The Coen brothers Oscar winning ‘No Country for Old Men’ is showing at Wareham’s The Rex cinema from 9-13 March.

Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem, it tells the story of a drug deal gone wrong and the ensuing cat-and-mouse drama as three men crisscross each other’s paths in the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas.

The Rex: 7.15pm (Tue 6pm)

Papa George makes a return appearance at the Dorchester Arts Centre as part of the Bluesnights series on Saturday 8 March.

Recognised as one of the UK’s finest blues guitarists, singers and bandleaders he’s back in duo mode with ex-Yardbirds guitarist and harpman Alan Glen. 

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 8 March 8pm: £10.50

A fascinating 2 1/2 hour walk to appreciate the contribution made by Studland’s past industries to the local economy, including fishing, salt panning, hunting, livestock and minerals.

Includes a hot beverage at the start and finishes with a 2 course lunch at Knoll Beach Cafe.

Booking Essential on  01929 450259

Studland: Wed 5 March, £12

Visit the stunning Compton Gardens in Poole (with fantastic views of the Purbeck hills) and see the work of members of The Society of Floral Painters.

The exhibition, held in the Italian Villa, includes artists from all over the country with over 250 botanical studies and paintings on show.

Compton Acres: Fri 29 Feb-Mon 10 March

Clavell Tower, which was perched precariously on the cliff-top at Kimmeridge Bay, has been successfully moved 25 meters inland to prevent it falling in to the sea.

The tower, which was built in 1830 as an observatory and folly and inspired the authors Thomas Hardy and PD James, had to be dismantled and rebuilt brick by brick in a project that took 18 months and £898,000 to complete.

The last of the 16,272 stones was laid on Monday in a topping-out ceremony but the tower won’t re-open to the public until September. The Landmark Trust plans to rent it out as a holiday home for some of the year to help pay for its upkeep.

Enjoy a spot of stargazing at Durlston with experts from the Wessex Astronomical Society who will give a short talk and allow you the chance to use telescopes to view Mars, Saturn, the Moon and spring and summer constellations.

The event is weather dependent so phone (01929) 424443  to confirm.

Durlston: Tue 11 March 7.30pm

Enjoy a guided walk around Durlston with bird expert Hamish Murray and discover the birds of early March.

Meet at the Visitor Centre. Adults £3, Children £2 

Durlston: Sat 1 March: 10.30am

The New Scorpion Band present ‘Cold Wind Blows’ at West Lulworth Village Hall on Sunday 16 March.

The show is a collection of magical ballads, spooky stories, enchanting instrumentals and rare rituals drawn from the folk traditions of the British Isles.

Artsreach: Sun 16 March 7.30pm: Box Office: 01929 400181

10,000 readers of Coast magazine have voted Bournemouth’s 7 mile beach as the best in Britain.

The criteria for the best beach award were water quality, scenic beauty, wildlife, visitor facilities and outdoor activities.

The Forset Forge Theatre Company present ‘To The Marrow’ at the Drax Hall in Bere Regis on Tuesday 11 March.

Ed and Miles are competitive vegetable growers who believe in the old adage that”size matters”. While they are trying to put pounds on their veg, Miles’ wife is trying to shed them from her thighs and Ed’s wife is longing for something more than a husband who spends all his time on the allotment.

Join Forest Forge for an exploration of the life cycle, spider mites and the mysteries of the genus cucurbita.

ArtsReach: Tue 11 March 7.30pm: Box Office: 01929 471342

The annual Swanage Blues Festival comes to town on 7-9 March.

With over 24 acts playing 15 venues there is something for every taste including acoustic, electric, rural and urban blues. As well as the gigs, there will also be open mic, jam sessions and workshops.

Admission is free to all venues (except restaurants) but remember that the festival organiser, Steve Darrington, puts in a huge amount of time, effort and his own money to organise the festival so dig deep whenever you see a collection tin.

Swanage Blues Festival 2008: 7-9 March

Following the discovery of a case of bluetongue on a farm near Poole, a new protection zone has been set up by DEFRA covering Dorset and the New Forest.

The virus, which can be fatal for sheep and cows, has previously been discovered in East Anglia, London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. It adds to Dorset’s environmental woes following the outbreak of bird flu at Abbotsbury Swannery in January.

Dust off that guitar that has been lying untouched and unloved in your wardrobe and get yourself down to the Drax Arms pub in Bere Regis every Wednesday night from 9pm for a guitar workshop.

Inspired by requests from people who got a guitar for Xmas but don’t know how to play it, the workshop is being run by a couple of people who want to pass on a few tips to those that wish to learn.  No fees and all standards welcome. 

Our House, written and directed by BAFTA winner John GodberBack and perfumed by Hall Truck Theatre Company, opens at Poole’s Lighthouse tonight.

Starring Matthew Booth (Bouncers 2007 and Emmerdale) Fiona Wass (My Favourite Summer and hit BBC3 comedy series Grown-Ups), and accomplished film and television actor Dicken Ashworth (Brookside, Coronation Street, Emmerdale) .

The play tells the story of May who is trading her council house for the Costa del Calm… but moving out is hard work - and moving on is even harder. A tapestry of memories unfolds in this tale of changing times.

Lighthouse: Mon 11-Thur 14 Feb 7.30pm: £15.50

Following the recent cancellation of Swanage Railway’s Thomas The Tank Engine half-term events comes news that the decline may be terminal for Thomas and his friends after 20 years on the Purbeck rails.

Hit Entertainment, the licensees of Thomas, had insisted that Swanage’s Fat Controllers would have to undergo stringent training - Swanage Railway refused and because of the publicity that came out of this, Hit Entertainment has now cancelled the licence.

All is not lost though as Swanage Railway are searching for a replacement and Ivor the Engine or Underground Ernie could soon be riding the Purbeck tracks.