EVENTS are being planned to mark the 50th anniversary of Dorchester Town Council.

Members of the public, serving and past councillors will be asked for their recollection of the council since it was formed in 1974 at the time of the last national local government reorganisation.

Discussions are being held about the possibility of an open-air gathering in the Borough Gardens, similar to the annual ‘Love Parks’ event, with a civic reception in September after the full council meeting.

A suggestion has also been put forward to plant a flower bed in the Borough Gardens in the shape of the town’s logo.

Among the activities of the town council are running the town's parks, recreations grounds, allotments, sports, play fields and cemeteries; the Municipal Buildings, and providing a forum for feedback to Dorset Council on planning and other issues in the town.

With Dorset Council the town council is also a partner in the weekly Fairfield markets with responsibility for other markets including those in Cornhill and occasional markets held elsewhere in the town.

The town council also takes on some tourism and cultural roles and is  involved and supports many community and youth groups in the county town.

Dorchester's first mayor and town clerk were recorded in 1629 although it was not until the mid-1930s that anything resembling the current council structure came into being with some of the previous councils bearing the town's name having more powers than the 1974-created authority has today.