IT'S been a year like no other.
Dorset has witnessed some truly incredible scenes over the past 12 months as we've lived through unexpected and turbulent times.
Some sights we never thought we’d see have captured worldwide and made headlines around the globe.
Here we look back at some of the surprising, shocking and striking moments of 2020.
Crowds on Bournemouth beach
At the end of June amid a heatwave, thousands of people flocked to Bournemouth beach.
Pubs, hotels and restaurants were still closed at this stage and few people could have predicted the sheer number of visitors we would see.
BCP Council declared a major incident and urged people to stay away until July 4 when more facilities would be open.
Former BCP Council leader Vikki Slade: “We are absolutely appalled at the scenes witnessed on our beaches, particularly at Bournemouth and Sandbanks, in the last 24-48 hours.
"The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking and our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe. We have had no choice now but to declare a major incident and initiate an emergency response.”
Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals also declared a major incident standby due to the 'extremely crowd beaches, traffic gridlock and the number of incidents of public incidents and risks of fire and to public health'.
Prime minister Boris Johnson branded the scenes at Bournemouth beach “completely unacceptable”.
Picture by Matt Pinner
Picture by Matt Pinner
Sadly, with the huge number of visitors came parking mayhem, issues with beach camping and endless amounts of litter left strewn along the beach.
BCP Council subsequently launch a beach tracker app which told people how busy the beaches were and if it was safe to visit.
The BCPBeachCheck app used a live traffic light system to help visitors avoid busy sections of the beach.
Tow away zones were also introduced across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to deal with illegally parked cars.
Two air ambulances land at Durdle Door
Picture: BNPS
Bournemouth wasn't the only place people flocked during the soaring temperatures.
Durdle Door also became something of a magnet for daytrippers.
However, on May 30 two air ambulances landed on the beach as emergency services dealt with a "critical incident" involving people who had jumped off the arch.
Police were forced to close both Durdle Door and Lulworth while the incident was ongoing.
Three people sustained serious injuries including 20-year-old Ervin Aliaj who was saved by paddle-boarder Michael Wiley.
Despite the shocking scenes at Durdle Door, people continued to flock even the day after the tombstoning incident.
Roads to Durdle Door had to be closed over "safety concerns" due to the sheer amount of traffic flocking to the area.
- Read more: Demand on three summer days exceeded air festival levels for Dorset Police
British Airways planes at Bournemouth Airport
Picture by Stephen Bath
It's rare to see a British Airways plane land at Bournemouth Airport but this year it appeared to resemble Heathrow.
At the end of March, more than 30 British Airways planes parked up at airport at Hurn creating quite a sight.
Picture by Stephen Bath
Speaking at the time, Stephen Bath, former managing director of Bath Travel and son of Palmair founder, Peter Bath, said: “I never thought I would ever see so many BA planes here at once, I think 37 out of a fleet of around 370.
“An unprecedented sight. Last time there were this many planes at Hurn was before the D-Day invasion.
“Together with the Virgin Airbus A340’s, we probably have a billion pounds worth of aircraft newly parked up at Hurn."
Cruise ships off Bournemouth
Picture by Graham Wiffen
Dubbed 'ghost ships', the empty cruise ships anchored off Bournemouth have wowed some and concerned others.
The cruise ships over the summer, picture Stephen Bath
A number of cruise ships have come and gone during the coronavirus pandemic, but four remain and their presence continues to attract attention.
Picture by Jenifer Bausili López
The four ships still visible are Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, which is one of the biggest in the world.
The cruise ships have become so popular that Mudeford Ferry started running cruises to the vessels so people could get a closer look.
Ships that have come and gone include MV Ventura, Queen Victoria, Arcadia, The Marella Explorer, and Empress of the Seas.
Black Lives Matter
In June, hundreds of people turned out for a Black Lives Matter protest along Bournemouth seafront following the death of George Floyd.
Those who turned out could be seen at Pier Approach observing social distancing in a powerful yet peaceful moment of 2020.
The anti-racism protest was held after Mr Floyd, 46, died after a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis on May 25.
Picture by Gabriel Bush Photography
One person who took part told the Daily Echo: "I went to the protest because I believe it’s time for a change. Treating people as equals is not a revolutionary issue but it seems like it’s turned into one and I’m willing to use my voice to fight the injustice."
While another said: "I attended the protest because I believe that people should stand up against the injustice and prejudice that surrounds black culture and racism should stop."
Robert Baden-Powell statue is covered up
In June, a statue of scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell on Poole Quay became the focus of attention after it was put on a 'target list'.
There were concerns about Baden-Powell's actions while in the military and "Nazi sympathies".
Concerns were also raised that its presence could provoke "public disorder or anti-social behaviour".
People felt so strongly they camped out alongside it to protect it and the statue was placed under “24 hour security”.
It was temporarily boarded up by BCP Council workers in a bid to protect it
Mark Howell, deputy leader of BCP Council, said: “We are aware many Poole residents value the Lord Baden-Powell statue highly and the council has a duty to take reasonable steps to protect it for the benefit of generations to come.
"Council officers advised us that the quickest and best way of protecting the statue was to temporarily remove it. It is clear though that many residents were concerned that the statue, if removed, might not return."
The hoarding around the statue was removed in July.
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