A BIG-HEARTED former paratrooper is to run the London Marathon next month to raise cash for a disabled youngster's wheelchair. Ian Edwards, of Hardy Crescent, Wimborne, will run 26.2 miles for Hanna Baker of Woodyates, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, who has
Individuals and community groups are being urged to join forces in a new war on crime. The Rotary Club of Dorchester is to invite representatives from nearly 50 bodies to a major conference at Thomas Hardye School. The first Dorchester Conference on Crime
A NINE-year-girl has written to the Dorset Echo to protest about the development of the former Weymouth College site in Newstead Road. Chelsey Dixon, of William Street, Weymouth, feels so strongly that the area should not be used for new housing, that
BLADING enthusiasts are rolling out a new recycling project for Weymouth's skatepark which could earn them a pretty penny. Staff and volunteers at The Front at Lodmoor came up with idea of going green by setting up a recycling scheme after they were struck
HAND-PAINTED best-wishes will be making their way to Buckingham Palace thanks to the artistic skills of one member of the Preston Townswomen's Guild. Guild member Jean Wixey used her watercolour skills to create a picturesque card to commemorate the Queen's
THE AFC Bournemouth Supporters' Association has supported Tony Swaisland's claims that Cherries are not on the verge of losing their community club status. Concerns were raised among fans that Cherries were considering abandoning the community club ethos
RICHARD Hughes believes Cherries' trip to Reading tonight is "probably more important" than their previous visit to the Madejski Stadium in May (7.45pm kick-off). Hughes is poised to return against the Royals as Sean O'Driscoll's side look to gain revenge
ACTORS playing members of the heathen Pouncey family in Dorchester's fourth community play met their modern day descendant - a real life vicar. Canon Cosmo Pouncey, 90, from Little Bredy, who was ordained in 1934, says that he had been told about his
DETERMINED campaigners are refusing to give up on dreams of a major new community facility in the New Forest, despite a National Lottery setback. Proposals for a £400,000 'Millennium Hall' in the burgeoning village of Milford-on-Sea have been dealt a
CHICKEN pox has ruled Dorchester's in-form central defender Mark Jermyn out of tonight's Dorset Senior Cup semi-final against Holt United at Wimborne Town's Cuthbury ground, kick-off 7.45pm. But manager Mark Morris is hoping the former Torquay youngster
PIRATES fans' favourite Greg Walasek will return in 2002 after his captain saved him from the chop. The 25-year-old Pole was on the verge of being left out, but captain Gary Havelock pressured Poole Meridian Lifts Pirates co-promoter Matt Ford to give
THE recent heavy showers could be down to these children. They performed rain-dance chants as used by Native Americans. Harrison Baldry, six, became Chief Fire for the day and Three Legged Cross First School became an encampment. The children got the
WEYMOUTH'S long-awaited relief road may have to be re-routed to avoid a colony of bats. The bombshell comes from county council chiefs who say the discovery will delay the road scheme while environmental studies are carried out. Examination of the habitat
A BRIDPORT schoolboy is being treated for suspected meningitis at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. It is understood the boy, a year eight pupil at Sir John Colfox School, has contracted the deadlier meningococcal form of the disease but is responding
DETERMINED Peter Woodward Gregg has launched a major plan to open a new 'Best of British' museum in Dorchester. The retired stockbroker is in talks to finalise a venue in the Dorchester area for a celebration of engineering excellence. Mr Woodward Gregg
AN extensive hunt has uncovered diesel-powered coaches which could be running along Weymouth's tram railway lines this summer. Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been holding talks with track owner Railtrack about the future of
FAMILIES sick of living with neighbours from hell crowded into a meeting to discuss ways of dealing with anti-social behaviour. Nearly 50 people went to Dorchester's Colliton Club to hear MPs Jim Knight and Oliver Letwin, Inspector Andy Mason, national
WITH her country singer name and the rhinestones on her cowboy outfit, Tammy Greaves could be the latest star in Nashville. But the 13-year-old New Forest schoolgirl is asking the way to Amarillo, Texas, rather than the Grand Ole Opry, after being picked
A DORSET father who subjected hospital staff to a tirade of abuse and violent behaviour has narrowly escaped jail. Stephen Coker left staff at the Westminster Memorial Hospital at Shaftesbury terrified after he repeatedly swore at them, kicked out at
WESTOVER Sports Cars at Pimperne will be contesting this year's Le Mans 24 Hours - the world's most famous and prestigious motor race. The Blandford sporstscar specialists were announced this week as one of the sponsors and technical preparation partners
CHAIRMAN Tony Swaisland says Cherries will have to restructure to survive. But he insists Cherries' status as a community club will not be under threat from the reorganisation and that fans have a key role in determining the future. Swaisland admitted
