I was pleased to see your front page coverage of the exciting schools academy proposal for Portland (Island schools scheme backed', Echo, November 23). The Portland head teachers have taken the view that the Island should have a world class education
A BROKEN down lorry on the Ridgeway caused delays for motorists this afternoon. Vehicles were held up for 20 minutes while the lorry was removed from the A354, close to the railway bridge at Upwey. Dorset Police said traffic was flowing again normally
Lulworth Castle are adding to the magic of Christmas this year with festive cheer, family skating and plenty of panto themed activities to keep the busiest of children occupied this Christmas holiday, from Boxing Day through to New Year's Day
Have you ever had a terrible experience cooking Christmas dinner for your family? As the festive season approaches, many people are starting to dread the idea of cooking the obligatory big family meal; juggling all the various dishes, setting the
If you've transformed your house into your very own Santa's grotto, you could be in with a chance of winning £250 of Focus DIY vouchers.The hunt is on for the best dressed houses in Dorset this Christmas. So, whether you've created an authentic
The amount of lorries getting stuck under the bridge at the Ridgeway seems to be getting worse. Perhaps a solution would be as follows. Put up two poles on the upper and lower sides of the bridge with a wire across the road. If a lorry touched it it
Have that garden you dream of, with free tickets to the Dorset Garden Show. Spoil that garden - a great family day out! See www.aztecevents.co.uk for ticket info. Everyone with a garden should be here! For your chance to win tickets to
CONCERNED Purbeck residents today hit out at plans for six 125-metre-high wind turbines at East Stoke, near Wool. Wool resident Richard Snook and Dave and Barbara Rose of East Stoke said the proposed wind farm at Masters Pit on Puddletown Road would
RESIDENTS have scrutinised plans for a £30 million tourism and business development for Portland. They were invited to comment on the Osprey Quay scheme at a public consultation held by Plymouth-based regeneration firm the Sutton Harbour Group. The
A NEW committee has been set up to manage Weymouth Harbour. Councillors unanimously approved plans for a Weymouth Harbour management committee at a council meeting last night. The committee, which will meet quarterly, will oversee the running of the
ATTEMPTS are being made to kill deer by luring them on to a rural road - with bread and jam. Officers believe poachers may be responsible for the action at a village near Dorchester and are appealing for information. It is thought there may be a upsurge
SUPPORTERS of a new wildlife garden have been working hard to ensure that it will be filled with colour in the spring. Members of Dorchester Lions Club were out in force to help plant bulbs, donated by Dorset Works, contractors for Dorset County Council
Sacla', those irresistibly Italian food people, who brought pesto to the UK over 16 years ago, have channelled their passion for sharing the art of Italian regional food into the publication of an evocative book called "The Painter, The Cook and L'Arte
TOP bands The Crack and Jigsaw took to the stage in Dorchester to raise cash for the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal. Caretakers at the town's Corn Exchange Pete Hopkins and Steve Charles organised the night to help boost the coffers of the annual toy appeal,
Today, Dorset is considered by many to be the archetypal rural English county. However, in the Second World War, Dorset was front-line territory in the struggle with Nazi Germany, whose forces lay just across the English Channel in occupied France.
TWO Weymouth schoolgirls reached the regional finals in the 'Doodle for Google' competition. The website search engine Google held a competition that asked school children to design special logos for their website homepage with the theme 'my future'.
Ever wondered where all your missing odd socks go? Aimed at three to seven-year-olds, the Oddies takes a fun look at the question "Where do all the odd socks go?" This box set includes the first four books in the Oddies Collection! For more
PROTESTERS took to the steps of County Hall in Dorchester to voice their fears over plans to close day care centres across Dorset. Campaigners joined forces with county councillors and union leaders to make their feelings known about the growing raft
A WEYMOUTH man who died when his car collided with a tree in Wiltshire has been named as David White. Police said Mr White, 53, was the sole occupant of a blue Vauxhall Vectra which left the A360 between New Cut crossroads and Fugglestone Red roundabout
ROYAL Mail is sending letters of apology to hundreds of Dorchester customers after a postman retained mail for three months. The employee is now the subject of a conduct case. A resident of Cambridge Road said problems with the post started in the summer
POLITICIAN Ed Balls was on hand to present school leavers with their GCSE certificates in Weymouth last night. The secretary of state for children, schools and families joined South Dorset MP Jim Knight at the special presentation evening at All Saints
BUSINESSWOMAN Stephanie Pettitt is holding an open day with 'pre-Christmas business MoTs' to mark her launch at the Jubilee Enterprise Centre in Weymouth. She has expanded Equation in offices at the complex behind the shops in the retail park on the
Top restaurant award for hotel SUMMER LODGE at Evershot flew the flag for west Dorset at the county's annual business awards last night. It won the Dorset Restaurant of the Year award, sponsored by Poole Audi, at the Dorset Business Awards. A record
YOUNG Jake Sibbert went back to the Special Care Baby Unit that cared for him to say thank you with the proceeds of a sponsored swim. Jake raised £104.50 as part of a homework project at Budmouth College in Weymouth and turned it into a cash boost for
DORSET'S most westerly theatre is offering its audience a rich diet at the beginning of the Christmas season. Margie Barbour, the artistic director of the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, said: "The venue is offering up a Christmas cracker in Ann Widdecombe
ARE they classical? Are they folk? Are they a totally new category of entertainment? The answer to all three questions is undoubtedly yes, and a lot more besides. Paul Sartin (voice, fiddle and oboe) of Faustus joins forces with Paul Hutchinson (known
JACKIE - THE ALBUM (EMI) LED ZEPPELIN The Song Remains The Same (Warner Home Video DVD) THE VERNON ELLIOTT ENSEMBLE Ivor The Engine & Pogle's Wood (Trunk) TODAY'S rant is all about nostalgia. This won't come as any surprise to anyone who regularly
DORSET'S panto season gets off to a rollicking start next week. With rehearsals almost done, players from the Royal Manor Theatre on Portland are ready to perform their hilarious adaptation of Cinderella to a live audience. This year's festive feast
BURGLARS have targeted a social club in Weymouth for the second time in a fortnight. Intruders smashed their way into the Frank Reynolds Community Centre, Broadwey, through a window that had not been fixed from the first incident. Sam Hoskins, hall
TWO brothers have been put on interim anti-social behaviour orders for two years after bad behaviour in the Dorchester area. The boys, aged 10 and 14, have been ordered not to use threatening, offensive or intimidating behaviour or language or to encourage
Can I correct Mary Steadman (Time is running out on us', Echo November 24) on her choice of language regarding those who object to the relief road. In my opinion, a green' person is someone who values their planet and tries to live their life without
UNSUNG heroes in the community were recognised for their bravery, courage and selflessness at the Dorset Echo and Wessex FM People Awards. Hundreds of people from across the borough and surrounding areas were nominated for their achievements and the
46: THE SMALL FACES Here Come The Nice/ Talk To You (Immediate, 1967) I COULD have chosen just about any Small Faces single for this list, to be honest. I love them all unreservedly, and I'm already kicking myself gently but firmly for not opting
THE Framptons of Jestys Avenue, Weymouth scooped Family of the Year. Announcing the winner, Mr Kinvig said: "This family have been described in their nomination as one in a million. "Despite mum Bev suffering from MS and recently having to give up work
THE Outstanding Achievement Award went to Channel-swimming king Mervyn Sharp of Coronation Crescent. His nomination described him as a hero in every sense of the word. Presenter, Ms Greenwood said: "He's known as king of the channel having swum across
HEAD teacher Vicky Prior of Portesham Primary School was crowned Teacher of the Year, the award sponsored by Stag Office Products, after a heartfelt nomination from one of her students. Cassie Roberts of Fraser Avenue, Weymouth has insulin-dependent
PRENEE Calcut of Mellstock Avenue, Dorchester, was awarded Volunteer/carer of the Year for her selfless work in the community. The category was sponsored by Skills for Care. Ms Greenwood of Wessex FM said "Renee is a full time carer for her husband
PA WOMAN who jumped into the harbour to save a drowning man was named Local Hero of the Year at the People Awards ceremony. Annette Sanders of Chickerell Road, Weymouth was walking her dog along Weymouth harbour in the early hours when she saw a man
ANN Giffen shared the neighbour of the year award with Julia Ryan. She said: "We are a very close community and we do tend to look after one another."
TEENAGER Andrew McNulty received the title of Young Person of the Year - an award sponsored by Weymouth College. He was up against tough competition from three other nominees - Roan Doyle of Dorchester and Weymouth's Ryan Hope and Stacey Follan but Andrew
WEYMOUTH boss Jason Tindall wants his side to revel in the opportunity to become history-makers. The Terras travel to Cambridge United tomorrow (3pm) knowing they could become the first Weymouth side to win through to the third round of the FA Cup for
DORCHESTER director of football Shaun Brooks says team spirit in the camp is the best he has known it since he arrived. The county town side, who face fellow Blue Square South strugglers Maidenhead United (3pm) tomorrow sit two points adrift of safety
PORTLAND United manager Dave Kiteley is preparing for what he describes as a "massive month" for the Blues, starting with tomorrow's Dorset Premier League trip to Poole Borough (2.15pm). The islanders will be looking to maintain their stranglehold at
ROYSTON Davies has warned his Bees that a repeat of their midweek mayhem will surrender maximum points to Keynsham Town in Toolstation Western League Division One tomorrow (3pm). The Bridport manager looked on in dismay as his troops allowed Hamworthy
EASTON manager Chris Wilson has issued a warning to Chickerell United, saying his "players are not ready to relinquish their position at the top" of the Dorset Senior League. The Portlanders are currently two points ahead of the Chickens at the summit
WEYMOUTH Sports are facing an injury crisis ahead of tomorrow's clash with Bournemouth University at Cranford Avenue. Gary Bailey's men returned to winning ways last week with a 1-0 win over Broadmayne but they are well aware that they will face a tougher
TWO tribes go to war tomorrow at Monmouth Avenue when Weymouth host Bridport in a Dorset & Wilts One South derby clash (2pm). The Seasiders need a win if they are to keep on the heels of the leading pack, while the Blues will be desperate for the two
ALTON 3 WEYMOUTH 3 MATT Metcalfe held his nerve and converted a late penalty flick to ensure Weymouth completed a dramatic comeback at Alton in Hampshire One. The young Seasiders were immediately put under pressure, falling behind in the opening minutes
