The Council offices will close for the Christmas holiday at midday on Wednesday 24 December and remain closed for Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December. The offices will re-open for normal business at 9.00 on Monday 29 December but will be closed all day on Thursday 1 January 2009.

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Good news for Christmas shoppers: the North Dorset District Council off-street car parks in Blandford, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton will be free of charge all day on both Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December.

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A third major Expo about the proposed new Gillingham Centre will be staged at GillinghamTown Hall on Friday 12 December from 12 Noon to 8pm and on Saturday 13 December from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to view the plans, question the architects, contractors and trustees, meet the fundraising team and find out what they can do to help make it happen.

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The Gillingham Centre, which is planned to replace the old leisure centre in Gillingham, was given a major boost on Monday 8 December when the Council voted to transfer the remaining £3,350,000 to the Three Rivers Partnership to take the project forward.

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The refuse and recycling collection times for Christmas and New Year and the updated Organics Recycling Collection Calendar have just been published.

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North Dorset would like to know what you think about this website. Have your say by taking part in our website satisfaction survey.

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Two football teams in Blandford Forum could be playing on brand new pitches in future if a feasibility study which is underway proves viable.

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Community leaders in North Dorset and South Wiltshire are celebrating a £2.85m European grant for community-led rural projects that will bring added economic value to the area.

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The Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West is now published.

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Read the updated information on Local Delivery for Parish and Town Councils.