THREE members of a gang who helped fleece a vulnerable pensioner of her life savings have been warned to expect lengthy prison sentences. Housewife Anne Cash was weeping before jurors returned a guilty verdict against her. Car dealer Tommy Lee shrugged
THE British tour of the controversial musical Jerry Springer - The Opera was said to be in jeopardy because of threats from militant Christians. Regional theatres are concerned they will be picketed by Christian Voice for putting on a "blasphemous and
THIS is the exciting vision for Bournemouth's Winter Gardens under brand-new plans unveiled by a supporters' trust. The multi-million-pound proposals would transform the defunct concert hall into an international arts venue comparable with Bilbao's Guggenheim
A DRUG driver who killed a student on his first day at university after falling asleep at the wheel was jailed for two years on February 24. Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Mark Wilson had worked up to 16 hours a day and taken amphetamines to help him
TEENAGE pregnancy rates throughout Dorset are some of the lowest in England and Wales, latest figures have revealed. Of 189 local authorities listed, Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole are rated 153rd, 173rd and 177th respectively. In Bournemouth there were
A SHOCKING new study has revealed segregating smokers in public areas does not protect non-smokers from the risks of smoking-related diseases. Its astonishing findings revealed that someone dancing in a nightclub for four hours is exposed to as much second-hand
COUNCIL plans to axe Wareham's street market have been deferred following a groundswell of public opposition. The market will continue until this November, when its temporary planning permission runs out. A bid to close the market was being considered
IN a faint echo of a gentler age, Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Museum plays host to a fine double bill of classic Buster Keaton silent films, February 25 at 8pm. Presented by Dorset Film Touring - and accompanied by Stephen Norne, the UK's leading cinema
IN Britain, we berate our schools for the lack of physical education in the national curriculum. Across the Atlantic, it's an entirely different ball game. Sporting excellence within the high school system binds entire communities: the star player on
"COME out, come out, wherever you are!" Sadly, when the final audacious twist of this atmospheric suspense-thriller does indeed come out, plausibility stays firmly in hiding. The tension, which director John Polson (Swimfan) and screenwriter Ari Schlossberg
THIS isn't going to be everyone's cup of eau, but for those who can tune into its singular beat, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou is bound to float a fleet of boats. Essentially, it's a knowing spoof on those great underwater adventure documentaries
ANNA has been bred to be a blood, bone and, possibly, kidney donor for her sister Kate who has leukaemia. Now 13, she is tired of being a source of spare parts, and of not receiving enough parental affection herself. She decides to file a lawsuit to gain
PRECIOUS Ramotswe, that loveable lady of traditional build and values, is back in this new sixth book of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Crimes are fairly crowding in upon her: she nearly crushes a trouserless intruder, her violent first husband
THE UK's best-selling sports car - the MG TF - now promises smoother riding and more equipment for your money. One of the key improvements to the 2005 specification is the new heated glass rear screen which provides improved rear vision in all weathers
LEE Phillips today rocked Weymouth on the eve of their Conference South trip to Sutton United by insisting he did not want to leave the Terras. The striker, who joined Exeter City with Steve Tully on free transfers earlier this week, revealed he only
SPEED cameras and a 40mph limit are being demanded along Bridport bypass after the deaths of two pensioners in the latest horror smash. Rhys Lloyd, 89, and Popsy Hopkins, 87, from Lyme Regis died when their car was involved in a threevehicle pile up at
MANY workers are reluctant to ask for more money - even when unhappy with their pay, according to a new report. Even workers asked to be involved in an appraisal of their pay often did not seize the opportunity to argue for a rise with one in 10 describing
THE mother of a Dorset man who "never took drugs" has expressed shock after an inquest heard he died from heroin poisoning. Recruitment consultant Simon Wareham, 25, was found dead in Cambodia on November 3 shortly after embarking on a dream round-the-world
Tommy: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Jonathan Wilkes stars in Bill Kenwright's new production of Tommy, the stage musical version of The Who's classic rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind boy saved by an intuitive genius for pinball. Originally written
A DETERMINED fundraiser was surprised with a presentation to thank him for raising thousands of pounds to help sick children. The charity CLIC, which supports children suffering from cancer or leukaemia, expressed its gratitude to 52-year-old volunteer
THE New Forest will become England's ninth National Park from Tuesday March 1. The historic announcement was made by the government's Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael on February 24 and marks a turning point in the management of the area. Mr Michael
NESTLING between the big selling A4 and the aluminium technology packed A8, the Audi A6 has in the past tended to be overlooked - but not anymore thanks to the huge trapezoidal single-frame grille that has been capturing attention since it was first unveiled
A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of scores of community groups in Christchurch after council leaders decided to terminate their lease on a site used by these organisations. Community services committee members voted against renewing the council's
JASON Tindall has turned to one of the world's top knee surgeons in a bid to cure his long-term injury problems - and is footing the bill himself. Tindall has enlisted the help of Colorado-based Richard Steadman and is financing a trip to America for
THE young people of Lyme Regis get together in the town gardens and cause as much hassle to the neighbours as they can. That's the view of town councillor Stan Williams, who said at Wednesday's policy committee that Lyme Regis was suffering from "terrific
GOALKEEPER Neil Moss will be hoping to mark his 200th career appearance by helping Cherries complete a quickfire hat-trick (February 26). Moss will be bidding to keep his third clean sheet in the space of eight days when he faces Tranmere Rovers at Dean
BEACH HUT owners in Lyme Regis have complained that the town council is charging the full annual licence fee this year, even though the huts will only be at the seafront for nine weeks instead of the usual 24 because of stabilisation works. Town clerk
IT'S fashionable these days to begin arguments with the phrase "everyone's entitled to their beliefs". And, in our mercifully free and democratic society, that little statement should always be true, even if those beliefs range from the slightly eccentric
WANT to feel happier in your work? Social workers, architects and civil servants might like to consider a change of career ... in favour of cutting people's hair or talking to God. A survey carried out by the City and Guilds qualifications body has revealed
A DORSET woman who returned to work after battling breast cancer is backing a campaign to improve the working lives of those with the disease. After being diagnosed with cancer last June, Jane (name changed) took seven weeks off for surgery, but worked
THREE well-known amateur sportsmen from the Bournemouth area will be flying out to Sri Lanka next month with money and equipment to help youngsters in the cricket-mad country start playing again in the wake of the tsunami disaster. Pat Wickson, Jan Bridle
Are We There Yet? (PG) UCI *** One-time gangsta rapper Ice Cube reinvents himself in this wishy-washy family comedy about a man who most learn to like kids in order to win their mom's affections. The Aviator (12A) UCI, Lighthouse *** Leonardo DiCaprio
JAMES L Brooks has a way of making you warm to objectionable people - hell, he gave us Homer Simpson and Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets). But not even he can save Deborah Clasky (Tea Leoni), the neurotic, selfish, unhearing, narrow-minded
HELLO, and welcome to Bistro On The Box. For today's special we have the ever-popular Tongue Supreme - a large portion of Jamie Oliver, garnished with a paupiette of puzzled pupils and a generous drizzle of dinner lady sauce. Jamie's School Dinners (C4
THE death of a wife with whom you had planned to spend the rest of your life, growing old and watching your children mature into adults is the premise of Rush's memoir of despair, desolation but ultimately of the author's reawakening. Having lost his
OUTSIDE of the Glasgow setting and patois, Robert Douglas's wartime childhood could have happened anywhere in Britain (and did, to my certain knowledge). His love of trams and the cinema, joy in simple pleasures, street games, gradual exposure to the
DANGEROUS yobs who throw missiles from bridges at cars should be charged with attempted murder, says a driver who had a lucky escape when his car was hit by a metre-long traffic cone. Malcolm Tomlin's car careered into a bank after 19-year-old Paul Butler
SAAB is bidding to grab a slice of the lucrative prestige 'lifestyle' estate market with next week's unveiling of the all-new 9-3 SportWagon. With a striking, wedge-like profile and Saab 'signature' styling cues, the proportions of the 9-3 SportWagon
DORCHESTER could close in on a place in the play-offs if they can beat Hornchurch for the second time this season at The Avenue Stadium tomorrow (3pm). Victory would put the Magpies on 44 points - four points less than their sixth-placed Essex visitors
REVISED plans for a new medical centre at Bridport remain a prescription for disaster, angry residents insisted this week. Protesters packed a meeting of the town council's plans committee on Monday to urge members to oppose the latest scheme. Medcentres
NEGOTIATIONS are under way to create a second museum in Bridport to house a hands on tribute to the town's rope and net heritage. Bridport Museum Trust is hoping to secure a permanent exhibition area in the centre of town where visitors can not only see
A MYSTERIOUS big black cat has been spotted in Melplash again. This time it was by Wendy and Richard Plummer of Slades Green, Bridport, who were driving on the Beaminster road on Saturday morning when they saw it. Mrs Plummer said: "We were driving to
A GROUP of young filmmakers from Bridport were launched into the limelight this week after winning a top national award presented by actor Sir Ian McKellen. Their short movie, Taking Pictures, won the best drama category at the First Light annual film
THE mother of a two-year-old Bridport girl left "traumatised" by divebombing seagulls is launching a national campaign to make feeding the birds illegal. Tiger Inn landlady Tracie Mills says her daughter Emma is now a virtual prisoner in their home following
STAFF and students are today celebrating after a new Ofsted report judged that Weymouth College is continuing on its course of improvement. The report says the college has made satisfactory progress since 2003 when inspectors judged it 'inadequate' and
A PROPOSAL to move GP surgeries in Dorchester has been given council approval. Dorset County Council's health scrutiny committee met yesterday to consider plans to move Cornwall Road Medical Practice and Prince of Wales Road Surgery to a new shared site
A NEW fuel supply operation with BP at Portland was today hailed as a major boost for the South Dorset economy. BP Marine has joined forces with Portland Bunkers International Limited (PBIL) to launch the new service for ships at Portland Port. The operation
RAMBLER Edward Seabrook is heartbroken after losing his late wife Gillian's walking stick. He took the stick with him on rambles in memory of his wife after she died last year but left it at a beauty spot near Frampton. Mr Seabrook, 76, who used to run
THE mother of a two-year-old Bridport girl left 'traumatised' by dive-bombing seagulls is launching a national campaign to make feeding the birds illegal. Tiger Inn landlady Tracie Mills says her daughter Emma is now a virtual prisoner in their home following
A WELL-KNOWN chip shop will be re-homed in a new three-storey building in Weymouth. The Sea Chef premises on King Street will be demolished as part of a 'long overdue' redevelopment plan, which will also include the King Edwards building on the Esplanade
THE last model to be launched by Daewoo before it morphed into Chevrolet at the beginning of the year was the Lacetti so it's the car that will have the least association with the Korean brand and stands a greater chance of creating its own identity.
THE government has pledged to avert a £4m funding crisis at four church schools in the Blandford area. Archbishop Wake, Durweston, Blandford St Mary and Spetisbury voluntary-aided schools are preparing to change from first to primary schools in September
THE OWNERS of a house in Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, which was the birthplace of a leading British engineer have refused to allow a plaque in his honour to be put up at the property by the Retired Chartered Engineers Club. Percy Carlisle Gilchrist was
THE CO-ORDINATORS of Uplyme's parish plan are urging villagers to take an interest in it while it is still being drafted. Only 40 out of a possible 400 households have filled out the village questionnaire so far, say organisers, missing a big opportunity
TOWN MAYOR Barbara Austin and president of the Lyme Regis Rotary John Eaton unveiled new welcome signs for Lyme Regis this week. The three colourful signs sited at Charmouth Road, Sidmouth Road and Uplyme Road, were designed and funded by the Rotary club
A LYME REGIS retailer has issued a call to arms for all traders to work together or face missing out on vital custom. Rikey Austin, who runs Alice's Bear Shop in Bridge Street, says Lyme's independ ent traders need to join forces and communicate more
