Archive

  • Axed tree costs man record £125,000

    A POOLE auctioneer is facing the biggest fine of its kind ever seen after getting a family friend to cut down a protected tree in the middle of the night. An uninterrupted view of Purbeck, Corfe Castle and Poole Harbour could be seen from Neil

  • UPDATED: Fire leaves flat badly damaged

    THREE people escaped from a blaze that left their flat uninhabitable in the early hours of Friday morning. Firefighters from Redhill Park, Springbourne and Westbourne were called to a flat above a shop on the corner of Wimborne Road and Coronation

  • Crash causes chaos in Ringwood

     THE A31 westbound in Ringwood was partially blocked this afternoon after a collision between a car and a motorbike just before the A338 Salisbury Road and the B3347 Mansfield Road. The incident, which happened just before 5pm, is still causing

  • Tuk Tuk touring in Purbeck

    A CABBIE is set to hit the streets of Purbeck in a Tuk Tuk. Mike Cox has been granted a licence by officials to operate his motorised rickshaw across the district The 27-year-old from Lulworth, licensed to carry three passengers, can hit top speeds

  • Council set to demolish Druitt building in Christchurch

    CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish Druitt Hall in Christchurch – despite the protestations of people in the town – have been submitted. Owners Christchurch Bor-ough Council has submitted a planning application to its own department detailing demolition

  • Christmastime in Cardiff city

    THERE are a lot of good things about a city break in the run-up to ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. There’s the shopping opportunities you just don’t get outside major cities, the pretty lights, the Christmas markets to peruse with a glass

  • New scheme to cut down nuisance student homes in Bournemouth

    LANDLORDS will have to sign up to a vetting scheme amid new moves to wipe out problem Houses of Multiple Occupation. Senior councillors voted on Tuesday in favour of plans that it is hoped will clamp down on nuisance student homes and other properties

  • Tributes to Winton's Anson, the 'champion of people'

    TRIBUTES have been paid to a “people’s champion” who died suddenly on Wednesday morning. Anson Westbrook was a former Liberal Democrat councillor for Winton in Bournemouth, the organiser of the annual Winton Carnival and chair of Winton Forum.

  • Martin Lewis: My top ten Christmas shopping tips

    It's that dreaded time of year again, when many feel the need to trudge around the shops in the freezing cold, with heavy bags pulling shoulders out of their sockets. With a little hidden Christmas shopping magic (and internet access), a raft of

  • Party to honour fun-loving Carl from Southbourne

    CARL Gray was just 33 years old when he lost his battle with bowel cancer. Now friends and family are organising a fundraising party in his memory this weekend. His father Robert said his son, who would have celebrated his 34th birthday next

  • Three men stole phone and cash in Poole

    Three men in hoodies stole a 21-year-old man’s mobile phone and wallet as he walked through Poole Park on Remembrance Sunday morning. Dorset Police have just released details of the theft, which happened around 7.30am on November 11. The trio,

  • Velda Green, church organist

    After more than 40 years of dedicated service, a highly respected church organist has died at the age of 86. Velda Green was born in Colehill on May 23, 1926. She grew up with her brothers Grahame and Trevor in West Moors where their parents Hetty

  • Crawford Gardener Ballyntine Muir, a "true gentleman"

    TOUCHING tributes have been paid to “a true gentleman” who passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 23 at the age of 93. Crawford Gardener Ballyntine Muir, better known as Jock to his friends and family, was born in Glasgow on April 1, 1919

  • Meet Santa at Moors Valley

    Moors Valley County Park is offering little ones the chance to meet Santa and help him find his magical golden pine cones. He will be visiting he park on December 8 and 9 from 11.30am until 12.30pm, 1pm until 2pm and 2.30pm until 3.30pm. Booking

  • Carol service at AFC Bournemouth stadium

    AFC Bournemouth’s The Goldsands Stadium at Dean Court will play host to the 10th Community Carol Service on December 18. But it’s not just the venue that’s being used, as the manager, staff and players will all be playing their part in the service

  • Christmas trees on sale at Holme Farm Shop

    Holme Farm Shop will be stocking premium grade British grown Christmas Trees this season. The traditional Norway Spruces are available from November 28 at the shop at West Holme Farm, West Holme.

  • Sunday market in Westbourne for Christmas

    A Sunday market will be held each week in Westbourne Arcade in the lead up to Christmas, starting December 2. It will feature a mixture of antiques, vintage collectables, craft and food, from 11am – 3pm, throughout December. All proceeds from

  • Collision on A338 southbound

    A COLLISION on the A338 blocked a lane of the dual carriageway at lunchtime today. The two-vehicle collision involving a white Scania lorry registered to a Bournemouth company and a blue Suzuki Ignis registered to a Wimborne woman took place on

  • Games star opens new sports hall in Christchurch

    THE Games may be over but local Paralympic star Bethany Woodward is continuing to inspire a generation of youngsters. The teenage athlete, who won a silver and bronze medal at this year’s London Paralympic Games, officially opened a swish new sports

  • Lanterns are breezing in through Poole

    BEACONS of light will illuminate the streets of Poole town centre when the traditional lantern parade takes place on Thursday, December 13. Part of Christmas is a Breeze, sponsored by Breeze Volkswagen, the town centre will be filled with children

  • MP slams Dorset hospitals merger ‘conspiracy’

    AN MP has spoken in Parliament to accuse hospital bosses of a “conspiracy of secret dealings” over a proposed merger. Christchurch MP Chris Chope stood up in the House of Commons to call for the possible merger of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch

  • Ringwood charity store boss denies theft

    THE manager of an RSPCA charity shop stole more than £7,000, a court heard. Susan McVeigh, 52, is accused of stealing the cash while she ran the Ringwood shop. Prosecutor Nicholas Rowland said her alleged deception was uncovered when she took

  • Prison for thief who stole from Bournemouth pensioner

    A HARD-HEARTED burglar who helped himself to jewellery, cash and mobile phones belonging to a disabled man has been jailed for 45 months. Bournemouth Crown Court was told how Paul Leslie Lawrence, who is also known as Paul Ashford, targeted a 73

  • Let there be lights in Upper Parkstone

    CHRISTMAS lights are coming back in Upper Parkstone – marked by the first switching-on ceremony anyone can remember. A year’s worth of fundraising and organising by Ashley Road traders has brought illuminations back to the area’s high street after

  • Figures reveal 75 posties in Bournemouth attacked by dogs

    DANGEROUS dogs attacked more than 50 postmen and women locally in a year. Figures released today by Royal Mail have revealed 52 postal workers in the BH postcode area were victims with a further 23 in the DT post code area of Dorset. A report

  • Is Dorset businessman poised to rescue Comet?

    A DORSET businessman is reported to be at the heart of a multi-million-pound bid to take over failed electrical chain Comet. It is thought that the tycoon is in advanced talks with administrators Deloitte to take on 140 of its 195 stores, saving

  • Don’t blame firm

    I’M surprised at your anonymous letter writer (perhaps they had something to hide) in their letter ‘Staff’s parking is causing us stress’, November 16. Having worked at JP Morgan I can vouch that they have an enormous car park capable of holding hundreds

  • Frankie Boyle in rare appearance at the BIC

    ACIDIC comedian Frankie Boyle once said he’d never tour again. Luckily the flame-haired Scotsman is making a rare appearance at the BIC tonight. Loved and loathed in equal measure, Frankie shot to fame on panel shows such as Never Mind The

  • Have the time of your life with A Night of Dirty Dancing

    BOURNEMOUTH audiences can look forward to having the time of their lives when a new stage spectacular featuring hits from one of the biggest dance movies of all time comes to town. A Night Of Dirty Dancing, described as “the sexiest song and dance

  • Good news for men but not for women

    MR Evans (‘It’s sexist to charge more for insurance’ November 8) will be very pleased with the new EU gender pricing rules that are effective as of 22 December 2012. This means that a very long established insurance principle for premiums based

  • Dim view of drivers who like to dazzle

    DID you know that it is an offence to use lights which “dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users” (Highway Code rule 114)? The use of high intensity lights which are incorrectly adjusted so as to cause dazzle, using spotlights when visibility

  • Drum and bass legend LTJ Bukem at The Winchester

    DRUM and Bass has found a new home in Bournemouth with the Up The Anti club night taking place at the Bonsai Lounge tonight. Their last event with DJ Fabio sold out in advance. So who better to continue the underground music on a Friday night

  • Issue isn't just about Navitus

    MIKE Sanderson (Letters, November 14) is concerned his contributions should be included rather than “mocked”. Of course we’ll do our best to respect this but it would be better if we had the debate on the basis of real facts rather than “mock”

  • Sirpico have song featured on new film, C.O.O.L.I.O

    SIRPICO have had one of their songs featured in a British gangster film. Producers approached the Bournemouth quartet after discovering their material online and asked if the song could be used in the film C.O.O.L.I.O., which stars RocknRolla actor

  • Momo:tempo: band takes to the airwaves

    BOSCOMBE musician, media mogul and artist extraordinaire Timo Peach took his band Momo:tempo along to the recording studio of BBC Introducing South last week. Accompanied by members of his Electro-Pops Orchestra, the guys played several tunes on

  • Man sought after assault outside Bournemouth nightclub

    Police in Bournemouth investigating an assault outside a nightclub in the town have released a picture of a man that they would like to speak with. The incident happened sometime between 1.40am and 1.55am on Sunday 11 November 2012 at the back

  • Bournemouth Tourism Awards: who were the winners?

    THE very best of Bournemouth Tourism was celebrated on Thursday night - with the help of acrobats, a contortionist, jugglers and a host of fairground attractions. More than 300 representatives from across the town's tourism and leisure industry

  • Slow moving load causes traffic chaos

    A SLOW-moving wide load brought traffic to a standstill in Hamworthy as it negotiated roadworks at a crawl. Residents who have put up with one-way traffic and a complete road closure of part of Blandford Road in recent weeks, had to call on their

  • Dorset braced for flooding after overnight storms

    @bournemouthecho Matchams lane is still closed at bother ends due to flooding and fallen tree. Please bare with us #weather #traffic — @SnowtraxUK 25 November 2012 @Bournemouthecho Magna Road flooded in the usual place

  • Pensioner dies from burns suffered in sofa fire

    AN ELDERLY woman who suffered horrific burns in a blaze at her Townsend home nearly two months ago has died in hospital. The woman’s injuries were blamed on a fire started by discarded smoking materials. Crews were called to sheltered accommodation

  • Woman dies in fire at West Howe

    A 60-year-old woman has been killed in a fire in Bournemouth. Firefighters revealed yesterday that she was found dead in her ground floor flat in Hall Road, West Howe, on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday, neighbours said

  • Beach Volleyball: Sams shape up for their Brazilian test

    SAM Allen and Sam Walrond completed their preparation for Brazil in fine style – winning the second Side Out Winter Beach Series event at the LeAF Elite Athlete Academy Indoor Beach Volleyball complex on Sunday. The Dorset pair moved into the last

  • Rugby: Lions under-16s roar back with a four-try onslaught

    BOURNEMOUTH under-16s continued their winning ways with a spirited fightback against a strong Winchester side at Chapel Gate. The young Lions followed up their 80-3 demolition of Taunton the previous weekend, with a 38-24 victory on Sunday.

  • Cricket: Wonderkid Will's a Dorset Centre record-breaker

    BIG-HITTING Will Fletcher has blasted his way into Dorset’s cricketing record books – at the age of 11. Will achieved his remarkable feat after registering the highest individual score – an astounding 139 not out – at the Dorset Cricket Centre.

  • Cherries: Thomas asked Howe to leave

    EDDIE Howe has said he reluctantly agreed to allow Wes Thomas to leave Goldsands Stadium after the striker had made it clear he wanted to go. Thomas yesterday completed a loan move to Championship outfit Blackpool and will remain at Bloomfield

  • Arnold slams 'disrespectful' Poole boss Killick

    WIMBORNE skipper Scott Arnold has slammed as “disrespectful” comments made by Poole boss Tom Killick regarding the current Magpies squad. Killick, speaking in the lead up to Wednesday’s Southern League Cup clash between the Dorset rivals, said

  • Cherries: Arter hails MacDonald midfield impact

    MIDFIELD maestros Harry Arter and Shaun MacDonald are flourishing after being given a sense of direction by manager Eddie Howe. That was the view provided by Arter as he offered an insight into the secrets behind the duo’s recent success in the

  • Cricket: Wonderkid Will's a Dorset Centre record-breaker

    BIG-HITTING Will Fletch-er has blasted his way into Dorset’s cricketing record books – at the age of 11. Will achieved his remarkable feat after registering the highest individual score – an astounding 139 not out – at the Dorset Cricket Centre

  • Trampolining: Spirals pairing hit the heights in Kent

    WINNING combination Jasper Skule and Bailey Freeland-Jones struck gold at the Dave Ward-Hunt Cup International Open in Kent. The Spirals Trampoline Club members won the junior boys synchronised event against competitors from five other countries

  • Football: Branksome on cup track for treble challenge

    BRANKSOME United’s triple trophy hunt gathered pace with an 8-1 win over Winsor Sports in the Hampshire Cup on Sunday. The reigning Dorset Cup holders won the third round tie at Canford Park with Elliot Leadbeater leading the scoring with a hat-trick

  • Hard graft behind Wimborne form

    WIMBORNE captain Steve King has revealed the simple ingredient in his team’s prolific recipe: Hard work. King’s men are flying high in Southern Counties South this term after racking up an impressive 342 points in eight league matches. Comfortably

  • Cherries: Howe wary of Shakers' form

    CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has broken with tradition by suggesting the league table does lie – especially in the case of tomorrow’s opponents Bury. The Shakers, currently third from bottom in League One, have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since Kevin