PRISONERS behind bars and those on the outside are linking up in an innovative scheme to stop youngsters returning to a life of crime. The Prince’s Trust is now looking for ex-prisoners from Weymouth and Dorchester to help run the programme
DELEGATES brainstormed ideas as the first Spirit of Bridport business forum burst into life at the Bull Hotel. They drew up priorities for ways to improve Bridport and to boost commerce in the town – including better signs, promotion and parking. Organisers
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to bring their skateboards and bikes along to a fun-packed event at Dorchester skatepark this weekend. The third annual Dorchester Skate Jam takes place on Saturday from 11am and organisers are hoping this year’s event will
BRIDPORT is to have its own radio station Bridport FM for a week, thanks to a £31,000 grant. The money, from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, will cover a three-year project that is to be launched at 7pm on May 17 at Bridport Arts Centre. The launch
We have just arrive home from hyeres France, from what was a difficult event for us. Despite still being top British boat we failed to make the top ten. However our confidence has not been knocked and we are now looking forward to the next regatta which
DIESEL and beer isn’t a mix that usually goes together. But it’s likely to prove a hit at the Swanage Railway this weekend as volunteers prepare for the annual Diesel Gala and beer festival from May 6-8. Eight diesel locomotives and the last ‘slam door
A NATURAL healing expert from Weymouth is one of the co-authors of a new book about a different approach to health. Dr Mats Hansson suggests how the intelligence of the body which created it has the ability to heal itself in the book Abundant
BATHERS in Dorset can now check the quality of the water before going for a swim. Wessex Water is releasing storm water spill information online for the first time. At the touch of a button, people can check if bathing water quality may have been comprised
THE well is well-dressed and invites us to walk in bluebell woods – glorious colours gleam under the arches. Congratulations to Maggie Cooke and her team for yet another splendid effort. It was installed with all due ceremony for the May bank holiday
BOOGIE-woogie maestro Ben Waters is going back to school. The top rock ‘n’ roll pianist, who regularly plays with big stars, is headlining a gig to support Broadmayne First School where his children were taught. Ben is also using the concert for the
A TEENAGER who underwent three open heart operations in five days is adding his voice to a campaign to save a threatened children’s cardiac unit. Matthew Cornick, 17, of Chickerell, has been treated as a heart patient at Southampton General Hospital
THE DORSET Echo has launched a fantastic competition this week where readers have a chance of winning 27 sensational prizes. And at the same time you’ll be helping the Dorset County Hospital’s Digital Mammography Appeal where all the proceeds
Firefighters tackled a large area of blazing trees and undergrowth yesterday after arsonists targeted Wareham Forest. A fire engine from Wareham, a Land Rover and a specialist off-road vehicle attended the incident, which occurred near Wareham Golf Club
A NEW headteacher has finally been appointed for the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. The hunt for a new headteacher began in February 2007 but proved unsuccessful after the school advertised the post three times without finding a suitable successor
ORGANISERS of the Dorchester Race for Life have issued a plea for women to step forward and take part in this year’s event. With the women-only 5km events at Kingston Maurward less than three weeks there are still plenty of spaces to be filled for the
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Incident Commander, Spencer Nicklin said that working smoke alarms had alerted Mr Fuller to the fire but that he had not had his house keys near the front door and this could have added time to his escape. He said: “This
A PENSIONER saw his home go up in flames just two weeks after his wife of 43 years died of cancer. Richard Fuller, 75, awoke to the smell of smoke and the crackling of fire overhead early yesterday as fire ripped through his bungalow in Melstock
More than 50 firefighters fought a major blaze at a thatched property in West Dorset. Ten fire engines, a water carrier and a Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Vehicle were called to the fire at East Bexington, near Abbotsbury at around 6.25pm on
I REFER to the latest library offer from Dorset County Council. Sadly Debbie Ward is caught up inappropriately yet again in local politicking. Three years ago a sensible set of proposals for conserving libraries into the future was jettisoned by local
My son and I were walking along the Esplanade on Friday and we stopped by the traffic lights opposite M&S in order that my son could tie his shoelaces. I was stunned by a gentleman who was sitting on a bench by us; he had a carton of chips and instead
REGARDING the Weymouth Transport Package and the sweeping statement by the Cabinet Member for Transport (April 14) that traffic lights are necessary, it is premature and ill-founded. There seems little evidence that the intelligent traffic lights are
COASTGUARD campaigners aim to keep up the pressure as MPs heard how control room cuts would put lives at risk. The Portland Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on Weymouth harbourside is among those facing the axe in government cuts. Ministers
FRESH from winning gold at a world cup event Portland Paralympians are taking a well-earned rest before focusing their sights on Sail for Gold. Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell, both of Easton, dominated the Skud-18 class and claimed first place with
Richard Drax (Dorset Echo, Friday, April 22) knows that Britain is heavily dependent on the free movement of labour in order to support economic growth and essential welfare services. Migration may serve on occasions to draw attention to local
IT HAS now been established beyond all reasonable doubt that the destruction of Weymouth’s successful and pretty roundabouts and their replacement by dozens of traffic lights is a disaster. The new ‘cross’ roads are dangerous, ugly and incompetently
FOLK star Eliza Carthy comes to Bridport next week to celebrate her latest album, Neptune. The album is the solo follow up to 2008’s Dreams of Breathing Underwater and the first record to be released through her own label, HemHem Records. Last year
THE motorcyclist who was killed in a horror crash on the A31 was a Commando who toured in Afghanistan and Iraq. Flowers have been left at the spot between Stag Gate and the Worlds End where Warren Jackson, a 43-year-old father-of-two, known to friends
A HIGHLY renowned band visits Dorchester tomorrow for a one-off performance in the county town. HMS Heron Royal Naval Volunteer Band comprises serving military and civilian personnel from various locations in Somerset and from neighbouring counties.
DORSET County Council is faced with making cuts following a dramatic reduction in the funding it receives from central Government in its spending review announced last autumn. Prior to the settlement, the council had been looking at making total savings
DORSET County Council has revealed a shortfall of more than £6million in its ambitious bid to save £55million over the next three years. The authority will now have to find new savings on top of those already identified after receiving a ‘reality
I was looking forward to the weekend – yacht racing wasn’t something I had come across yet and to be privileged to see the racing close up (as well as working) was a great experience. I had a sneaky look on ebay before I went and one of these yachts
MARTYN Rogers hopes to lead the Terras into the Zamaretto Premier Division top eight next season – without breaking the bank. Ex-chairman George Rolls stated at Tuesday night’s fans’ forum that the Terras’ boss would have to work “to our financial constraints
BRIDPORT could yet gain promotion after news emerged that Oldland Abbotonians have failed to meet the sufficient ground standards. The Bees’ 2-2 draw against runaway champions Merthyr Town last Saturday looked to have ended any slim hopes they had of
Len Mahoney Cup final RODWELL 1 RENDEZVOUS 0 A LATE goal from Roger Boyd was enough to see Rodwell get their hands on the Len Mahoney Cup, at the expense of newly crowned Weymouth Sunday League Premiership champions Rendezvous. The disappointment
Les Hallett Trophy final WEYLINE 5 SNOOKES 0 A VIRTUOSO display by red-hot Danny Andrews was enough to lead 10-man Weyline to the Les Hallett Trophy. The star man bagged four goals as his side inflicted a 5-0 drubbing on Snookes at Portland United
I ONCE had the privilege of being invited to dinner by a very special sportsman. In fact the most identifiable face on the planet. Muhammad Ali. The venue was Planet Hollywood (how appropriate!) at Leicester Square in the West End of London. “The Greatest
BRIDPORT Reserves will be hoping to maintain the feel-good factor when they visit high-flying Westland Sports this evening (6.30pm). The Bees have taken 18 points from a possible 21 since their 1-0 defeat by Wincanton Town on March 19, and have far exceeded
UPWEY & BROADWEY 4 STOURPAINE 2 DEADLY Ethan Devaney plundered a hat-trick as Upwey & Broadwey wrapped up their season with a 4-2 win over Stourpaine. Devaney scored twice in the first half and added to his tally after the interval – inspiring Upwey
STEVE Walker returns for Weymouth Reserves tonight for their final game of the season at Raleigh Grove (6.45pm). Victory at Sherborne Town Reserves will see the Terras secure runners-up spot in the Magna Dorset Premier League and extend their winning
WEYMOUTH Tennis Club’s annual Fun Charity Doubles Tournament on May 14 will support The Baldies’ Appeal by raising funds towards a new digital mammography machine for Dorset County Hospital. The event was started in memory of former club member Will
WEYMOUTH II 0 SALISBURY II 50 WEYMOUTH suffered final heartache for the second year running as they succumbed to a strong Salisbury outfit in the Dorset & Wilts Second XV Shield showpiece. The Seasiders’ second string gave it their all but came
