ORGANISER Roger Woodall has revealed he is expecting record crowds at this weekend’s Bournemouth Sevens Festival – with around 20,000 people set to descend on the town. Mr Woodall confirmed tickets for the sport and music event, which will
A JEALOUS Poole man who left his young children home alone after their terrified mother fled from his violence has been jailed for two years. The 24-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted 10 assault charges and two counts of child
If you have watched a kestrel hovering over a grass verge and wanted to find out more about these intriguing birds of prey, now you can get up close and personal with a pair. Kestrel-cam, unveiled by the RSPB at its Arne reserve, allows an
DANNY Hollands has this afternoon completed his move from Cherries to Charlton Athletic. The out-of-contract 25-year-old, who spent five years at Dean Court after joining from Chelsea in 2006, leaves after opting not to accept the offer of
A NIGHT-OUT with friends in Bournemouth ended in terror for a teenager after a sex attacker pounced as she walked home alone. The 19-year-old suffered scratches to her face and neck after being grabbed from behind, dragged into a driveway and
A CAGE fighter will take on 30 different opponents in a row in a charity effort after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Sam Morrison will fight them for two-minutes each in a mixture of boxing, kick-boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA) and
LACK of blood in the hallway near to Heather’s Barnett’s front door is consistent with the killer changing out of his blood stained shoes, an expert told Winchester Crown Court this morning. Crime scene investigator Philip Webster examined
PLUMES of black smoke billowed from rubbish which was on fire at a Verwood landfill site on Sunday. Firefighters called to Blue Haze, off Ringwood Road, spent around four hours fighting the blaze in a rubbish cell. Three crews from Verwood, Ringwood
WORK has started on a multi-million-pound factory that will enable one of Hampshire’s best known firms to increase its production. New Forest Ice Cream, which supplies 2,000 outlets across the UK, is leaving its existing home in the centre
A GROUP of masked youths was caught on CCTV wrecking a school building. They kicked, punched and threw a hammer at 22 windows causing £3,000 worth of damage during the night. The headteacher of Bovington Middle School arrived to find
A MAN had his arm broken in an attack with a baseball bat as he walked home from work through Poole. The 26-year-old was smashed hard with the bat twice in an unprovoked attack close to Tower Park. He had been heading home along Calluna Road when another
MORE than 40 firefighters battled a blaze at a classic car garage near Ringwood on Monday afternoon. The fire, which broke out at 11.52am, is believed to have taken place at SGA Motors at Forest Corner Farm in Hangersley Hill Road. One man in his sixties
A DOG owner has told of her fears for her beloved pet after he was bitten by an adder. Lisa Lloyd-Evans, 41, was walking her four-year-old Weimaraner, Maverick, and his “best buddy” Scooby, a five-year-old Jack Russell, on a bridle path near Lytchett
THE demolition of a historic cliff top café has been reluctantly welcomed as the “least worst option”. The diggers moved on the boarded up Point House Café in Southbourne after a planning battle that stretched over five years. Developers
COLONEL John Blashford-Snell didn’t go looking for adventure - it found him. In 1968, while serving in the army he was charged with exploring the Blue Nile. The river’s dangerous rapids had never been successfully navigated before and John
Sea Bass Roasted with Potatoes, Tomatoes and Olives Serves 4 800g potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 large onion, peeled and finely sliced 3tbsp olive oil 300ml hot fish stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper
THE Purdys, Dianas, Rachels and Cheryls may come and go, but Audrey remains the one. No, we’re not talking about Peter Stringfellow’s latest girlfriend situation, but some of the most copied women’s hairstyles of the past few decades, including
DETECTIVES are hunting a sick thug who attacked a disabled 94-year-old man yards from his front door. The shocked pensioner, who uses a walking frame to get around, was jumped from behind by the mugger as he returned home from a morning shopping
WITH summer festival thrills and spills drawing ever nearer, the Camp Bestival crew has pulled together yet another bumper crop of amazing spectacles to dazzle and delight one and all. Festival organiser and Radio One DJ Rob da Bank said: “Arts make
A GROUP of travellers were still camped at Avon Heath Country Park, in St Ives, on Monday. They pitched up at Dorset’s largest country park, owned by Dorset County Council, with around 20 caravans at around 5.30pm on Saturday. They are
I almost changed my subject for my blog this week, but after my ride to work this morning I realised that this is an essential lesson for lots of drivers! As always it's interesting to read the cycling related letters and comments - often left
IT was an unassuming terraced row of houses in the centre of Bournemouth with a pub and a general store. But it was also home to a boy who grew up to be a boxing world champ. Last year Snapshots of the Past featured Ian Dickins’ photograph of the white
A £35 MILLION scheme to redevelop St Ann’s Hospital in Poole is expected to be given the green light by planners later this week. Dorset HealthCare Trust revised its plans to improve and update the hospital for people with mental health problems
I RECENTLY went on a trip to Lewes in East Sussex near Brighton. As I walked up the high street I noticed that the restaurants, cafes and pubs were displaying stickers in their windows that explained how the restaurant had been rated after its food hygiene
IMUST advise all your readers that the public consultation document for the planned A31 Canford Bottom Roundabout Road Scheme is on the Highways Agency website. For all feedback, comments and concerns please go directly to www.highways.gov.uk/a31canford
VINCE Cable’s remarks on the economy have left us to reflect upon the society we have evolved over the past 50 years, since we are now spenders rather than savers. People once saved up to spend money on mostly necessary items. Hire purchase with a 50
NOW you’re a big brave boy aren’t you? Lurking outside some flats and waiting for the most vulnerable person you could find so you could jump him and steal his money. Obviously you didn’t want to risk some kind of brave retaliation from your victim,
A DOG training and play space is to be crated in Slades Farm later this year. Are we to assume this is the run up to a complete ban on dogs being exercised off-lead on what is left of the ‘open space’? Are all dog owners to walk their dogs into an enclosed
HOW right Tobias Ellwood is to feel uncomfortable with the situation regarding Independent Derek Borthwick joining the Conservative Party. For as long as I can remember I have voted for the big C both locally and nationally. I find it just astonishing
GREAT news that Bournemouth is applying to be a city. (‘Could Bournemouth gain city status to mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?’ Echo, May 19) However, think a little harder. I moved here from London seven years ago and the idea that Bournemouth, Poole
A COMPUTER forensics expert who examined equipment used by Danilo Restivo on the day Heather Barnett was killed said he found no evidence of it being used until after 10am that morning. The hard drive and a floppy disk were seized by police
AS one door closes, another one opens. The departure of Danny Hollands to Charlton will leave a gaping hole, both in the centre of the Cherries midfield and in Lee Bradbury’s squad. Hollands is today expected to sign a lucrative contract at the Valley
SKIPPER Jason Pearce has been hit with a three-match ban following his sending off in the second leg of the League One play-off semi-final against Huddersfield. Pearce received a straight red card from referee Neil Swarbrick following a challenge on
COLEHILL residents are vowing not to give up on their dreams for a modern community centre, despite a government funding freeze. More than 500 young people visit The Reef – Colehill and Wimborne’s youth and community centre – which is housed in a dilapidated
NEIL Middleditch lamented the loss of spearhead Chris Holder as Pirates crashed to Elite League Shield defeat at Wolverhampton last night. Holder was ruled out of the meeting at Monmore Green through illness, with Poole Castle Cover operating rider replacement
