Archive

  • Off-duty fireman in action at Portesham Hill

    AN OFF-DUTY firefighter from Weymouth was on hand to help out as a Dorset County Council vehicle caught fire. It happened just outside Winterbourne Steepleton while the vehicle was heading down Portesham Hill. Firefighter Henry Asman

  • Boat inferno in Portland street

    A GRANDAD told how he escaped an inferno when his boat burst into flames in a Portland street. Paul Reed said flames from the blaze on the Briny May boat were just inches away from his face. Mr Reed was working on his boat yesterday when a faulty battery

  • Richard Drax fears for Olympic policing

    SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has spoken of his fears that Dorset Police will struggle to cope if more cuts are made before the 2012 Olympics. Mr Drax told MPs in the House of Commons that an extra 600 police officers and agency staff would be needed

  • Views of Dorset County Hospital

    I REFER to Oliver Letwin’s column ‘Hospital’s turnaround in a year’, (Echo, November 27). Mr Letwin, in my opinion, is a good, local MP and Dorset County Hospital is a good hospital, but we all should seek to improve, praise, and not be afraid to criticise

  • Lapland New Forest was 'sheer disappointment'

    A WOMAN told today of her 'sheer disappointment' at visiting a Lapland-style theme park which she thought would be a magical Christmas experience. Angela Barnes was left distraught having bought tickets to go to the Lapland New Forest UK attraction

  • Dorset cuts: Consultation on future of Libraries

    DORSET residents will play a key role in deciding the future of the county’s library service in the wake of public spending cuts. The service will be consulting on its future as it prepares for cuts in its budget. The library service, which has an

  • Confusion as John Gregory pub in Weymouth closes

    A MUM has told of her anger after a town pub closed down the day after she paid for her Christmas Day meal. Customers have been left in the dark after the sudden closure of the John Gregory at Southill, Weymouth. Westham hairdresser Luan Gray had decided

  • Success celebrated at Dorset Business Awards

    THIS year’s Dorset Business Awards have recognised the considerable achievements of Dorset’s companies during a very testing 2010. All sectors were represented at the glittering event at Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, which was organised

  • Ginger the dog: Case put back

    TWO people accused of dumping a dog in Weymouth have had their court case put back by a week. Jennifer Hadfield, aged 55, and Michael Hartley aged 54, who are both from Preston in Lancashire, were due to appear at Weymouth Magistrates Court yesterday

  • Thomas Murton, 20, looking for engineering work

    Address: Walpole Street, Weymouth. Qualifications and experience: Thomas has recently passed level two NVQs in engineering skills, including cutting and welding, and has completed three years’ engineering training on a BTEC national diploma course

  • Carol Phelps, 58, looking for retail or kitchen work

    Address: Great George Street, Weymouth. Qualifications and experience: Carol last worked in September in a temporary role in the kitchen of Debenhams in Weymouth. She worked as a chef at the Royal Hotel for four years and as a chef at the town

  • Weymouth kebab shop terror: Worker's courage

    A BRAVE takeaway shop worker has told how she forced a man brandishing a meat cleaver out of the door before he slashed at his own face. Jacqueline Baysan suffered a cut hand when Kieran Joseph Phelan asked for free food and came back with a meat cleaver

  • Weymouth kebab shop terror: Suspended sentence

    A FORMER Leeds United Academy footballer has been given a suspended prison sentence after taking a meat cleaver and a knife into a Weymouth fast food shop. Kieran Joseph Phelan, 23, of Douglas Road, Weymouth, admitted two charges of possessing bladed

  • Hutch in shortage of strikers?

    IAN Hutchinson is facing a potential striker crisis ahead of tomorrow’s Zamaretto Premier Division clash against Evesham United at the Bob Lucas Stadium (3pm). The Weymouth manager is still anxiously waiting for Matthew Wright’s loan extension to be

  • Rico's ready for Magpies?

    RICO Wilson could be handed only his second start of the season tomorrow as Dorchester Town take on St Albans City in the first round of the FA Trophy (3pm). The 19-year-old has made just three appearances in all competitions but may get the nod with

  • Dorset police say 'Bag a Burglar' for Christmas

    FAMILIES may want Santa to visit them this Christmas but will also be keeping the criminals out. That’s why Dorset Police is appealing to the public to assist them in their campaign to Bag a Burglar as the festive season begins. Burglary increases at

  • Student fees increase would affect everybody

    YESTERDAY’S bill going through Parliament is likely to treble fees for most university students, taking them from £3,000 to £9,000 a year. When added to living expenses, this will bring the average cost of a three-year university education to £40,000

  • Meisha, Minnie, Mollie and Mia

    We are Meisha, Minnie, Mollie and Mia and we were all born on September 13. We are adorable bundles of fun who are very affectionate. If you would like to offer any of us a home, please visit soon. Margaret Green Animal Rescue: 0844 4990426

  • King waits on McKechnie news

    RYAN McKechnie is awaiting a scan to determine the full extent of a knee injury, which could rule him out of action for several weeks. The talented winger, who has made three appearances for the first team this season, initially thought it might be

  • Manager Heath looking for a lively start

    PORTLAND United manager Stuart Heath has urged his charges to “hit the ground running” against Wincanton Town tomorrow (2pm). Like a number of Magna Dorset Premier League clubs, the ongoing cold snap has forced the third-placed islanders to endure a

  • Welch hopes for third time lucky

    MAURICE Welch is optimistic of finally being able to preside over his first match since being reinstalled as manager of Chickerell United. Welch returned to the club following Chris Wilson’s resignation more than a fortnight ago but has yet to take charge

  • Senior: We can't slip up now

    TREVOR Senior has admitted that Bridport cannot afford to stumble in their next two matches if they are to maintain their promotion charge. Manager Senior has seen his side tumble to 12 points off the pace, albeit with games in hand, after suffering

  • Alcock demands improvement

    STEVE Alcock has demanded his players “buck up” ahead of tomorrow’s Dorset Senior League clash at home to Kingston Lacy (2pm). The Weymouth Sports’ manager has cut a frustrated figure during his charges’ rollercoaster ride this season and he is urgently

  • Sprules' secret to stop leaders

    MIKE Sprules has devised a game plan that, if executed by his players tomorrow, could finally halt the charge of runaway leaders Salisbury. Dorchester face their toughest test of the Southern Counties South season tomorrow as the table-topping Wiltshire

  • Royal seal of approval

    THE Queen has sent her best wishes to an inaugural event of Weymouth and Portland’s new Merchant Navy Association (MNA) branch. Chairman of the MNA, captain Paul Compton, surprised members when he revealed a letter from Queen Elizabeth II at their first

  • New lease for Wyke Regis community centre

    COUNCILLORS have approved plans to grant a new lease to the trustees of Wyke Regis community centre. Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee voted through a proposal to grant a five-year lease to the trustees for a rent

  • £3million Steps youth centre to go ahead in Weymouth

    YOUNG people in Wey-mouth are today celebrating after it was revealed a new £3million youth centre will be built. The Department for Education has confirmed it will not be removing the funding for an exciting project to develop the Steps Club