PLANS for a huge solar park in West Dorset have been approved. Members of West Dorset District Council’s development control committee backed an application for a 24-megawatt solar farm at the former transmitting station at Rampisham Down at a
JAMES Bishop has been a leading performer in junior and youth sailing for several years. Now 16 and a member of Castle Cove Sailing Club, he competes in the Laser Radial Class at both national and international level. Bishop started sailing
A CRASH on the A354 on the outskirts of Dorchester caused traffic problems earlier this evening. The road is now clear. The collision, not thought to be serious, involved three vehicles and blocked one lane. Police were directing traffic at the
BOURNEMOUTH have recalled Mason Walsh from his loan spell at Dorchester Town. The Cherries had agreed to extend the winger's stay by another month but that has been cut short following Graham Kemp's resignation. Walsh originally joined the
THE Official Test Centre (OTC) enjoyed a great season with many new young faces taking up the sport. The OTC, which is located at the Weymouth & Portland Nati-onal Sailing Academy (WPNSA) also enjoyed success with its more experienced youngsters
A DORSET-based law firm has strengthened its commercial team after appointing a new partner. Martin Varley was appointed by Humphries Kirk solicitors, and he will be joining the firm’s Dorchester office on High West Street. Mr Varley has more
MOTORISTS faced traffic delays and power cuts as Dorset was battered by gale force wind and heavy rain. High winds and the rain struck from late last night leaving heavy flooding, fallen trees and power cuts across the county. A car got stuck
CANCER self-help centre The Living Tree has received a financial boost after being awarded funding by the Dorset Carers Support Project Fund. The Living Tree is now well established as a self-help centre for people who have experienced cancer and
FIREFIGHTERS are urging Dorset residents to make their New Year’s resolution to test their smoke alarms regularly. Alarms should be kept in good working order and tested every week, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said. And January is the perfect
A mother is appealing to find a home for her disabled son, who could be without a place to live next month. Anthony Bulpitt, 40, has Down’s Syndrome and has been living with a carer for the past two years under the Shared Lives scheme, run by Dorset
COUNCIL chiefs have come under fire for the ‘slapdash’ way they closed off a Weymouth beauty spot which is now at the centre of an access row. The Friends of Castle Cove Beach, which have been campaigning to get authorities to open up the much-loved
POTHOLES driving you potty? Be part of the solution this National Pothole Day. Today is a national day of awareness for the humble and often troubling scourge of the Dorset driver, the pothole. Dorset County Council is urging people to report
A MENTAL health support charity said they could lose thousands of pounds after their assistance was withdrawn. Moving On, a social club and support group for West Dorset residents recovering from mental health problems, was established in 2006.
While we should all praise Dorset County Hospital’s hardworking staff for keeping our local A&E unit within target wait times during 2014, we must not be complacent. Recent figures show that it has begun 2015 outside of those targets. Last
What contrasting attitudes to be found in Saturday’s Echo. Andrew Martin demands dramatic public spending cuts, blaming the country’s economic ills on ‘public sector workers and those on benefits’. The inspiring account of Tuesday evening foodbanks
I have just made the effort to travel into Weymouth through the horrific traffic system to secure my tickets for my idol Ken Dodd. I have been a regular in the belief that if you do not use a service then you cannot give an opinion about it.
DANCING Queens will be flocking to Portland for a high energy Abba experience. Abba Sensation are performing at the Royal Manor Theatre in Fortuneswell on Saturday August 15. Sensation performed at the theatre during the London 2012 Olympic
THE Prodigy have announced a new album and will be performing in Dorset during their new tour. They will be at the Bournemouth International Centre on May 14. Their new album The Day Is My Enemy is due for release on March 30 via the band’s
A ROMANTIC treat is in store for Valentine’s Day with a screening of two rarely-performed one-act operas in local cinemas. The Met: Live in HD double bill of Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle is showing at Dorchester Plaza, Bridport Arts Centre and
BUSINESS at a West Dorset holiday park is booming thanks to award-winning TV drama Broadchurch. The programme, filmed around West Bay, returned for a second series on ITV this month starring David Tennant and a host of other stars – and is proving
Objectors have voiced their disappointment that the ‘plan B’ for Dorset’s wind farm proposals will not be considered as a new scheme in its own right. Those opposed had hoped Navitus Bay Development Ltd (NBDL) would be made to submit a new planning
A MAN from West Dorset who stole a truck and led police on a 25-mile car chase when he was high on drugs has been jailed for 12 months. Ricky Lee Thompson, aged 23, of Toll House Mews, Bridport, was sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court after pleading
DETERMINED Luke Winsper is desperate to overcome his injury woes and get back to full fitness in a bid to stake a regular place back in the Terras’ first-team squad. The 22-year-old, who broke a metatarsal at Bashley in March which ruled him out
