A GROUP of members from Bridport and District University of the Third Age have seen how an industry that began in the town in the 13th century is still making Bridport a world leader today.

The Isn’t That Interesting group was given a tour of Huck Nets, which produces lightweight knotless netting for a range of uses that can be large enough to cover land-fill sites to prevent rubbish blowing away and as small as the back pockets of a Land Rover.

In between there is a vast range of products that include tennis and football nets, safety nets to catch falling roofers and fruit cage nets to keep birds off the raspberries.

The company has also designed, produced and installed playground equipment at West Bay, Portesham and Mountjoy School, Beaminster.

Alan Hobby, leader of the U3A group, said: “What could be a better job than installing their playground equipment and then testing it. I wonder how many of our party took away a job application form when we left.”

Managing director Jon Legg-Bagg and sales manager Dave Collins explained that the net fabric is produced in Dresden and then sent to Bridport to be manufactured into finished products.

The group also held its first ever Christmas quiz and there were enough clues for a team calling themselves CSI Bridport to win the fun quiz.

The result could not have been closer, but they won by the smallest possible margin of half a point.

Sixteen teams of U3A members took part in the quiz, which featured eight rounds of questions that included local knowledge, Christmas and entertainment.

The members of the winning team – Paula Bowles, Ronnie Creswell, Pam Shearman and June Caspar – were each presented with a box of chocolates by U3A chair Jenny Malyon.

She said: “It was the first time we have tried something like this and everyone seemed to agree it was a success.”

There were also consolation prizes for the team that finished last – Number 4, whose members were Sheila Hepworth, Harry Downey and Peggy Carden.

The quiz was held at the Bridport United Church hall and the question master was Rob Wells.

Entry was free and so were the seasonal refreshments.