Anton Corbijn’s film biopic of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis is showing at Poole’s Lighthouse from Friday 7 December.

Based on the biography of Curtis’s widow, Deborah, Control tells the tale of the tragic singer’s life and suicide at the age of 23 on the eve of Joy Division’s American tour.

Starring Sam Riley and Samantha Moreton, Control has been praised by Curtis’ former band members (now New Order) for its realistic portrayal of the band and the bleak but inspiring atmosphere of Manchester in the late 1970’s/early 80s.

Grab yourself a piece of real estate by the sea with news that a beach hut in West Bexington, overlooking Chesil Beach, has been put on the market for £280,000.

There’s only room for a bunk-bed in the 17ft by 15ft hut, but the agent says there is potential to convert the lounge to a studio bedroom!

Fortunately the property is freehold, so if you have spent all your hard-earned money on it there are no restrictions preventing you from living there all year round!

I guess it was inevitable, but news just in that tonight’s Amy Winehouse gig at the BIC, along with the rest of tour, has been cancelled. Her fella has got a lot to answer for. Ticket holders should return their tickets to the point of purchase for a refund.

There’s fun for all the family at Poole’s Lighthouse this Christmas with a festive pantomime production of Aladdin.

Michael Greco (ex-Eastenders) and Lee Otway (Hollyoaks) star in this action packed pop musical version of Aladdin that is guaranteed to get everyone out of their seats.

Lighthouse: Dec 7 - Jan 5

Step back in time to the 1960’s this weekend as Swanage Railway celebrates the decade that not only saw the Beatles and Stones, but also marked the changeover from steam to diesel.

Among the steam and diesel locomotives running this weekend will be an historic diesel locomotive that ran more than a million miles with British Rail – and starred in the 1995 hit James Bond film Goldeneye.

As well as the retro railway weekend, the festive season will also get underway with Father Christmas arriving in Swanage by steam train, the Xmas lights will be switched on and there will be lots of goodies to buy at the Victorian market. 
 

It must be the silly season for Poole new build stories as plans have just been unveiled for Barclays new headquarters.

Asda, having completed its superstore development on Holes Bay, now proposes to build 2 new office blocks on the patch of green land in front of the store, and Barclays could be its new residents. Nice views across the bay for its workers but more obstruction of the fine vista for the rest of us.

The current Barclays Building, which dominates the Poole skyline and is - in the opinion of many Poole residents - a monstrosity, has just had its application to be listed turned down by the Government.

With Barclays shedding 1000 jobs in Poole (half if its current workforce), lets hope its soon to be abandoned HQ doesn’t become even more of a blot on the landscape by being deserted or - worse, some might say - turned into unaffordable flats.

Plans to build a new bridge over Poole Harbour have been put on hold.

Poole Council had hoped work would start on the Twin Sails Bridge in 2008, but it is has put the brakes on the project because of a disagreement with JJ Gallagher, who own the connecting land in Hamworthy.

The bridge certainly looks like it would be an iconic landmark, but the council is “extremely disappointed” with JJ Gallagher’s plans for a housing estate on the site of the old Hamworthy power station, so it looks like this saga will continue to drag on.

Meanwhile, the proposed giant solar pyramid, reported below, has caused much controversy, with Harbourside Park in Poole being touted as a possible location. Cllr Philip Eades has been forthright in his views against the proposal, which you can see on the comments to our  story below, and his opinion is shared by 74% of respondents to a poll by the Daily Echo. 

It has been reported today that a major 150ft tourist landmark that had been planned for Derbyshire could now be destined for Poole.

Poole Council are apparently in talks with the designers about the possibility of locating the giant sundial in Poole. If it went ahead it would be the World’s largest sundial and the UK’s largest artwork.

John Hubbard’s ’Near The Sea Exhibition’ at Dorset County Museum runs for just another 10 days.

John is an American-born artist who has lived and worked in Dorset for over 40 years. His unconventional landscape paintings fuse “elements of Chinese painting and contemporary abstraction within the tradition of late 19th century European landscape sensibility.”

Dorset County Museum: until 24 November

A new DVD about the history of Dorset towns and villages has been released by Wareham wildlife photographer/filmmaker Rob Goodhand.

The DVD focuses on Wareham, Tolpuddle, Lulworth, Corfe, Kingston and Worth Matravers.

Dorset Towns and Villages Volume 1 is available from Waterstones Poole; Farwells, Wareham; Swanage bookshop or online at http://www.rmgwildlife.com/

Fans of Poole Pottery should get themselves down to Cottees auction house in Wareham tomorrow for the largest sale of Poole Pottery in the country.

The auction starts at 10.30am and there will be over 600 lots, including a large selection of Delphis and Studio, private Guy Sydenham, early lustre and traditional wares.

Cottees: Sat 10 Nov: 10.30am

Take a bird-watching boat trip around Poole Harbour with expert commentary from the local RSPB group.

Some of the wildfowl you might see this time of year includes: marsh harriers, hen harriers, buzzards, kestrels, Kingfishers, little grebes, great northern divers, occasional black throated or red throated divers.

Departs from the Yellow Kiosk on Poole Quay at 11am.

Birdboats: Adult £8, Child £4.75: Tel 01929 462383

Ready yourself for a night of classic Manchester sounds at the Old Firestation in Bournemouth later this month.

Reel around the fountain to the music of the Smiths and Joy Division as 3 tribute bands strut their stuff -  The Other Smiths, The Acoustic Smiths (Coronation Street’s Ben Thompson) and Transmission (Joy Division tribute band).

The Old Firestation: 18 Nov: £10

Exciting news from our friends at VentnorBlog that the organisers of Bestival, the Isle of Wight’s renowned music festival, are setting up a new sister festival at Lulworth Castle next summer under the guise of Camp Bestival.

Running from 18-20 July 2008 and with only 10,000 tickets available, it promises to “hark back to the first ever Bestival, where magic moments were shared between special people, creating memories that last forever”.

Early-bird adult tickets go on sale this Sunday (£100), but you will have to move fast as there are only a limited number available for the Dorset festival before full-price tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 6 November.

Adult weekend tickets will cost £120, children (13-15) £60 and under 12s get in for FREE.  Check out the Bestival website for further details.

If your appetite needed whetting any more here are some words from its organiser - Rob Da Bank

“I can’t wait to get to Camp Bestival! It’s gonna be a big old family campsite with what we reckon will be the best facilities of any festival from custom furnished tipis and yurts to campfires, maintained barbeques, a massive kids areas and our Bestival Bluecoats on hand 24 hours a day to cater for your every need… and then there’s the music - not so much an afterthought as just one part of the whole shebang. Roll on July!”

Get ready for the big bangs and screeches this weekend with plenty of organised firework displays taking place in Purbeck and around Dorset:

Bere Regis School is holding its annual bonfire and fireworks night on Sat 3 Nov from 6.30pm. A bar and hot food is available on the night. Adult £5, children free (if accompanied by adult).

Bournemouth Fireworks at Littledown Centre also on Saturday 3 November. James Bond is the theme with a family funfair and live music. Gates open at 5.30pm, with firework displays at 7pm and 8pm. Adult £6, Child £3.

Kingston Maurward lakeside fireworks on Monday 5 November. Gates open at 6pm, display begins at 7.30pm. Entry price, adults and children (age over 5): £5.

Weymouth Pavilion, Beach & Bay fireworks and beach bonfire on Monday 5 November beach bonfire from 7pm.

2CR’s fireworks display at Canford Park, Magna Road, Poole, Monday 5 November. £10,000 fireworks plus fairground. Family tickets available through the BIC in advance only (not available on the night), two adults and two kids £15. Tickets on the night £5 per person.