The second instalment of our look back at the year that was 2014. Read the first part here
May
The Duchess of Cornwall leads the mourners who gather at Stourpaine church to remember her brother, the conservationist and elephant-lover, Mark Shand, who died after a fall in New York.
Meanwhile, Lewis-Manning Hospice receives a visit from Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
There’s a dramatic rescue for canoeists who capsize at Old Harry Rocks and Pippa the Labrador has a miracle escape after falling off Durlston Head.
Steve Saywell is intrigued to discover a hidden bomb shelter under his Ensbury Park home while Sue Stares of Swanage is amazed to discover her Titanic postcard – it belonged to her grandfather and is worth £87,000.
Picture by Ruth Oliver
The weekend of May 17 and 18 is hotter than Ibiza but giant jellyfish wash up on Dorset’s shores.
Poppy the Bournemouth moggie is officially recognised as the world’s oldest cat – at the grand old age of 24. Sadly, she dies a few weeks later.
The First Daily Echo-backed Wheels Festival is a rip-roaring success.
Nigel Farage’s UKIP Party opens its first Dorset East office in a shut-down ‘brothel’.
The ceremony is performed by former Tory MP Neil Hamilton.
June
A man is charged with the murder of Poole Hospital nurse Rui Li.
A neighbour of footballer Adam Lallana complains about him building a sports pitch in his Avon Castle garden but he eventually gains permission for the addition.
Modest war hero Bob Roberts, 91, tells how he was the second man to step on to Juno Beach during D-Day and how, after taking out an enemy machine-gun post, he saved thousands of lives.
Throughout the county, services and commemorations are held to mark the day the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy for freedom, while the Queen leads tributes in France.
At an understated ceremony, playwright Sir Tom Stoppard marries Sabrina Guinness in Wimborne.
A giant Richard Branson monster appears on Bournemouth beach but not everyone’s amused – little Elliott Motte runs away from the scary sight.
Three people are arrested after a stabbing in Boscombe.
At Chewton Glen, in the New Forest, the Chris Evans car collection roars up on the Dirty Dozen fundraiser for Children in Need.
July
A hushed court hears that the last sound speedboat murder victim Rico Dardis would have heard was that of a propeller approaching him. His body was discovered at Friar’s Cliff in May 2013. His killers, Louis Borzoni and Paul Gerlach are jailed for life for murder.
Echo columnist and battling cancer patient Nikki Hastings dies at the age of 40 at Christchurch Hospital’s Macmillan Unit.
Education secretary Michael Gove visits Swanage Free School.
Volunteer divers scour the seabed off Hamworthy for an £8,000 prosthetic limb belonging to amputee charity founder Roy Wright, who lost it after a swim. They don’t find it but Dorset Orthopaedic generously make him a new one.
Heartfelt tributes are paid to former Bournemouth councillor, D-Day hero and lifelong Sal-vationist, Phil Carey MBE, who dies at the age of 92.
Travellers invade Kinson Common and a spectacular lightning storm lights up the skies over Dorset on the hottest night for 11 years.
The family of former Bournemouth MP David Atkinson claim the late politician lead a secret double life with a gay footballer and was ‘predatory and prolific’ in his sex life.
Incredible Chandos Green of Windham Road, Bournemouth, prepares to battle cancer for the THIRD time in 16 years. He releases charity single ‘I Fight For’ to raise money.
Horrified Bournemouth vegan Samuel Backon discovers a dead cockroach in a loaf of bread he’s just bought, and beautiful little Emma Codman of Poole has her hair shaved to raise £581 for the Scope charity.
August
Prime Minister David Cameron tells Poole Royal Marine families he will spend an extra £100million to support military good causes.
Services take place throughout Dorset to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I.
More than 20 caravans parked illegally on Turlin Moor Recreation ground are ordered to move.
The travellers travel – to Baiter Park and Cotlands Road in Bournemouth.
A runaway cow causes traffic mayhem when it decides to go for a stroll on the Spur Road at Blackwater junction.
Footballer Paul Gascoigne is taken to hospital after being found slumped outside his Poole home. Harry Redknapp offers him a job with QPR.
Bournemouth builder John Abreau wins £1million on a scratchcard and devoted Bournemouth couple Maurice Kaye, 102 and his wife, Helen, 101, celebrate their oak wedding anniversary – 80 incredible years.
Thousands flock to Bournemouth to witness a blockbusting Bournemouth Air Festival.
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