HOW could a man lie dead for 18 months? What does that say about our social cohesion?

Neighbours believed he had gone to sea. He and his wife were long separated. And his family just thought he wasn’t contacting them.

That, sadly, sometimes happens. What is so distressing is that Bob White, described by his estranged wife as “a good man who had lost his way” appears to have lost more than that.

He lost touch with the community.

This grim tragedy should make us ponder over whether we keep a sharp enough eye out for each other to make sure no-one is forgotten.

*** With the Olympic sailing events taking place at Portland this summer, the news that continuing problems with the berth at Weymouth have led Condor Ferries to relocate until further notice must have come as a painful financial body blow.

But what a welcome shot in the arm for Poole.