Back in 2010, the Waterside Forum, Park Community Centre, had the idea to jump on the (still current) trend to have a resident choir, although at the time we didn't think of it as much as having a choir, as perhaps just a way of learning to sing with
TOMORROW the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) will be showing off its facilities with an Open Day. The world-class sailing venue is inviting local residents to visit the site at Osprey Quay, Portland from 10am until 4pm, and
PORTLAND teenager James Bishop is celebrating after being selected to represent Great Britain at the Laser 4.7 World and European Championships. Dinghy sailor Bishop, 14, fought off tough competition to be among the nine boys picked from 28 contenders
YOUNGSTERS at a Dorset school dressed the part to raise funds for a worthy cause on World Book Day. Pupils and staff at Leweston School, Sherborne, enjoyed dressing up as their favourite literary characters. There was a book exchange and sale
DORCHESTER darts ace Ben Ward enjoyed a promising start to life on the PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour with some impressive performances at Barnsley Metrodome. Playing in three competitions over two days, the 24-year-old recovered from a second round
A SIXTH-FORM student from Leweston School in Sherborne has travelled to London to give MPs food for thought on the issue of world hunger. Daisy Powles spent a day in Westminster with 28 other sixth-formers from Catholic schools and colleges across
MOTORISTS are being warned to be on guard against car crime over the Easter weekend. Dorset Police said that thefts from vehicles increase during the months of March, April and May as a result of the increase in visitors to the county and the change
THE rector of the Portland parish is using a £1,000 prize to buy camping equipment to enable struggling youngsters to go on expeditions. Clarks Village customer the Rev Tim Gomm won the money to spend at outdoor retailer Trespass. Rev Gomm,
A Weymouth shop will be hosting an annual beach clean at Bowleaze Cove on April 24. Staff at Marks & Spencer are calling for volunteers to help tidy up the beach. The event, part of a national campaign M&S Big Beach Clean-up, will take
A Big Things exhibition continues at Durlston Castle until April 2 The multi-media exhibition features work by the students of Arts University Bournemouth and is open between 11am and 4pm every day.
FIREMAN Sam, Alice in Wonderland and pirates were spotted having fun at a Weymouth school. Children at Wyke Regis Pre-school dressed as their favourite characters to celebrate World Book Day. Each pupil received a £1 book token in exchange
THE circus is coming to town when Bridport plays host to a travelling circus, five years since the last time the Big Top appeared. Circus Wonderland is due to arrive on Asker Meadows during the Easter holidays with shows running from Wednesday
NORTH DORSET: The Great Dorset Steam Fair is making a return to Tarrant Hinton, Blandford between August 28 and September 1. More than 2,000 authentic working exhibits will be on display in the 600-acre showground. See gdsf.co.uk for details
MONTHS of building work on an ‘iconic’ Dorchester landmark have been completed in time for Easter. The Keep Military Museum in Bridport Road has been screened in scaffolding for the last six months to enable specialist work to ‘breathe new life
WEST DORSET: The Woodman Inn in Bridport is hosting a Second World War day on Saturday, April 27, in aid of Help for Heroes. There will be a full day of music, song and laughter with fancy dress from the 1930s and 1940s. Tickets are on sale
Award-winning artists are displaying the magic of the seas, highlighting the importance of marine conservation zones. The amazing work of the winners of the Wildlife Trust’s Underwater Art Award goes on show in Dorset this month. Established
A BRIDE-TO-BE had a surprise thanks to her fiancé’s romantic words. Gillie Shearn received a ruby and diamond necklace from partner Anthony Blunt after he won a competition at Dorchester jeweller 2 Kings. Entrants to the competition were asked
A new video from the Fire Kills campaign highlights the importance of keeping your family fire-safe according to the Dorset fire service’s Home Safety Manager. In the video a young boy explores the burned-out shell of his former home, examines
PUPILS at the Sir John Colfox School got a chance to learn a bit of natural science and conquer their fears about snakes and spiders – with real live tarantulas and a boa constrictor. The Year 7 and 10 students were enjoying the Bridport school
FUNDS are needed to help connect young people in Dorset with nature. The Dorset Forest School (DFS), based near Dorchester, helps children to experience natural environments. Jill Hooper, of the DFS, said: “In a world which is becoming increasingly
DORSET wine producer Furleigh Estate, based in Salway Ash, has donated £245 to Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. The public were invited to visit the vineyard and taste a selection of French sparkling wines, plus Furleigh’s wines. They were asked
FLUFFY bunnies and chocolate eggs will be coming to Dorset this Easter weekend with spring fun in store for everyone. Families are being invited to join the annual chocolate-fest at a number of events and activities across the county from egg hunts
PALMERS Brewery has raised £5,657.70 for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. The Bridport brewery donated 5p from each pint or bottle of its anniversary ale, Palmers 200, to the life-saving charity. Cleeves Palmer hands the cheque to Leonie
THE HISTORY OF Herrison Hospital near Dorchester has been brought vividly to life by former nurse Jackie Allen (nee Fisher). Jackie worked at the former hospital for many years and has many happy recollections of the establishment, together with
ULTIMATE Services presented Help For Heroes with a cheque for £60 from a car wash. Mike Morrison, left, from Help for Heroes is pictured with Dawn Nash and David Atkins of Ultimate Services.
SATURDAY opening hours are to be cut at the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester. The centre is currently open from 9am to 4.30pm every Saturday, as well as from 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays to Fridays. However, from next week it will only open on
The Government’s ill-fated and potentially devastating cull of badgers in pilot areas in England is due to begin in less than three months. We need to act now to stop this slaughter and to help the cows and dairy farmers who face the threat of bovine
Alistair Chisholm‘s letter (last Wednesday’s Echo) on decision making at West Dorset DC was entertaining. However, my colleague did not mention that for many years WDDC officers have organised briefing sessions for all members on significant issues
Many people are naturally relieved at First Buses reprieving, for the time being at least, the service to Sutton Poyntz. Am I alone, however, at being very concerned to see that after over 60 years it will no longer be possible to pick up the No
I drove along Abbotsbury Road and passed the very end of the Rodwell Trail. I caught a glimpse of some rusty ironworks and I later realised that what I had seen were three figures in steel who immortalise the town’s heroes. It seems a shame
Although my internet connection is unaffected, my telephone remains inoperative as of January 19, due to a fault with the BT line. This is inconvenient, as I need to see my dentist in Dorchester, my doctor in Weymouth, and to speak to various suppliers
I think I understand what Alison Ryan, (chief executive of Weldmar Hospice-care Trust), is getting at in trying to make the distinction between the home nursing care provided by Weldmar nurses and that provided by Macmillan nurses. But for people with
Recently, the NHS appears to have become the tabloid ‘whipping boy/girl’. True there have been questions to answer about the care of patients in other parts of the UK, but here in Dorset we are blessed with first class local health care services
I've just returned from walking the dog through Charminster. What a pleasure it wasn't to walk through copious lumps of horse mess on the pavement. Not content with chasing some terrified fox, it would appear that the ‘horsey community’ feel
I've consulted various criminology texts and I can find nothing to suggest that Richard Drax is a bad person because he has too many middle names. Could we perhaps establish a rule that those spitting vitriol his way should list their own middle
Richard Drax or Victor Meldrew – who would you vote for? The latest ill-tempered rant by Richard Drax (Echo, March 8) against his usual targets may inform your decision. A few thoughts on our MP's comments: 1. Our highly professional army,
A recent Echo article states that free parking is being considered for Weymouth town centre over the Easter period. I hope not. The recent six months of free parking on a Sunday has been a commercial disaster for town centre businesses. Because
We’re very lucky with our hospital Having spent four days in Abbotsbury ward at Dorset County Hospital, I have to thank the nurses, doctors, phlebotomists and all the kitchen staff for their fantastic care and attention. I cannot complain about
I REFER to the recent plea by Mr Phil Gordon, project Director for Dorchester Business Improvement Dis-trict, for all traders to support their projects. Does he mean all traders, or the businesses who pay the levy (currently 10 per cent of the
Through your columns I wish to express my sincere gratitude, not only to Dr Costales and other staff members of the Preston Road surgery but also to the numerous dedicated members of staff at Dorset County Hospital, where I have recently spent several
Surely if, after two reviews, the Crown Prosecution Service has decided there’s insufficient evidence to prosecute the ex-Special Constable Collette Carpenter for using her mobile phone whilst driving (at the time of a crash that caused the death of
As part of this year’s OCD Week, staff from Dorset HealthCare have been baking cakes in support of national charity OCD Action and support group Obsessions Together. Trust staff raised £100 following a donation from the Wimborne Round Table.
AS a regular swimmer, I am delighted by Dorchester’s new pool and how popular it is proving to be. However, on the last two occasions when I have used it, the adult sessions on Sunday afternoon, I have been disappointed to find that a third of
ONE person in particular has good reason to remember events that took place throughout Weymouth in 1971, the year the borough celebrated its quatercentenary. Tony Biles was mayor that year and the opening of the council offices on North Quay by
LOCAL causes celebrated a cash injection thanks to a supermarket charity scheme. Waitrose in Dorchester handed out cheques to a number of organisations after raising funds through its Community Matters scheme, where shoppers decide where donations
A PACKED hall greeted Don Moxom, warden of the Fleet, when he gave his talk Chesil Bank and Fleet as a Nature Reserve to members of the Golden Cap Centre in Bridport. He is pictured with Sue Herman who until recently was responsible for organising
THE results of two years of fieldwork will be on show as a touring collection of nature photography visits Dorchester on Saturday night. Tickets are still available for The Vision, which is part of a roadshow touring the UK that brings together
ACTION man Jonathan Peirce is gearing up for a gruelling season of challenges in the name of charity. Dorset Blind Association volunteer Jonathan is putting his best foot forward and walking the Jurassic Coast from Exmouth in Devon to Hengistbury
WORK has begun to fit out a new library and adult learning centre in Dorchester. Dorset County Council is moving the two services into a shared building with the centre due to open its doors in July. The centre will occupy the same building
Early risers are invited to join an Easter Sunrise Service at 5.30am at the main beachin Swanage on Sunday March 31.
A partnership between two towns will be celebrated with a tea dance on April 13. The Swanage Town Twinning Association is marking its links with Rudesheim am Rhein at the Swanage Cath-olic Hall between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. The dance costs £4 and
A table-top sale will be held in aid of Westham Community Group. It takes place on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm at Westham Methodist Church in Newstead Road. Tables are available for people who want to sell items, and cost £5. For more information
A FOOD bank has received a donation to help those facing poverty. Magna Housing has donated £1,000 from its community investment fund to help the Sherborne food bank purchase essential items that often aren’t donated by the public such as baby
A COMPANY director and his son have been warned they could face jail after being convicted of a charge of affray. Stephen James Palmer, 44, and his son Jacob Charlton, 20, faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray relating
Cooking demonstrations will be held in the kitchen garden at Kingston Lacy on Wednesday, April 10. The local cook will be making jams and chutneys and other recipes from a variety of seasonal produce bet-ween 11am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 3pm
The WRVS Home Library Service team at Bridport Library is urging people who need books delivered to get in touch. The volunteers deliver books to anyone unable to get to their local library free of charge and can also help with befriending, transport
DORCHESTER: Julian Francis, who has written a book on artist Tom Chadwick, will be giving an illustrated talk on his subject at the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester on Thursday, April 18 from 7.30pm. Entry is free with a £3 donation encouraged
WEST DORSET: Tickets are now available for this year’s popular Powerstock Cider Festival on Saturday, April 27. The festival, at the Power-stock Hut, takes place from 7pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Tourist Information Centre
I was sad to learn that Mr Samways is very concerned that the No1 bus will no longer stop at the Town Bridge and that people will now have to walk to the Statue or North Quay to get to Portland. I think the No4/4b bus had to vacate the K4 bus stop
DORCHESTER: A spring greens foraging course is being held in Toller Porcorum on Saturday, April 13 from 9.30am to 5pm. It costs £70 per person and pre-booking is required. Book on-line at hedgerow-harvest.com
Friends of Greenhill Gardens will be hosting a quiz night on Saturday, April 20. The event will take place at the Lodmoor Pub, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8.50 including a light supper. To book call Barbara on
WEYMOUTH: There will be free stone carving sessions at RSPB Radipole Lake on Sunday, April 7. Visitors will get the chance to have a go with local sculptor Sarah Gilpin who will show them different techniques. Anyone is welcome to drop in any
DORCHESTER: All are invited to the Easter Church Cafe at Crossways Youth and Community Centre. It will take place between 10am and noon on Saturday. Refreshments, stalls and a raffle will be on offer as well as an Easter egg hunt. Every
NORTH DORSET: Dorset Police and Crime Comm-issioner Martyn Underhill has held his first forum and surgery in Shaftesbury. He used the two-hour session to speak with representatives of the community including business owners, charity representatives
COUNTY: The Dorset Area Ramblers’ series of Sunday Strolls begins on April 7. The two-hour strolls are for everyone including children aged seven and over, who must be accompanied by an adult and dogs must be on a lead. To find out more information
SHERBORNE: Yobs have damaged five cars by pouring paint over them in an overnight attack at Newlands North Car Park. Witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call 101.
WEYMOUTH: ‘Setting up for the Season’ will be the theme of the next Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce meeting at 8am on Tuesday, April 2, at Rendezvous. There will be talks given on cruise customers at Portland Port and on the Dorset Seafood
DORCHESTER: Victorian craft activities are being held at Hardy’s Birthplace and Max Gate over the Easter holidays. People can decorate eggs, make the prettiest Victorian bonnet and try their hand at a load of other traditional Victorian activities
WEYMOUTH: Littlemoor Safer Neighbourhood Team holds a weekly drop-in session on Fridays. Residents are invited to St Francis Church from 11am to talk about policing issues in the area. Advice and information on crime prevention will also be
NORTH DORSET: Thieves fled with bicycles worth £3,000 in an overnight raid in Sturminster Newton. A red and white Pinarello Dogma and a black Willier Mortirolo were taken from a garage in Pitts Orchard. Anyone with information is asked to call
PARENTS, teachers and pupils from St Mary’s Primary School in Wareham visited the Rex cinema. Youngsters dressed as characters from the Madagascar films including Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra and Vitaly the Russian Siberian Tiger to raise funds
COUNTY: South West Trains is urging people to check train times for the weekend. A normal Saturday time-table will operate on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday across all routes, except on the Waterloo to Weymouth line where there is a revised
UNIONS have welcomed news that Dorset healthcare chiefs have pulled out of a pay consortium. The Royal College of Nursing and Unison praised the move that ends the involvement of Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust (DHUFT) with the
ART and food come together in a weekend of cultural and sensory delights when the first-ever Dorset Art Trail is held between April 5 and 7. Focusing on the west and northwest of the county, this pioneering event, organised by Dorset Visual Arts
I feel that I must write to express my sadness and shock at learning another shop is to close in our town of Weymouth, namely H Samuel. I work away at sea for four to six weeks at a time, Every time that I come home I see another shop or business
YOUNGSTERS performed the honours to celebrate the history and future of Wyke Regis. Year 6 pupils from Wyke Regis Junior School unveiled a plaque commemorating the site of the former Whitehead torpedo factory on Whitehead Drive. Funds were
THE Brewers Quay attraction in Weymouth has re-opened its doors today in time for Easter. The former brewery and tourism complex closed in 2011 for an ambitious renovation project of flats, a hotel and shops but it failed to materialise. Now
A PORTLAND woman told of her miracle escape after her car flipped over on the Weymouth to Bridport coast road. Lynda Thomas, 64, had been driving home from work in Bridport when the accident happened. She has joined a local pressure group which
HE answered an SOS from the Magpies on Tuesday and Alan Walker-Harris says he would go to the team’s aid again if the call came. However, the keeper, who was only released by the club last month, expects to be back on his sofa this Saturday when
THE Terras are on the brink of making a double loan swoop, Echosport can reveal. It is understood manager Brendon King is set to boost his squad, which has been hit by suspensions and injuries, with a central defender and a midfielder. The
TOM Richardson kept the Bees’ quest for silverware intact by forcing a replay against Sherborne Town Reserves in the Dorset Senior Trophy. The ex-Weymouth midfielder, who is currently working his way back to full fitness following a spell on the
TWO more high street names are quitting Weymouth town centre. Jewellers H Samuel and Mothercare, both on St Mary Street, will be shutting their doors in the coming weeks. The closures have rocked the town centre with 20 premises now standing
