BASHLEY boss Steve Riley saw his troops breathe new life into their faint play-off hopes before admitting their promotion dream remained a tall order. A 3-1 victory over struggling Oxford City last night – spearheaded by Luke Whitley’s double at the
GOALKEEPER Jon Page was sent off as Ringwood Town were condemned to a 1-0 defeat by Wessex Division One strugglers Stockbridge at the Canotec Stadium. Page saw red after just 15 minutes for hauling down Steve Witt, the goalkeeper’s indiscretion apparently
DORSET'S oldest continuously-run swimming club will be making its debut at the Dorset County Championships this weekend – 122 years after it was launched in the same town. Six boys and two girls from Bournemouth SC are among almost 450 swimmers who have
SEAGULLS’ head coach Barry Alldrick believes his squad could be joining Poole and Swim Bournemouth in the top division in the foreseeable future following a restructuring of the National Arena League West. The Christchurch and New Milton
A BOURNEMOUTH MP has defended making an all-expenses-paid trip to Bahrain at the invitation of the government which is now facing mass protests from its people. Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, declared the trip – worth around £3,279 – on the House
RESIDENTS determined to see a controversial speed limit lowered on a Highcliffe Road will get a second chance at success next month. The application to lower the speed limit on Lymington Road in Highcliffe was dismissed at Dorset County Council's roads
CONDOLENCES have been sent to citizens of Christchurch, New Zealand following the devastating earthquake that hit the city on Tuesday lunchtime. The 6.3-magnitude quake – believed to be an aftershock from last year’s earthquake – caused widespread devastation
RESIDENTS’ fears of being disturbed by late night revelry in the heart of Wimborne have been allayed. Music, dancing and selling alcohol at Deans Court estate will only be allowed to carry on until 11.30pm at six extra weekend weddings a year
So. It’s tonight. The proof of the new-look Masterchef pudding, the moment we can see whether the gilded bowl holds a mighty chocolate fondant or just a garage forecourt muffin. * Lots of you will have made your minds up last week, during the
HISTORIC Compton Acres in Poole, home to some of the UK’s most picturesque gardens, is up for sale. Current owner Bernard Merna has decided to part ways with the attraction he purchased eight years ago, and is accepting offers in the region
“I STILL keep thinking she has just gone away and is going to walk back through the door.” Christine Bywater has described how the loss of her beloved daughter Julie had robbed her of her “soulmate”. Julie lived at home with her mum
A MAN has appeared in court charged with attempted murder following the stabbing of a police officer in Bournemouth on Monday evening. Michael Alphanso Edward, 42, of Surrey Road, Bournemouth, appeared before the town's Magistrates' Court this
THE body pulled from the water at Poole has been confirmed as that of missing West Moors man David Henry King. The body, spotted by staff at Poole’s RNLI HQ, was recovered on Thursday, February 17. An inquest opened at Stafford Road
THIS is the time of year when New Year's resolutions start to crumble. Though you may still want to lose weight, stop smoking and take more exercise, there’s a good chance you’ll have stopped trying by now. And that word ‘try’ is part of the problem
LET’S get ready to rumble as two of the biggest stars of British wrestling clash at the BIC on Sunday. Robbie Brookside defends his PWF heavyweight crown against James Mason on a star-studded championship bill that also includes two more title
This scary looking spider, which seems to have a face on its abdomen, is a rare sight in Dorset. Discovered on an electricity junction box at the RSPB’s Arne nature reserve, the long-legged beastie goes by the rather grand name Philodro-mus
THIS week we’ve been tucking into a selection of New World wines that even traditionalists would agree give the old world wines a run for their money. Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV currently on special offer £14.99 Majestic A top sparkler made from legendary
A MEMBER of staff at a children’s day nursery has been released without charge after an allegation of sexual assault against a child. Starlight Childcare on the Dorset Green Technology Park, Winfrith was closed after a member of staff was arrested on
Fish and Courgette Chips with Tartare Sauce Serves 4 For the chips: 2-3 large courgettes Sea salt and freshly ground pepper Pinch of dried chilli flakes 2tbsp olive oil For the fish: 100g ground
MAYBE it’s their exquisite perfection, all those tiny details recreated by human hand. Maybe it’s the opportunity they offer frustrated control freaks – yes, the trains can run on time. Whatever the reason, there must be something to explain why
THE power of online social networking has been harnessed in a bid to locate missing man Jesse Jones, who disappeared after a night out in Swanage. Such is the popularity of the 24-year-old, who was last seen near Swanage kebab shop at 01.35am
COUNCIL leader Cllr Peter Charon came face to face with anti-cuts protesters before Tuesday night’s Special Council meeting to decide next year’s Council Tax. Members of the Bournemouth and Poole Anti-Cuts Coalition had gathered outside Bournemouth
SHE was the girl who saw the good in everyone – and it cost Julie Bywater her life. The 32-year-old was a sociable, popular teaching assistant, working with autistic children at Linwood School in Charminster. Friends remembered her infectious laugh
I REFER to the report ‘In memory of DS Andy Harford, (Echo, February 17)’. It pleased me and other members of my family here in Poole, how Andy’s friends and workmates put on this concert in his memory and to help others with cancer, especially PC Keith
WHY IS IT, when they place our libraries and other services under such threat of closure, do the executives of Dorset County Council still attract perks of lease cars and private medical care support amounting to £17,391... on top of combined salaries
I HAVE just come back from my weekly shop at Tesco after shopping around the world. Here are some of my purchases: Potatoes from Israel, strawberries from Morocco, dates from Algeria, spring onions from Mexico, watercress from the US, tomatoes
CONGRATULATIONS to Bournemouth Council, I knew common sense would at long last prevail in the battle of the infamous IMAX. By reducing the height and revamping the interior it has got to be better and cheaper for all concerned. Mistakes have been made
With the present financial constraint, I am very puzzled how DCC is justifying its expenditure. It is closing libraries, losing jobs, and cutting back on services but is still proposing to damage the viability of Christchurch High Street by closing Kelly
POOLE Council’s spokesperson says that in recycling some areas of Poole have black and blue recycling bins and part has a green bin as well. Newcastle has nine bins. Poole says there is a consultation exercise to give everyone this extra green bin and
AS A local of Hamworthy Park, I would like to comment on the proposed siting of the new marina. As I’m not against a new berthing for passenger ships alongside the existing dock, these ships would probably only call about once a week and would be good
ENERGY giant BP is to sell Wytch Farm, the largest onshore oilfield in Western Europe. Less than a month ago the company re-opened the plant near Wareham after an oil leak halted production for two months , but now BP intends to sell it
JULIE Bywater sounded like a young girl who really deserved to have a long and happy life. She was friendly, outgoing, genuinely liked and appreciated by her friends, loved by her mum and devoted to her work and the children at the special
WITH reference to the A35 hub cap problem (Echo, Feb 21) may I suggest a simple but effective remedy to this problem. Two cable ties on opposite sides of the said hub cap attached to the frame of the wheel ought to do the trick. Never lost any of mine
AS A frequent visitor to Bournemouth and Boscombe beaches, I am continually mystified by the lack of surfers participating in their activity on the surf reef. Yet again, there were many surfers in various locations when I was visiting the area
A teenage girl with learning difficulties who went missing yesterday at Moors Valley Country Park has been found. The girl had been visiting the East Dorset park with a group led by carers when she went missing at about 3pm. Police officers used 4x4
COUNCIL tax is to be frozen in Bournemouth this year councillors agreed last night. Council leader, Cllr Peter Charon told the special meeting of Bournemouth Borough Council: “There will be no increase in council tax for Bournemouth residents
LIBYANS marched on Bournemouth Square yesterday, joining in the international cries for Colonel Gaddafi to step down. Calls of “Get out Gaddafi”, “No more lies” and “Have mercy Gaddafi” rang through the town as around 100 protestors took a
BOSS Lee Bradbury defended Michael Symes after last night's missed penalty and praised the striker's recent form. In-form Symes, with three goals in his past three matches, fired wide having won the spot kick early in the second period against
MATT Ford believes Christian Hefenbrock could hold the key to Pirates’ 2011 Elite League title quest. Ford yesterday confirmed Somerset star Hefenbrock would line up at reserve for Poole Castle Cover this season, doubling up alongside Poole-born
JAMES Stokoe should return to the Wimborne Town starting line-up when Magpies visit Bishops Cleeve in Zamaretto Division One tonight (7.45pm). Stokoe is named in Alex Browne’s squad after completing a two-match suspension. Gareth Barnes, however, misses
A “COWARDLY” soldier who punched his girlfriend’s mother after she tried in vain to protect her daughter has been jailed for 14 months. Nathan Bonner, who served with 1 Rifles until going absent without leave, admitted assault and battery following
SIX missing stars of Wimborne Town’s 1992 FA Vase triumph are being sought to take part in a high profile charity match this weekend. Alex Pike’s Wembley heroes will reunite at Cuthbury on Sunday (3pm kick-off) to lock horns with an all-time Wessex League
THE fact that Shwan Jalal was named man of the match told its own story. Cherries needed their influential goalkeeper to be on top form as they were made to battle hard to preserve their unbeaten record under the management of Lee Bradbury
