Archive

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Anger as Somerford's 'Legoland ghetto' development progresses

PROGRESS on a controversial housing development, once dubbed a “Legoland ghetto” in Somerford has reignited protests from residents. Housing association Sovereign plans to demolish the existing 24 flats at Scott’s Green replacing them with

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Tree falls onto van in Ferndown

THE occupants of a van are lucky to be alive after an oak tree fell onto a van in Ferndown today. The 70ft tree fell onto the van just after 11am and took down electricity and telegraph cables as it went down on Ringwood Road close to St Mary’s Church

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Green gym opens in Branksome

THREE years after it was originally intended to be in use, £35,000 of new outdoor fitness equipment has finally been installed at Branksome Rec. And residents, who fought hard to protect their open space, are delighted. “We are absolutely ecstatic,”

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Join the Family Charity Bike Ride and raise money for the NSPCC

The NSPCC is calling on people in Dorset to get on their bikes and raise money for the charity. A Family Charity Bike Ride is being held in Bournemouth on Saturday June 23, a seven-mile round trip from Hengistbury Head to Boscombe Pier, taking

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Firefighters tackle house fire at Canford Heath

FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a blaze at a semi-detached house in Canford Heath. Smoke was seen billowing from the home in Halstock Crescent after the fire broke out in the roof space shortly after 1pm today. Five appliances attended including the aerial

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Inquiry into death of Red Arrow's pilot Jon Egging continues

IT is still not known when the cause of the crash that killed a Red Arrows pilot in Bournemouth will be revealed. At the start of this year the Ministry of Defence said it was likely to be April or May before the Service Inquiry into the death

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Ray Arnold, a popular face in the Minster and Wimborne

WIMBORNE Minster provided the fitting setting for a thanksgiving service for the life of Ray Arnold, attended by more than 450 people. Born in Walthamstow, East London, in August 1934, Ray lived in the house where he was born for 44 years. He worked

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Martin Botham, long-serving member of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

A HIGHLY decorated long-serving member of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has died at the age of 55, following a long battle against cancer. Martin Botham from Tasman Close, Christchurch, served on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated MV Derbyshire bulk carrier

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Man found with serious head injuries

A 48-YEAR-OLD Bournemouth man was rushed to hospital on Thursday night after sustaining serious head injuries. Police have not revealed how the man came to be injured but say they are not treating it as suspicious and are not looking for anyone in connection

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Man 67, killed by head injury in bedroom

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 67-year-old man who died of a head injury while alone in his bedroom. Colin Overnell was found slumped on his bed with his television on the floor and a bedside cabinet pushed against the door from the inside, an inquest

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Festivals 2012: a guide to this summer's events in Dorset and beyond

ONE whiff of summer and suddenly we’re hankering for the great outdoors, so all hail the festival season, when we can camp under the stars while listening to, well, the stars. And with two of the country’s major bashes – Camp Bestival and Larmer Tree

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100-year-old George keeping Parkstone garage business in the family

RETIRED mechanic George Potter is gearing up for his 100th birthday party safe in the knowledge that his business has stayed in the family. George started Churchill Motors in Parkstone straight after the Second World War and after he passed on the

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Speedway: Chad looking up to the Turbo Twins

A LOT of supporters might say speedway is in their blood – but that is no exaggeration when it comes to Pirates mascot Chad Wirtzfeld. Born in Poole Hospital and the son of life-long Pirates fans Dave and Sharna, he is a perfect candidate to don the

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Will Big Brother wildcard Bhavesh become a housemate tonight?

A MAN from Wallisdown is hoping to make it into the Big Brother house after being selected as a ‘wildcard’ candidate. Bhavesh Sharman, 32, a hospital receptionist, appeared on Channel 5, on Tuesday night in Big Brother: The Auditions which

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Summer Holiday: Spreading a litle sunshine at the Pavilion

IT was pouring with rain outside but inside the Pavilion the audience was going on holiday. The Bournemouth & Boscombe Light Opera Company’s production of the stage adaptation of the film Summer Holiday was an instant success. Four London

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Timetables changed after Southbourne traders' bus "nightmare"

BUS timetables have been changed after traders in Southbourne claimed queuing vehicles were making life a “nightmare”. Wilts and Dorset claims the changes will mean its buses are no longer forced to wait for long periods of time outside shops

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Grieving mum’s shock at inquest verdict on son's death in Parkstone

A GRIEVING mother told an inquest she “could not believe” her son’s girlfriend was not prosecuted after initially admitting injecting the drugs that killed him. Stephen Cooley’s inquest heard how his girlfriend Jo Lawrence told police she was holding

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The Dog-Eared Collective will surprise your senses

THURSDAY night sees anarchic funnymongers The Dog-Eared Collective bending minds at the Lighthouse Poole with their supercharged silliness. This surreal and inventive sketch comedy should be a surprise to the senses. The night is part of the Before

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Urban Reef: Locally sourced food with a view (now we just need the sunshine...)

DESPITE the fact that we’ve experienced downpours aplenty this summer (Diamond Jubilee anyone?), a new balcony at Urban Reef restaurant in Boscombe is going to be very popular when the sun does decide to shine. Panoramic views from the restaurant

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Floorfillers of the Week: DJ Martyn the Hat's top five tunes

1. CHIC – I WANT YOUR LOVE ( TODD TERRY MIX) 2. PRINCE – I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER (DIMITRI FROM PARIS RE EDIT) 3. MR SCRUFF- GET A MOVE ON 4. GROOVEJUICE – CAFE PRAGUE 5. JESSIE WARE-RUNNING (DISCLOSURE MIX)

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Scroobius Pip: Rapper waxing lyrical at the Old fire Station

HIP-HOP and spoken word giant Scroobius Pip will be waxing lyrical at the Old Fire Station next Friday with a special appearance. The rapper, who released his solo record at the end of last year, is in the middle of a hectic touring schedule ahead of

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Rumer: Reinterpretations with a whole lot of feeling

SECOND albums can be a tricky thing, but even more so when it’s a covers album. It can be seen as a sign of creative burnout, especially ones that arrive as early as Boys Don’t Cry. This is the second long player from Pakistan-born former New

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Pirates: Miedzinski quits Poole (updated)

MATT Ford last night admitted defeat in his bid to keep ‘Wild Thing’ Adrian Miedzinski. Ford had been hopeful of retaining the Pole’s services after his initial contract had elapsed at the end of last month. But, just hours after piling

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Canford Heath First School team join Race For Life

STAFF from a Poole school will be taking part in Race for Life in memory of a very special lady. The team of 27 teachers, teaching assistants and office staff from Canford Heath First School – known as Dee’s Divas – will step out at Poole Park

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Balkan folk mayhem from Sheelanagig at The Winchester

IT’S all go at the Winchester pub in the triangle area of Bournemouth tomorrow night. Kicking off proceedings at the venue are party innovators Made In Pangaea who return with yet another interesting act in the form of Sheelanagig. The band’s unique

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JC Jesus: High hopes for charismatic quartet

POST punk tinkers JC Jesus have been making a noise for the last few years on the Dorset live circuit with their alternative approach to music. Known for their charismatic performances, the four-piece outfit has established a growing fan base. This

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Westover makes job vow after Hyundai franchise takeover

DORSET car giant Westover says it is working to retain as many jobs as possible after taking over the Hyundai franchise of Seward Dorset. Seward Dorset, which operated the Hyundai dealerships at Christchurch and Salisbury, looks set to go into liquidation

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Looking for family to meet on holiday

MY name is Hilda Cooper and I live in Tasmania, Australia. I was born in Poole in 1939. In 1948, after the death of of my mother, our family unit disintegrated and I was placed into Barnardo's along with a younger brother and sister. Then, in 1951

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A wider choice of food store needed

ON June 14 the Christchurch planning committee will consider the application for a Morrisons supermarket to be constructed at the Beagle Technology site in Stony Lane. Christchurch urgently needs a wider choice of food store within the town. The centre

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Nuclear must be part of the mix

I REALLY struggle to understand how people like Christopher Chope can come out with such nonsense as “I think one of the problems is renewable energy is designed to exclude nuclear energy” (Daily Echo, June 6). Even those who have sound reasons for

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An action beyond simple stupidity

SO rubble, the size of a fist, was thrown at a motorist on the Wessex Way. What an extraordinarily stupid thing to do. This missile – thrown either recklessly or maliciously – hit a man, driving a motor tricycle, on the chest leaving him with a cut.

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Youthful mayor is just what we need

HOW disappointing to hear the negativity of some older Verwood residents regarding the new town mayor being so young. Youthful energetic enthusiasm is exactly what this community needs for its future. His Jubilee project was a very good start.

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Wind farm science is ‘rather suspect’

THE Poole Bay wind farm plan derives from the highly suspect “science” behind the claims for man-made global warming (MMGW). To give just three examples: the science is not settled since many scientists disagree with MMGW; CO2 is NOT a pollutant and

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Youngsters aplenty at Arne

We can now announce that all four kestrel chicks have fledged and are learning to fly around the fields near the farm. The smallest of them hung around the box for a couple of days longer than the others but even he/she has taken the plunge and

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Investigation ongoing after Adventure Wonderland ride drama

INVESTIGATIONS are still continuing at a Christchurch family theme park after a ride’s cable snapped on Wednesday. The incident on the PollyDrop ride at Adventure Wonderland in Christchurch led to one woman, 39-year-old Regan Jones, being taken to hospital

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Twin Sails Bridge: The full list of shutdowns

1. April 9 at 12.30pm – operating system – two lifts cancelled, 1.30pm, 2.30pm. 2. April 14 at 9.30am – operating system – two lifts cancelled, 9.30am, 10.30am. 3. April 19 at 8.35pm – operating system – three lifts cancelled, 9.30pm, 10.30pm, 11.15pm

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Twin Sails Bridge closed 15 times in just six weeks

THE extent of problems hitting Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge since it opened to traffic have been laid bare. And irate boat owners fed up with the “chaos” have been sailing away to other ports while residents have voiced their “frustration”.

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Bad weather cancels ferry sailings

BRITTANY Ferries has cancelled its Poole to Cherbourg, France, crossing this morning. The 7am service from Poole to Cherbourg and the 11.30am return journey have been cancelled due to tidal conditions. And Wightlink has stopped its service

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Rogers claims spoils at Parkstone Regatta

ALEX Rogers racked up eight wins to claim the overall prize at the International Paints Poole Regatta. Rogers, who won the Flying Dutchman class, was even able to discard a third place on his way to the honour. The event was action-packed with exciting

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Pirates: Strachan hails awesome Aussies in club record

POPULAR former Pirates rider Norman Strachan has described watching current stars Chris Holder and Darcy Ward as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Strachan, a member of the club’s hall of fame and still a regular at Wimborne Road, admits

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Cricket: Treagus learns of Dorset axing via email

DORSET stalwart Glyn Treagus has reluctantly severed ties with the county after claiming he was dropped via email. Treagus, who twice helped Dorset lift the Minor Counties Championship, has called time on his illustrious career after 12 years

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Ervine set to miss Lymington derby clash with Bashley

ZIMBABWEAN Test star Craig Ervine is unavailable for Lymington’s New Forest derby with Division One neighbours Bashley at the Sports Ground (11am). Bashley welcome back young paceman Jake Lilley as the competition reverts to timed games. Lymington: