Weldmar Hospice Trust

Dorchester is the home of the Weldmar Hospice Trust. It is an independent charity which supports people who's lives are affected by cancer and other life limiting conditions. The charity is well supported in the town and has a number of different shops that raise funds for their important work.

My daughter has recently started as volunteer, working in the bookshop. It is located in South Street and is always well stocked with generous donations.

In Trinity Street, there is a large shop, which sells a good selection clothing and house ware items. The shop is often bustling, but is always kept tidy and organised.

One of Weldmar's three outlet stores is currently located on the Poundbury West Industrial Estate, but will be moving shortly to bigger premises. This shop stocks furniture and larger household items and a selection of clothing.

Whichever shop you visit you will always receive a warm welcome from the staff. Donations are always appreciated. The trust runs 19 shops in Dorset and 3 furniture outlets. 

Recently I attended a training course held at Hammick House in Poundbury. 

Weldmar offer a selection of training courses relating to their work. 

Looking back to my blog that was posted on the 8th March 2014, it seems that I was sitting in the sunshine on the terrace of Carluccios. That is not the case this year, today is dull and damp, but spring is nearly here and Dorchester is a cheerful town whatever the weather is doing! 

Social Embers new business in Dorchester

I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to obtain places on some free training courses for women new in business in Dorset. The training has helped me get my new website up and running and I can now share a link to it here!

 I have founded SocialEmbers.com to investigate digital bereavement issues that are beginning to occur in the digital era. There is a blog on the website that may interest readers of this one! Please have look!

The series of training courses that I have attended have been sponsored by WSXEnterprise, The Government Equalities Office and Superfast Dorset and have been held under the umbrella title of 'Dorset Women Go Digital'

It has been a good opportunity for me to network with other women and to discover the evolving business ideas that are being created in Dorset and in Dorchester. 

Digital technology may be second nature to most people under 30 years old, but there are many older people that have not been familiar with it, who find the training extremely valuable. 

Certainly we are experiencing more and more digital technology in our daily lives, and the arrival of superfast broadband to Dorchester is welcomed by all in business. Those living in the rural villages that are still waiting to be connected can check here to see when that will happen. 

Link to fibre broadband coverage map. 

A year in Dorchester

I posted my first blog article on the 27th January 2014!  Here we are on the 26th January 2015  on the day that the first woman Bishop is to be consecrated in the UK!

Change happens!

This is the photograph of that I posted in that blog!

And here is the same place today! It is now the very warm and homely microbrewery Brewhouse and Kitchen 

I have been surrounded by building work since moving into my house in Dorchester three years ago. 

When I first moved in I could see St Peter's Church from my bedroom window! Then this happened!

Thankfully I can still hear the bells being rung in the bell tower on a Monday evening when they are practicing!

On the 28th March 2014 I posted this picture!

And here it is this morning!

Not much change there then!

I have established that this land belongs to Network Rail. Some local residents and friends of mine have been persuing a campaign to get it tidied up! I understand from correspondence that I have seen this morning that Brewery Square developers are trying to obtain a licence to enable them to tidy it up! Good news! 

Then it may look as good as the opposite side of the road!

There is change going on all around me! Dukes auctioneers are busy redeveloping their new home. 

The next phase of Brewery Square is growing!

And we are having a new gas pipe! 

The town is a bit disrupted due to these essential works, here is a link which explains what is happening and why! 

https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/works-to-watch/dorchester-weymouth-avenue

We can not live without change

I wonder what my January 2016 picture will look like? 

Christmas street music

Dorchester's Durnovaria band were providing Christmas shoppers with some cheerful and seasonal music this weekend.

They were asking for donations towards the Mayor's fund which is at present raising money for a project that is supported by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.  The Mayor, Peter Mann explained to me that  the project's aim is to plant a grass free lawn in the Borough Gardens. This is where the Durnovaria Band often perform during the summer months. Many residents value the gardens which provide a versatile green space in the centre of Dorchester. 

There were other musical genres performing in town today! 

I was interested to see the 'Hurdy Gurdy' being played. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in reading my blog, I am rarely short of subjects to write about in the very friendly and historical town of Dorchester. I wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas. 

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!

Going Digital

I attended a two day workshop held at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester this week.

It was a gloomy morning yesterday and I was able to walk to the centre from my home.  I never tire of West Walks which runs beside the Borough Gardens. Most of the leaves have fallen now but it still has an elegant feel walking beneath the tall trees. 

The Dorford Centre is opposite an existing part of the original Roman town wall.

Here is the QR code that is printed on the sign next to the wall if you are interested in finding out more!

I was pleased to have a free place on the WSX Enterpise Business Women Go Digital course. 

I was really excited to see the diverse range of business ideas and met some really forward thinking women!

Remembering Dorchester's fallen.

The poppies are looking a bit wet this year, but the recently cleaned war memorial on the corner of South Street and South walks in Dorchester, is a reminder to the residents and visitors to the town,  of the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women.

The memorial was unveiled in 1921.

Here is a link to the Dorset Life Magazine that gives more details about it's history.

 Near the memorial is a garden of remembrance, where there are 2 benches that are a reflective place to sit for a while, once the rain has stopped!