FARMERS are being warned to keep an eye out for arsonists in the Dorset countryside. It follows a ‘significant’ increase in the amount of barn fires in the county. Between April and October last year, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service dealt with six blazes
BATS that have made a home at a Weymouth waterworks appear to be more interested in snoozing than spooking this Hallowe’en. The nocturnal creatures are busy preparing for hibernation at Sutton Poyntz water treatment works and are sharing the building
A FIVE-STAR holiday park in Weymouth has received a gold conservation award for the seventh year running. Littlesea Holiday Park, one of the UK’s most popular holiday parks, has received the David Bellamy Conservation Gold award for the seventh consecutive
PERFORMANCES from around the world are examined in the latest edition of Disney’s Wonderful World of Knowledge. From ballet and Beijing opera to electronic music and Elizabethan theatre, Dance, Drama and Music will take children on an exploration
A ROAD will be closed in Dorchester next week, motorists are warned. Northernhay behind County Hall will be closed between 9.30am and 4.30pm between Monday, October 31 and Friday, November 4 when the second phase of work to replace the retaining wall
POLICE are issuing a warning to people in Weymouth and Portland to lock up their bikes after a spate of thefts. A spokesman for Dorset Police said cycles are being stolen from garages, sheds or even bolt cropped when locked up. Among the stolen bikes
A BAND featuring a former Weymouth schoolgirl which has been appearing on the TV show The X Factor has revealed its new name. The group formerly known as Rhythmix is now known as Little Mix. The name change came about after bosses at
A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy has died after he was found in a pond at Chickerell. Police said the boy went missing from his home at Chickerell today. It was reported at 11.44am. A seach was conducted of the surrounding area and the boy was found
THE annual Portland funfair has returned to the island with more holiday excitement. Islanders have been digging out their pocket money this half-term week, as the fair returns for its annual October visit. Historically a visiting animal fair in the
A CELEBRATION of Jurassic Coast walks and activities is taking place in Weymouth this weekend. The fun family event for visitors and residents is happening all day tomorrow along Weymouth seafront and will include free giveaways and a coastal quiz.
COUNCIL leaders and business representatives are encouraged by figures showing thousands of people taking advantage of Weymouth’s new park and ride service. Statistics obtained by the Dorset Echo revealed that more than 2,200 journeys were
AN ELDERLY woman had a shock when she discovered a vase she owned is a rare Chinese Ming-style porcelain ‘moonflask’ which is expected to fetch half a million pounds at auction. The woman, aged in her 80s, lives in West Dorset and took the vase to get
A SECOND shop has shut in just two months at a Dorchester shopping arcade. Workers at health food chain Julian Graves in the Tudor Arcade are facing an uncertain future after it was announced that their shop will be closing tomorrow. Manager Laura Allcorn
FORMER Weymouth schoolgirl Perrie Edwards and her band mates have been trying to come up with a new band name ahead of tomorrow’s X Factor TV show. Perrie’s mum Debbie Dufty said the girls, who have been performing under the name of Rhythmix
THE weekend has a nautical air as everyone is invited along to Lyme Regis Museum tomorrow to try their hand at making a driftwood model boat. Local artist Alison Bowskill will help you see the possibilities in pieces of driftwood from the beach. Drop
A WEYMOUTH artist who left school at 16 has turned a lifelong love of art into a thriving career and is launching her new line of products next week. Claire Streather, who went to Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, grew up in the 1970s and the vivid colours
THERE is plenty to keep everyone amused this weekend as venues across Dorset lay on a wide range of entertainment to suit all ages. The World Outside, Forest Forge Theatre Company’s celebration of the history of the New Forest, completes its tour of
WEYMOUTH sporting star Serita Shone was airlifted to hospital with spinal injuries following a high-speed crash while training with the Great Britain bobsleigh team. The 22-year-old, who joined the prestigious team just a few weeks ago, damaged
A VICTIM has spoken of his frustration after his car was one of up to 20 vehicles damaged in a Dorchester street. Police are appealing for witnesses after a number of vehicles were scratched and damaged in Cromwell Road. It was initially
A ROW over loud music and noise led to a punch-up, police said. They are appealing for witnesses to an altercation in Weymouth which happened last week in the middle of the afternoon. The incident, in which two men had an altercation both inside and
TWO dogs have been destroyed as police investigate sheep attacks in West Dorset. Police are urging dog owners to be responsible for their pets following several reports of livestock worrying. Two sheep were attacked and killed in the vicinity of Cowleaze
FIVE vehicles from building yards around Dorchester have had fuel stolen. The spate of thefts took place overnight from Wednesday night (Oct 26) to Thursday morning (Oct 27). The first hit was Bardon Aggregates at Warmwell Quarry where
DEDICATED poppy collectors will be hitting the streets in and around Dorchester after the annual appeal was launched. Long serving collectors were recognised at a special ceremony to kick start the appeal at the town’s Keep Military Museum.
A WALKING plank and avast behind: But that’s enough about me. However, staying on a piratical theme, the hugely-popular Dolmen release their new album Whispering Winds today. The marvellous Celtic folk rockers, whose live performances have become the
Marianne Morris’s concern over misdirected blame if some drunk is injured or (melodramatically) killed by a night club doorman is valid (Your Say, October 21). Door keepers have a hard task but are not above the law. Their using handcuffs is rightly
I REFER to the story about the Jurassic stones being placed near the Weymouth relief road. Now what could we do with £335,405? • Restore some school crossing patrols, • Open some libraries, • Add a bit to the elderly budget
I read a letter in the Echo a few days ago, from someone asking what was happening about the forgotten Brewers Quay redevelopment (Your Say, October 20). I too would like to know. I recently spoke to Councillor Ray Banham about it and he told me
WEST Dorset Labour Party chairman Rob Bygrave’s hysterical outburst against Oliver Letwin (‘Don’t care attitude, Your Say, October 26) reflects the opportunism much practised by his leader in Westminster. I do not personally condone using public litter
A WOMAN was pushed and threatened by a man in Weymouth town centre in the early hours. Police said the assault happened in Trinity Road about 3am on Monday, October 24. The 24-year-old local woman was shocked but not injured. It is believed that the
AFTER being sacked as manager of Dorchester Town, Ashley Vickers insists he gave his “absolute best”. The 40-year-old was yesterday relieved of his duties following a poor run of results that saw the Magpies lose seven of their last eight outings
TREVOR Senior believes 40 points will be enough to see his side safe in the Toolstation Western Premier Division this season. Bridport have so far experienced a rocky return to the top-flight but the club’s determined boss is adamant his team has what
PORTLAND United chief Stuart Heath believes his men enter tomorrow’s crunch clash with Hamworthy Recreation in perfect shape. The second-placed Blues lie two points adrift of the reigning champions and current Magna Dorset Premier League leaders
BRENDON King has told his troops to expect the biggest challenge of their season so far when they lock horns with Brackley Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm). The Terras have been in tremendous form of late in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier
STEVE Alcock is backing his men to spring a surprise tomorrow. Weymouth Sports welcome Dorset Senior League leaders Wareham Rangers to Weymouth College (3pm), bidding to become the first team to inflict defeat on the table-toppers. And even though his
WEYMOUTH’S King Tiger Thai Boxing Club joined forces with Dorchester Kickboxing Club to stage their biggest fight night spectacular – The Foreign Invasion – at Weymouth Pavilion. A sell-out crowd of more than 600 people enjoyed a night of thai boxing
WEYMOUTH will be out to knock Swanage & Wareham Seconds off their perch tomorrow as the two sides meet in a top-of-the-table clash at Monmouth Avenue (3pm). Both teams boast 100 per cent records in Dorset & Wilts One South with five wins in as many outings
PORTLAND sailor Tom Way is recovering from a broken nose but having a ‘great’ time as he heads Down Under in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The Clipper race involves 10 identical 68ft yachts competing on eight legs of an epic 40,000 mile voyage
