CHRISTMAS came early for these youngsters who were invited to enjoy a free festive feast with Santa at a local play cafe this week. The trip to Bee A Bug in Westbourne, was a special treat for six toddlers from Camp Amazing, a local support group
DORSET Fire and Rescue Service is warning the public not to drive into floodwater unless they know how deep it is and can get through it following two incidents where they had to rescue people. In Burton today (Christmas Eve) two people were rescued
A TEMPORARY increase in families housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has put pressure on Bournemouth council’s homelessness budget. But Bournemouth council’s leader has insisted they are on top of the problem and said the council has no intention
A FAVOURITE beachside cafe sold earlier this year has welcomed a new family to its helm. Peter and Steve Hayward have taken over the Avon Beach Company in Mudeford after it was sold by the Derham family earlier this year. The Derham’s had run
A meals-on-wheels van crashed at around 1.20pm today after a diesel spill on the A338 Spur Road. The road was closed just north of the Blackwater junction and traffic was held up for around half an hour before one of the lanes could be reopened
DETECTIVES in Bournemouth are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a woman robbed a bookmaker in the Strouden Park area of the town. The incident took place at around 6.15pm on Sunday 23 December at Coral Bookmakers
A HORRIFYINGLY good show is rolling into Poole next month, featuring daredevil performances from two Dorset residents. The Circus of Horrors, which appeared on Britain’s Got Talent last year and garnered rave reviews from judges, will be held at
A man who went missing yesterday morning when a dinghy capsized in Poole Harbour has still not been recovered. The man in his 30s disappeared under the water after the seven foot tender overturned around 10.17am on Sunday while on route to a fishing
BOSSES of food banks across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch are appealing for people’s continued support in the New Year. It follows fears of a shortfall of staple items because of the huge rise in demand in the run up to Christmas. Vicki
Like a musical chameleon the BSO, under the energetic direction of Pete Harrison, changed its style and sound into that of a Broadway Big Band. Gypsy Overture by Jule Styne set the scene with plenty of punch and from there the orchestra whipped
THE devastated family of a keen cyclist, killed in a rush-hour horror crash as he rode to work, have paid a heartfelt tribute to a “kind and devoted” father. David Timothy Irving, aged 48, from Wimborne, died in the scene of accident on Southampton
HOMELESS people in Bournemouth have been receiving presents donated by customers at Flirt café bar. About 300 gifts were handed in to be collected by BCHA in support of the Sleep Safe campaign to help people off the streets. The café has also
Winter isn’t good for your wallet. Whether it’s a crisp sunny day, or you’re knee deep in snow, the added chills mean bigger bills. Sadly, neither the weather nor the cost are likely to improve any time soon, yet that doesn’t mean you’re powerless
LEADING Rock & Roll legend Joe Brown comes to the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on February 28 next year, continuing to go from strength to strength as his contemporary achievements continue to gather momentum. His Very Best Of album achieved
VOTED Best Live Act at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards for an unprecedented fifth time this year, Bellowhead are heading to the Lighthouse Poole next year. They have made repeat appearances on BBC’s Later with Jools Holland, such as the ‘invite only’
GRIZZLED British rockers UFO have announced a show at the O2 Academy Bournemouth on February 22. The multi-million selling band make a return to the live arena following the release of their 20th studio album, Seven Deadly. With over 40 years in
COMEDIENNE Miranda Hart has proven so popular with Bournemouth audiences that the BIC has added two new additional dates in 2014. My What I Call Live Show runs on February 28 and March 1-2 with tickets on sale now. Her hit BBC sitcom, Miranda,
HERE are some suggestions for party drinks over Christmas and New Year. Enjoy! Cocktails make a splendid choice for social gatherings. Try this recipe using an old favourite, Harveys Bristol Cream, Spain (£7.50, 75cl, Asda). Sherry is enjoying
DORSET Police’s Acting Chief Constable today issues her Christmas message to the residents of Dorset. In her message, which is behind the final door of the Dorset Police interactive advent calendar, Debbie Simpson has also thanked her staff and
A POOLE mum has vowed to try and have a good Christmas after a fire caused significant damage to her home. 36-year-old Ester Holcombe, who lives with her grandmother Beatrice and her 10-month-old son Finn, was out when the fire began at the house
THE organiser of this year’s Daily Echo-backed toy appeal has said a special thank you to all who donated this Christmas. Great-grandfather Phil Carey, 91, said the number of donations has been “overwhelming”. Thousands of children had a present
A STUDENT has been fined after drugs were found in his bedroom at a flat where a man died. John Guy Courtenay Kershaw was found to have three-and-a-half grams of MDMA and some cannabis after Scott Gowing-Wilks died at the apartment at the Lansdowne
SOME stories came back time and again during particular periods of time and in 2012, the activities of local food banks was one such theme. Despite the evidence in front of them, many people still find it diffcult to accept that anyone should need
ON Saturday December 15 at 2pm, I put a ‘Bag for Life’ full of bric-a-brac in my car parked in the Regent Centre car park. But silly me, I didn’t lock the boot as I was returning in 15 minutes, only to find someone had taken it. I hope they
CAN I on behalf of the Royal National Institute of Blind People thank all of the public who gave so generously during our recent choir concert in the Dolphin Centre? We were treated to carols and songs by St Peter’s Church Choir, the Ferndown Singers
THE pinch points near Burley were repaired only to be knocked down again the following day. The question has to be: Why have any at all on the road from the village towards Burley Street? There are private properties on each side of the road
NOT content with masterminding the traffic chaos in Lytchett Minster recently by mis-managing the A35 Upton bypass closures, Dorset County Council highways officers now see no reason to raise concerns about Lytchett Minster School's application to
ON Monday night, December 17, I was walking along Highcliffe beach back towards the Isle of Wight and from the clifftop out to the sea saw what myself and my friend thought must be a meteor. It was bright, quite low in the sky, with a massive long
A POOLE boy who was diagnosed with cancer on his sixth birthday has won a top award for his bravery. Alfie Roberts has amazed his family with the courageous way he has faced the disease and gruelling treatment since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
A SHAMED nursing home manager who pocketed cash belonging to vulnerable elderly residents has been spared an immediate jail sentence. Earlier Tracey Thompson admitted seven theft offences involving a total of around £2,200 at the Avon Cliff nursing
IF any aspiring footballers want to know how a model professional conducts himself, they need look no further than Stephen Purches. That was the verdict of Cherries legend Steve Fletcher as he paid tribute to the long-serving team-mate who
EDDIE Howe believes role model Stephen Purches has a vital part to play in setting the standard for Cherries’ next generation. Manager Howe revealed he wanted Purches to continue his long association with the club after he was today handed a testimonial
This is your chance to win tickets for a family of four to the first arena tour of DreamWorks Madagascar Live! presented by Stage Entertainment Touring Productions as Eddie Echo has 10 family tickets up for grabs at Bournemouth International Centre
CAPTAIN Chris Holder is adamant that joining Pirates will bring out the best in exciting racer Maciej Janowski. Holder tipped Janowski to fulfil his rich potential at Wimborne Road after the 21-year-old was named in the Dorset club’s 2013 line-up
