Andy McNab will be at the Tank Museum in Bovington this Thursday evening.

The former SAS serviceman and top selling author of Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action will be recounting his experiences in the SAS and is available to sign books afterwards.

The Tank Museum: 1 Nov 7.30pm: £12  01305 267992

Meeting Joe Strummer, a 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe winner, comes to the Lighthouse in Poole in November.

Described as a ‘passionate punk comedy’, the play follows the lives of 2 young men from adolescence in 1977 to middle age.

As well as following their obsession with The Clash it is really a tale about friendship, class and growing old.

Lighthouse: 19-20 November 8pm, £13.50

There’s still time to get tickets for the Halloween Ball at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange tomorrow night (Saturday 27th).

Get your best halloween gear on as there’s a prize for best-dressed witch and music from The Dolman and folk duo Heelstone.

You can reserve your tickets by phoning 07918143682.

Dorchester Corn Exchange: 27 October: 7pm-midnight

Keep the kids entertained this half-term week with a trip on Thomas the Tank Engine along Swanage Railway.

As well as Thomas and his friends, The Fat Controller will be doing the rounds and you can take a trip on Bulgy the Bus.

When it all gets too much, take a break at Mrs Kyndley’s Tea Rooms at Harmans Cross where the little ones can watch the Thomas video show and pick up a free gift.

Keep an eye out for some mouth-watering events in and around Purbeck during this week’s Dorset Food Week.

Dorset Food Week is a celebration of locally grown and great tasting Dorset food -some of the culinary events taking place include food tastings, markets, cookery demonstrations and food related walks and talks.

As part of the autumn Artsreach series, The Dorset Corset Theatre Company present Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’

The lustful tale of Bathsheba Everdene’s pursuit by 3 men is brought to life by live music, physical performers and a touch of theatrical spice.

Dorset Corset Theatre: 20 October, 7.30pm: Broadmayne Village Hall

Goldy’s, the organic farm shop that opened a new branch at Bere Farm in Lytchett Matravers back in April, has been nominated for 3 awards by the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association.

Goldy’s is in contention for Best Newcomer, Best On-Farm Bakery and Environmental Farm of the Year awards.

One of the great green features of the new shop is that the heat generated by the refrigeration systems and ovens are channelled into poly tunnels at the back of the shop, helping to grow and supply produce all year round.

The Goldy’s franchise looks set for even more success as it is exploring the possibility of opening stores in the United States.

Howard Marks, the former international drugs smuggler turned best selling author of ‘Mr Nice’ performs at Bournemouth’s The Landmarc venue at the end of October.

Marks’  show expands on his drug smuggling days that started at Oxford whilst studying philosophy and led to connections with the MI6, CIA, the IRA the and Mafia. 

The American Drug Enforcement Agency finally caught up with him in 1998 and he served 7 years of a 25 year prison sentence.

The Landmarc  30 October 9pm, £10

Experience the thrill of watching up to 100 motorbikes race across Weymouth beach on Sunday in the annual Weymouth and Portland Lions Club Motocross event.

Practice sessions start at noon, with racing from 1pm as the bikes roar across the sand at up to 70mph attempting to navigate the treacherous bomb holes, dare devil jumps and sharp chicanes.

The 11th Purbeck Film Festival kicks off on Friday and runs for the next 2 weeks.

The festival opens at The Rex cinema in Wareham with True North, a thriller about fishermen smuggling illegal chinese immigrants across the North Sea.

Over at the Lighthouse in Poole you can catch London to Brighton, a gangland thiller described as the best British thriller of 2006.

This year’s chosen theme is India and on Saturday there is the chance to work up an appetite whilst watching the classic Monsoon Wedding at Winfrith Village Hall, with a curry meal available after the film!

Enjoy a great night out at the dogs and celebrate Poole Greyhound Stadium’s 10th Anniversary this Friday evening (12 October).

There will be 12 live races and a further 12 beamed in from Wimbledon and lots of fun activities for all the family.

If you fancy making a full night of it then book a meal at the restaurant and enjoy an after-dinner disco and comedy guest from Bournemouth Comedy Club.

Poole Greyhound Stadium:  Tel 01202 677449 for further details

The Middle Ground Theatre Company perform Oscar’s Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at Poole’s Lighthouse next week.

Starring Tony Britton and Jim Alexander, this classic comedy of Victorian manners perfectly showcases Wilde’s brilliant wit and humour.

Lighthouse:  9-13 October 7.30pm,:  £15.50

Don’t forget the first Swanage Blues and Roots Festival takes place this weekend.

Steve Darrington founded the event following the continued success of the annual Swanage Blues Festival that takes place in March - and because so many visitors said they couldn’t wait a whole year to come back.

Artists include Alan Glen, Coalhouse Walker, Slim Lightfoot, Sonny Black and many more. There will also be open microphone sessions every afternoon for amateurs to get up and have a go.

Admission to most venues is free but the festival relies on donations and goodwill to keep it going, so dig deep if you are lucky enough to get to one or more of the gigs this weekend.

Swanage Blues and Roots Festival:    5-7 October

Atonement, the film version of Ian McEwan’s award wining novel is showing at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage from Friday.

Starring Kiera Knightly and James McAvoy it tells the story of the devastating consequences of a young girl’s misguided imagination.

Set over several decades and encompassing World War II, Atonement is director Joe Wright’s second film at the tender age of only 35. 

The Mowlem:  5-11 Oct (not 8th) 7.30pm

Dorset County Council has announced that major road and resurfacing works are to take place on the A351 Sandford Road, between Pottery Roundabout (B3075) and the Blackhill Road roundabout, Holton Heath. 

The works will necessitate substantial lane closures and for part of the time a possible complete closure of the A351 between Woodlands Drive roundabout and Organford Road traffic lights.

The works are scheduled to commence on 8th October 2007 and will last for 6 to 8 weeks.

This route is the primary road access into Purbeck and will cause severe traffic congestion. The only alternative routes will be via Bere Regis (15 mile detour and this route will be very congested) or the chain ferry from Sandbanks, although severe delays (over one hour) are likely to build up here as a result of the road works.