POP superstar Madonna and the founder of New Look are among the Dorset residents to feature among the wealthiest people in Britain. The Sunday Times rich list, to be published this weekend, will profile the 1,000 richest people and families in the UK.
IT'S tough being a sea dog. No sooner has famous Dorset adventurer Bear Grylls invited me aboard than I've bashed my head and nearly twisted an ankle negotiating the narrow gangway leading below decks (notice how quickly I've picked up the nautical lingo
CAR hater Ashley Carpenter's actions will see him go down as the most prolific offender of his type in British criminal history. He went on a one-man vendetta by puncturing the tyres of more than 700 vehicles in the space of just 10 days all in a bid
CONTROVERSIAL police support officers are due to hit the streets in Dorset towns this month. The county currently has seven Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) but a further 20 will soon be patrolling the streets. The officers aim to provide a valuable
PEDAL power is being used to highlight Thomas Hardy landmarks for the first time. The Thomas Hardy Society has organised its first ever cycle ride on Sunday, April 25, to encourage more people to learn about the legendary Dorset scholar. The 28-mile circular
DAREDEVIL women from Weymouth went sky-diving to raise hundreds of pounds for charity. Colleagues Claire Kelly and Maria Gibbs took the plunge in aid of Cancer Research UK and The Cherries care home in Weymouth, which provides respite care for children
A PIONEERING scheme to involve Dorset's public in monitoring sex abusers and violent offenders is to be extended nationwide. Dorset was one of eight areas in the country to involve an "ordinary" member of the public on the panel which oversees dangerous
IN a bid to shrug off its elderly image, the Methodist Church is targeting twenty and thirty-somethings, and canvassing their views on God and morals. As part of a nation-wide competition to find what today's upwardly-mobile generation would add as an
THE car hater who punctured the tyres of more than 700 vehicles in a revenge attack on "inconsiderate" motorists has been jailed for 16 months. Cyclist Ashley Carpenter cracked after nearly being knocked off his bike twice and being splashed with puddle
WHEN you think of TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, athletic isn't really a word that springs to mind. Bubbly, funny and down-to-earth, yes, but runner she is not. Until now. On April 18 a trim, toned and healthy Lorraine will be taking to the streets to run
183 Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst; 81158, retention of shop fascia; C J Smith 160 Burley Road, Bransgore; 81155, annexe to existing residential home (Outline application with details only of access & siting); Jerry Davies Planning Consultancy, Suite 333
A MOTHER who lost her only child in a traffic accident is joining a national campaign to lobby Parliament for better rights for road crash victims. Doris Sumpter, from Waterloo Road, Corfe Mullen, became involved with RoadPeace after her 31-year-old son
A MOTHER who lost her only child in a traffic accident is joining a national campaign to lobby Parliament for better rights for road crash victims. Doris Sumpter, from Waterloo Road, Corfe Mullen, became involved with RoadPeace after her 31-year-old son
A SECOND report has confirmed that an oil leak caused the engine fire which forced the crew of the Portland coastguard helicopter to make an emergency landing before it burst into flames. An Air Accident Investigation Branch report shortly after the accident
A MOTORCYCLE club treasurer is today starting a 12-month jail sentence after admitting stealing more than £25,000. Alan Stuart Berry, 34, stole cash from two motorcycle groups and his employer, Dorchester Crown Court heard. Berry was well known in Weymouth
A PORTLAND coastguard helicopter crew managed to crash land just 82 seconds after it burst into flames over the Dorset coast, according to a new report today. The four officers - who walked from the wreckage - were praised for their professionalism and
BRAVE Steven Carter and Peter Harris piled on the pounds with a stomach turning fundraiser in Weymouth. The duo swallowed their pride to eat 11 dishes and a bonus drink for the bush tucker style challenge at BAE Systems. They raised £200 for the National
VILLAGERS in Wool fear their population could shoot up by 25 per cent if plans for 146 new homes get the green light. Around eight acres of agricultural land to the west of the village, known as Seventeen Acre Field, has been earmarked by owners for 118
REJUVENATED Cherries star Neil Young believes he is "fitter than ever" and says he wants to see out his career at Dean Court. Young has been restricted to just four starts this season after being dogged by a persistent Achilles injury. But the 30-year-old
WHERE there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope." It will be 25 years early next month since Lady Margaret Thatcher reiterated
FREELANCE photographer Nick Free yearns for a Bournemouth room with a view. But a fascia restaurant sign outside his first-floor bedroom window in Holdenhurst Road restricts what he can see. Planning officers at the Town Hall have admitted responsibility
PLANNERS will be advised on Monday to back new leisure buildings and 169 homes at Boscombe seafront. But Barratt's housing plans for Honeycombe Chine have attracted more than 450 objections from the public. Bournemouth Borough Council intends the housing
PLANNERS will be advised on April 19 to back new leisure buildings and 169 homes at Boscombe seafront. But Barratt's housing plans for Honeycombe Chine have attracted more than 450 objections from the public. Bournemouth Borough Council intends the housing
IT has been five years since normal life ended for teenager Gemma Watson. While most of her contemporaries are socialising, travelling, working or going to university, she can only dream of such independence. For Gemma, 19, is fighting against a debilitating
POOLE Pirates lost an eight-point advantage in a thrilling AirTek Challenge at Oxford Stadium April 16. Pirates took the lead in the second heat with a five-one over the home reserves - it was a little bit lucky as Jonas Davidsson was leading comfortably
TREES SHOULD NOT HAVE GOT THE CHOP I HAVE been reading the letters and articles that have been appearing in the Echo recently about the removal of the trees along Bridport Road in Dorchester. As a former resident of the town I can well remember all the
A DECISION on allowing four homes to be built in the grounds of a village pub has been put on hold. Councillors have deferred their ruling on whether three cottages and one house can be built on land at The Martyrs' Inn in Tolpuddle because of fears it
BOURNEMOUTH plunged further away from the play-off places after Tranmere subjected them to a crushing defeat at Dean Court on Saturday (April 17). It was 15 minutes before anyone managed a shot on goal and it was Derek Holmes who connected with a cross
