About

The Dorset Archives Trust (DAT) key objective is 'Saving Dorset's disappearing history' we aim to achieve this with 3 key stratgies:

Raising awareness of the importance of archives in the story of Dorset’s past

Fundraising to support projects at the Dorset History Centre

Helping to save collections ‘at risk’ or in private hands

DAT works closely with the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester which holds the archive collections dating back over 1000 years from across Bournemouth, Poole and wider Dorset.  More information about the work of the History Centre and to access the archive catalogue visit here.

DAT is run by volunteers and is a membership organisation with a board of trustees. It relies on fundraising and donations to carry out its work and welcomes new members and offers of support from anyone with an interest in Dorset's remarkable archival heritage.

 

Who Are We

DAT is managed by a board of voluntary Trustees supported by members of DAT and staff at the Dorset History Centre

DAT Patrons are Tracy Chevalier, highly acclaimed historical novelist and Philip Mansel, Historian and Author.

The President of the Trust is Mrs Carola Campbell

Our current trustees are:

Chris Fowler, Chairman                    Sara Loch, Vice Chairman

Debbie Shaw, Treasurer                          Sam Johnston, Hon Secretary

Annie Nethercott, Membership Secretary      

Julia Carter, Trustee                             Pam Donellan, Trustee   

Claire Skinner, Trustee                   Anne Kaile, Trustee

 Victoria McDonaugh, Trustee            Dr Kate Terkanian, Trustee

Julie Montagu, Trustee                    David Burnett, Trustee

 

 

Trustee board meetings are held four times a year, with an AGM for all members held in June.  Trustees are elected to the board for a renewable three year period.  

You can find the draft AGM minutes from June 2025 here and the latest audited accounts here.