The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

Choral Evensong
2026-07-25 16:30 - 17:30 UTC | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 25th July at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes Rheinberger’s ‘Abendlied’, Rose’s ‘Preces & Responses’, Howell’s ‘Gloucester Service’ and Rutter’s anthem for choir, organ and clarinet ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation’. Admission is free and there is a glass of wine to follow. All are very welcome. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Ballet Under the Stars
2026-07-24 - 2026-07-26 | Hatch House, West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6PA
Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House, 24th-26th July 2026
Covent Garden Dance celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of presenting world-class ballet and dance in some of the most distinctive settings in the UK and internationally.
Every summer, set within the enchanting 17th-century walled Dutch garden at Hatch House, Ballet Under the Stars takes place. The garden setting is transformed into a fully covered dinner theatre. The performances unfold beneath a canopy of flora where ballet, live music and fine dining combine to create an atmosphere that feels closer to a continental arts festival than a conventional gala. The audiences will enjoy a programme of twelve short works — spanning classical, neo-classical and contemporary repertoire — interwoven with a three-course dinner.
This year’s performances welcome a truly star-studded international cast in celebration of the company’s 20-year anniversary. Audiences will experience exceptional artistry from Myriam Ould-Braham and Mickaël Lafon of the Paris Opera Ballet, alongside Joy Womack and Xander Parish representing the Mariinsky Ballet. They are joined by leading artists from the English National Ballet, including Taela Rose Graff and Zai Calliste, among many others, creating an extraordinary evening that brings together some of the finest talent on the international stage.
Twenty years on, Covent Garden Dance continues to prove that ballet can thrive far beyond the traditional opera house or theatre and that some of the most memorable performances happen not beneath chandeliers, but under the summer stars.
Tickets from £185
To book:
E: production@coventgardendance.com
T: 01749 813313
www.coventgardendance.com

Children’s Matinée Ballet at Hatch House
2026-07-23 15:00 - 16:30 | Hatch House, West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6PA
A magical afternoon of dance designed especially for families and young children, featuring a truly special, world-class ballet performance.
This inspiring event offers a rare chance to experience the beauty of dance up close and to spark the imagination of the next generation.
This year’s Matinée will be hosted by the acclaimed James Bamford of Project Dance, alongside talented young Bahamian students performing live on stage.
The programme will include:
• A behind-the-scenes introduction to theatre magic, including lighting, music, and stagecraft
• Two short professional ballet performances
• A lively, high-energy finale where children are invited on stage to join in the dancing
Whether your child already attends dance classes or has never experienced a live performance before, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover the joy of ballet in a fun, engaging, and welcoming environment.
All proceeds support The Dicky Buckle Fund, which champions new work by emerging choreographers, dancers, and designers. Many of these works premiere at Hatch House before touring nationally and internationally.
To stay on for the full dress rehearsal of the Hatch Ballet following the Children’s Matinée performance, a family add-on ticket is available (covering up to two adults and three children).
Drinks, hot dogs and ice creams will be available from the bar. You are very welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy after the Matinée.
Tickets can be booked at: https://www.dickybucklefund.com/events

Mushroom Magic at Happy River: A family fungi growing lab
2026-07-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Happy River, Alpha Farm, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Family mushroom growing lab
A fun and fascinating morning exploring the wonderful world of fungi and learning how to grow them! This is a great way to digitally detox, connect with nature and spend time as a family. Set in the heart of Wareham Forest, this hands-on workshop is all about getting creative, learning new skills, and discovering how easy (and magical!) it is to grow mushrooms at home.
Under adult supervision, children can drill and plug their own mushroom logs, make up Oyster mushroom fruiting bags, and learn how to grow mushrooms on just about anything from egg cartons to your parents’ coffee grounds! You’ll also get crafty making beautiful spore prints to take home.
Perfect for curious minds and little nature lovers, this session is a great mix of learning, creativity, and outdoor fun. Each family will leave with their own mushroom-growing kit, a plugged log, new skills, and a deeper connection to the secret life of fungi.
Fungi treat and drink will be provided on the day.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Prices are for one child (£45) accompanied by an adult. Siblings £15. Under 5s go free.
Our Event Policy
We know that plans can sometimes change, and while Happy River events are generally non-refundable, we do look at each situation with care. In some cases, we may be able to transfer your booking to another event, it just depends on the circumstances.
If, for any reason, we ever need to cancel an event ourselves, you’ll receive a full refund.
Head to www.happyriver.co.uk/courses-events to book

Choral Eucharist
2026-07-19 10:30 - 12:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 19th July at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Dubra’s ‘Ave Maria’, Mozart’s ‘Spatzenmesse K.220’ and Mozart’s ‘Laudate Dominum’. All are very welcome to this free service. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Free Lunchtime Concert
2026-07-18 12:30 - 13:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
Join us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester on Saturday 18th July between 12.30pm and 1.00pm for our monthly lunchtime concert. Laura Jones (flute) and Rob Taylor (piano) perform Poulenc’s ‘Sonata for Flute and Piano’, Karg-Elert’s ‘Sinfonishe Kanzone’ and Robert Dick’s ‘Fish are Jumping’. Laura is finishing her first year as a scholar at the Royal College of Music, so please do come along and support this outstanding young musician! Admission is free. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

St Margaret's Hospice Yeovil Open Garden Event
2026-07-18 11:00 - 15:00 | St Margaret’s Hospice, Little Tarrant Lane, Yeovil, BA20 2HU
Step into summer at the beautiful gardens of St Margaret’s Hospice Care, where winding paths are lined with vibrant displays of blooming shrubs and dahlias. Wander at your own pace, breathe in the fresh air, and marvel at the thoughtfully designed planting that makes this garden a sanctuary for patients and their loved ones, St Margaret’s staff and volunteers.
Staff and Volunteers, will be on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the garden, revealing peaceful wildlife habitats and sharing the inspiration behind this special space.
Afterwards, treat yourself to a relaxing cup of tea and a delicious slice of homemade cake, lovingly prepared by the hospice kitchen team. You’re also warmly invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a laid-back lunch on the lawn surrounded by nature.
There’s plenty for families to enjoy, too! Children can take part in an exciting scavenger hunt, searching for natural treasures hidden throughout the gardens, and say hello to St Margaret’s friendly mascot, Busy Bee.
Enjoy garden games including the Nerf wall, Spin to Win, a tombola, and the ever-popular Glorious Gardens raffle.
To top it all off, soak up the joyful atmosphere with live performances from local bands and choirs in the Round House — the perfect soundtrack to a wonderful day of colour and community.

Reiki infused sound bath and sauna: Reset for the weekend
2026-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Happy River, Alpha Farm, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Enjoy two hours of pure restoration.
We are delighted to invite you to this beautiful offering at Happy River. Join Kate from Woodland Bear Reiki for two nourishing hours of deep relaxation and healing in the company of like-minded souls.
The evening will include a mix of gentle guided meditation, Reiki & sound healing to restore balance and calm, energy cleansing and sound therapy with tuning forks, soul-nourishing card pulls, comforting herbal tea, cacao and plant based flapjack, to ground and restore and time to unwind in our beautiful forest sauna. More on our beautiful forest sauna here.
Woodland Bear Reiki: Experience traditional Usui Reiki where Kate adds her own flavour with Native American influences, incorporating the additional elements such as incense and sound therapy. A Reiki session offers you the chance to step away from the busyness of everyday life and sink into deep relaxation. This gentle, yet powerful holistic practice, supports balance and harmony across your whole being, body, mind and spirit. Reiki can offer support for stress & anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia & fatigue, low mood or depression and emotional overwhelm. Find our more about Woodland Bear Reiki here.
Please bring a warm blanket and a yoga mat.
For more information on other dates please email us at flow@happyriver.co.uk
Our Event Policy
We know that plans can sometimes change, and while Happy River events are generally non-refundable, we do look at each situation with care. In some cases, we may be able to transfer your booking to another event — it just depends on the circumstances.
If, for any reason, we ever need to cancel an event ourselves, you’ll receive a full refund.
Head to www.happyriver.co.uk/courses-events to book

Summertime and All That Jazz
2026-07-05 15:00 | Balsam House Gardens, Wincanton, BA9 9HT
Presented by The Pilgrim Singers.
A Charity Concert in aid of Food for the Families in the Sudan.
Open for picnics from 1pm.
Tickets £15 (under 18s free) available on the door from choir members, Wincanton Post Office or contact 01963 33695.
Strawberries & Cream and Pimm’s included.
Marquee cover.

Choral Eucharist
2026-07-05 10:30 - 12:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 5th July at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Stanford’s ‘Beati quorum via’, Palestrina’s ‘Missa Aeterna Christi munera’ and S. Wesley’s ‘Ave regina caelorum’. All are very welcome to this free service. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Leigh on Mendip Car Show & Village Day
2026-07-05 09:30 - 15:00 | Leigh on Mendip Recreation Field, BA3 5QP
The day starts with a car show followed by the village day activities. Breakfast BBQ baps and other food and drinks available all day. This is an event for the whole family with a lot of attractions and stalls including a reptile display (including handling for photos), fun dog show, bouncy castle and harness goats. Something for everyone!

Frome Flea Market & Craft Fair
2026-06-14 - 2026-10-11 | West Woodlands Showground, Bunns Ln, Frome, BA11 5ES
Antiques | Collectables | Vintage | Retro | Artisans & Makers
Classic/Supercar Meet & Live Music
14th June | 12th July | 9th August | 11th October.
9am-3pm.
250+ stalls.
Entry £3 (Under 16’s free).
Call 07722 752404 | www.fromefleaandcraft.com

Concert Series
2026-06-14 - 2026-09-06 | Saint Barnabas Church, Stock Gaylard, Sturminster Newton, DT10 2BG
14th June Voice | 12th July Trumpet | 9th August Piano | 6th September Saxophone.
01963 23215 | www.stockgaylard.com
