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BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wartime audio drama unveiled at listening post in Weymouth
A solar-powered listening post where visitors can hear radio extracts about childhood during World War Two is set to be from four Dorset schools have written and recorded an eight-part audio drama inspired by the true stories of local people who lived through the Children of World War Two and launched in May, it has been listened to more than 3,000 young writers and actors behind it will join harbourmaster Ed Carter to officially open the listening post at Weymouth Quayside in Dorset. Project co-director Alastair Nisbet from arts organisation ScreenPLAY said local people in their 90s had provided material for the the beginning of the school year, pupils aged 11-13 have worked together on the project, which is funded by Dorset Council and the Heritage are from St John's Primary, St Nicholas Primary Weymouth, St Mary's Middle School at Puddletown and Bovington Primary Academy. Each episode covers the lives of families in Weymouth, Puddletown, Wool, Lulworth and the Tyneham Valley from the summer of 1940 to Nisbet said: "The children have worked with our scriptwriters and drama directors and turned true stories from local people into short dramas complete with the music and songs of the day."We wanted to capture stories from the home front through the eyes of children while there was still a link with the war years, and retell them with today's generation." Co-director Sharon Hayden said the dramas focused on lesser known stories from the Dorset home said: "Our characters come face to face with evacuated French soldiers, Italian prisoners of war, an unexploded incendiary bomb at Chapelhay as well as the daily problems of shopping and cooking tea."There's sadness when a family member has to clear her home and farm to make way for the American Army in the depths of a freezing winter. "As well as delight when a boy reveals how to get into the pictures for free to see the latest Sherlock Holmes film."Both the original oral histories and the children's dramas will become part of the county's archive at Dorset History Centre. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beacons, beach party and flag raising: Events to commemorate VE Day
Round-up of events across Dorset for VE Day (Image: Dorchester Town Council) IT'S the 80-year anniversary of VE Day and Dorset communities have a lot planned to mark the occasion. Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945 - and for 2025 it's a landmark anniversary. There are many events happening across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester tomorrow and for the next few days. We have complied a list of the range of VE Day events happening across the three communities. Weymouth events Thursday, May 8 A VE day flag will be flown next to the Weymouth war memorial all day. ADVERTISEMENT At 9pm, the Royal British Legion will hold a short service at the Jubilee Clock followed by a beacon lighting ceremony organised by Weymouth Town Council. The special VE 80 beacon being lit at 9.30pm. Beacon lighting (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 From 1pm until 9.45pm, a line-up of local bands will perform on Weymouth Beach. The live music will follow an introduction speech from mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell. On the run up to the day, Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell, said: 'We are proud to be supporting a range of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day across Weymouth. 'Members of the public are invited to join us on the 8th May for the beacon lighting, and we are encouraging people to create a relaxed, festival-style atmosphere at the beach concert on Saturday 10th May, so bring a picnic, blankets, and sit back enjoy the performances. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've also funded a range of community events to complement our programme, so join together and be part of this significant occasion.' Other events in Weymouth include: The Nothe Fort: A new audio drama by ScreenPLAY about homefront life during World War II, featuring students from St Marys's Puddletown School from 11am until 12pm on May 8. VE day ScreenPLAY at the Nothe (Image: ScreenPLAY) RAFA Afternoon Tea: Free afternoon tea for all veterans, serving military and club members from 3pm on May 8. Mission Hall Sutton Poyntz: Fish and chips, quiz, beacon lighting on May 8. Tickets: Hillyd54@ Portraits on Parade: Portraits of WW2 veterans on parade on the promenade at Weymouth seafront on May 8 and 9. The Veterans Hub memorial mural: Created in the garden of the Veterans Hub in collaboration with local artists. The garden is used by veterans, friends and family members as a quiet reflection space. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Blind Club: Cream teas and music for members of Weymouth Blind Club. Open Air Concert: Refreshments and live music available to the community in the St Laurence Church car park in Upwey from 12pm until 4pm on May 10. MV Freedom: Veterans are invited to take a trip on the MV Freedom catamaran on May 10. Contact peteryork970@ to arrange. Portland events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a flag raising ceremony will be held at Victoria Square roundabout followed by the proclamation at the American Memorial. At 3pm, an Honouring our Heroes free event will run at Easton Lane Market Ground with music and stalls. At 4pm, a service will be held at the Portland Cenotaph. At 6pm, the bells will ring at St George's, All Saints and St John's church. At 9pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will be held at the New Ground with a performance from Weymouth Concert Brass. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Concert Brass (Image: Archive)Dorchester events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a VE tribute will be held at the town pump at Cornhill before a flag is raised at town hall along with a town crier tribute. From 8.15pm until 9.30pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will take place on Salisbury Field accompanied by music from the Decadettes, as well as a reading of local memories from As One Theatre. The town crier will also re-read his tribute before Joe Ansell performs the Last Post as the beacon is lit. The Decadettes (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 At 12.15pm, a free concert from Casterbridge Male Voice Choir will take place at the Corn Exchange- performing a range of music from the 1940s. Celebrations in Dorchester will conclude on May 11 with a free concert in Borough Gardens from 1pm until 4pm with music from the Decadettes and Durnovaria Silver Band.
