The Purbeck Gazette

'Gather and Weave’: An oval basketry workshop with Woven Woodland
2025-12-07 09:30 - 17:00 UTC | Happy River Retreat, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Learn the ancient art of basketry in this hands-on workshop led by local basketmaker Woven Woodland. This workshop is ideal for both beginners and more advanced learners as we will cover the fundamental principles of weaving and Polish square bases to create a beautiful and functional oval bag from locally sourced willow which you can take home and cherish. The workshop will give you the skills to go on and make your own bags weaved from willow in the future.
Join us and meet like-minded folk, in the serene retreat space at the Happy River, nestled in the forest. Enjoy plenty of tea and snacks while we connect with nature and immerse ourselves in this magical craft.
Workshop overview:

Trac border
3 rod wale with hidden joins
French randing in layers
Working with pleather straps or Wooden handle
Trimming and tidying the basket
Polish Square base
Please arrive at 9:30 am sharp so we have plenty of time to take a break.
Basketry is a hands-on craft, so be prepared for a full day of crafting.
Drinks and snacks will be available throughout the day, though please bring a packed lunch for our break.
We will be using sharp tools, there will be a safety talk at the beginning of the class, but please be aware that basketry tools require a steady hand.

Winter weaving workshop with Woven Woodland
2025-12-07 09:30 - 17:00 | Happy River Retreat, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Embrace the quiet beauty of winter and explore the timeless art of willow weaving in this hands-on seasonal workshop. Perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike, this immersive course guides you through the techniques of working willow to create an elegant and practical basket.
Over the course of the workshop, you’ll learn about the properties of willow, how to prepare and handle the materials, and traditional weaving patterns used in basketry and sculptural forms.
Join the us at The Happy River while we cozy up, slow down, and connect with the natural materials, and leave with a handmade piece that reflects the season’s calm and creativity.
No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a pair of willing hands. All materials and tools are provided.
Time: 9:30 – 5 (ish)
Extra info:
Arrive from 9am to get settled and have a cuppa. Car park is on site, follow signs down the the makers barn.
Please bring a packed lunch – willow weaving is hungry work! Hot chocolate and light festive bites available.
Willow weaving can be strenuous, so make sure you are feeling well and ready for a full day of crafting.

Christmas Concerts under Concorde
2025-12-11 - 2025-12-12 | Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 8HT
The much-loved Christmas Concert beneath the wings of Concorde returns to the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton for 2025, taking place on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th December.
Set in the iconic Hall Four beneath Concorde 002, guests will enjoy a festive evening of music performed by the HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band, featuring a mix of seasonal favourites and classic tunes.
Tickets are £20 and include a mince pie and mulled wine on arrival, with tea and coffee served during the interval.
Doors open at 7:00pm, with the concert starting at 7:30pm.
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended!
Please note: Tickets are valid only for the specific date selected at the time of purchase and cannot be transferred to the other evening. Be sure to double-check your chosen date before confirming your booking.
01935 840565
fleetairarm.enquiries@nmrn.org.uk
https://www.nmrn.org.uk/events/christmas-concert-under-concorde-0

Universities' Carol Service
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | St Peter’s Church (Bournemouth), Hinton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
You are warmly invited to the Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
The singing will be led by University Music Chamber Choir, and you can expect glorious choral settings along with traditional readings and carols. This is a carol service for the entire community and all are welcome.
Admission is free and tickets are not required – please just come along! For any more information, email musicadmin@bournemouth.ac.uk

Christmas Lunchtime Concert - A Ceremony of Carols
2025-12-13 12:30 - 13:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
Join us at St Peter’s Church Dorchester for our free Christmas lunchtime concert.
This is a performance of Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ sung by vocal consort and accompanied by harpist, Marni Lai.
Admission is free and all are very welcome. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Shitake Yule Logs: Plugging workshop at Happy River for a fungitastic crafty start to Christmas!
2025-12-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Happy River Retreat, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Join us (and escape the crazy Christmas crowds!) for a hands-on fungi workshop led by our brilliant and passionate mushroom expert, Andy Knott of Jurassic Coast Mushrooms! You’ll learn the art of “log plugging” which is a simple and fascinating way to grow your very own shiitake mushrooms at home. Everyone will leave with their own inoculated log, ready to produce delicious mushrooms for the late summer/autumn of 2026.
As the workshop is just before Christmas, why not think about creating your log as a natural, living gift as something unique and special? We’ll even gather some natural festive materials so you can wrap your log beautifully and turn it into a gift straight from the forest.
As no mushroom day at Happy River is complete without, we’ll be serving up festive mushroom-inspired treats and warming drinks while we learn, laugh, and create together. And, if time (and weather) allows, we’ll head out into the forest to see what fungi are still about during the winter months. Andy will share his deep knowledge and stories about the incredible world of fungi that thrives all year round.
Tickets:

Adults £40/Child £20
Couples/Bring-a-friend £60
Family £65

Happy River Festive Forest Wreath Workshop & Shirin Yoku Experience
2025-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Happy River Retreat, Bere Road, Wareham, BH20 7PA
Step into the magic of the season at Happy River and enjoy a day of creativity, connection and celebration of nature at this festive time of year. We’ll begin the morning with a warming drink before gently wandering into the forest, where you’ll gather extra materials for your wreath and immerse yourself in the calming practice of Shirin Yoku (forest bathing). Guided meditation will help you slow down, connect with the land, and welcome the spirit of winter.
Afterwards, return to our cosy retreat HQ for a wreath-making workshop, led by our expert guide. Using natural materials provided, along with your hand-picked treasures from the forest, you’ll craft a truly unique and personal festive wreath. As you create, you’ll be treated to a grazing board of plant-based festive delights, designed to nourish and inspire.
We’ll close the day gathered around the fire, sipping on a warming mulled festive mocktail and enjoying a minced pie. Together, we’ll release anything we no longer wish to carry into the flames, opening space for new beginnings as the year draws to a close.
Don’t miss our early bird tickets, available until 31 October 2025
Early bird adults £70/Early bird bring a friend/couple £130
or standard tickets
Adults £75/Bring a friend/couple £140

Choral Eucharist
2025-12-14 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.
The music includes: Judith Weir’s ‘Drop down ye heavens’, Schubert’s ‘Mass in G’ and Stopford’s ‘There is no rose’.
All are very welcome to this free service and for refreshments afterwards. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Christmas Concert
2025-12-19 19:30 | The Dorford Centre, 2 Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RR
Christmas is coming and once again the Ridgeway Singers & Band are preparing to bring their popular seasonal celebration to three locations around Dorset, with local songs, carols, toe-tapping tunes, stories and poetry – including some contributions from Cornwall this time.
The group was formed twelve years ago for an Artsreach project, its mission to rediscover and promote Dorset music. It goes from strength to strength, constantly growing its repertoire. Directed by renowned serpent player Phil Humphries, a member of the Mellstock Band, it specialises in performing the kind of music beloved of Thomas Hardy and described in Under the Greenwood Tree.
Singers in four parts are supported by a band of players, and this year we have new instruments – bassoon, clarinet and flute – to add to the traditional sound. Long forgotten carols, songs and dance tunes are brought back to life, and new settings and compositions are created in the tradition.
Expect a festive and infectiously enjoyable evening with opportunities to join in if you wish.
Refreshments will be available.
Full details of concerts in Dorchester, Bridport and Sturminster Newton, plus booking at https://ridgewaysingersandband.org/
Adults – £12 | Under 18s – £6.

Nine Lessons & Carols
2025-12-20 16:30 - 18:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
You are warmly invited to our service of Nine Lessons & Carols.
You can expect gorgeous choral settings, traditional readings and carols, descants and all the trimmings!
All are very welcome. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org

Choral Midnight Mass
2025-12-24 23:30 - 2025-12-25 01:00 | St Peter’s Church (Dorchester), High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA
You are warmly invited to our service of Choral Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
The setting is Charpentier’s ‘Messe de minuit pour Noel’, which will be accompanied by instrumental ensemble. Other music in the service includes Will Todd’s lovely carol ‘My Lord is come’ and Morten Lauridsen’s exquisite setting of ‘O magnum mysterium’.
This service is free to attend and all are very welcome. More information at www.musicatstpetersdorchester.org.

2nd Global Summit on Pediatrics and Child Health Care 2026
2026-03-12 - 2026-03-14 | London, London, UK
We are excited to welcome you to the 2nd Global Summit on Pediatrics and Child Health Care, taking place in London, UK, from March 12–14, 2026.
This highly anticipated event brings together leading pediatricians, researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals from around the world to share knowledge, present innovations, and collaborate on solutions to key challenges in child health and well-being.
Building on the success of our previous summit, PEDIATRICS2026 will feature an inspiring scientific program with renowned keynote speakers, dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops, and impactful research presentations. Attendees will also enjoy a vibrant poster session and exhibit showcase, offering valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration.
We look forward to seeing you in London!
Event cost: Speaker Registration-$849, Delegate/Listener-$999, Poster Registration-$549, Student Registration-$399.

Hal Cruttenden ‘Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It’
2026-03-27 19:30 - 21:30 | The Purbeck School, Worgret Rd, Wareham, BH20 4PF
Hal Cruttenden comes to Wareham!
Get ready for a huge night of laughter as comedy favourite Hal Cruttenden brings his brand-new UK tour “Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It” to the Purbeck School on 27th March 2026.
Fresh from TV hits like Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You? and Bake Off: Extra Slice, Hal delivers a fast-paced show packed with sharp observations, middle-aged misadventures and his famously cheeky humour.
With rave reviews from The Times and The Scotsman, this promises to be one of our biggest comedy nights yet.
Tickets £20–£50. Available at: https://loveitlocalevents.co.uk/event/hal-cruttenden/

Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2026
2026-05-23 - 2026-06-07 | Rollington Barn, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5JG
Purbeck Art Weeks 2026 promises two inspiring weeks of creativity, performance and discovery across one of the most beautiful corners of the UK. Here’s a taste of what’s in store:
A Spectacular Opening Night – The festival launches with a major highlight: I Fagiolini, the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble known for their imaginative programmes and world-class performances. They’ll set the tone for a wonderfully diverse and atmospheric music series running throughout the festival.
Art Everywhere – Visitors can expect to see an incredible array of visual arts at our Festival hub at Rollington Barn, plus plenty of local artists will open their doors for Open Studios, sharing work in painting, ceramics, sculpture, print, glass, textiles and more. Many offer demonstrations and artwork for sale.
Music in Beautiful Settings – Alongside the opening concert, PAW will offer a diverse music and events programme featuring world-class ensembles, soloists and much more across Purbeck’s characterful and easy to reach venues.
Exhibition at Castle View – We are delighted to partner with the National Trust to bring our exhibition back to Castle View Welcome Centre in Corfe Castle for 2026, showcasing fresh talent as well as established artists from across the region. Expect bold new artists, a mix of media and an exciting snapshot of Purbeck’s creativity.
Fun for all – Don’t miss our Purbeck Young Artists exhibition at Rollington Barn, featuring creative works made by school children from across the region. And next door you can expect more pop-up demonstrations where visitors of all ages can try their hand at different crafts and discover new artistic skills.
For our ticketed events, we also offer discounts for young people and students, making music and the arts as accessible as we can.
Art Meets Landscape – One of the joys of PAW is exploring art against the backdrop of coast and countryside. Many studios and venues are walkable, and visitors often visit our hidden gems by bus or the Swanage Railway.
A Festival for Everyone – Whether you’re an art collector, music-lover, day tripper or holidaymaker, PAW offers a mix of free and ticketed activity and events for all ages. Expect opportunities to meet artists, enjoy performances, take in exhibitions and discover new work at your own pace.
Full Programme Coming Soon – The full programme, including concert bookings and venue listings, will be released on our website and social media. Be sure to follow us @purbeckartweeks on Facebook and Instagram for live updates and sneak peeks of what to expect.
