As part of the ArtsReach Autumn programme, Piaffinitee bring a touch of French chic to Winfrith Village Hall on Friday 24th October at 8pm.

Piaffinitee consist of the fabulous voice of Djamila, from the South of France, and the atmospheric and evocative accordion playing of Ukranian Basil Bunelik.

Their music is based on the earlier performances of Edith Piaf and their authentic flavour of France has made them a favourite on the ArtsReach circuit. 

Contact: Winfrith Post Office on 01305 852117 for tickets.

Piaffinitee: Fri 24 October 8pm

Lulworth Castle hosts a Country House Fair on Thursday 16th October.

With over 40 stalls to browse this is an ideal way to get your Christmas shopping underway, with plenty of gift ideas including home and garden accessories, stylish gifts, children’s toys,  gastronomic delights such as fine English chocolate, delicious smoked salmon or silver, pearl & silk items.

Entry is only £3.00 per adult (free for children) and includes entry to the Castle, Chapel, Adventure Playground and Animal Farm.

All proceeds from the fair will go towards the purchase of a Medical Equipment Vehicle for the Red Cross.

Lulworth Castle: Thur 16 Oct 10.30am-4pm

The Martin Harley Band play Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday night (11 October).

Their fusion of folk, world music and funky roots has been attracting large audiences at gigs all around the world so be sure to catch them as they tread the Dorchester boardwalks.

Dorchester Arts Centre:  Tickets £10.50 Advance, £11.50 Door 

This year’s Purbeck Film Festival kicks off on Friday (10th October).

The opening gala film at Wareham’s The Rex cinema will be the late Anthony Minghella’s ‘Breaking and Entering’, starring Jude Law, Juliette Binoche and Vera Farmiga.

The film will be introduced by Roger Laughton, Chair of SW Screen and friend of Minghella.

The Lighthouse in Poole will also be showing the French films ‘Flight of The Red Balloon’ (6pm) and the film noir classic ‘La Quai des Brumes’ (8pm)

The Rex: Fri 10 Oct 7.15pm, £6

BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow presenter and long-standing expert, Paul Atterbury, talks about his personal favourite artefacts from Dorset County Museum’s huge collection this Friday (10th October, 7pm).

During the interval there will be an opportunity to explore the Museum and take a closer look at Paul’s chosen ‘treasures’; many of them previously unseen items from the reserve collections.

Tickets for this event are available from the Museum Reception (and on the door) and cost £7.00. For further information, please telephone 01305 262735.

Dorset County Museum: Fri 10 Oct, 7pm, £7

Brownsea Island has been named as the location for the BBC’s Autumnwatch this year with wildlife presenters Bill Oddie and Kate Humble hosting the show from Brownsea.

Autumnwatch will be broadcast on BBC2 from Monday 27 October 2008 for two weeks, Monday-Thursday, 8pm. The opening season for Brownsea has also been extended to Sunday 9 November 2008.

Screen Bites, a celebration of food and film at 19 venues across Dorset started on Saturday (4th October) and runs until Saturday 8 November.

Screen Bites teams up with the Purbeck Film Festival to show Milou en Mai at the Rex in Wareham on Saturday 11 October.

Milou en Mai is set on a French rural estate during the student uprising in Paris in 1968 and one of the film’s stars, Harriet Walter, will be at the Rex to reminisce about it. 

Tastings start at 7:00pm followed by the short film at 7:30pm, a break for tea, coffee and ice-cream and then the feature film at 8:10pm.

The Rex: Saturday 11 October 7pm

PurbeckBlog is taking a short break and will return in October with more Purbeck events and news.

Dorset Food Week, the county-wide celebration of local produce, runs from 25 October to 2nd November this year.

As part of the food fest, “Flavours of Dorset” Food Fair will take place at Studland Village Hall on Friday 31 October, 10am-5pm.

With over 13 local producers and shops this is your chance to enjoy some local, seasonal, fresh and delicious delights.

Dorset Food Week: Studland Village Hall, 31 Oct, 10am-5pm, FREE

The Swanage Blues & Roots Festival takes place on 3rd to 5th October.

The festival is a celebration of the Blues in all its forms - rural, urban, electric and acoustic - with over 40 gigs in 15 venues.

There is free admission to all venues but please donate generously as it costs the organiser, Steve Darrington, a lot of money, time and effort to organise.

LINE-UP:Robin Bibi Band * The Mustangs * Keith Thompson’s Strange Brew * Ian Hunt Band * Chris Scott’s Bluesdevil * Jon Walsh Blues Band * Coalhouse Walker Blues Band * Chris Collins & Blues Etc * Motel 6 * Ernie’s Rhythm Section * Slim Lightfoot Band * Fabulous Fezheads * John Crampton * C Sharp Blues * Coast * The Jives * Pete Smith * Martin Froud & Jim Tigwell * Sonny Black * Will Killeen * Bob Long * Honey On My Grave * Andrew Bazeley * Mike Healey

Spend an evening with journalist, writer and broadcaster Will Self on Monday 29 September at Poole’s Lighthouse. 

The evening will feature readings, stories and a wealth of anecdotes drawn from his colourful career and he will also be signing copies of his latest novel.

Lighthouse: Sep 29 8pm, £13

The next beach cleans at Kimmeridge and Worbarrow Bay take place on Sunday 21 September at 2pm.

Do your bit to help the environment and clear these stunning beaches of all the rubbish that regularly washes up on them.

All equipment will be provided.

Relive history at the English Civil War Garrison weekend at Corfe Castle on 20-21 September.

Lord Hopton’s Regiment of Foote will be demonstrating all aspects of 17th century encampment, including drills and weapon displays.

Corfe Castle: Normal admission charges apply

Step back in time at the new multi-period ‘Historic Combat Festival’ event, in the grounds of Lulworth Castle on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September.

You will be able to meet re-enactors from the Roman and Medieval periods as well as soldiers from the 17th Century and the 19th Century Zulu War. They will be bringing a colourful and action packed Historic Combat Festival to life by offering visitors the opportunity to “get stuck into history”.

Walk through time and discover life from the past. Expect living history encampments, combat displays and skill demonstrations with re-enactors in authentic costume waiting to meet and discuss the past with you.

Event included in normal admission price and includes entry to the 17th Century Castle, Animal Farm, Adventure Playground and 18th Century Chapel. Under 4‘s free, Family saver tickets available.

Lulworth Castle: Sat 13th 10.30am-6pm, Sun 14th 10.30am-4pm.

Swanage Railway’s Grand Steam Gala and Vintage Transport Rally takes place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September.

Passenger steam trains will be running every 40 minutes between Norden and Swanage, with a booze cruise running on Saturday night.

Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club is holding a vintage transport rally, including a beer tent and live music at Harmans Cross on Saturday and Sunday.

Rover tickets for unlimited day and evening travel and entry to the vintage transport rally are £18.

Swanage Railway: Fri 12-Sun 14 September