Archive

  • Brits top the leaderboards in Palma

    BEN Ainslie and the Star duo of Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson made the best of light and shifty wind conditions to top their fleets at the halfway stage of the Palma World Cup regatta today. The triple Olympic Champion Ainslie increased his lead to 11

  • Olympic class boat facts: Match Racing

    The Elliott 6m will make its Olympic debut at London 2012 after women's match racing was ratified as the newest Olympic Class in November 2008. Designed by New Zealander Greg Elliott, the Olympic boat is a modified version of the Elliott previously

  • Explorers sought for Bolivian trek

    FAMOUS Dorset explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell is taking a new expedition to a remote region of North Eastern Bolivia and adventurers are being sought for the mission. The task is to provide aid to the indigenous people and study archaeological

  • Olympic class boat facts: 470

    Created in France in the 1960s by Andre Cornu, the 470 is a small, fast boat, its name deriving from its length. It is a highly technical class, with the ability to ‘plane’ (skim the waves like a powerboat) in a high wind. It is sailed by two

  • Olympic class boat facts: RS:X

    Replacing the Mistral, the NeilPryde RS:X was the new windsurfing equipment used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A strict one-design class sailed by both men and women, the RS:X is the only boat that will bring the sailor into direct contact

  • Olympic class boat facts: Star

    The Star was designed in 1911 by Frances Sweisguth and made its first appearance at the Olympic Games in 1932, making it the oldest Olympic Class. It is a highly technical double-handed keelboat and requires both the helm and crew to be in

  • Olympic class boat facts: Laser

    Designed by American Bruce Kirby in 1969 it is one of the simplest of the Olympic class boats. The Laser, which first participated in the Olympic Games in 1996, is a tough boat, easily rigged and light, with a single sail and flat bottom.

  • Olympic class boat facts: Finn

    Originating in Finland, the Finn is a one-person, single sail dinghy that has been part of the Olympic Games since 1952. The Finn is an intensely tactical boat in which the top ten places are often seconds apart after several hours racing and

  • Mayors praise Bridport

    BRIDPORT is becoming a role model for other Dorset towns. Mayors of other towns have asked for advice about setting up their own skill centres and community justice panels. It follows a recent Civic Day in Bridport when visiting dignitaries saw for

  • Bridport shopkeeper slams pasty tax

    SHOPKEEPER Peter Toms has condemned the Government’s ‘pasty tax’ for threatening his livelihood. He has launched a petition at the Kernow Pantry in West Street, Bridport and warned that the new regulations may put him out of business. His comments come

  • Four arrested in Beaminster drugs raid

    POLICE arrested four people in a drugs raid in West Dorset. Police seized cannabis and a white powder thought to be a class A drug in the swoop on two homes at Yarn Barton in Beaminster. It was the third raid Bridport Police have held in the last six

  • Dorset's rivers running dry

    Dorset’s rivers are running dry, which could lead to an environmental disaster. Two very dry winters and springs have seen rivers such as the Piddle, Frome and Stour fall dramatically, with the South West receiving only 77 per cent of the expected average

  • Weymouth traders' fury over Town Bridge consultation claims

    MORE traders around Wey-mouth have reacted with fury to council claims that businesses were consulted about this Easter’s Town Bridge closure plans. Dorset County Council has U-turned on a decision to stop bridge refurbishment work during the Easter

  • Knight resigns as Magpies' boss

    ALAN Knight has resigned as manager of Dorchester Town due to work commitments. A statement issued by secretary David Martin reads: "It is with regret that chairman Shaun Hearn has this morning accepted the resignation of manager Alan Knight. "The Hampshire-based

  • Police hunt Dorchester knicker nicker

    POLICE in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses after women’s underwear was stolen from a washing line in the town. Two pairs of underwear were taken from a garden on Alexandra Terrace at around 8am on Monday, March 26. The culprit was a white man

  • Council pledge on Weymouth harbour wall repairs

    COUNCIL chiefs will ‘crack on’ to get Weymouth’s harbour walls fixed in order to ensure the long-term future of the ferry port. Amid claims a lack of action on the crumbling quay had led to a ‘debacle’, Weymouth and Portland councillors committed to

  • Spaces free on Wimborne BikeSafe course

    There are still places available for the BikeSafe course taking place this weekend. The BikeSafe course is available to anyone who rides a bike with an engine size of at least 250cc and will be held at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne. The course is run

  • Dorset girl in intensive care after skiing accident

    A DORSET schoolgirl is in intensive care after crashing through a ski hut window while skiing in the Austrian Alps. India Furness, 9, from Cerne Abbas, was airlifted to hospital after the incident where she lost control in icy conditions and

  • Dorset dairy fined £9000 over worker's crushed arm

    A Dorset dairy has been prosecuted after an employee was injured when his arm was pulled into a slurry separator. Andrew James Ray, 47, was cleaning the equipment at the dairy owned by M Hooper and Sons Ltd in Winterborne Tomson on January

  • In the Dock: West Dorset

    BARRY GREIG BUTCHART, aged 37, of South Street, Bridport. Admitted assaulting a police officer. Fined £240, ordered to pay £50 compensation and £50 costs. REBECCA MARY LINGS, aged 23, of Barrack Street, Bridport. Admitted theft of clothing worth £120.92

  • In the Dock: North Dorset

    CHRISTOPHER JAMES GILL, aged 22, of Elbury View, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury. Admitted failing to give a specimen of breath for analysis without reasonable excuse to do so. Fined £235 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and disqualified from holding or obtaining

  • In the Dock: Purbeck

    LUCY DANDO, aged 41 of Panorama Road, Swanage. Admitted to keeping a Ford Mondeo on a public road which was unlicensed. Fined £125, ordered to pay vehicle excise back duty of £35.84 and costs £60. DAVID PREECE, aged 50 of High Street, Swanage. Proved

  • In the Dock: Weymouth

    JONATHAN MARK CRABB, aged 28, of Juniper Way, Broadwey. Admitted driving a motor vehicle on a restricted road, namely Littlemoor Road, at a speed exceeding 30mph. Fined £100, ordered to pay £35 costs. Licence endorsed with three points. Also

  • In the Dock: Portland

    THOMAS BENJAMIN FORD, aged 19, of Harbour View Road, Portland. Admitted possessing 19 grams of Class B drug cannabis. Fined £25, drugs to be forfeited. OWEN HUGHES, aged 18, of no fixed abode. Admitted being guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour

  • BID to boost Weymouth town centre

    COUNCILLORS have thrown their weight behind a scheme that will give Weymouth town centre a much-needed boost. Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Management Committee yesterday backed the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) scheme with £41,600

  • Tourism centre’s award deserved

    The bronze award to Dorchester Tourist Information Centre in the recent South West Tourism Excellence Awards is well- deserved. The staff run and deliver a wide range of services not only of value to tourists but also to local residents. Added to

  • Visits to hospital were a pleasure

    I have had appointments at both local hospitals – two at Dorset County and one at our local hospital – in the past three weeks. The treatment I received at both these hospitals left nothing to be desired. Professional and personal, the welcome, attention

  • Roads covered in litter put me off

    I was visiting friends in Wey-mouth last week in the Park District area and I do not think I will be visiting Weymouth again. I was horrified at the amount of rubbish, along Ranelagh Road in the road, even sanitary wear. It was absolutely disgusting

  • Churlish if ferries firm didn’t return

    I have read about the cracks in the harbour wall and the proposed repairs. As it must have been in part, at least, Condor Ferries’ comings and goings that caused the damage over the years, it would be churlish if they didn’t come back when it has been

  • State of resort’s creating apathy

    I write in response to the many letters printed in the Echo in recent months regarding the general demise of Weymouth. There are very real issues that cannot be denied: inflated car park charges, road works, shop closures, essential care and maintenance

  • Campaign launched to bring back Weymouth’s fairy lights

    A CAMPAIGN has been launched to bring back Weymouth’s fairy lights – as work starts to test the new seafront laser show. The strings of coloured bulbs were removed from the seafront more than a year ago as part of an Esplanade regeneration scheme, prompting

  • Josh Widdicombe brings his debut show to Bridport

    Star of 8 out of 10 cats and BBC2’s Rob Brydon show, Josh Widdicombe is bringing his debut show to Bridport in a stand up comedy double bill with Charlie Baker. Josh opens the doors to how his upbringing in a tiny village in rural Devon didn’t prepare

  • Lotto winner claims £1million prize

    DORSET has a new millionaire. The winner of the £1,373,420 Jackpot prize from the Lotto draw on SaturdayMarch 3 – which had previously remained outstanding– has now been claimed. A National Lottery spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that the winner

  • Portland prisoners give Easter eggs to disadvantaged children

    PRISONERS on Portland have presented toys and Easter eggs to disadvantaged children. Organisers Dave Smith and Dave Cant of Nelson Wing at Portland Young Offender’s Institution (YOI), which houses adult inmates, have been encouraging fellow prisoners

  • Reserves praised by boss Taylor

    EASTLEIGH RES 1 Dorchester TOWN RES 1 ROBBIE Taylor expressed his pride after seeing Dorchester Town Reserves stretch their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Lloyd Beals put the youthful Magpies in front at fellow high-fliers

  • Rapid response from Terras

    BRENDON King believes the Terras are more than a match for anyone when they display the type of commitment they showed in last night’s thrilling draw against Chesham United. Following four successive defeats, many people expected Weymouth to get ripped

  • Ladies are making progress

    WEYMOUTH Ladies hosted their second fixture of the season against Southampton Ladies with Ruth Hicks and Charlotte Chard making impressive debuts. Fielding a smaller pack that were quick to support runners, Southampton took control of the opening exchanges

  • Super-sub Beasley inspires Terras

    WEYMOUTH 2 CHESHAM UNITED 2 LADY Luck finally smiled on the Terras as they claimed a precious point against promotion-chasing Chesham United last night. With five minutes remaining, it appeared Weymouth were heading for a fifth straight

  • Blake honours the Harriers

    PARALYMPIAN Paul Blake handed out awards to Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers at the club’s AGM and presentation night. Multiple winners this year were Mel Ward for the seniors and Ben Westhenry, Hannah Westhenry and Elinor Mason for the juniors. Club president

  • Heartache for Bees

    BRIDPORT suffered double heartache on finals day of the Dorset Youth County Cup. Seven different clubs won the seven competitions, with Corfe Mullen United Juniors lifting the under-12 trophy in the club’s first-ever final appearance. Drew Campbell

  • Weymouth shoot down Barbarians

    Under-15&16 WEYMOUTH 45 IVEL BARBARIANS 25 WEYMOUTH have now got into a grand habit of winning and the visit from Ivel Barbarians was no exception as the hosts demonstrated real pace and power. Weymouth’s first encounter with Ivel was at

  • Injured Tom sets sights on Rio

    TOM Mules refuses to give up on his Olympic dream, despite being sidelined for the whole of 2012. The talented swimmer is currently nursing a knee injury and although he hopes to return to training in the next few months, the 16-year-old is unable to

  • Premier Pentathletes

    YET again Dorset Pentathletes left the competition trailing in their wake as they dominated the South West Biathlon Championships at Millfield School in Somerset. The talented club was represented by 70 members, making up 19 teams, at the qualifying