Here's what's on in Dorchester over the coming days and weeks.

TALK AT SHIRE HALL

Louisa Adjoa Parker will be following the story of Dorset’s hidden black histories, beginning with the African slave trade era and links with local slave traders, abolitionists and enslaved Africans who came to Dorset right up to contemporary case studies of black people in Dorset. Louisa looks at the fascinating stories of the Edwardian entertainers who came to Dorset and local the presence of the thousands of African American GIs during the run up to D-Day.

This talk is based on the research carried out by Louisa for the Dorset’s Hidden Histories book, published by Development Education in Dorset in 2007. Louisa is a writer of Ghanaian and white English heritage, and has lived in the South West for most of her life.

Her talk will be held at Shire Hall at 6.30pm.

For more information, visit shirehalldorset.org/

GO BACK IN TIME

DYAD Productions impressed Dorchester last autumn with Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. They return this summer with a radical new interpretation of the HG Wells classic The Time Machine, in which a Victorian time traveller transcends the ages from 1900 to our own far future - from the fall of man to the end of the world.

It will be performed at the Corn Exchange from 8pm on Friday, July 27.

Visit dorchesterarts.org.uk/ for more information.

MADNESS IN SQUARE

An afternoon of free entertainment will be coming to Brewery Square on Saturday, July 28.

Mad4Animals will be coming to the square from 12pm until 3pm.

Mad4Animals perform fun and educational shows all about animals, their habitats and features hands-on sections as a part of the interactive show.

For more information, visit brewerysquare.com

HISTORY WORKSHOP

Dorset History Centre will be hosting a workshop from 10.30am until 12pm on Monday, August 6.

The 'Inspired by Archives' workshop is open to everyone including carers, those with dementia or with mobility, sensory or learning difficulties or those who would just enjoy the company and stimulation.

For more information, contact Maria on 01305 228947 or email m.gayton@dorsetcc.gov.uk or visit stepin2nature.org

SHAKESPEARE PERFORMANCE

A PERFORMANCE of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing will be held at Maumbury Rings from 7pm on Thursday, August 9.

It will be performed by The Rain or Shine Theatre Company.

Tickets can be bought from Dorchester's Tourist Information Centre.

COMMUNITY LUNCH

A community lunch will be held at St Mary's Church on Edward Road from 12pm until 2pm on Sunday, August 12.

There will be refreshments and entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Call 01305 250719 or visit dorcvhesteranglican.info for more information.

ONE WORLD

The One World Festival will be returning to the Borough Gardens on Saturday, August 11.

It will run from 11am onwards and will be free.

The aim of the festival is to bring different cultures together through sport, food, music and dance.

Over the years it has been attended by thousands of Dorset residents, and sometimes people from further afield, who come together to appreciate and celebrate food, music, dance and arts from different cultures.

Search One World Festival 2018 on Facebook for updates.

TONY'S TIME

Tony Lowe will be returning to Dorchester for the third of four summer concerts in Dorset. Everyone is invited to pop along and relax to the songs of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Tom Jones and many more.

He will be performing at Dorchester Borough Gardens on Sunday, August 19 from 2.30pm until 5pm.

The event will be supporting Weldmar Hospicecare.

RUNNING DAY

The West Country Historic Omnibus and Transport Trust will be hosting its fourth Running Day in Dorchester on Sunday, August 12 from 10am until 4pm.

A number of buses, coaches and classic cars will be gathering at the Top o Town car park.

The event is free and for more information people can call 01305 251501 or 01395 567795 or visit hardysociety.org

RHYMING IN GARDENS

A children's Rhyme Time event will be held in the Borough Gardens next month.

It will be held on Tuesday, August 14 from 10.30am until 11am.

Under eights must be accompanied by an adult.

VEGAN MARKET

Dorchester's Summer Vegan Market will be returning to the Corn Exchange on Saturday, August 18 from 9.30am until 2pm.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along and browse the host of stalls that will be in the hall.

CIDER FESTIVAL

The ever-popular Dorchester Cider Festival will be held at the Borough Gardens on Saturday, August 18 from 3pm onwards.

The event is organised by the Dorchester Round Table and raises money for charities and organisations in the area.

For more information search Dorchester Cider Festival 2018 on Facebook.

Send your contributions to meghan.hindley@dorsetecho.co.uk or call her directly on 01305 830985.

Send your contributions to meghan.hindley@dorsetecho.co.uk or call her directly on 01305 830985.