A WALKING festival is set to celebrate some of Dorset’s most iconic beauty spots – for the third time. Organisers have announced the launch of the Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival which will run from April 28 until May 6. This will be the third
A CHARITY has issued a plea to Dorset Echo readers for help to continue providing crucial services. The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust has joined forces with the Dorset Echo to launch the Go for Gold campaign. The charity is appealing for
A WEYMOUTH school hatched a plan to move 18 fluffy ducklings to a safe new home. The little birds came out of their shells at the Wey Valley School and Sports College where a group of seagulls were eagerly waiting. Year Seven pupils helped caretaker
South Dorset MP Richard Drax and his wife Elsebet will be opening Highwood Gardens on the Charborough Estate to the public from 2.30pm-6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7. The afternoon will be organised and run by Portland St John Ambulance
RESIDENTS and visitors are being urged to get ‘wild about Weymouth and Portland’ this summer and beyond. A partnership of organisations have come together to promote the area’s natural attractions ahead of the summer’s much anticipated Olympic and Paralympic
AN historic church will now be open to the public on specified days throughout the summer. Thanks to volunteers within the congregation, visitors and residents will be able to explore St Andrew’s Avalanche Memorial Church in Southwell, Portland, during
IT WAS ice creams and smiles all round for one ‘outstanding’ school. Piddle Valley First School pupils were treated to ice-cream as a celebration of their outstanding Ofsted result. The Office for Standards in Education produced a report saying that
A FISH and chip shop owner who came closer to winning an award is urging other fryers to enter a competition to find the nation’s favourite chippy. John and Karen Pearce of Alf’s Fish and Chips at Lanehouse in Weymouth were finalists in Britain’s Favourite
AFTER months of training Dorset’s London Marathon runners finally hit the streets of the capital to raise thousands of pounds for charity. Participants from across the county took part in the 32nd race alongside fun runners, amateur athletes
WEYMOUTH runner Meggie Crane turned 27 as she conquered her fourth marathon on behalf of local charity Three Ells Trust. The charity offers practical and financial assistance for children affected by life-threatening conditions and their families
CHESS ace Allan Pleasants from Weymouth caused a 'sensational' upset when he beat a Grand Master at a tournament. Mr Pleasants, 52, who plays for Weymouth and Wimborne, beat Grand Master Keith Arkell at the Bournemouth Grand Congress 2012. The weekend
NOISE did not annoy when Frome Valley First School spent a week dedicating all its lessons to music in all its forms. Among the activities taking place throughout the week was a visit from local percussion wizards Magic Drum, the chance to try out some
FAMILIES had a good couple of hours to celebrate England’s patron saint in Dorchester before the rains came. The St George’s Day Fair, which has been held on Fordington Green in the shadow of St George’s Church since the Middle Ages, attracted hundreds
A HERO who rescued his elderly neighbour from her blazing flat has been hailed for saving the day. Liam Edwards, of Pound Lane in Dorchester, said he did not think twice before braving smoke and flames to rescue his neighbour, believed to be an 87-year-old
SETTING a great soundtrack for this summer, Larmer Tree Festival is ecstatic to announce that kooky British singer-songwriter and actress Paloma Faith will Put a Spell on Thursday night with her extraordinary, theatrical flair. Headlining the Main Stage
THE new Weymouth Tower is framed spectacularly by a rainbow in a weekend of changing weather. Mark Probin captured this striking image on Friday evening as the sun was setting. Weymouth resident Mark, 39, said: “I was walking up Bond Street and I could
Monet, Monet, Monet FIRST impressions upon walking into Cafe Monet at Bennett’s Water Gardens in Chickerell are of beautiful garden views, friendly staff and a tranquil setting with peaceful music. My two friends and I had the pick of the
PEOPLE will be asked for their views on a masterplan for future development in Weymouth and Portland. It comes after a confusing Weymouth and Portland Borough Council vote and a debate on the allocation of housing. The Local Plan, a joint document drawn
I once read angels walk the earth in the guise of men and women. Having recently undergone surgery in Dorset County Hospital, I am inclined to think this might be true, and quite a few work for the NHS. I was successfully operated
I want to draw Dorset Echo readers’ attention to an unfolding humanitarian crisis that is going largely unnoticed by the world. In West Africa, over 10.5million people are running out of food and starvation is imminent. While no amount
Recently the Echo has published a number of letters from people who wish Christian prayers to be included as part of council meetings, the latest being from John Figg (Letters, April 17). I would like to remind your readers that Britain is essentially
Having raised the issue of people not clearing up the mess their dogs and cats leave behind I have read with interest the large amount of people and children who are fed up with the lack of duty and concern owners show. Yesterday, travelling on a bus
MISS Dorset finalists wowed judges at the crowning ceremony in Weymouth. Friends, family and fans turned up on Saturday evening at Banus nightclub on the seafront to cheer on the 12 finalists. The girls raised around £2,000 for the charity Miss World
STRONG winds led to a disrupted opening day at the French World Cup regatta but in the events where racing was possible, Britain’s top sailors made their first day count amid the breezy conditions. Portland’s Megan Pascoe and Helena Lucas ensured a Skandia
MARK Ford was the hero for Weymouth as they guaranteed their Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division status with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Hitchin Town on Saturday. The young striker came off the bench and won a penalty and then went on to
Video courtesy of Weymouth FC WEYMOUTH 2 Duff pen 68, Ford 71 HITCHIN TOWN 1 Gregson 47 MARK Ford came off the bench and inspired a second-half comeback as the Terras secured survival in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier
TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2 Suarez 49, Bell og 54 DORCHESTER TOWN 1 Malsom 25 IN the proverbial game of two halves, Dorchester led at the break but ultimately slipped to a third straight defeat in Blue Square Bet South. The Magpies were by far the superior
AFC TOTTON RESERVES 0 DORCHESTER TOWN RESERVES 5 A LATE blitz saw Dorchester Town Reserves climb into second spot in the Wyvern Premier League. The Testwood Stadium clash remained goalless with 20 minutes to go but once the Magpies got their noses
WESTLAND SPORTS 5 PORTLAND UNITED 1 PORTLAND United’s title hopes appear all-but over after a crushing defeat at fellow challengers Westland Sports. Despite still sitting top of the Magna Dorset Premier League, the Blues are now just two points clear
A WEYMOUTH and Portland-based team triumphed at the Exeter Volleyball Challenge at the Riverside Leisure Centre. Representing the Verne Prison on Portland and comprising the backbone of Wey-mouth League champions Budmouth, including 17-year-old England
Solent League Division Two WEYMOUTH BANDITS 105 PORTSMOUTH FURY 68 WEYMOUTH Tandoori Bandits broke the century barrier as they leap-frogged Portsmouth Fury in Solent League Division Two. Entering the game on the back of a 77-61 win over Southsiders
