One of Dorchester’s main streets will be closed to traffic for a day in mid-September to celebrate its many important buildings.

High West and High East Streets will be traffic free from 10am until 4pm on Sunday September 16th as part of the county’s Architectural Heritage Week.

During that time free entry will be offered at the Shire Hall with guided tours at The Keep and former Barracks, with an exhibition by the Civic Society in the Corn Exchange looking at some of the important buildings in the two streets, one of the longest roads in the country with listed buildings from one end to the other.

Dorset Architectural Heritage Week organisers say in their programme: “This architectural gem contains buildings dating back to the mid 15th Century with important Dorset associations such as the Bloody Assize of 1685, the 1834 trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and, of course, the words and poetry of both William Barnes and Thomas Hardy.

“There will be tours arranged on the day led by local Blue Badge tour guides, members of the Dorchester Civic Society and members of both the Thomas Hardy and William Barnes Societies.”

There will also be a self-guided tour around the Roman Town House and modern pavilion to the rear of County Hall and the Roman Wall and Riverside Walks that enclose the old town.

To help make the day a success volunteer marshalls are needed for an hour or two at a time at either end of the street to guide traffic, if necessary.

“If you can spare some time and would like to be involved with what should be a good opportunity to enjoy our town centre, please let me know what times you would be available and a contact number,” said one of the volunteer organisers Kate Hebditch, who can be contacted via email on kate@hebditch.org or by calling, or texting, 07875 376679.

Full details of all architectural heritage week events, which run from September 6th, can be found online at http://www.edht.org.uk/dahw.html

Most of the events are free although some do need to be booked in advance.