As a Southampton actor takes centre stage in the West End musical the Phantom of the Opera, Sally Churchward looks at what has made this show so successful... WHAT was the most successful entertainment phenomenon of the 20th century? I'll give you a clue
Haunted by a visit to the slums in the Philippines, Jane Walker quit her job and set out to help. Andy Bissell reports... THE SOULS who live with the dead could be seen through the shimmering haze. They occupied a chaotic, ramshackle encampment perched
Since giving up her career Jane Walker has spent ten years helping the poor. Now she aims to build a £ million school... AS THE Boeing droned through the inky darkness towards Heathrow, Jane Walker considered the letter she had sent her boss from the
The Ya Ya sisterhood is a group of four sassy Louisiana women who have grown up together and looked after each other through good, bad and wild times. They first appeared in Rebecca Wells' best-seller The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, which
Lucas is a wandering musician and translator; he's given up his nomadic ways to settle in Barcelona's Gothic quarter. After receiving an anonymous postcard, he meets the intelligent and passionate Nuria and they embark on an intense affair. As events
Best selling paperback books for the week ending February 12th supplied by Waterstone's. 1 (-) The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory 2 (2) The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 3 (3) Trace by Patricia Cornwell 4 (4) Angels And Demons by Dan Brown 5 (5) The
YOUNG amateur musicians are tuning up for a midsummer concert to help local people living with cancer. The fundraiser takes place at the Abbey Hall in Netley from 7.30pm today. All proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief's South Hampshire Appeal to
FAST-GROWING Fareham School of Gymnastics rounded off a fantastic opening 15 months with medal success at their first inter-club competition. The squad of Laura Ayling, Kirsten Holmes, Natalie Selby, Amy Thornhill and Abbie Woodford (pictured left to
GLENN SHEFFORD is the new name on the Southampton & District Cavagnetto Cup for under-13s, held at Chandler's Ford. With last year's winner, Jason Hildyard, too old to compete Shefford, 12, defeated Jacob Collier, younger brother Toby Shefford and
HAMPSHIRE tennis international Di Hill is back from Perth, Western Australia, after captaining the Great Britain team in her age group. Playing in the Maureen Connolly Cup competition, the British team were unlucky not to win a bronze medal. They lost
HAMPSHIRE ambulance chiefs say radical changes to the service could make it one of the best in the country - bringing it from zero to hero. As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, 16 ambulance stations belonging to the zero-rated trust are to close as
HAMPSHIRE police have been called in to help investigate an alleged serious sex attack on the luxury liner QE2. A 19-year-old British female crew member raised the alarm as the Southampton-registered ship, pictured right, sailed into waters near Aalesund
THE great bank holiday getaway got off to a sweltering start yesterday as temperatures in Hampshire soared above 20C. Weather experts warned sun-worshippers to make the most of the warmth, with thundery showers increasingly likely as the weekend goes
HAMPSHIRE police have been called in to help investigate an alleged serious sex attack on the luxury liner QE2. A 19-year-old British female crew member raised the alarm as the Southampton-registered ship, pictured right, sailed into waters near Aalesund
ANTTI NIEMI'S agent has admitted the Saints keeper WOULD be prepared to speak to former boss Gordon Strachan over a move to Celtic. However, Richard Cody insisted there has been NO contact between Celtic and Saints, despite reports to the contrary. Strachan
LIZ Bennett was crowned Hampshire women's golf champion last night after a comprehensive 5 & 3 win over tournament sensation Kelly Travers at Basingstoke. Alresford club champion Travers came from nowhere in the rankings to beat former English champion
CRAIG MCMILLAN will make his Hampshire debut against Northants at the Rose Bowl on Bank Holiday Monday. The New Zealander is due to arrive in Southampton with his young family tomorrow night and will begin his two-month stint when the county try and avenge
FAST-GROWING Fareham School of Gymnastics rounded off a fantastic opening 15 months with medal success at their first inter-club competition. The squad of Laura Ayling, Kirsten Holmes, Natalie Selby, Amy Thornhill and Abbie Woodford (pictured left to
Best selling hardback books for the week ending February 12th supplied by Waterstone's. 1 (6) The Artemis: Opal Deception, by Fowl S Eoin Colfer 2 (-) A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby 3 (-) Gordon Ramsey Makes It Easy by Gordon Ramsey 4 (-) All Fun and
Today's Principal Arrivals: Le Castellet, ro/ro, 0500, 201; QE2, passenger, 0600, 38/9; NYK Phoenix, container, 0700, 205; Galaxy Leader, ro/ro, AM, 43; Autoline, ro/ro, 2030, 201 Today's Principal Sailings: Le Castellet, 1000, 201; Coronel, cargo, AM
HAMPSHIRE Ladies Super League neighbours Portsmouth and Gosport meet tomorrow night at The Railway in Cosham to decide who wins the title. The winners will face Friday champions Shirley to determine places for the British Champions Cup. Freemantle Shirley
PAUL Adams is the new Southampton Billiard League individual champion after beating John Mullane at the 147 Executive Club. Adams defeated Adam Nash 367-223 in one semi, making a fine 82 to go with 59, 35 and 33 while Mullane played superbly to beat defending
THIS weekend launches one of the biggest musical extravaganzas the south has ever seen. Musical royalty Sir Elton John leads the way with a sell-out gig at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium tonight. Elton will be the first artist to play at the stadium.
LOOK at me, now I'm free, how much confidence do you see? Smiling down from the billboard, Michelle Steadman, 35, from Southampton, looks the picture of confidence now. She dared to bare as part of the latest national publicity campaign by Dove - and
WIND-speed merchants from Hampshire are poised to launch an assault on the world record for the fastest wind-powered machine. All they need is some luck and the wind behind them. The Lymington-based Windjet team has set up a base in the scorching Nevada
A TEENAGER has been arrested by detectives investigating the latest armed robbery at a Hampshire restaurant. The 17-year-old was detained in Poole and is being quizzed about a raid at the Little Chef alongside the A31 near Ringwood. Two masked men burst
IT WAS a dial-a-delivery with a difference. A Hampshire dad successfully brought his son into the world - by following instructions given by a midwife over the telephone. Richard Stewart sprang into action when wife Louise suddenly started having contractions
ON my trips to Florida, my wife, Anne, usually drags me into her favourite bookstore. While she wanders around looking for the latest John Grisham or Jeffrey Deaver, I snuggle up in the corner with a foaming cappuccino and a calorie-filled croissant glancing
SADLY it's the end of an era for Jason Dodd after 16 years with the Saints. I would have thought he would have been an ideal old pro to have around for the promotion push next season. Obviously it's part of the economy cuts and, although I'm sure he will
PETER CROUCH has admitted he would have labelled anyone "mad" at the star of the season who predicted he would now be challenging to be part of England's World Cup squad for the 2006 finals. But that is the scenario facing the Saints striker who has had
PETER CROUCH will make his senior England debut tonight with Saints knowing an impressive display could see the Premiership vultures circling. But ahead of England's friendly with the USA in Chicago, Crouch has paid a warm tribute to the man who is fervently
