Archive
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Teams sought for Chinese dragon boat race at Poole Park
TWO local causes have joined forces to urge people to experience the excitement of Chinese dragon boat racing. Diverse Abilities Plus, which supports children and adults in Dorset with disabilities throughout their life, and Poole Hospital Charity, are
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PETROL PANIC: Unite rules out Easter fuel strike - but panic buying continues
PANIC buying of petrol shows no signs of abating in Dorset, with drivers reporting queues of an hour already forming at some pumps and some closures as stations run out of fuel. You can email your latest petrol experiences to stephen.bailey@bournemouthecho.co.uk
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Brockenhurst College's Junk group to appear on Sky 1's Don't Stop the Music
A GROUP that first got together at Brockenhurst College is due to appear on a new national TV talent show at the weekend. Junk, four young men who sing and play musical instruments made from recycled materials, will be on Sky 1’s Don’t Stop
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Saddles stolen from Stocks Farm Equestrian Centre in West Parley
A CHARITY that offers horse-riding therapy for profoundly disabled people has been targeted by burglars for this second time in as many months. Police are investigating a theft of 10 saddles from Stocks Farm Equestrian Centre in West Parley
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Bournemouth Airport Community Fund to meet in May
The next meeting of the Bournemouth Airport Community Fund takes place in May – and local groups are reminded to get their grant applications in before the end of April. The Fund is open to community, social, recreational and environmental
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Poole couple celebrate 70-year marriage
A POOLE couple, who married in bombed-out London amid the uncertainty of World War Two, have celebrated their milestone 70th wedding anniversary. Les and Phyllis Gore tied the knot in Fulham, in 1942, just months after the capital had suffered the heaviest
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Winton Arts and Media College now out of special measures say Ofsted
A BOURNEMOUTH secondary school has “leapt” out of special measures thanks to “rapid improvement in all aspects of the school’s work”. Ofsted inspectors now rate Winton Arts and Media College as a satisfactory school with good features including leadership
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Police called to incident in Parkstone
POLICE are investigating an incident at an address in Rossmore Road in Poole. Members of the public have reported seeing six police vehicles and a taped-off area at the scene in Parkstone. Dorset Police say they were alerted at 11.17am
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Furious West Moors mum taking action over implants
A MUM-OF-TWO said it was “disgusting” she was not contacted about her faulty breast implants, despite surgeons being issued with a warning. Rowena Mackintosh, from West Moors, had an operation in 2009 and is now taking legal action after being told
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Imax building set to be demolished
IT’S the news many people have longed to hear – Bournemouth’s controversial Imax building is to be razed to the ground. The Waterfront complex, once labelled the worst building in England, is set to make way for an open-air events space suitable
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New chiefs join Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has welcomed a new chairman and vice-chairman on board. Simon Michell takes over the reins from Terri Gill and Roger Morgan replaces Colin Harrison. Mr Michell said: “The people of Dorset and Somerset are enthusiastic
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Young Bournemouth chefs cook up a storm
FOUR young chefs were cooking up a storm in Bournemouth as they took part in the final of the Yes Chef! contest. The finalists had to prepare a meal for 40 guests including parents, teachers, business people and members from the hospitality industry
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Accountancy firms taste Olympic glory
A DORSET-based disability charity is giving two accountancy firms the chance to run on London’s Olympic Park track this weekend. Diverse Abilities Plus are able to send teams from Ward Goodman and Princecroft Willis, who will run 100m on the Olympic
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Wimborne's free parking offer
VISITORS to Wimborne can get free parking from Monday. Shoppers will get up to £1 back from two hours’ short stay parking when they show a valid car park ticket at a participating shop or business. Wimborne Business Improvement District has teamed up
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Stanley knife threats lead to four years in jail
A MAN who went to an acquaintance’s flat and threatened him with a Stanley knife has been jailed for four years and six months. Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Craig Hooper, 22, initially came to the door of Stephen Smith’s flat in Ferndown
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Twin Sails bridge resurfacing work is successful
RE-LAYING the road surfacing along Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge has gone according to plan, say borough officials. Workers were yesterday painting road markings and laying studding onto the £21.6million bridge, after the road surfacing was successfully
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Plans lodged to turn old Poole pubs into homes
PLANS have been lodged to turn two 19th century pubs in Poole’s Old Town into homes. Developers want to convert The Royal Oak and Gas Tavern, in Skinner Street and the Pure Drop Inn, in East Street, into a block of eight flats and two semi-detached houses
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New High Sheriff of Dorset sworn in
A NEW High Sheriff of Dorset is due to be sworn in today. The outgoing sheriff is Alan Frost, 67, from Charminster in Bournemouth. He is a former managing director of Abbey Life Assurance and visiting fellow at Bournemouth University. The new High
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Elderly woman in hospital after collision in Bournemouth
AN elderly female pedestrian was fighting for her life last night after being involved in a collision with a car in Bournemouth. The 78-year-old suffered life-threatening head injuries in the incident, which happened at 12.30pm yesterday at the junction
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Face petrol pump queue with a big smile
What makes you proud to be British? The Royal family, our famous cups of tea, fish and chips? Or what about our ability to queue, to rally together in the face of adversity and our tremendous sense of humour. All admirable qualities
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Tiien delivers on every level
WHILE internet forum Tripadvisor has its fair share of quirks and foibles, it’s clear that the growing popularity of new Thai favourite Tiien is making its mark locally. Indeed, the restaurant’s launch last year certainly landed with a veritable thud
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UPDATED - PETROL PANIC: Which stations are out of fuel
Please note this story was posted on Friday, March 30 and the information may no longer be correct. MANY petrol stations were closed on Saturday morning after two days of panic-buying. We're using #dorsetpetrol on Twitter to keep up with
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Lifeguards back on three of Dorset's busiest beaches
RNLI lifeguards will be back on three of Dorset’s busiest beaches over the two week Easter school holidays. The increase in lifeguard cover at the Easter break comes in response to more people visiting the beach in the spring months – in part due to
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MDNA: Madonna proves she's still worthy of Queen of Pop title
WITH younger divas such as Lady Gaga snapping at her heels, Madonna has to seriously up her game if she is to continue her reign as the biggest selling female artist with the most No 1 albums in the UK. For her 12th album MDNA, which comes four years
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Hardcore Heaven at the O2 Academy Bournemouth
REACH for the lasers and prepare to throw some shapes at the O2 Academy Bournemouth next Friday. Fans of the underground music genre hardcore are in for a treat with special dance night Hardcore Heaven. DJ’s include the legendary Darren Styles, Gammer
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Diversity will get you in a spin at the BIC
BOURNEMOUTH gets a double-helping of dance crew Diversity when they play two shows at the BIC on Thursday. Since winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, they have performed in front of The Queen on The Royal Variety Show, been the first act to perform
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Dorset dairy fined £9,000 after arm injury
A DORSET dairy has been fined £9,000 after an employee was injured when his arm was pulled into a slurry separator. Andrew James Ray, 47, was cleaning equipment at the dairy owned by M Hooper and Sons Ltd at Winterborne Tomson on January 2,
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Sound of the Suburbs: why we're branching out with our cover versions
FRONTMAN Lewis Hawkins is still relishing the opportunity of working with his band Sound of The Suburbs, after 12 years as a solo act. The five man line-up are known for their energetic ska and reggae covers and in recent years have supported acts
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Top quality food at Miller & Carter Steakhouse
IF you’re a vegetarian – please look away now. For there are times when only a good steak will do! Now I’d heard that Miller & Carter in Parkstone, which is under new management, was worth a visit so we headed there one Monday evening. Most people will
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Lewis-Manning hospice runs out of cash on new building project
MONEY has run out to finish the new Lewis-Manning Hospice in Poole. The charity’s £2.8million building project on Evening Hill suffered a blow last week when Poole council rejected a vital planning application for an eco-home in its grounds. Donations
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PETROL PANIC: Why do drivers want to strike?
If you're wondering why the tanker drivers want to strike in the first place, here's a brief summary. Oil companies outsource petrol distribution to contractors rather than do it in-house. Retailers including the big supermarkets use
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Boscombe's video bid for Mary Portas money
Boscombe’s bid for Mary Portas money from the Government now has a video. The steering group has uploaded the four-minute hymn to the area’s potential to YouTube. The Government is looking for 12 areas to share £1million for town centre
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Jobs of former Peacocks staff saved at Sovereign Centre
THE former Boscombe branch of Peacocks is re-opening as an Edinburgh Woollen Mill today. The jobs of nine former staff at the Sovereign Centre’s branch have been saved after a surprise reprieve. Manager Maria Jones said: “It was a very worrying period
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Clean up dog's muck
ONE of my favourite places to walk, in all seasons, is Southbourne clifftops. I do this at least twice a week. One can get a terrific panoramic view from Hengistbury Head, the Isle of Wight, Boscombe and Bournemouth Pier and well as over to
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Easy entry needed for the less mobile
HOW sad that unlike most of the new-build shops, neither the Memorial Hall nor any of the church halls in Verwood have automatic entry for those struggling to enter with walking aids, wheelchairs, child/adult buggies. Only one even has a bell to ring
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Vandalism in name of conservation?
How I agree with the comment made online from ‘Skillstrack’ (Echo March 24) regarding the vandalism being carried out in the name of conservation. Soon this part of Dorset will be one vast, boring, ugly wasteland the rate the trees are being chopped
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Repetition is rather annoying you know
SOMEONE should tell him. If you are going on tour and that involves speaking to an audience, I would have thought it a sound idea to have a coach who could help your delivery of the spoken word. During the second half of his show at the BIC (March
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Aid Max Bygraves’ Alzheimer’s battle
MY father Max Bygraves, who used to live in Bournemouth, lives with my husband Barry and me in Australia. As you may know Max has Alzheimer’s and although he is physically very fit he has many of the problems associated with this illness. Max faces
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Use Sovereign centre for ice rink
RE: Boscombe Ice Rink. Developers are not interested in Kings Park Ice Rink? Why not use the first floor of J Hughes Sovereign Centre. Supermarkets are not interested in the first floor and customers don’t want to use lifts and ramps with trolleys.
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Sheds detroyed after garden fire burns out of control in Southbourne
AN elderly man has apologised after his garden fire got out of control, destroying neighbours’ sheds and fencing, and damaging a tree and summerhouse. Retired electrical engineer Stanley Lee was burning pine needles in an incinerator behind
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In the Dock: Verwood
BENJAMIN ADAM DAY aged 26 of Meadow Way, Verwood. Admitted possessing of 0.73 grams of amphetamine, a class B drug. Community order made to have treatment for drug dependency by or under the direction of Mr Lane at the DIP team as a non-resident patient
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In the Dock: Wareham
KATHRYN ELEANOUR ATKINSON aged 22 of Burton Wood, Wool, Wareham. Admitted driving a Fiat Cinquecento on Old Wareham Road in excess of 30 mph. Fined £80, victim surcharge £15, costs £35 and disqualified from driving for three months.
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In the Dock: Christchurch
ANDREW DAVID BOND aged 25 of Kitwalls Lane, Milford on Sea, Lymington. Admitted possessing a quantity of cannabis, a class B drug. Conditional discharge for two years. Costs £85. Also admitted possessing a quantity of magic mushrooms. Conditional discharge
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In the Dock: Poole
SAMUEL LUKE JEANS aged 21 of Herbert Avenue, Poole. Admitted using threatening, abusive behaviour. Fined £100, victim surcharge £15 and costs £85. Also admitted to damaging a fire door at Walkabout, Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth. No separate
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Tree felling was not a mistake
Having read the letter from Patricia Sullivan of Ashley Heath (March 26) regarding the felling of several healthy English oaks at Oakmead College, I have to ask as to what planet is she on, when writing “perhaps the college made a genuine mistake”? A
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In the Dock: Wimborne
ELIZABETH ALISON ELLIOTT aged 47 of Lea Lane, Wimborne. Admitted driving a Fiat Ducato van with 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Conditional discharge for 27 months. Costs £85. Disqualified from driving for 36 months. Disqualification
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Cook up a storm for charity with Great Dorset Bake Sale
GET ready, get steady, get baking! The Great Dorset Bake Sale was officially launched yesterday in the hope of inspiring the whole county to make cakes. The event will take place between May 7 and 13, when it is hoped that 100 bake sales will take place
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Body of hero Royal Marine Luke Taylor brought home
A ROYAL Marine killed in Afghanistan will be remembered for “throwing his heart and soul” into village life in Dorset. Sgt Luke Taylor, aged 33, was killed alongside a fellow servicemen in an attack by a rogue Afghan soldier at the weekend. The Union
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Mother jailed for child sex offences
A SHAMED mother has been jailed for two and a half years after being found guilty of having sex with two schoolboys. Davina Travi, 42, from Rochester Road, Kinson, had denied abusing the 13- and 14-year-old boys, who cannot be identified for legal
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LIVE: Latest petrol updates
Get the latest on petrol queues, raised prices and closed pumps with our live updates - or just let us know what you think about the mayhem
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PETROL PANIC: Police called to pumps in second day of mayhem
QUEUES caused traffic chaos and petrol stations were closed by police as panic grew over a possible strike by tanker drivers yesterday. Police were forced to take action at various sites, asking several stations to close temporarily to clear
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Sailing: Charlie can follow in Olympian Ben's footsteps
LYMINGTON sailing star Charlie Cox will be laying down the gauntlet to Britain’s top young sailors as he bids to land gold at the 2012 RYA Volvo Youth National Championships over the Easter break. A record entry of 350 of the country’s best Youth dinghy
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Badminton: Dorset's fab four strike gold in Exeter
DORSET became the first county to strike gold in all four competitions at the regional finals in Exeter earlier this month. Poole Grammar (KS3) and Bournemouth School for Boys (KS4) won their respective boys classes, while Bournemouth School for Girls
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Football: Another shut out as Poppies collect cup
NEWLY-crowned champions Bournemouth Poppies kept up an impressive run of clean sheets in a 3-0 cup win over Rossgarth. The under-16 Division One winners clinched the silverware with three second-half goals from Adam Baxter, Niall Bolger-Wood and Kai
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Football: Dan's brace sets up double celebrations for Hawks
DAN Arnold was the two-goal hero as Highcliffe Hawks wrapped up a league and cup double at King George V Playing Fields in Ferndown. A bright start saw Arnold give Hawks the lead before Sam Turner levelled the scores for Electric before the interval.
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Football: More of the same as holders topple arch-rivals
TRIPLE champions Moordown Athletic once again had the upper hand against their big rivals Bournemouth Electric. In a rematch of last year’s final, Moordown repeated their success with first-half goals from Callum Smyth and Louis Ashby. Apart from their
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Football: Drew's sweet volley decides a tight tussle
IT took a special goal from United’s Drew Campbell to secure his side their first BYFL Cup success against a spirited Merley team. Campbell struck a superb left-foot volley from the edge of the box, halfway through the second half, to clinch Branksome
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Olympics: Weaver snubbed by boxing chief McCracken
IAIN Weaver was last night left heartbroken after his Olympic dream was shattered. The Ferndown boxer was overlooked for the final London 2012 qualifier in Turkey next month, despite claiming a silver medal in the recent Strandja Cup in Bulgaria. Weaver
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Lions: Hardcastle would have considered quitting
SAM Hardcastle – one of the most decorated players in Lions’ history – revealed he would have considered retiring if Bournemouth had suffered more big-match misery. The 30-year-old admitted that defeat against Chinnor would have left him pondering whether
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Dunn: Players must now focus once again
LIONS chief David Dunn has warned his men that they must focus fully on the hurdles ahead as their promotion pursuit enters the final furlong. Bournemouth are just three victories away from National Three South West glory following last weekend’s epic
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Bashley boss Riley keen to keep Strugnell
BASHLEY manager Steve Riley is keen to extend defender Dan Strugnell’s loan spell until the end of the season. Strugnell has impressed since arriving at Bashley Road and his first month is due to expire following the visit of Barwell tomorrow (3pm).
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Gilkes to miss rest of season
RELEGATION-threatened New Milton have been rocked by the loss to injury of Harrison Gilkes. The 18-year-old will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a broken arm in midweek. Flying winger Gilkes, the son of former Reading star Michael
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Tennis: Prestigious Roehampton reward for West Hants' Eliz
RISING Bournemouth star Eliz Maloney has been crowned champion of the 12 and under AEGON Winter National Tour Finals which took place at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London last weekend. The 11-year-old beat Claudia Hallsworth
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Football: Greenfields are spot on in Ferndown final
CURRENT league champions Greenfields were the shoot-out kings in the under-13 cup final at Ferndown. Greenfields won 3-1 on penalties after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Poole in normal time. “We found it hard to create many opportunities against
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Football: Ben lights up final as Electric clinch cup
STRIKER Ben Claxton’s solo effort gave Electric the edge over Burton in an evenly-contested under-11 final at King George V Playing Fields. On 16 minutes, Claxton collected the ball outside the Burton box before beating two defenders and curling his
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Speedway: Boyce believes Holder can spring a surprise
PIRATES legend Craig Boyce ranked Chris Holder among the leading contenders for global glory after insisting his compatriot had a title chance. Former Poole hero Boyce believes Holder could succeed on the world scene – if he applies himself consistently
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Dolphins running out of time to sign Karim
POOLE Town are facing a race against time to add former fans’ favourite Karim Benssaouda to their Southern League promotion push. The popular striker played a pivotal role in Dolphins’ climb through the non-league pyramid before returning to his native
