The Sherborne Podcast

Three months ago TSP visited Sherborne Castle to hear how they were preparing for a new season open to the public. A week later the castle closed their gates as the public were ordered to stay at home to combat COVID-19. As the lockdown restrictions are eased, the castle gates will be opened again on Thursday and people will be allowed in to walk in the gardens and grounds although the castle, shop and tea room will remain shuttered. You can find admission times, ticket prices and guidance...

It's Mental Health Awareness Week. Dorset HealthCare says the aim of the week this year is to promotegood mental health by acts of kindness. Clare Hurley, the head of adult psychological services at the trust, talks about the campaign and the help Dorset HealthCare offers. Alice is the mother of two toddlers who lives in Sherborne. She talks to TSP about how the Dorset mental health initiatives helped her with post-natal depression and then the tragic loss of her partner after a road...

The government wants some pupils to return to school before the end of the summer term. The Gryphon School is drawing up plans for some Year 10 students to be back in the classroom in limited numbers. Headteacher Nicki Edwards says there are significant challenges to be met before pupils and teachers can return. Also in this episode in our series on how Sherborne is coping with the coronavirus pandemic, the owner of The Pear Tree deli and cafe, Steve Taylor, tells TSP what eight weeks of...

Most of the shops and cafes in Sherborne's Cheap Street have remained shuttered and silent during the seven weeks of lockdown. Now on the eve of the prime ministers broadcast on Sunday when he's expected to announce a partial easing of the restrictions, there are signs Sherborne is beginning to stir. In a welcome return for many, Oliver's Coffee House re-opened in the mornings this week for takeaways. Oliver's is run by Jane Wood who is also chair of Sherborne Chamber of Commerce. She...

Don't expect any immediate re-opening of public open spaces and play areas even if the prime minister announces changes to the lockdown. Dorset Council says people should continue stay at home this weekend. Police in the county issued 377 fixed penalty notices in the last ten days to people they say were breaching the restrictions.

Financial help for dairy farmers has been announced by the government. Dorset's recycling centres reopen on Monday but Sherborne tip will remain closed.

Financial help for dairy farmers has been announced by the government. There will be a two-minutes' silence to mark V.E. Day on Friday.

Millions of pounds have been paid out to local businesses to help them through the pandemic. Dominic Raab confirms the prime minister will outline later this week the steps to lift the lockdown but warns phase 2 of the crisis won't be easy.

The number of new coronavirus infections continues to fall. You can now make a virtual visit to patients at The Yeatman and other community hospitals in Dorset. Dorset Council will hold its first virtual committee meeting tomorrow to consider a report on how the pandemic has affected the county.

More help for smaller businesses announced by the government. Police in Dorset dealt with nearly 10,000 emergency calls in the last month despite the coronavirus keeping people at home. Call to NHS111 jumped 62% in March. Get the latest full episode of The Sherborne Podcast finding out how a hairdressers' in Sherborne, Castle Gardens and The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil are coping with COVID-19. Follow TSP on Facebook and Twitter, subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts to...

Hairdressers have been closed for nearly six weeks. How are you coping? TSP meets Charlotte Fairclough who owns the Pure Hair salon in Half Moon Street and asks whether we should get out the scissors and try a little D-I-Y. It's rumoured garden centres could be among the first businesses to re-open when the coronavirus restrictions begin to be lifted. Behind the walls at Castle Gardens preparations are underway. TSP talks to Louise Burks who opened Castle Gardens with her husband Mike in...

The Sherborne Podcast reports on how Sherborne is coping with the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic is on the downward slope, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The government will lay out its plan next week to get children back to school and business re-opened. Castle Gardens are making preparations for when they can re-open. Look out for The Sherborne Podcast's "Coping with the Sixth Weekend Lockdown" special coming soon.

First Secretary Dominic Raab says the lockdown will be reviewed "in early May". Crime in Dorset has fallen by 30% since the lockdown began. In the latest full episode of The Sherborne Podcast the town's MP Chris Loder explains why strict rules on funerals during the pandemic must be lifted to help grieving families.

Chief Constable James Vaughan and Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill discuss how Dorset Police have been enforcing the emergency restrictions during the pandemic. The majority of people fined for breaking the restrictions have been from outside the county. Both men expect the way Dorset is policed in the future to change when the crisis is over. Also in this episode, West Dorset MP Chris Loder explains why he is trying to persuade churches and crematoria to relax their strict...

The government announces more help for small businesses. Dorset's chief constable says most people in the county continue to adhere to the lockdown restrictions despite the recent fine weather.

The government says the five tests it has set to enable the lockdown to be eased have not yet been met. Sherborne Viral Kindness have raised more than £10,000 to fund the community kitchen providing meals for vulnerable residents. Coming soon, the next full episode of The Sherborne Podcast: Coping with COVID-19.

Police urge people to stay at home during the weekend and reveal how many fines they've issued since the lockdown began. People who need it are urged to seek medical treatment despite fears of coronavirus at doctors' surgeries and hospital A&E departments. The latest full episode of The Sherborne Podcast 'Coping with COVID-19: On The Frontline' is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Dorset Council say the pandemic could cost themas extra £54million. The number of people who have died with coronavirus in Dorset hospitals has risen to 107. Download our full episode Coping with COVID-19: On The Frontline to hear how Sherborne's doctors' surgeries and The Yeatman are dealing with the pandemic.

Clap for the NHS tonight at 8pm. And then listen to The Sherborne Podcast episode Coping with Covid-19: On The Frontline to hear how our GP surgeries and the Yeatman Hospital are dealing with the pandemic.