Archive
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Tortoise crawls in for TankFest
THE MIGHTY Tortoise, one of the heaviest British tanks of all time, will be just one of the attractions to wow spectators at this year’s TankFest. Like its animal namesake, the 78-tonne monster boasts both a hard outer shell and a pedestrian
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Conservation kids go turtle-y crazy
CHILDREN are being urged to go turtle crazy this half-term in a fun project that will highlight the importance of the environment. Staff at Weymouth Sea Life Park are preparing for Turtle Fest, a range of conservation-led activities which will help raise
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Report highlights Dorset villagers' resilience to cuts
VILLAGERS from Dorset's rural communities continue to show ‘spirit and resilience’ despite facing a growing list of threatened services, according to a new report. Findings by Dorset Community Action, show a number of village shops and pubs have been
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Council gives green light to £1.5m solar panel investment
SOLAR panels are set to be installed on a number of schools across the county. Dorset County Council’s cabinet gave the green light to investing £1.5million in photovoltaic panels to be placed on the roofs of schools and other council-owned buildings
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Chickerell mayor joins in litter pick-up
THE Mayor of Chickerell Jean Dunseith ended her term by helping out with a litter pick. Members of the Chickerell Litter Prevention and Cure Team grabbed rubbish bags and picking sticks and set off for the annual spring clean. Residents from the Littlesea
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Get involved in UK book awards
READERS are encouraged to get involved in the action surrounding a prestigious UK book award. Ten of Dorset’s libraries have been selected to promote the Orange Prize for Fiction. The sites, which include Littlemoor in Weymouth, Portland Tophill, Charmouth
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Creative talents gear up for Weymouth Carnival
A COMMUNITY project to encourage people to get creative for Weymouth Carnival is gathering pace. Volunteers are meeting regularly at venues around the borough to make items for a float that will take part in the procession. Young people from various
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TV star backs holiday park's 'greenest ever' caravan
CELEBRITY eco-campaigner Anna Ryder Richardson is coming to Weymouth this Sunday to endorse a holiday park’s ‘greenest ever’ caravan. Anna, who is best known for her television roles on Changing Rooms and I’m a Celebrity, is now a passionate campaigner
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Poole man dies after Tiger Moth plane crash
A PASSENGER seriously injured after a light aircraft crashed in Dorset has died. The 26-year-old man from Poole was one of two occupants in a vintage Tiger Moth plane which came down in a field near Blandford on Sunday. Police said the passenger, who
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Debt nightmare: Dorchester woman falls victim to cold caller
A MOTHER’S life has become a ‘nightmare’ since falling victim to a cold caller offering to help her become debt free. Vanessa Houghton, 40, of Windsor Road in Dorchester, was told she would be able to claim back more than £6,000 if she paid
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Debt nightmare: Company says delay is down to the banks
Stephen Jones, a manager at We Fight Any Claim, said he was not able to comment on specific cases. However, he said a number of claims they were dealing with had been delayed after the banks, through the British Banking Association, applied for a judicial
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Driver fined after car park crunch
A MAN who failed to report a road traffic accident was fined and given five points on his licence. Kevan Frances Sheehan, aged 65, of Osmington Mills appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court yesterday to face charges of failing to stop after a road traffic
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Get involved: Design a logo for Big 4 project
LITTLEMOOR residents are being asked to enter a contest to design a logo for the Big 4 project. The categories are eight years and under, nine to 12, aged 13 to 16 and adult, with a prize for the winner of each group. Entries need to be handed in on
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Get involved: Littlemoor residents have a shot at £2m lottery grant
RESIDENTS are being warned ‘this is your chance to get what you want’ as up to £2million of Lottery money goes up for grabs to try and improve a housing estate. The Littlemoor area of Weymouth was chosen for the windfall last year and the Big
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Dorchester's Race for Life: Healthcare workers will walk together
HEALTHCARE company workers will be walking this year’s Race for Life so they can complete the challenge together. Kim Bartholomew, Georgina Prior and Carole Lawrence-Parr of Harmoni for Health in Poundbury hope to raise £100 for Cancer Research
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Dorchester's Race for Life: Dee takes on the run after charity swim
A WOMAN who has already swam 200 lengths for a cancer charity will also be running the Race for Life. Dee Hymas, 52, of Wyke Regis, said she wanted to complete the run for all the women in her life who have suffered with cancer, but that she
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Dorchester's Race for Life: Martin Clunes supports the event
WOMEN who run the Race for Life on Sunday will be greeted once again by one of TV’s best known faces as they cross the line. Local favourite Martin Clunes is lending his support to the Dorchester event and will cheer each participant along
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Dorchester's Race for Life: Pair inspired by childhood friend
A PAIR of charity runners have gone the extra mile ahead of the race after being inspired by their childhood friend’s battle with cancer. Claire Quine and Shelly Stevens held a Weymouth garden party and collected £720 for their Race for Life
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Library figures: Campaigners argue that small libraries are cost effective
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Dorset’s Libraries say that the small libraries under threat of cuts are more cost effective. Figures released by Dorset County Council’s libraries department to campaign group Ad Lib – The Association of the Friends
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Library figures: The facts about Dorset services
BOOKS ISSUED 2008-09. Dorchester: 269,507. Weymouth: 208,857. Littlemoor: 44,764. Portland Tophill: 32,221. Wyke Regis: 36,498. Chickerell: 11,563. Portland Underhill: 8,802 . BOOKS ISSUED 2009-
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CEFAS fish lab worker is rushed to hospital
A WORKER at a fish laboratory in Weymouth was taken to hospital after fears he may have inhaled ‘deadly’ contaminants. Ambulances were called to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) laboratory in Barrack Road at the
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Life in a nuclear family
ARE there any former Winfrith workers out there who can help Looking Back piece together the history of an important part of the history of Winfrith UKAEA site? Weymouth photographer Idris Martin has been in touch with some details of the now-decommissioned
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Guided bird tour will offer fun for all the family
STAFF and volunteers from the RSPB at Weymouth Wetlands are running a free family fun day on Portland on Sunday, May 22. There will be activities for all ages, starting with a guided walk for adults and older children from 8am to 10am. From 10am to 3pm
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Old Winfrith heath inhabitants return to graze
RESIDENTS and walkers may notice some new inhabitants on Winfrith Heath as cattle are introduced to the site for the first time in many years. The animals will be free to roam several areas to graze 370 acres. As part of a ‘Whole Heath Grazing Scheme
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Volunteers step up for Weymouth Wetlands stocktake
AROUND 100 people stepped up for nature and took part in the RSPB’s first ever Big Wild Stocktake Challenge at Weymouth Wetlands. They joined experts and roving volunteer wardens to help them find out exactly what creatures live on the Radipole Lake
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Bournemouth man appears in court for driving offence
A ROYAL Mail driver has appeared in court charged with driving without due care and attention after a collision in which a pedestrian lost both his legs. Daniel Young, of Archdale Close, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, was driving a DAF Lorry through Silver
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Fond memories of the Sacred Heart convent
THE 1946 class picture of Weymouth’s Convent of the Sacred Heart High School (Looking Back, May 3) prompted former pupil Rod Harris to contact us with another picture taken from that year. He is pictured on the extreme right of the top row. Other pupils
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Garden festival growing in popularity
THE Garden section of 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 Royal Welsh
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Enjoy rambling on the South Dorset ridgeway
WHEN the sun is shining what better way is there than to spend a few hours in beautiful countryside with breathtaking views and interesting sights? Dorset is blessed with one of the area’s most stunning natural features – the South Dorset Ridgeway
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Respect diversity
IN last Friday’s ‘soapwash’ for the English Defence League by a Dorchester (Poundbury) resident, you state the EDL is not racist. The EDL has an insulting four letter word chant about Allah, designed to give offence, humiliate and intimidate
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100 lead thefts in Dorset: Break-ins leave thousands of pounds worth of damage
BURGLARS stole chrome taps, copper piping, electrical cable and a quantity of lead from a roof from a building site in Sherborne. The raid happened along Lenthay Road between Thursday, April 28 and Tuesday, May 3, at the site, which will eventually become
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100 lead thefts in Dorset: Raids on the rise as black market price soars
A SPATE of almost 100 lead thefts has hit Dorset in the past seven months – costing businesses and community groups thousands of pounds. Shocking new figures released by Dorset Police show around 15 lead thefts a month are taking place across
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Taking a lead
I’m just writing in disgust about another dog attack (‘Vicious dog in terror attack’, Echo, May 3). I’m an owner of a four-year old Staffordshire bull terrier who is always on his lead apart from the times we go to fields or the beach.
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Food for thought
I am writing as the leader of Slow Food Dorset about questions that have been raised at a recent committee meeting. As a Slow Food convivium, or group, we fully support the principles of the international Slow Food movement – in short, to value
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Cut off the head
I note from an article in the Dorset Echo of Thursday, May 6 that Dorset County Council is now looking for another £6million more in savings. May I suggest that instead of cutting public services like libraries and school crossing patrols, they remove
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Cuts to disability service a disgrace
How shameful – the minute Dorset County Council finds it has miscalculated its finances by £6million, they immediately think of milking people with learning difficulties (Echo, May 5). These people are among the most vulnerable in the county – they
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DCH winners: The names are revealed in charity competition
• A walk on part in Doc Martin donated by Philippa Clunes: Angela Preece. • A signed first series script and DVD of Downton Abbey donated by Julian Fellowes: June Thirlwall. • An Olympic treat – a one-to-one lesson with double Olympic
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DCH winners: Dorset Echo raises £1,264 for mammography machine
A TOTAL of £1,264 was raised in the Dorset Echo’s grand fundraising competition to raise money for a vitally needed new digital mammography machine. The special one-off phone and text competition lasted for a week and incredible prizes were
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The marriage of Aaron Hitchcock and Katrina Stone
A COUPLE who first met at school had their perfect laid back and relaxed wedding day. Katrina Stone, 21, married Aaron Hitchcock, 21, at St Nicholas Church in Broadwey on Saturday, May 7. Katrina works as a support worker for a Dorset residential home
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The life of Ray Smith
A PIONEERING jazz shop owner who found his love of the genre in Dorset has died at the age of 76. Ray Smith was born on September 9, 1934 in Ealing, London. He was sent to boarding school at Allhallows school near Lyme Regis. While he was there he
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The birth of Riley John Kellaway
AFTER four years of waiting a happy couple are delighted to welcome their son into their family. Kerry Kellaway, 29, and Paul, 25, from Broadmayne had been trying for a baby for four years after they got married, but were left heartbroken after trying
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Weymouth man pleads guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour
A MAN admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards another man when he appeared in court. Karl Robert George Purnell, aged 19, of Whitehead Drive, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to the offence at Weymouth Magistrates Court. Nicky
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Ballet Central returns to Bridport Arts Centre
BALLET Central makes a welcome summer return to Bridport Arts Centre next month with what promises to be two storming performances. The company’s current tour offers audiences a rare opportunity to see new works by some of the dance profession’s leading
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Patrick Monahan brings comedy to the Lighthouse in Poole
INTERNATIONAL award winning comedian and storyteller Patrick Monahan brings two hilarious shows to Lighthouse in Poole at the end of the month. Beginning at 3pm on May 31, Patrick presents Stand-up Stories & Tales For Kids Who Run Faster Than Snails
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Artistic Talents Aired
TATE Cattistock is happening in Chilfrome between Saturday, May 21 and Monday, May 30. You will have a chance to see the work of local artists at The Barns (DT2 0HA) from 11am until 4pm each day, with an open evening from 6 to 9pm on Saturday, May 28.
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Thomas Hardye School students film new soap opera
FORGET Albert Square and Ramsay Street – Dorchester is the latest setting for a new soap opera. Students at Thomas Hardye School directed, filmed and acted out the show Queens Avenue, named after the school’s address. The first instalment
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Art in a grand setting
Four talented local artists are taking part in Artwey, the Weymouth & Portland Artists’ Open Studios event. Tony Heathershaw, Sara Knight, Elizabeth Morris and Caroline Nairn are holding an exhibition of their work in the Wessex Waterworks Museum at
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Weymouth ABC on the move
WEYMOUTH Amateur Boxing Club is on the hunt for a new home. Parking poses a major problem at the club’s current residence on Hardwick Street, and with membership continually on the up, a larger abode is subsequently required. Weymouth ABC first moved
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Belt out to prove he’s a winner
DAN Belt is eager to prove his match-winning credentials to the county selectors following Dorset’s five-wicket defeat against Herefordshire at Redlands. The Dorchester all-rounder shared a last-wicket stand of 30 alongside opener Nick Park
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Collapse ends Dorset's hopes
DORSET 185 lost to HEREFORDSHIRE 186-5 by five wickets A CATASTROPHIC collapse saw Dorset lose four wickets for just 20 runs as Herefordshire cantered to a comfortable MCCA Knockout Trophy triumph at Redlands. Having won the toss, the hosts appeared
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Kitson KOs Beaminster
CHRISTCHURCH 280-6 (17pts) beat BEAMINSTER 195-5 (5pts) by 88 runs A CENTURY from Mikey Kitson wrecked Beaminster’s quest to open their Dorset League Division Two victory account. The Christchurch opener plundered a magnificent 123 at
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Smith's charges sunk by Stalbridge
STALBRIDGE SECONDS 175-9 (20pts) beat BRIDPORT 158 (11pts) by 17 runs MARK Smith refused to be downhearted after Bridport tasted their maiden Dorset League Division Three defeat of the season. Skipper Smith, in his first campaign at the helm, watched
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Daleks take over at Portland club
ROWERS pulled in the crowds with the help of Daleks while raising cash to fund a new boat for their club. Around 40 Portland Gig Rowing Club members took it in turns to row the 122km distance of Cherbourg to the island, outside Tesco superstore on Portland
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County town treble
A TRIO of Dorchester & District boxers fought their way to victory in impressive displays. Travis Walden, Jamie Gosney and debutant Ian Wellman were all victorious to ensure a county town treble. Prior to his bout with Gosport’s Thomas Gregory, Walden
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Six-up in Paisley
Edna Paisley League DORCHESTER 6 SHERBORNE BLUE 0 DORCHESTER Ladies made a fine start to their Edna Paisley League campaign, achieving maximum points against Sherborne Blue. The Dorchester trio of Lyn Mumford, Liz Whatley and Fran Dyer beat E Hellier
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Get on court at Greenhill
ENTRANTS are being sought for this year’s Weymouth Town Tennis Tournament at Greenhill. The annual showpiece gets underway on Monday, July 4 and ends on Saturday, July 16. The event, sponsored by Blondz, holds 10 competitions ranging from men’s and
