Rip Curl Girls Tour arrives in Boscombe

The Rip Curl Girls Tour arrived in Boscombe late last night night for a weekend of girls-only surf lessons and Hawaiian-themed activities.
Among the entourage was Steph Gilmore, twice World Championship Tour champion, who signed merchandise at Urban Reef beach bar and offered tips to the would-be surfers.
The month-long tour is aimed at promoting surfing among women and will also make stops at Llanglennith, Croyde and St Ives.

Beach huts destroyed by arsonists

There was more misery for beach hut owners yesterday when arsonists torched a row of huts just yards from Bournemouth Pier.
One building was completely destroyed and two others were burned beyond repair in last night's blaze.
Firefighters from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the site at 2.20am.
The burning huts were on Undercliff Drive between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers near to Harry Ramsden's restaurant.
Today the site remained fenced off and a sign posted by Dorset Police read: "Due to an act of vandalism, three neach huts were burnt down last night.
"The site will be cleared once the scene has been fully investigated by the police.
"We apologise for any inconvenience in the meantime."
Investigators believe the blaze was started deliberately.
Two further beach huts suffered damage in the fire, which also burned shrubs on the cliffs above.
In February five luxury beach huts were destroyed by arsonists at Mudeford Spit, near Christchurch.
Watch the video about the Mudeford Spit beach blaze below.

Twelve cops + one drunk = overkill

A small crowd gathered on Boscombe seafront today after no less than five police cars and 12 officers arrived to deal with a man sitting on top of a giant sandcastle.
The man, who had obviously been drinking, had been sitting on top of the giant sand pile which is being used to build Boscombe's surf reef.
The sand pyramid has become popular with young people who consider climbing it an amusing challenge for a Saturday night.
As soon as he became aware of the trouble he'd caused, the man - can in hand - slid down the pyramid to the throng of waiting police below.
One officer joked: "It's a competition to see how many police officers you can get in one place."
Unfortunately for the two policemen left to make the arrest, the man was too drunk to scale the fencing and found himself trapped inside the construction compound.
He had to be escorted to the compound gate.

Thieves destroy Cliff Gardens

Shrub thieves have stolen so many plants from Boscombe Cliff Gardens, the council can no longer afford to replace them.
Newly planted shrubs have been gradually disappearing from the pleasure gardens between The Marina and Boscombe Cliff Road and, to begin with, council workers replaced them.
But a sign from Dorset Police pinned to a lamp post informed visitors it was no longer worth replacing the plants until the culprit was found.

New surgery for Boscombe

Patients in Boscombe Spa will have to travel further to see their GP from September when the area's surgery relocates to Shelley Manor.
Dr Poulton and Partners, currently based at Adeline Road Surgery, will move to new premises a mile away. The new facility will allow Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust to treat more patients in the community instead of sending them to hospital.
Dr David Poulton said: “This is excellent news for everyone – patients, the practice, including our staff, and the people of Boscombe. This represents a new phase in the development of the practice which will enable us to deliver even more services.”

High demand for surf pods

More than 400 people have registered interest in just 59 'surf pods' in Boscombe's Overstrand building within days of the price tags being announced.
Estate agent Savills announced the price of single units at £64,995 and £89,995 for a double.
The 1950s building has been refurbished under the direction designers of Wayne and Geraldine Hemmingway. It originally contained 72 single beach huts but around half of them have been combined to create larger units. Many have balconies overlooking the beach at the surf reef construction site.
Wayne Hemmingway said: "The Overstrand excites us both as designers, and as people interested in seaside regeneration. It’s the restoration of a cool, historic building. With the great work being done on the Pier and Europe’s first artificial surf reef, Boscombe is about to become big news."
The surf pods are nearing completion but only half will be offered for sale. The remainder will be available to rent through Bournemouth Borough Council.
Savills is organising a sales event for the surf pods on May 15.

Rally beset with problems

Motorsport fans were left disappointed two days running after both legs of the two-day Rallye Sunseeker were cut short.

Friday night's action came to an abrupt end after a Subaru Impreza, driven by Geoff Underhill, brought down a lamp post in a dramatic 100mph smash on the Undercliffe Drive between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

The danger caused by the exposed live cable meant organisers had no choice but to halt the race. Underhill had to be cut out of his car and was taken to Poole Hospital with ankle injuries.

A Land Rover Discovery, driven by Andy Drummond, also made an early exit after losing an argument with some railings just half a mile into the stage.

The contest continued in Ringwood Forest the following morning but had to be brought to an early conclusion shortly after 5pm after a spectator was taken ill with a suspected heart attack. The race was stopped and the track cleared to allow emergency crews to gain access.

After thirteen gruelling stages Will Nicholls, from Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and Nick Broom, of Yeovil, Somerset, emerged triumphant in their Subaru Impreza WRC, almost half a minute ahead of their nearest rivals, Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield, both from Northamptonshire.

Subaru Imprezas dominated the podium as Sean Devine and Francis Regan, of Ireland, took the third place.

The annual event, now in its 24^th year, also acts as the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship and the Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge.