Dorset Events in April 2010

2-5	Portland	Crafty Easter at Portland Castle from 10am to 5pm. Visit the castle over Easter and take part in our 'eggtastic' Easter craft activities especially for children. With plenty of opportunities to get creative, the kids can have fun creating something 'eggceptional' to take home. Prices: Adults £4.20/Concessions £3.60/Children £2.10/Family £10.50. English Heritage Members: Free.
2-18	Bovington	Easter Holiday Fun at The Tank Museum. Free Easter Egg Hunt! The Easter Bunny has hidden his eggs in secret spots around the Museum. Solve the clues, find the eggs and collect your tasty reward! See Tanks In Action! Get closer to the action with explosive live displays every weekday during the holidays at 1pm. Experience for yourself the thrill of riding in a specially converted M548 tracked vehicle. This actual working example of military machinery takes up to 16 people at a time - so the whole family can jump on together (extra charge applies). Free tank talks and free guided tours. See the world's best collection of tanks - all under one roof. Free annual pass included in your admission (terms & conditions apply).
2-18	Bournemouth	Easter Eggstravaganza at the Oceanarium. Visit the Oceanarium this Easter holiday and take part in some very egg-citing activities! Find out fascinating facts about our egg laying residents, make your own Easter badge, take part in the Scrambled Eggs Trail and get a temporary tattoo in aid of Monk Seal Conservation (£1 donation).
3-9	Bridport	From Page To Screen, Bridport Film Festival at Bridport Arts Centre and at The Electric Palace cinema. Bridport is back with its second ground-breaking literary film festival, From Page To Screen, the only film festival to celebrate great adaptations of books. Running over five days of the Easter break, the films have been chosen to please all ages, from Where The Wild Things Are and Five Children and It for young children to challenging dramas for teenagers such as Paranoid Park and the Boys are Back. From Page To Screen was inspired when the organisers discovered that 6 out of 10 Bafta and Oscar winning films were adapted from books, and that although hundreds of film and book festivals take place in the UK each year, none celebrated the art of adapting books for the silver screen. From Page To Screen has screenings and talks at Bridport Arts Centre and at The Electric Palace cinema. To book call 01308 424204 or book in person at the Bridport Arts Centre Box Office.
5	Christchurch	Avon Tyrrell Easter Treasure Hunt at Avon Tyrrell UK Youth Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset. Family fun, come find clues on our 36 acre site using some of our adventure activities, prizes for all who complete the Treasure Hunt. £7.50 family ticket 10am until 1pm.
5	Christchurch	Launch of the Christchurch Calendar 2011 at The Mayor's Parlour, High Street, Christchurch. Come along to the launch of this prestigious art calendar in aid of funds for the rebuilding of a much needed community centre in Christchurch to replace Druitt Hall.
10-11	Bournemouth	Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition at Kinson Community Centre, Bournemouth, Dorset BH10 7LH. Model railway layouts of all popular sizes from Garden G scale down to N Gauge (2mm - 1ft). Members from many local clubs and associations will be on hand to offer help, advice and encouragement. N Gauge Society area representative will be here with his layout as well. In addition there will be trade stands/specialist suppliers and demonstrations. There is ample FREE parking and a bus stop nearby. Open from 10am both Saturday and Sunday. Refreshments available on both days.
17	Toller Porcorum	Foraging and Wild Food Course - Half Day. This introductory course combines a foraging walk for spring greens and an illustrated talk on wild foods. Call 01300 321373 for details.
17	Christchurch	Concert by Grange Choral Society at Christchurch Priory Church at 7.30pm. Dyson's Canterbury Pilgrims will be performed by Grange Choral Society. Tickets available from Christchurch Tourist Information Centre or at the door.
17	Bovington	Easter Bunny Tea Party at The Tank Museum. Join in the Easter Bunny's Tea Party for an afternoon of fun, games and crafts! The Easter Bunny is visiting Bovington on Saturday 17th April to host a special Tea Party. Participants will get the opportunity to make Easter crafts they can take away, play Easter games and then sit down for a picnic and drinks with the Easter Bunny. Come in fancy dress for your chance to win a special prize for the best costume! The Easter Bunny's Tea Party is suitable for boys and girls aged 6-10 years of age. Places are strictly limited and must be pre-booked in advance. The ticket price of £12.50 includes: One adult free with each child, craft activities, refreshments and a special Easter goodie bag! Please note that Museum admission is an optional extra for attendees - and standard admission rates will apply.
17-11 May	Bridport	'Portrait of the Artist' at Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NR. The Private View of 'Portrait of the Artist' will take place from 6-8pm on Saturday 17 April, and the launch of the Book will be introduced by John Hubbard at 7pm that evening. The book will be available at the launch/exhibition for the special introductory price of £14.95 (after which it will be priced at £19.95). 'Portrait of the Artist' is a group show of 25 painters and sculptors associated with the Bridport art scene. The project is a collaboration between painter Kit Glaisyer, writer Lu Orza and photographer George Wright, who each draw on their own creative disciplines to present a multifaceted portrait of the contemporary artist, with Lu's narrative texts, George's evocative photographic portraits and Kit's selection of some of the artists best work.
18	Bournemouth	In The Pink Big Band presents an Evening of Dinner, Big Band Music and Dance featuring the amazing talent of Vicky Barents at The Cumberland Hotel. This informal dinner and dance will take place in the luxurious Mirabelle Suite at the Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth BH1 3AF. Price £15.95, includes a 3 course meal. £5 deposit per person required. Book Now tel: 01202 298350.
20	Bovington	Tank Driving for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. Drive a tank on a whole day out at Bovington. Get sponsorship worth £200 and registration fee of £20 and you're in! A unique chance to drive a 30-tonne tank and armoured personnel carrier with breakfast, lunch and tea included in the day!
21	Christchurch	Pete Christie @ The Thomas Tripp Pub. Acoustic guitar playing singer-songwriter. Melodic, powerful, intelligent songs.
23	Weymouth	Roy Orbison and The Beatles Live in Concert at The Pavilion Weymouth. Tickets and information available from the theatre box office.
24	Poundbury	Mah-Jong Workshop at St John Ambulance, Bridport Rd, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 2NH. A fun and informal workshop from 10am to 3.30pm. Suitable for both beginners and more experienced players. Tickets £14 to include refreshments, ploughman's lunch and tuition.
24-25	Portland	Optics & Wildlife Weekend at The Heights Hotel, Isle of Portland, Dorset from 10am to 6pm each day. An amazing and informative weekend to introduce you and offer guidance into the fascinating world of Optics and Local Wildlife. Experts will be available offering free professional advice and guidance with equipment to view and try while enjoying the hotels amazing sea and coastal views. Coffee shop promotion and weekend lunch offers. Traditional afternoon tea available. Daily FREE guided island walk. Amateur photographic competition open to all.
24-25	Bournemouth	British Independent Film Festival at the Bournemouth Pier Theatre. Come and see independent film screening from up and coming actors and directors. Tickets are £5 per evening.
25	Toller Porcorum	Foraging and Wild Food Course - Full Day. This introductory course combines a foraging walk for spring greens, an indoor session preparing, cooking and eating a three-course lunch based on our finds, and an illustrated talk on wild foods. Call 01300 321373 for details.
25	Bournemouth	Bournemouth's First Independent Arts Festival at AFC Bournemouth. Come and see a feast of creativity from dance groups to singer, songwriters, painters and fire-eaters. There will also be stalls for you to purchase craft goods.
28-6 June	Highcliffe	Wessex Textile Artists at Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe. Contemporary textiles by this well known group. 11am - 4 pm daily. Come and meet the artists on Wednesday 28th April.
29-2 May	Lyme Regis	The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. Public days 1-2 May. 'Dead...and Alive!' will celebrate the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity. The Fossil Festival is a fascinating fusion of science and art. See www.fossilfestival.com for more information.
30-1 May	Bournemouth	Ladies Night at The Wessex Hotel. Call for tickets now on 01202 280184. Canapes, welcome drink, goodie bag, DJ and ladies stands to browse.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this Dorset events list, dates and venues can be changed or events and festivals cancelled altogether. It is always best to confirm the details with the Tourist Information Centre for that region before you set off for your holiday or short break in Dorset.