IT was a pantomime from start to finish. Lapland New Forest made headlines all over the world when it was launched at Matchams raceway, near Ringwood in November 2008. Convicted VAT dodger Victor Mears from Brighton wanted a festive theme
THE Bournemouth Race for Life will be held on Sunday, June 19, and it will be the biggest ever. The organisers held a launch for the ladies-only run in the square yesterday and revealed plans for a 65 per cent increase in numbers. They
It was supposed to be a fun-filled day out for all the family in the run-up to Christmas. They were expecting a snow-dusted Christmas village, an ice rink, a magical tunnel of light and a jolly Santa giving out presents. The advertising
The Lapland trial threatened to derail after a juror received a text of ''guilty'' from her fiance, it can now be reported. The woman was discharged from the jury for discussing the case by text message with her boyfriend, who had watched much
DRIVERS should expect delays in Sway during March, April and May while safety improvement work is carried out on the 123-year-old village centre railway bridge. Hampshire County Council says the work, which involves building safety walls on the approaches
Brothers Victor and Henry Mears have been told they face jail after being convicted of their roles in misleading thousands of customers into visiting a Lapland-style theme park at Bristol Crown Court. Jurors found them guilty of five charges
HOSPITAL chiefs have been urged to consult further with users of Christchurch Hospital. Members of the scrutiny committee at Christchurch council were considering the two options for the future of the Fairmile hospital, with recommendations
CHRISTCHURCH fire fighters will help host a fundraising event for the Red Ranger Fund on Wednesday. The 999 Party will take place at Serendipity Sam's in Reid Street, Christchurch from 6pm-8pm. It will raise money for a young boy from
AN ONLINE petition set up by a windsurfer against the proposal for a new Poole Harbour marina has attracted around 250 names in a matter of days. Mike Barnett, who has windsurfed off Hamworthy Park for more than 20 years, claims Poole Harbour
THERE may have been a U-turn on plans to sell-off the forests but one Christchurch campaign group is still determined to have their voice heard. The Friends of Hurn’s Forests was formed to fight against the Government’s controversial consultation
Editor's Note: Purdah, the period preceding an election where political views are not permitted to be publicised, doesn't start until the end of March. Even before that, the council's press office - who are required to be politically neutral
WE have all had that sinking feeling that follows a puncture. With the hiss of escaping air in our ears, Dorset Trails hooked up with mechanic, Jon Hayes, for the inside track on getting inside your tyres. “There’s a few simple tricks to
A NORTH Dorset woman is preparing for a second challenging trek to raise funds for a charity researching female cancers. Sally-Ann Hunt from Marnhull will walk the Lares Valley in Peru in September, trekking through the Andean mountains before
PLANS by Dorset County Council to close 20 libraries and to withdraw funding for lollipop patrols will go out to further consultation. Campaigners won the concession after impassioned speeches to a meeting of all councillors in the public session
THERE was joy in the New Forest yesterday as leading opponents of plans to privatise the country’s forests and woodlands celebrated the government’s U-turn. But the euphoria is tempered by concerns there could be some nasty surprises to come if the government
HE is 13 years old and has a rare, inoperable brain tumour, but now a fundraising drive is being launched to put smiles back on the faces of a Bournemouth youngster and his family. Sarah Lock, who is best friends with the boy’s mother, is calling the
CONGESTION charging and higher parking tariffs in Bournemouth town centre would put the resort’s retail and tourism industry at risk, council leader Peter Charon has warned. Civic chiefs are also opposed to an east to west relief road running
A COUNCILLOR is appealing for more tolerance towards bus drivers after he witnessed a driver being verbally attacked by a passenger. Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts was on the 1B when the “aggressive” man got on at Boscombe Crescent and started hurling
A DAUGHTER has denied stabbing her elderly mother to death in Boscombe last year. At Winchester Crown Court yesterday, Ecila Henderson, 39, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Rosemary Armstrong, 69. Mrs Armstrong, a retired PE teacher
VOLUNTEERS aged 16-plus are needed to get rid of dangerous and unsightly rubbish from the New Forest during the annual spring clean week. District councillor Edward Heron said not only does litter impact on the appearance of the area it can also be harmful
“WHEN I go out for the evening, I like to know when it’ll be over and I can finally take my bra off.” Sarah Millican began as she intended to go on: honestly. The Manchester comic , who gleefully mocks herself for having a full blown
AN alien called Paul, a Justin Bieber documentary and another of the Big Mommas films – the box office seems to be taking a break from a run of award-nominated films. Brit comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up once again for their third
A BLIND guinea pig dumped on top of a wheelie bin in Southampton has found the perfect new home in Bournemouth. Veterinary nurse Sarah Johnson adopted the cute little rodent after hearing how she had been left in a cardboard box last November. When
Two men have been charged with a number of theft and fraud offences in relation to the alleged use of card capture devices at cash points. Following a police operation two Northampton men, aged 24 and 28, were arrested in Corfe Mullen on Friday
A SUSPECTED teenage tearaway filmed with friends during an attack on a Bournemouth shop worker has become embroiled in a heated Daily Echo online debate. Following calls for the gang to be locked up or sent to boot camp, urmum1 said: “hahaha
JUST what is happening with our police service, or in time will it actually be a service, as there will be no one left? We now hear 248 jobs could be axed by Dorset Police in the next year. I went to a meeting and was told that the rank
WE HAVE recently heard about the proposed new marina for Hamworthy. It will ruin the place we fell in love with and moved to. As windsurfers, canoeists, swimmers, walkers, grandparents etc we moved here for Hamworthy beach. All these things are threatened
It wasn’t a particularly nice day when we found ourselves, feeling a bit peckish, at lunchtime in Sherborne. There was an unrelenting drizzle, and a chill breeze, so most shoppers were wrapped up and hidden under umbrellas. It was the big box of fresh
COUNCIL tax is to be frozen in Bournemouth this year but more than 5,000 council tenants are facing rent hikes of more than six per cent. Cabinet members have recommended to full council that an average rent increase of 6.08 per cent should
A SCHOOL run mum was left terrified and in tears by a road rage attack in which a crazed man stole her car keys. Mum-of-two Tracy Polley, 44, was driving her 12-year-old son and his friend home from school when she fell victim to a “maniac”
An apt definition of a sea monster would be something of a slimy, scaly, water-spouting serpent, hell-set on dragging sailors to Davey-Jones’ locker. A creature that swallows ships whole, and fearsome enough to make even Captain Jack Sparrow shiver his
PARAMEDICS rushed a 13-year-old cyclist to hospital following a car crash in Ferndown yesterday. The accident, involving a silver car registered to a Wimborne woman, took place on Wimborne Road East at 2.50pm. The teenager was treated for non-life threatening
WILDLIFE documentaries aside, James Corden has the smallest eyes on television. A fact that only occurred to me as I watched him present the newly-packaged Brit Awards from London’s 02 Arena, because for once he didn’t have his face screwed
A PARTNERSHIP has been created to oversee the £350 million redevelopment of Bournemouth town centre. Known as The Bournemouth Development Company, the public-private partnership will be tasked with delivering attractions, homes, shops and businesses,
If you're a man under the age of 30, chances are Jason Derulo's not top of your Christmas list. He's the type of bloke you hate, with his world-class dance moves and great voice, not to mention his good looks and the fact that your girlfriend
THE firm behind the proposed wind farm off the Dorset and Hampshire coast has today announced the location for the project. Eneco says that the park will provide enough energy for between 615,000 and 820,000 homes and at its closest will be
I WAS listening to a radio programme when a lady called in to say she’d seen a bizarre sign by a footpath that led into woodland that said: “Please shut this gate after you. Failure to do so will result in the facility being removed.” Now David Cameron
COULD we please have the buses as they used to be, 60 for ladies, 65 for men, half-price fare and free when you get to 80 years. This worked very well before John Prescott stuck his nose in. B A WELSTEAD, Eventide Homes, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth
THERE cannot be a member of the House of Commons that can recall what was the big society that evolved pre-war before the state took over the welfare. In those days, people mostly lived in close-knit communities and if help was needed in these places
MANY years ago I used to live in the pre-fabs at Anchor Road, Bear Cross and I was wondering if anyone had any photos of them that they may like to share with me. If you do, you can reach me on eddiew39@bigpond.com. I would really appreciate it. Many
EXCUSE me if I am not up to speed with my opinions, but surely speed cameras were installed to discourage motorists from breaking the law. Calling them "cash cows" does not reflect the situation whatsoever; as I am sure the income from our fines is
WHILST I am pleased to read the optimistic report about the Dorset Police (‘Crime at 12-year low for Dorset’, Daily Echo February 15), this does not show the whole truth. Twelve years ago the level of crime in Swanage was unacceptably high
A multi-million pound savings package that will cut frontline services and trigger up to 500 redundancies at Dorset County Council has been rubber-stamped. After months of vigorous debate and behind-the-scenes number crunching, councillors
MANAGER Lee Bradbury thinks Cherries are thriving on their billing as underdogs in the League One promotion race. Bradbury’s comments come as Cherries prepare to embark on a potentially-defining period of an already memorable season. Starting with tomorrow
SHAUN Cooper used to measure Cherries’ success by their ability to avoid failure. Now, he uses a different yardstick. Cooper this week became the latest squad member to sign a new contract when he penned a two-and-a-half year deal, committing
EDDIE Mitchell insists Cherries are equipped for promotion and has revealed ambitious plans for Dean Court should the club reach the Championship. Chairman and majority shareholder Mitchell has overseen a remarkable transformation in the club’s fortunes
DAN Cawley insists his side can remain in the National Three title hunt ahead of tomorrow’s game at mid-table Exmouth (2pm). Lions last weekend surrendered their lead at the top of the table to Hartpury College after failing to gain a bonus point in
IN Southern Counties South, North Dorset host fellow play-off hopefuls Trowbridge in what could be an evenly-matched clash, with just a point separating the two sides in the table. Richard Miller returns to Peter Kennedy’s squad, with Simon Drake moving
WIMBORNE Town boss Alex Browne urged his players to “keep believing” ahead of their meeting with Cuthbury legend Alex Pike. Magpies will be aiming to continue their encouraging form when they entertain former favourite Pike and his Gosport Borough side
POOLE Town chief Tom Killick is bracing himself for another Bemerton battle and admits the bitter Wessex League rivals share a feisty relationship. Dolphins host their Premier Division foes tomorrow on the back of a series of heated clashes in recent
HAMMERS boss Simon Browne is searching for reinforcements as his team aim to halt their slump in form. Hamworthy United have exceeded expectations this season under the guidance of first-time manager Browne and sit fifth ahead of tomorrow’s Wessex League
TWO Boscombe councillors are set to make an impassioned plea to police chiefs over the future of Boscombe Police Station today. Councillors Mike Everingham and Phil Stanley-Watts will attend the Dorset Police Authority meeting today where Chief
