Religion

Tom Hayes MP joined the Board of Deputies’ Jewish Living Experience Exhibition (JLEE) at Bournemouth Community Hebrew Congregation on November 2, becoming the exhibition’s first visitor ahead of its official opening.

Bournemouth exhibition gives schoolchildren hands-on look at Jewish culture

Recipients of the Cross of St Aldhelm at Salisbury Cathedral, left to right: Angie Wheeler, Bill Smith, Peter Troughton, Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, Carole Goddard, Sue Chandler, David Robilliard.

Recipients of the Cross of St Aldhelm at Salisbury Cathedral, left to right: Angie Wheeler, Bill Smith, Peter Troughton, Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, Carole Goddard, Sue Chandler, David Robilliard.

Diocese of Salisbury

Six people honoured for 'exceptional' commitment and service to Christianity

The Centre in Ferndown

The Centre in Ferndown

Multicultural Diwali charity event to be held in Ferndown this weekend

Some of the people who knitted and crocheted the poppies used to make the display, and helped with construction. From left: Sue Allibone, John Dewhirst, Helen Dewhirst, Carolyn Allen, Pam Schollar, Roz Willis, Carol Turnbull, Sarah Wright, Tony Allen

Some of the people who knitted and crocheted the poppies used to make the display, and helped with construction. From left: Sue Allibone, John Dewhirst, Helen Dewhirst, Carolyn Allen, Pam Schollar, Roz Willis, Carol Turnbull, Sarah Wright, Tony Allen

Pokesdown church creates striking tribute with display of handmade giant poppies

Minster Aisle View with Deirdre Ashton, Soprano, Bournemouth Bach Choir

Minster Aisle View with Deirdre Ashton, Soprano, Bournemouth Bach Choir

Baroque music concert to fill historic Wimborne Minster with sound next weekend

Poppies waterfall

Poppies waterfall

Poole women knit poppy waterfall including purple poppies for animals lost in war

Bournemouth Jamei Mosque.

Bournemouth Jamei Mosque.

Local government

Residents accuse council of 'ignoring' objections to mosque expansion

Corfe Castle came alive with light, colour and culture as more than 1,100 people celebrated its first-ever Diwali festival

Corfe Castle came alive with light, colour and culture as more than 1,100 people celebrated its first-ever Diwali festival

More than 1,100 people attend first Diwali event held at historic Dorset castle

The display, created by the Wareham Carnival Poppy Project Committee, features a net of more than 5,000 handmade poppies draped across St Martin’s Church on North Street.

The display, created by the Wareham Carnival Poppy Project Committee, features a net of more than 5,000 handmade poppies draped across St Martin’s Church on North Street.

Poppy cascade featuring more than 5,000 handmade poppies on display in Wareham

Canon Sarah Jones

Canon Sarah Jones

Pioneering priest to share her story at Bournemouth church tonight

St Francis Church, Charminster

St Francis Church, Charminster

Bournemouth set to celebrate Diwali with vibrant community mela next month

Charlie Lovell-Jones

Charlie Lovell-Jones

Classic FM rising stars to headline orchestra's Poole season opener tomorrow

The free-to-enter Durga Puja festival returns for the 11th year, offering five days of vibrant festivities from Saturday, October 17, to Wednesday, October 21.

The free-to-enter Durga Puja festival returns for the 11th year, offering five days of vibrant festivities from Saturday, October 17, to Wednesday, October 21.

Celebration of Indian culture to come to Dorset village hall this weekend

The Alleyn Singers visited The Minster Church of St Cuthburga in Wimborne

The Alleyn Singers visited The Minster Church of St Cuthburga in Wimborne

The Alleyn Singers performed at Wimborne church for the first time

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity invites everybody across Dorset to come together on December 3 for a warm and beautiful remembrance service called Light Up Our Tree.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity invites everybody across Dorset to come together on December 3 for a warm and beautiful remembrance service called Light Up Our Tree.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity

Charity invites people in Dorset to candlelit remembrance service this winter

Rang Barse Holi event at Corfe Castle

Rang Barse Holi event at Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle to host spectacular Diwali celebration later this month

Reverend Katie Windle pictured with Chaplaincy Prefects

Reverend Katie Windle pictured with Chaplaincy Prefects

New chaplain licensed by Bishop of Salisbury to serve Sherborne Schools Group

Care South, a residential and care-at-home provider, donated £1,000 through its Community Fund to The Church of the Transfiguration in Canford Cliffs.

Care South, a residential and care-at-home provider, donated £1,000 through its Community Fund to The Church of the Transfiguration in Canford Cliffs.

Dorset care provider's community fund donates £1,000 to Canford Cliffs church

St Andrew’s Church in Boscombe has created a ‘Living Room’ for its community, a place where people can feel at home, build relationships and find a warm welcome.

St Andrew’s Church in Boscombe has created a ‘Living Room’ for its community, a place where people can feel at home, build relationships and find a warm welcome.

Boscombe church opens new community hub aiming to be 'beacon of hope and light'

Milford on Sea celebrates completion of major tower repairs

Milford on Sea celebrates completion of major tower repairs

Milford on Sea celebrates completion of major tower repairs

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, preparing for her 20-church Ride + Stride challenge.

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, preparing for her 20-church Ride + Stride challenge.

Bishop to walk 13 miles between 20 churches to raise funds for repairs

Lot 170 - Methodist Church, Partway Lane, Hazelbury Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2DP

Lot 170 - Methodist Church, Partway Lane, Hazelbury Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2DP

Former Methodist chapel in Dorset dating back to 1863 to go under the hammer

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, preparing for her 20-church Ride + Stride challenge.

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Acting Bishop of Salisbury, preparing for her 20-church Ride + Stride challenge.

Dorset Historic Churches Trust

Bishop to raise money for historic churches through 20-church walking challenge

Holy Rood church in Shillingstone, Dorset

Holy Rood church in Shillingstone, Dorset

Historic church in Dorset finally secures funds needed for urgent roof repairs

Keith Watts is thought to be the longest continually-playing church organist in the country.

Keith Watts is thought to be the longest continually-playing church organist in the country.

Dorset organist has played at the same church every week for more than 70 years

St Peter’s churchyard has been completely ‘reimagined’, thanks to the determination of Jane MacDonald (Church Warden) and the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Urban Green project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and Southern Coop.

St Peter’s churchyard has been completely ‘reimagined’, thanks to the determination of Jane MacDonald (Church Warden) and the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Urban Green project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and Southern Coop.

Bournemouth churchyard once plagued by anti-social behaviour transformed

Marsham Court Hotel

Marsham Court Hotel

Bournemouth William Temple Association unveils new programme of public talks

Wimborne Minster is inviting the community to join in on Saturday, August 22 for a day of festivities, including family games, crafts, and a tea party celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mother's Union.

Wimborne Minster is inviting the community to join in on Saturday, August 22 for a day of festivities, including family games, crafts, and a tea party celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mother's Union.

Wimborne Minster

Wimborne church to celebrate 150th anniversary of founding of the Mothers' Union

The three couples

The three couples

160 years of marriage celebrated as three couples renew their vows together

Residents from Lytchett and Upton and the surrounding area who are struggling with the loss of a loved one are invited to take part in The Bereavement Journey, a seven-week course beginning on October 18 at Lytchett Matravers Youth Hall.

Residents from Lytchett and Upton and the surrounding area who are struggling with the loss of a loved one are invited to take part in The Bereavement Journey, a seven-week course beginning on October 18 at Lytchett Matravers Youth Hall.

Residents in Dorset invited to new bereavement support course this October

Ride and Stride returns September 13 to support Dorset's historic churches

Ride and Stride returns September 13 to support Dorset's historic churches

Dorset Historic Churches Trust

Riders and walkers in Wimborne to take part in annual Ride and Stride event

The new shed at Melbury Osmond church.

The new shed at Melbury Osmond church.

Local government

Plans for shed in church grounds among latest rural planning applications

Graham Gouldman

Graham Gouldman

REVIEW: Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs at St Peter's Church in Poole

The 10th Annual Roma Holocaust Memorial Service is set to be held at Wimborne Minster on August 2

The 10th Annual Roma Holocaust Memorial Service is set to be held at Wimborne Minster on August 2

Wimborne Minster

10th annual Roma Holocaust Memorial Service to be held at Wimborne Minster

Ninety-six Year 5 and 6 pupils from Milford on Sea Church of England Primary School have taken a pilgrimage through their village to discover more about their local Christian communities and reflect on their own journeys of faith

Ninety-six Year 5 and 6 pupils from Milford on Sea Church of England Primary School have taken a pilgrimage through their village to discover more about their local Christian communities and reflect on their own journeys of faith

Pilgrimage in 'much loved' village helps school pupils learn more about faith

Nina Shaw-Porter, Churchwarden at St Martin’s Church, Cheselbourne, one of ten churches awarded a grant by Dorset Historic Churches Trust to help with vital repairs. Photo credit: Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee

Nina Shaw-Porter, Churchwarden at St Martin’s Church, Cheselbourne, one of ten churches awarded a grant by Dorset Historic Churches Trust to help with vital repairs. Photo credit: Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee

Dorset Historic Churches Trust

10 Dorset churches given £53k in grants for essential repairs and improvements

Sean Theunissen, an elder at Citygate church

Sean Theunissen, an elder at Citygate church

Church elder reflects on 'beauty' of Bournemouth beach baptisms

Sean Theunissen, Elder and Operations Lead at Citygate

Sean Theunissen, Elder and Operations Lead at Citygate

Meet one of the UK's first churches to accept Bitcoin for donations

2,700 attend two weeks of Christian baptisms on Bournemouth Beach

2,700 attend two weeks of Christian baptisms on Bournemouth Beach

"The best thing I ever did”: Hundreds of baptisms held on Bournemouth beach

Care South's Community Fund donates £1,755 to Truth Be Told storytelling project

Care South's Community Fund donates £1,755 to Truth Be Told storytelling project

Dorset charity's community fund donates £1,755 to Christian storytelling project

Val Simon being baptised

Val Simon being baptised

More than 1,000 gather on Boscombe beach for mass baptisms

Baptism at Bournemouth Beach in 2025

Baptism at Bournemouth Beach in 2025

Bournemouth Beach

Thousands set to gather on Bournemouth Beach this weekend for mass baptism event

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has issued an apology on behalf of the Church of England for its role in historical adoption practices in mother and baby homes affiliated to the Church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has issued an apology on behalf of the Church of England for its role in historical adoption practices in mother and baby homes affiliated to the Church.

Diocese of Salisbury

Church of England apologises for role in post-war historical adoption practices

Dorset Blind Association members Kathy Smith (background) and Margaret Wareing are enjoying the freedom of cooking thanks to the Friendly Food Club.

Dorset Blind Association members Kathy Smith (background) and Margaret Wareing are enjoying the freedom of cooking thanks to the Friendly Food Club.

Friendly Food Club

Charity in Dorset gives visually impaired people confidence and freedom to cook

Five local schools return to perform in the Minster Church of St. Cuthburga, Wimborne next week at 12pm daily.

Five local schools return to perform in the Minster Church of St. Cuthburga, Wimborne next week at 12pm daily.

Five local schools to perform at Wimborne church next week

Pennington from an old postcard.

Pennington from an old postcard.

Ancient mystery and Jedi Knights in sleepy New Forest village

Dorset Historic Churches Trust’s Ride + Stride organisers gather for the official launch of Ride + Stride 2026

Dorset Historic Churches Trust’s Ride + Stride organisers gather for the official launch of Ride + Stride 2026

Dorset residents invited to take part in cycling and walking event

Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE

Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE

Chief Rabbi visits Bournemouth for opening of new synagogue

Choir to perform concert at 'historic' abbey and royal resting place next week

Beloved church warden and independent retailer passes away

The Aldhelm Pilgrimage Day 2026, celebrating St Aldhelm, the first Bishop of Sherborne, will take place at Milton Abbey in Dorset on Saturday, May 23.

The Aldhelm Pilgrimage Day 2026, celebrating St Aldhelm, the first Bishop of Sherborne, will take place at Milton Abbey in Dorset on Saturday, May 23.

Pilgrimage day celebrating St Aldhelm to held in Dorset on Saturday

Gemma Foster - Archdeacon of Bournemouth

Gemma Foster - Archdeacon of Bournemouth

New Archdeacon of Bournemouth appointed

Blessing 1 – Crowds attend the service

Blessing 1 – Crowds attend the service

Crowds attend 'Blessing of the Waters' at Quayside

Graham Gouldman, co-founder of 10cc, will perform with his semi-acoustic group Heart Full of Songs at St Peter’s Church in Poole on Tuesday, July 28,.

Graham Gouldman, co-founder of 10cc, will perform with his semi-acoustic group Heart Full of Songs at St Peter’s Church in Poole on Tuesday, July 28,.

10cc co-founder to perform with semi-acoustic group at Poole church this summer