West Dorset’s rich literary tradition takes centre stage this Autumn as Dorchester prepares to welcome a new voice to the Bardic Seat of Caer Dur. The Fourth Bard of Dorchester will be chosen at a vibrant afternoon of poetry, storytelling, and song on Sunday, 14th September 2025, from 2 to 5pm at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester.
This free community event will see six finalists from across West Dorset—representing Portland, Weymouth, Bridport, Poundbury, Lyme Regis, and Charlton Down—compete for the honour of becoming Bard. This title celebrates not only Dorchester’s stories but also the wider regional narrative, connecting people throughout West Dorset through creativity and shining a light on the cultural heritage of the entire region.
The title is currently held by Molly Dunne, the Third Bard of Caer Dur, who will host the event along with Peter Roe, Grand Bard of Dorset, and ceremonially hand over the Bardic Chair:
“It has been a joy and an honour to serve as Bard of Dorchester, but now it is time for me to step aside and make space for a new voice. The Bardic tradition is about passing the chair from one to another, ensuring the creative fire of our regional community keeps burning. This year’s contest, with representatives from towns across West Dorset, promises a fierce competition full of passion, performance, and poetry that truly captures the diverse voices of our region.”
A fantastic panel of judges representing West Dorset’s literary heritage, musical culture, community arts, and wider bardic tradition will decide who takes the chair for the coming year, serving as a cultural ambassador for both Dorchester and the surrounding West Dorset region.
The Bardic Seat of Caer Dur is kindly supported by Dorchester Town Council and overseen by The Jawbone Collective CIC, a community arts organisation dedicated to storytelling, creativity, and keeping words alive throughout West Dorset. This year’s competition particularly emphasises the regional connections that bind our communities together through shared history and cultural expression.
Audiences from across West Dorset are warmly invited to join from 1.30pm, with refreshments available from The Corn Exchange Café and Bar.
For further information about the Bardic tradition and the West Dorset competition, visit: [https://bardofdorchester.substack.com](https://bardofdorchester.substack.com/)
