TODAY sees the second part of our look back at the stories that made headlines in 2023.

We’re looking back at what happened in the months of April, May, and June.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Echo for the next instalment.

April

A hotelier blasted the council for not clearing a build up of sand on the beach after it continuously blew onto his hotel’s terrace at Sandbanks

Politician-turned-presenter Michael Portillo was seen filming at Corfe Castle railway station

Resident Alexandra Stevens said Petersfield Road by Kings Park could be the contender for the worst road in the England for potholes

Residents in Alderholt staged a funeral for their village in response to a development that would double its size

14 members of BCP Council staff received annual remuneration of more than £100,000, according to the latest Taxpayers’ Alliance Town Hall Rich List

Owners of The Pipe Shop, Richard Inglis and Mandy Inglis, announced they would be stepping down after 20 years

The National Trust opened a new café in Studland

A four-year-old child received a heart-warming letter from a police officer after he reported his toy car was run over in the road

May

Two children tragically died following an incident in the water near Bournemouth Pier

Multiple cars were set on fire in Wimborne, Broadstone, and Merley

More than 900 riders took part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole

Hollywood star Dan Akroyd stunned diners after visiting Billy Winters Beach Bar and Diner in Weymouth

Better Gym in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth closed its doors for good

Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith took on Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium

Green-fingered couple Dawn and Terry Heaver opened their incredible Japanese-themed garden they spent 20 years building to members of the public

Voters headed to the polls for the local council elections

June

Prince William visited Dorset as Bournemouth was unveiled as one of the partner locations for The Royal Foundation's Homewards programme

Developers unveiled plans to transform the former House of Fraser store in Bournemouth with student accommodation and a night club

Lidl formally submitted plans to build new Bournemouth supermarket at Westover Retail Park

A car ended up in the water at Sandbanks after the driver got out to buy an ice cream and forgot to put the handbrake on

Gary O'Neil was sacked with Andoni Iraola named the new boss of AFC Bournemouth

Dorset camp site Back of Beyond was named the nation’s best for adult-only holidays