The great outdoors

Don't miss what has been tipped to be the biggest outdoor lifestyle show in the south, when it comes to Dorset from July 4-6.

Organisers promise you'll have the chance to experience every outdoor pursuit under the sun.

The Outdoor Lifestyle Show takes place at Canford Magna outdoor arena and will transform the 35-acre site into an outdoor playground. The show will offer visitors the opportunity to experience a whole A to Z of activities, from archery to zorbing (that's the one where you belt along in a giant ball). Appealing to all ages, it will feature a whole array of lifestyle activities, from gardening, golf and green energy solutions to hot air ballooning, helicopter and hovercraft rides. Definitely one for the whole family!

Opera summer school

Dorset Opera's 2008 production will be Bizet's The Pearl Fishers in the original French (July 24, 25, 26) at the Coade Theatre, Bryanston. Roderick Kennedy, artistic director says: "Over the past 34 years the company has established a considerable reputation for staging grand opera of a quality that many larger, well-funded companies would be proud of."

So, would you like to be part of the action? A residential course for chorus singers, designed to introduce young people to the joys of opera, runs from July 12-27. Roderick says: "We welcome applications from newcomers. Not only does the chorus revel in the experience but they get the opportunity to work alongside professional singers of international renown almost in a master-class situation. Dorset Opera is unique in the scale and quality of the operas it has staged as a direct result of its course, it can quite justifiably be called the world's foremost opera summer school."

For more information see www.dorsetopera.com or ring Giles Harvey on 01963 23114.

Festivals

The Larmer Tree festival runs from Wednesday to Sunday, 16-20 July. The line-up is Wednesday - Jools Holland, Eric Bibb; Thursday - The Levellers, Bellowhead; Friday to Sunday - Kate Rusby, Julie Fowlis, Tinariwen.

For many this festival is the highlight of summer, but as the capacity remains the same and in order to preserve the intimate vibe which makes it special, tickets are hot property. Award winning acts, over 100 workshops, the spectacular setting of the Larmer Tree Gardens with its resident peacocks and macaws all add to the magic that sets the festival above and apart from others.

Box office telephone lines are now open but be warned bookings have soared this year, so you'll need to be quick to bag a ticket! www.larmertreefestival.co.uk Box Office: 023 8071 1820 Festival Office: 01725 552300

Swimming in the sea

Splash out for charity at The Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim in aid of the British Heart Foundation, which takes place on Sunday, July 20. Starting at noon, the 1.4 mile sponsored off-shore swim will take you from Bournemouth, across the bay to Boscombe, where you will be greeted by a cheering crowd, a nice warm drink and a well-earned medal. This event is suitable for all strong swimmers, so get together with friends and family and dive into a great cause.

You must register in advance on 0800 652 5818 or email swestevents@bhf.org or online at bhf.org.uk/pier2pier.

11:14am Saturday 28th June 2008

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