Tuesday 12th April 2011 Guns found at nature reserve
Guns have been found at the Kinson Common nature reserve near
Bournemouth. A shotgun was discovered by a dog walker at the reserve
and police were alerted. A further six guns were then discovered by
police who removed the weapons for forensic examination. Ch Insp
Ashley Adams, of Bournemouth police, said: "The discovery of these
firearms is a serious concern. All the weapons will be subject to
detailed forensic examination and we will continue to search the area
of Kinson Common for any further evidence. I'd like to thank the local
community for their patience and support and I urge anyone with
information, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the
area of Kinson Common to get in touch." Dorset

Friday 1st April 2011 Boscombe surf reef closed for repairs
An artificial reef created off the Dorset coast has been closed due to
safety concerns. Bournemouth council said they were erring on the side
of caution by closing the reef which is said to need a number of
tweeks. The closure comes after a survey discovered the reef had
undergone substantial changes to its shape. The reef has a troubled
history, its construction ran over budget and over schedule. However,
local traders say it has done a great deal to help regenerate Boscombe
which had previously been in decline. Tony Williams, council executive
director, said: "We're aware that significant changes have altered the
structure of the reef and we have commissioned further investigation
to be carried out to provide more detail. Until we know further
information we are erring on the side of caution and advising people
not to use the reef.” Dorset

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 Steel arrives in Dorset for landmark Twin Sails Bridge
Two 40-tonne sections of bridge deck and two walkway parts have
arrived in Dorset. The delivery brought the first of the 41 steel
sections onto site for the construction of the Twin Sails Bridge which
will connect Poole and Hamworthy. Work on the £37m project started
back in October 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2012. Borough
of Poole transport councillor Ron Parker said: "It is impressive to
see this landmark structure beginning to take shape. The scale of the
operation being undertaken on site is truly world class." Dorset

Wednesday 16th February 2011 Japanese giant crab on show at Weymouth Sea Life Park
Crab Kong, a huge Japanese spider crab with an 8ft claw span and
weighing 33lb has gone on display at Weymouth Sea Life Park. The
monster crustacean was caught by fishermen in Suruga Bay, south west
of Tokyo and has stopped off on his way to new home at the Sea Life
centre in Munich, Germany. Sea Life biologist Robin James commented:
"Getting in an animal as impressive as Crab Kong is the aquarium
equivalent of signing Ronaldo. Giving people a chance to witness first
hand one of the many wonders of the deep oceans helps boost support
for marine conservation." Dorset

Thursday 10th February 2011 Trust launches shallow water survey
A three-year study of the coast is being launched by a Dorset wildlife
charity to study shallow water habitats and the species that rely on
them. The Welly Zone project, organised by the Dorset Wildlife Trust,
is enlisting the help of volunteers. People taking part will attend a
training session before beginning the survey. The study will begin in
March and will investigate the area between the high water mark and
shallows accessible by foot. Peter Tinsley of Dorset Wildlife Trust
said: "We are concerned that this large area, stretching right along
our coast, may lose out on protection.” Dorset

Wednesday 2nd February 2011 Cinema scheme approved in Bournemouth
Plans for a new nine-screen sea-front cinema have been given the go
ahead in Bournemouth. The cinema plan is be part of the £43m project
to refurbish the 1920s Bournemouth Pavilion in Westover Road. A
controversial proposal to include a casino in the development was
rejected. The Grade II-listed building will be redeveloped with
rooftop gardens giving panoramic sea views, subject to planning
permission. Councillor Ian Lancashire, from Bournemouth Borough
Council, said: "We welcome the decision not to include a casino within
this project - the new plans fit much more closely with our
aspirations of providing family-friendly attractions and will generate
higher footfall in this part of town.” Dorset

Friday 28th January 2011 Heritage Lottery Fund boost plans for upgrade at Hardy’s brthplace
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has stepped in with a grant of £40,000
for improving facilities at Thomas Hardy’s birthplace in Higher
Bockhampton. Dorset County Council and the National Trust plan to use
the funds to improve facilities at Thorncombe Woods, a 64 acre site of
ancient woodlands near Hardy’s cottage in Dorset. Helen Mann, the
National Trust's West Dorset property manager, said: "We would like to
use the project to introduce more people to Thomas Hardy and his
writing and relate it in an imaginative way to the surrounding
landscape." Dorset

Wednesday 12th January 2011 Runaway military vehicle destroys garage
A garage in Dorset was flattened when a prototype military vehicle
rolled backwards over it while being unloaded from a trailer. The
28-tonne armoured Ranger was being taken off a low-loader in Southwell
Business Park, Portland, on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 just after 1800
GMT. According to Police reports a malfunction caused it to roll
backwards and into the garage. It then came to a halt in the garden of
a property in Reap Lane. No-one was hurt but the garage was completely
destroyed and damage was caused to cars and fences. The vehicle has
been designed and built by Universal Engineering, Weymouth. Dorset

Monday 3rd January 2011 Kayakers plucked from the sea at Portland Bill
Sixteen kayakers had to be rescued after getting into difficulties in
strong tides off Portland Bill, Dorset. The group from the Upper
Hamble Canoe Club, Hampshire, got into in trouble near the Race and
had to make two mayday calls. All 16 kayakers were recovered from the
sea after a joint operation by a rescue helicopter and two lifeboats
from Weymouth. Two were then airlifted to hospital, one very seasick
and the other with suspected hypothermia and shock. A spokesman for
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said "If people get stuck in there
it can be very dangerous, especially for smaller vessels and
kayakers.” Dorset

Thursday 16th December 2010 Bournemouth Imax building to be lowered
Planning permission is being sought to lower the former Imax cinema on
Bournemouth’s seafront after Councillors voted to reduce the
building’s height to improve sea views. The authority wants to "soften
its appearance" of the property which currently houses restaurants and
was once the site of an Imax cinema. The building is regarded as an
eyesore by critics with only three restaurants still operating and
with a cinema that closed only three years after opening in 2002.
Plans for a permanent attraction on the site have been put on ice due
to the financial pressures. The interim plan is expected to cost
between £1.5m and £2m. Dorset