CHRISTMAS is a time to celebrate and for many this means a drink in a friendly pub while for others it could mean singing good old-Christmas carols. Tomorrow you can do both when Westcliff Baptist Church invites you to join a “Beer and Carols” evening
A HEARTFELT thank-you has been given to everyone who responded to a campaign to help a sick little boy. A recent David’s Wish List campaign received a massive response from our readers wanting to help the family from Christchurch. David’s parents said
A FORMER SAS man from Poole could break a speed record for reaching the South Pole. Chris Foot is halfway there after 20 days and could beat the 38-day record for a solo, unsupported trip from Hercules Inlet. An impressive feat as the 32-year-old is
THIS picture sums up the unpredictable nature of this weekend's weather. The forecast for this weekend is changing almost hourly. Promised heavy snow over Poole didn't materialise, but there were flurries over Bournemouth and surrounds.
YOUR favourite building could be recognized in the Dorset Property and Architecture Awards. The celebration of local architecture, sponsored by Bournemouth chartered town planners Planning Solutions allows individuals to vote for their best-loved building
ANGLERS heading afloat with the Poole Charter Fleet continue to find some excellent cod with a number landing fish that beat their personal best including Sean Day when he went afloat on ‘Rocket’ skippered by Trevor Small. Using a large cuttle bait,
THE final night of a worldwide tour for turbo-charged party animals the Scissor Sisters ended on an almighty high at the BIC. Fire with Fire and I Don’t feel Like Dancing – performed in blaze of glitter ticker tape and multi-coloured lasers took us
Poole conservation groups have renewed their appeal to borough councillors for planning reforms. The Vision for Poole Committee, comprising Poole Old Town Conservation Group, The Society of Poole Men, the Hamside Residents Association and the Poole Campaign
I won’t be pulling any punches this week. The financial settlement announced by the Government on Monday was awful for the Council and the residents of Bournemouth. At this early stage we believe that the reduction for next year is a massive
Art Coastline exhibition at the Creative Gallery, Wareham (until December 24) Robert Golden - Lighthouse café, Poole (until December 31) Eeles Family: Pottery – Shaftesbury Arts Centre (from Mon, until Dec 31) Cruising with the Queens - Southampton
SIX graveside holly wreaths have been stolen from Verwood cemetery. Dorset Police are upping patrols in the wake of the thefts, which happened between Friday December 10 and Sunday December 12. Sergeant Richard Partridge, from Verwood Safer Neighbour
JINGLE bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. That’s the idea of a new crime-busting initiative in Bournemouth, which could see thieves jingling all the way to a prison cell if they try to steal purses and wallets this Christmas. Police Safer Neighbourhood
CHERRIES’ visit to Rochdale tomorrow has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. The League One fixture was called off after a 10am inspection of the Spotland playing surface this morning. Freezing temperatures are forecast overnight and
FANCY escaping the cold and heading to the cinema? We’ve got film times, reviews and trailers for the three new releases below - just click the links. Plus, if you see any of these movies, tell us what you thought of them when you click through
MAGISTRATES have condemned the decision to axe the only criminal court in the New Forest as a major blow to local justice. The two-storey building next to Lyndhurst police station is one of 142 UK courts being closed by the Ministry of Justice to save
HI. I'm... Nigel Slater... and you may find the ... pauses in my sentences... quite annoying. In fact you may be... wondering. why it is that I have a prime time BBC1 food show when Delia... gets relegated to BBC2. It’s a good question,
With family and friends to please and lots of parties to attend, it’s important to fill up your Christmas cupboards and have your favourite wines close to hand. Whether you’re partial to a rich white or lip-smacking red, there’s plenty of liquid persuasion
Christmas Tree Cakes 100g self-raising flour 100g soft margarine 100g caster sugar 2 eggs Paper cake cases, two baking trays with shallow pans Assorted sweets 50g butter or margarine, softened 100g icing sugar, sifted
DORSET Police Authority has set a budget of nearly £124 million for the next financial year. The figure is a 2.9 per cent increase on this year’s figure despite a five per cent reduction in its government grant. Chief Constable Martin Baker told authority
CALLING internet users who used to watch the long-running BBC Television programme “Last of the Summer Wine.” Have you signed the petition yet asking the BBC to commission another series of the programme? Please go to website www.petition.co.uk/summer-wine
THE recent shortage of £5 notes reminded me of a time when they seemed non-existent. It was near Christmas time about 1930 or 1931. Family members and friends met at a local pub (The Richmond Arms) and enjoyed a merry time by the sound
So Friday’s Echo tells us that we are to have another rash of ‘speed cushions’ introduced into our roads as ‘traffic calming measures’. Because so many of our roads are being violated in this way it is becoming an absolute misery to drive around Bournemouth
Recently I took note as the early-morning council cleaning crew worked their way along Ashley Road, Parkstone. What I saw I found astounding. Using hand-held blowers, crews were blowing the litter off the pavement into gutters. The litter then ended
PRISON does work! Prison works because it keeps out of the community those who steal, rob, mug, burgle and carry out other nefarious activities. The longer that such people are kept ‘inside’ the better it will be for the general public, its peace of
I am writing as archivist and conservator of the Poole and Swanage Methodist Church Circuit, in order to put right some of the details that were published in your newspaper last month under the heading “Touch of glass for Victorian church”. It is clear
She’s coming back! Months of speculation have ended with the announcement that the Barfleur ferry is returning to Poole. A year to the day that Brittany Ferries announced it was withdrawing the ferry from the loss-making Poole to Cherbourg
CHRISTMAS is a time to rejoice at the generosity of your fellow men and women and to offer goodwill to all men. With the exceptions, of course, of the grubs who come out from under their damp stones at this time of year to take advantage of the festive
POLICE have released CCTV footage of a man they want to question in connection with the theft of a Poole pensioner’s shopping bags. The elderly victim was said to be “very distressed” by the theft, which took place last month outside Poole’
CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell insists Cherries will continue to pay their way – despite missing out on a big FA Cup payday. The second round defeat at Notts County saw the club miss out on £27,000 in prize money and a potentially lucrative tie against Premier
A GRIEVING family has been subjected to more anguish after £1,400 cash was stolen from a tribute night. When mechanic Luke Barnes, 25, died in his swimming pool earlier this year, his loved ones decided to fulfil one of his dreams – to turn
BASHLEY boss Steve Riley has strengthened his squad by enticing utility man Mark Preston back to the Recreation Ground. Preston, a Royal Air Force physical training instructor, made 22 appearances for the New Forest outfit during the 2005-06 campaign
CHRIS Reeves has confirmed Poole Town’s application for promotion to the Southern League has already been lodged with the Football Association. But Dolphins’ vice-chairman insists the Wessex League title favourites are not being “disrespectful to other
EDDIE Howe reckons outspoken counterpart Keith Hill has “worked miracles” at Spotland – with the rival bosses preparing to lock horns again tomorrow. The emerging managerial talents earned rave reviews after leading their respective clubs out of the
ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill believes keeping the nucleus of their League Two promotion squad has been key to Cherries’ impressive League One form. Cherries visit Spotland for the first time in the league’s third tier tomorrow (3pm) after both sides were
VERWOOD boss Adie Arnold has lamented their FA Vase third round exit at the hands of Torpoint Athletic. But he insisted Town shouldn’t be ashamed of missing out on the last-32 after losing 5-2 at home on Wednesday night. The Sydenhams Wessex League
SAM Yarwood insists his club record run of scoring 13 tries in 10 consecutive matches will pale in significance if Bournemouth secure promotion to National League Division Two. Lions currently ride high in third place in National Three South West, just
TOM Drewett believes his struggling Oakmeadians side can seal South West One East survival. The Meyrick Park-based outfit are stranded at the bottom of the table with only two wins in 13 matches. But one of those came in a nail-biting 21-19 home victory
