A VERWOOD woman who lost her husband to a fatal heart attack when he was just 46 is urging people to sign up to the British Heart Foundation’s Dorset Bike Ride this month. Jo Powell has spoken of the tragic moment Tim died in her arms in the
TWO businesses in Bournemouth and Poole are being investigated following the arrests of three Hampshire men on suspicion of a £740,000 fraud. The three were arrested in Southampton on Tuesday morning on suspicion of VAT and Income Tax fraud. Businesses
A LEADING autism charity has welcomed plans for a new specialist school in Bournemouth but said it was “disappointed” not to be consulted on the proposals. A total of £5.8m is to be spent building a new specialist school on part of the Heathlands Primary
CAMPAIGNING residents are preparing to fight plans for a new studio school, claiming children’s lives will be put at risk unless the proposals are changed. Oakmead College of Technology is proposing to build a new school building, known as the North
THE memory of a young woman who lost her battle with a rare blood disorder, is helping to bring comfort to other patients across the UK. Zoe Dunn from Christchurch died in January 2001, aged 23, of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), a condition
OK, we admit it, we were fooled. A trailer entitled 'Star Trek 2 teaser trailer' surfaced on the internet recently and we thought it was the real deal. The 70 second trailer is so impressive in fact that it's already clocked up over 470,000
THOUSANDS of girls and women will be descending on Bournemouth seafront on Sunday to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. Organisers are hoping 2012 will be a bumper year raising much-needed funds for their vital life-saving research into
TWO quick-thinking men saved a young boy from drowning in Poole. Poole Sailability volunteers Brian Hall and Roger Brankin launched the charity’s rescue boat when a boy fell out of a small inflatable dinghy some 50 metres off-shore in the Rockley Channel
CHERYL Cole has treated fans to a preview of four tracks from her new album ahead of its release on Monday. A Million Lights is the third album from the singer, who unveiled her Will.I.Am collaboration Craziest Things, Under The Sun, Girl in
A WOMAN who killed her son in Dorset 16 years ago was plagued by guilt and took her own life. Tara O’Connell, 42, strangled her 10-year-old son Nathan Beale with a silk scarf in 1995, believing he was trying to poison her. She was found dead at her
A BLIND man has told how he was left virtually housebound for 20 months after losing a guide dog in a vicious dog attack. Patrick Smyth’s dog, Nathan, had to be retired after losing all his confidence in an unprovoked attack in Parkstone, Poole, in which
THE funeral service of a well respected Christchurch businessman will be held in the church where he married 60 years ago. Much-loved Martin Cox celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary with his wife Chris just months before he died at the Royal Bournemouth
A PIONEER in the field of satellite communications, who crossed the Atlantic in a home-made sailing boat, has died in a boating accident on the Wareham River. Martin Weston, who lived at Harman’s Cross, hit the headlines in August 1971 after a 3,000
A FORMER Christchurch town clerk, who received the Freedom of the Borough as a parting gift, has died at the age of 96. John Macfadyen was born in Accrington, Lancashire, where his father Walter ran a painting and decorating business. While
NOW Bournemouth audiences can experience a taste of the VIP treatment when they go to a show at the Bournemouth International Centre. The Encore and Applause VIP packages from BHLive Hospitality showcase some of Dorset’s finest produce. Available on
COMEDIAN Chris Addison brings his intelligent and impassioned brand of stand-up to the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne tonight. Most people will probably recognise his cherubic face from those Direct Line TV ads The 40-year-old is also known for his
KICKING off the summer season of events at Pavilion Dance is Dancing Terraces. Every weekend throughout the summer, on a Friday or Saturday evening from 7-9pm, the terraces, which overlook the Lower Gardens and seafront, will come alive with music, dancing
1. Emeli Sande – Daddy (Disclosure mix) 2. The Jam – Town Called Malice 3. Krafty Kutz – Pounding 4. Telephunken – Feelin Good 5. Panchanga Boys – Time
EVER fancied owning a strip of Sandbanks, mudflats or part of Dorset’s treasured heathland? All this and more could be yours for a modest £10million price tag. After more than 150 years, Canford Estate trustees have put 1,748 acres up for sale in one
IT will be a family affair when Swedish couple Ulrika and Tomas Fkalberg sit down to watch the England v Sweden game today. The pair, who have lived in the UK for the last five years, will be watching the game with their children at their home
A CYCLIST had his £600 bike stolen from a secure store and discovered five more people had been victims of bike theft that week. Lee Oldroyd is one of 227 victims of bike theft in Bournemouth during April and May – a rise of 31 per cent on last year.
On their fifth album, electronic outfit Hot Chip display their usual finesse at paying homage to their favourite genres of music while stamping their unique mark on each. Elements of electro, house and R&B are fed into Alexis Taylor and Joe
ARGH me hearties! Landlubbers looked on as the Jolly Roger – the famed pirate emblem – was hoisted at Poole Quay to flag up this Saturday’s Harry Paye Day. The Lord Nelson tall ship was temporarily claimed by the Jolly Pirates of Poole, who are holding
PLANTS IN FLOWER Meadow Buttercup-Bramble-Daisy-Creeping Buttercup-Wood Avens-Yarrow-Round-leaves Crowfoot-Tormentil-Marsh Thistle-Shepherd’s-purse-DogRose-Leafy Hawkweed-Hairy Bitter-cress-Round-leaved Sundew- Smooth Sow-thistle-Water-cress-Pale
AT the ripe old age of 70, Derek Morris seems an unusual figurehead for reggae music in the UK. But the Bristol-based DJ has played at summer festivals Bestival and Glastonbury, as well as influencing the likes of Massive Attack, with his passionate love
A POD of dolphins has been spotted in the waters at Poole. Mum Michelle Bailey from Poole said she was amazed to see the beautiful mammals while out on a fishing trip with friends on Wednesday. Michelle, who works in catering, said:
AMERICAN ska punk heroes, Less Than Jake will be bouncing along to the Old Fire Station on Wednesday night. Fans can expect a dose of pure punk madness when the energetic four-piece deliver their phenomenal live act. It’s been a wild and
KEVIN MICHAEL WILLCOX aged 50 of Glenmoor Road, West Parley, Ferndown. Admitted riding a Kawazaki motorcycle through a red light on A350 Holes Bay Road junction with Sterte Road. Fined £60. To pay victim surcharge of £15, costs of £35 and licence endorsed
BENJAMIN THOMAS WILSON aged 20 of Spring Close, Verwood. Admitted being involved in an accident on Malvern Road junction with Endfield Road causing damage to a street light and five bollards and failing to stop. Community order made to be under a curfew
KEVIN MATTHEW JAMES SMYTH aged 37 of Endfield Road, Christchurch. Admitted stealing a bottle of whisky to the value of £13.99 from Lidl. Conditional discharge for 12 months. Pay compensation of £13.99 and costs of £85. NICOLA HEARNSHAW aged 27 of Hengistbury
EMMA TREHANE aged 39 of Main Road, West Lulworth, Wareham. Proved in absence that she failed to identify the driver of a Toyota car who was alleged to have been guilty of an offence. Fined £600. To pay victim surcharge of £15, costs of £85 and licence
PHILIP JAMES CROCKER aged 60 of Farley Lodge, Bournemouth Road, Poole. Admitted failing to notify the Dept of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances, namely that he had capital in excess of permitted limits, whilst claiming Job Seekers Allowance
DAVID MINVALLA aged 24 of Limited Road, Bournemouth. Admitted sending threatening text messages to another male. Committed to prison for 84 days. Restraining order made not to contact directly or indirectly the male and a named female or enter Holdenhurst
I HOPE the Bournemouth Council are now reconsidering their idea of “Open Air” entertainment on the site of the Imax. It must be obvious that the site needs a building of some sort on it. It would be great to have the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
I WOULD just like to thank the people of the Redhill Community Association for a wonderful street party at New Parade, Hill View Road, last Monday. I’d especially like to thank Jonathan, Jo, Maxine, Alison, Chris and Peter for doing such a wonderful
I MUST say how much I agree with Bill White’s letter concerning the application for a Morrison store in Stoney Lane, (a wider choice of food store needed, Echo June 8). How short-sighted of Christchurch Chamber of Commerce is in opposing this application
WE put up with some poor customer service us the public, don’t we? But it’s made worse when a company cannot accept its faults. For instance, I had been trying to get details of a transaction on my credit card that the fraud department of the company
IN response to Richard Scutt’s letter (June 6) regarding church schools’ admissions policies, he may wish to note the Wikipedia quote of – “A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually
I HAVE just become a grandmother for the first time, and I admit that I closed my eyes to the reality of the problems in Boscombe and surrounding areas. Having read the article in the Echo on June 12 about the drawing from a 10-year-old of drugs, prostitution
SUDDENLY we seem to be hearing all too often about dog attacks on other dogs. And you know it is not because the number of such attacks has shot up but that more are being reported. It has always been there... but it is a worry. The vast majority of
A POPULAR boating and watersports festival in Poole on Saturday has been cancelled due to poor weather. More than 30 companies and 17 boats were set to take part in Poole Afloat, which offers people the chance to try out paddleboarding, canoeing and
TEENAGE girls make space on your wall, as the south coast’s answer to One Direction is about to capture some hearts. Boy band South 4, have just signed a reported £1million record deal with the Branksome-based Eagle Music label. The band
THE release of free tickets to Bournemouth's Olympic Torch relay celebration caused chaos this morning as demand crashed online and phone sales outlets. The free giveaway opened at 9am to those living in a BH postcode, with tickets restricted
Rogue Traders’ star Dan Penteado who was wanted by the police no longer has a warrant outstanding for his arrest. The 40-year-old of Portarlington Close in Westbourne is accused of receiving more than £24,000 of housing and council tax benefit while
A MECHANICAL problem left the Sandbanks Ferry stranded yesterday afternoon and evening, forcing would-be passengers to take a 25 mile road journey. The Bramble Bush Bay was stuck on the Poole side of the popular route for several hours while
A GROUP of Travellers moved onto a playing field in Bournemouth yesterday, close to a children’s playground and two schools. Around 10 caravans are currently occupying the Duck Lane playing field near Oakmead College of Technology and Elmrise
CHERRIES have agreed terms with an unnamed striker, as revealed on the Echo's Twitter feed last night. Chairman Eddie Mitchell this morning confirmed a deal for the player could be completed within the next three days. Echo sources had claimed Charlton's
A YOUNG mum living near the woodland spot where human remains were discovered has told of the sense of shock among locals. Jade Hitchens, 23, and her parents saw scores of police officers descend onto land at the bottom of their garden in Huntick
SUSPECTED murder victim Geoffrey Reed was a convicted sex offender who had been locked up for his crimes. The 57-year-old Boscombe man, last seen eight days ago, attacked a 16-year-old girl in his car after offering her a lift and driving to
FORMER English champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Perry has given a master class in Dorset. Portchester School’s new sports hall provided the perfect venue for a two-day training event led by Perry, who is coach to the national youth
TEN-year-old Verwood racer Joe Leyland left his rivals biting the dust over the Diamond Jubilee Weekend meeting at Tincleton, near Dorchester. The Emmanuel Middle School pupil celebrated in style winning the 2012 Southern National over a two-day motocross
PARKSTONE prospect George Long came within a whisker of winning a prestigious South West title. Long’s one-over-par 70 was just one shot behind under-16 winner Calum Hannay at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. The four-handicapper did well to overcome
DORSET boys champion Oliver Stocks rewrote the county history books with a double success at Broadstone. The Dudsbury star is the first player to hold both the under-16 and boys titles at the same time. Stocks carded rounds of 74 and 75 for a nine-over-par
POOLE Town Youth held its annual presentation evening following a successful season in league and cup events. The under-13s came runners-up in the Bournemouth League Cup and Dorset Cup and finished third in the league. The under-11s finished third
TEENAGE riding star James Reis is aiming to help England conquer the world after receiving a surprise senior international call-up. The Ferndown youngster has been selected to represent his country in the International Mounted Games Association’s 27th
THREE men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Geoffrey Reed. Lee Wareham, 32, of no fixed abode, Stuart Raymond Wareham, 25, of Cecil Road, Bournemouth and Benjamin Henry Walter, 21, of no fixed abode, all appeared at Bournemouth
LYMINGTON skipper Darren Cowley admits he is “quite looking forward” to watching at close quarters record-breaking Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell, who last year clubbed the fastest one-day 50 in Australian domestic cricket, off just 19 balls
HIGHCLIFFE sailor Simon Mussel took the Contender honours in round seven of the BCA Traveller’s Series which joined Lasers for a joint Open event in Christchurch Bay. Contenders shared the start line with Lasers, who were competing in their South Coast
CHERRIES chairman Eddie Mitchell has ruled out the possibility of Harry Redknapp returning to Dean Court either as boss or co-owner. But he says he would welcome Redknapp on to the board as his wealth of knowledge would benefit management duo Paul Groves
CHERRIES boss Paul Groves says he imminently expects to unveil new members of his “vital” backroom team. The League One outfit this week named ex-Rochdale man Dan Hodges as their new head of sports science. Groves is also planning to appoint a new first-team
GRACIOUS in defeat Joe Screen admitted it had been a privilege to witness Pirates pair Chris Holder and Darcy Ward’s stunning smash and grab. Screen looked on from the pits as the Turbo Twins combined to pull off one of the most memorable meeting victories
POOLE Grammar School stormed to victory during the Sail for Gold OnBoard event in Poole Harbour. More than 40 pupils, aged 10 to 16, from seven schools across Dorset had spent eight weeks learning to windsurf at the FJB Watersports Academy. And the
DAVID Keet, racing the Danger UK Kawasaki, was unstoppable in the Big Wheel 85s at the Southern National meeting at Tincleton. Keet’s blistering pace was unmatched and he clocked the track a good few seconds quicker than many Experts in the Ringwood
