Dorchester-Bayeux Society

Last update to this page: Thursday 22nd October 2026

Changes to fees and membership subscriptions

From October 2025, fees for DBS talks are £4 per head for members and £5 per head for non-members.

From January 2026, fees for DBS films change to £5 per head for members and £6 per head for non-members.

From January 2026, annual membership fees for the society change to £20 per adult with no joining fee.

The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings

14th October was a memorable date for us - not just the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, but the occasion of a great talk given by military historian Lieutenant Colonel (retired) James Porter. It was a sell-out event and many people joined the waiting list in case tickets became available. One lucky person was able to join us and we hope that others will be in touch with the Dorset Museum and Art Gallery about a re-run of this talk expected to be hosted by them next February. It's probably worth another visit!

Millenium 2027, European Year of the Normans

The year 2027 marks the thousandth anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror in Falaise, Normandy. The Normandy Region is celebrating this historic anniversary with MILLENIUM, a major popular, cultural, and tourist event with a European dimension.

Watch this space for news of events both near and far!

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Summer Garden Party, August 2026

Huge thanks to members Morcia and David, for hosting our summer garden party, which was a tremendous success and enjoyed by all. The personal picnic packs were tasty and well-planned, the garden was glorious, and it was a great pleasure to view the additions to Morcia and David's amazing home.

Thanks also to committee members who planned and organised the whole thing - great work as always!

Looking forward to next time!

Spring Celebration Lunch and Skittles - Les Quilles! March 2026

This was a great event, although it wasn't as easy as it looked - especially trying to knock over that king pin! There were many valiant efforts made and some terrific shots, a few of which are captured on the photographs page. The New Inn at West Knighton provided a tasty buffet lunch before the match began.

Vivre à Bayeux

The latest copy of a community magazine published by Bayeux town council called 'Bayeux à Vivre' can be found here. The Dorchester-Bayeux Society featured in the one-hundredth edition, see extract below.

The magazine can be downloaded (télécharger) or viewed online (consulter).

Exchange visit 2025:

Dorchester members had a very special weekend entertaining visitors from Bayeux from Friday 12th to Monday 15th September 2025. Our guests arrived on Friday afternoon, after a somewhat rocky ferry trip. Saturday morning saw an official welcome and reception in Dorchester's beautifully refurbished Town Hall. Deputy Mayor Cllr Robin Potter welcomed everybody and Maire-adjointe Lydie Poulet replied on behalf Bayeux Town Council. As well as some delicious nibbles, visitors were also treated to a cry of welcome from Town Crier, Anthony Harrison, who appeared in full regalia to recognise and reinforce the friendship between the two towns.

Saturday evening saw a wonderful display of Morris dancing by group Festus Derriman at The New Inn, West Knighton, which continued up to the arrival of a heavy rain storm. Two of our committee members were among those leaping in the air and brandishing sticks! A delicious celebratory dinner for 90 was effectively and calmly managed by staff at the New Inn, with informal speeches given by the chairmen of the two societies, Gareth Jones and Patrick Benoist.

Sunday's excursion to the lovely Forde Abbey, Chard, was a little damp, but still very enjoyable. We made full use of the cafe facilities and the bravest of us huddled in the shelter or under trees to watch the Centenary Fountain to shoot up into the air.

Monday saw us back in the car park wishing our visitors a safe and, hopefully, calmer journey home. As always, it's sad to see them go, but we can look forward to meeting up again next year.

Twinning Trip to Bayeux, 2024

What a brilliant weekend and we were lucky with the weather!

After a smooth journey to Bayeux on Friday 13th September, we spent the evening with our hosts.

The next morning, we were welcomed by Bayeux's mayor at a civic reception at the Hotel du Doyen. Speeches were made, some with the able assistance of Gareth Jones, our chair. Then members of Bayeux's L'Orpheon choral society gave a great rendition of our national anthem, as well as other items including La Mer.

On Saturday evening, we attended a celebration dinner at the Hotel de Paris, Isigny-sur-Mer. Not only was the meal delicious, but we were delighted to have Dorchester's own Town Crier with us, Anthony Harrison. His cry, given in French, was met with praise and surprise - especially in the car park where he rang his bell. Transcripts of Anthony's cry shown with the photos; for videos, see our Facebook page. Our mayor received a special gift for the town of Dorchester: a commemorative stone engraved with thanks to mark this year's D-day 80th anniversary. One has been given to each town associated with the Normandy landings.

On Sunday 15th September we visited the British Normandy Memorial de Ver-sur-Mer. This was a memorable and very moving experience for many, with the uncle of one of our members listed on the pillars amongst the 22,000 who lost their lives between 7th June and 31st August 1944.

After lunch with our hosts, we met again for a very interesting visit to the new Museum of Débarquement (Landings) at Arromanches. The group photograph was taken outside the museum.

Monday 16^th September

After what is always an emotional visit to the British Cemetery in Bayeux, we enjoyed a short, guided tour of the caramel factory at Isigny.

We then made the most of lunch at The Wok Sun buffet restaurant in Cherbourg before catching the ferry home.