A BOURNEMOUTH woman who met kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan while working in Iraq has described her as "very tough". Freelance journalist Christine Aziz visited Mrs Hassan's office in Baghdad five years ago while working on a story about how sanctions
Rear of 3 Sandy Lane, St Ives, Ringwood; 3/04/1359/FUL, erect dwelling; Total Construction, Elmtop, Lakeview Drive, Hightown, Ringwood (for: Mr Porter). 6 Uplands Road, West Moors, Ferndown; 3/04/1398/FUL, retention of front boundary wall (retrospective
3 Wiltshire Road, Bransgore; 82919, Extension to garage; New Forest Care & Repair, Public Offices, 65 Christchurch Road, Ringwood (for D Casey). Heathfield Lodge, Lyndhurst Road, Holmsley, Bransgore; 82935, Retention of first floor balcony and changes
I find myself in an unusual position today writing an open letter to the readers of the Daily Echo, but the fact is I feel so strongly about the Borough of Poole's reputation that I feel I must explain the truth. Many of you will have read the front page
CHRISTCHURCH produced a performance they have been threatening for some time with an emphatic 4-0 FA Vase win over Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Apart from the result itself, James Bailey-Pearce and Paul Rideout both grabbed two goals each, Sam Percival
WIMBORNE Town boss Paul Arnold enjoyed some belated cup success with his Magpies side as they cantered to a comfortable 4-0 triumph at Devon League Cullompton Rangers. Since his arrival at Cuthbury in 2002, Arnold has not enjoyed the greatest of records
DORCHESTER boss Mark Morris thanked the Avenue Stadium crowd for going easy on his shell-shocked side after the debacle of a 7-0 home drubbing by promotion-contenders Grays Athletic. "It would have been really easy for the fans to have given us some stick
IF you're in a family business that is suffering as a result of boardroom battles then you are not alone. Some 75 per cent of firms in the South are family businesses but the reality is that most will never reach the second generation and even fewer reach
PUPILS grilled West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin on his party's education policy. Mr Letwin, the shadow chancellor, visited St Mary's Middle School in Puddletown at the invitation of the school council. The council, a group of 16 pupils, asked Mr Letwin to
A FAMILY celebrated their roots by tracing the lives of their Weymouth ancestors. Gillian Kemp, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, her husband David, and Mrs Kemp's new-found cousins Marlene Broadhurst and David Ball, from Glouces-tershire, met at the resort
LAUGHTER was the best medicine when a host of stars turned out for a tribute to Portland sisters Lucy and Catherine Breakwell. EastEnders' Alfie Moon - actor Shane Richie - joined comedian Bobby Davro and Soccer AM's Helen Chamberlain in a rip-roaring
A NEW Forest Scout group is barricading itself behind a two-metre steel fence to keep out vandals and thieves. The 1st Barton Sea Scouts Group is to put up 60 metres of galvanised steel pallisade fence and gates around its headquarters in Long Meadow,
WORK is expected to begin soon on a controversial development of three houses next to a North Dorset pub. A development villagers predicted would be the "death knoll for their community" is set to go ahead next to the Drax Arms in Spetisbury. Residents
SECOND World War veteran Laurie Symes and the 100,000 old soldiers he represents have struck it lucky, marching into the finals of a National Lottery awards scheme. The 84-year-old former sergeant major is chairman of the Market Garden Veterans Association
CYCLISTS have collected a 600-name petition calling for the resurrection of plans to create a designated cycle route along a picturesque coastal trail. More than three years ago, Christchurch Borough Council attempted to create a three-mile cycle way
JAMES Hayter became Cherries' 10th all-time record league marksman and then described his Boundary Park match-winner as "the pick" of his 11 goals this season. Hayter plundered his third double of the campaign as Sean O'Driscoll's in-form side came from
EVER been irritated by that television buzzing away in the corner of a pub or restaurant? Or are you frustrated by the fact that your friends insist on having the telly on while they're supposed to be entertaining you? Well, your dream may well have come
ALCOHOL-fuelled attacks in Bournemouth town centre cost a staggering £10 million each year, it has been revealed. Shocking new crime statistics show there were 1,197 recorded assaults and public order offences during the past year - a 28 per cent rise
A BRAVE 22-year-old has paid tribute to the memory of her mum and grandmother through a gruelling sponsored swim. Lauren Gledhill of Albion Way, Verwood, lost her mum Linda to breast cancer and gran Ethel Park to kidney cancer within four days of each
INFECTION control experts in Dorset have welcomed the latest national drive to cut hospital-acquired infections. Health Secretary John Reid has unveiled a "matron's charter", designed to encourage all staff to share responsibility for stopping the spread
A RARE collection of black and white photographs have surfaced, showing Swanage and the surrounding area in the 19th century and early 20th century. Photographer William Powell ran a photography studio on Swanage seafront for many years and a descendent
ANYONE visiting the main Talbot campus of Bournemouth University, whether as student, lecturer, visitor on other business has a treat in store. Its foyer contains a remarkable exhibition of work by some of the finest artists in Britain today. The Art
BY ALL accounts, the showers were almost as hot as Cherries. (Oct 23) After scorching to their fourth league win on the trot, Sean O'Driscoll's side had to use their hosts' bathing facilities as there was no cold water in the Cherries dressing room. But
FORMER Havant and Waterlooville manager Liam Daish has become the latest contender to replace Steve Claridge as Weymouth boss. The former Coventry City defender is one of more than 25 contenders who have already applied for the vacant head coach job at
WORK is expected to begin soon on a controversial development of three houses next to a North Dorset pub. A development villagers predicted would be the "death knoll for their community" is set to go ahead next to the Drax Arms in Spetisbury. Residents
A TOWN councillor in Ferndown says his reputation was impugned when he was asked to provide evidence of charity accounts. Douglas Lock says relations between him and Ferndown Town Council have been terrible since it requested a copy of detailed accounts
RISES in fees and charges may be used to plug a £1million council budget shortfall in Weymouth and Portland, borough councillors have warned. Councillors have been told to 'carefully consider' next year's contribution of income, including harbour mooring
PROJECT manager Rod Turner told road protesters to leave when he confronted them near Two Mile Coppice in Weymouth. He appealed for the eco-warriors to abandon their campaign against the town's relief road when he visited their camp off Dorchester Road
A FAMILY reunion received the seal of approval from some friendly mammals at the Sea Life Park in Weymouth. Resident seal, Webb, has been reunited with her older brother and sister after four years apart. The common seal is a popular attraction at the
HUNDREDS of runners pounded the streets in the rain for the Weymouth 10 road race. Organisers cancelled the 2.6-mile youth race for 15 to 17-year-olds because of a lack of entries due to the bad weather conditions. But the main race went ahead despite
FRIENDS and family have been left shocked and devastated by the sudden death of teenager Stephen Ruggier. Trainee motor mechanic Stephen Ruggier, 17, suffered from an undetected fatal heart condition and died at his home in Iford earlier this month just
