Editing Dorset (section)

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Dorset}}
[[File:The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester, Dorset-16Sept2009.jpg|thumb|upright|alt= photograph of The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester|[[The Keep, Dorchester|The Keep Military Museum]] in Dorchester]]
As a largely rural county, Dorset has fewer major cultural institutions than larger or more densely populated areas. Major venues for concerts and theatre include the [[Lighthouse (Poole)|Lighthouse]] arts centre in Poole; the [[Bournemouth International Centre]], [[Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth|Pavilion Theatre]] and [[O2 Academy Bournemouth|O2 Academy]] in Bournemouth; and the [[Weymouth Pavilion|Pavilion]] theatre in Weymouth.<ref name="DFY theatres">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/2802 |title=Cinemas and theatres |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=21 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195004/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/2802 |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> The [[Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra]], founded in 1893,<ref name="DFY Cultstrat">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/culturalstrategy |title=Cultural Strategy |year=2010 |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195015/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/culturalstrategy |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=bso>{{cite web |title=Orchestra |url=http://www.bsolive.com/orchestra |publisher=[[Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra]] |access-date=25 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219064246/http://www.bsolive.com/orchestra |archive-date=19 February 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is based in Poole.<ref name=bso/>

Dorset has more than 30 general and specialist museums.<ref name="DFY museums">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/museums |title=Dorset Museums |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209000314/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/museums |archive-date=9 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Find a museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/323007 |title=Find a Museum |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209033302/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/323007 |archive-date=9 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dorset County Museum (now the [[Dorset Museum]]) in Dorchester was founded in 1846 and contains an extensive collection of exhibits covering the county's history and environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/16/george_romney_profile.shtml |title=Museum acquires major art works |date=18 April 2008 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=1 February 2012 |archive-date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702192153/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/16/george_romney_profile.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Tank Museum]] at [[Bovington]] contains more than 300 tanks and armoured vehicles from 30 nations.<ref name="culture24">{{cite web |url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/war+%26+conflict/art72596 |title=Plaques presented to military museums with outstanding Designated collections |publisher=[[Culture24]] |date=8 October 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726110310/http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/war+%26+conflict/art72596 |archive-date=26 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The museum is the largest in Dorset and its collection has been [[Designation Scheme|designated of national importance]].<ref name="culture24"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/roll/article-849723-detail/article.html |title=They're on a roll! |newspaper=[[Bristol Evening Post]] |date=28 March 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922124346/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/roll/story-11274814-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other museums which reflect the cultural heritage of the county include [[The Keep, Dorchester|The Keep Military Museum]] in Dorchester, the [[Russell-Cotes Museum]] in Bournemouth, the [[Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre]], [[Poole Museum]], [[Portland Museum, Dorset|Portland Museum]] and [[Wareham Town Museum]].<ref name="Find a museum"/><ref name="DSP CultStrat p15">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=139307&filetype=pdf |title=Dorset Cultural Strategy 2009–2014 |page=15 |format=PDF |publisher=Dorset Strategic Partnership |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005160602/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=139307&filetype=pdf |archive-date=5 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dorset contains 190 [[conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]]s, more than 1,500 [[scheduled monument]]s, over 30 registered parks and gardens and 12,850 [[listed building]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/393172 |title=Dorset Cultural Partnership |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=6 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630233445/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/393172 |archive-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/listedbuilding |title=Listed Buildings DCC |work=Dorset For You |publisher=[[Dorset County Council]] |access-date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209041753/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/listedbuilding |archive-date=9 December 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Grade I listed buildings include: [[Portland Castle]], a coastal fort commissioned by [[Henry VIII]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://morello.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/portland-castle/ |title=Days Out |publisher=[[English Heritage]] |access-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427084210/http://morello.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/portland-castle/ |archive-date=27 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> a castle with more than a 1,000 years of history at [[Corfe Castle (village)|Corfe]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/history/ |title=Corfe Castle History |publisher=[[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] |access-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415060845/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/history/ |archive-date=15 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Roman Town House, Dorchester|Roman ruin]] described by [[Historic England]] as the "only Roman town house visible in Britain";<ref>{{NHLE|num= 1210098|desc=Roman House|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref> [[Athelhampton]], a [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] manor house;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2011/04/athelhampton-house/ |title=Athelhampton House |work=Dorset Life |date=April 2011 |access-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519184403/http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2011/04/athelhampton-house/ |archive-date=19 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Forde Abbey]], a stately home and former [[Cistercian]] monastery;<ref>{{NHLE|num=1153362 |desc=Forde Abbey |access-date=23 March 2012 }}</ref> [[Christchurch Priory]], the longest church in England;<ref>Moxey (p. 87)</ref> and [[St Edwold's Church, Stockwood|St Edwold's church]], one of the smallest.<ref>Kinross (pp. 39–40)</ref>

[[File:Steam Up - geograph.org.uk - 187885.jpg|thumb|left|alt= photograph of a row of traction engines at the Great Dorset Steam Fair|[[Traction engine]]s on display at the [[Great Dorset Steam Fair]]]]
Dorset hosts a number of annual festivals, fairs and events including the [[Great Dorset Steam Fair]] near Blandford, one of the largest events of its kind in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/03/15/great_dorset_steam_fair_feature.shtml |title=The Great Dorset Steam Fair |year=2005 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310170315/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/03/15/great_dorset_steam_fair_feature.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Bournemouth Air Festival]], a free [[air show]] that attracted 1.3&nbsp;million visitors in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11053021 |title=Weather affects last day of air show |date=22 August 2010 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824190101/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11053021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Spirit of the Seas is a maritime festival held in Weymouth and Portland. Launched in 2008, the festival features sporting activities, cultural events and local entertainers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/02/28/spirit_of_the_sea_feature.shtml |title=Spirit of the Sea festival |year=2009 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314201125/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/02/28/spirit_of_the_sea_feature.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> The Dorset County Show, which was first held in 1841, is a celebration of Dorset's agriculture.<ref name="DCS BBC News">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8231000/8231473.stm |title=Dorset County Show |date=1 September 2009 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031005817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8231000/8231473.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The two-day event exhibits local produce and livestock and attracts some 55,000 people.<ref name="DCS BBC News"/> Inside Out Dorset is an outdoor arts festival that takes place every two years in rural and urban locations across Dorset.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2016/jen-walke-myles-making-heritage-specific-theatre-in-dorset/ |title=Jen Walke-Myles: Making heritage-specific theatre in Dorset |date=16 September 2016 |work=The Stage |access-date=29 September 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929232213/https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2016/jen-walke-myles-making-heritage-specific-theatre-in-dorset/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/270/case-study/showcasing-stunning-landscapes |title=Showcasing stunning landscapes |work=ArtsProfessional |access-date=29 September 2017 |language=en |archive-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929233048/https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/270/case-study/showcasing-stunning-landscapes |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the smaller folk festivals held in towns such as Christchurch and [[Wimborne Folk Festival|Wimborne]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visit-dorset.com/site/whats-on/christchurch-music-festival-p598313 |title=Christchurch Music Festival |year=2010 |work=Visit Dorset&nbsp;– What's On |publisher=Destination Dorset |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325035840/http://www.visit-dorset.com/whats-on/christchurch-music-festival-p598313 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/eastdorset/8216655.Dance_is_a_fine_thing_at_Wimborne_Folk_Festival/ |title=Wimborne Folk Festival |date=14 June 2010 |newspaper=[[Bournemouth Daily Echo]] |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101170159/http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/eastdorset/8216655.Dance_is_a_fine_thing_at_Wimborne_Folk_Festival/ |archive-date=1 November 2012 |url-status=live |first=Harriet |last=Marsh}}</ref> Dorset holds several larger musical events such as [[Camp Bestival]], [[End Of The Road Festival|End of the Road]] and the [[Larmer Tree Festival]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14135993 |title=Dorset's Lulworth Castle ready for Camp Bestival |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=9 March 2012 |date=25 July 2011 |archive-date=25 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125153459/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14135993 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/end-of-the-road-festival-larmer-tree-gardens-dorset-1787308.html |title=End of the Road Festival |date=15 September 2009 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916203911/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/end-of-the-road-festival-larmer-tree-gardens-dorset-1787308.html |archive-date=16 September 2009 |url-status=dead |location=London |first=Nick |last=Hasted}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/music/reviews/9146114.Larmer_Tree_Festival_2011/ |title=Larmer Tree Festival |date=18 June 2011 |newspaper=[[Southern Daily Echo]] |access-date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702144544/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/music/reviews/9146114.Larmer_Tree_Festival_2011/ |archive-date=2 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Dorset's only professional football club is [[AFC Bournemouth]], which plays in the [[Premier League]]—the highest division in the [[English football league system]]. [[Non-League football|Non-League]] semi-professional teams in the county include [[Southern Football League|Southern Premier Division]] teams [[Dorchester Town F.C.]], [[Poole Town F.C.]] and [[Weymouth F.C.]] [[Dorset County Cricket Club]] competes in the [[Minor Counties Cricket Championship]] and is based at [[Dean Park Cricket Ground]] in Bournemouth. [[Poole Stadium]] hosts regular greyhound racing and is the home to top-flight speedway team [[Poole Pirates]]. The county's coastline, on the English Channel, is noted for its watersports (particularly sailing, [[gig racing]], windsurfing, power boating and kayaking) which take advantage of the sheltered waters in the bays of [[Weymouth Bay|Weymouth]] and [[Poole Bay|Poole]], and the harbours of Poole and Portland.<ref>[http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media/200578/Sports-Facilities-Strategy-2014-2019/pdf/W_PBC_Sports_Facilities_Strategy_2014-19_revised.pdf Weymouth and Portland BC Sports Facilities Strategy 2014–2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110801/http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media/200578/Sports-Facilities-Strategy-2014-2019/pdf/W_PBC_Sports_Facilities_Strategy_2014-19_revised.pdf |date=2 April 2015 }} Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Retrieved 2015-03-2015</ref><ref name=weymouthwatersports>{{cite web |title=Water Sports and Water Activities in Weymouth and Portland, Dorset UK |url=http://www.visitweymouth.co.uk/index.php?resource=22 |publisher=Weymouth and Portland Borough Council |access-date=25 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127042052/http://visitweymouth.co.uk/index.php?resource=22 |archive-date=27 November 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=poolewatersports>{{cite web |title=Poole Tourism&nbsp;– Harbour and Marina Information |url=http://www.pooletourism.com/go.php?structureID=pages&ref=I485138C771A4E |publisher=Poole Tourism |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928215733/http://www.pooletourism.com/go.php?structureID=pages&ref=I485138C771A4E |archive-date=28 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dorset hosted the sailing events at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics at the [[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy]].  The venue was completed in May 2009 and was used by international sailing teams in preparation for the Games.<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 work completed at WPNSA |url=http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/2012sailingvenueofficially.aspx |publisher=[[Royal Yachting Association]] |year=2009 |access-date=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928030509/http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/2012sailingvenueofficially.aspx |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sailing rivals use Olympic venue |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8193246.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=10 August 2009 |date=10 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First 2012 Olympic venue unveiled |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7753734.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=30 September 2009 |date=28 November 2008 |archive-date=3 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203035736/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7753734.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> In motorsport, Dorset hosts the [[Extreme E]] Jurassic X Prix at Bovington Camp.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jurassic X Prix course revealed |url=https://www.extreme-e.com/en/news/447_Jurassic-X-Prix-course-revealed |access-date=2021-12-17 |website=Extreme E - The Electric Odyssey |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Thomashardy restored.jpg|thumb|upright|alt= photograph of the author, Thomas Hardy, taken circa 1910|[[Thomas Hardy]]]]
Dorset is famed in literature for being the native county of author and poet [[Thomas Hardy]], and many of the places he describes in his novels in the fictional [[Thomas Hardy's Wessex|Wessex]] are in Dorset, which he renamed ''South Wessex''.<ref>Blamires (pp. 112–114)</ref><ref name="Dorset's writers BBC">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8158000/8158886.stm |title=Dorset's writers and explorers |work=[[BBC News]] |date=22 July 2009 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031005811/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8158000/8158886.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] owns [[Thomas Hardy's Cottage]], in Higher Bockhampton, east of Dorchester; and [[Max Gate]], his former house in Dorchester.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hardy Country |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country/ |publisher=[[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] |access-date=2 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121225951/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country/ |archive-date=21 January 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Several other writers have called Dorset home, including [[Douglas Adams]], who wrote much of ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' while he lived in [[Stalbridge]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Up Kilimanjaro with the Adams Family |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/08/24/adams_rhino_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC Dorset |date=24 August 2005 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401041851/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/08/24/adams_rhino_feature.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> [[John le Carré]], author of espionage novels, was born in Poole;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/mar/30/john-le-carre-profile |title=John le Carré |newspaper=[[guardian.co.uk]] |date=30 March 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404004210/http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/mar/30/john-le-carre-profile |archive-date=4 April 2011 |url-status=live |location=London |first=Carmen |last=Callil}}</ref> [[Tom Sharpe]] of ''[[Wilt (novel)|Wilt]]'' fame lived in Bridport;<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to Bridport, or Notting Hill on Sea |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=17 March 2007 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3357164/Welcome-to-Bridport-or-Notting-Hill-on-Sea.html |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604210326/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3357164/Welcome-to-Bridport-or-Notting-Hill-on-Sea.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |location=London |first=Adam |last=Edwards}}</ref> [[John Fowles]] (''[[The French Lieutenant's Woman]]'') lived in Lyme Regis before he died in late 2005;<ref>Blamires (p. 88)</ref> [[T.F. Powys]] lived in [[Chaldon Herring]] for over 20 years and used it as inspiration for the fictitious village of Folly Down in his novel ''[[Mr. Weston's Good Wine]]'';<ref>Blamires (p. 225)</ref> [[John Cowper Powys]], his elder brother, also set a number of his works in Dorset, such as the novels ''[[Maiden Castle (novel)|Maiden Castle]]'' and ''[[Weymouth Sands]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/aug/12/featuresreviews.guardianreview14 |last=Drabble |first=Margaret |title=The English degenerate |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=12 August 2006 |access-date=11 August 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825155045/http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2006/aug/12/featuresreviews.guardianreview14 |archive-date=25 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dorset's writers BBC"/> Children's author [[Enid Blyton]] drew inspiration for many of her works from Dorset.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dorsetmagazine.co.uk/out-about/enid-blyton-characters-and-locations-based-on-the-people-and-places-of-dorset-1-5018623 |title=Enid Blyton characters and locations based on the people and places of Dorset |website=Dorset |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730014754/https://www.dorsetmagazine.co.uk/out-about/enid-blyton-characters-and-locations-based-on-the-people-and-places-of-dorset-1-5018623 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 19th-century poet [[William Barnes]] was born in [[Bagber]] and wrote many poems in his native [[West Country dialect|Dorset dialect]].<ref name="Dorset's writers BBC"/> Originating from the ancient [[Proto-Norse language|Norse]] and [[Old Saxon|Saxon]] languages, the dialect was prevalent across the Blackmore Vale but has fallen into disuse.<ref name="Dorset Echo 4.5.11">{{cite web |url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9006358.Dorset_dialect_of_William_Barnes/ |title=Dorset Dialect of William Barnes |date=4 May 2011 |work=[[Dorset Echo]] |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506231445/http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9006358.Dorset_dialect_of_William_Barnes/ |archive-date=6 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/24/william-barnes-england-robbie-burns |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |title=William Barnes&nbsp;– England's Rabbie Burns |location=London |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=4 July 2012 |first=Paul |last=Kings |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104033201/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/24/william-barnes-england-robbie-burns |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Flag of Dorset.svg|thumb|174x174px|Flag of Dorset]]
[[Flag of Dorset|Dorset's flag]], which is known as the Dorset Cross or St Wite's Cross, was adopted in 2008 following a public competition organised by Dorset County Council.<ref name=FRUK>{{cite web |url=http://ukflagregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dorset |title=UK Flag Registry |publisher=[[Flag Institute]] |access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025105256/http://ukflagregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dorset |archive-date=25 October 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7596296.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Dorset Cross becomes Dorset flag |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=27 May 2011}}</ref> The winning design, which features a white cross with a red border on a golden background, attracted 54% of the vote.<ref name="flag bbc">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/18/dorset_flag_feature.shtml |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Dorset's new flag |author=Jill Sainsbury |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-date=21 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221092230/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2008/04/18/dorset_flag_feature.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> All three colours are used in Dorset County Council's coat of arms and the red and white was used in recognition of the [[Flag of England|English flag]].<ref name="flag explained">{{cite web |url=http://dorsetflag.webs.com/flagexplainedindetail.htm |publisher=Dorset Flag |title=Flag explained in detail |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920110029/http://dorsetflag.webs.com/flagexplainedindetail.htm |archive-date=20 September 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The golden colour represents Dorset's sandy beaches and the Dorset landmarks of [[Golden Cap]] and [[Gold Hill, Shaftesbury|Gold Hill]]. It is also a reference to the [[Wessex#Wyvern or dragon|Wessex Dragon]], a symbol of the [[Wessex|Saxon Kingdom]] which Dorset once belonged to, and the gold wreath featured on the badge of the [[Dorset Regiment]].<ref name="flag explained"/>