Archive

  • Get your kit bike

    SWEARING, gnashing teeth, tearing out hair and throwing things about the shed can all be part of the rich tapestry of life encountered during building a custom bike from scratch. Or a kit bike can be purchased where all the parts have been selected for

  • Believe it, they're on our side

    ALL too often the reaction to Bikesafe and similar organisations trying to educate riders and improve motorcycle safety on the road is "Load of do-gooders trying to stop me from having fun on my bike." How do I know? Simple. I've had those thoughts in

  • Scramble for USA-style

    FIGHTER Station 454, the new official dealer for Victory motorcycles, opens on the Hybris Business Park, Crossways, near Dorchester this Sunday. New and used Victory bikes will be will be available on the day alongside a wide range of Victory-branded

  • Cheering Hythe Ferry

    SAINTS fans from Hythe and the New Forest have thrown their weight behind the Daily Echo's campaign to save the town's threatened ferry service from the axe. As scores of fans made their way to Southampton's home game with Premiership leaders Chelsea,

  • Ready to rumble

    Kate Thompson meets a Southampton girl who has a passion for wrestling... HER MUM had high hopes of her becoming a ballerina but Erin Marshall had other plans. Not for her the girly allure of silky ballet pumps and tutus. No, Erin prefers to get mean

  • Rose KOs Aussie stars

    JUSTIN ROSE took two notable scalps in the high profile Tavistock Cup match at his newly adopted Lake Nona Club in Orlando, Florida. The Hampshire golfer beat leading Australian stars Craig Parry and Robert Allenby in the singles section and was second

  • Dunwood duo go for title

    DUNWOOD Manor duo Katie Mundy and Laura-Jane Mabley are among the leading lights in the Hampshire Junior Golf Championship at Barton on Sea on Friday. Defending champion Annabel Silk is now at a golfing scholarship in the USA so a new champion will be

  • Robson's regret at Gosport exit

    JOHN ROBSON has spoken of his bitter disappointment after walking out as first-team coach of Wessex League outfit Gosport Borough. The vastly experienced former Winchester City, AFC Totton and Bashley boss, pictured above, angrily quit Privett Park after

  • Batsmen suffer a nightmare

    HAMPSHIRE began their week of pre-season friendlies with a day to forget against Essex at Chelmsford yesterday. Hampshire were bowled out for 139, but continued to bat and closed on 198 for the loss of 14 wickets before Essex rattled up a remarkable 357

  • Scaffold firm fined over death

    A HAMPSHIRE construction firm was given an "unusually low fine" over the death of a worker because it had already gone bust, it emerged today. Tony Abbot, 35, was killed when he fell 8ft from a scaffolding platform. The panel-fitter suffered a fatal head

  • New challenge for jet charter boss

    ONE of the region's top aviation figures has moved on from piloting the Southampton-based executive jet charter business Club 328. Warren Seymour, pictured above, has gone to the Isle of Man to concentrate on activities at regional air services provider

  • How much does your boss earn?

    THEY are in charge of our working lives - and are rewarded handsomely for it. The latest boss pay 'league table' shows captains of industry taking home between a jaw-dropping £4.2m and a more modest £30,000 for their responsibilities. Many of these directors

  • Debbie joins the Humberts team

    COMMERCIAL property agent Humberts, based in Southampton, has expanded its professional services team with the appointment of senior surveyor Debbie Turner. She joins the national firm of chartered surveyors from West Sussex County Council, where she

  • Martyn packs his bags and heads to Serenity

    FAREHAM-based travel company Serenity Holidays has appointed a new head of marketing. Martyn Sumners, a former sales and marketing director at Keycamp Holidays for 12 years, has taken on this new role, where he will manage the marketing activity for Serenity

  • Speedway: Belle Vue hold all the Aces to see off Pirates

    A SECOND-HALF collapse led to a heavy Elite League defeat for Poole Pirates in Manchester last night. RIAS Pirates trailed by only two points after nine races but were unable to live with the league's early pace-setters Belle Vue Aces over the final six

  • Speedway: Kings Lynn Stars coming to the Island

    ISLE OF WIGHT Islanders take to the track tonight with the visit of Kings Lynn Stars. The Stars are always formidable opposition but there will be some added spice as the Norfolk team were accused of tapping up and eventually signing Australian whizz-kid

  • Basketball: Stars cruise into last four

    SOLENT STARS' men's second team cruised into the National Division 3 play-off semi-finals with a 94-71 dismantling of East Kent Crusaders at Fleming Park. Stars looked jittery in the early stages with Clayton Milner unable to find any shooting form and

  • Sea Angling: New PB in plaice for Rawlings!

    SOME quality plaice have been taken by local anglers, the pick of the bunch being a beauty landed by Southampton's Graham Rawlings which tipped the scales down to 3lb 12.5oz. The 43-year-old mechanic landed the oversize redspot along the St Georges Road

  • French market comes to Winchester

    THE DELICIOUS scent of continental cuisine drifted through Winchester with the return of the popular French market in the Cathedral Close and Brooke Street. Traditional French delicacies such as croissants, baguettes, cheeses and meats, olives, cider,

  • Mercedes to recall 58,000 cars in Britain

    WITH a worldwide recall of 1.3 million vehicles Mercedes-Benz is improving the quality of passenger cars already in the field says the head of the company, Dr Eckhard Cordes. The 58,000 UK customers affected - accounting for about one-eighth of Mercedes

  • Councils bridge gap in cycling safety

    CYCLISTS in the New Forest know all about the ups and downs of attempting to cross difficult terrain. People riding along a former railway line near Brockenhurst have been confronted by yawning gaps caused by the demolition of two bridges across forest

  • Goodbye to Rose Road's guiding light

    The legacy of a charity worker who spent more than 50 years improving the lives of disabled children and their families will live on... IT was a crusade led by 12 dedicated and concerned parents that grew in to one of Southampton's most vital charities

  • Goodbye to Rose Road's guiding light

    The legacy of a charity worker who spent more than 50 years improving the lives of disabled children and their families will live on... IT was a crusade led by 12 dedicated and concerned parents that grew in to one of Southampton's most vital charities

  • Scooby's a sell-out!

    THOSE pesky kids have done it again - only this time in Southampton. Scooby-Doo and the gang have broken the record for the most tickets sold for a one-week show at the city's Mayflower theatre. An amazing 17,800 tickets have been sold for the five evening

  • OFFICIAL: ELECTION MAY 5

    THE government today confirmed the country's worst kept secret - the general election will be held on Thursday, May 5. Tony Blair met the Queen at Buckingham Palace this morning before confirming the date outside 10 Downing Street. The Prime Minister

  • MEET THE £1m BOSS

    SOUTHAMPTON'S highest-paid director earned £1m last year, the Daily Echo can reveal. Alan Wilson, the driving force behind life insurer Skandia, saw his salary package jump by £301,000 on the back of a successful year for the firm, which has 1,700 staff

  • Bring it on!

    HAMPSHIRE'S biggest music party is on. And this year the line-up is going to be the best yet! Some of the hottest stars in pop are being lined up to perform at Southampton Common on June 5 as part of the eleventh Power in the Park music festival. McFly

  • Touched by generosity

    Sir.-I would like to say a very warm thank you to Gazette readers. Your support for the children affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in south east Asia has been overwhelming, raising an amazing £10,014. And once Gift Aid has been added, this total will

  • Small change, huge impact

    Sir.-I would like to thank Hannah Williams for her response to the Top of the Town campaign article that was featured in The Gazette on Friday, March 18. I agree that there is no harm in asking everyone to just use the name The Old Town, and, as town

  • Why Monday?

    Sir.-My family and I have celebrated St George's Day for many years and will continue to do so. As much as I would love to see St George's Day made a public holiday, I do not wish this to be on the Monday nearest to April 23 as I have to use my annual

  • Villagers can help campaign

    Sir.-Sherborne St John Parish Council recently discussed the letter "Call for more action over village crime" (name and address withheld), in The Gazette on March 18. There is an understanding that traffic volumes and speeds through Sherborne St John

  • In favour of water meters

    Sir.-Regarding the letter from F Sutton (Gazette, March 18), I cannot understand why people living on their own have not changed to the water meter. A few years ago, we all (35 flats) converted and, from bills of £200-odd, we now pay about £140. I suggest

  • City waterfront awaits arrival of Arcadia

    THE world's newest luxury liner, the 83,000 ton Arcadia is due to make her way up Southampton Water for the first time tomorrow. Built in an Italian shipyard near Venice, the £200 million Arcadia will be the centrepiece for a spectacular naming ceremony

  • THE HARRY FACTOR

    AND then there were none. When Harry Redknapp took over the St Mary's hot seat, some eight teams were sandwiched between Saints and Pompey in the Premiership table. Now, though, Pompey's buffer of Charlton, Manchester City, Newcastle, Tottenham, Fulham

  • Rose rues missed chances

    JUSTIN Rose admits his punishing schedule left him shattered and contributed towards his failure to qualify for golf's first major of the season, the US Masters. His low rankings last year - 93rd on the European Tour and 64th on the US PGA Tour - ruled

  • Inventor aims to cone-r the market

    ROAD safety in Hampshire is about to be revolutionised with the invention of an AutoCone system by a former Basingstoke businessman. The first AutoCone vehicles could be seen on Hampshire roads by June, when the invention by Brian Flynn is due to be rolled

  • Raring to be racing

    BSB aces Karl Harris and Steve Plater chat with Jacqui Rose... TALKING to Karl Harris from the Honda race team before Brands Hatch I asked him how the bike was performing for the task ahead. Karl is riding a 1000cc, inline four-cylinder, 16-valve 200bhp-plus

  • 300-mile ride for charity...

    The health benefits of cycling will be put to the test as two Southampton men take to the saddle for a major fundraising event... TWO Southampton men have been chosen to take part in the world's most exclusive bike ride. Jago Lawless and Mike Cross are

  • Coping with domestic violence

    Hampshire police officer PC Eileen Speck is working hard to support the victims of domestic violence. Kate Thompson reports... IT WAS only when Elizabeth was admitted to hospital with a suspected fractured skull that she decided she must leave her violent

  • Bramshott juniors in tribute to Max

    JUNIOR golfers at Bramshott Hill are staging a special competition in memory of Max Barrow, who died at the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington. Barrow devoted much of his time to the junior section at the Southampton Waterside club and served on the junior

  • Hudson leads victory march

    FORMER Hampshire champion Chris Hudson led his Army team to victory in the Hampshire Alliance's Stanley Hunt Challenge Bowl at Dibden. The competition, now played as a pro-am Stableford with two out of four scores to count, saw Southwood assistant professional

  • Speedway: Kings Lynn Stars coming to the Island

    ISLE of Wight Islanders take to the track tonight with the visit of Kings Lynn Stars. The Stars are always formidable opposition but there will be some added spice as the Norfolk team were accused of tapping up and eventually signing Australian whizz-kid

  • No talk regarding Borough vacancy - Hards

    NEIL Hards has laughed off rumours that he has spoken to Gosport Borough about their vacant manager's job. But the Winchester City boss, pictured, says he wouldn't turn down talks at Privett Park if the opportunity arose. As reported in last Friday's

  • Strachan's tipped to take over at Pompey

    GORDON STRACHAN is being tipped to be unveiled as the next Pompey boss this week. Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has hinted at making a swift appointment after stepping up his search for a new permanent manager. Pompey have won just one of their last

  • Robson's regret at Gosport exit

    JOHN ROBSON has spoken of his bitter disappointment after walking out as first-team coach of Wessex League outfit Gosport Borough. The vastly experienced former Winchester City, AFC Totton and Bashley boss, pictured above, angrily quit Privett Park after

  • No talk regarding Borough vacancy - Hards

    NEIL Hards has laughed off rumours that he has spoken to Gosport Borough about their vacant manager's job. But the Winchester City boss says he wouldn't turn down talks at Privett Park if the opportunity arose. As reported in last Friday's Daily Echo,

  • Hants may move in as Watson is axed

    THERE was Ashes misery for ex-Hampshire all-rounder Shane Watson when Australia announced their 16-man tour party this morning. Watson, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in the winter, was left out of the Test squad - though he was named in the

  • In Port

    Today's Principal Arrivals: OOCL Shenzhen, container, 1200, 207; NYK Andromeda, container, 1230, 205 Today's Principal Sailings: Ilka, cargo, 1500, 102/3; Autofreighter, ro/ro, 1600, 201; Hual Paris, ro/ro, 1700, 40; Figaro, vehicle carrier, 1800, 34/

  • McCarthy & Stone founder's £112m

    ONE of the wealthiest businessmen in the south ranks 416th out of 1,000 millionaires in the Sunday Times Rich List. John McCarthy, who co-founded retirement homes empire McCarthy & Stone 27 years ago, is worth an estimated £112m in Britain's annual

  • Sleepers Hill homes look set for approval

    PLANS to build new homes in gardens in Winchester's most exclusive street look set to get the go-ahead. Planners are geared up to approve an application to build 12 new two and three bedroom homes in Sleepers Hill where properties can fetch more than

  • Fears over gypsy site guidelines

    CIVIC leaders in Winchester say the government's new guidelines on finding gypsy and traveller sites in the district will cause areas of outstanding natural beauty to be turned into campsites. Their warning came as members of Winchester City Council's

  • Armies link is marked

    THE 250-year link between America and the British Army was celebrated with a presentation to a Winchester museum. In 1755 the Royal American Regiment was formed in the colonies of America and was subsequently absorbed within different units of the British

  • A Transit passion

    VANS measuring anything from three inches to three metres will appear on Ford's stand at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham, which runs from today until Thursday. Peter Lee, renowned Ford Transit model and memorabilia collector

  • Festival will be bigger and better

    ORGANISERS of the annual Waterside Arts Summer Festival are vowing that this year's event will be the biggest and the best. The festival - a two-week feast of entertainment for people who love music, poems and paintings - is due to get under way on July

  • Fifty walks through Forest woodland

    NEW Forest guides will be showing people more than 50 ways to explore the ancient woodland this year. The Forestry Commission's Rambles with a Ranger programme is bigger than ever and offers everything from gentle three-mile walks to ten-mile hikes over

  • Campaigners' drive for Make Poverty History

    CAMPAIGNERS were in Southampton as part of a national drive to Make Poverty History. Members of Southampton's Christian Aid charity joined forces with others from Action Aid, Oxfam and Friends of the Earth outside the WestQuay shopping centre to persuade

  • Teenager in court on murder charge

    A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was appearing in court today charged with the murder of Southampton teenager Daniel Loader. The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was due to appear before Southampton Youth Court this morning, having been charged

  • The floating red hulk

    WHEN financial consultant John Russell decided to move to Ocean Village he thought his flat would give him a spectacular view of the city's renowned waterfront. What the 55-year-old former Surrey resident did not expect was a floating four-storey accommodation

  • £160,000 grant aids park revamp

    MORE than £150,000 has been added to the existing money pot to transform a Southampton "green desert" into a spectacular community park. Nearly £400,000 is now available to pay for a revamp of Mansel Park and Green Park in Millbrook. Work has already

  • Cheering Hythe Ferry

    SAINTS fans from Hythe and the New Forest have thrown their weight behind the Daily Echo's campaign to save the town's threatened ferry service from the axe. As scores of fans made their way to Southampton's home game with Premiership leaders Chelsea,

  • Campaigners' drive for Make Poverty History

    CAMPAIGNERS were in Southampton as part of a national drive to Make Poverty History. Members of Southampton's Christian Aid charity joined forces with others from Action Aid, Oxfam and Friends of the Earth outside the WestQuay shopping centre to persuade

  • It's smiles better here than London, says Lucy

    SHE'S sure to put big smiles on the faces of even the grumpiest men. Hampshire-born Lucy Pinder - one of the country's most popular glamour models - can't understand why anyone could be miserable living in Daily Echo territory. She loves it here and despite

  • No talk regarding Borough vacancy - Hards

    NEIL Hards has laughed off rumours that he has spoken to Gosport Borough about their vacant manager's job. But the Winchester City boss, pictured, says he wouldn't turn down talks at Privett Park if the opportunity arose. As reported in last Friday's

  • Review: Still some lifeblood left in the Manics

    Manic Street Preachers, Southampton Guildhall THERE aren't many rock stars who could get away with jumping around on stage in a leopard-print jacket that could have been one of Pat Butcher's cast-offs. But Manics bassist Nicky Wire proved the exception

  • Will boys prove extraordinary?

    RISING rock stars The Ordinary Boys have announced a one-off gig at The Old Fire Station at Bournemouth University as part of their seaside-inspired tour. They also play Blackpool Arena and Southend Chinnerys. The gig is on May 2. For more information

  • Architect chosen for Island project

    A RENOWNED firm of London architects has been chosen to design a major transport interchange on the Isle of Wight. Marks Barfield has been engaged by Island transport chiefs to revamp the bus and rail stations, as well as the esplanade, at Ryde. The new

  • Campaigners: Deficits reason to save Haslar

    CRUSADERS who have fought to save Gosport's Royal Hospital Haslar claim gaping health trust deficits are even more reason to keep the hospital up and running. Former Haslar Taskforce leader Peter Edgar, says the fact Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust

  • 'Flatsville' claims another family business

    A FAMILY business spanning six decades is to make way for new housing in an area already being dubbed 'flatsville'. Richard Bastin, the owner of clothes shop Bastin's, has told how he has seen Botley Road in Park Gate slowly turn from a thriving concourse

  • Bulldozers move in to demolish flats

    BULLDOZERS have moved in to start work on the latest phase of the biggest housing regeneration scheme seen in Eastleigh for decades. For years a question mark had hung over the maze of time-worn flats in The Gardens area of the town centre. Tagged the

  • Speed limit halved on village's roads

    BURSLEDON motorists will face new restrictions when civic chiefs slam the brakes on speeders. Roads in the village, where it is currently legal to reach up to 60mph, are going to have a 30mph speed limit imposed. The move comes after villagers complained

  • Recognising patriotism

    Sir.-I read with interest in The Gazette that the borough mayor, Councillor Gwen Richardson, is supporting The Gazette's St George's Day campaign and is holding her Charity Ball on the eve of April 23. I send her my very best wishes for a successful and

  • 'Rant' spoiled event's fun

    Sir.-For many years, my family and I have enjoyed an outing to the Easter Monday point-to-point meeting at Hackwood Park. It offered a carnival atmosphere and a chance to meet friends, to admire the beauty of horses and the skill of riders and to enjoy

  • Saints have firepower to beat drop - Strach

    GORDON STRACHAN believes goal-scorers will be the key to Saints' hopes of winning their relegation battle. Harry Redknapp's men are currently only above the drop-zone on goal difference following back-to-back victories for West Brom. But the man who masterminded

  • Saints have Wolves on the back foot before kick-off!

    SAINTS defender Kyle Critchell has revealed that Wales teammate and Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is expecting a busy FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg at St Mary's tomorrow night. Dorchester-born Critchell, who was signed from Weymouth by Saints

  • Entrepreneur buoyed by ring of confidence

    A NEW media entrepreneur left school at the age of 16 without a single qualification - and now runs a business that is heading for a turnover of £2.5million. Spencer Gallagher, 33, set up new media agency Bluhalo in his mother's garden shed in 1999 with