Pauline Batstone shares her monthly round up of what’s happening among the town’s collection of community enterprises and events
Calling all photographers – from keen amateurs to seasoned professionals! The North Dorset Photography Competition 2025 is your chance to showcase Sturminster Newton and celebrate the beauty, character and life of our town through the power of photography. We want to see Sturminster Newton through your lens – whether it’s the bustling town days, hidden corners or the community spirit that makes this town so special.
A panel of judges will select the winning entries, and the winners will be displayed in a local exhibition. Entries will be judged in three categories: Under 18, Amateur and Professional.
This exciting competition is part of a wider project celebrating the towns of North Dorset, promoting the area as a vibrant and picturesque destination: Blandford, Gillingham, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Sherborne will all have individual competitions. Residents will then have the chance to vote for their favourites, with the top North Dorset images going forward to the ‘Winner of Winners’ exhibition at The Exchange.
It’s an opportunity for local photographers to have their work showcased across the region and featured on the Visit Dorset website.
Whether you capture a timeless view, a fleeting moment of daily life, or the energy of a local event, we want to see your vision of Sturminster Newton.
Key Dates:
Submissions open – 14 February 2025
Deadline for entries – 28 March 2025
Exhibition opens – 9 May 2025
For full details visit northdorsetphoto.co.uk
What’s on
On Sunday 23rd February The Exchange and Artsreach are partnering with Dorset Food & Drink to host a pop-up Producers and Makers Market in The Exchange on the day of the always-popular annual Tea With William Barnes, offering the chance to try some famous local produce – or discover something brand new that has been made in Dorset.
Taking place in the Atrium of The Exchange, the pop-up market is free, open to the public from 11am to 3pm: come and meet some of our county’s fantastic makers, including Black Ven Distillery, Chocolate Arthouse, Weymouth51, Farm Girl Sausages, Purbeck Ice Cream, Mrs Potter’s Brownies, Dorset Shortbread, Duck Farm Pottery, Rowan Beecham and Luna’s Locket.
And the highlight of everyone’s February … the SturBiz Pancake Races! On the Recreation Ground the first race is at 1:15pm on Shrove Tuesday, 4th March. There’ll be flipping pancake races between William Barnes Pupils, plus competitors from Yewstock School, the High School, local businesses and, of course, parents. All welcome to come and cheer on the racers.
And finally …
The Emporium is not just another charity shop: it has become a real destination for collectors, and we are very grateful for the advice and guidance given to SturAction by the teams at Charterhouse Auctions and Horrocks & Webb on pricing donations.
When appropriate we also put goods into auctions, either with Charterhouse in Sherborne or, depending on the advice, to specialist auctions. As a consequence we get better value from our donations, and more money to give back to the community – around £1,000 on a normal year and £7,000 for one item at a recommended specialist auction a few years ago. So thank you to Charterhouse and Horrocks & Webb for your time and help.
