I HAVE something in common with Tony Blair. This has nothing to do with my undoubted ability in the spin department, nor has it anything to do with going to war, although I've had a fair few skirmishes over the years, especially, but not exclusively,
FIFTY businesses from Dorset will be exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show which launches tomorrow. The 10-day event at Mayflower Park is expected to attract more than 140,000 sailing, boating and water sports enthusiasts from around the UK. Dorset
THE name of Madge Strange was once very big on the Bournemouth music scene. In her long and flowery dresses, she entertained hundreds of people every day as one of a small group of musicians who played cinema organs when we didn't just see a movie', but
A VILLAGE post office and store has become the first direct casualty of the Avon Causeway bridge closure. Sopley post mistress Gilly Cole and business partner Terry Farmer are shutting up shop after seeing trade slashed by a third since the bridge closed
A BUILDER who raped a 13-year-old schoolgirl, six years ago, while her unsuspecting mother was chatting in another room of the house has been jailed for eight years and three months by a Dorset judge. Roger Beeston, 42, of Ulwell Road, Swanage, carried
BOURNEMOUTH'S council leader has hailed the town's new recycling scheme as a success - despite early teething problems and the furore over the "secret" electronic chips in the big bins. At a meeting of the full council, Cllr Richard Smith turned down
THOUSANDS of Dorset home owners have missed mortgage payments and risk having their properties repossessed, it has been revealed. The last year has seen a huge increase in the number of people unable to pay every month. And the Citizens Advice Bureau
BOURNEMOUTH breast cancer survivors took to the road in an eye-catching pink Cadillac to help launch a new charity campaign. Fundraisers dressed in pink joined them for a ride in the car, loaned by local company Limo-Land, to drive home the message.
THE eagerly-awaited revamp of next season's RIAS Pirates line-up will begin to take shape in eight weeks' time, according to Matt Ford. Poole's co-promoter has hinted that sweeping changes are afoot after a season of underachievement at Wimborne Road
DEAN Court old boy Jamie Redknapp is the punters' choice to become the next Cherries manager. The 33-year-old has been installed as the even-money favourite by local bookmakers Jem Racing. A spokesman for Jem Racing told the Daily Echo: "This market
PIRATES have been boosted by the news that Antonio Lindback is fit to ride in tonight's Elite League home clash with Reading Bulldogs. There were fears that the Brazilian-born Swede had suffered cruciate ligament damage to his knee following his heavy
ABDUL Jaffer says he has been "very impressed" with the quality of applicants for the vacant Cherries manager's job - despite not yet advertising the post. Cherries' chairman has confirmed the club has received 20 applications for the position in the
FED-up residents claim their lives have been made intolerable ever since elderly people's sheltered flats were turned into homeless accommodation. People living near Purdy House in Draper Road, Kinson, say they are now encountering antisocial behaviour
BOURNEMOUTH could have a new indoor ice rink within the next two years - if residents rally behind the plans. The ambitious proposals to build a rink at Kings Park have been slowly moving forward, with a developer interested in working with the council
DETECTIVES investigating one of Dorset's most gruesome and horrific murders are now analysing the mass of information received from the public. A Crimewatch reconstruction prompted hundreds of calls from members of the public and police are confident
JUST ahead of the four-year anniversary since his brother's death, a Bournemouth MP has spoken out about his search for his body in the aftermath of the explosions that rocked the world. Tobias Ellwood travelled to Bali with his sister, Totty, days after
