DORCHESTER Town Ability Counts manager Calvin Brooks has hailed his players after a “hugely successful” first season. Fielding two teams in the Dorset & Wiltshire Ability Counts League, Dorchester won the Championship title and finished as
THIS year’s CM Energy UK Weymouth & District Evening League is employing a two-stage format, with the teams splitting into two divisions following the initial round of games. The opening weeks of the league saw last season’s Division One joint
HUSBAND and wife karate couple Stephen and Pam Rawson saw three of their students achieve grading success at their club’s spring course, held at the Osprey Leisure Centre in Portland. Youngsters Honey Deadman, Daniel Murphy and Max Hickman all
WEYMOUTH and Portland RFC held its mini and youth end-of-season awards presentation at Monmouth Avenue. Trophies were presented for player of the season, clubman and most improved player, with medals being given to all players. The club also
WEYMOUTH have released the club’s new home strip for the 2014-15 season. The kit, pictured, will be the Macron Kuma claret shirt with a sky blue and white stripe across the chest. The Terras have also decided to revert back to the traditional
Next Friday marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day-a day that changed the outcome of the Second World War and the course of history. Ten years ago we spoke to many of the heroes of D-Day to mark the 60th anniversary celebrations. Many have sadly passed
HUNDREDS of soldiers set off for the beaches of Normandy from the borough. Along the south coast Allied forces prepared of what would become the largest seaborne invasion in history. Many American GI’s destined for Omaha beach passed through
Learn more about the Jurassic coast. On Saturday and Sunday Scimitar Diving will be doing a sea search observer course. For more details call 07765 326728.
A vicarage garden party will be held this Saturday at St Paul’s Church, Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth from 10am to noon. It will be held in the hall in the event of wet weather.
Enjoy a playful outdoor performance for all the family on Saturday. The Big Bounce is a humorous story of learning how to play as told with acrobatics and large balls. The free event includes a 30-minute performance and 30 minutes of play,
Take in an exhibition of textiles and paintings. Charmouth artists Jane and Geoff Townson are holding an exhibition of their work at 7 Hammonds Mead, Charmouth, until Sunday June 8. The exhibition is part of Dorset Arts Week and open 10am to 6pm
THE Anchor Inn at Seatown in West Dorset has reopened after a major refurbishment costing more than £1million. The historic inn has long been famous for its idyllic seaside location. Owners Palmers Brewery have spent seven months carrying out
KIND-HEARTED volunteers have steamed to success in helping raise more than £4,000 for a new lifeboat house. Swanage Railway volunteers raised the money for the town’s RNLI with a fundraising push at the heritage line’s successful ninth annual Diesel
Get practical help to help you find a job. On Wednesday there will be a job club at Dorchester Library from 1.30pm to 4pm. It will be run by volunteers, people can get practical help with improving interview techniques, CV building and networking
Women’s Action Network Dorset is launching Wake Up Women – A Year of Empowerment on Wednesday June 11. The event takes place at the Borough Gardens Cottage, Dorchester from 6pm to 7.30pm. Special guest speaker Gill Donnell, author of Unlock
A DORCHESTER teenager has been cleared of a charge of rape. Michael Moors, of Cromwell Road, had been standing trial over an allegation that he raped a 16-year-old girl as she slept in June last year. The 19-year-old denied the offence, telling
MOTORISTS are facing long delays after a two car collision on the A35 between Winterbourne Abbas and Dorchester near Bats Lane. A road block was in place while police attended the scene, but it has since been lifted. There are currently delays
The Bishop of Sherborne is leading a service at St Catherine’s Chapel in Abbotsbury on Sunday, June 8. The service will start at 7pm.
A line dancing class will be held at Weymouth Pavilion on Tuesday. The beginner’s class will take place between 8pm and 9.30pm, with the intermediate’s class between 8pm and 9.30pm. Contact Jo or Paul on 01305 773033.
Wyke Regis Pre-school’s summer fayre is on Saturday, July 12 from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a barbecue, bouncy castle, face painting and tombola plus many other stalls. To donate a raffle prize contact 01305 789222.
The RSPB will hold a discovery walk of the Nature Reserve on Thursday, June 12. The event is free and will include a tour of the reserve and a talk on how the RSBP manages it. There will also be free binocular hire. It will take place between
A Dorset Woman at War exhibition launches at the county museum on May 31 and runs until November. It is the story of Mable Annie St Clair who led a women-only medical team to Serbia in 1915 and recorded her experiences in a series of powerful photographs
The Replay band will perform in Greenhill Gardens in Weymouth on Sunday. The band will play a selection of 50s and 60s music, and there will also be a tombola, cake stall, book stall and a bucket collection, with all money raised donated to Weldmar
Ola Garden in Weymouth will hold an open day to mark the first year anniversary of Weldmar Hospicecare in the garden. It will take place between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, June 7. The event will cost £3.50, with children free, with the money
The Dorset Gardens’ Trust Garden Day is at Herringston House, Dorchester, on Sunday, June 29 from 10am-5pm. A talk by Neal Lucas of Knoll Gardens is at 2.30pm. Entry to the Garden Day is £5 and children are free.
A seashore foraging walk will take place in Weymouth and Portland tomorrow. The walk will be held between 1.30pm and 4.30pm and will be led by organisers from hedgerow harvest. Everything foraged from the walk will then be prepared for an evening
A traditional village fete will be held at Manor Farm, Winterbourne Abbas tomorrow from noon. There will be free parking on site.
A flamenco dancing class will be taking place on Monday at Bridport Arts Centre in South Street from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For more information call 01308 423251.
Weymouth Hockey Club will run a coaching programme throughout June and July to try and get more people from Weymouth playing hockey. The coaching programme will be free and will take place every Wednesday night from June 11 until July 23 on the
A sale supporting Weldmar Hospicecare Trust has been organised for July 5. It is at the Trimar Hospice at Greenhill and runs from 10am to noon.
A series of concerts at All Saints Church in Wyke Regis will support the organ fund. The next one is on June 12 at 7.30pm and is a recital by Sophia Grech (mezzo soprano), Robert Secret (viola) and Duncan Honeybourne (piano). Tickets are £5
WEYMOUTH community group ArtWey set the scene when the Weymouth and Portland’s Mayor and Mayoress opened its recent exhibition for Dorset Arts Week. Mayor Ray Banham and Mayoress Pamela Nixon attended the open event last Saturday, pictured right
WITH a history that stretches back thousands of years, it is little wonder West Dorset has its fair share of famous ghost stories. So here are some of the more unusual you may not have heard of. One's thing for certain though- they will send a
VANDALS are being warned their actions will not be tolerated after an attack on Dorchester’s Borough Gardens last night. A gate was broken off the bandstand and bedding plants have been ripped up. A spokesman for Dorchester police said: “Behaviour
GET your best glad rags on and enjoy a night out with Spenstock 6. The annual event, in memory of Weymouth drummer Spencer Bates, will this year have a ‘Day at the Races’ theme. Everyone is invited to dress to impress and head down to the Weymouth
DORSET residents are being urged to take part in The Great British Beach Clean, after recent figures showed the highest amounts of litter on British beaches in 20 years. UK charity the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is organising the event between
Lyme Regis Crab Festival is from Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 15. For information contact 01297 442138.
A celebration of Crime Writers Month is being held at Crossways Library on Tuesday, June 11 from 7.30pm. email friendsofcrosswayslibrary@gmail.com
St Swithun’s Band is holding their next practice on Monday at St Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. New players always welcome, for more information please call 01305 822748.
People with diabetes in West Dorset are encouraged to attend a meeting where they can quiz healthcare professionals about the condition. Experts will attend the West Dorset Diabetes UK Local Group meeting at the Dorford Centre on June 12 at 7.30pm
A ballroom dancing class will take place at Weymouth Pavilion on Wednesday. It will take place from 7.30pm until 10pm, and organisers are encouraging both couples and singles to attend. For more information contact Roger or Sandra on 01305
A garden will be opening for charity. Marren in Dorchester will open its garden gates to visitors on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-5pm. For more details call 01305 851503.
Joint chairman of the Weymouth BID Alison Theobald will be speaking at the next chamber of commerce breakfast at 8am on June 3 at the Rendezvous.
A village will open its gardens to raise funds for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Around 25 gardens in Stourpaine will be open on June 21 and 22 from 11am to 5pm. Admission will cost £5 and children go free.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Weymouth man found dead earlier today. Emergency Services rushed to the scene at Magnolia Close, Littlemoor, just after 9am this morning, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics. The
EXPLORE the world’s best collection of tanks and learn all about D-Day this half-term. Next Friday, June 6, marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and to commemorate, The Tank Museum at Bovington is focusing its half-term activities on
Congratulations to the Vicar of St Peter's, the Musical Director and Thomas Hardye School Chapel Choir for the splendid choral evensong service on Sunday. It was a rare opportunity to take part in a traditional church service with sung canticles
I have recently had an illness which has meant I am unable to work for a while. So I have had to deal with the Job Centre in the hope that I might be entitled to some benefits. Although, I am sure, not every person sat behind a desk with pen
I write with a proposal for Weymouth & Portland with regard to the ongoing Condor saga. If the council and government are forced to cough up ten million pounds for port improvements then Condor should be forced to provide something in return
IF anyone tells you they’re staying in this weekend to watch Britain’s Got Talent or just tidy their sock drawer or file their toenail clippings because there’s nothing else going on, you have my permission to grab the nearest frying pan and wrap it
A MISSING man has been found safe and well near Dorchester. Ashley Bessant, from Hampshire, was reported missing after he failed to turn up for work on Wednesday morning. A police search for the 28 year-old concentrated on Dorset and then moved
Two people have been arrested following a number of attempted burglaries in the Westham area. Dorset Police said that with ‘help from the local community’ the suspects were apprehended.
D-DAY veterans have been recognised with a special trip on a steam train. The five men, who all took part in the invasion in 1944 as little more than teenagers, were welcomed to Swanage Railway and took a steam train to Corfe Castle station to
A SPORTS lecturer from Weymouth College has been selected to represent Team GB at a major championship later this month. Tom Priest, 27, will compete in the Aquathlon at the European Championships which will be held in Germany tomorrow. The
POLICE are continuing to warn residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman from Dorchester was scammed out of more than £700 by fraudsters. Officers say conmen are claiming to be computer technicians associated with well-known companies like
A DORCHESTER teenager has taken to the witness box to defend himself against allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl. Michael Ashley Moors, of Cromwell Road, is standing trial at Dorchester Crown Court. The 19-year-old denies claims that
THE weekend is nearly here so here’s a quick guide to the weekend weather. TODAY - This afternoon and evening will remain overcast with showers throughout the day and later in the evening. TOMORROW - There will be a few showers around in the
LOOK out for the Royal Marines today as they pass through Weymouth on an epic fundraising challenge. The Marines are taking part in the 1664 Challenge- a mission to raise £500,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCT) The commandos
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Weymouth Pavilion A FULL house welcomed Weymouth Operatic Society back into the Pavilion theatre for their latest production – and what a stunning production it is. The all-singing, all-dancing rock opera tells the story
MALEFICENT (PG) **** CINEWORLD, PLAZA AND ODEON Disney’s empowerment of female protagonists, which snowballed in the delightful Frozen, continues apace in Robert Stromberg's fantastical live-action fairytale. Inspired by the studio's 1959 animation
THE lively sound of folk music will be coming from Weymouth harbourside this weekend. The annual Wessex Folk Festival starts today and continues until Sunday. It takes place around the harbourside and Hope Square area of Weymouth. The festival
ADRAMATISATION of Oscar Wilde’s trials will be performed at Bridport Arts Centre next week. Written by his grandson, The Trials of Oscar Wilde takes to the stage on Wednesday June 4. The action starts on 14 February 1895 – the triumphant opening
SINGER-SONGWRITER Steve Knightley will be dropping by the village of Shroton, near Blandford, on June 13 as part of his nationwide Grow Your Own Gig tour. Best known as Phil Beer’s partner in mega folk band Show of Hands, Steve will be performing
A BAR-RAISING production is coming to a pub near you. One Man and his Cow is a production written especially for pubs. The free Living Spit show, brought to Dorset by Artsreach, is embarking on a national tour of drinking establishments. Sponsored
THE Killing of Sister George is set to take to the stage of the Royal Manor Theatre on Portland. The play, written by Frank Marcus, stars some well-known faces. In the fictional village of Applehurst, an axe may be hanging over the head of Sister
I was part of a capacity audience at St Mary’s church in Dorchester where we were treated to a wonderful evening of fine orchestral music from the Dorset Chamber Orchestra under the direction of its conductor Dr Robert Jacoby. The programme began
A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST (15) **** CINEWORLD, PLAZA. Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy and hit comedy Ted, dons his cowboy boots for this rootin’ tootin’ romp set in 1882 Arizona. Albert (MacFarlane) is a cowardly sheep farmer
EDGE OF TOMORROW (12A) **** CINEWORLD, PLAZA, ODEON In 2005, extra-terrestrials tangled with Tom Cruise in War Of The Worlds and came off second best. The otherworldly invaders haven’t learned their lesson because they are back as a hive-like
THE man who once counted Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and The Small Faces as support acts is reciting his own brand of Shakespeare down the phone to me. Geno Washington, who burst onto the UK blues scene in the early sixties, likes to speak in rhyme
A NEW live music venue in Dorchester is Ready to Go. The Britpop sounds of Republica will be the first to be heard at Room 38 in the Trinity Club tomorrow night – the town’s newest music venue. Famous for their late nineties anthems Ready to Go
STAFF and volunteers at a charity shop in Dorchester have been left distraught after vandals damaged the store. The window of the Cats Protection store in Great Western Road was damaged overnight, causing the shop to be closed while shards of glass
A SAILING boat required help moving to a berth in Poole Harbour after its fuel became contaminated. The boat named Black Goose had two people on board at the time. After no response to broadcasts for a vessel to assist, Poole Inshore Lifeboat
MARK Cottingham’s impressive performances on the international stage have seen him rewarded with promotion to the next level of the England pool set-up. The Weymouth cueman captained his country’s B2 team at the recent European Championships and
STALBRIDGE v WEYMOUTH KIERON Womble believes that Weymouth’s trip to Stalbridge tomorrow could be a vital fixture in the grand scheme of things as their Premier One campaign continues. Much like the rest of the division last weekend, Womble
THOUSANDS of people have been discharged from hospital in the middle of the night, an Echo investigation has revealed. An ever-increasing number of patients were discharged from Dorset County Hospital during the hours of 11pm and 6am in the last
