ANDOVER schoolgirl Natasha Rolls (pictured) is the latest to win a coveted place at Saints School of Excellence after taking part in a trial involving more than 200 girls. A pupil at the Harrow Way School, 11-year-old Natasha has been playing competitive
PRIDE of place in the HSA Youth League last Saturday went to Vernham Dean after all their teams recorded victories. Mike Webber's squad benefited from the under-11 top-of-table clash between Porton and South Wonston - the former beating the previous leaders
HOUSEKEEPING was the order of the day at the Dibden Bay public inquiry - tidying up and checking on the progress of points agreed by parties for and against the scheme during the 48 weeks of the hearing so far. Inspector Michael Hurley said that this
TOBY Balding scored the greatest success of his flat racing season today - without sending out a runner from his Fyfield yard. It came in the shape of a buff coloured envelope which dropped through his letter box and gave him the go ahead to fulfill his
ROAD safety chiefs in the New Forest have called for fences to be built beside busy routes to slash the number of animal deaths. Members of the New Forest Road Safety Council said fencing should be put up near accident blackspots to reduce the "carnage
SALISBURY-based life insurer and principal sponsor to the Saints' Friends Provident reported a 13 per cent hike in total new business today despite investors remaining wary about volatile market conditions. Friends Provident, which demutualised and floated
ART imitates life imitating art in Our Country's Good, currently being rehearsed at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. The play is based on the true story of a group of 18th century convicts who are deported to Australia to serve out their sentences.
POLICE launched a crackdown on organised football thugs during dawn raids across Southampton today, More than 150 officers swooped on homes across the city and in London. Police said today they made eight arrests in the city and seized computer equipment
THE Daily Echo can today reveal the radical plans that will form the next stage in the transformation of Southampton city centre. A revolutionary scheme to create a cultural quarter has been unveiled - with a prime site up for grabs. Council chiefs have
FORMER Saints boss Alan Ball has escaped a driving ban after admitting speeding. Ball, 57, who also played for the club and managed south coast rivals Portsmouth, told magistrates he needed his licence to take his wife to hospital for treatment for cancer
EMERGENCY measures are being implemented at a vital Hampshire animal centre in response to a cash crisis that is threatening its future. A significant fall in legacy income and donations has left the RSPCA's Stubbington Ark Animal Centre, which costs
PASSENGER numbers at Southampton airport have plummeted because of competition from low-cost airlines. The Eastleigh airfield proved relatively immune to the effects of last year's terror attacks in America, but low fares available from bigger airports
TICKETS are selling fast for the Daily Echo's royal gala concert in aid of Hampshire charity Wessex Heartbeat. Seats for the spectacular evening at the Mayflower Theatre have been taken up by 1,500 people already - and with just a few days to go, you'd
TODDLER Eleanor Fitter, who was born profoundly deaf, has heard her first sounds this week - thanks to a life-changing operation and revolutionary equipment. The two-year-old, who lives in Corunna Main, Andover, had her specially-adapted cochlear implant
THE curry bus pulled into Southampton yesterday, to raise money for the charity Action Against Hunger. The prominent red bus has been sponsored by Indian lager-company Kingfisher and is travelling across the country as part of World Curry Week. The bus
THE money to buy Andover girl Samantha Neil a new wheelchair has already been raised just two weeks after the appeal was launched by Brave Hearts. Thanks to the generosity of local people and the Stannah Stairlifts' Three Peaks Challenge Team, Sam and
ANDOVER'S Young Firefight-ers (YFA) will no longer be left out in the cold thanks to the purchase of winter jackets and kit bags by East Portway company Papst plc. The town's branch of the Young Firefighters Assoc-iation has gone from strength to strength
The Weyhill Fair was the venue recently for the first meeting of what will soon become the revived Andover Ladies Circle. The club, which offers to broaden the social activities of young women aged between 18 and 45, will initially meet once a month although
THRUXTON cat Sam has been nominated for Cats Protection's Rescue Cat of the Year award for the way he has responded following mistreatment which caused him to go blind. The tabby, who is aged about four, was taken to Strathmore Vets in Andover after being
AMERICAN pop star Bobby Vee is still very much in demand 40 years after hits like Rubber Ball and Take Good Care Of My Baby. He's back in the UK topping the bill on the All American Solid Gold Rock 'n' Roll Tour, ready to hammer out the hits at The Anvil
AN Andover football team is reeling after a nightmare weekend when the team was stranded in Basingstoke following a changing room raid. Andover New Street Old Boys won their May Cup tie 2-1 against Oakley Athletic - but their joy turned to horror when
AN Andover mum is launching a children's charity - inspired by fundraising efforts she made for her seven-year-old daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy. Jo Plummer, who lives in Marchant Road, needs £1,000 to start an official charity. She is getting
Jim Almand, The Platform, Southampton EQUALLY at home with country, blues, soul, and rock, New Mexico-based Jim Almand played a nicely varied 90-minute set at The Platform. Accompanying himself on guitar and occasional harmonica, Jim played everything
COMPANIES in Andover are being told by police to be on their guard following a spate of thefts in the town. In the latest incidents on Thursday night bricks were thrown through the door to gain access to the buildings - a builders merchant in Junction
DISGRACED councillor Hugh Pritchard has been expelled from Fareham's Lib Dem group following a unanimous vote by his party colleagues. But the 67-year-old, pictured above, today remains a councillor for Fareham South. He has so far refused to hand in
POLICE chiefs were today set to discuss a request to fund an Internet caf at a Fareham youth centre in a bid to crack down on juvenile nuisance. The Genesis Centre in Locks Heath is bidding for £4,000 from the Hampshire Police Authority to help pay for
TAXI drivers have warned that "cab wars" could break out across the Island if moves to scrap tough zoning laws are given the go-ahead. The stark warning follows the latest moves by the Isle of Wight Council to "de-zone" the Island's taxis. Under plans
TWO Green Goddesses and a team of Royal Navy firefighters have been sent to the Island to cope with the forthcoming national fire strike. Island emergency planning officer Mike Jolliff told the Daily Echo that the top priority for crews would be to save
ISLAND sixth formers are helping an artist to create a mural in a former railway tunnel in Newport. Nina Camplin has been commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council's highways department to transform a 22-metre section of the tunnel that provides a pedestrain
THE Isle of Wight is virtually the last stronghold in the south of England for our declining red squirrel population - but the threat of grey squirrels from the mainland could easily wipe them out. It is believed there are at least 3,000 reds on the Island
PLANS to generate about £1.4m by selling off part of a school playing field to help the campus realise its sporting dreams have been given the all-clear by Whitehall. Cash from the sale of land for homes at Crestwood Community School, which serves the
CHANDLER'S Ford residents turned out in force when proposals to solve traffic worries at a busy shopping centre went on public display. The exhibition at the Methodist Church's Dovetail Centre focused on problems that could arise from the development
CHANDLER'S Ford insurance worker Steve Jones netted more than £4,700 for charity after successfully completing the uphill challenge of a lifetime. Last month the Daily Echo told how the 45-year-old, of Highclere Way, was getting on his bike in a four-day
International music star Craig David talks to the Daily Echo's entertainment editor Andrew White about life as a superstar . . . CRAIG DAVID is back - and the one thing he would love to do is walk down Southampton High Street. The R&B music sensation
NOT surprisingly for someone who has the looks as well as the voice of a sex god, Craig David hasn't had any shortage of female admirers. But the 21-year-old star still hasn't got a girlfriend. "I'm still single," says Craig, who blames the hectic pace
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has denied rumours that he is considering approaching Saints for a possible ground share if Fratton Park is closed for rebuilding. There are no firm plans for Pompey's new ground yet but there is a suggestion that a
Andrew Caddick claimed his first half-century for England today to provide some welcome relief after nearly all the top order failed to make use of the batting practice against an under-strength Western Australia XI. They included Hampshire's John Crawley
IT'S more doom and gloom for Broughton Res in the NHL as they crashed 6-2 at home in last Saturday's bottom-of-the-table clash against Whitchurch Res, with Mark Dawson doing the damage by scoring four of the goals. The village club's second string were
ANDOVER team manager Howard Goddard finds himself with a welcome problem with the return of skipper Glen Damen, striker Vinnie Rusher and midfielder Steve McNultly for this Saturday's JWL trip to unbeaten AFC Totton (3pm). Said Goddard: "The side did
CHILBOLTON rally driver Justin Dale will be well supported by family and friends when he bid farewell to the British Championship in the Michelin South of England Tempest Stages in Aldershot this weekend before he heads off to compete with the big boys
FORMER Andover club stalwart Mike Burford before the match became one of a select band he was presented with the coveted North Hants FA's meritorious award for 25 years service to football. The former goalkeeper, who joined Andover in 1969, played for
Today's Principal Arrivals: Hyundai Liberty, container, 0030, 206; Black Prince, cruise ship, 0630, 41; Black Watch, cruise ship, 0630, 104; Ryujin, ro/ro, 0630, 34/35; Queen Elizabeth 2, passenger liner, 0715, 38/9; Oriana, cruise ship, 0730, 105; Autorunner
Former Formula One racer Mark Blundell admits he has faced a steep learning curve since turning his driving skills to rallying. The 36-year-old wants to compete in next month's Network Q Rally of Great Britain, the final round of the World Championship
It was an achievement in itself to reach the final of the Hants & South Coast League Junior Cup and the youngsters from Eastleigh, all aged 9-13, were determined to enjoy the occasion at a notoriously cold Bracknell pool. The team got off to a slow
Many people toy with the idea of volunteering their services to the community but not enough are actually acting on these ideas. Lucy Wildman puts her idea into action and gives a hand at the Help The Aged shop... I'M always up for a challenge, so when
IT was great to read in the Echo on Tuesday that St Mary's has been included in the list of stadia the RFU will use if their bid to host the 2007 World Cup is successful. If Southampton does get the chance to host a World Cup match, it will offer the
HAMPSHIRE have made minimal changes for their second and final Liberty Trophy trial match against the British Isles Civil Service at Atherley on Sunday (1.45pm). From the Probables side that faced the Possibles at Atherley in the county's first trial,
Ray Hughes of Clarence Wheelers, not content with beating all local opposition again, hurtled round the circular course to win the New Forest CC Ringwood Brewery sponsored ten-mile time trial in record time. He clipped 41 seconds off the course best of
Eastleigh and District Angling Club, having a fabulous year with victories in the Reelcare Cup and the Toyota Clubman Challenge, have now hit the front in the Hants, Wilts and Dorset Winter League. They did it with a solid performance in second place
POLICE are hunting an arsonist who tried to burn down Romsey Abbey. The firebug was spotted deliberately pushing a bin in front of the Norman church's north door before setting it on fire. Passers-by called 999 and fire crews raced to the 756-year-old
A TOTTON woman has flown to South Africa after her mother was shot dead and her stepfather seriously injured by a gunman who tried to rob them outside their hotel. Karen Hill, 35, of Lackford Avenue, has gone to comfort stepfather Jon Conway who is in
The new group headquarters for Vosper Thornycroft is to be in Hedge End as the run- down of its long-established Southampton shipyard is set to begin. VT Group is to relocate its base to new premises at the Botleigh Grange Office Campus with staff expected
HAMPSHIRE firefighters, who are not members of the striking Fire Brigades' Union, have been told they don't have to cross picket lines during next week's 48-hour walk-out. But if they decide not to go to work during the industrial action, which begins
A GROUP of Southampton tenants are so sick and tired of out-of-control youngsters plaguing their estate they have decided to go into schools to tell them so. Members of Holly Oak Court Tenants' Association in Coxford have already visited Sinclair Junior
A SCHOOLGIRL who died in a horrific road crash last year was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled. Elizabeth Stevens, 14, of Lordshill, Southampton, died of multiple injuries when the car in which she was a passenger collided with a wall in Rownhams
MORE than 7,000 people across Hampshire have let the county council know their views on whether a six-term school year should be adopted. County education boss Councillor Don Allen has had a peek at some of the responses to get an idea of people's feelings
The celebration of day Is over, the sun is all poured out. Morning and afternoon are cleared And busyness stacked away. Moments swept into small heaps; Memories to be sifted and sorted another time. Only a bunting of bats Are left out, ready To twist
AFTER two years of hard work, Shepherds Spring Pre-School Playgroup has finally managed to buy a computer through the Tesco 'computer for schools' voucher scheme. The Cricketers Way playgroup has taken delivery of the new system, which replaces one of
AN information revolution currently underway could have a bigger impact on our lives than the industrial revolution, Test Valley Bor-ough Council chief Alan Jones told a high-powered gathering of local government chiefs from across the region at an e-government
MORE than 80 people went through the doors looking for jobs and careers in the NHS at hospital job shops held in Winchester and Andover earlier this month. There was particular interest in nursing with many inquiries made about healthcare assistant and
A JOINT venture between Age Concern and Club Hampshire has led to a new club being formed for older people interested in arts and crafts. Sir George Young is to officially open the new club when it meets for its first session on 15 November at Warner
FOOTBALLERS in Ludgershall have been officially sponsored by their parish council. Ludgershall Colts now have the parish council's name emblazoned on their chest as they play the 'beautiful game'. Parish council chairman, Jim Calder, said: "We like to
PARISH councils in Penton Mewsey, Smannell and Nether Wallop have had the opportunity to hear more about Test Valley Borough Council's planning proposals from the council's planning officers. The meetings followed the publication of a summary of proposals
JUBILANT racehorse owners Ray and Penny Grenville-Webb from Stoke joined happy punters in the Coronation Arms, St Mary Bourne after their 25-1 shot Tout Seul romped to victory in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. So many local people
IN the world of modern music, Oxford four-piece Supergrass are true survivors. It was in the lazy, hazy days of summer 1995, when Chris Evans was a cool Radio One DJ, that Supergrass made their name. In fact it was their single, Alright, which became
A LARGE number of bodies unearthed at an archaeological dig near the junction of Winchester Road and Eastern Avenue in Andover have left the experts scratching their heads. "We expected to find a few bodies but not this many," said Rob Bourne who is in
A MASS protest is being planned on Tuesday to draw attention to a funding crisis threatening the future of village and community halls across the country. Organisers from the National Village Halls Forum are concerned about a reduction in lottery funding
ANDOVER is bracing itself for the first firefighters' strike in 25 years - and the return of Green Goddesses to the streets. Hampshire Fire and Rescue chiefs are anticipating Andover will be declared a 'strike station' for the first 48-hour action starting
POLICE are investigating three crimes in the same area of Andover which they believe are connected. All three happened on Monday night in the Osborne Road and Alexandra Road area. A generator and a go-ped worth a total of £300 were stolen after a house
A TEAM of motorcycle police from a county-wide force descended on Andover on Tuesday to tackle traffic crime. The operation was carried out in the King Arthur's Way, River Way and Pilgrims Way area by five members of Hampshire's Section 6 squad. The swoop
EMERGENCY measures are being implemented at a vital Hampshire animal centre in response to a cash crisis that is threatening its future. A significant fall in legacy income and donations has left the RSPCA's Stubbington Ark Animal Centre, which costs
A SCENIC stretch of highway has been reopened this week following the completion of a diversion after a section of the road was lost to a massive landslip 18 months ago. Traders and residents along Undercliff Drive in Niton breathed a sigh of relief as
A MOTORCYCLIST severely injured while overtaking a car four years ago has lost his fight for full compensation. Mechanic John Henderson, of Newport, Isle of Wight, sustained injuries to his left eye, forearm and knee when his 600cc motorbike was catapulted
WORK has begun this week on repairing a partly-demolished pedestrian bridge at Coppins Bridge roundabout in Newport. The bridge has been an eyesore since its northern section had to be removed for safety reasons after a supporting wall on the river bank
YOUNG men are being asked to take part in a unique dance and martial arts project. Imlata Dance Company will be in residence on the Isle of Wight from November 25-29 with their latest production Trans Avatar, a multimedia explosion of contemporary dance
A REPORT by a government watchdog on the Island's Wight Leisure organisation has concluded it provides a good service with promising prospects for improvement. A delighted Councillor Peggy Jarman, the executive member for leisure, welcomed the report
Southampton said a final farewell to one of the port's most enduring cruise ships, Victoria, with fireworks, water fountains and a storm of confetti. More than 700 passengers lined the decks of the 27,670-ton vessel, which first entered service back in
AGUSTIN Delgado could be in line for a place in the Saints squad against Fulham on Sunday after a successful return to action yesterday. The £3.2m striker netted twice on his long-awaited return from injury for the reserves in a behind-closed-doors 3-
