Pokemon Go in Dorchester

The timing of the UK launch for PokemonGo by Nintendo was perfect for the start of the summer holidays. My daughter has been enjoying a bit of rest and relaxation after sitting her A level exams this year, in preparation for university in September. She has been thoroughly enjoying playing PokemonGo and has told me that Dorchester is a great place to play.

Many companies must be extremely envious of Nintendo's success, as the popularity of the game sweeps across the world.

Players need a smartphone, which uses the phone's camera and GPS to locate different Pokemon creatures, such as Squirtle, Wartortle and Butterfree.

My daughter has told me that she has walked miles around Dorchester looking for the creatures, so is getting plenty of exercise, one of the benefits of the game. However, there is an element of concern for parents, which I would like to draw attention to,  here is a link to the NSPCC guide for parents, which I would recommend reading before allowing your children to play. Dorchester Police have asked parents to remind children that catching a wild Pokemon is not an excuse to trespass on to someone else's property.

We have enjoyed some lovely warm weather during July, and it has been good to see all the children splashing in the fountains in Brewery Square and the Borough Gardens.

Brewery Square reserve the right to turn off the fountains if their rules about using this lovely public space are not adhered to. The rules are very clear and are aimed at protecting children as much as respecting the environment, and local businesses and residents.

Do enjoy your summer in Dorchester, we are very lucky to have such a lovely place to play and work!

Poppies, Town Crier and Literacy in Dorchester

Dorchester car parks were full to brimming today with so much going on in the town.

It may have been wet, but it most certainly wasn't miserable. 

The Dorchester Literacy Festival has a programme of cultural events this weekend, which are being  held at the County Museum, Dukes Galleries and Dorchester Library. 

The British Legion launched the poppy appeal in Brewery Square with the help of Dorchester Town Crier, who last week won first place in the National Town Crier competition in Hastings! 

Some very uplifting music could be heard in South Street, where the town's Durnovaria Silver Band was performing. 

Wishing Alistair Chisholm hearty congratulations, Did you hear his powerful today? If not then here is a link to last week's competition. 

Car parks and Christmas lunch

Most of Dorchester's car parks have  recently been fitted with new ticket machines. The existing ones were old and were frequently malfunctioning.

To obtain a ticket, you first need to enter your car registration number.

Dorchester has both long and short stay car parks. Fairfield car park in this photograph has both, but you need to use the corresponding ticket machine for short stay.

The ticket machine in the lower corner of the covered short stay parking area is where you can purchase a short stay ticket. 

This weekend my family came to visit Dorchester and we had booked a table at Zizzi restaurant in Brewery Square. 

We enjoyed a 3 course Christmas lunch, which was suitable for all the ages of our party. The service and the food was excellent! 

Parking on Sundays is free!

Duke's progress

Living close to a developing area I am able to see the progress of Dorchester's Brewery Square area. Twice this week I have been approached by groups of students from local schools who are studying the area for geography projects. Both groups were interested in finding out about what effect the development is having on the town.
During the past few weeks, work has started on the former Pullman Court, which is a large building next to the development. This has been purchased by Dukes Auctioneers. 

The building has been empty for several years and is now going to be transformed into modern new auction rooms and an art gallery. 

Having seen the transformation of the Brewhouse & Kitchen this year, it is exciting to see another business flourish.

The Duke family history is extensive and the original auctioneering business was formed for agricultural and livestock sales.

  

The business link with Henry Duke and Son is now only the name and there is no family connection to the current business. 

The current salesroom is opposite Carluccio's and Vivo Lounge. The new auction house is due to open in 2015.

Horse statue arrives

A wonderful atmosphere in Dorchester today as crowds gathered to witness the arrival of the statue of the bronze horse, which is to stand at the front of the Brewery Square development. 

The statue was led by a jazz band along South Street which was very busy with shoppers.  The Dorchester Town Crier announced it's arrival and it was carefully put in position.  It represents the  dray horses that would have worked  in Dorchester when the brewery was operating.

Here is a link to the BBC news article

I am very much looking forward to seeing the statue when it gets dark, as it is lit from underneath, and will look stunning.