When Alan Thompson first got into swimming after a back operation in the 1980s, he might not have known what he was getting himself into! He celebrated his seventieth birthday last month and is still working as a swimming instructor at Ferndown Leisure Centre, having started work there in November 1986. For Alan, it seems,…
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, is hoping to encourage communities to think again before organising balloon and sky lantern releases. From charity releases to memorial events, letting hundreds, sometimes thousands of balloons and lanterns into the sky has become common practice up and down the country. But stunning as these…
A campaign has been started in Dorset to revolutionise end-of-life veterinary care for pets. Anna Wood from Vets2You explains: “‘Once upon a time’ there was a dog called Douglas. He was a ‘perfect’ boy in all ways (well, so his owner thought anyway) and as he was approaching his seventeenth birthday, Karen dearly wanted whatever…
Police in Bournemouth are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing 76-year-old woman. Klara Davis, also known as Christine Davis, is a 76-year-old woman from Southbourne. She was last seen at Trinity Methodist Church in Southbourne Road at around 1.30pm today, Tuesday 12 March 2013. Sergeant Gillian Searle said: “I understand that Christine…
Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) will head to Cranborne in East Dorset on Friday, 15 March, to see how a new Vodafone pilot project is connecting villagers and local businesses in a former mobile phone black-spot. Last year, the village of Cranborne, under the leadership of Local Champion and AONB Project Development Officer David Blake…
A group of Bournemouth friends who have raised thousands of pounds to help young people who need intensive care have won another prestigious award. Team 4K – five students from Avonbourne College – received a Diana Award after being nominated by their school for their fundraising efforts. This award is named after the late Princess…
Anyone concerned about protecting their homes from potential flooding will be interested in a Flood Awareness Fair taking place at Christchurch Civic Offices on Saturday 23 March between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to visit the free fair at any time to talk to exhibitors who will include Christchurch Borough Council,…
In March 1913, in the first decade of powered flight, the Royal Navy opened a Naval Air Station on the Solent at Calshot. RNAS Calshot was tasked with evaluating the various types of seaplanes which were then available, for use by the Royal Navy. When war broke Calshot also served as a training station and…
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight families from Trinity CE VA First School, Verwood held a ‘Big Breakfast’. They joined together early in the morning to share cereal, toast, juices, tea and coffee. They donated money to the Fairtrade Innovation Fund and showed their support for farmers in developing countries. Trinity children have taken many steps for Fairtrade,…
Following the tragic death of Ringwood teenager Jade Clark on the A31 on 24 February, a ‘ride out’ in her memory was organised on 9 March 2013.
Over 300 bikes, quads and scooters turned up to take part in the convoy. The bikers rode from Bournemouth’s Springbourne Fire Station to Ringwood along the A338 Spur Road at 30mph.