Archive

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Man sexually assaulted vulnerable lone woman after she was separated from friend

A MAN sexually assaulted a vulnerable lone woman in Christchurch after she was separated from her friend. Lewis Hawkett-Smith, 32 and of Christchurch, was found guilty by jury of sexual assaulting a woman by penetration. It was reported that

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Paedophile found dead in cell after officers mistakenly thought they saw him move

An Isle of Wight paedophile was found dead in his mainland prison cell less than an hour after officers mistakenly believed they had seen him move during a routine morning check. Geoffrey Talbot Morris, 83, previously of Holyrood Street in Newport

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Poet who found comfort in the sun died after cliff fall, inquest heard

A CELEBRATED Scots poet who 'worshipped the sun' died after falling from a seaside cliff, after being diagnosed with a skin condition which meant he could no longer sunbathe, an inquest heard. Scott Hastie, who published five volumes of poetry,

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Coastal areas to close to public as weather warning issued

SOME coastal areas, alongside footpaths and beach access, will be closed due to the upcoming 'unsettled' weather. New Forest District Council have announced that some coastal areas will be closed throughout Wednesday December 17 and Thursday December

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Balaclava-wearing men snatch bike from teen in 'frightening' experience

A GROUP of masked men knocked a teen off his bike before stealing it in Poole. At around 10:50pm on Saturday December 6, a teenage boy was riding an e-bike on North Road when a car, believed to be a white Nissan Juke, pulled up alongside him.

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Dog missing for more than a week rescued and reunited with owners

A dog which has been missing for more than a week has been rescued and reunited with its owners. Emergency services were called to Egmont Point, near Chapmans Pool in Kimmeridge at 9.30pm yesterday to aid in the rescue of Willow the spaniel.

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New Forest council issues warning over Christmas bin collection changes

Residents across the New Forest are being urged to check waste and recycling collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period after New Forest District Council confirmed changes. Councillor David Harrison said alterations to rubbish, recycling

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Appeal submitted against rejected bid for barn conversion in the New Forest

An appeal has been submitted over plans to convert a barn into a home. The New Forest District Council initially rejected the planning bid for KONA's land on Sway Road, Pennington. The barn conversion, which would have included two parking

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Adorable couple at care home celebrate 70 years of married life

A care home couple are celebrating a love story that spans seven decades. Patricia and Brian Furnnell, residents of Ferndown Manor, marked their 70th wedding anniversary with an event organised by the staff. The couple, aged 89 and 91, enjoyed

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Farmers and public urged to get involved in nationwide bird count

People are being encouraged to count birds on farmland across the UK as part of a nationwide effort to find out which species need the most help. The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has announced that the annual Big Farmland Bird Count

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TV chef visits Poole primary to help with cooking lessons

A TV chef joined a Poole school's cooking session to help pupils improve their skills. Philippa Davis, a Dorset chef, writer and TV presenter, visited Longspee Primary Academy on Friday. She conducted a festive cooking demonstration for seven

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NFDC update on outdoor food waste caddies and completion

New Forest District Council (NFDC) will continue to collect outdoor food waste caddies from behind property gates at identified homes. This applies to homes where free-roaming Forest livestock can potentially access the usual collection point,

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Community fridge saves more than one tonne of food in first year

A community fridge has seen more than 1,000 visits in its first year. Sherborne's community fridge, supported by Sherborne Town Council, aims to cut down on food waste by offering free donated produce from local companies. In its debut year

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Burlesque workshop at care home makes residents feel 'glamorous'

Residents at a care home have been enjoying a burlesque workshop in a partnership with an arts group. The residents at Care UK's Sway Place care home on Church Lane teamed up with Places of Wonder to introduce circus performances and workshops

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Bournemouth Airport ranked among UK's most reliable airports

Bournemouth Airport has been ranked among the UK's most reliable air travel hubs. According to a study by My Baggage, Bournemouth Airport only cancelled six flights, 0.1 per cent, of its 7,202 departures throughout last year. These findings

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Swanage & Wareham RFC still top as forthcoming fixtures set

Fortunately Marlborough conceded the game; they could not raise a side, so the team did not have to travel there. This means that Swans receive five league points, which means we still remain at the top of the league. Secondly, Bournemouth

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Dementia care home residents help feed families in need

Residents and staff at a Poole dementia care home have helped to feed families in need. Five residents and three staff members from Colten Care’s The Aldbury care home visited the Poole Food Bank and satellite hub at St Clement’s Church to deliver

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Steam engine enters new chapter after decade-long makeover

A restored steam engine made its debut at Shillingstone Station. The Yankee Tank, loco 30075, in its first outing post-restoration, carried Santa to meet children. Built in 1960, the engine has been a fixture on various heritage railways.

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Christmas trees collected and recycled to raise money for charity

Christmas trees will be collected and recycled to raise money for charity. Oakhaven Hospice will collect and recycle trees from Thursday, January 8 to Monday, January 12, 2026 to raise money for the charity. The "treecycle" volunteers will

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Charity shares its "miracles" recovery stories about Bournemouth pets

An animal charity has revealed some of its greatest success stories this year. PDSA, which treats more than 430,000 pets across the country each year, has shared stories of the pets in Bournemouth which it considered "miracles." The three animals

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New dental clinic opens offering implants under one roof

A new dental clinic has opened offering grants to patients. Complete Smiles has opened in Bournemouth, offering most of its treatments for teeth under one roof, with a focus on implants and restorative procedures. It is also offering grants

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'Unsettling' abuse of highway workers sparked campaign

Dorset Council has started a campaign to tackle the abuse of its highway workers. The campaign aims to raise awareness and remind people that abusive behaviour towards road workers is unacceptable. Construction supervisor, Ben, said: "The worst

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Local dragon boat team supports Salvation Army ahead of Christmas

A group of cancer survivors has made a generous donation to the Salvation Army in Winton. Bourne Water Dragons, the UK's first all-cancer survivor dragon boat team, donated toiletry hampers to the charity's Christmas Present Appeal. The Salvation

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Bournemouth video game studio secures £600,000 in funding

A Bournemouth-based video game studio has secured £600,000 in funding to develop sports-themed video card games for global audiences. Ace High Sports received half the total amount, £300,000, from the British Business Bank's South West Investment

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Uber offers Christmas Day deal to NHS nurses and frontline staff

Uber is set to offer NHS nurses and frontline health workers discounts on Christmas Day. As part of its festive support programme, Uber will provide employees with an NHS email address £10 off two Uber rides, along with a £10 Uber Eats voucher

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More family hubs to open as £2.3m DfE funding secured

Families in Dorset are set to benefit from improved support services. This comes after £2.3 million in funding from the Department for Education (DfE) was secured. The investment will be spread over the next three years and will allow Dorset

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Extra power cut support announced for people with lung conditions

People with lung conditions will be given extra support during power cuts. This is due to a new partnership between the energy firm Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution and asthma and lung charity Asthma + Lung UK.

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South Coast's largest ice skating rink returns for the winter

The South Coast's largest indoor ice-skating rink has returned for the winter. The Cool Coast Ice Rink, at the Bournemouth International Centre, has reopened for the chilly season, with sessions running until Sunday, February 22, 2026. The

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Packed festival programme for Town of Culture announced

The Wimborne Business Improvement District (BID) has announced a packed festival programme for 2026. Wimborne BID has said there will be five major festivals alongside a number of cultural events for anyone to enjoy. This adds to its year as

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Exclusive Christmas shop opens on high street for a limited time

An exclusive Lush Christmas shop has opened for a limited time. The festive shop on Poole High Street offers a range of free activities until Saturday, December 20, including product-making sessions and skincare advice. Shoppers can visit the

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Highest council recycling rate 'ever' recorded says council

The New Forest District Council says it has recorded its highest council recycling rate ever at 43 per cent, according to early signs. At its most recent meeting, Councillor Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability,

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Lighthouse Poole reports record ticket sales at ten-year high

Lighthouse Poole reports record ticket sales at ten-year high. The multi-venue arts centre sold 201,800 tickets during the 2024-25 season, an increase of 11 per cent on the 181,373 sold the previous year. This represents more than at any other

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Lighthouse launches jam-packed April programme

A new series of events is set to entertain the Poole community throughout April. Coastal comedy, lunchtime musical recitals, and a children's book adaption are all included in the Lighthouse's new programme. The month will begin with multiple

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Petition handed into Downing Street calling for tea to be 'fairer'

A petition has been delivered to Downing Street. Clipper Teas, alongside the Fairtrade Foundation and other supporters, participated in the delivery of the Brew It Fair petition to the government. Clipper is a British Fairtrade tea company

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Letter: 'What is it with ambitious wannabe politicians'

Dear Editor, What is it with ambitious wannabe politicians throwing their toys out of the pram as regards the cancelling of mayoral elections? The new councils aren’t even formed yet so it’s hardly a surprise! Seeing Nigel Farage lose the

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Support available during the festive period for those struggling

Round-the-clock support is available for those struggling with mental health. Dorset HealthCare is ensuring its Access Mental Health services continue to operate as normal during the festive period. These services cater to those feeling anxious

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Wessex Water to fund £11m enforcement package following failures

Wessex Water will fund an £11 million enforcement package following failures in adequately operating its wastewater network. The package will benefit both the environment and customers and is a result of the company's inability to properly maintain

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Blandford Ladies finish season with four wins

Blandford and Sturminster Ladies have finished the 2025 half of the hockey season with four crucial wins. The final away match of the season took place at Haslemere HC on 22nd November. With a long journey to Haslemere and just a single sub

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Inside Mudeford Quay - a place full of history, romance and sometimes even danger

Mudeford Quay can be found on a narrow spit of land at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour. A much-loved spot for starry-eyed tourists and hardened locals alike, the Quay is a feast for the senses where fresh, salty air rolls over the muted buzz

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Kids using 'bank of mum and dad' making substantial moves up the UK property ladder

A fifth of homeowners who have taken their second step on the property ladder should be reportedly thankful for 'the bank of mum and dad'. While 30% of first-time homeowners said they received financial help from family and friends, this was also

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New Forest Rangers enter Christmas break 14 points clear: Sunday league

NEW Forest Rangers go into the Christmas break fourteen points clear of their nearest rivals in the DORSET SUNDAY PREMIER LEAGUE following their 6-0 victory over Bourne.        Ryan Chavez-Munoz led the way with a hat-trick for unbeaten Rangers with

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Iraola complained over handball that led to 'brilliant' Bruno free kick

ANDONI Iraola was left frustrated as he didn’t think Adam Smith’s handball that led to the free kick from which Bruno Fernandes scored was a handball. The right back was adjudged to have handled the ball just outside the area, and the United skipper

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Petrovic knows he could have done better with second United goal: Iraola

DJORDJE Petrovic knew he should have done better with Manchester United’s second goal at Old Trafford on Monday night, Andoni Iraola said. The Serbian was beaten by a Casemiro header at his near post, after the veteran United midfielder peeled

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Primary school headteacher calls for restrictions on children using social media

A PRIMARY school headteacher has called on parents to ban their children from using social media. In a letter to parents and carers, the headteacher of St Michael's C Of E Primary School Mr Anthony Evans says he supports Australia’s ban of social

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Construction company fined £100k after worker crushed in Sandbanks

A CONSTRUCTION company has been fined £100,000 after a worker was crushed by concrete in Sandbanks. The 69-year-old worker was left with life-changing injuries after a wall collapsed on him while constructing a swimming pool in Sandbanks. Patrick

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Man called for ‘slaughter' and burning of migrant hotels in racist tweets

A MAN called for “slaughter in the streets” and the burning of migrant hotels in a series of racist social media posts, a court heard. Luke Yarwood, 36 and of Gordon Way in Christchurch, portrayed extreme right wing views in a month-long spate

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Man in 40s found dead at Bournemouth home

AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a man who was found unresponsive at his home in Bournemouth. Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, formally opened the inquest into the death of 46-year-old Damien Alexander Main at Dorset Coroner's

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Event held to discuss improving accessibility of local bus services

Residents with additional needs and disability group representatives met up with Bournemouth East MP, BCP Council and Morebus to discuss improving the accessibility of local bus services at an event on December 12. Disabled people across the country

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"Unfinished business" for Cook at Poole Pirates after captain signs for 2026

ZACH Cook said he has unfinished business with Poole Pirates after the Australian was confirmed to be a part of the team for 2026. The Australian admitted he wasn’t initially planning to ride in the Championship next year – but he was convinced

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Adam Smith: Handball for United equaliser "clearly hit my shoulder"

ADAM Smith was left fuming and said that the ball had “clearly hit my shoulder” for the handball that saw Manchester United equalise at 3-3 at Old Trafford on Monday night. Referee Simon Hooper blew to award a free kick as he adjudged the ball

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"Antoine is playing well": Iraola praises Semenyo's form after United goal

ANTOINE Semenyo has been playing well recently despite going eight games without a goal before his strike against Manchester United on Monday night, Andoni Iraola said.   Semenyo scored his seventh goal of the season at Old Trafford, to bring the

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Goals will give key key Cherries forwards confidence: Iraola

THE Cherries’ four goals will give key forwards, including striker Evanilson, confidence, with the team needing them to be firing in the coming months, Andoni Iraola said. In a hugely dramatic game at Old Trafford, the Brazilian scored his first

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Christmas at risk as Evri's delivery crisis deepens

FOR WEEKS, residents across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch have been reporting missing, damaged and undelivered parcels, with some saying they have lost hundreds of pounds as deliveries from courier company Evri fail to reach their doors during