A year in review in BCP and Dorset: April to June 2022

Here we revisit the months of April to June.

April

Fire crews battled a huge heath fire at Canford Heath in Poole with residents urged to keep their doors and windows closed.

Canford Heath fire. Picture: Matt Hicks

Police were called to an illegal rave at Lulworth on Easter Sunday with music heard up to 11 miles away leaving residents unable to sleep.

Pensioner George Prince from Bournemouth said his independence was lost after losing his driving licence following a failed assessment.

Popular bar Le Bateau closed in Ashley Cross and was replaced by a new live music bar.

Ryanair added new flights from Bournemouth Airport to Malta.

The Pavilion Arms in Bournemouth was crowned the best pub in Dorset at The National Pub and Bar Awards 2022.

An error by council planners led to a 5G mast being erected directly outside homes in Bournemouth for the second time in a matter months.

BCP Council’s transport portfolio holder said parts of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will grind to a halt unless more people can be persuaded from their cars.

May 

Bournemouth Airport saw flights to nine sunny destinations relaunch as its summer season got under way. Destinations included Crete, Corfu and Zante.

King Charles visited Royal Bournemouth Hospital. 

During his visit, which was attended by the Daily Echo, His Majesty met staff from across University Hospitals Dorset and visited the new operating theatre.

Construction gathered pace on a three-acre parcel distribution warehouse in Poole which was believed to be Amazon although the company remained tight-lipped.

It was announced Italian restaurant La Mamma would reopen its doors in a new location  in Christchurch. 

June

Residents all over Dorset came together to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

Street parties and organised events were for the special occasion which was marked with a four-day bank holiday. 

Mark Bennett, owner of Patisserie Mark Bennett in Sandbanks Road, designed and baked a cake to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The baker, who previously baked the wedding cake for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2012, said he felt “so proud and privileged” to have been asked to bake once again for royalty. 

New five-star hotel The Nici opened in Bournemouth after a £27million investment. 

Bournemouth beach bar The Beach Hut Bar and Grill located on the sand at West Cliff shut just weeks after opening, saying it had “no choice but to close”.