WHEN new organisations emerge - particularly government bodies - it is often difficult to work out whether they will have a meaningful impact or will merely be another layer of state bureaucracy. The business community in Dorset is certainly still very
INVESTMENT in commercial property continues to increase across the South - despite a "hiccup" in demand from tenants. International investors are taking shelter in the property market, regardless of the fact that tenant demand faltered briefly, report
ITS ruined walls have featured in many photographs of Christchurch and its history can be traced back through hundreds of years. Now a new booklet has been produced focusing on Christchurch Castle that dates back to, perhaps, the 1070s. It tells of how
SWANAGE Lifeboat Station was presented with a new lifeboat, which was named after the husband of a life-long donor. The latest valuable addition to the inshore lifeboat fleet, the "Jack Cleare", was handed over at the station slipway in Swanage on Saturday
AN assault on an elderly woman in a care home has sparked a security alert across Poole. The woman, in her 80s, is today being comforted by relatives and friends as the owners of the residential care home began a security review. Police officers are still
TRANSFER-LISTED Bashley defender Andy Darnton very nearly jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. The 34-year-old who, with Mark Lisk, is the Foresters' longest-serving player, was all lined up to join Ryman Division One South club Molesey this
FORMER Terras assistant manager Ricky Haysom has taken temporary charge at Bashley following the shock resignation of Barry Blankley. Haysom, who was Geoff Butler's number two at the Wessex Stadium and has been scout/coach at Bashley this season, has
COMPTON House will be playing Dorset Premier Division cricket for the first time in their history next season. The Sherborne-based outfit booked their spot by pipping Suttoners to the Division One title at the weekend and will replace relegated Hamworthy
HIGH-flying Weymouth have the perfect incentive for beating Bath City at the Wessex Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm. The unbeaten Terras will go top of the Dr Martens Premier Division if they secure a maximum haul against the Romans and current leaders
PIRATES have been forced to call off their mouth-watering international challenge match against Team Great Britain tomorrow night (Sept 3). Poole had been due to host the national side over 15 heats, but will now stage a four-team tournament against Team
THE Daily Echo's annual search for the stars of the future reaches a climax at the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday (September 7). This year's final of the annual Star Trail talent contest features an impressive array of singers, dancers and
HIS stage act has been known to drive women crazy. They follow him across the country, stake out his hotels and wait for hours at stage doors just to catch a glimpse of their idol. Yet Daniel O'Donnell, who arrives in Bournemouth tonight for a string
Thursday 4 September: Gypsy Jack & Friends - The Cricketers; Plane Jane - Waters Edge, Poole; Rat Pack - Panorama Bar; eden - The Green Room, Portman Hotel; Purple Monkey - Plough Inn, Tiptoe; The Animals - Mr Kyps; Fallout Theory + First Reel - Mr
A BLANKET speed limit of 40mph could soon be introduced across Portland in a bid to cut accidents on the island. Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's environment and conservation committee decided last night to recommend the 40mph limit
CAMPAIGNERS today claimed that more people would have died in the Burton Bradstock drowning tragedy if the Portland search and rescue helicopter had been axed. In the aftermath of the accident - which claimed the life of a 35-year-old holidaymaker and
A DORCHESTER-BASED social housing group has been heavily criticised in a report on the way it is run. A team of inspectors from the Audit Commission said the services offered by Magna Housing Association "have scope for considerable improvement" after
SIX-AND-A-HALF years of agony and anguish came to a joyful, tearful and dramatic end for a New Forest family in the arrivals area of London's Heathrow Airport last night. Businessman George Atkinson, 53, finally stepped back on to British soil after a
A 74-year-old North Dorset motorist was caught driving on the wrong side of the road when almost twice the legal limit. Blandford magistrates were told that Henry Dean, of Foots Hill, Cann, near Shaftesbury, had been driving since 1946 without a problem
CHERRIES star Alan Connell admitted he was "tired" but "relieved" after hitting the goal trail during an exhausting whirlwind weekend. Connell netted his first goal for more than 10 months after being invited to turn out for the Cherries youth team in
IF you spot a salty sea dog, looking like one of Lord Nelson's press-ganged heroes, scuttling from Poole Quay on the afternoon of Saturday, September 13, don't pinch yourself to see if you are awake. Shiver me timbers, it could be me. Or one of 11 other
AN assault on an elderly woman in a care home has sparked a security alert across Poole. The woman, in her 80s, is today being comforted by relatives and friends as the owners of the residential care home began a security review. Police officers are still
THE grieving sister of murder victim Heather Barnett has made an emotional appeal for help in identifying her killer. Denise Levoir has told of the trauma suffered by Heather's children and said: "There is a killer out there who is controlling himself
BOURNEMOUTH and West Hampshire Water is backing proposed changes to the law over who should bear responsibility for adding fluoride to the public water supply. The Water Bill, due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons next Monday, would
POP star Darius captivated hundreds of shoppers at the Tesco store in Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, on Saturday. In town to sign copies of his autobiography Sink or Swim, which lifts the lid on his rise to stardom, Darius drew crowds of all ages for
PROPOSALS for a woodland burial site at Lytchett Minster have been refused by civic chiefs amid concerns over seeping rainwater spreading viruses from decomposing bodies. Poole-based Tapper & Son Ltd sought permission to turn just over 10 hectares
CHERRIES star Alan Connell admitted he was "tired" but "relieved" after hitting the goal trail during an exhausting whirlwind weekend. Connell netted his first goal for more than 10 months after being invited to turn out for the Cherries youth team in
YOUNG Emily Scholes returned from Scotland with a gold medal, after riding for England in the Home International Show-jumping championships. Up against Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the event, it was the English quartet who defeated all opposition to
DORCHESTER have to prolong the goal drought of one of their former favourites if they are to pick up their first away point of the season tonight. The Magpies travel to Weston-super-Mare's Woodspring Park for their first confrontation with former Avenue
BRAND new state-of-the-art sports facilities which could provide amenities for hundreds of sports enthusiasts throughout East Dorset look a step closer to reality. Dorset County Council planners are recommending approval for the scheme at Queen Elizabeth
WEYMOUTH must turn 'trendy' if it is to survive, a tourism boss said today. Pavement bars, cafs and stylish boutique hotels should all form part of the resort's future if it is to compete, not only with the south west but with the rest of the UK with
A BID to reopen ten public toilets closed to cut costs has faltered after failing to win councillors' backing. Weymouth and Port-land's environment and conservation committee chairman, Coun Jim Churchouse said councillors could vote to reopen the toilets
PLANS to demolish a historic Dorchester pub to build flats and shops have hit their first hurdle. Town councillors who met at the Corn Exchange last night gave the project the thumbs-down and said the designs, put forward by Blandford-based brewers Hall
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL specialist from Dorchester is to take up a prestigious position as a world-leading expert on medieval tiles. Formerly the county archaeological officer for Dorset County Council, Laurence Keen has now been appointed director of the Census
CHANGES in licensing laws may end in West Dorset District Council being swamped with hundreds of new applications next year. Staff have warned that the shake-up will have a 'massive impact' on workloads and resources when it comes into force from the
A DORCHESTER store has closed after its parent company went into receivership. Speculation mounted last week that home appliance specialist PowerHouse of South Street was to fold, as the shop closed its doors and staff put up notices informing customers
A CALL for a referendum on long-delayed plans to revamp the heart of Ringwood will go before New Forest council chiefs this week. Some 1,600 residents and shoppers have backed a plea for a democratic vote on two multi-million pound proposals to redevelop
MOTORISTS are facing a traffic nightmare in Christchurch which could last months this autumn as engineers work to plug a leaking underground gas supply. Purewell will be closed off to through traffic from Monday, September 15, as Transco works to replace
