Set in the beautiful grounds of our hospice this much-loved annual event brings together local talent, family-friendly entertainment, and a whole host of activities for all ages, from live music and dancing to food stalls, games, crafts, and animal encounters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
We will once again be running a FREE park and ride service between the hospice and the bus stop at Dorchester South train station, courtesy of First Bus. Friend of Weldmar and fan of the fete, Martin Clunes will also be joining us this year to try his luck on some of the games, and pose for a selfie with you!
Useful info | Enter the Mystery Box draw | Attractions
This year, our fete is proudly sponsored by Avenue Interiors
Make the most out of the day
Where and when is the Weldmar Summer Fete?
Saturday 12th September 2026
11am – 4pm
Weldmar Hospicecare Inpatient Unit, Herringston Road, Dorchester, DT1 2SL
How much is the entry fee?
The Summer Fete is £3 entry per person, and kids under 16 go free!
Why do I need to make a donation to have a selfie with Martin Clunes?
This year, we’re changing things up a little bit. The objective of the Summer Fete is to raise funds so that we can continue providing free, outstanding care for local adults who have a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones. Martin has been a popular visitor to our fete for a number of years – if you’ve been before, you know that he will generously and patiently pose for hundreds of selfies!
This year, in order to help us raise just that little bit more – which could help pay for a visit for a patient from our Specialist Hospice at Home, counselling session for a bereaved relative, or a relaxing complementary therapy to ease a patient’s symptoms or anxiety – we’ll be asking for a small donation in return for a photo with Martin.
The suggested amount is £5.
What are the park and ride arrangements?
This is a FREE service, running between Dorchester South Train Station and the Summer Fete roughly every 30 minutes starting at 10:15 am.
There is also a request stop at Upper Fairfield Road.
Here is the timetable:
This service is provided by First Bus, thank you First Bus!
Is there any car parking on site?
Unfortunately there is no parking on site. Please be respectful of nearby residents if parking nearby. It’s a fifteen minute walk from the town centre, or you can use our free park and ride which leaves from the bus stop outside of Dorchester South Railway Station.
Visitors are also welcome to be dropped off at the entrance.
Is there wheelchair access to all facilities?
Yes, all areas are accessible. However, many of the stalls and games take place on our meadow, where there is uneven ground, and some areas are sloped. As this is a grassy area it may become heavy for wheelchair users should there be any wet weather in the days leading up to the fete.
Will there be food and drink available to purchase?
Of course! We’ll have a selection of hot food, as well as snacks, cold drinks, teas, coffees and cake. There will also be an ice cream van! Look out for a full menu nearer the time.
Here’s a photo of our brilliant 2025 fete catering team, rushed off their feet all day!
Can I bring my dog?
Doggie friends are very welcome, but must be kept on leads at all times. We’ll provide water bowls around the Fete, and there are shaded areas to retreat to if they need some chill time.
We’ve also got our ‘Weld-bark’ doggy game stall back again where you can win them some treats, and Katie’s Pet Portraits will be here to take photos, and commission bookings for her pastel paintings. She’ll probably have water and biscuits at her stall, if you pop to say hello!
Here’s chief good boy, Crumble the PAT dog, taking in the ambience of the Fete!
Do I need cash?
Please do bring cash to join in the fun! Many of the stalls will be cash only, and even with card machines at certain points, they can go down when it’s busy. We do not have a cash point on site.
Can I have a stall?
As we want to raise as much money as possible for Weldmar, we only take a very selected number of external traders. Unfortunately the few spaces we have for external stalls are already filled for this year.
Summer Fete Mystery Box
What will be in your box? A private box at Wembley Stadium? A Cornish holiday? A pottery painting session? A 12ft trampoline for your garden?
Get your tickets today as our Mystery Box game returns to Weldmar Hospicecare’s Summer Fete on Saturday 12th September!
We’ve got twelve boxes, each featuring a brilliant prize. Purchase a ticket for £2, and we’ll add it to one of the boxes (purchase more, and we’ll spread them out between a number of boxes). Then, after 3pm at the Summer Fete, we’ll draw a winning ticket from each box – which amazing prize will be inside yours?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it on the day, we’ll contact you if you’re a winner.
A huge thank you to all of the local businesses and individuals who have donated these prizes. All proceeds will go towards the specialist care that Weldmar provides to local adults with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.
Tickets are on sale until 8am on Friday 11th September
Use of an 8 seater private box at Wembley Stadium
Watch either an England or Lionesses game! Donated by Sport Sisters Experiences.
Ticket sales now closedA short break for 8 people in Looe, Cornwall
Take a trip to Tregoad Holiday Park in 2027! Donated by Waterside Holidays.
Ticket sales now closedA £200 overnight stay with Hall and Woodhouse
Make the most of a stay in one of their beautiful destination pubs! Donated by Hall & Woodhouse
Ticket sales now closed3 Nights in a cosy Cornish cottage
Appletree Cottage is on the edge of Bodmin Moor, with dark skies and beautiful landscapes. Donated by Torr House Cottages
Ticket sales now closedVineyard tour for 2 at Furleigh Wine Estate
A great prize for budding sommeliers! Donated by Furleigh Estate.
Ticket sales now closedA 12 foot trampoline
Add some bounce to your garden... Donated by ABP Electrical & Security
Ticket sales now closed2 x ‘ Have a go at archery’ experience for a family of 4 at Osprey Archers
You've hit the bullseye if you win this prize! Donated by Osprey Archers
Ticket sales now closedInstax Mini 12 instant camera
Capture all those precious moments. Donated by DanGina
Ticket sales now closedA set of pans from the Stoven Hextra Range
Fancy yourself a bit of a chef? Win 3x saucepans and 1x frying pan. Donated by Harts of Stur
Ticket sales now closedThermal Spa experience for 2 at Monart Spa
Go on, treat yourself! Donated by Monart Spa
Ticket sales now closedZone Fitness Gym bundle
This incluedes: a 1 day gym pass, 3 reformer Pilates classes, reformer Pilates socks and a gym towel. Donated by Zone Fitness
Ticket sales now closedPottery painting experience for 4 people at Sophie's Ceramics
Visit your chosen cafe in Blandford, Wimborne, or Shaftesbury and unleash your creativity! Donated by Sophie's Ceramics
Ticket sales now closedEntertainment & Attractions
This list isn’t an exhaustive one! There will be stalls, traditional games, an ice cream van, magicians wandering about to bamboozle you with their brilliant tricks and there are more acts to announce – the list really does go on!
The Ranch
The Ranch offers children and young people the chance to meet and interact with everything from dapper alpacas to fascinating reptiles. A wonderful opportunity to build confidence, ask questions, and enjoy interesting animal encounters, they’ll be joining us in the meadow!
Learn more
Steam and Vintage Display Vehicles
Step back in time with our steam and vintage vehicle display, featuring beautifully restored classic vehicles. We will be joined by vintage vehicle clubs Transport of Yesteryear and Weymouth Vehicle Preservation Society as well as other vehicles. A firm favourite for all ages, come along for a closer look and a chat with the passionate owners of these magnificent machines.
Magic Jay
New to the Summer Fete this year, Magic Jay’s show will have kids and adults alike laughing and gasping in amazement. With his fantastic tricks and hilarious jokes, you’re bound to be entertained. There may even be an appearance from special guest Monty the Mouse. Silly magic is the best kind of magic, we say!
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Will Adams, Storyteller
Writer, storyteller, and musician Will Adams, will be singing songs, reading poems, and inviting children to join in on percussion! Will’s children’s book The Sleepy Bear of Leafy Wood is lovely, with the key message that “life is a song, and when you have friends around you joining in with singing that song, it’s a nice place to be.”
Learn more
The Studio
Local talent takes centre stage with The Studio, a Dorchester-based dance and theatre school. The Studio will be showcasing their energy, skill and creativity in a vibrant performance you won’t want to miss!
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Anissa Lee
Anissa first picked up a guitar when she was seven years old and loves to play. She will be joining us at the fete to sing and play acoustic versions of well known hits from the 80s, 90s and today adding to the soundtrack of the Summer Fete. As well as being a musician, Anissa is also a talented artist – she designed and painted the memory elephant that lives in the hospice gardens.
C-Star Cosplay Characters
As you wander around the fete, playing traditional games, eating cake, and watching the entertainment, you might spot some familiar faces in the crowd! Sully, Tooth, and more favourite characters will be joining us for photo opportunities and fun shenanigans. Keep those eyes peeled!
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Andy Collett
Andy has been performing at the fete since 2017 and as you can see, is a fan favourite inspiring spontaneous dance parties! With just his voice and guitar Andy’s performances contain something for everyone, playing a huge variety of music from Neil Young and Bob Marley to Oasis and George Ezra.
Learn more
Tony Lowe
Add a touch of old-school glamour with suited swing singer Tony Lowe. His commitment to style (“You can’t sing swing in jeans and a T-shirt!”) and smooth vocals make for a timeless performance filled with classic charm.
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Professor JR’s Punch & Judy Show
Punch & Judy are over 300 years old, and still they bring joy and laughter to modern audiences. Professor JR will be putting on the timeless classic with his own modern twist. Unique and hilarious, get yourself an ice-cream and find a seat for this brilliantly funny show.
Learn more
Dorchester Ukes
Another musical delight, 10 members of Dorchester’s Ukulele Group will be joining us at the fete playing a selection of brilliant tunes to add some instant ear sunshine to the day’s proceedings.
The Human Fruit Machine
It’s baaaaaaaaaaaaack! If you have visited the fete before, you’ll know. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Volunteers will be putting on their best fruit machine impressions. The noise, the fun, the joy, the fruit-based puns. Don’t miss out on this one, or you’ll feel like a right banana!
Would you be interested in volunteering at our Summer Fete?
If so, we’d love to hear from you! There are a variety of tasks to suit everyone. Please click below and complete the form.
