JUST a year after signing their first major record deal, The Twang are fast becoming a big noise in the music industry. This swaggering five-piece indie outfit with their loose-limbed dance beats and anthemic terrace-rousing choruses have been likened
The fun started on Christmas Eve. We woke up to a cold house, to discover the boiler had packed up and taken annual leave for the festive season. Perfect. Having regaled our tales of woe to friends and colleagues, it seems we are far from the only household
YOUTH Music Theatre UK begins a series of auditions across Britain at the weekend, including three sessions at The Point in Eastleigh on Sunday. The auditions will be held from 10am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 3pm and 3.30pm to 6pm. They are open to young
Crunchy Nut Cornflakes have been named the greatest cereal of all time. The Kellogg's cereal - cornflakes drizzled in honey and covered in chopped nuts - scooped a whopping 14 per cent of the vote to take the top spot. Crunchy Nut Cornflakes first appeared
CHANGES to bus services in East Dorset have been slammed by a transport group. The Campaign for Better Transport says that Wilts & Dorset "needs to wake up and smell the coffee". David Redgewell, the group's representative for the South West, said bus
IF you have been caught speeding you will come face to face with Dorothy Dunn. She took part in a video that is shown on the safe driving course at Dorset Police HQ. Motorists can take the course instead of getting three points. Her son Jonathan died
I HAVE always been a wrigglebottom. Had the word "hyperactive" been around when I was a child, I suspect someone would have saddled me with it. Probably my mum. Even as an adult, I find it difficult to imagine what it must be like to sit in a seat for
CHARLIE Taylor has quite literally turned his life around - and became a national example in the process. Three years ago, he was one of New Milton's menaces. Petty thieving, excessive drinking, criminal damage and assaults landed him with an Asbo at
REDUNDANT railway arches in Blandford could be demolished or even turned into a new amenity. Residents are being asked to take part in a consultation about the Langton railway arches at Stour Meadows, behind Somerfield supermarket, which are leased by
THREE-quarters of adults in the Bournemouth area are suffering from a type of low-grade exhaustion dubbed "semisomnia", according to a sleep expert. Dr Neil Stanley coined the term to describe the 21st century epidemic that affects the south-west more
JO Tessem has agreed a deal with Cherries until the end of the season. The former Southampton utility man will join Kevin Bond at Dean Court subject to international clearance. Tessem held talks with Bond at Dean Court this afternoon after watching
THE south coast's most prestigious food event, the Christchurch Food & Wine Festival, returns to Christchurch from Friday May 9 - Saturday May 17 2008. The festival has grown in size and attracts top-class chefs, food and wine connoisseurs and those
POOLE Town vice-chairman Chris Reeves is confident no action will be taken against the club after a controversial match report appeared on an unofficial website. The Wessex League stepped in after a report from Dolphins' December 29 Premier Division
WIMBORNE slipped to a 19-8 defeat at Wootton Bassett but only after pushing their high-riding hosts all the way. The Leigh Parkers, who scored through Dave Huggins (try) and Paul Roberts (penalty), were only 12-8 adrift with five minutes to go. But
WHEN Dawn French took a role last spring in the BBC's latest period drama, she imagined an idyllic summer ahead. Who wouldn't? The show in question, Lark Rise to Candleford, is a warm and witty adaptation of the magical memoir by Flora Thompson, who
CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond could be on the verge of completing the signing of former Southampton star Jo Tessem. The utility man is understood to have had further talks with Bond at Dean Court this afternoon, and Tessem was among the crowd to watch Cherries
THERE'S still a chance to buy a pair of top tickets for James Blunt's concert at the BIC next week - and meet and be photographed with the man himself. What's more, you'll be doing your bit for charity. Ticketing company viagogo are auctioning two
SUCCESSFUL Poole music venue Mr Kyps is moving into partnership with the newly refurbished Opera House in Bournemouth. The intimate club-style ambience offered by the former snooker hall in Lower Parkstone has produced some blinding gigs but occasionally
A SPECIAL "Cocoa and Cookies" poetry night organised by The Arts at Poole takes place tomorrow (Thursday), upstairs at the Blue Boar pub in the Old Town. The evening, which runs from 6.30pm to 9pm, offers an opportunity to recite and listen to poetry
BOURNEMOUTH scrum-half Sam Hardcastle made light of a flu bug to run in a hat-trick of tries as they beat Reading 41-10 away. He touched down either side of the break before his third late in the game sealed Lions' second league double of the season.
STAND-IN Swanage and Wareham skipper Phil Graves praised Charlie Parish's spectacular try in their 17-7 home league win over Bletchley. The winger gave his side an 8-0 lead with an early touchdown after gathering a kick forward and crossing the line
OAKMEADIANS number eight Hayden Hokianga praised the "experience" of scrum-half Steve Harman after they had toppled Southern Counties South leaders Trowbridge 25-19 away. Twice Harman "used all his experience to kick into the corner to set up Will Drummond
TRUMPET star Steve Graham brings the authentic sounds of the original New Orleans jazz bands to the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown tomorrow. One of the most revered trumpeters in the world of traditional jazz, he leads a seven-piece band that he calls
DESPITE the blustery conditions, some quality fish were still apprehended during the Poole Bay Small Boat Angling Club's open event, which was judged to a specimen system with competitors only allowed to return their best fish of each species to the scales
MITSUBISHI'S fearsome tenth generation Lancer Evo will hit Britain's roads this Spring with top specification versions costing just shy of £38,000. The new Lancer Evolution X is available in three main trim levels - the GS, GSR and GSR SST (Sports Shift
NETTLESHIP Sawyer has let the ground floor of Forelle House at Marshes End, Poole, totalling more than 4,000 sq ft. The Department for Communities and Local Government has taken a 10-year lease at a rent of £13 per sq ft. Marshes End is a modern development
BMW has created a more dynamic driving and added traction Adventure version of its latest R1200 GS. The new R 1200 GS Adventure, from BMW Motorrad is the third version of its ultimate long-distance enduro for globetrotters and adventurers. The new version
SPIRITEDLY proving that strings aren't actually essential to play Johann Strauss, this popular local band were back in Christchurch for their 12th New Year's concert, whirl-ing us off to the winter warming ballroom magic of Old World Vienna. And once
ITS history is practically as old as the Scout movement itself. The 1st Parkstone (Lady Baden-Powell's Own) Scout Group celebrates its 100th anniversary early in the new year. The group is organising a special service, a roll of honour and an exhibition
FOR five years from 1970, dancers headed for the village hall at Burley to enjoy the sounds of Orange Oblivion, a mobile disco run by three lads from the village. The trio who ran the weekly dance were Richard Grant, Alan Rallings and Phillip Hutchings
A LISTED bridge used to access Wimborne is to close for repairs, leading to fears it will hit the economy for both local shops and tourist attractions at a busy time of year. The scheme, part of a £3.1 million repair and replacement programme, will provide
A TORY councillor claims he has been expelled because he would not "toe the party line" over the future of Townsend Primary School. Cllr Mike Everingham, who has served on the council since 1991, hit back by saying the Conservative party was "no longer
IT WAS more than 20 years ago when I started my first job down here working for the Advertiser Series at their Poole office in the High Street. Lunchtimes were often spent strolling down to the Quay to sit down at the quayside eating a sandwich, my legs
FIREFIGHTERS have a unique perspective on our county's road toll of misery and if young drivers were exposed to the gruesome sights they regularly witness many would be hanging up their car keys for good. Given the regularity of carnage on our highways
LYMINGTON'S double Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie will have the chance to defend his Olympic crown in Beijing, as the 30-year-old is one of nine sailors to have today been officially selected by the British Olympic Association to compete at the 2008
EXPERIENCED Swede Freddie Eriksson has been brought in to "stabilise" Pirates' 2008 line-up. The 26-year-old, who rode for Oxford last term, fits into Poole Castle Cover's team on a 3.06 average. Eriksson, who has also ridden for King's Lynn and Ipswich
BOSS Tom Killick admits the absence of injured star men Taffy Richardson, Aaron Skelton, Luke Whitley and Trefor Smith is putting a major strain on his Poole Town squad. Skelton, Whitley and Smith all looked on from the sidelines as the Dolphins made
HAMWORTHY United duo Warren Byerley and Carl Mutch face late fitness tests ahead of their Wessex League visit to Lymington Town tonight (7.45pm). Youngster Mark Seal is a new addition to Hamworthy's squad. Hamworthy United: (from) Peters, Marsh, Grimason
KEVIN Bond has revealed the mood among his Cherries players is positive a week on from the team's demoralising defeat at Brighton. Boss Bond was furious following the agonising 3-2 loss at the Withdean Stadium on New Year's Day after his side twice fought
WIMBORNE player-manager Christer Warren believes they are capable of "doing a Winchester City" if they gain Southern League status at the end of this season. The Wessex League have confirmed Magpies have officially applied for promotion alongside AFC
STAR defender Josh Gowling is planning to use this afternoon's reserve match to blow away the cobwebs as he bids to regain full fitness. The Cherries centre-half admitted to feeling a "bit sluggish" after being sidelined since the FA Cup defeat at Millwall
A MASSIVE ongoing overhaul of the Tank Museum at Bovington is taking shape. New buildings are under construction and rare and historic tanks, including one designed to be flown into battle, are being brought out of storage. In the latest development
IS the controversial Solar Pyramid only being considered as a remedy to restore the ailing fortunes of Poole Quay? This was the question posed to Borough of Poole Strategic Director Jim Bright following his comments in a email forwarded to the Echo by
JASON Doyle will ride through the pain barrier of a suspected broken ankle in the Australian Championship fourth round tomorrow. The outgoing Pirates rider believes he cracked the same bone that he broke in a Good Friday spill at Wimborne Road in the
BASHLEY target man Ryan Moss has backed his team to extend their unbeaten home run when they face much-fancied Team Bath tonight (7.45pm). Steve Riley's side have made Bashley Road a fortress in the BGB Premier Division this season, with six victories
Thieves broke into a Poole church and made off with a safe and a valuable silver chalice. The discovery was made at Newtown Methodist Church on Ringwood Road, opposite the Albion pub, on Sunday. Police believe the thieves broke in through a window in
