home in Wollaston Road, Dorchester, just after 4pm yesterday (Tuesday), with three fire crews from Dorchester, Weymouth and Bridport attending.