[ June 1, 2010 9:00 am to October 1, 2010 6:00 pm. ] Explore inside the Rows stores and help unravel their mysterious past. You will be taken to a part of the city that’s rich in hush-hush history and a tea shop where high tea is definitely on the menu!These tours will give you a much closer look at the city’s unique treasures than ever before [...]

[ July 17, 2010; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Thirsk Hall. Picnic in the park. Beatles tribute band Thirsk Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01845 522755

[ July 17, 2010; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Crowning of the Queen with precessions and fairground. Gala Field All Hallows Road. Blackpool Visitor Centre 01253 478222.

[ July 17, 2010; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Town Criers Championship. St John’s, Blackpool Visitor Centre 01253 478222.

[ July 17, 2010 9:00 am to July 18, 2010 6:00 pm. ] Rugby Football League. Blackpool Football Club Stadium. Blackpool Visitor Centre 01253 478222.

[ July 17, 2010; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] www.deershedfestival.com Thirsk Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01845 522755

[ July 16, 2010 to July 18, 2010. ] Tolpuddle, Nr Dorchester Free festival commemorating the bravery of the martyrs’ struggle against poverty and authority, featuring a wide range of music and speakers including stand up comedy, poetry and family entertainment. The festival is free, but

[ July 17, 2010; 8:00 pm; ] Uplyme Village Hall, Lyme Road, Uplyme, Lyme Regis, 8pm. Ballroom, Latin & some Sequence; Entry £4.00

[ July 17, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] United Church, 49 – 51 South Street, Dorchester, 10am – 4pm. All welcome. 01761 414304

[ July 17, 2010; 8:00 pm; ] Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis, doors open 8pm; Tickets £12.00 available from Lyme Regis TIC (or £14.00 on door)01297 442138

[ July 17, 2010; 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. ] Public Hall, Fleet St, Beaminster, 9.30am – 4pm. .Meadow Fairs 01297 24446

[ July 16, 2010 to July 31, 2010. ] Varied programme of performances, talks, workshops and guided walks. Explore the Ridgeway with poets, archaeologists, storytellers, artists and geologists for a very special experience. See website for full listings. .01305 228241 www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/ou

[ July 16, 2010 9:00 am to July 30, 2010 5:00 pm. ] Bridport TIC South St Window display by the Wednesday Art Group Paintings for sale. Shop opening hours 9am-5pm Monday – Saturday 01308 456845

[ July 17, 2010; ] Playing Field & Village Hall, Lyme Road, Uplyme, Lyme Regis

[ July 17, 2010; 1:45 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Stoke Abbott Nr Beaminster. Starts with traditional ‘Stoke Abbott Sick Club’ parade at 1.45pm Fair starts from 2pm. New this year ‘ Fun Dog Show’ Carparking £1 on road – free shuttle bus to village. 01308 867517

[ July 17, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 10-4pm

[ July 17, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, 10-4pm 01305 816546 mail@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

[ July 17, 2010; 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve, 2-4pm £1/person. A walk through the meadows to discover butterflies. No unaccompanied children 01305 816 546 www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

[ July 17, 2010; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Monkton Wyld Court, Nr. Charmouth Opening the traps with Alan Kennard. Morning event. 01297 445 659

[ July 17, 2010; 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] Borough Gardens, Dorchester, 11am-3pm. Fully interactive and fun wildlife activities for all the family including competitions, treasure hunts and minibeast safaris. Free event. 01305 264620 www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

[ July 17, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Leigh Village Hall,10am – 4pm. Sample all the best locally produced food and drink – and admire the cars of the past. Adults £2, under 15s free. In aid of Leigh Village Hall 01935 873846

[ July 17, 2010; 6:45 pm; ] Powerstock Church, 6.45pm (bar opens 6pm). Tickets £8.50 – available from Bridport TIC 01308 424901

[ July 17, 2010; 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Joseph Weld Hospice, Herringston Road, Dorchester, 11am – 4pm. Celebrity guest Martin Clunes. Entertainment, stalls, silent auction, summer raffle, grand tombola, barbeque, refreshments. 01305 215315

[ July 17, 2010; 2:00 pm to 4:40 pm. ] 2pm to 4.30pm with barbecue, car book sale and grand summer raffle.

[ July 17, 2010; 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. ] Colyton Station, colyton, 7.30pm – 10.30pm. 01297 20375 552717

[ July 15, 2010 to August 1, 2010. ] 01798 345055 www.petworthfestival.org.uk

With decent weather over much of our countries last weekend it looked as though things were set fare for a while. In the space of one week, we have had winds and heavy rain and then, to top it off, Goldtrail Holidays (which also used the name Sunmar) went bust yesterday evening leaving 16,000 abroad. Now it also seems that there may be a strike at all BAA airports (Heathrow, Stanstead, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen) during August.
CD-Traveller has frequently argued for wider consumer protection. In the wake of Globespan in 2009 and XL in 2008 (see CD-Traveller 14 Sept, 26 Nov, 17 Dec 2009), you might have hoped or expected that such high profile events might have stimulated some change. No, the EU prepared a document and sent it for consultation. The then government said it was an EU issue and we are no further forward. Yet we have had 11 cases of companies going bust this year.

CD Traveller reader, Joyce Callum, takes us on a tour of her five favourite destinations