Poole News Archive 2008
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BODY FOUND IN POOLE HARBOUR - 14 Mar 08
STORMS HIT DORSET - 10 Mar 08
BODY FOUND IN POOLE HOUSE - 4 Mar 08
ARSON ATTACK IN POOLE - 25 Feb 08
RALLYE SUNSEEKER - HOME VICTORY - 23 Feb 08
MALE WORKER KILLED IN ACCIDENT - 20 Feb 08
ELDERLY WOMAN DIES IN BLAZE - 20 Feb 08
WOMEN PEDESTRIAN KILLED - 12 Feb 08
BARCLAYS REBUILD IN POOLE - 31 Jan 08
RNLI STATISTICS FOR 2007 - 24 Jan 08
SANDBANKS ON TV - 12 Jan 08
POOLE PYRAMID - DEAD AND BURIED - 11 Jan 08
BIRD FLU FOUND IN DORSET - 9 Jan 08
OLYMPIC DIVER IN COURT - 9 Jan 08
WILTS & DORSET BUSES OFF THE ROAD - 3 Jan 08
News Stories
Tributes have been paid to a respected Bournemouth police inspector whose body was found on the shoreline of Poole Harbour this morning, Thursday, 13 March 2008.
The clothed body of 43-year-old Neil Munro – who was married with a young son and lived in Bournemouth – was found by a member of the public around 8.30am on the beach near the junction of Panorama Road and Old Coastguard Road. At this stage, the circumstances of Inspector Munro's death – understood to have taken place while he was off duty – are unexplained and an investigation is underway. The Coroner has been informed.
Dorset Police Chief Constable Martin Baker said: "The whole of the Force has been deeply shocked by today's news and our thoughts are very much with Neil's family at this time.
"Neil had served with Dorset Police for 20 years. He had a huge impact on policing here in Bournemouth and across the force."
Inspector Munro had been working as Section Inspector in command of the North Bournemouth section for the past two and a half years and had previously worked at Poole, Ferndown, Gravel Hill and in the Headquarters Air Support Unit at Winfrith near Wareham. (Fri 14 Mar 08)
Poole has been hit by the storms wreaking havoc across the South and South West of England. So far, there has been :
- Flooding at Sandbanks, with the main road being closed
- Flooding on Poole Quay, with Poole Bridge having to be shut temporarily.
- House fire in Hamworthy following lightning strike. Roof and most of the first floor of the house was destroyed in the blaze.
- Sandbanks Ferry service suspended due to the severe weather - now re-opened.
- Numerous reports of trees being blown over.
Whilst the worst of the storms appear to be over for the time being, Police are urging people to only travel where essential. Pictures of the stormy weather can be seen at the Daily Echo website :
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/photoorders/photogalleries/
(Mon 10 Mar 08)
Police are investigating the death of a woman after a body was found at a house in Lulworth Crescent in the Hamworthy area of Poole this morning Monday 3 March 2008.
A 49-year-old man from that address was arrested at the address in connection with the investigation into the death, which is being treated as suspicious.
While the circumstances are unclear at the moment we can confirm that firearms have been recovered at the address.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service officers extinguished a fire at the address before the body was found. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Redstone, head of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. (Mon 3 Mar 08)
UPDATE: Kevin John Burbidge, 49, appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates on Wednesday charged with murdering 70-year-old Marion Merritt at her home in Lulworth Crescent, Hamworthy, Poole on Monday morning.
He was remanded into custody until he appears next at Winchester Crown Court on March 11. (Tue 4 Mar 08)
Eleven residents were evacuated from a twin block of flats in flats at Junction Road in Hamworthy, Poole after arsonists set fire to bins.
By the time the Dorset Fire and rescue Service arrived at the scene the fire had already spread to the hall, landing and roof. Police said there was no evidence of an accelerant being used but something alight was put into the bins on Saturday morning.
Nobody was injured and all of the residents have made temporary alternative living arrangements with friends or family whilst investigations and the process of repairing the building is undertaken. (Mon 25 Feb 08).
RALLYE SUNSEEKER - HOME VICTORY
Local man Marcus Dodd has once again won the Rally Sunseeker alongside co-driver Andrew Bargery in their Hyundai Accent WRC.
For more info see the official website at : www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk/
See a brief video from a previous years rally here.
(Sat 23 Feb 08)
MALE WORKER KILLED IN ACCIDENT
A Bournemouth man has been killed in an accident at work at Tangerine (previously known as Parrs Confectionery) in Poole.
The emergency services were called to the factory in the early hours of today, but were unable to save the male victim.
The incident has been referred to the Health & Safety Executive for investigation.
(Wed 20 Feb 08)
An elderly woman has died following a blaze in her house in Blake Hill Crescent, Lower Parkstone, despite the heroic efforts of a local policeman to rescue her. After being beaten back by intense smoke, the body of the OAP was finally recovered by the Fire & Rescue Service. (Wed 20 Feb 08)
A pedestrian has died after she was hit by a lorry in Poole during rush hour, yesterday Monday 11 February 2008.
It is believed the woman was crossing Ringwood Road, near its junction with Haskells Road, in Poole when she was struck by a 7.5-tonne flatbed truck. She was taken to Poole Hospital but later died of her injuries.
Police closed the road for several hours whilst investigations took place. Police are appealing for witness to the crash, which happened at about 1620 GMT, to contact them. (Tue 12 Feb 08)
The news that 1,000 jobs will be maintained and 160 new homes and a superstore built have has been welcomed by the Borough of Poole.
The decision by Barclays' to build its new headquarters in Poole, which was approved by the planning committee last week, marks the finalisation of plans for the West Quay Road gateway site.
The development is being carried out by Asda and Marsh Baxter, with construction due to commence this year with completion targeted for 2010. (Thu 31 Jan 08)
RNLI STATISTICS FOR 2007 RELEASED
Figures recently released show that the RNLI's 233 lifeboat station crews launched 8,052 times during 2007, rescuing 7,715 people. RNLI lifeguards, who were operational on 71 beaches in the south west of England and East Anglia, were equally busy rescuing 1,350 people, aiding a further 8,533 people and responding to 8,201 incidents. The wet summer weather meant that the RNLI's Flood Rescue Team and volunteer lifeboat crews were particularly active inland, rescuing another 200 people in flood hit areas across the UK during the summer months.
Last year however, the Poole Lifeboat crew enjoyed a quieter year than usual. The Crew, which has been the busiest in the country for the last four years, dealt with just 107 call-outs last year - 37 down on 2006 and the lowest number of launches for at least 20 years. (Thur 24 Jan 08)
On ITV on Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th January, Piers Morgan investigates why Sandbanks in Poole has become one of the most expensive places to live in the world, with homes selling for up to £8million. He gets to meet all the key players (including Harry Redknapp) to discover why the one-time sand dune has turned into a magnet for the ultra rich, awash with multi-million pound properties, fast cars and fancy yachts. (12 Jan 08)
At a Council meeting held on the 10th January, the Council announced that they would no longer be supporting the proposal and would cease discussions with the developers.
This decision has undoubtedly been made due to the immense pressure and outcry from locals that were opposed to the proposal. A victory for common sense (Fri 11 Jan 08)
BIRDThree mute swans which were found dead at Abbotsbury have been confirmed as having a lethal strain of bird flu, H5N1.
This is only the second time the H5N1 strain of the virus has been discovered in wild birds in the UK.
Defra has now imposed restrictions on the area around Abbotsbury, including Chesil Beach and Portland Bill in an attempt to control the spread of the disease. At the present time there is no plan to cull the 800 mute swans at Abbotsbury Swannery. (Thu 9 Jan 08)
Brian Phelps, who until recently lived and worked in Poole, today appeared in court to face 43 charges relating to child sex abuse offences. Phelps returned from his retirement home in France to face the charges.
Bournemouth magistrates heard how Phelps, a former gym owner (OLGA), was accused of four rape charges, 19 indecent assaults, 19 gross indecency offences and one attempted rape between 1976 and 1986. His alleged victims have not been identified for legal reasons. (Wed 9 Jan 08)
WILTS & DORSET BUSES OFF THE ROAD
Bus drivers working for the WIlts & Dorset company have today (Thursday 3rd Jan 2008) been on strike, over a dispute concerning working conditions. Nearly all of the companys fleet of buses were off the road, as a result of the strike action by members of the RMT union. Further action is planned for the 8th, 16th and 21st January, if talks prove unsuccessful. (Thurs 3 Jan 08)
