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 28 Jan 10.30am • £13

Annabel Venning will talk about her book ‘Following the Drum - The Lives of Army Wives and Daughters” at the Tank Museum on Thursday 22nd January (7.30pm).

By allowing women’s stories to speak for themselves Annabel Venning helps to dismiss the misconceptions of Military army wives as irrelevant baggage.

A lecture that will rescue army wives from undeserved oblivion - even if her accounts are unlikely to persuade many women of the joys of marrying a soldier!

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

The Tank Musuem: Thur 22 Jan 7.30pm • £10

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 

Douglas Haig was a controversial figure of World War One and his methods have been frequently called into question by historians ever since.

In this lecture, University of Birmingham War Studies Professor Gary Sheffield talks about the final year of the First World War and discusses Haig’s role in the victory of 1918.

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

 Bovington Tank Museum: Thur 20 Nov • 7.30pm • £10 

Fans of the Middle Ages will be pleased to hear of a new festival being held in the picturesque setting of Woodsford Castle on 18th-19th July 2009.

Dorset Medieval Festival will be a celebration of the colour and spectacle of the middle ages and planned activities will include jousting tournaments, mock battles and fighting skill displays, archery and traditonal craft skills such as rush-weaving, net-making and candle dipping.

Minstrels, jesters, storytellers and magicians will be entertaining the crowds around the castle and also in the tavern, where authentic ales, wines and meads will be available, as will a traditional hog-roast and other culinary delights. 

Dorset Medieval Festival: 18th-19th July 2009

The Tank Museum in Bovington, in association with the BBC, is holding a free event on Saturday November 8th to commemorate 90 years since the end of World War 1.

As well as free entrance to the Museum, there will be an opportunity for visitors to connect with, and commemorate, the events of WW1. The day’s events will include:

• A special remembrance family activity trail.
• Demonstrations of WW1 equipment.
• Take part in WW1 era drill sessions.
• A series of WW1 themed talks and lectures from experts.
• Research your family tree and find out more about service records, and your own family members contribution to WW1.
• Share family artefacts, photographs and memories with others on the on-line BBC Remembrance Wall.
• Learn more from experts about your WW1 family artefacts.
• Screening of the final poignant episode of the BBC Comedy Blackadder Goes Forth.

The Tank Museum will also be hosting the official remembrance service on behalf of Bovington Camp on Sunday 9th November. Visitors are welcome to join the service which commences at 10am. Entry to the Tank Museum will be free all day.

The Tank Musuem: Sat 8 Nov 10.30am-4pm, FREE

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.

Dorchester celebrates its Roman history next weekend (Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 August) as Durnovaria rises once again!

The Roman Festival will bring Ancient Rome to life and highlights include major re-enactments, music, story-telling, literary readings, activities and Roman games.

There will be expert guided walks around Maiden Castle and Roman Dorchester, Roman soldiers marching through town on their way to demonstrations and re-enactments at Maumbury Rings, a Roman extravaganza at the Roman Town House and lots of fun and activities for all at Dorset County Museum.

Check out the full programme of events below. (more…)

Learn about the fascinating history of Bere Regis and its St John the Baptist church in a guided tour by local church members.

See the famous 500 year old carved roof featuring the 12 Apostles, find out the connection with Thomas Hardy and Tess of the D’Urbervilles and hear how Bere Regis came by its royal name.

Bere Regis: Tours until 30 September: Tue 11-12, Thur 3-4pm

Germaine Greer presents ‘Shakespeare’s Wife’ at Dorchester Arts Centre on June 20th.

Germaine combines literary-historical techniques with documentary evidence about life in Stratford in an attempt to put Shakespeare’s marriage in its social context and presents a new and more fruitful set of hypotheses about the life and career of the farmer’s daughter who married our greatest poet.

The Q&A session which follows this talk can cover the full range of issues Professor Greer is associated with.

Dorchester Arts Centre: June 20th, £15 

Enjoy an authentic Viking and Saxon re-enactment weekend at Corfe Castle on 7-8 June.

The Vikings society provide an accurate and educational portrayal of the Viking period, with an equal emphasis on the daily life of the period, and on the more warlike aspects of life in what was a formative period in European history.

Corfe Castle: 7-8 June: normal castle admission