On May 24 the South West Dorset Talking Newspaper held its annual meeting at the Portland Town Council offices, where the organisation is based. Two of the committee members parked in the small layby on the hill opposite the building. One of the cars
A STRICKEN yacht which sparked a search off Portland turned out to be more than 40 miles away off the Isle of Wight. Coastguards suspect the yacht's navigational equipment may have been faulty or was being read incorrectly as the family on board were
A POLICE station was evacuated when a suspicious-looking device handed in at the front desk sparked a bomb scare. Officers had a surprise when a large tin with three wires sticking out of the top was dropped off at the Portland police office at Osprey
CONGRATULATIONS to Mark Hix for his triumph in the Great British Menu programme on BBC2. It is great to see our local lad and chef winning a national competition. In fact, he will cook two meals out of four for the French in the English High Commission
The rights of way network in Dorset allows a great opportunity to get out and explore everything Dorset has to offer. Access on horseback is available on bridleways and byways and classified and unclassified county roads. There are also some permissive
Kingston Maurward College of the Countryside near Dorchester has become a centre of excellence for many subjects including equine studies. OFSTED's last report said that the equine provision at Kingston Maurward was one of the best in the country' which
STRANGLES is a disease that is causing enormous concern to horse owners and vets in Dorset. Although most animals recover quickly, some are very ill for several days and up to 10 per cent may die, according to the British Horse Society in its publication
As well as the season of shows and dressage, it is the time of year for endurance and long distance riders, a growing sport in the county. The rides take in some of the most spectacular scenery in Dorset. The Endurance Great Britain (EGB) Cerne Giant
THE outlook is calm for the watchkeepers at NCI Portland Bill Station, thanks to the generosity of Tony Clarke of Maiden Windows of Dorchester. The firm has donated the materials and the labour to building a twin-door storm porch at the lookout and,
This year is the 60th Anniversary of the British Horse Society and here in Dorset we have great plans for our own Festival of the Horse'. On Sunday, July 22 at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury showground, a whole host of equine events will be taking place
YOUTH projects across West Dorset are set to get a financial boost. Young people from the West Dorset Youth Council have successfully received a licence from the National Youth Agency to become the county's first Youthbank. The Youthbank, which has
SUPPORTERS of The Hub in Dorchester today admitted that there had been problems. But they pledged to continue the work of the organisation to help rough sleepers get back on their feet. The Hub, which offers homeless people the chance to get warm and
PLUCKY teenager Sarah Fishwick today told how she helped save a boy from falling to his death on Portland. Rescue crews were called to Jordan's quarry in Reforne when the boy, aged nine, got stuck above a 40-foot drop. Fire crews rescued the boy, who
Area 12 Riding Clubs are having a festival of dressage, show jumping and showing for the very first time. Stretching from Weymouth and Shipton in the South to Severn Vale and Chippenham in the North and East and to North Devon in the West, with 26 clubs
ACCORDING to Mitsubishi, the new Outlander is the greenest seven-seater on the road and has a smaller footprint' than many standard family cars. With a full complement of passengers, the new Outlander claims to have lower per-passenger CO2 emissions
A FIRST World War weapon has been unearthed behind a row of houses in Bridport. Retired signwriter Peter Billingham, 70, was burying waste at his home at Dodhams Lane when he dug up a rusty revolver. Two doors down, Peter Simpson unearthed shell cases
A FORMER Celebrity Big Brother contestant told of her disgust with the show when she visited Dorchester. Rula Lenska is currently starring in Hot Flush at the Lighthouse in Poole until Saturday and has rented a cottage in Milborne St Andrew. She said
AT THE annual meeting of West Dorset District Council I moved an amendment on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group. If it had it been carried, it would have resulted in the chairman and vice-chairman of the audit and governance committee being drawn
TOP chef Gordon Ramsay has been filming off the Dorset coast for his latest food programme. The star of The F-Word on Channel 4 has gone out on a sea trip to try and catch some scallops. There were reports of him being in Weymouth yesterday with a film
POINTS made prizes for students at Wey Valley School's leavers' graduation ceremony. The success of year 11 high flyers at the Wey Valley School was described by head of year Gill Himsworth as 'outstanding'. A newly-introduced 'points for prizes' scheme
THOUSANDS of Dorset schoolchildren are being encouraged to take advantage of a giant floating book fair at Portland. The 356ft MV Logos II - with over 500,000 books in its hold - is due to dock at Portland Port next month and be open to visitors from
Searching for an unforgettable Father's Day gift experience? Or a special treat for you? Look no further - a Virgin Balloon Flight is an exhilarating voyage though the sky! And, for a limited time only, we're offering all readers new Virgin Balloon Flights
WEYMOUTH skipper Trevor Challis has revealed how many of the club's stars have put possible moves on the back burner while they wait for takeover talks to be resolved at the Wessex Stadium. The influential defender, along with the likes of Ashley Vickers
DORCHESTER Cricket Club celebrated the opening of their new £70,000 nets facility before Saturday's victory over Bournemouth. Guests from the ECB, Sport England and West Dorset District Council who helped finance the project were joined by the Mayor
DORCHESTER SECONDS (20) 259-8 beat CATTISTOCK (9) 227 all out by 32 runs DESPITE missing a trio of key players Dorchester made it three wins out of three with a fine display at Cattistock in Dorset Funeral Plan League Division Three. Martin Langford
VITAL redevelopment plans for Weymouth Pavilion are facing another delay. The scheme has already been dogged by huge rows over how the site should be developed. Now developer Howard Holdings says it may not be able to submit a detailed planning application
A MOTHER whose home was burgled while her daughter slept upstairs has praised people for rallying around them. Gaynor Crowley bought a television, DVD player and stereo among other goods from Cash Generators in Weymouth Esplanade after moving into her
ADVANTAGE Digital Print has agreed a deal with the Friary Press to purchase its digital business. Advantage Digital Print (ADP) was started by Charles Anderson, Friary's owner up until 2003, and is targeting to reach a £500,000 turnover in the next 12
REGISTERED medical herbalist Luzia Barclay tells us about eight natural tips to help you quit! 1. St John's Wort is a powerful natural antidepressant. It also helps to prevent viral infections that often occur when people stop smoking. 2. Eat plenty
PUPILS got a taste for cereal during a visit to a Dorchester factory. Youngsters from St Mary's Middle School, Puddletown spent the morning touring the Dorset Cereals factory at Poundbury. And as well as seeing how the cereals are made the pupils were
