A folk festival, dog show and bike ride are just some of the events taking place across Dorset and the New Forest this weekend.

Here's our round-up of just some of the things going on, if you'd like to be included in next week's round-up, email details of your event to digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk

Saturday will see sunny intervals and highs of 17C, but you'll need an umbrella on Sunday as there's a chance of light showers in the afternoon.

The three-day Swanage Folk Festival takes place from today. The craft fair and music marquee on Sandpit Field will provide the focus for festivities, while the popular folk dance procession is set for the town centre on the Saturday afternoon Acclaimed Scottish band Braebach headline on Saturday night, supported by Chris Leslie, a leading member of legendary folk group Fairport Convention. Folk scene icon Jim Moray, supported by up-and-coming act Said the Maiden, headline Friday night. Meanwhile, the usual festival ceilidh – scheduled for the Swanage School this year – takes place on the Sunday.

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Allan TurnerWard is hosting a free family fun day at Upton Country Park on Saturday from 10am- 5pm. The event will raise money for Julia’s House and will involve wacky challenges including human table football, sumo wrestling and a Segway relay, as well as children’s entertainment, food and a bar. Details at juliashouse.org

In Verwood, the Church of the Ascension at Woodlands is holding its annual flower festival, with a theme of Lest We Forget, on Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm each day. There will be coffee, lunches, afternoon tea and stalls in the village hall as well.

A family fayre takes place at Hamworthy Club on Magna Road on Saturday between 10am and 4pm. There will be classic cars, tombola, bouncy castle, stalls and lots more. The free event is to celebrate 21 years of fundraising by the Rebekah Fund. Free parking is available in the club car park.

Purbeck Sports Centre is offering a host of free activities this weekend. Sports centre manager Michelle Goodman said: “The free weekend is a fabulous way to ease into the autumn.” The activities are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visit dorsetforyou.com/ purbecksportscentre for full details.

The Priest’s House Museum is celebrating Dorset Architectural Heritage Week this weekend from 10am to 4.30pm with free admission to the house, museum and garden. For further information, contact 01202 882533 or visit priest-house.co.uk.

The Wimborne BID and Radio Wimborne are bringing the Vikings to town on Saturday. 
The Anglo Saxon Chronicles tells us that one thousand years ago this year, the Vikings ‘came to the mouth of the Frome and plundered in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset.
The town will be celebrating with both Viking and Saxon Living History re-enactments and demonstrations and the grand finale will be a light show, in the evening on the Minster green.

To celebrate Roald Dahl’s birthday, Poole Central Library will be hosting a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory party on Saturday from 3pm-4pm. To book a place call 01202 262449.

A free guided walk around the Old Town of Poole starts at 10am on Saturday from St James’ Church, ending at Skinner Street U R Church for refreshments. Book at dahw.org.uk.

The 50th anniversary of Canford Heath will be celebrated from this Saturday with a special exhibition of pictures from Poole Museum at Canford Heath Library.

The Poole Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, which encompasses Swanage and Wareham, will be holding a service to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, on Sunday, September 13. The service will be held at St James’ Parish Church at 6.30pm, by kind permission of the Rector, the Reverend Lucy Holt. Members of the armed forces, cadet forces, ex-service associations and the general public are invited to join in this special commemoration.

The New Forest Bike Ride takes place on Sunday. Riders can select from four different routes; 15, 30, 45 or 60 miles. The rides start from Brockenhurst College between 8am and 10.15am and the event is to race money for Orchid, a male cancer charity. Entry is £17.50 for adults and £7.50 for children. To sign up, visit http://www.bike-events.co.uk/newforest

Take your pooch along to a fun dog show at the Horns Inn pub at Burt’s Hill in Wimborne on Sunday. There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting, stalls and refreshments. Entry is £1 for adults and children go free. Takes place between 11am and 4pm.