ON May 23, the Daily Echo highlighted a situation where it was claimed overgrown grass on a recreation ground was forcing children from the Pilands Wood estate at Bursledon to play on the streets. We would like to make it clear that the play park referred
WATER watchdogs from the Environment Agency have poured scorn on the £250,000 fund set aside by Associated British Ports to help save local fish stocks. At the public inquiry at Southampton Docks into ABP's plans for a new container terminal at Dibden
Today's Principal Arrivals: Klenoden, container, 0500, 204E; Queen Elizabeth 2, passenger liner, 0630, 38/9; Tricolor, ro/ro, 0730, 34/35; ANL Indonesia, container, 0800, 205; Costa Mariner, cruise ship, 0830, 105; St Barbara, ro/ro, 1030, 102; CMA CGM
Homelands 2002, the all-night dance music festival, is expected to attract over 50,000 revellers to Cheesefoot Head, Winchester, this weekend. Council officials and police are gearing up for the event, with 400 officers and support staff drafted in to
A woman was left for three hours on a trolley in Winchester's accident and emergency department, according to patient watchdogs taking part in a nationwide survey. Winchester and Central Hampshire Community Health Council said the 32-year-old was waiting
A nature expert has destroyed acres of Hampshire's valuable downland in a bid to stop walkers being given the right to roam across his property. Zoologist, Dr Nigel Potter, sacrificed 18 acres of prime chalk grassland at his farm near King's Somborne
FAWLEY'S ancient village centre is on the way to being given a major facelift. The first step in a scheme aimed at transforming the run-down look of the area around Fawley Square came with the planting of a tree donated by Fawley Refinery. It is to be
VANDALS have turned a Golden Jubilee summer into a nightmare for the leaders of a New Forest charity bus project. Things have got so bad that the thugs have even been pelting workers with stones while they were repairing the damage. The Forest Bus takes
SOUTH coast fashion retailer New Look has doubled its profits and seen sales surge 25 per cent over the past year, thanks to revitalising ranges and revamping its stores. This time last year, the Dorset group reported a slump in profits and sales on a
THE acclaimed Bill Kenwright production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat returns to The Mayflower, Southampton, this autumn. One of the most successful musicals ever, the show that launched the careers of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
PROUD parents have been queuing up to put forward their little bundles of joy for the coveted Daily Echo Baby of the Year 2002 competition. These early entries show the standard this year will be as high as ever. There's still plenty of time for your
A PIONEERING scheme designed to reduce kerb-crawling in Southampton's inner-city was today hailed a success after drastically reducing the number of re-offenders. Figures reveal that none of the 141 men who have taken part in the Change Course project
ANDOVER needs to shake off its 'Squaddie town' image and improve its town centre environment if it is to thrive over the next 30 years, borough councillors have been told. At a lengthy presentation given by five officials from the borough and county council
MORE resources need to be diverted to mental health rehabilitation services in this part of Hampshire, claims a leading health official. Speaking to the Community Health Council in Andover, Martin Barkley, the chief executive of West Hampshire NHS Trust
FACE painting, wine tasting and a treasure island were the treats in store for visitors to Andover's Marks & Spencer's store, for a fun day in support of the national education charity, I CAN. The event in Andover was part of a nationwide fundraising
YOUNG stars from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Andover Schools are set for their very own royal appointment as they prepare to perform at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Looking forward to entertaining the Queen
Gilt-edged and adorned with paintings, the Lilliput Coronation Coach is every inch a regal carriage. Despite being only 6ft high there is little doubt the ornate carriage is big on royal pedigree. The miniature coronation coach has graced the lawns of
AN over 50s club is fearful that a major facelift at Andover Leisure Centre will destroy its membership. Members of the Peter Pan Club have been using facilities at the centre for 22 years but say the changes being introduced will seriously affect the
PEOPLE in Test Valley are gearing up for partying to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Romsey's senior citizens will be getting the celebrations off to a fun start with a party on Friday at Age Concern in Linden Road. On Sunday, Romsey churches are organising
YOUNGSTERS on an Andover estate may be able to take advantage of a special bus service which will enable them to reach the new Portway Youth Complex. The idea was floated by leisure chief Ian McKie as councillors enthusiastically backed plans to operate
HOW life has changed for Andy Chase since he and his brother were schoolboys staring into an Daily Echo photographer's camera at a Silver Jubilee street party in West End. Now Andy, 33, is all grown up and he has posed for our camera again - and 25 years
ANDOVER Labour Party has accused the ruling Tory administration on Test Valley Borough Council of failing to 'think big'. Party secretary Martyn Wilson said Andover was often the neglected part of Test Valley. "The feeling is that there is not enough
A young Ryde-based band have won their way on to the stage of the Rock Island concert on June 3 after winning a showcase competition. Neglected Youth were chosen from among 27 local bands by music industry judges, including representatives of EMI, Universal
LIP reading students from Cricklade House were the first appointment for new Test Valley mayor and mayoress Cllr Tony Gentle and his wife Rita as they presented certificates to students who had successfully completed the course. The mayor and mayoress
PEOPLE in Hampshire are at risk of losing their homes due to financial difficulties and the high cost of housing in many areas, according to a new report published by the charity Shelter. The county is in the top 20 of Shelter's cash crisis list. The
WITH a public inquiry scheduled to start in the Guildhall on 18 June to decide the future shape of Andover High Street the Andover Chamber of Commerce has decided to survey its membership to see how they view the borough council's plan for change. In
ANDOVER police have renewed their warning to the elderly to ask for identification before letting people into homes after a pensioner had £800 stolen by a man claiming to be a council officer. The trickster arrived at the 84-year-old woman's Shepherds
ANDOVER and District Age Concern is combining jubilee celebrations with the D-Day anniversary. On Thursday 6 June the group's Town Mill House Centre will be open for a celebration open day from 10am until 3pm. "It will be a great opportunity to commemorate
PUPILS at Balksbury Infant School enjoyed their first taste of the world of journalism when they interviewed tenants from the sheltered housing scheme in Hanover Close, Andover. The youngsters from year two were asking questions about the tenants' memories
HEALTH experts who have spent five years looking at ways of improving the breast cancer service have decided to concentrate part of the service in Winchester rather than Basingstoke. Dr Simon Tanner, director of public health at the Hampshire and Isle
FOR golden couple Gordon and Esme House it was a trip of a lifetime when they flew in a helicopter to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They had only ever flown before in a prop engine aircraft on holiday to Jersey - and never in a commercial
KILLJOY council officials have banned cabbies from flying flags on their cars in Fareham. Taxi drivers wanting to show their patriotism for the Queen's Golden Jubilee weekend and the World Cup have been told to ditch anything resembling a flag or St George
Gilt-edged and adorned with paintings, the Lilliput Coronation Coach is every inch a regal carriage. Despite being only 6ft high there is little doubt the ornate carriage is big on royal pedigree. The miniature coronation coach has graced the lawns of
THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury yesterday toured Gosport's controversial refugee detention centre where detainees sleep three men to a tiny 6m by 3m room. The Most Reverend Dr George Carey spent more than an hour looking at living conditions in the Haslar
THE dreaded Colorado beetle, one of farmers' deadliest enemies, has been found on the Isle of Wight. The distinctive yellow and black beetle, pictured, was found in a bunch of parsley at a restaurant in Shanklin earlier this month. The beetle was recognised
COUNCIL bosses put in new bus stops along an Eastleigh road despite the fact that its only service had already been axed. Three new poles were installed along Bosville just as bus chiefs slammed the brakes on the number 41's journey along the Boyatt Wood
EASTLEIGH councillors have voted to give themselves a one per cent pay rise for the current financial year - in line with recommendations from an independent panel which probed the question of allowances. It means that council leader Keith House's allowance
HOW life has changed for Andy Chase since he and his brother were schoolboys staring into an Daily Echo photographer's camera at a Silver Jubilee street party in West End. Now Andy, 33, is all grown up and he has posed for our camera again - and 25 years
COMEDIAN Benny Hill and nursing heroine Florence Nightingale may seem to have little in common. But they both played a major role in propelling the Eastleigh borough area on to the world stage. Before he became a household name Southampton-born Benny
A RARE visitor to Southampton from the Costa Cruises fleet is due to arrive in the docks on May 30 at the beginning of a busy 48 hours in the port. The 25,441-ton Costa Marina was set to come alongside 105 berth in the city's Western Docks before leaving
SOUTHAMPTON is gearing up to make a splash with the city's annual Boat Show spectacular. Organisers have unveiled plans for September's event, which promises to be one of the biggest yet. Hundreds of exhibitors from across the world will descend on the
DAVID BECKHAM today insisted he would be fit to last the whole of England's World Cup opener against Sweden - and urged for the hype over his left foot to stop. The interest in whether or not Beckham would be fit for the finals has been so intense that
A BOOK has been published tracing the history of ferry links between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries by John Hendy records almost 200 years of maritime history from tiny paddle steamers to the large modern car ferries
Exciting times lie ahead for clay pigeon shooter, Christopher Dean, who hopes his recent good form will be enough to earn him a place in England's Commonwealth Games shooting squad this summer. The Winchester-based marksman was selected to represent Great
A HANDFUL of real-life Victor Meldrews are making life impossible for fed-up council staff in the New Forest. Officers at Totton and Eling Town Council are spending huge amounts of time dealing with irate residents who like to emulate Britain's grumpiest
Disabled people in the New Forest can now learn about new sports and activities, find teams and make friends at the touch of a button. The district council has launched a website to meet the leisure requirements of people with special needs. The website
A leading local art gallery has secured a deal to supply 327 pictures for Cunard's Queen Mary 2. Bembridge-based Island Fine Arts has concluded a deal with an Amsterdam art consultancy, Enterprise and Art, which is responsible for commissioning works
Singin' in the Rain, The Mayflower, Southampton THE MAYFLOWER has a real hit with its latest show Singin' in the Rain. The musical received thunderous applause last night from a delighted, if slightly damp, audience. The biggest talking point of the show
A RUNAWAY schoolgirl has been found safe and well two weeks after disappearing from her Southampton foster home. Charlotte Sansom, 15, was traced to a house in Leigh Park, Havant, last night after police received information from a member of the public
SOUTHAMPTON Test MP Alan Whitehead has lost his junior ministerial post at the Department of Transport following Tony Blair's government re-shuffle. Dr Whitehead was given the job soon after Labour's second landslide victory in last year's general election
It is afterwards And you talk on tiptoe, Happy to be part Of the darkness, Lips becoming limp, A prelude to tiredness. Come close and sleep now For in the morning, When a policeman Disguised as the sun creeps into the room And your mother Disguised as
WINTON Pre-School, 1st Andover Air Scouts and The Dale Trust have been among the first local groups to register with Andover Young Carer's for their charity car boot event. The sale will be on Sunday 16 June in the George Yard car park from 11am to 1pm
ROOKWOOD pupil Donna Sandham won the regional final of the third national schools environmental art competition but was pipped at the post for the national prize. Donna, aged 14, was one of 16 talented young artists whose art won them a place in the national
SOUTHAMPTON Jazz Club welcomes the Liane Carroll Trio on Tuesday June 11. Jazz diva and pianist Liane makes a triumphant return to the John Arlott Bar on the Southampton University campus with Roger Carey on bass and Mark Fletcher on drums. Born in London
MAJOR changes to the school year in Hampshire could be implemented within two years after education chiefs gave the go-ahead for consultations on the possibility of a six-term year. Questionnaires are being sent to around half a million homes to seek
PUPILS from Grateley Primary School will be representing Test Valley in the Hampshire finals of the Solar Car Challenge after winning the district finals at Thruxton Race Circuit. Children from six primary schools in the area had taken up the challenge
TIDWORTH'S Zouch Market has been described as being 'extremely run down' by Kennet planners. When officials visited the area only three of the 11 units were occupied. The parade has come to the attention of planners because an application has been made
A UNIQUE sculptured wrought iron gate will be built off Fareham's West Street at a cost of £20,000 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The elaborate gates will span the former Portland Street and ultimately will welcome shoppers into Fareham's ambitious
A RUNAWAY schoolgirl has been found safe and well two weeks after disappearing from her Southampton foster home. Charlotte Sansom, 15, was traced to a house in Leigh Park, Havant, last night after police received information from a member of the public
RARE railway equipment originally used in Southampton Docks has helped a historic track on the Island. A ceremony at Havenstreet saw the latest stage in the expansion and development of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway with the opening of new sidings.
Special help centres have been opened at Sandown and Shanklin aimed at making the Island's council and its related services more accessible. Council chairman Miss Heather Humby officially opened the centres on Tuesday in front of specially invited guests
AN unemployed builder who repeatedly plagued his neighbour by playing loud dance music has esaped fines of tens of thousands of pounds after pleading poverty. Paul Williams, 37, was facing up to £30,000 for admitting breaching noise abatement orders but
Finishing dates and times: 1 ASSA ABLOY - Finished 29 MAY at 22:06 GMT 2 Tyco - Finished 29 MAY at 22:08 GMT 3 News Corporation - Finished 29 MAY at 22:10 GMT 4 illbruck - Finished 29 MAY at 22:11 GMT 5 Amer Sports One - Finished 29 MAY at 22:13 GMT 6
