‘Wonderful’…’a fantastic evening’s music’….’magical’….’I was spell bound’- just a few of the many enthusiastic responses made by the audience at the end of an evening of top quality music created by Heartsrings’ Arty, Nollaig, Maire and Chris at Portesham
THE DEADLINE to apply for the position of the new chairperson of the West Dorset Partnership has been extended. Anyone interested now has until Friday, March 30 to apply for the role, which will last for four years. The West Dorset Partnership
ACTOR Sir Tom Courtenay is lined up to speak at this year’s Page to Screen festival in Bridport. Organisers said that they were thrilled to secure his appearance for the April extravaganza – which is the country’s only festival dedicated to the adaptation
CAMPAIGNERS are demanding more concessions in their fight against proposed cuts to services at Bridport Hospital. The Community Health Campaign (CHC) has already pushed back the level of cuts proposals initially announced last September. Now the group
WHEN a dancer heard she had won a place at the Royal National Ballet, her dreams came true. Now 10-year-old Amy Groves will pack her books, bags and ballet pumps and start training at the prestigious school in September. The Southill Primary schoolgirl
A SPECTACULAR evening of dance, live hair styling, catwalk models, pyrotechnics and speeches celebrated the start of Cultural Olympiad events in Weymouth. The sell-out Inspire 2012 charitable evening at Weymouth College Bay Theatre saw students
The family of a five-year-old girl who died following a collision in Weymouth have paid tribute to their “beautiful princess”. Parents John and Charlene Jeffries said: “On Friday March 9 we left our three darling daughters; Kaycee-Ann, 10,
A FARM manager has issued a warning to other livestock owners after having more than 40 lambs stolen in a series of raids. Thieves have repeatedly targeting a farm near Martinstown since the beginning of the month, stealing around four lambs at a time
Award NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter was ‘delighted’ to present two Inspired Facilities award cheques totalling nearly £95,000 to Gillingham Town Football Sports and Social Club and Shillingstone Sports Pavilion. The Inspired Facilities
THE latest in a line of business owners to shut up shop has said Weymouth will soon become a ghost town. Dominic Brown, owner of Abacus furniture in Abbotsbury Road, believes that months of roadworks ahead of the Olympics were the killer of his business
A wildlife haven of Weymouth has been saved from the threat of building development. Lorton Meadows nature reserve has become a safe refuge for even more wildlife, with news that Dorset Wildlife Trust has been able to acquire an extra 14 hectares.
A TRAGEDY was narrowly avoided as a car came loose from its tow rope and careered downhill along a busy road. The vintage MG, believed to have been shipped from America, came off the back of a Volvo V40 as it turned in to a side road yesterday afternoon
YOUNG people in Weymouth are seeing their brand-new youth centre finally take shape. The centre, on the site of the old Steps building in Chickerell Road, is being rebuilt thanks to a £3million grant from a government youth scheme. After the old building
A GRANDMOTHER who was airlifted to hospital following a horrific crash in Weymouth remains in a ‘critical’ condition, police said. The 72-year-old woman is believed to have been crossing Weymouth Way with her three grandchildren on Sunday, when they
DORCHESTER has missed out in its bid to become a city. The county town was one of 26 towns that applied for the granting of city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Dorset neighbours Bournemouth also missed out
WEYMOUTH has been dealt a major blow after it was revealed cross-Channel ferry sailings will be switched to Poole for the whole summer. Condor Ferries says it will keep operating out of Poole “until further notice” after bosses learnt work
DANIEL BARTRAN, aged 27, of Woodman Court, Shaftesbury. Proved in absence of being the registered keeper of a vehicle and failed to deliver to the Secretary of State that part of the registration document containing the required particulars relating to
THE Dorset Echo has been shortlisted for yet another industry award. For the third year in a row, the Dorset Echo is in the running for the Regional Newspaper of the Year award at the 2012 Newspaper Awards. It is the latest in a string
JOSEPH LEON WARBURTON, aged 31, of West Bay Road, Bridport. Application to open a case following conviction for an offence of theft from shop or stall. Granted. For original offence of stealing a jumper to the value of £22 belonging to M and Co, Bridport
JASON BLACKMORE, aged 35, of Fortuneswell, Portland. Admitted keeping a vehicle on a public road which was unlicensed. Fined £100, ordered to pay vehicle excise back duty of £65 and £60 costs. MATTHEW PAUL BREAKWELL, aged 19, of Chiswell, Portland. Proved
MARK PATRICK KENNY, aged 32, of East Street, Weymouth. Admitted failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Weymouth Magistrates Court. Order varied and made more onerous with the addition of an eight-week
WEYMOUTH sailing couple Nick Dempsey and Sarah Ayton will be joining an Olympic line up unlike anything they have ever seen before. The medal-winning duo, who have lived in the borough for more than seven years, are providing inspiration for Weymouth
MUSICIANS are being invited to come and see what Dorset Sinfonia has to offer – and maybe join the ensemble. The orchestra is inviting anyone to open rehearsals on March 21 and 28. On March 21 the band will be working on Olympian Glories, a piece written
Why can Weymouth’s Marsh playing area not be safeguarded under a national programme to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics? Apparently Weymouth and Portland Borough Council was invited to nominate the Marsh as a QE II playing field
I would like to thank Mr Savva and his team for the care they gave me whilst having my operation at Weymouth Hospital. I reacted badly to the anaesthetic and Leeann, Allison and Lorraine went beyond their duty to make sure that I was comfortable. If
GEOFF Kirby, in his letter of February 24 (‘Christian faith is quickly shrinking’), gives a very biased view of Christianity. We believe and try to follow the teachings of Jesus, summed up in the two great commandments – love God and love your neighbour
I refer to Shaun Henn-essey’s letter about the town centre (Have Your Say, February 14). Sadly, Weymouth traders have been let down over a number of years by bad planning decisions by the councillors and their advisers. For whatever reason, they are
THE board of directors at Weymouth FC have released a statement updating fans of the club’s current position following Nigel Biddlecombe’s takeover from George Rolls. It reads: “On the playing front, we have investigated the players’ claims relating
DORCHESTER Town Reserves could climb to as high as third in the Wyvern Premier League with victory over Newport this evening (7.45pm). The Isle of Wight outfit, currently second from bottom, have already tasted defeat at the hands of the Magpies – 3-
WEYMOUTH 3 CIRENCESTER 1 BRENDON King has insisted he will not bow to pressure when it comes to nurturing the talents of sharpshooter Mark Ford. The in-form striker was handed his first start last night and responded by netting a hat-trick
WOKING 4 Dorchester TOWN 1 ALAN Knight remained philosophical after losing his first away match as manager of Dorchester Town. The Magpies entered the clash having gone eight Blue Square Bet South games without defeat away from the Avenue Stadium
WOKING 4 Murtagh 32, Sole pens 51, 53, McNerney 76 Dorchester TOWN 1 Nichols 79 DORCHESTER Town’s unbeaten record on the road came to an abrupt end at the hands of table-topping Woking. Prior to last night’s encounter at the Kingfield
THE Cheltenham Festival kicked off with a fine performance from Cue Card in the Racing Post Arkle Chase. Colin Tizzard’s six-year-old proved his mettle by reigning back the advantage of Sprinter Sacre, who lived up to his wonder horse billing in every
PC Kevin Eames has retired after some years looking after the interests of our local area. PC Christine Gould has taken over his role as the new Beat Manager for Preston and she will be assisted by PCSO Ken Lightfoot, who will be starting in
WEST Dorset Warriors clocked no fewer than 185 personal best times at the annual Dorset Age Group Championships at Littledown Centre in Bournemouth. George Kelman-Johns, who has been swimming with the club since the age of eight, showed his proficiency
WEYSPORTS are looking to recruit 80 girl footballers to take part in their very own summer league. The tournament will be running in order to provide new players with the opportunity to develop their skills and take their first tentative steps into the
Under-14 Dorset County Cup Final Dorchester 5 WIMBORNE 0 JAMIE Brown scored the only try of the game as Dorchester lifted the County Cup. Despite the wet and windy conditions at Bridport, which made attacking running rugby virtually impossible
MICK Flaherty believes fun and enjoyment is the key ingredient to success in sport for any budding athlete. The popular coach has led Dorset Pentathletes to the top club prize at the National Biathle Championships for the last five years and on Saturday
TWO Tornadoes of South Dorset swimmers got a taste for London 2012 as they competed at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in this year’s British Gas Swimming Championships. Jay Lelliott, 17, and Elliott Smart, 15, both took to the water after qualifying for
WEYMOUTH 3 Ford 16, 48, 84 CIRENCESTER TOWN 1 Reid 90 MARK Ford made the most of his first start for the Terras by netting a hat-trick against Cirencester Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium. The 21-year-old looked
