Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

Selfridge’s in Oxford Street can I think justify its Sunday opening this weekend as it is the actual centenary of the opening in 1909. I see anniversary articles are beginning to appear and big celebrations are planned for the summer. … Continue reading →

Walking down Boscombe Chine this morning I thought that the valley looked rather bare and strange with grass replacing the sandy soil.     Two days before Christmas it was announced that the chine has been awarded nature reserve status. … Continue reading →

After much speculation and false dawns Sandbanks Ferry is back in operation. In the end work did not run on past the deadline as long as feared about a week ago.  Unless there is very bad weather indeed the daily … Continue reading →

Sandbanks Ferry will not be back in service this morning.  The vessel is ready for service but work on the slipways is not finished and will take at least another week. It is now possible that closure will continue until … Continue reading →

Sandbanks Ferry has been withdrawn from service for a refit. The vessel is now in Southampton.  During the 8 week closure the opportunity is being taken to improve the slipways on both sides of the Poole Harbour entrance.  The ferry … Continue reading →

The Liberal Democrat Party flag is flying above the Highcliff Hotel on Bournemouth’s West Cliff.   The Liberal Conference is at Bournemouth this week until Wednesday but the cliff top path is remaining open. Unlike the Labour Conference here in … Continue reading →

The coast path at Milford-on-Sea is expected to be closed immediately after the August Bank Holiday weekend. Bad weather earlier this month resulted in heavy seas destroying a groyne and as a result a sea wall has been undermined.  The … Continue reading →

Sandbanks Ferry is running normally this morning. Overnight repairs were successful and the ferry is ready for a busy August Bank Holiday weekend. In addition to the normal cars, cyclists and coast path walkers there is expected to be extra … Continue reading →

Sandbanks Ferry has been closed from about 1.30pm today following a breakdown.  It is understood that a chain snapped.  There had been concern just after 12 noon when an alarm sounded as the ferry was about to load on the … Continue reading →

News that an open-top bus on the Swanage to Bournemouth route fell on to its side yesterday will have come as a surprise to many.  The accident was on the ferry road near Studland and involved two cars. Fortunately the … Continue reading →