HUNDREDS of Christchurch people have signed a petition urging the council to consider launching the area as a Fair Trade town. The last two weeks of Fair Trade Fortnight have seen just three events held result in nearly 400 signatures to a petition on
MILES Addison rescued a point for Cherries and helped Lee Bradbury’s men stop the rot thanks to a 1-1 draw with play-off chasing Carlisle today. The Derby County loan man popped up with an equaliser seven minutes from time as Cherries stopped the rot
A BOURNEMOUTH man has taken a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis as an opportunity to live life to the full. Dave Bunyan, 40, was told he had the Remitting Relapsing form of the progressive degenerative disorder 14 months ago, just four months after marrying
A GROUP of Bournemouth University media students are asking Dorset residents to say thanks to firefighters as part of a project to recognise unsung heroes. Six students have created a website and promotional material to encourage members
Somerford estate has come a long way in the past few years. Once a hotspot for drugs problems and anti-social behaviour, the estate and its residents have worked to transform the area, hoping to rid themselves of the nickname “Scumerford”.
ISSUES on Grange ward have changed significantly in the past few years. But despite the obvious improvements, new Grange Safer Neighbourhood Team member, PC Gary Waterman wants to build on this for the future. The priorities the team is dealing with
THERE is a new face at the Wessex Autistic Society’s Portfield School. Anthony Braine has joined the team as head of administration and ancillary services. Prior to this appointment, Anthony, who is a trained musician and plays the piano
PARK School student Cerys Mason was one of three lucky youngsters selected to present flowers to members of the Royal family at the Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey. Cerys and seven schoolmates were invited to the ceremony after
RESIDENTS say noise from rugby players is reaching fever pitch after goalposts were moved to within just 14ft of their homes. Membership of Ringwood and Ellingham Rugby Club has grown and two pitches were needed at the Parsonage Lane ground
POOLE and Parkstone Productions has adopted children’s hospice Julia’s House as its charity for the year. The musical and dramatic society is rehearsing its latest production, Stepping Out, which opens March 29. The company already raises money for
Like Steeleye Span, The Albion Band has been carrying the flag for folk music for around 40 years now. Also like Steeleye Span, the lineup of players has changed a lot over the decades, emerging like a phoenix from the ashes last year with an all-new
HAVING never been a huge fan of contemporary dance, a slight feeling of trepidation crept over me as the BalletBoyz took to the stage. But my doubts faded in seconds as the mesmerising dancing began to unfold. Amazingly fluid and perfectly synchronised
HE’S known as the artist to the A-list for his portraits of the rich and famous. But Paul Stillwell is becoming something of an international celebrity himself. For the self-taught artist who lives in Branksome Park in Poole, has just starred in a
AN INQUEST heard that a Dorset soldier, who was a ‘nervous wreck’ from work pressure, hanged herself days after finding out on Facebook that her ex-boyfriend had another partner. Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, 30, was a military policewoman
BOURNEMOUTH council has failed in its bid to be named council of the year, but is taking comfort from the fact it was shortlisted in two categories. The council lost out to Southend-on-Sea in the top category but was highly commended in the
AN East Dorset community worker had the chance to fire the noon gun at the Museum of Naval Firepower after winning a VIP visit to the Gosport attraction. Phyllis Slyfield-Ford, 80, and her son Lawrence from Ferndown were chauffeur driven to
IN a rural stable barn, situated in a pleasant corner of the countryside, vintage linens are stacked high and delicate ceramics stand in neat rows on the shelves. It’s difficult to imagine how this slice of English idyll could be inspired by comedies
SECONDARY schools across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset face cuts to their funding with more than half unable to fill all their spaces. Most of their funding is allocated per pupil but 23 of 38 schools face empty desks when the new intake arrives
LIKE tea, coffee and those yummy new Rolo biscuits, Radio 2 is one of the little joys of working at home. There’s Popmaster in the morning, Jeremy Vine and his loons at noon and Ask Elvis, which should be licensed by the NICE committee as an instant
YOUR correspondent Arthur Lawrence presents a poor case for branding the proposed Navitus Bay wind farm a ‘serious mistake’ (Echo letter March 12). This is not a great surprise. Even the information from the company behind the scheme is not entirely
ON a quiet day in Bournemouth town hall and let’s face it most of them are, the council’s anti-dog brigade can always be relied upon to take a swipe at the borough’s dog-owning community and the collection of dog waste. ‘It’s a disgrace, a menace to
WITH reference to Christians soon being a minority (Faith Matters, March 10), it is interesting that a secular humanist again tries to speak for millions with no logical reason. People waving their arms in the air is ‘cult-like’? Oh please! Christianity
WELL done Bournemouth! Voted the best beach in the UK and fourth in Europe, by holidaymakers in Trip Advisor Travellers Choice awards. The reason, “with its stunning views, along with its very own microclimate...” Alas, this may be short-lived, with
HIS taste in headwear might be questionable, but rapper Dappy has been topping the charts with his recent solo singles. The N-Dubz star is set to embark on a 17-date tour this summer, which reaches the O2 Academy Bournemouth on September 29
TO THE millions of fans who know her as Lady Grantham the chatelaine of Downton Abbey, she is the slightly feisty but still nevertheless quite reserved epitome of an upper-crust lady. How many fans, however, who enjoy the trials and tribulations of
Matt Lloyd, Sports Recreation Officer for Bournemouth Borough Council THE Olympics is the world’s greatest sporting occasion that unites people from across the globe in an amazing display of competition and talent. It is hard not to get excited about
HAVING a home Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It makes it that little bit more special and exciting. I think it will be amazing and I can’t wait. If there is any pressure for us, it will come from within the team rather
DANIEL ROBERT HOWARD, aged 25, of Medway Road, Ferndown. Convicted in his absence of failing to deliver to the secretary of state the part of a registration document containing particulars about the notification of transfer of a vehicle to a person who
DETECTIVES are appealing for help after a 24-year-old man was sexually assaulted following a night-out in Bournemouth. The victim, who lives locally, had been drinking during the evening and cannot remember the exact location of the attack.
BOURNEMOUTH Echo dated March 6 article ‘Right to target inconsiderate parkers’. Firstly, may I just add, I do indeed agree with Mr Jeff Williams of Parkstone, regarding the parking problems. I am a very concerned mum whose daughter attends Kingsleigh
Poole Council is recruiting (paying) people to come around to our houses to get us to sign up for the new green bins. They have also created a new job for someone to oversee the new green bins. So now they are paying out lots and lots of our money
HE was given a fitting send off by his family and friends. Two weeks after his death, young Kyle Rees, made the final journey, from St Andrew’s Church in Bennett Road to a private committal at Bournemouth Crematorium. The victim of a
A petition for the ‘Coalition for Marriage’ asking the government to keep the legal definition of marriage between a man and a woman is gaining support. Organisers hope that recent full page adverts in national newspapers will increase its
SEVEN senior Poole High School students have bagged a key role in the Olympics after beating more than 30,000 applicants to become Young Games Makers. Michaela Catchpole, Alex Rea, Liberty Hammond-Forge, Kim Jarrad, Callum Mackenzie, Liam Jacobs and
WHEN you next roll over in bed and whack your clock into snooze mode, spare a thought for Alison Knowles. When many are probably still snug under their duvets, the oarswoman is tucking into her first breakfast. And as people the length and breadth of
MARTYN JOHN SAUNDERS, aged 41, of Somerford Road, Christchurch. Admitted failing to deliver to the secretary of state the part of a registration document containing particulars about the notification of transfer of a vehicle to a person who was
CHARLES JAMES FLINT, aged 69, of Waterloo Road, Poole. Admitted keeping an unlicensed LDV van at Norrish Road car park. Fined £165, ordered to pay vehicle excise back duty of £17.92, costs £60. CHRISTOPHER FORD, aged 31, of Stanfield Road, Parkstone.
FAMILY and friends of tragic Kyle Rees gathered yesterday to say their final farewell to the 16-year-old Portchester schoolboy. Kyle’s devastated parents Tanya Cooper and John Rees were supported by relatives as they arrived at the service
MATEUSZ Szczepaniak has promised the Wimborne Road faithful that he will do everything in his power to prove his Pirates credentials. Szczepaniak was unveiled as a part of the club’s 2012 plans when he joined Poole Coastal Aluminium for the annual press
CHERRIES club captain Warren Cummings has revealed his desire to extend his stay at Crawley Town as he bids to add another promotion to his collection. The Dean Court stalwart is enjoying a loan spell with the League Two high-fliers after being allowed
DOLPHINS manager Tom Killick is confident new boy Alex Baldacchino will provide his promotion contenders with a fresh attacking option. Poole Town sealed the striker’s signature on Thursday as Killick moved to bolster his Tatnam squad ahead of the Southern
SKIPPER Dave Miller is hoping Poole Town can go one better when they fly the flag for Dorset in the ECB Men’s Indoor National Club Championships at Lord’s tomorrow. Poole Town are one of only four clubs in the country to have progressed to the home of
