Archive

  • Getting to grips with women’s wrestling!

    YOU know that scene in the film Jurassic Park, where the footsteps of a dinosaur make ripples in a glass of water? Well I had a similar sense of fear while waiting for Weymouth wrestling legend Klondyke Kate. Mind you, it was my own fault

  • Steaming in at 42nd Great Dorset Steam Fair

    SUNNY skies heralded the opening of the 42nd Great Dorset Steam Fair near Blandford today. The ever-popular show – known as the biggest steam and vintage show in the world – drew more than 200,000 visitors from far and wide last year and organisers

  • Nominations invited for Jurassic Coast award

    NOMINATIONS are being sought for worthy winners of a new award recognising special contributions to Dorset’s prized Jurassic Coast. Anyone who has shown outstanding dedication to the conservation and enhancement of the World Heritage Site, be it through

  • Meal for Pakistan flood aid raises £21,000

    TRADERS in Bournemouth have helped to raise more than £21,000 for the survivors of the Pakistan floods at a special Ramadan fast-breaking meal. The fundraising iftar, organised by Islamic Relief was attended by 90 guests at Bournemouth Learning

  • Cash pledge signals way ahead for road

    COUNTY chiefs have agreed to increase funding for Verwood’s long-planned southern distributor road by £2.53m. The project, for a road diverting traffic from the town centre – to complement the northern distributor road built in 1999 – has been dogged

  • Ben makes ‘amazing progress’ after freak diving accident

    A YOUNGSTER whose dreams of an Olympic swimming career were dashed after a freak accident this summer is making “amazing progress” with his recovery. Ben Clark from Hamworthy, a potential 2012 Olympic competitor and lifeguard, suffered serious injuries

  • Wareham children's centre reopens after theft

    A CHILDREN’S centre forced to close after thieves stripped its roof of lead has reopened. Dozens of families were affected by the closure of Wareham’s Children’s Centre after the lead thefts, last month, caused a partial roof collapse. Rain water leaked

  • Battle of Britain radar station restored at Purbeck

    A BATTLE of Britain radar station that played a vital role in fighting off the Luftwaffe during World War Two has been restored by an unlikely source – a group of convicted offenders. The buildings, near Worth Matravers, Purbeck, house the

  • Dance'd be a fine thing

    A BALLROOM dancing couple with more than 60 years’ experience will be handing over the baton to young street dancers as Pavilion Dance – the South West’s new centre for dance – opens at Bournemouth Pavilion on Saturday. Fred Kendall, 80, and his wife

  • Crash causes rush-hour chaos

    EMERGENCY services were scrambled to the A35 Lyndhurst Road near Christchurch at 5.05 pm today (Wed)following a crash involving two vehicles. Firefighters are freeing an elderly man from the wreckage of one of the vehicles. The crash

  • Athletics: Hunt's leading role for Dorset

    NICHOLAS Hunt led Dorset’s under-15 boys to fourth in the South of England Inter-Counties Championships at Hendon. Hunt won both the long jump (6.26m) and discus (42.55m), and was second in the 80m hurdles (11.38s). His success put the

  • Parfitt joins the Seagulls coaching staff

    CHRISTCHURCH and New Milton Seagulls have appointed Adam Parfitt as their new assistant coach. He joins Seagulls from his childhood club Street and District in Somerset, where he has had a voluntary role running the age group development squad under

  • London's calling for Botswana boy Todd

    TEENAGER Adrian Todd is firmly on course to fulfil his dream of swimming in the London Olympic Games – despite having less than three months’ experience as a club swimmer. In fact the 16-year-old from Branksome finds himself in the extraordinary position

  • Milestone for activity centre

    THE Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre is celebrating its 2,000th visitor since being taken over by Brockenhurst College. The centre was on the brink of closure when the college took over its management in April. It offers extensive facilities

  • Oh no! We just hate homework

    AS children return to school after the long summer break, a survey has revealed many parents are dreading the return of homework. Nearly a third told a poll for the Netmums website that homework is “a bit of a chore” and said it is difficult to fit

  • Helping your children cut ‘Big School’ down to size

    EXPERTS have issued advice for parents of thousands of Dorset and Hampshire children moving to secondary school within the next few days. Educational psychologist Professor Julian Elliott said many young people will be entering schools up to 10 times

  • Cuppa coffee for great cause

    A LEADING cancer charity is urging people across Bournemouth and Dorset to raise more than £100,000 by taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Macmillan Cancer Support wants people across the area to take part in the event on Friday, September

  • Four-times escapee is back in jail

    A man who has escaped from prison four times is back behind bars after his latest bid for freedom lasted just three days. Andrew Barrios-Santana admitted escaping from Stanford open prison, Kent, on August 19. Desmond Duffy, proecuting, told Bournemouth

  • Dismay in Dorset at threat to Gurkhas

    FEARS Gurkha soldiers could be facing the axe have been met with dismay by Dorset veterans of the legendary regiment. The Queens Gurkha Signals enjoy the freedom of Blandford, as many members of the regiment spend time at Blandford Camp’s Royal

  • Main Purbeck road closed by car crash

    THREE elderly people escaped with minor injuries after an accident near Wareham this morning (September 1). A red Kia, travelling towards Wareham, collided with hedges and trees after leaving the A352 just before 10am. It came to rest

  • It wouldn't be September without

    Dorset County Show (Saturday 4, Sunday 5) Experience a truly wild day out for the whole family at this year’s Dorset County show where, as well as the usual menagerie of amazing animals, ‘wolfman’ Shaun Ellis, will be showing his fearsome

  • Row over who triggered £18,000 Poole by-election

    A ROW has erupted over who called a Poole by-election, which is set to cost council tax payers £18,000. The resignation of Newtown ward Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Plummer in July has resulted in voters being called to the polls in September, eight

  • Electronic artist Deadmau5 to play 02 Academy Bournemouth

    ARGUABLY the world’s biggest electronic artist, deadmau5 returns to the O2 Academy Bournemouth on December 8 to kick off his biggest tour to date that will see him become the first ever electronic act to headline London’s legendary Earls Court,

  • Rare long-eared owl "stolen to order" from Poole owners

    A RARE owl stolen in Poole has probably already been sold off on the black market, say the owners who hand-reared it. Thieves broke through a seven-foot gate at Wessex Bird of Prey Rescue’s home in Canford Heath to make off with Leona, a two-year-old

  • Celebrating real ale at Corfe Mullen inn

    THE Lambs Green Inn in Corfe Mullen is promising a rare treat for beer lovers – and a healthy boost for charity too. The picturesque pub is hosting a one-off real ale festival this weekend, which will feature 15 award-winning beers from the

  • Falafel in Pitta

    Falafel in Pitta Makes 12 2tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, washed and drained 1tsp ground cumin 1tsp ground coriander Handful freshly chopped coriander/mint 2tbsp mango chutney

  • East Meets West in this vodka cocktail

    OUR cocktail of the week comes courtesy of mixologist Liam Savage, manager of Penn Central in Penn Hill. East Meets West 2 whole kumquats 1 fresh passion fruit half a lime 1 bar spoon of white sugar 50 ml Grey Goose vodka Cut the kumquats

  • Pensioner fighting for life after New Forest crash

    AN elderly man is fighting for his life in Southampton General Hospital after he was in collision with a car in New Milton yesterday morning. The 85-year-old, who has not been named, is a resident at the Barton Lodge Care Home in Barton Common

  • Good clean fun for regulars

    ON Friday evening at just after 6pm a gathering of locals descended on Harbourside Beach at Sandbanks to litter-pick in aid of nothing more than local pride and the wish to see part of their public space cleared of debris. Armed with wellies, bags,

  • A Gala occasion

    I READ with interest that the Gala Bingo Club is to become a 21st Century Church (Have Your Say, August 25). My husband and I were married at St John’s Church in Moordown, which is opposite, and we held our reception in the restaurant of the Modern

  • Green buzzword no comfort in the red

    Your correspondent (Have Your Say August 30), suggests our national debt is “sustainable” – that greenie word again. He thinks it is all a put up job. He should know that the debt is around £800 billion and the interest alone is adding half a billion

  • Team effort after Match of the Day

    I suffered a heart attack last Saturday night after watching Match of the Day – I don’t think there is a connection. I was to A&E in Poole and ended up at the Royal Bournemouth. I would like to thank all the staff who helped me – Amanda in A&E, Tanya

  • Travellers return for second illegal camp at nursery

    LEGAL moves are under way to evict travellers from a field near Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth. Around 12 vehicles are parked on the site, the second illegal encampment there in just over a month. They are believed to have arrived

  • Outrage heaped on top of heartbreak

    I am outraged at Roger Oates’ assumption that anyone against speed cameras also parks on pavements, flashes lights to overtake, parks badly at hospitals and supermarkets, jumps red lights and gives verbal and visual abuse to other motorists (Have

  • Goodbye to The Bill

    LIKE the plodding feet in the end credits, time has marched on for the country’s longest-running police drama. The final episode of ITV’s The Bill was shown last night, bowing out with a story about a teenage girl involved in the murder of

  • We’re winning in the waiting game

    In response to the letter headed Nine weeks’ wait for hospital tests, (Have Your Say, August 27), I would like to thank the author for his views. We understand that waiting for treatment can be a frustrating time and would like to reassure our patients

  • Learn to share for happy families

    I agree totally with the views expressed by Leslie Lipton (Have Your Say, August 27) concerning Poole council’s policy over the allocation of beach huts. The notion of closing a 10-year waiting list on what is a community resource is a nonsense and

  • Dicing with the demon drink

    I DON'T know about you, but it’s getting harder and harder to enjoy a good night’s sleep when your youngsters are out on the town. Until you hear that reassuring sound of their key in the front door, it’s hard to relax, safe in the knowledge that their

  • Man admits attack which left cyclist in a coma

    A SPORTSMAN who needed life-saving surgery following an early morning attack in Poole is battling his way back to health. More than five months after the attack outside Branksome library in Ashley Road, Richard Clanfield, who was knocked unconscious

  • Leader of Bournemouth council 'in dark' over suspension

    THE leader of Bournemouth Council says he has no idea why one of his Conservative colleagues has been suspended by the national party. Cllr Douglas Spencer was removed from chairmanship of the Bournemouth West Conservative Association following

  • Baby on way? It's still important to exercise

    NEW guidelines – urging that mums-to-be should take 30 minutes of daily exercise – are music to the ears of local health experts who have been making the point for years. Midwife Debbie Howells, who launched BabyfitUK, exercise classes for pregnant women

  • Just ten per cent could save a job

    I read with sadness and disappointment that Bournemouth Borough Council see fit to pay its chief executive a sum in excess of £125,000 per year (Daily Echo, September 20). I see little evidence that the present incumbent has been a spectacular success

  • Sheriff could deter the Asbo cowboys

    For four years I have been supporting the victims of targeted vandalism and criminal harassment. Following the interesting comments of your correspondents (reclaim the streets, Have Your Say, September 28), I have to say that the observations and comments

  • Another great trip, despite the bikes

    Early this month we had our annual holiday at Alum Chine, as we have for more than 30 years. We always purchase the Echo daily, and read your readers’ letters. We find the attitude towards the restrictions to the cycling speed along the front very

  • Streets paved with gold – not litter!

    I HAVE got a sensible and helpful suggestion to raise extra revenue for Bournemouth council and, at the same time, make the town a cleaner place to enjoy. Appoint litter wardens to observe the litter louts, who mostly drop cigarette ends outside doors

  • Knock down price is too much to pay

    I AGREE with Richard Grant (Have Your Say, September 16), that the flyover and BIC are the eyesores in Bournemouth, not the Imax building. What plans does council leader Peter Charon have to also demolish these and other buildings he dislikes? On the

  • Black cloud over our beach huts

    I am disgusted with Poole leisure services’ proposal to increase Poole beach hut rents by 15 per cent over three years. If this money was ringfenced to improve this aging stock of 550 beach huts it would be one thing, but it is not – it disappears into

  • Dabbling in the abstract

    NEW Forest-based artist Nicola Burley opens Soul Searching, a new exhibition of abstract paintings at the Ringwood David Lloyd Club, Ringwood, on September 12. As a painter she follows in the family tradition of painters and designers –

  • Johnny gets to grips with gout

    COMEDIAN and actor Johnny Vegas has opened up about fighting the flab for the sake of his son. Johnny, whose lad Michael is seven, says: “I wanted to shift some weight because I have a son and wanted to be around a bit longer. Also, a few years ago,

  • Everything in the garden is looking rosy red

    This week my garden will be mostly wearing red; the colour of the fruits ripening. All that industriousness in the spring is now paying off. The biggest success flavour wise, has to be my tomatoes. If you have room to grow big beef tomatoes, then

  • Work on new park at Poole's Dolphin Swimming Pool due to start

    WORK to spruce up the Dolphin Swimming Pool concourse to create the new “Seldown Park” is set to go ahead this winter. The £13,200 project will transform the uninviting paved area in front of the pool into a new town centre green space with gentle slopes

  • Cherries brushed aside in Paint Trophy shootout

    CHERRIES suffered penalty shootout heartache at Dean Court as Eddie Howe’s men crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the first hurdle. Howe’s men failed to score a single spot-kick as Torquay United prevailed 3-0 despite 90 minutes

  • Pirates: Street has faith in Poole's bid

    NEIL Street believes something will have to go “drastically wrong” for rampant Pirates not to lift the Elite League title next month. Poole’s former boss predicts they and second-placed Wolves will contest the play-off final because “without a doubt,

  • FA Cup replay: Wimborne incentive for Simon

    HAMWORTHY United boss Simon Browne could set up an FA Cup clash with brother Alex’s Wimborne Town if his side can overcome Sherborne Town tonight (7.45pm). Hammers travel to the Western League outfit in a preliminary round replay. Hammers: (from) Lillington

  • Won over by Center Parcs experience

    I mentioned to the Center Parcs people that perhaps I wasn’t the ideal person to write about the place, as I didn’t think it would be, well, all that good. Instead of being miffed, they were positively excited. “Great,” they said, “you’re

  • Great lunch ideas

    3 Pancetta, Faro & bean soup A delish high energy soup, that can be made in vats and bought to work to heat up and that will keep her fuller for longer. Makes 5 portions, (1 for each day of the week) 100g pancetta cubetti (or smoked

  • Ristorante La Piazza, Poole Hill, Bournemouth

    RISTORANTE La Piazza looks welcoming from the outside, with a wide, bright frontage, including a covered outdoor dining area (with underfloor heating). Inside there’s a similarly modern and spacious feel, although there’s room for around 100

  • Wagon Wheel Cottage, Ringwood, £549,950

    A CHARMING cottage, with an equally charming name, oh, and it’s got a thatched duck house, too! The origins of this magnificent thatched home in Blashford, just about a mile outside Ringwood town centre, are believed to date back to before the 1716 date