• Lottery cash boosts pride in the Ridgeway

  By Western Daily Press at 05:00 on 18/06/13

  

  People living in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland will be better able to enjoy and care for the countryside thanks to a grant of nearly £2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership, made up of 14 local organisations, will provide a range of initiatives over the next five years, including supporting landowners to help wildlife, creating better access to the Ridgeway, staging ...

• Drive to get people out of their cars

  By Western Daily Press at 05:00 on 18/06/13

  

  A scheme to send travel advisors to 12,000 addresses in Weymouth and Dorchester to encourage people to use sustainable transport began yesterday. The travel advisors will be visiting households to offer information on leaving their car at home and switching to alternative travel methods such as local buses, walking, cycling, car sharing or the train. The project will be delivered by Sustrans and is funded by the Department for...

• Tragedy averted - but Durdle Door kayak race angers the coastguard

  By Western Daily Press at 05:00 on 17/06/13

  

  A kayaker had to be airlifted to hospital and several others were feared missing during a race off the Dorset coast which the coastguard said could have ended in tragedy. Portland Coastguard said it had not been informed of Saturday's event, which involved 40 kayakers racing from Weymouth to Lulworth. Several kayakers got into difficulties off Durdle Door. Some were reported missing, prompting a two-hour search involving two...

• Honours pride for West's local and world champions

  By Western Daily Press at 05:00 on 15/06/13

  

  t.rowe@bepp.co.uk A diplomat who worked in Kabul, a former women's world darts champion, conservation heroes and a school cleaner are among West Country men and women honoured today. A Somerset scientist who "changed the debate on whale conservation" is awarded the MBE. Mark Simmonds, of Bath, was for 16 years international director of science with the Chippenham-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. His honour...

• No need to be puzzled - 40,000-piece jigsaw is the biggest

  By Western Daily Press at 05:00 on 15/06/13

  

  The man who created a 40,000-piece jigsaw, and then saw it collapse when it was unveiled, has been officially told it is the world's biggest. Dave Evans, 63, spent 35 days hand-cutting the giant wooden puzzle to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The 19ft 6in by 8ft jigsaw includes 33 images of the jubilee celebrations. Dave, from Weymouth, Dorset, said: 'The missing piece in my life's work is now in place'

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