BBC Radio Solent: Recent Episodes
BBC Radio Solent
We’re passionate about local issues and where we live, We know the South is the best part of Britain to live in. We’ll keep you up to date with the local news, travel and weather.
Chris James in Fuengirola, Spain is the Radio Solent Global Weather Watcher on Wednesday.
The actor, Barry Howard, who lived in Bournemouth has died at the age of 79, his agent confirmed today. Barry was best known for his role as ballroom dancer, the deadpan Stuart Hargreaves in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-hi. He spoke to Richard Latto last year and Barry was very open with him about his time on Hi-de-hi.
Profile for police and crime commissioner candidate Robin Price, Labour, by Hannah Bewley
Profile for police and crime commissioner candidate Simon Hayes, Independent, by Hannah Bewley
Profile for police and crime commissioner candidate Steve Watts, Zero Policy Policing Ex Chief by Hannah Bewley
Listen again to profiles of each of the seven candidates standing for Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 5 May.
Profile for police and crime commissioner candidate Michael Lane, Conservative, by Hannah Bewley
Profile for police and crime commissioner candidate Don Jerrard, Independent, by Hannah Bewley
Multi-award winning acknowledged master of psychological illusion , Derren Brown, talks to Alun Newman on BBC Radio Solent ahead of his 'Miracle' tour coming to @mayflower
A 16 year old had to be rescued after being locked in an Andover Town Council building - following a Youth Council meeting, last night. Theo Youds had popped to the toilet - during which the building was prematurely locked up. The fire brigade had to get him out - as he'd been stuck for three hours and still no key holders had been found. The chair of the council, Veronika Pond, says its conducting a "full and thorough" investgvation and they'll act on "any recommendations" made by it.
The brilliant Jason Manford came to the Solent studios to talk about his comedy clubs in Southampton, his role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang @mayflower and his private gig for an injured fan...
The mother of a #Hampshire boy with #MuscularDystrophy has hit her crowdfunding target to purchase an off-road wheelchair.
Shakira Akabusi, daughter of Olympian Kriss Akabusi, talks to Katie Martin about life in the South, motherhood, and following in her father's fitness footsteps.
You may have heard the term "baby brain" - it's a phrase often used by new mums when they forget things or seem a little scatterbrained. But an article in the "New Scientist" says there's very little evidence that pregnancy-induced "brain fog" actually exists - and that women with young children may even function BETTER than they did before.
With Katie expecting, what advice do mums in the South have for her?
Bournemouth hospital has told BBC Radio Solent that work undertaken to ease the issues caused by the A338 road works have been successful.
Back in September, when the roadworks on the spur road began, the hospital saw some patients and staff waiting two hours to leave the car park because of the congestion caused outside.
The hospital called on Bournemouth council for help - and now two dedicated lanes have been created for the east and westbound traffic.
Our Bournemouth and Poole Reporter Sophia Seth has been to meet Edwin Davies, Head of Estates at the hospital to find out more:
Following severe weather at weekend, Petersfield Town FC had severe damage to their ground and manager Ian Saunders describing a stand being ripped out the ground.
Club chairman, Graham Moir, appeals for fans help to get the ground back up and running.
If you can spare some time for Petersfield Town, email Petersfieldtown@yahoo.com
The Bishop of Winchester has exclusively told BBC Radio Solent that the decision to ban a clergyman from preaching after he married his male partner wasn't personal'. Hear the full interview here.
It wouldn't be Christmas without a few family squabbles, would it?
From hogging the chocolates to arguing over TV schedules, there is always something to sparks the classic family argument!
From the ridiculous to the downright silly, there has to be something...
Why are men so rubbish at buying Christmas presents? Is it a myth or is it true? Are you planning on leaving it till Christmas Eve? If you are then behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings has some advice!
An influx of trampoline parks could be about to sweep across the region. They're indoor "urban parks" - with trampolines for floors and walls. On Monday 14th December 2015 one of these venues will open in Southampton - with another due to open in Portsmouth in the next two weeks. One company has told us that, currently, work begins on one park every three days in the UK. Ian Ramsdale reports.
Hampshire's favourite bilingual singer-songwriter, Josh Savage, is coming home for Christmas, and preparing for the biggest gig of his life at Winchester Guildhall.
He's spent the past two months touring lounges and bedsits across Europe, travelling nearly 6,000 miles in a red hatchback, and has arrived back with a brand new EP, entirely in French!
Listen to him perform live on The Katie Martin Show.
Hampshire's favourite bilingual singer-songwriter, Josh Savage, is coming home for Christmas, and preparing for the biggest gig of his life at Winchester Guildhall.
He's spent the past two months touring lounges and bedsits across Europe, travelling nearly 6,000 miles in a red hatchback, and has arrived back with a brand new EP, entirely in French!
Listen to him perform live on The Katie Martin Show.
Is your workplace taking part in secret santa this year?.... If you are, then you are are a very rare bunch it seems!
It's been discovered that more than three quarters of grumpy Brits (77 per cent) do not plan on taking part in Secret Santa this year, while almost a fifth (19 per cent) of those who do participate admit they only do so because they feel pressured by their colleagues....
So Kane has been out to see if the south is bucking the declining secret Santa trend....
Kane's story of once waking up to find a pigs head in his bed sounded a bit too far-fetched for Katie. She needed proof and Kane's granddad provided it....
Craig David returns to perform in his hometown as the opening headliner at the Southampton event in May next year!
25-year-old Tom Archer, a sports massage therapist from Poole, has been losing his sight since he was 10 and is almost but not completely blind. He told Tristan Pascoe how badly parked vehicles blocking the pavement affect him.
Bought a poinsettia? Should you feed it? @pipbflowers has some advice during our Gardeners' Questions Sun 12-1.#christmas
Bobby joined Katie on The Afternoon Show teasing ahead to his new tour coming to the South next year and he also judged Kane's & Katie's impressions...
The pair joined @1KatieMartin to talk about the hit comedy musical that's on @themayflower this week!
A rather unique date request from a student in Southampton, has gone viral. Alfonso - who's from Mexico City - asked a woman out on a date with a handwritten note - drawn in the style of a mobile phone message. The 25-year-old made the offer to Naomi Lucking in the university library. She turned-down his request for a coffee, but his inventive effort has led to other date offers after she tweeted his handiwork. Speaking to us, he's called the reaction a "really great experience".
A rather unique date request from a student in Southampton, has gone viral. Alfonso - who's from Mexico City - asked a woman out on a date with a handwritten note - drawn in the style of a mobile phone message. The 25-year-old made the offer to Naomi Lucking in the university library. She turned-down his request for a coffee, but his inventive effort has led to other date offers after she tweeted his handiwork. Speaking to us, he's called the reaction a "really great experience".
Sandi Thom is back with her 6th studio album, 'Weapons Of Past Destruction', she joined Katie to talk about her whirlwind romance, performing while expecting her first child and gave us an incredible performance of 'Ghosts' taken from the new album.
The smash-hit, bright and bouncy musical, Hairspray is back and is entertaining the south.
It's on at The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton until Saturday,
BBC Radio Solent has learnt that a substance which was blamed to have poisoned several dogs in the South West last year has washed up again -- on beaches across Hampshire and Dorset.
The New Forest Dog Owner's group say that Palm Oil has been spotted on 5 separate occasions.
The beaches include Hengistbury Head, Friers Cliff and Hordle Cliff.
Our Bournemouth and Poole reporter Sophia Seth reports.
He's quicker than anyone when it comes to one-liner jokes, start of Mock the Week, Milton Jones, joined Katie this afternoon ahead of his gigs at The Shanklin Theatre next week.
A tattoo artist from Lincoln has been suffering from hiccups for nearly 8 years!
She first got them regularly when she was pregnant, and despite all sorts of experts having a look into it, there's still no sign of them going.
What advice would you give her?
Listen again to @LiamWhiteMusic1's brilliant version of Dean Martin's 'memories are made of this' as he gears up for his musical marathon to raise money for children in need. Liam White and Steve Haines have set their target at 100 songs in one evening ... That equates to 5 hours or 300 minutes or 18,000 seconds of non stop live music!
After St Andrew’s Church in Timsbury was devastated by a fire last March, a lengthy renovation project has been in progress. Today, they’re getting their new bells in. We speak to church warden John Glasspool about the last 18 months, the renovation and how you get a set of massive metal bells inside your church.
Hampshire's @frankturner has sold out the Southampton Guildhall this weekend and got us ready for the gig with a beautiful performance of 'Glorious You' taken from his new album 'Positive songs for negative people'
Fareham's Kelly Simm, who was part of the Great Britain's women gymnast team who created history at the World Championships in Glasgow last week. That bronze medal means GB will be sending a full team to the Rio Olympics next year!
Andrew Dunn (Gerald) & Louis Emerrick (Horse) unfortunately didn't get their kit off for Katie but spoke about The Full Monty on at @mayflower
Bill - who's 95 - rang in to talk to Alex Dyke here on BBC Radio Solent as part of a conversation about finding love later in life.
He married his 85 year old wife a year ago.
But soon the conversation moved to loneliness as Bill explained that his wife had recently needed to go into a nursing home... And from there, it led to... well if you didn't hear it I won't spoil it for you.
This is what happened:
A former art deco cinema on the Isle of Wight is to be demolished to make way for housing. Councillors have approved plans to replace the former Rivoli Cinema in Sandown - which dates back to the era of silent films. Surveyors had raised concerns about the structural stability of the cinema - which was built in 1885. Five properties will be built on the land. Founder of the Isle of Wight Film festival, Bruce Webb, had campaigned for the last two years to try raise the money to takeover cinema.
The newest cross-Solent ferry passenger service is launching a second route - two years ahead of schedule. A Cowes to Portsmouth service, with capacity for 41 passengers, will launch on November the 5th. Scoot Ferries chief executive, Zoe Ombler, says as soon as they launched - a Lymington to Yarmouth crossing in September, it was clear they wanted to make this route next.
Advice from @pipbflowers on why your #Cyclamen might not be in flower & why some are hardier than others. Gardeners' Questions 12-1 #gardening
saintsfc legend @mattletiss7 was a guest on The Afternoon show today to talk about the new TV programme he's taking part in and of course we couldn't let him go without talking about Southampton!
Mike @kingsgateprints regretted asking Nick Girdler if nursery rhymes help you remember # history. It certainly helped Nick....
This week on the Dorset Tourist, how stone from a little island in the county became famous around the world.
John Anderson from Exbury Gardens helps a listener to look after his Christmas tree. #gardening
It's one of the most eye-catching parts of our beautiful coastline - but how long is Chesil Beach? That's the question that the Dorset Tourist asks this week.
This week's Dorset Tourist question took Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm to the county's famous deserted village.
He's not Dorset's best known author - take a bow, Thomas Hardy - but J Meade Falkner is a big deal in the literary world (in more ways than one, he was 6ft9 tall!). And this week we find out about his three books on the Dorset Tourist.
Our Dorset Tourist trail this week took Steve out walking in the wild Dorset Summer weather. Have a listen here.
On another literary journey this week, but here we're finding out about a less -celebrated Dorset poet, friend of Thomas Hardy and the man who wrote the poem The Shepherd O' The Farm
Sam Smith's very first singing teacher, Joanna Eden, is in Burton Bradstock this week. Charlotte Foot has been to find out why.
We surprised producer Kane with two special guests to try out his attempt of a chocolate cake... His Mum & Grandad!
So, think you're a good Dorsetonian do you? Well do you know what the county's motto is. As part of our Dorset Tourist strand, we find out.
Quite a chunk of the Dorset Tourist questions have (understandably) revolved around Thomas Hardy. This one is no exception, but I think you'd have to be a big Hardy fan to know the answer...
Producer Bob snuck into a secret press conference to ask Andy Murray a few questions about his big news...
I think it's one of the easier questions on our Dorset Tourist trail this week - Whilst living at her home in Lyme Regis, how did Mary Anning achieve fame? If you don't know, or you want to learn more about Anning, listen to this.
This week's Dorset Tourist takes us to Weymouth where a lion and a unicorn lie side-by-side.
Our Dorset Tourist quiz this week took us to Sherborne to find out for whom the "new" castle was built back in the 16th Century.
It's a gruesome Dorset Tourist this week, looking into the history of the Bridport rope industry and some of its more gory uses.
Steve Harris's Dorset Tourist trail continues, today he's looking at the commodity you'd most associate with Wytch Farm - black gold.
In the latest part of our Dorset Tourist trail, Steve finds out what the "Vinny" in Dorset Blue Vinny means.
We're up to unlucky 13 in our Dorset Tourist trail, and this time Steve's been to find out where Dorset's highest peak is.
Super-stoked: Freddie Carr and Paul Campbell-James @dcarrsailing @cjsailing @BenAinslieRacin #sailing
It's time for another one of our Dorset Tourist questions. Today we're trying to figure out who James Hammett was, and how he found fame for belonging to a particular group.
A real piece of trivia this week on the Tourist trail. The oldest working pillar box still in use in England is in Dorset, but where? Steve Harris found a pillar box expert and he pointed us in the right direction.
Tomorrow, a special event called The People's Commemoration of D-Day will be held at Leeson House in Langton Matravers, where the county's veterans will be recognised for their role in World War Two. Breakfast in Dorset's Charlotte Foot has been to see how the final preparations are going.
Dorset County Council is currently offering one-to-one cycling sessions, with a qualified instructor, for a quarter of the usual price - so Steve and Charlotte thought they'd hop on and have a go!
Nice and straightforward this week's question, with no drama. All I need to find out today is in which year the railway between Wareham and Swanage closed. So I went to Norden near Corfe Castle to speak to a man who rode on the last train.
We're up to part nine of our Dorset Tourist trail and this question has caused some consternation. Pin your ears back and find out - what was the significance of Notton near Maiden Newton to the Romans? (sort of!)
The Purbeck Workshop in Wool offers craft therapy for cancer sufferers, their carers and relatives. It was founded by the late Paul Feeney and his wife Sinead. Sadly, Paul passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 35 just a week before the project launched.
Steve went to meet Carl from Carl's Creature Comforts in Dewlish - between Puddletown and Blandford - to find out what bees and ladybirds and lacewings want from their homes.
The Project Climbing Centre in Poole is a new resource for people to hone their climbing skills before they head out onto climbs in Swanage or Portland. Steve and Charlotte from Breakfast in Dorset thought they'd give it a try.
This is Merv Sharp. In 1974, he broke the record for the number of successful channel swims - and became one of the eight Kings of the Channel. He tells Steve Harris the secret of his success.
We solved question eight on our Dorset Tourist trail on Monday. The question was "Where was an ancient fair, lasting five days and the largest in Dorset, held from the 12th Century until the beginning of the First World War?" And we found out the answer with a little help from Linda Poulson.
A woman from Swanage has been telling Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm about her experiences of Death Row, in the USA.
Clare Nonhebel has been writing to an inmate in the state of Ohio called Romell Broom for the past five years.
Romell has spent the last 3 decades awaiting his execution. In 2009 the state tried and failed to kill him using lethal injection.
Clive Stafford-Smith from Reprieve also told us his thoughts.
Clare Nonhebel has been writing to Romell Broom for the last five years - 5 years that he shouldn't have been alive for.
In 2009, the state of Ohio was due to kill Romell by lethal injection but failed after 2 hours of trying. He was returned to death row, where he still awaits his execution.
Shortly after that, Clare replied to an advert in the Big Issue from the charity Human Writes, looking for people to write to prisoners facing execution. She was paired with Romell.
Over the course of those five years she has been to visit Romell, she has written a book with him, and she's now helping him to get his conviction for aggravated murder overturned.
There is only one place in the world where you can see a Viking longhouse standing next to a Iron Age Roundhouse, next to a Roman Forge and a Saxon Workshop.
That place is the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne.
It's the most incredible place - which has been mostly built by the schoolchildren who regularly visit the site.
Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm went for a look around
This morning we've been uncovering the history behind some of the hymns we sing in church.
June Boyce-Tillman has been teaching us about 'Black Spirituals', songs based on christian values written by African-American slaves in the 18th century.
Sarah Bennett caught up with June, who has written several books on their history, to uncover the meaning behind the music...
Hear how Julian Clegg took on the role of Speaker to bring some peace to the Southampton Itchen constituency debate.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out more about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris learnt not to worry when he paid a visit to Lawrence of Arabia's Dorset retreat.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out more about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris went to ramble in Ashmore to find out more about the Wessex Ridgeway.
Steve Claridge gives his views after Andy Awford leaves his position as Portsmouth manager.
I wouldn't expect you to have heard of the series of books called The Buildings of England. There were 46 books published between 1951 and 1974 celebrating the architectural diversity of our country and each broadly dedicated to a different county. The Dorset edition was published in 1972, and now 43 years later it's one man's job to make sure it's updated.
Those are the words of one woman from Dorchester after adopting her daughter four years ago.
Lilly Fahey adopted Kirsten when Kirsten was three years old. She hadn't had the easiest start to her life. She was born four weeks premature with a serious heart condition, and she still has foetal alcohol syndrome which affects her concentration and behaviour.
And Lilly wasn't what you might imagine an adoptive parent to be. She was almost 50 when she adopted Kirsten, she hadn't had children before, she didn't have a husband or partner and she works full time.
Steve Harris spent some time with the pair of them, and found out there's no such thing as a typical adoptive parent.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out more about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris went to Brownsea Island to learn about Robert Baden Powell's experimental 1907 boy scouts' camp.
On Monday 23rd March, judging for the 21st annual Great Taste Awards started in Gillingham in North Dorset. Over the next six weeks ten thousand foods will be judged by an array of experts. And for the first of the sessions, Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris was allowed to have a go at judging.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris went to Shaftesbury Abbey to find out more about what was once the richest abbey in the country
It's going to be a big year for Swanage Railway next year. The plan is that 2016 will see the Swanage to Norden line reconnected with the mainline for the first time since 1972. So before that happens, and it gets all "professional" we thought we'd see if they'd let a couple of amateurs loose on the rails. Last week, Charlotte and Steve went to Swanage to have a go at driving a 128 tonne locomotive around the yard.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris went to the Rushmore Estate near the Larmer Tree Gardens to learn about "primeval" woodland.
A former Mayor of Bournemouth has resigned from the Conservative party over the proposed Navitus Bay Windfarm.
Councillor Barry Goldbart says not enough is being done to oppose the scheme by local Tory MPs and the Council Leader.
He announced his decision live on the Julian Clegg breakfast show this morning.
Shortly after resigning, our Dorset Political Reporter @TRISTANPASCOE asked Cllr Barry Goldbart how he felt, leaving the party he's been a member of for more than 42 years...
Getting a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disesase is devastating - as a family from Petersfield know all too well. The Isacc family are the subject of a new documentary being shown tonight on Channel 5 called 'Filming My Father In Life and Death'. Made over four and a half years, it charts how they've been affected since Dad Steve was told he had MND.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm is on a 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted. This week Steve Harris went to Sandsfoot Castle in Wyke Regis to learn about its origins.
Steve Etches from Kimmeridge has been collecting fossils for the last 35 years. He has examples that the Natural History Museum would love to get their hands on. They're currently in his converted garage, but soon will be housed in a new £5.2m museum in the village. Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris went to meet him.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm started a new 30 week adventure called The Dorset Tourist today. Inspired by a 30 question quiz from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre we aim to find out about the bits of Dorset that we might take for granted.
This week Steve Harris went to Osmington's White Horse to learn about its recent restoration.
On Friday @steveharrisdj's Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm talked about the allocation of universal free school meal top up funding. An article in @schoolsweek suggests the way that money was distributed may have been politically motivated; schools in key coalition seats were more likely to be successful in their applications. We spoke to Laura McInerney from that publication and our political reporter @TRISTANPASCOE to find out more.
heard from @TRISTANPASCOE
laura mcinerney
On @BBCRadioSolent, UKIP PPC in Christchurch, Dorset Robin Grey tells @TRISTANPASCOE the party ISN'T racist following #MeetTheUkippers documentary
Dentist and University of Portsmouth Dentistry Tutor Latha Davda explains to Sasha Twining the correct technique for keeping your teeth clean
Would you feel safe walking alone through your town or city after dark?
Well staff at a Southampton letting agency told their bosses that they didn't and now they're attending weekly self-defence classes on their lunch-breaks to help address the problem.
One female member of staff says she was left "terrified" after being followed home after an altercation on the city's streets.
Oliver Wallaston, a team leader at Your Move has started sharing his martial arts expertise with his colleagues and our reporter Rebecca Romo joined them during yesterday's session...
Friends of Hayley Robinson shave off their hair in solidarity as she begins treatment for cancer, just a year after her husband died of the disease @Bmthhospcharity
The Dorset Destroyers are a new wheelchair rugby outfit based in Poole. Steve Harris went along to try his hand at a full-contact sport.
The new Jailhouse Café at Guys Marsh Prison near Shaftesbury opens to the public on Monday. Steve Harris went along for a flat white and slice of carrot cake.
Kit Vaughan bought 52 acres of woodland in Dorset three and a half years ago. They're trying to develop a sustainable woodland which delivers social, environmental and economic benefits. Steve Harris went along to find out more.
A new competition aims to pit Dorset's sportmen and women against each other - to find out who's fittest. And Steve Harris went along to try out some of the challenges. He didn't do very well!
Leonard Martin from Charlton Marshall was a mere lad of 44 when he started building Langdon Hall. 26 years later, he's finally finished. Steve Harris went for a look around.
Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm went along to Conception UK. Now in its 16th year, it's a gathering of hundreds of people who enjoy escaping from reality for a few hours.
Stare funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in words of great grandson Randolph Churchill #churchill2015
When Vanessa Curtis's mum revealed that her grandmother was Latvian, she was inspired to find out what happened to the relatives left behind. Hear @VanessaCurtis1 with @1KatieMartin on @bbcradiosolent today #HolocaustMemorialDay
Some of Britain's best climbs can be found on Portland and the Purbecks, but maybe we're not making enough of them. Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris went on an introductory climb with Rob Kennard from Portland Climbing.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm spoke to Rob Brydon this morning on the launch of Red Nose Day 2015. He was impressed by Stoborough First School's efforts making their faces funny for money - and gave them a little mention.
This weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill and on Sunday's Faith Show, listeners in the South told Tim Daykin their memories of the great man.
Isle of Wight Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, offers confidential, impartial and independent advice on the Isle of Wight. You can call them on 0344 411 1444.
Tara Flanagan is a finalist in this year's Open Mic UK competition. She came into our studios and performed her song Tough Luck. Have a listen to her here and when she's famous, remember where you heard her first.
24th January 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill. In 1944 he came to Dorset to watch the largest live ammunition practice for D-Day - Operation Smash - from Studland's Fort Henry. Steve Harris went to have a look around with National Trust ranger Stewart Rainbird.
Chair of the IoW Conservative Association Alan Wells talks to us about tonight's motion of no confidence in Andrew Turner MP. Picture of the amended motion going to the Executive Council. #AndrewTurner #IoW #IsleofWight #GE2015
The presenter of Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm, Steve Harris, popped to Pulham the other day to meet the founders of Flyte So Fancy who make hen houses. One of their range is surprisingly expensive!
Tory MP, James Arbuthnot, claims there is pressure on Conservative politicians to keep quiet about not being religious and likened it to being secretly gay.
Listen to what Mr Arbuthnot had to say when he spoke to Tim Daykin on @BBCRadioSolent.
Founder of the, 'Faith & Football' charity @LinvoyPrimusPro will receive an MBE from the Queen in the New Year's honours list for his services to charity and football in the local area.
Sasha Boyesen died of a heroin overdose in April 2012. Six months ago her mother published a book to help other people who might find themselves in the same situation as her. Here she tells Steve on Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm that there's no such thing as a stereotypical heroin addict
BBC Radio Solent's Hampshire & Isle of Wight Political Reporter Jess Parker visits a parent & toddler group at Cobbett Rd library in #Bitterne, 1 of 5 city libraries under threat
@TRISTANPASCOE reports on a Dorset victim support scheme that supports young people which is under threat due to a lack of funding.
Managers now hope that people will help to keep the service going by donating to a crowd funding website which has just gone live.
Reporter, Sarah Bennett, met Eddie Howe and club chaplain, Rev Andy Rimmer, as Bournemouth's players will join in song on Tuesday at the Goldsands stadium to mark the 100th anniversary 'Christmas Truce'
Nick Briggs lives in Bridport. He's a normal, mild-mannered man. And for the last ten years he's been the voice of the Daleks on telly. Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm went to meet him.
This is Molly. She'll be four next month. For two years she had a brain tumour which medical professionals missed, even though she was displaying symptoms consistent with brain tumours. Here her mum Sam tells our Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm show that parents and doctors need to be more aware of those symptoms.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm spoke exclusively to Karen Cole from Shaftesbury. Karen's daughter Maggie spotted a sign in Poole Tesco which said a superhero clock was "for boys". Karen took this picture and 24 hours later had changed the supermarket giant's policy when it came to toys.
The National Coastwatch Station at St Alban's Head near Worth Matravers has a very peculiar agreement with its landlord. For the pleasure of being on the Encombe estate, they are charged one crab per year. Breakfast in Dorset's Steve Harris went to watch them paying their bills.
Home Start West Dorset received about £7500 from Children in Need last year. It made a big difference to them, and the families they work with. Here Steve went to meet the charity and one of the mum's who "couldn't have coped" without them.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs tree in Dorset was the site of the origin of the trades union movement. Over the weekend it was thoroughly pruned to preserve it for future generations. Steve Harris went along and met a couple of the people involved.
Marie Stopes - family planning pioneer - lived in the Old Higher Lighthouse on Portland and entertained Thomas Hardy, HG Wells and George Bernard Shaw there. 90 years ago this month, the libel case that saw her take on the Catholic church came to an end. Steve from Breakfast in Dorset went to her old home to find out more about her.
HMS Portland arrived in Portland yesterday, her first visit since a multimillion pound refit. Steve Harris went for a look around, and spoke to the Captain and a young Dorset sailor for whom she's his first ship.
There's a big Cold War bunker on Portland - under Fancy's Farm of all places. The door to it is normally welded shut, but yesterday Su Illsley from the farm broke the welds and let Steve Harris from BBC Radio Solent go exploring.
Louise Fetigan founded the charity My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures four years ago, to help her seven year old daughter come to terms with the fact that... well, that her daddy is a soldier. She's now in the running to be Tesco Mum of the Year, and she came into the studio today to tell Steve her story.
Three months into the First World War, the Royal Sovereign class battleship HMS Hood was sunk at the South entrance to Portland harbour. The Royal Navy did it to protect vessels from German U-boats. Steve went to meet Selwyn Williams who knows the vessel's history and dived the wreck in the 1970s.
In August 2012, Peter Simpson won Olympic Gold. Two years later, he's walking away from his sport. He told Steve Harris on Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm why.
Would you consider adopting? Would you think about adopting a pair of brothers or sisters? On Monday Steve spoke to Sarah from the South who had never previously had children, but with her husband adopted two young sisters. Listen to her story.
There are only a couple of companies in Britain that make collars for Eton College. One is in Piddlehinton in Dorset, and they have also made collars for The King's Speech, Silk and Downton Abbey. Steve Harris - who's never worn one of these collars in his life - went along to find out what all the fuss was about.
John Broom from Sheffield was in Dorset on holiday. He had been investigating stories from the Great War, and when he stumbled across the Stratton War Memorial - with three men named Pope included on it - he was understandably intrigued. A bit of research later, and he'd parted with £150 to buy a book with a foreword by Thomas Hardy. Today he came into our studios to tell Steve Harris about his story.
Hillfield Friary in the Blackmore Vale has been a Franciscan retreat for almost a century. But in the last week it has taken a step into the new millennium with its new, green, Biomass boiler. Steve Harris from our Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm programme went for a look around.
Future Roots has two farms in Dorset; one halfway between Cerne Abbas and Sherborne, and one in Bradford Peverell, just outside Dorchester. They work with old men with dementia or Parkinson's. These men have spent their lives in rural communities, working with their hands, outdoors. So Future Roots encourages them to continue doing that, as a form of therapy. Steve from our Breakfast in Dorset programme went for a look around.
Global Harvest is based in Gillingham. They make membrillo, which sort of means quince jelly - although they make it in lots of different varieties. Steve from our Breakfast in Dorset programme went to meet them and find out about the product which they're selling to Harrods and British Airways.
St Nicholas Church in Arne has won the Diocese of Salisbury's Bishop's Prize for it's Living Church Yard Project; everything they do in the church grounds is to try to make it more comfortable for wildlife. Steve Harris went for a look around on the day before their yearly grass mow.
Steve Harris had a wander around BFX - a festival celebrating the work of the world's best visual effects artists - happening at the BIC this weekend. Have a listen here (warning contains painfully catchy songs from The Lego Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy)
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm was contacted by a couple of local newsagents who felt they weren't being treated fairly when it came to the distribution of lottery terminals. Here they tell their stories to Steve Harris
Steve went for a little look around Bryanston School's new state of the art music department on Thursday. He met some really talented musicians and got serious studio-envy!
This is Peggy, about to tuck into a steak and ale pie, made from a recipe which is included in a new cook book. The book contains recipes designed by Weymouth College students specially for older people, with considerations like cost, nutrition and ease of cooking paramount. Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm met Peggy at Broadwindsor House near Beaminster and found out more
Presenter Steve (that's him in the daft yellow sunglasses), tried Nordic Walking the other day ahead of this year's Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival. Have a listen to hear how he got on.
There's a new tourist attraction in Bournemouth - the world's first pier-to-shore zipwire. Breakfast in Dorset presenter Steve Harris and producer Julie Massiter were first in line to throw themselves off the top of the 20m high tower at the end of Bournemouth pier, although one of them was much more courageous than the other.
Our Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm presenter Steve Harris went truffling last week. The little black fungi are worth about £1 per gramme and can be found just a few centimetres below the surface of the ground... if you know where to look.
Dorset Blind Association have their annual run in Bournemouth in a couple of weeks' time. One of the options is to run it blindfolded with a guide, to get a sense of how a blind person feels when they're running. Steve went along to a running track in Poole to try it.
Steven Spurrier was the man behind one of the biggest shocks in the wine world - The Judgement of Paris in 1976, where American wine beat French wine in a blind taste test. He's been involved in wine, one way or another, for 50 years. But now, as he approaches his 73rd birthday, he's about to launch a sparkling wine that he's made himself, from his Dorset vineyard. Steve Harris, the presenter of Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm went to meet him.
Maurice and Helen Kaye are 102 and 101 years old respectively. On 27th August 2014 they celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary. Here Steve Harris introduces their story on Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm.
Our Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm presenter selflessly went to Christchurch to meet the man behind Dorset's only gin distillery. Conker Spirit was set up by 30 year old Rupert Holloway when he got tired of his job as a chartered surveyor. Here he explains to Steve Harris what it takes to make smooth-drinking mothers' ruin.
On Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm this morning, we heard from Claire Fowler. She's a taxidermist based near Blandford, and she showed Steve around her workshop. But be warned, some of the content here is a bit gruesome.
Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris went to Blandford today to meet Claire Fowler. Claire's a self taught taxidermist, and she showed Steve around her workshop. Steve got the wrong end of the stick though when he tried to describe her equipment.
A flash of lightning inspired Harry Bucknall's latest novel - Like A Tramp, Like A Pilgrim. Here he talks to Steve Harris about his 1500 mile walk from Canterbury to Rome, and his friendship with Martin Sheen.
Yesterday artist Simon Faithfull set fire to and sank a fishing boat in Ringstead Bay. It was the culmination of four years of hard work, and part of the ongoing Wreck To Reef project. Steve Harris was allowed onboard the support vessel to watch the sinking and got to talk to Simon soon afterwards. You can hear that interview here.
Karen Figgitt has poly-cystic ovary syndrome. One symptom of that condition is that she has excess hair on her chin and neck. She usually shaves her face twice a day. But for the month of August, to raise awareness of the condition, she's refusing to shave and documenting her story on her website (hairyfairyweymouth.com). Here she tells Steve Harris her story.
Rob Da Bank is one half of the husband-and-wife team who organise Bestival on the Isle of Wight and Camp Bestival on the Lulworth Estate every year. Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris spoke to Rob about the pleasures and perils of throwing an annual party for 30000 people.
When you think of countries that produce televisions, you probably think of China, Japan or Germany. You probably don't think of Great Britain. And if you were to name a part of Britain where a TV company might be based, you probably wouldn't turn first to Dorset.
However that's where Linsar is based. And Steve Harris from Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm went to have a look around a business that is thriving in the south of England.
Ford Farm Cheese is based at Litton Cheney in Dorset. For two of the last three years they've won the cheese equivalent of the World Cup - Supreme Champion at the Nantwich International Cheese Awards. Judging for this year's competition happens on 29th July. And ahead of that Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm's Steve Harris went to have a look around, and found out if you want to make the best cheese in the world, you have to be willing to build your own cave.
This is Roxy. She's three years old, and she has cerebral palsy. Her parents are trying to raise £60k so she can have an operation to straighten out her legs and allow her to "jump in muddy puddles". She, her twin sister and her mum and dad came into the Breakfast in Dorset 103.8fm studio to tell Steve Harris about how big a difference the operation could make.
"Hand in Hand Lodge of Odd Fellows" What on earth does that mean? What goes on inside such a lodge? And who are these odd fellows? Odd fellow John Bates tells Alina Jenkins...
How did these affectionate robots end up hugging by the side of the B3390 from Affpuddle to Warmwell in Dorset? Roger Wotton from Wessex Trailers explains
Itchen Valley Parish Council Chairman Penny Flemons on plans for Sunday afternoon power tool unofficial ban
Richard Latto finds out why this horse is called Shergar and where you can find him on social media!
Counsellor Pam Gully tells Richard Latto how to have creative ideas about your life without negativity ruining them
7 yr old, 30 stone, white lion Caspar at IOW zoo predicts #England will beat Italy at the #worldcup
RikMayall Rik was appearing at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, where Charlie Crocker spoke to him. This was recorded in April 2007
Rose Lyle would love to hear your special Father's Day message. Email rose.lyle@bbc.co.uk and she'll read them out this Sunday morning between 0600 and 0900.
Gerald Vernon-Jackson speaks to @bbcradiosolent after the election count in #portsmouth and what it now means for the Lib Dems
On the day we learnt the sad news of the death of Adrian Mole author Sue Townsend, here's a little recap of her interview with Katie Martin from International Women's Day 2012
Dr Fleur Loveridge from Southampton University, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment talks to Katie Martin