dorset

Woman who lived on Exeter streets said life was ‘unbearable’

Woman who lived on Exeter streets said life was ‘unbearable’

YMCA ExeterAmelia Teare, in the red dress, said life on the streets was "really scary" as a vulnerable womanA woman who turned her life around after spending months living on the streets, said it became "unbearable".Amelia Teare, 29, from Dorset, struggled with addiction and slept in doorways across Exeter for about three months after she "lost her way" during lockdown."Being a vulnerable female specifically it's really scary being alone and outside. I didn't want to change, I didn't…

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Dorset breast cancer survivor urges young people to get checked

Dorset breast cancer survivor urges young people to get checked

A woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer twice has said she did not think a lump she found was life threatening because she was too young. Rachael Kershaw, from Dorset, took part in a 100km (62 miles) trek across the Saharan Desert to raise money for CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer charity.It took five days and she was joined by 128 other women, including celebrities Giovanna Fletcher, Millie Mackintosh and Ashley James.At the age of 31, Rachael found…

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Santa fronts Dorset Council foster care campaign video

Santa fronts Dorset Council foster care campaign video

A new campaign to recruit foster parents features a video of Father Christmas reading a child's heartfelt plea to feel safe this festive season.Dorset Council said hundreds of children and young people needed foster carers who could provide stability, love and a safe place to call home.The video plea shares the story of children's Christmas wishes, from wanting a bike, a football, a teddy bear to cuddle to feeling safe at home."We hope this campaign inspires people to…

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Dorset road closures to improve junction due to start

Dorset road closures to improve junction due to start

A council is warning about road closures due to the start of work to change the road layout of a junction.Dorset Council said it would improve the layout at the Gore Clump junction on the C13 Blandford to Shaftesbury Road.From Monday the road will be closed on weekdays from 07:30 to 16:30 GMT until 19 December. Outside these times, a traffic control system will be in place.Dorset Council cabinet member Jon Andrews said: "This scheme is designed to…

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Martin Clunes revives Buckham Fair to raise funds for hospital

Martin Clunes revives Buckham Fair to raise funds for hospital

A fair hosted by actor Martin Clunes and his film producer wife, Philippa, is being revived in 2026 to raise funds for Dorset County Hospital's (DCH) new emergency department.Buckham Fair in Beaminster, Dorset, ran from 2009 to 2018, raising more than £600,000 for local charities.The hospital in Dorchester launched a £2.5m appeal for enhanced facilities in the new emergency department and critical care unit, which is due to open in 2027.The couple, who have supported numerous hospital projects,…

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Dorset fraudsters impersonate police officers to scam elderly victims

Dorset fraudsters impersonate police officers to scam elderly victims

Eight reports of courier fraud and attempted courier fraud across Dorset are being investigated by police. Elderly victims were targeted in Bournemouth, Bridport, Purbeck, Poole and Christchurch between 7 and 14 November, Dorset Police said. A police spokesperson said the fraudsters impersonated police officers and claimed to have a person in custody who had gained access to the victims' bank accounts. The victims were advised to go to their banks and withdraw cash, which would then be collected…

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Book of Dorset women shelved as statue charity hit with £5k bill

Book of Dorset women shelved as statue charity hit with £5k bill

Campaigners working to install a statue of a Dorset novelist have shelved plans for a book to accompany the project after being hit with an unexpected £5,000 bill.Visible Women crowdfunded for the life-sized bronze of Sylvia Townsend Warner for Dorchester's South Street but had not factored in the cost of groundworks.It said the additional expense meant some side projects, including a book about Dorset's forgotten women, would be postponed or cancelled.Anya Pearson, who launched the project, said a…

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Cars and parts stolen and smuggled abroad within 24 hours

Cars and parts stolen and smuggled abroad within 24 hours

Hannah Walsh and Alex Bish,South and South East Investigations and Jonathan Fagg,England Data UnitSgt Ross Haybourne says his team has found stolen parts heading for Cyprus and Africa where there is high demandCars and parts are being stolen and smuggled out of the UK sometimes within 24 hours to countries in Europe and Africa, police are warning. Sgt Ross Haybourne, from the Kent Police Rural Task Force, says criminals are often stealing to order across the South and…

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Victims left ‘devastated’ by £2m car-theft gang

Victims left ‘devastated’ by £2m car-theft gang

Stephen Stafford,South of England and Alex Bish,BBC InvestigationsSignal-boosting devices were used to steal keyless-ignition vehiclesVictims of an organised crime gang that stole mainly keyless ignition vehicles worth more than £2m have described the "devastation" of losing cars and vans.Thirteen people have been sentenced after admitting to their roles in the operation, which saw 107 vehicles stolen from across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire between February and October 2023.They were mostly stolen from driveways overnight and taken to a so-called…

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Dorset Museum’s £3.5m race to save Sherborne almshouse triptych

Dorset Museum’s £3.5m race to save Sherborne almshouse triptych

St Johns' AlmshouseThe triptych had been sent to Sotheby's for safekeeping during renovationsA museum is in a race against time to raise £3.5m for an "exceptionally rare" triptych painting which is due to be auctioned in December.The piece, dating from the 15th Century, was valued by Sotheby's when it was moved for safekeeping during renovations at St Johns' Almshouse in Sherborne, Dorset.After discovering its value, the charity decided to sell the altarpiece to fund new accommodation for people…

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Fatal Weymouth house fire probe ends after no offences found

Fatal Weymouth house fire probe ends after no offences found

A police investigation into a house fire more than a year ago where a man in his 70s died has finished with no criminal offences found.The blaze in Southdown Road, Weymouth, started on 4 October 2024 shortly before 11:00 BST.One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was taken to hospital. Dorset Police said during the investigation the man in his 60s was voluntarily interviewed by officers with no further action taken.The fire was initially treated…

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