Archive

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Ask the Echo: What, no comments?

UPDATE: the upgrade was completed faster than expected and as of Saturday 7am everything should be working! At 6.45pm on Friday, our online admin system is being upgraded. We're hoping to avoid any Natwest-style disasters, but you will notice

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Occupy Bournemouth protesters ordered to move on from Town Hall

BOURNEMOUTH council won a court order to move on Occupy protesters who have set up camp outside the Town Hall. Lawyers won the immediate possession order at Bournemouth County Court and officials from the council returned to advise the group they were

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Volunteers needed to help vulnerable adults in Dorset

A DORSET charity is appealing for much-needed volunteers to train to help vulnerable adults. Dorset Advocacy helps those with mental and physical disabilities and people with diseases and age-related problems as well as their carers. Volunteers are

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VIDEO: Collision causes hold-ups at newly opened Canford Bottom roundabout

EMERGENCY services were called to a two-vehicle collision on the newly opened Canford Bottom roundabout this afternoon. The incident, which happened at 2.41pm, involved a green Ford Focus registered to a Sturminster Newton woman and a silver

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London 2012: Poole volleyball stars ready for Olympic challenge

POOLE Olympians Dan Hunter and Lucy Wicks believe they can help build a future for volleyball in Great Britain. The duo, both former stars at Poole-based Wessex Volleyball Club, were this morning named in the Great Britain indoor squad for

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Website maintenance: King's Lynn v Pirates

DUE to system maintenance being carried out tonight, we will be unable to publish a report from Pirates' Elite League meeting at King's Lynn tonight on our website. A full report from the Norfolk Arena will be published in the Echo's print edition tomorrow

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Cricket: Cowley wants missing one-day medal

BATTING star Darren Cowley is confident Dorset have the personnel to help fill the gap in his trophy cabinet. The Lymington captain is set to line up when Dorset host Cumberland at Dean Park in Sunday's MCCA Trophy semi-final (11.30am).

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VIDEO: Chris Evans and his fleet of Ferraris stop by on Drive and Dine tour

A CAVALCADE of Italian beauty departed Chewton Glen hotel yesterday as DJ Chris Evans continued his latest fundraising efforts for Children in Need. The annual Drive and Dine event kicked off on Thursday, with Chris’ Magnificent Seven collection

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Police asked to increase patrols in Boscombe

TRADERS and residents have made a call for police to once again make frequent patrols in their area. The June meeting of the Friends of Boscombe Lane people felt the area was “slipping” after being regenerated and being the focus of police

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Christchurch couple's £1,000 for homemade cake to boost charity

A CHRISTCHURCH couple have supported a worthy cause close to both their hearts by paying £1,000 for a homemade cake. Gill Adkins, who has battled leukaemia, and her husband Ray bid for the special cake, donating £1,000 to Southampton Hospital Charity

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Bid for £2.5m lottery funding to transform Highcliffe Castle

A BID for £2.5million of lottery funding to help transform Highcliffe Castle has moved a step closer to fruition. Castle bosses will meet with representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund on July 4 to discuss the grant further following the submission

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Balloons released in honour of soldiers at Blandford Camp

CHILDREN will be doing a balloon release for their dads in Afghanistan as Dorset’s biggest military base stages a parade. Pupils at Downlands School on Blandford Camp will be releasing the balloons tomorrow and enjoying Gurkha dancing and a circus.

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Firefighter inquest: Families fear tragic pair were 'forgotten'

THE families of two firemen who died fighting a towerblock blaze fear they were “forgotten”, an inquest into their deaths was told this morning. The barrister representing the relatives of Red Watch firefighters James Shears and Alan Bannon

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Annual Winton carnival is set to be biggest yet

THE stage is set for this year’s Winton Carnival which promises to be the biggest ever with hundreds of revellers set to take to the streets. The festivities will get under way at 10.45am when Bournemouth Carnival Band will perform in Wimborne Road.

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Fresh life arrives in Canford Heath square

A BELEAGURED shopping precinct that’s struggled since losing its supermarket last Christmas has received a much-needed shot-in-the-arm. Residents welcomed the opening of a new McColls convenience store at Canford Heath’s Adastral Square today, after

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Child snatch scare sparked by Facebook

A WOMAN believes a genuine incident involving her young son may have sparked a flurry of internet scaremongering about child kidnap. As the Daily Echo reported yesterday, Dorset police quashed rumours – largely spread through social networking sites

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Bournemouth's adults’ and children’s departments combine

BOURNEMOUTH’S adults’ and children’s services departments are to be merged into one super-sized directorate. It will be under the leadership of education chief Jane Portman, pictured, despite concerns the merger could put vulnerable children at risk

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Twelfth Night: Talented actors did the bard proud

THE comedy traces the story of Viola, one of two twins shipwrecked on opposite coasts of Illyria, a country ruled by the Duke Orsino, who is suffering an unrequited love for the mourning Countess Olivia. Believing her brother to have drowned, and

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Christchurch planning decision means firm could expand business

A HIGHLY respected Christchurch company says they will fight to grow their business after a controversial planning decision postponed plans. Beagle Technology Group in Stony Lane, say should planning permission be given for a Morrisons supermarket, they

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Get into the groove with George Benson at the BIC

FORGET Chris Brown and Will.i.am – the original RnB pop superstar has to be eight times Grammy winner George Benson. The legendary guitarist and singer made his first recording at the age of ten and since then has built up a formidable collection of

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Protesters step up fight against 'white elephant' park and ride for Bournemouth

A RESIDENTS’ protest is mounting against plans to sacrifice green belt land in Bournemouth for a “white elephant” park-and-ride site. Developer Troika won permission for a park-and-ride at land off Riverside Avenue, Littledown, three years

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Fight to keep travellers out of Bournemouth beauty spots

SECURITY has been stepped up at North Bournemouth nature reserves after travellers tried to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons. Earlier this month council officers foiled attempts to set up unauthorised encampments on both commons before

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Evening of Gallic culture at The Winchester

THERE’S more to Bournemouth nightlife than noisy dancefloors, sweaty mosh pits and binge drinking. No really. The Winchester pub in the Triangle provides an evening of Gallic culture this Sunday. Bilingual cabaret singer-songwriter Bethany Jameson and

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Flirt Cafe Bar: funky and fun eaterie comes highly praised

CELEBRATING its first birthday next month is Flirt Cafe Bar. The popular eaterie and hangout is housed under Bournemouth Library at the Triangle and has attracted a loyal following of regulars. With its funky, fun interior, exciting menu and

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Bournemouth Food and Drink festival finale kicks off

THE BIG finale weekend of the Daily Echo-backed Bournemouth Food Festival kicks off today. A huge variety of local food and drink producers, as well as restaurants, hotels and cafes will be showing off the best of what they offer in stalls

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Olympics: Poole stars named in Great Britain volleyball squads

POOLE volleyball stars Lucy Wicks and Dan Hunter have been named in the Great Britain squad for this summer’s Olympic Games. The former Wessex players were confirmed as squad members in the past few minutes at an official announcement in Sheffield

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Bears, cougars and wading through rivers; the life of an ultra-marathon man

BEARS, cougars and a chest-high river crossing were just some of the potential hazards facing Andrew Findley when he completed one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathon races. The 50-year-old businessman from Branksome Park in Poole, was one

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In the Dock: Poole

STUART WILLIAM MOIR of Penn Hill Avenue, Poole. Proved in absence that on March 6, 2012 he wilfully obstructed a man acting in the exercise of a right of entry to land issued by the Secretary of State under section 196A(2) of the Town and Country

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Mike and The Mechanics: Pop rock favourites back at the 02

BOURNEMOUTH favourites Mike and The Mechanics will be bringing their show back to the O2 Academy Bournemouth on Monday. Mike Rutherford originally started the band as a sideline to his activities in Genesis and has since sold over 10 million records

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In the Dock: Wimborne

HOLLY ANN FLETCHER aged 34 of Rectory Avenue, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne. Admitted to driving a Volkeswagen Tiguan with 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Fined £1,200. To pay victim surcharge of £15, costs of £85 and disqualified

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In the Dock: Christchurch

KEVIN SHANE TRENT aged 23 of Cedar Avenue, Christchurch. Admitted drving a Seat car on Castle Lane East with no insurance policy in force. Conditional discharge for six months. To pay costs of £35 and licence endorsed with six points. BONNITA LORRAINE

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In the Dock: Bournemouth

FRANCIS JOHN HALILOWSKI aged 49 of Crescent Grange, Crescent Road, Bournemouth. Admitted damaging a shop window belonging to Chick O Land Eaterie. Fined £100. To pay victim surcharge of £15. PAUL RAYMOND LAMBOURNE aged 44 of Watkin Road, Bournemouth

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

1. Bjork – Human Behaviour (Underworld mix) 2. Maverick Sabre – These Days (Friction mix) 3. Gianni Coletti – Another Star 4. Johnny Corporate – Sunday Shoutin 5. Jon Cutler – You Groove Me

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Rhys Darby flies into Bournemouth with This Way To Spaceship tour

FLIGHT of The Conchords star Rhys Darby is hoping you’ll be present at his stand-up show at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Sunday night. Darby’s first ever UK tour sees him on a mission to save the world in 2012. This Way To Spaceship

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Maroon 5: Overexposed is packed with radio-friendly hits (just don't expect them to sound like Moves Like Jagger)

LOVE or Loathe them, Maroon 5 have concocted a potent formula for chart success that has won them some big fans. This year the US band has already dominated the singles charts thanks to their collaboration with Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and

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Why I'm so against 500 homes scheme

I READ with great concern of the plan for 500 houses to be built on land at West Parley (Daily Echo June 23). Does the East Dorset District Council’s core strategy include a new school (present nearby schools are packed to capacity) and doctors’ surgery

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A clean, positive place to call home

I HAVE to say to my old chum Geoff Cooper (Letters, June 21) that he is years out of date in thinking that we shouldn’t be asked to sort our own recycling and that someone from the council will do it for us. Bournemouth is only at the top of this country's

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Doctor's surgery is no longer efficient

I HAVE just tried to get an appointment to see my GP, only to be told it will be in 10 days’ time because he has been on holiday. Although I am not suffering or in great pain, I was looking for a diagnosis to give me peace of mind and pain relief, not

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Stolen ring of great sentimental value

ON Thursday, May 24 I had my car stolen from the car park of the Connaught Hotel. I have been a member of their leisure club for 24 years and that evening had gone there for one of my regular swims. Fortunately my car was found the following Tuesday

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The key traveller site issue mess

WHEN it comes to the traveller issue, what we have is a right mess. There have been traveller communities in Britain for hundreds of years. But, several years ago, it became a civil offence to stop on the side of the road. Since then

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HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Beckham have been in Team GB?

David Beckham has spoken of his bitter disappointment after his dreams of playing for Great Britain in the Olympics were dashed.Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards will be the three over-age players in the 18-man squad after 37-year-old Beckham

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Ideas are needed for the seafront

IT IS very easy to come up with ideas. However, an idea is of no use unless something actually happens; ideas may be free but design briefs and constructions are not. Our seafront is the town’s main public space and is the principle reason tourists

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Firefighter inquest: We moved heaven and earth to try and rescue them

A SENIOR firefighter told how “heaven and earth were being moved” to try to reach two colleagues trapped inside a burning flat. Crew manager Pete Clarke told an inquest into the deaths of Poole man Jim Shears, 35, and colleague Alan Bannon, 38, that

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HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Barclays boss Bob Diamond resign?

Barclays boss Bob Diamond is facing mounting calls to quit as he said all those responsible for the rate-rigging scandal should pay the price. With Britain's biggest banks facing the threat of a criminal investigation over the activity that

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Elliot Turner to appeal Emily Longley murder sentence

THE self-professed playboy found guilty of strangling girlfriend Emily Longley has lodged an appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence. Elliot Turner, now 21, was handed a minimum life sentence of 16 years in May after he was convicted of killing

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Cyclist killed on A30

A CYCLIST was killed in a collision near Sherborne on Thursday evening. The 51-year-old man from Sherborne sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene of the collision on the A30 at Babylon Hill. The collision with the blue Toyota car being driven

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Ebony Day: Singer is making a name for herself around the world

BOURNEMOUTH girl Ebony Day has dreams of making it big as a singer. The former Highcliffe Secondary School pupil currently has a huge online following with her music videos amassing 120,000 subscribers and 13 million video views. Since

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Occupy Bournemouth protesters in court

Occupy protesters who have set up camp again on land in front of Bournemouth Town Hall are back in court today (Fri). The protesters are expected to receive an eviction notice following proceedings at Bournemouth County Court. Earlier

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More than 1,000 arts students graduate at the Minster

THE “king of panto” and one of Britain’s most acclaimed film directors were due to join Bournemouth students for a graduation ceremony today. More than 1,000 students in arts, design, media and performance from the Arts University College Bourne-mouth

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Twelve in court charged with £4m mortgage fraud

TWELVE people have appeared in court to face mortgage fraud charges totalling almost £4million. The offences are alleged to have been carried out between 2003 and 2006 and involve estate agents, mortgage brokers and legal workers in Bournemouth and in

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Cancer mum wins school place battle

A RELIEVED Christchurch family say they are overjoyed to have won a school place battle thanks to help from Education Secretary Michael Gove. Michelle Amey, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and her husband Stuart have been fighting for

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Girl escapes serious injury after bus collision

A TEENAGE moped rider is lucky to have escaped serious injury after colliding with a bus in Poole. The accident, at the junction of Cabot Lane and Creekmoor Lane, close to Cabot Business Village, happened yesterday around 4pm. The rider, believed to

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Cherries: Mitchell insists Pugh is worth £1m

CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell is warning potential bidders to forget about buying Marc Pugh on the cheap and insists: “He is worth £1million to us.” Cherries boss Paul Groves yesterday confirmed that the club would listen to offers for Pugh after

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Pirates: All change for teams affected by absence riders

TWO heavily depleted teams will lock horns when King’s Lynn and Pirates meet for a potentially feisty clash at Norfolk Arena tonight. Pirates will be bidding to continue their remarkable 2012 unbeaten run when they visit their Elite League rivals (7.30pm

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Cherries: Groves closes in on development coach appointment

PAUL Groves has confirmed he has held talks with candidates for Cherries’ development coach vacancy as he looks to put the finishing touches to his backroom team. The Cherries manager is hoping to recruit somebody to oversee the club’s new development

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Cowley calling for batsmen to stand up and be counted

LYMINGTON captain Darren Cowley believes his team must perform better with the bat if they are to enhance the club’s dismal time pennant record. Lymo, who have lost both of their timed matches so far this summer, will be determined to end that poor run

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Duo top podium in Osprey Open

POOLE Yacht Club members Pete Frith and Martin Cooney are back on the top of the local Osprey Open podium after an eight-year absence. In the Poole-hosted event, the pair produced a trio of aces in testing conditions during the reduced-race series featuring

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Football: Cherries to host beach football event at Sandbanks

AFC BOURNEMOUTH is offering youngsters the chance to show their skills on the sand with a beach football event this summer. The club is running the free event, backed by the Daily Echo and Waitrose, on July 18 (6pm-9pm) at the beach on Shore Road, Sandbanks

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Pirates: Ford hits back at King's Lynn after verbal attack over Miedzinski

MATT Ford last night launched a passionate defence of his Pirates regime after Poole had come in for a blistering attack from rivals King’s Lynn. Wimborne Road chief Ford was responding to criticism from Stars promoter Keith Chapman and team manager

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Rugby: South West accolades for Oaks' girls teams

OAKMEADIANS Rugby Football Club is celebrating the successes of its girls youth section. Based in Meyrick Park, the Oaks girls have enjoyed a very positive season with both the under-15s and under-18s finishing third in their respective RFUW National

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Cricket: Christchurch call the shots in county final at Parley

CHRISTCHURCH will represent Dorset in the next round of the national under-15 trophy following their 32-run victory over Broadstone at Parley. The early exchanges appeared to justify Christchurch’s decision to bat first with Jack Owens and his opening