Dorset weekly round-up: 3 February - 9 February 2024

A cat that has achieved local celebrity status was among our most read stories this week in Dorset.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Barge migrants' baptisms to be investigated

The Bibby Stockholm Barge, which is moored off Portland in Dorset, became fully operational in October 2023

The home secretary is investigating how the asylum system deals with migrants who have converted to Christianity.

It follows claims from a Weymouth church that Muslim men living on board the Bibby Stockholm barge, which is moored off Portland in Dorset, were preparing for Christian baptism.

Sussex MP Tim Loughton raised the issue in Parliament on Wednesday.

Weymouth Baptist Church insisted the requests for baptism were genuine.

Record-breaking visitors at Henry VIII castle

About 29,600 people visited Portland Castle in 2023, according to English Heritage

A coastal castle dating back to King Henry VIII's reign has reported its highest ever visitor numbers.

Just under 30,000 people visited Portland Castle in Dorset in 2023 - an increase of 20% on the previous year.

Overlooking Portland Harbour, the fort was built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion.

Families were continuing to visit historical sites for days out despite the cost of living crisis, English Heritage said.

Cookbook tribute to mum raises funds for hospice

Abbie Turner's mum, Emma Jolliffe, was cared for by Dorset charity Weldmar Hospice

A woman has written a cookbook as a tribute to her mother who died of lung cancer.

Abbie Turner's mum, Emma Jolliffe, was cared for by Dorset charity Weldmar Hospice after the shock diagnosis in August 2020.

The book features recipes Ms Jolliffe had shared with her daughter when she was a child.

Proceeds from the book will go to the charity, which provides specialist end-of-life care to adults.

Curious cat achieves celebrity status in Dorset town

A cat has achieved local celebrity status after appearing in more than 30 different shops across her town.

Susie moved from Upwey to Dorchester with her owners, Linda and Michael Crow, who were moving in with their daughter, Jenny Graves.

She settled in quickly and has been spotted by hundreds of people across the town, now featuring in postcards promoting Dorchester.

Mary Anning campaigner plans new statue

Hundreds of people turned out to see the unveiling of the Mary Anning statue in 2022

Campaigners who successfully fundraised for a statue of palaeontologist Mary Anning are inviting suggestions for a new sculpture featuring a woman.

Anya Pearson co-ordinated the campaign which saw Anning's statue unveiled in Lyme Regis, Dorset, in 2022.

She is now launching a similar campaign to celebrate another woman - whose identity is yet to be decided - with links to the county town of Dorchester.

Ms Pearson says women are under-represented in public art.