Experience an invigorating and educational 2 hour bird walk on Studland beach and nature reserve on Wednesday 17th December.

Titled ‘Turkeys are not the only birds’ and led by a nature expert, the walk is followed by a 2 course lunch at Knoll Beach Cafe.

For tickets (£12 per person) contact Emma Wright at the National Trust on 01929 450259 or email emma.wright@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Poetry Cafe celebrates the work of the late Jim Kimmis at Dorchester Arts Centre on 5th December.

Jim Kimmis was a fine poet with a rare talent who spent his last years in Dorchester. Finally, after his early death, his work is published. 

Local writers are invited to read a poem on the theme ‘The mapmakers are silent’ (words from Jim’s poem Asylum).

Poetry Café offers food, drink and live literature in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Dorchester Arts Centre • 8pm (Doors and bar 7.30pm) • Tickets £6 / £4 unwaged • Food £3

Local businessman and father of four Gordon Parr, is facing the challenge of a lifetime as he gears up take part in the 2009 London to Paris Charity Cycle Ride.

Gordon, 41, is usually seen installing wood floors in and around Wareham but on June 3rd 2009 he will be donning his cycling shorts and spending four days in the saddle as he peddles his way from London to Paris in aid of The Child Brain Injury Trust.

I’ve never done anything like this before,” says Gordon. “The last time I got any serious exercise was in PE lessons at school. And that was 25 years ago! Now I’m getting on my bike every day, come rain or shine. And I’ve had to knock the steak and chips on the head. I must be mad!”

The hard work will all be worthwhile for Gordon if he succeeds in raising £1,250 for the Child Brain Injury Trust, a UK-wide charity offering support, information and training on acquired brain injury in children.

Gordon is well known locally for his hardwood flooring business in Wareham and is hoping the local community will support him in his charity bike ride.

“Friends and customers have been very generous and I hope other people in the town will sponsor me if they can,” said Gordon. “Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean CBIT charity can continue their valuable work.”

You can sponsor Gordon by visiting his online fundraising page on http://www.justgiving.com/gordonparr.

You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to the charity. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving.com the most efficient way of sponsoring Gordon.

Winter Wonderland commences in Corfe Castle on Saturday 29th November with the switch on of the famous Christmas Lights in the Square at 4.30pm.

The “Casterbridge Christmas Cracker”, Dorchester’s annual celebration of the beginning of the festive season is on Wednesday 3rd December.

The late night evening shopping starts at 5.30pm and there will be live music, festive stalls, roast chestnuts and mulled wine.

The procession begins at 6.50pm, with this year’s lights being switched on at 7pm by TV celebrity, Jennifer Biddle (Jessica Harris in Hollyoaks).

Dress to impress with this year’s theme being “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with prizes for the best outfits.

The Mojo Theatre Company present Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter” and other sketches at Swanage Mowlem Theatre from Thursday 4th to Sunday 6th December.

Starring Danny Seldon and Grant Jones and directed by Jolyon Coy, the Dumb Waiter has been described by The Times as “Tarantino meets Tony Hancock in this groundbreaking Modern Classic”.

Mowlem: 4th-6th Dec • 8pm • £8

Wareham’s Christmas Procession takes place on Sunday 14th December.

As well as the lighting of the town tree, bell ringers and carol singers, Santa will be making a special appearance in the parade and in his grotto afterwards.

This special 50th Anniversary celebration starts from 4pm with the Parade commencing at 4.30pm.

Get into the spirit of Christmas and load up with festive goodies at Swanage Christmas Fair on Saturday 6th December.

This special Christmas Market will be selling fresh produce, Christmas trees, wreaths, hand crafted gifts and lots of lovely items.

As well as carol singing and bands to get you into festive cheer, Father Christmas will be making a special visit too.

Swanage Christmas Fair: Sat 6 Dec 10am-3.30pm

The Isle of Purbeck Arts Club Choir performs its Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Church in Swanage on Saturday 29th November.

The concert, in aid of Swanage RNLI, will include J.S. Bach Mass in G Minor and Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols.

Tickets available on the door, from the RNLI Shop or from Corben & Son, Swanage. Adults £7.50, students and children £2.50

Earn your Christmas tree this year by spending a couple of hours helping remove problem pine seedlings on Arne Nature Reserve on Saturday 6th December.

As well as enjoying the great outdoors and seeing what goes on at the reserve you will be rewarded with a sustainable tree. Hot stew and drinks will be available at lunch.

Arne: Sat 6 Dec • 10am-2pm

Father Christmas will be making some special trips on the Swanage Railway every weekend in December.

Meet Santa on the one hour trips from Swanage Station. There will be a gift and refreshments for every child and balloon magic and entertainment.

Booking is essential. Fares are reduced on 6th & 7th December.

Swanage Railway: 6&7, 14&15, 20&21 23&24 Dec • £10.50

Join bird expert Hamish Murray on a stroll around Durlston to see its winter bird-life on Sunday 7th December.

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

Durlston: Sun 7 Dec • 10.30am

Recipient of the Queens Gallantry Medal Major Chris Hunter will be talking about his experiences as a bomb disposal expert at the Tank Museum on Thursday 11th December.

Based on his book “Eight Lives Down”,  Chris recalls his experiences from operational theatres, including the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq.

To book your tickets you can either call into The Tank Museum, or call 01929 405096.

Bovington Tank Museum: Thur 11 Dec 7.30pm • £10 

Lulworth Castle will be spreading some Christmas Magic over the festive period.

Merlin the marvellous Magician will be on hand to enchant and charm you over the festive season and he will be conjuring up lots of mystical illusions and magical spells.

There will also be lots of merriment in the Castle as it comes alive with plenty of themed activities to keep those little faces glowing with festive cheer.

Enjoy Castle games, quizzes, ‘Hunt the Cracker’ and an activity table bursting with items to make and take home, whilst the Stable Café will offer a warming festive menu.

Lulworth Castle: 21 Dec-2 Jan (closed 24&25 Dec) Normal admission price

Do your bit to support a local village and vote for Milborne St Andrew for the the Big Lottery Fund People’s Millions Award.

Milborne St Andrew has been shortlisted for the Meridian South ITV area final and the winner is entirely dependent on the number of votes they receive.

Part of the project will be to create a wildlife garden, with a focus on butterflies and moths, on part of the village hall land. The rest of the MADCAP bid is for an outside multi-gym and improvements to the village hall facilities - audio/lighting and stage facilities.

Milborne St Andrew needs your vote! You can only vote on the day, 26th November from 9am onwards. The telephone number for voting will be released on the 26th November and is the only way to vote. A video presentation of the project will be aired on the ITV Meridian news and the number to vote will be shown at the end of the clip.

The phone number to vote will also be available on the Big Lottery People’s Millions and Milborne St Andrew village websites.