A CHARITY that provides services for elderly and vulnerable people on Portland is celebrating a financial boost. Island Community Action (ICA) has secured a monthly sponsorship package from Bluebird Care on Portland that will cover its core running costs
TIME is running out to enter the Bridport Prize writing competition with the deadline less than a month away. The Bridport Prize is the richest open writing competition in the English language with a £5,000 first prize for a short story and a £5,000
OLDER prisoners on Portland can now enjoy a welcome retreat away from younger inmates. After three years’ hard work, an eagerly-awaited ‘time out’ area has been opened at HMP The Verne. The facility, for inmates aged 55 and over, includes a TV, kitchen
BRIDPORT town and county councillor Karl Wallace is set to seek the Prime Minister’s opinion on the way the future changes at the town’s Community Hospital have been dealt with. Coun Wallace, told a full Dorset County Council meeting that the Health
THREE popular local characters will be remembered at a sold-out fundraising event at a Dorchester pub. The Bakers Arms in Monmouth Road is holding a charity cheese and wine night from 7.30pm tomorrow. The event is being held in memory of Sam Nesbitt
A BOOK showcasing the literary and photographic talents of Dorset has been launched. Dorset Voices is a collection of prose, poetry and photographs from new and established writers and photographers. Editors Louisa Adjoa Parker, Jim Potts and Maria
A CAMPAIGNING Weymouth family who helped make Dorset roads safe for children have won a national award. Parents Helen and Michael Toft and their sons Alastair, 16, and Cameron, 13, have been recognised for their determination to save 60 lollipop
A FORMER counsellor who was found dead in his bed claimed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, an inquest was told. Timothy Francis Brown, 48, was found dead in his Bridport home by police officers on December 12 last year after a drug overdose
A CHARITY supporting West Dorset families is hoping to hit the heights at this weekend’s Weymouth Kite Festival. Diverse Abilities Plus, which supports over 45 families in the area, is urging people to come along and help at their stand on
DRUGS, firearms and counterfeit money were among just some of the stash seized in armed police raids. More details have emerged about the major operation which saw five premises in Weymouth and Portland stormed by officers on Wednesday. A quantity
THE father of a teenager killed in a tragic fatal crash has asked ‘where’s the justice?’ after the driver responsible was jailed for four and a half years. James Stephen Marshall Griffiths, 22, was convicted of causing the death of 17-year-old
JOINT Military Commander of Dorset Brigadier Piers Hankinson said there had been extensive planning between Dorset Police, the military and Dorset County Council to coordinate land-based security arrangements. He said: “The Olympic Guardian exercise
HUNDREDS of dancers of all ages will descend on Weymouth this weekend for the town’s eighth annual Dance Festival. More than 250 young dancers, aged from three to 19, will take part in 89 different classes comprising a variety of solos, duets, trios,
A SPECTACULAR display of military might was showcased in Weymouth Bay ahead of the Olympics. But security bosses say they are ‘supporting, not starring in’ the Games. Senior officials gathered on board the warship HMS Bulwark after three
A PORTLAND man has been cleared of two counts of rape. Daniel Thomas Anthony Gilchrist, of Grangecroft Road, who had denied the charges against him, was found not guilty by a jury following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. The 39-year-old was cleared
A BOOKLET has been published about the LymeNet community learning centre for Lyme Regis and the surrounding area. The People of LymeNet explains how the centre works and features firsthand stories from people who have been helped. LymeNet provides tuition
I’ve been looking in vain around my local DIY store for a Build-Your-Own-Ark kit. Apparently, they’ve all sold out. Some bloke with a beard called Noah snapped up the last one, the chap in the shop said. Now this can only mean one thing
Fleet unveiled A FLEET of cars, motorcycles and bicycles that will assist action at the London 2012 Games have been unveiled. The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) and BMW Group, the official automotive partner to the Olympic and Paralympic Games,
I am concerned that a member of the public is spraying weedkiller on to the grass verges alongside Glennie Way, Chickerell. My dog regularly eats grass while out on walks and so when I noticed the ugly wide strip of dead grass I phoned Dorset County
On June 14, we will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the lighting of beacons throughout the country. It is a once in a lifetime experience where people of all ages can gather free to witness these events. Except in Weymouth. The Weymouth
i have been living in my area now for more than 10 years and I have seen too many people walking up my road and alongside Salisbury Road with a beer in their hand and dumping their drink into people’s gardens. We used to have a pcso on her bike riding
I believe we use the word democracy without due consideration. Many changes are made to our lives by the political parties while they are in power, without consulting the people. These changes include: the new West Dorset council offices, the sea
AN ELDERLY couple have told how they are “lucky to be alive” after they were trapped in a car upside down in a stream and feared they would drown. Douglas and Maureen Gardner, from West Stafford, were driving home when their car struck a car travelling
CRAIG Duff has agreed a one-year contract with the Terras to the delight of boss Brendon King. The all-action midfielder has scored nine goals in 44 appearances since joining the club last September and was arguably one of last season’s biggest success
TOBY Osmond fought off illness, and his Cheshunt rival, to reach the last four of the Junior ABA Championships. Despite feeling unwell the night before the fight, the Weymouth ABC youngster produced a gutsy display at Bristol Academy to overcome James
TOM England is hoping for a change in the weather ahead of tomorrow’s Dorset Premier League opener against reigning champions Poole Town at Redlands (1.30pm). Weymouth have already seen their entire pre-season campaign fall to the recent wet conditions
MARTYN Richards will miss Dorchester’s opening two fixtures of the Dorset Premier League campaign. The skipper is still nursing a knee ligament injury and will therefore sit out tomorrow’s visit of Broadstone (1.30pm) and next week’s trip to Blandford
OUTGOING boss Stuart Heath has urged his Blues to put as much pressure as possible on the chasing pack ahead of their final outing of the season. Portland United bring the curtain down on a much-improved campaign with tomorrow’s visit of Bridport Reserves
BOAT owners in Weymouth and Portland are being invited to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as part of a spectacular parade of boats next month. Residents and visitors with vessels around borough waters are welcome to join in the fun on Sunday, June
WEYMOUTH’S Jemma Tewkesbury has helped rewrite the history books at Portsmouth FC. The star striker may have missed out through injury as her Pompey team-mates clinched the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title by beating Plymouth Argyle,
WEYMOUTH Amateur Boxing Club toasted four victories at their latest dinner-boxing show at Weymouth Pavilion. Seasiders John Corson, Jordan Croad, Dan Hearnshaw and Anthony Randall all tasted success on an action-packed evening in the Ocean Room. Getting
WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council saw a shake up in the elections, but no one party managed to get overall control. In a night of anticipation, change and fast and furious results Labour were the biggest winners gaining four seats in total
