Welcome to the Chideock and Seatown Community Website. This website belongs to ‘the community’ and is all about Chideock, North Chideock and Seatown. We hope these pages will be of interest to both local residents and visitors to our village.
Chideock is an amazingly busy village with lots of groups that anyone can join and lots of entertainment and events that are happening so please take your time to look through our website – not forgetting our stunning Photo Galleries.
If you are a visitor to this beautiful part of West Dorset please check out our Accommodation Guide.
- CHIDEOCK W.I. FEBRUARY MEETING 2026
What a treat! We had such an interesting talk from Callum Bremner,
High Sheriff of Dorset and Justice of the Peace. Callum informed us that Dorset has had a High Sheriff for over a thousand years. The role now is, thankfully, less risky than in previous centuries when High Sheriffs were sometimes murdered because of their responsibility for tax collection! They also had to pay for an army and keep law and order. These days the focus is much more on support of community projects.
Callum went on to speak about his position as a Magistrate, serving in Criminal and Family Courts. He explained how modern Family Courts have a focus on the welfare of children in particular and how a new Pathfinder System supports the Family Court in trying to resolve problems before they reach Court.
Cases which reach Crown Court, (usually the most serious offences, with a jury) go through a Magistrate’s Court first. This is partly to make bail arrangements if necessary or incarceration if required. Although Magistrates decide whether to refer a case to Crown Court a defendant can request this, a possible incentive being that the waiting list for Crown Court can be three years and a case may fail if witnesses drop out etc. Callum explained that recent proposals to have a hearing with a Judge and two Magistrates (without a jury) could help reduce the delay for Crown Court hearings. Although Magistrates’ sentencing powers are more limited, they can find a case guilty and refer to a Judge to impose a higher sentence. They can also make referrals for community service of various kinds and can be approached for ideas relating to this. If found guilty the maximum fine that can be imposed is ‘unlimited’ because it is based on that individual’s income. The money goes to the Treasury. Magistrates can also give a suspended sentence. Being drunk and disorderly is a fairly common misdemeanour but the most common is speeding. As this is so common it is not a criminal offence and is punished with a fine and points on the driving licence.
Three Magistrates sit at Criminal or Family Court, each for a minimum of twenty six half days per year. They are expected to be ordinary lay people but have some training in procedural law and consideration of evidence. They are expected to use ‘common sense’ but have a legal advisor to offer guidance on legal precedents. Having understanding and empathy for the ordinary person is important and Callum emphasised that each case has its own individual story and context. Although there are roughly equal numbers of male and female Magistrates in Dorset, Callum estimated that at least eighty per cent of the defendants are male.
Continue reading → - FILM NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE HALL 17TH MARCH
Tuesday 17th March – 7.00pm for 7.30pm
“Deliver Me from Nowhere” chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album. Recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works – a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.
£5.00 Entry – cash or card payments accepted which includes free tea/coffee & popcorn
wine by glass or bottle, beer, cider & choc ices on sale during interval.
Continue reading → - CHIDEOCK COMMUNITY CAFE IN THE VILLAGE HALL FRIDAY 20TH MARCH
Chideock Community Café
Held in Chideock Village Hall
FRIDAY 20th March 2026
From 2.30pm until 4.30pm
Come along with friends or to meet some new ones.
Everyone is welcome
Tea/Coffee & Cakes/biscuits available
We look forward to seeing you!!
Continue reading → - CHIDEOCK NEWS – MARCH 2026
- WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SATURDAY, 14TH MARCH
- COFFEE MORNING SATURDAY, 7TH MARCH
- CHIDEOCK NEWS – FEB 2026
- SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING IN THE VILLAGE HALL SATURDAY 7TH MARCH
Please join us for a free coffee morning with ‘toast and marmalade’ available and other treats on offer on Saturday 7th March 10.00am – 12.00 noon.Come along on your own to catch up with other villagers or join in with friends, it’s all free and a warm welcome will be extended to everyone.
Bring your children as well as there will be toys and colouring books for them.
Chideock Village Hall Event.
Continue reading → - CHIDEOCK PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
The Chideock Parish Council website is now updated with all Agendas and Minutes. dates of meetings and who your ‘new councillors are’ We have a new Section called LATEST NEWS which gives updates on Road Closures..please check out the latest one for North Road. www.chideockparishcouncil.com
Continue reading → - CHIDEOCK NEWS – DEC/JAN 2025/6
