DAILY Echo publisher NEWSCOM today announced "excellent" results for the first quarter of 2000 with a 53.6 per cent rise in operating profits. The Southampton-based group, the UK's eighth largest regional newspaper publisher, saw profits increase to £8.4
In Port Today's principal Southampton arrivals: Tagus, ro-ro, 0730, 34/35; Grande Mediterraneo, ro-ro, 0800, 202; Autorunner, vehicle carrier, 1300, 105; Magic, refrigerat, 1330, 104; Estoril, vehicle carrier, 2200, 201 link; Portlink Corvette, general
WINCHESTER, ancient capital and centre of the South's wool trade, has been hit by another kind of farmyard invasion. The Guildhall Gallery in the Broadway hosts an exhibition of paintings and prints of rare breeds of sheep, goats, pigs and cattle by local
HUNDREDS of Tory supporters gathered in Romsey to welcome William Hague during an election rally in the town. The Conservative Party leader chatted to people in the street urging them to vote for Tim Palmer in the up-coming by-election on May 4. Placard-waving
HAMPSHIRE land-owner the Earl of Normanton and his wife, Victoria, are to divorce after 30 years of marriage, it emerged today. Lord Normanton, 54, owner of the 18th century Somerley House, in the Avon Valley near Ringwood, is not contesting the divorce
THE elections in Win-chester promise to be keenly fought with local issues prominent. The Tories will seek to exploit the alleged closure of city centre car parks and the Guildhall's supposed losses. In Alresford the Makins Court saga will dominate. They
NEW Forest District Council has received awards for three of its most popular beaches. Calshot, Milford-on-Sea and Barton-on-Sea have all won the Solent Water Quality seal of approval. The award acknowledges beaches and other recreational water areas,
CHELSEA were shattered but Spanish football was on a new high last night after Barcelona and Valencia strode through to the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Blues, leading 3-1 from the first leg against Barcelona, were seven minutes away from
Blackfield & Langley had an almighty dent knocked in their Hampshire League Premier Division title hopes by bogey side Liss last night. It was touch and go whether the game at the Norman Collard Playing Fields would go ahead on a rain-saturated pitch
Hassan Kachloul's hamstring injury may prove the blessing in disguise which enables him to face mighty Manchester United at The Dell on Saturday. Saints had expected the cultured midfielder to be ruled out of the Easter programme on international duty
PARENTS in a neglected area of Southampton have been invited to an open day to find out how they can benefit from a £1 million cash injection to improve life for infants. Children under four and their families in Weston have been targeted under the government's
A HAMPSHIRE brewery is toasting world-beating success after securing the ultimate ale accolade for its best-known offering, Pride of Romsey. The gold medal in the strong cask ale category at this year's Brewing Industry International Award is doubly satisfying
PLANS to make the South Downs a National Park could save Winchester's countryside, it has been claimed. Green campaigners say it could boost their battle against the extension of park-and-ride at Bar End, and block another Twyford Down "scar" caused by
YOUNG Ringwood mum Tina Loveland is planning to leap out of a plane at 15,000 feet for charity. She plans to make a tandem parachute jump in aid of cancer research - but she needs to collect another £120 in sponsorship to qualify. "I have done the rounds
FIVE-year-old Laura Stephens was so pleased with her brand new mountain bike that mum Tina could not prise her off it. But, thanks to thieves, she didn't need to. Laura's beloved bike was stolen from the back garden of her home in Wingate Road, Totton
KEITH HAMILTON looks through past editions of the Echo and reviews the issues which made the headlines. 50 Years Ago Southampton Corporation transport department said costs would rise by £25,000 a year due to a 9d (4p) a gallon rise in fuel prices. The
IT'S THE millennium art project that has an entire borough talking. Whatever you think £3 million worth of art should look like, if you judge it purely in terms of quantity, then Fareham's Henry Cort Millennium Project is great value for money. Once an
A CAMPAIGNER fighting to save one of Hampshire's historic landmarks claims the voices of hundreds of villagers are being gagged by council red tape. Bursledon councillor Diane Andrewes is furious over a decision to ban her from presenting a local petition
HOPES are high that a new partnership will lead to an expansion of job opportunities for disabled people following the official hand over of an Eastleigh factory. Hampshire County Council handed over the keys to Mount Industries, its factory for disabled
SHANE WARNE has opened up the intriguing prospect of finishing his career with Hampshire. The 30-year-old Australian ace hasn't bowled a ball in anger for Hampshire yet, but he's already talking about coming back. "I would love to come back if they will
THE AIR in Heathrow's Terminal 1 was so thick with Aussie accents, had you closed your eyes you would have been excused for thinking you were in the middle of the bank of Pokies in Sydney Harbour's Mosman Rowing Club. Shoot through, mate, like a padre
YOUNG pupils of Fair Oak Infant School have come up with some bright ideas for a stunning millennium garden alongside their Botley Road campus. But cash could now hold the key to the question: "How does your garden grow" Exciting plans have been drawn
TWO detectors are better than one - that was the message from British Gas and Hampshire Fire and Rescue at the launch of a joint awareness campaign to encourage parents and guardians to fit carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and smoke detectors
