Archive
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Views of Overcombe before the builders
HAZEL Bruce, who lives at Overcombe near Weymouth, sent in this quartet of fascinating photographs from the past. Today Overcombe, which lies between Weymouth and Preston, is a highly developed residential area but as these images show, it wasn’t always
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Wildlife Trust works to ensure the future of our seas
RIGHT now, a network of Marine Protected Areas is being developed around our shores, with protection from the most damaging activities such as gravel extraction and scallop dredging. Most types of fishing, commercial and recreational activity will still
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Bridport businesses battle it out in butterfly display contest
As a lead up to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Butterfly Bonanza event next month, businesses all over Bridport have been challenged to get creative and decorate their shop windows with all things butterfly. The window competition will create beautiful butterfly
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Discover hidden wildlife along Dorset's coast
People are being encouraged to discover the hidden wildlife of the beach this summer. Dorset’s seashore is being increasingly recognised as a top site for many creatures, but there is still much to discover, says Dorset Wildlife Trust. Now DWT is
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Police seek man who reported vandalism at a Portland quarry
POLICE are appealing for a man to come forward after he reported seeing a group of youths vandalising a building in a Portland quarry. The eyewitness spotted a group of youths attempting to rip open the roof of a temporary building at Perryfield Quarries
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Learn secrets of the trade at agricultural festival's garden section
THE Garden section at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s two-day Smallholder and Garden Festival is growing in every sense of the word. The show, which is due to take place over the weekend of May 21-22, draws up to 25,000 people to the
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Bear Grylls attends Dorset's Dragon 24
BUMPER car rides at 2.30am, dragon boat racing with Bear Grylls, midnight film screenings and the chance to go climbing and abseiling were just some of the activities at Dragon 24 – celebration of Scouting activities in Dorset. Sleep was
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Luxury yacht destroyed in Poole Quay blaze
A LUXURY yacht worth £9m has been destroyed in a fire in front of hundreds of people on Poole Quay. Firefighters said the 34-metre long Sunseeker boat was destroyed when the blaze started around 11pm on Friday night. It is believed the new Mexican owner
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Blooming good plant sale brings colour to Weymouth students
THEY’RE been preparing all year and now is the time to bloom. Pre-vocational students at Weymouth College are holding their annual plant sale – the culmination of months of work. The sale, which runs until Friday, is the main event of the year at the
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The first Weldmar Memory Mile Walk helps boost hospice funds
THE YOUNG and old stood side by side at the first ever Weldmar Memory Mile Walk. The inaugural walk raised £340 and attracted 47 participants who strolled in memory of loved ones from Weymouth’s Sandsfoot Castle, along the Rodwell Trail to Ferrybridge
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Ad Lib appeal to complete library questionnnaires
DORSET residents are being urged to have their say on the fate of the county’s libraries. Campaign group Ad Lib, the Association of Friends of Dorset Libraries, is calling on people to support its proposals to spare the 20 libraries threatened with withdrawal
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Dorchester Skate Jam cancelled but the fun goes ahead
SKATERS and bikers turned out at Dorchester skatepark for an ‘unofficial jam’. The Dorchester Skate Jam planned for Saturday had to be cancelled at short notice due to the weather but as the skies brightened, crowds turned out for adrenalin-fuelled fun
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Weymouth burglar jailed for 32 months after admitting 13 offences
A BURGLAR who broke into a couple’s home while they slept has been jailed for 32 months after he also admitted another 13 similar offences. Dr Andrew Ward and his wife were asleep at their home in Primula Close, Littlemoor, on the night of
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Fluffy ducklings moved from Wey Valley School and given a safe new home
TWENTY fluffy ducklings were rescued from being eaten and given a safe new home. Two female ducks laid their eggs in the enclosed technology quad at Wey Valley School and when the ducklings were born, a decision was taken to move them to a safe location
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History comes alive with Dorchester museums
STROLL down Dorchester’s high street and history leaps out at you. On Saturday, May 14, Dorset’s county town celebrates Museums at Night. All six of the town’s museums plus the Roman Town House will be open from 5pm to 9pm and a family can gain entrance
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Only two more days left to enter the Echo's big competition
TOMORROW is the last day for Echo readers to win one of 27 fabulous prizes and help Dorset County Hospital’s breast cancer scanner at the same time. The Echo launched its biggest charity fundraiser of the year last Wednesday in the hope
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Fabulous tribute to Noel Coward comes to Poole
CALLING all Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Top cabaret artists Dillie Keane and Kit and the Widow have joined forces in a fabulous tribute to Noël Coward that is back on the stage after several decades of darkness. Cowardy Custard is the story of Coward’s
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Missing pensioner is found in Weymouth pub
A 70-YEAR-OLD missing woman has been found in a Weymouth pub. Molly Buckingham travelled to Weymouth from her South London home and had already been missing for six days when she booked in for a week at The Somerset pub and hotel in King Street. She
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Home from hell: Builder is disappointed at liquidation
A spokesperson speaking on behalf of Martin Lobo said that he is co-operating fully with Trading Standards’ investigation and that it would be inappropriate to comment further on the issue of the roof slate and dormer. He said: “Martin is
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Home from hell: Park District Community offers skills to couple
Since hearing about the Finches plight members of the Park District community have donated their time and skills to help the couple. Mrs Finch said: “Just when we were thinking we’d had enough – the help and support from neighbours and strangers
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Home from hell: Trading Standards investigate Weyland Construction
Ivan Hancock, divisional trading standards manager for Dorset County Council, confirmed that Trading Standards are carrying out an investigation into the activities of Weyland Construction. He said: “We are currently investigating the company
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Home from hell: Weymouth guest house will cost £30,000 to fix
THE OWNERS of a Weymouth guest house say their ‘dreams are in tatters’ after being told a builder left their property in such a mess that it will cost £30,000 to repair. Now the director of the building company in question Martin Lobo, of Weyland
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Thieves target Osprey Leisure Centre for £100 haul
THIEVES broke into a former Ministry of Defence site to target a sports centre’s safe and made off with just £100 and a laptop. The raiders cut their way through the chain-link fence and forced open Osprey Leisure Centre’s front doors to gain access
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Future is uncertain for Dorchester Focus store
UNCERTAINTY surrounds the future of Dorchester’s Focus DIY store after the company went into administration. Ernst and Young were appointed administrators of the DIY firm, which has over 175 stores nationwide and employs nearly 4,000 staff,
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Devastated parents travel to Dorset for information on Emily Longley's death
EMILY LONGLEY'S devastated father spoke about his “beautiful, life-loving” daughter before leaving New Zealand for the UK. Mark Longley said “we just want to be with her” before embarking on the long journey to Dorset in the search for information
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Crackerjack presenter Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart drops in to Weymouth
SCHOOLCHILDREN will be too young to remember but it might not stop them going Crackerjack crazy when Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart drops in. The former presenter of the popular children’s show in the 1970s and veteran radio broadcaster is visiting Westfield Arts
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Know office facts
People who demonstrate or write letters in objection to the proposed new offices for West Dorset District Council are, in effect, arguing for the following consequences of staying in Stratton House: * Expenditure of £3million on essential maintenance
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The birth of Thomas Goringe
A DORSET couple have welcomed their new son into their family. Promotions manager Debbie Hellaby, 30, and herd manager Mark Goringe, 34, from Poxwell, near Dorchester, welcomed Thomas into their lives on April 26 weighing 7lb and 7oz. Baby Thomas was
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The life of Dudley Paine
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the driving forces behind the refurbishment of Charlestown Victory Hall. Dudley Paine was born in Norwood, London, on October 11, 1929, and spent the Second World War partly in London but mostly in Weymouth. He was an
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Police still trying to determine cause of Emily Longley's death
A FORENSIC post mortem examination has been carried out in a bid to discover the cause of tragic Emily Longley’s death. Results of the examination are still awaited and police continue to describe her death as “unexplained.” The 17-year-old
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Toilets ‘a disgrace’
WHILST visiting Weymouth at Easter I was dismayed to see that no improvements have been made at the ladies toilets on the corner of Bond Street. They are a disgrace to the town. I have been visiting Weymouth for over 50 years, and these toilets have
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Police were spot on
ON SATURDAY I witnessed the behavior of the EDL at the pub on the Esplanade. There were many families with children around, and as I took a photo I was confronted by an EDL supporter, who wanted to stop me taking photos. I was going to argue with him
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A heavy-handed procedure fails
I refer to the recent article about the elderly gentleman who was injured by a young man riding a bicycle along the Weymouth Seafront. I have the utmost sympathy for the elderly gentlemen. However, I think that the demand for the authorities to take
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Tha marriage of James Hedges and Kelly Strawbridge
COOL Britannia was the theme for one Dorchester couple’s big day. Kelly Strawbridge, 28, married James Hedges, 34, on St George’s Day, April 23, at St Mary’s Church in Dorchester. Taking on St George as the theme for the day the couple had a red and
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Portesham Parish Councillors
FOLLOWING the recent local elections our six Portesham parish councillors on the Chesil Bank Group Parish Council are: Stuart Bainbridge David Blackwell Peter Craggs Geoffrey Haine Vaughan Jones Marsha White Congratulations to them
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Byerley boost for Terras
WARREN Byerley wants to stay at Weymouth despite interest from Blue Square Bet South duo Salisbury City and Dorchester Town. The talented striker, who netted 25 goals in all competitions for the Terras this season, is scheduled to hold further talks
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Robbie is excited by Magpies' reserve job
Dorchester Town Reserves’ manager Robbie Taylor is relishing the task of moulding future first-team stars. The former Magpie ace, who bagged a brace in the first competitive match at the Avenue Stadium almost 21 years ago, has been elevated
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Dorset heroes
DICKIE Borthwick was among a host of unsung heroes whose achievements were recognised at the Dorset FA’s presentation ceremony. The evergreen 75-year-old, who still laces up his boots for Wyke Veterans, received the prestigious Services to Football in
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Matt's legendary
PORTESHAM UNITED 7 PORTESHAM UNITED LEGENDS 2 MATT Croxson proved the legend killer for Portesham United by bagging four goals in an enthralling charity clash at the Avenue Stadium. The Legends included blasts from the past from the late 70s through
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Frustration for Baker
BEAMINSTER v BERE REGIS – match abandoned due to rain INCLEMENT weather denied Beaminster the chance to claim their maiden Dorset League Division Two victory of the season. Heavy overnight rain had completely saturated the Memorial Ground and, with
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Lucky 13 for village bowlers
HAZELBURY Bryan are celebrating after winning the Dorset short mat bowls league for the first time in their 13-year history. The champion team, right, comprises Brian Baker, Keith Honeybun, Barry Whitburn, Alan Banks, Brenda Banks, Gillian Honeybun,
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Smith takes stock after postponement
BRIDPORT 189-9 CATTISTOCK did not bat – match abandoned due to rain SKIPPER Mark Smith expressed his disappointment after rain forced the abandonment of Bridport’s clash away to Cattistock. The visitors had reached a challenging 189-9 from 42 overs
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Seasiders gain revenge after sinking HMS Portland
WEYMOUTH exacted revenge in the second annual meeting with HMS Portland. After losing out in the inaugural contest, the Seasiders hit back this time around, running out 19-10 victors at Monmouth Avenue. After both sides squandered opportunities to open
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Dave's desire
RECENTLY retired Dave Allan is focusing all his energy on turning the South Dorset Giants into South West Conference title challengers. The Weymouth Rugby Club stalwart sustained a serious neck injury earlier this year and has since been advised to hang
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Bridport take the Division Five crown
BRIDPORT Squash Club clinched the Dorset League Division Five title thanks to a 3-2 victory over nearest pursuers Bournemouth. Robert Muir started proceedings with a 3-0 clean sweep of Will Hook, before Steve Hodder doubled the advantage when he over-came
