FOR the last eight years, the Youth Cancer Trust has played a vital part in Vicky Walsh’s life. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of six, Vicky has spent years in and out of hospital as she fights the disease. But
IS anyone else experiencing an unsettling sense that time has jumped back 25 years? Consider some recent news headlines: Unemployment is above two million and rising. Some Metropolitan Police officers are accused of dealing out summary beatings on
A BUS driver who has suffered a series of attacks over a 17-year career has received a surprise goodwill gift in the post. As revealed by the Echo, Kevin Sanderson, 57, from Poole, has been subjected to more than half a dozen horrific assaults during
A JEALOUS restaurant worker who attacked his girlfriend with a belt before trying to put it round her neck has been spared jail – after a court heard how his victim wanted him back. Tapiwa Sichinga, 19, from Shirley Road, Bournemouth, admitted assaulting
FULL details of the Queen’s visit to Dorset have been confirmed. Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit the county on Thursday, June 11. Arriving by Royal Train at Weymouth, she will visit the Weymouth and
DETECTIVES have renewed their appeal for information about an attempted robbery of a man in a Kinson play park by releasing an e-fit of the attacker. The 21-year-old victim was threatened with violence and told to hand over his personal belongings as
DORSET’S Lee James missed the Telenet Trophy qualifying mark by just one stroke at the Royal Waterloo Golf Club in Belgium today. The 36-year-old Broadstone player overcame a treble bogey seven at his first hole to add an impressive 71 to his first-round
PAST champion Martyn Thompson goes in search of his second Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship title at Broadstone next week. The Parkstone professional teams up with club member Mike Francis in the regional final at the Wentworth Drive
THE legend that is Ray Sawyer has made a very rare appearance. With a talented backing band full of Nashville veterans, the Dr Hook singer played a rousing set for nearly an hour and a half – not bad for a 72-year-old! He won the crowd over with Dr Hook
HE is what he is – proudly gay and brilliantly entertaining. With a host of West End musicals and television variety show appearances and, of course, high hugely popular Captain Jack role from Torchwood, it’s hardly surprising John Barrowman received
POLICE have appealed for information about the stabbing in Bournemouth’s Wavell Road on Thursday afternoon. A 25-year-old man was taken to Poole Hospital with a non-life threatening wound to his leg. Police were called at 4.20pm to a report of a serious
WE are running live blogs with three local politicians today to give their constituents the chance to question them on the expenses row. The Labour government’s schools minister Jim Knight and Conservative Tobias Ellwood have already taken
DORLING Kindersley is well-known for publishing visually exciting guides that make information easy to absorb, and this stunningly produced volume, with its classy graphics and timelines, won’t disappoint. It gives an accessible insight into the inter-connections
AFTER Kevin Myers graduated from university in 1969, a chance job application led to him becoming a journalist in Belfast, reporting on the Troubles. Quickly absorbed into the local community, he mixed with both Protestant and Catholic paramilitary
LYDIA, owner of a yarn shop on Seattle’s Blossom Street, believes that life is much like knitting, so arranges classes called “Knit to Quit”, for people wanting to start new phases in their lives. Phoebe joins while trying to get over her engagement
THE FIM Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff has become one of the biggest events in the British motor sport calendar. In 2009, it’s back again, more exciting and more spectacular than ever before. The Daily Echo has teamed up with
MORE Dust to Dust, was my take on the first series of Ashes to Ashes, the highly anticipated follow-up to the ridiculously enjoyable Life on Mars. Apart from having a great soundtrack, it really was pants, albeit shiny, turquoise Lycra ones. Where
AFTER record-breaking box office success with Spider-Man and its sequels, director Sam Raimi returns to horror – the genre which made his name – with this tongue-in-cheek battle for a young woman’s soul. In Drag Me to Hell you’re more likely
HELL hath no fury like a mentally unstable office temp scorned. More than 20 years after Glenn Close boiled Michael Douglas’s bunny, another sexually aggressive, blonde vixen sinks her polished nails into a happily married man. Only here, with it being
CINEMA audiences will forgive an inherently stupid action film almost anything, providing it is entertaining. In Jan De Bont’s Speed, an explosive-laden bus defied the laws of gravity to leap across a 50-foot gap in an elevated highway – impossible,
YOU might have thought Michael Caine’s acting something magical in the past, but in his latest role there’s no denying it, as our favourite cockney veteran plays the curmudgeonly ex-magician Clarence in arguably one of his best performances to date.
SET in Paris and California in 1976, Bottle Shock is based on the true story of what became known as The Paris Judgement. It’s the early days of the Californian wine-making industry and Parisian sommelier Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman) travels to the
THE final part of film-maker Raymond Depardon’s profiles of rural life in modern France. Down winding country lanes and behind rural backwaters, Raymond Depardon has spent 20 years making friends with a dying breed of farmers who are defiantly
CONTINUING its distinguished tradition of presenting topical and relevant cultural events, Salisbury International Arts Festival hosts Portraits of a People: Retired Gurkha Soldiers at Salisbury Arts Centre until June 6. The timely exhibition of photographs
A COUPLE from Christchurch are taking legal action against tour operator First Choice claiming a series of problems turned their festive break into a holiday from hell. Janet and John Cox from Purewell are seeking compensation after they say their winter
A POOLE mother has been reunited with her son 27 years after she claims her estranged husband kidnapped him. Avril Grube, 62, said she was given custody of Gavin Paros when her marriage to a Hungarian man collapsed in 1982. The father, who
Documenting wilder, darker days in the development of young Patrick Wolf, The Bachelor is the first part of his much-feted growing up story. It dwells on the high times and low lives he trawled in his quest to subvert notions of the modern
As ever, a new offering from Elvis Costello weighs heavy with expectation and Secret, Profane & Sugarcane is no exception. The more so since it reunites EC with King of America producer T-Bone Burnett and that matchless album’s expansive sound
After 30 years, Jim Kerr and Charlie Birchall should have sorted out their band’s sound, so to find Graffiti Soul sounds a lot like Simple Minds is as much as fans should expect. That being the case, tracks like Light Travels and lead single Rockets press
Superbly compiled to accompany the film adaptation of Kevin Sampson’s novel, this soundtrack album captures the sound of the north reasserting itself as punk’s largely London-based hegemony lost its grip. The story follows a group of sharp-dressed casuals
Never ones to blithely play the game, instead of crafting a fourth album that would propel them to the apes, ivories and peacocks they so richly deserve, British Sea Power have written a highly respectful new score for a silent 1934 documentary film
Handily released in time for their re-appearance on the European festival circuit this summer, Faith No More take another tumble in the hay with their back catalogue and emerge with an amusing title and a set that stands comparison with the best
There’s nothing new in cooking up a dub version of your hit album, but Franz Ferdinand do it better than most, employing Mad Professor prodigy Dan Carey to do the honours. Originally conceived as a strictly limited, vinyl-only edition of 500
This man can sure sing, whether it’s on solo projects, with the Doobie Brothers, duetting with the likes of Patti LaBelle or helping out with harmonies for Steely Dan. That husky baritone is one of the most distinctive to emerge from the laidback California
The third album from the north-east pop-rockers whose first two albums both went double platinum – a high standard to live up to. The Kids are Sick Again has already found its way onto national radio playlists and there are a few more on here likely
AFTER his last commercially disastrous outing, director Darren Aronofsky must have had a tough time getting funding for a film about men in leotards acting in a spring-loaded square. But Aronofsky knows how to tell a story of down-and-outs,
I’ve always been a bit ambivalent about the Manic Street Preachers – I loved seeing them way back when Richey was among us, but much as I felt Everything Must Go was a triumph for natural justice, their music has sounded stodgy ever since.
Reunited with the Langer-Winstanley production team that propelled them to their commercial peaks in the 1980s, the original Madness line-up has just turned in a serious contender for their best ever album. A hymn cycle to an almost lost parish (or liberty
At last indeed! Fans of Alas Smith and Jones have been awaiting the DVD debut of their favourites for years and the release of this set has been delayed at least twice. Judging by grumblings on the internet, many would prefer to see the shows again
“How many more movies do we need about the Holocaust? I mean, we get it, it was grim, move on.” Not my words, but the words of Kate Winslet as “herself” in comedy show Extras. And she (or Ricky Gervais, who wrote the line) has a point. Her next line
Despite an abundance of stars, this 1984 adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel is rather a lacklustre affair. Donald Sutherland gives the best performance as a scientist who returns to Britain after two years abroad to seek a hitchhiker who dropped
QUITE the oddity in that Brit actor of the moment Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, The Damned United) turns up here as a greasy werewolf kept at bay, even more bizarrely, by Bill Nighy. Both were in the first two Underworld films as well, but considering Sheen
Not being acquainted with the previous outings of the lolloping St Bernard, I can’t tell you if this is just more of the same. What I can confirm is the monster pooch manages to slobber his way through every scene, knocking over anything that gets in
You wonder if it’s impossible to make a bad programme about Britain’s islands. Mix that in with the highly-watchable Martin Clunes and you’ve got a recipe for success, surely? Well, brace yourself for a surprise... Islands of Britain is indeed
I’VE never had much time for Jackie Chan films. Sure the guy deserves applause for some ludicrous stunts, but his movies are rubbish, let’s face it. The Myth isn’t up there with his worst, but there’s nothing here to deem it worthy of alleviating
For a third-in-a-series horror, this isn’t really as bad as you might have come to expect – though it’s by no means a classy piece of film-making. Long-haired nasty Kayako is back and wreaking havoc, this time in the apartment of the last victim from
“What’s it like to be 12 years in prison?” Before the answer there’s the story of how he came to be inside. Danny is low, and falling. He sweeps up in a factory and has split from his family. Worse, he gets seven kinds of it kicked out of him in front
BLOND, blue-eyed Daniel Craig wouldn’t be everyone’s first choice to play a Polish, Jewish freedom fighter, but fortunately he, like the rest of the cast, is in terrific form in this gripping wartime adventure. It’s 1941 and the Nazis have begun slaughtering
FOR many people the local pub is the first port of call when visiting a new town. Relaxed and ready to start a holiday, many feel a cool beer or a traditional pub meal are the perfect start to a break. But could pubs go further than
ALRIGHTY then... Japanese schoolgirl loses her brother to bullies (the head of which is the son of a notorious Yakuza, obviiously), loses her arm in affecting revenge, gets machine gun prosthesis and sets off on her quest with more gusto.
TWO lives were put at risk when a helicopter rescue was delayed after watching crowds would not move to let it land, said Coastguards. Portland Coastguard issued a strong warning today after the incident on cliffs at Lulworth on Thursday afternoon.
TRANSDEV Yellow Buses (TYB) strongly refutes any suggestion of homophobia as alleged by your unnamed correspondent (‘Bus firm raining on gay parade’, Have Your say, May 27.) Bournemouth council contacted TYB to request views on closing Gervis Place.
In Faith Matters (Daily Echo, May 23) Ruth Oliver poses the question whether it is time to pray for MPs. Annette Brook, MP for Mid Dorset is quoted as stating that she will be grateful for the prayers in these “unprecedented and difficult times
Having read the news stories of the many sales of the ‘surf pods’ generated in just a few days, it might seem that despite the no overnight stays rule, shared toilet and shower facilities and no nearby parking, there are still buyers willing to
In response to the letter concerning the Bourne Free Pride Festival Parade, we would like to clarify that we have not experienced Yellow Buses as being homophobic. While the plans for the Bourne Free Parade had been disrupted by the delay in the response
WITH deepest respect to Rev Hugh Maddox’ letter of May 21, the ordinary man in the street has a right to be angry over the expense claims made by MPs. They are tax payers and many of them have lost their jobs, pensions and homes. He says most of us
I grew up in Dorset, my parents still live there and although I left the country 11 years ago I still read the Echo to see what’s going on ‘at home.’ I’ve been reading the tone of many of the comments on the Echo website about the MPs’ expenses
A SENIOR councillor is calling on Bournemouth council officers to “pull their finger out” and back campaigners battling to save Hengistbury Head outdoor education centre. Cllr Claire Smith, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, spoke out after
MP for South West Norfolk, Christopher Fraser, announced he was to stand down yesterday. Mr Fraser was MP for Mid Dorset until losing his seat to Annette Brooke in 2001 and still has property in the area. He was in the spotlight earlier this week
THE Dorset sister of MP Julie Kirkbride has remained tight-lipped over her part in the expenses row that yesterday forced the member for Bromsgrove to announce her departure at the next general election. Karen Leadley’s home in Cogdean Walk, Corfe Mullen
NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter is to use his constituency surgeries as a forum to answer voters’ concerns over his expense claims. Mr Walter was the first of the county’s MPs to publish his expenses, setting up a website which lists the claims he made between
SHOPPERS in Westbourne in Sir John’s constituency said they were “disgusted” at the whole expenses scandal. Most said they had not met the Tory grandee for Bournemouth West, but while some demanded he should go now, others said they didn’t
LABOUR’S former deputy leader Lord Hattersley has described Sir John Butterfill’s response to the revelations about his finances as the “most extraordinary thing” of the whole expenses affair. Meanwhile a Conservative campaigner claimed the Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH West MP Sir John Butterfill spoke yesterday of his sadness that his long political career was ending on “a sour note”. Sir John spoke to the Echo amid allegations he used the expenses system for huge personal gain. He is
ON THE WOKING HOUSE: “I spent at least half-a-million on that property, the building work lasted for two years. To say I made a huge sum of money on selling the house in Woking is completely false and she (the Daily Telegraph reporter) knows it is. It
LYMINGTON captain Christian Pain is hoping his side can keep utilising the art of surprise as they bid to continue what has been a fine start to the season. The SPL Division One new boys are flying high in second position ahead of tomorrow’s clash at
DELIGHTED Burton bus users have been assured their new service will not be cut after three months as councillors continue to look at ways to make the current interim arrangement more permanent. Thanks to new timetables and schedules thrashed out by Christchurch
FERNDOWN skipper Nick Aubin has hailed teen sensation Sonny Wilkinson’s debut heroics in the Beckford Bowl as ‘one of the most incredible performances’ he has ever witnessed. The reigning champions were staring defeat in the face before 16-year-old Wilkinson
Southampton’s future remains in the balance after staff at the south coast cub were informed they have not been paid this month. Saints administrators called staff in for a meeting yesterday morning and asked them to carry on working for another week
CHERRIES legend Steve Fletcher is hoping to help mould young recruit Steve Hutchings into the club’s next top targetman. Teenager Hutchings, along with fellow youth team star George Webb, was handed a three-month professional contract by boss Eddie Howe
AARON Baseby will have an X-ray on his injured wrist today after being forced to withdraw midway through Buccaneers’ mighty 56-36 home win over Weymouth last night. He took a nasty fall in heat eight of their National League tussle at Poole which saw
Last week I found myself standing in a camping shop humming: “Wigwam bam gonna make you my man. Wam bam bam gonna catch you if I can.” Why this glam rock anthem by The Sweet, you might ask? I’ll tell you. With a hot and sunny bank holiday approaching
HUGE queues are expected today when tickets for Britain’s Got Talent Live 2009 go on sale at the BIC. Demand is expected to be massive in the week the hugely successful TV show reaches its climax. And the lucky ones who get their hands
PIRATES chief Matt Ford has broken his silence on the Hans Andersen row to describe claims of alleged average manipulation as “totally ludicrous”. The Poole Castle Cover boss was responding to accusations of cheating and calls for an independent inquiry
METICULOUS attention to detail paid dividends for David Cook as he lifted his second Dorset county championship title at Weymouth. “I came up with a plan of how to play Weymouth after visiting there in March,” explained Cook, who hadn’t played at the
