Andrew Flintoff faces a make-or-break fitness test in the nets tomorrow which will effectively determine whether he is to play a part in the early stages of the Ashes series this winter. The Lancashire vice-captain will be put through his paces in a full
Bashley needed a late Aaron Cook wonder strike to keep their Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion pot boiling 1-0 at Fleet Town last night. But though Barry Blankley's men had to work hard to beat their lowly county comrades, they earned glowing praise
ONE of Hampshire's leading tennis clubs is digging up the clay courts where some of the country's top players have competed. Over the years the six courts at Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis Club have seen the likes of Jo Durie, Tim Henman and James Delgado.
AS Hampshire's 700 firefighters prepare for their first strike in 25 years today, one man knows the true cost of what their action will mean. But Wayne Parsons, union pay co-ordinator for Eastleigh, believes his late father would understand why he has
Today's Principal Arrivals: Oriana, cruise ship, 0630, 105; Season Trader, refrigerat, 0915, 104; Velox, general, 1300, 47; Celtic King, container, 1500, Con Term; Pongo, general, 1800, 102/3. Today's Principal Sailings: Autotransporter, ro/ro, 0300,
GBR Challenge today got off to a winning start in the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup - the elimination series for the Americas Cup. As Wight Lightning and Team Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes approached the start line the British yacht claimed
As part of the Daily Echo's Keep the Pride campaign, Vicki Green focuses on a drop-in centre for young mums and dads in Millbrook... In an ideal world every child deserves the best start in life, whatever their background and circumstances. But residents
New Forest Junior Athletic Club had a mixed set of results in the Wessex Cross-Country League at Hurn Bridge, Christchurch. The under-13s were well represented with Lucy Wainwright leading the way. The Blackfield Junior School pupil showed great promise
Trojans remain undefeated and top of the Hampshire/Surrey Regional League - thanks to a late equaliser from Greg Marsden which saved their bacon at London Edwardians. The Stoneham club's five-match winning sequence was under threat with fourth-from-bottom
The cost of a Southampton Football Club season ticket at St Mary's stadium for Simon Coffin has proved more expensive than he thought. His wife, Kathi, agreed he could buy a ticket - as long as he sponsored the netball team of which she is a member. So
THERE was success for Golden Ring boxers when the Southampton club sent members to Chatham to compete in the NABC quarter-finals. Sussex-based Ross O'Grady, 15, was an unlucky 13-12 points loser to double English champion Ashley Sexton (Finchley) in a
HEALTH bosses have backed plans for stop-gap services in the New Forest until Lymington's new hospital is completed in 2006. Proposals include developing a specialist stroke unit at Milford-on-Sea Hospital and improving accommodation at other community
VISITORS to Romsey's Water World can get an insight into sculpting thanks to Southampton artist Caroline Deare's exhibition of work in progress. Caroline carves natural images in relief on the side of a variety of rock stone in front of the public, who
GOING on holiday with your friends is not always a good idea - especially when you're confined to the close quarters of a cabin cruiser. Way Upstream, written by master of black comedy Alan Ayckbourn, is the latest offering from Lymington Players, opening
THE south is bracing itself as hundreds of firefighters prepare to walk out tonight in a 48-hour strike over pay. A total of 15 full-time stations across the county, including all those in Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester, Fareham and Newport on the
A CASH-strapped animal centre has been boosted after members of the public donated more than £20,000 to help safeguard its future. The money has been raised for Stubbington Ark in less than three weeks after bosses launched an emergency appeal. Donations
Hampshire will make a three-pronged attack on this week's European Tour Qualifying School finals in Spain. Steve Cowle and Martin Le Mesurier, star pupils at stage two of qualifying school last weekend, go forward to join former Ryder Cup man Steve Richardson
STONEHAM golfer Richard Bland was a leading contender for the Sir Henry Cotton European Tour Rookie of the Year award won by Liverpool's Nick Dougherty. Through his higher position in the order of merit, Dougherty beat off challenges from Bland, who lost
THE Hampshire FA aim to crack down on discipline at amateur levels - but admit it might take "a generation" before the grass-roots game reaps the benefits. The association, charged with overseeing that almost 60,000 registered players behave themselves
The historic Hampshire town of Fordingbridge dates back more than 1,500 years. Ron Wain takes a look back in time... BY THE 13th century the rather quaint but functional name of 'Fordyngbrygge' was in widespread use. This Saxon settlement, in the north-west
"The work rate is still very intense and with an average of just three hours sleep a day my body is screaming 'rest'. The conditions have been punishing, bitterly cold and so changeable. The nights are very black and squally. Each trough is greeted by
The first of Laura Baldwin's sailing diaries. Laura, who is ranked 4th Brit in the ISAF World Ranking, will be sending Sailsolent reports of her training in Palma, Mallorca and her subsequent progress around the European sailing events. Laura's Diary
The Cowes Combined Clubs are offering two or three companies or organisations the opportunity to sponsor a Solent racing mark over the next five years, commencing January 2003. CCC is looking at a five year sponsorship period for anyone signing up and
Saturday's start line incident has cost Conrad about 18 hours in all, although we understand that he may be recompensed should his protest against Dfi Venden be upheld. We will see. In the meantime, the best place to win is on the water and Conrad is
THE 19th running of the popular B&Q Eastleigh 10km Road Race has got the green light for next year - albeit with a new-look route. Following the 2002 event, there were urgent discussions about the safety of an increasingly busy course used for the
Bashley needed a late Aaron Cook wonder strike to keep their Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion pot boiling 1-0 at Fleet Town last night. But though Barry Blankley's men had to work hard to beat their lowly county comrades, they earned glowing praise
A 3-1 defeat by Weymouth at the Sports Centre has left Southampton six points adrift at the top of the Hampshire League, Division 1. Boasting five straight wins, Weymouth took an early lead after a well-worked move on the edge of the D. Southampton battled
STUART BOWERS rode like the champion he is to win the Wessex Cyclo-cross League Bill Higson Memorial race on Wokefield Common, Burghfield. But, though he had no trouble ending the hat-trick hopes of Paul Lloyd (Artisan RT) - winner of this Reading CC
LOW-COST airline buzz threw down the gauntlet to commuter flights from Southampton International Airport with an ambitious plan to rival services on four of the principal routes, flying from Bournemouth, 30 miles away. It is set to capture up to three-quarters
English National Ballet - Triple Bill, The Mayflower, Southampton FACED with a choice of The Nutcracker or this triple bill of lesser-known pieces, many of you will have already booked your tickets for the former. But this three-in-one show is an absolute
AS Hampshire's 700 firefighters prepare for their first strike in 25 years today, one man knows the true cost of what their action will mean. But Wayne Parsons, union pay co-ordinator for Eastleigh, believes his late father would understand why he has
BRITAIN remains on a high state of terrorist alert and Hampshire's essential services, together with key transport and industrial hubs, are stepping up their security measures. All of the south's utilities, travel centres such as ports and airports, as
A HAMPSHIRE pensioner crippled with a degenerative illness sat helpless in his own home as a burglar rifled through his precious possessions. The disabled 74-year-old was unable to raise the alarm as the intruder helped himself to jewellery, a stereo
DETECTIVES leading the biggest ever drugs crackdown in Southampton today appealed for the public's help in catching suspected dealers. Police working on Operation Towngate, a two-week blitz designed to disrupt the supply of Class-A drugs across Southampton
A GROUP of friends will be taking part in a special bowlathon for Children in Need at the Megabowl, Millbrook, Southampton, on Friday. Their marathon 12-hour session will begin at 11am when Alana Rawles and her pals will be sending the first bowl down
A NEW safety scheme has been unveiled in Southampton encouraging contractors to take care when digging up roads and pavements in the city. Eight firms, including BT and Southern Water, have already signed up to this voluntary code of practice. It aims
THE BUILD-UP to Christmas begins on Thursday with plenty of events aimed at getting shoppers in a festive mood. Three major 'switching-on' events are happening in Southampton city centre. The city council's Christmas light display is due to be turned
CRAIG David-baiting is the new rock 'n' roll. At least it is if you're the pumped-up frontman of Suede. Fortunately the catty comments directed at Southampton's favourite son were just one of many indications that Brett Anderson was back to his brashest
The twin-screw motorship Britannic launched at Belfast in 1929, was one of the last liners ordered by the White Star Line and despite the merger with Cunard in 1934, carried White Star markings to the end of her days. At the time of her maiden voyage
THE felling of nearly 200 trees with preservation orders went ahead without proper consultation, an internal investigation at Fareham council has revealed. Contractors chopped down the trees in Down Kiln Copse, Sarisbury Green, after the landowner successfully
The big switch on will take place in Fareham tomorrow to officially start the town's Christmas festivities. Fareham mayor Pam Bryant will be accompanied by Father Christmas to officially switch on the Christmas lights. Stars of this year's panto Aladdin
An impressive turnout of 41 Team Solent athletes competed in the Wessex Cross-Country League at Hurn Bridge, Christchurch. Team manager Jacqui May said: "Solent are now showing their strength in this league, running two teams in most age-groups and achieving
THEY have been going to the polls at Eastleigh to vote on how the foundations should be laid for a modern style of living. In June, Swaythling Housing Society launched a national competition in association with Eastleigh council, the Commission for Architecture
Big boats triumphed in this year's Tyco Healthcare charity pursuit race. The highest placed sports boat was 25th reports Hamble River sailing club commodore Roger Pritchard. " And we are course to raise a magnificent £2500 for the John Merrick Trust and
