Surviving The Summer Holidays In Dorchester

On the

summer. It's a great opportunity to spend time with your children, but it can cost a lot to keep them entertained...

As there

are not many parents who can take six weeks off work and few who can afford to

go to festivals and expensive attractions every weekend, I have compiled a list of events and

activities taking place this summer that you can do as a family without

breaking the bank. Get your diaries out:

• Weldmar Summer Fete: Saturday 17th

  July from 11am – 4pm at Joseph Weld Hospice. There will be a dog agility

  display, Dorchester YMCA gymnasts,  L&B Line Dancing, Distinction

  Cheerleading, Street Dance and Belly Dance troupes,  Lyme Alpacas,

  BBQ and refreshments, a raffle, a silent auction, a tombola and trade

  stalls.

• Reggae Family Day: Sunday 18th

  July from 3pm – 10pm at The George. There will be reggae music in the beer

  garden with DJ Trev and DJ gran and a BBQ.

• Midnight Showing of Toy Story 3 in 3D: Saturday

  24th July from 11:30pm at the Plaza Cinema. There will be a

  Charity Gala in aid of Julias House Hospices pyjama appeal. Tickets are

  for sale in advance from the Plaza Cinema in Dorchester at £10 for adults

  and £5 for children. The dress code is pyjamas and bring your

  favourite teddy bear.

• Milborne St Andrew Village Fete: Sunday 8th

  August from 11am – 3pm at Milborne St Andrew village hall & field.

  There will be hoopla, a bouncy Castle, face painting, a wet sponge throw,

  splat the Rat, human fruit machine, play your cards right, a BBQ &

  refreshments, Dorset Police, a raffle and trade stalls. There will also be

  Juno Belly dancers, Folk Music and Line dancing. There is a children’s

  fancy dress competition for under 12s, which they can sign up for on the

  day for £1.

• Warm

  Festival Free Live Music Fun Day: Saturday 21st August from 12.00pm -

  8.00pm and Sunday 22nd August from 10.00am - 6.00pm at the Borough

  Gardens. There will be 3 stages of live music and dance, trade stalls and

  a licensed bar. The Saturday will be dedicated to Julian Slade and the

  Sunday will be dedicated to The Steve Charles - Help a Friend Fund.

• Buckham Fair Pony and Dog Show: Sunday 22nd

  August from 10am – 9pm at Beaminster Down. There will be pony and dog shows,

  a police dog demonstration, a funfair, vintage cars and scooters, a silent

  auction, games and numerous trade stalls. Admission is £2 for adults and

  children go free.

• Anonymous Festival: Saturday 28th

  August from 12pm – 11pm at Maumbury Rings - a one day festival of music

  and culture showcasing young local DJ's and bands. There will be trade

  stalls, acoustic music and cafe, hog roast, burger van, sumo suits, mini

  total wipeout, graffiti wall, and a theatre company.

If you hear of or know about any other

activities for families this summer, please let everyone else know by leaving a

comment below. Enjoy!