THIS spring Bridport will be celebrating its rope making heritage and net making future – and helping to secure the future of one of the town’s historic buildings.

Local organisations, employers and volunteers are joining forces to a put on a fundraising Ropewalk Fair to raise money for the restoration of the Literary and Scientific Institute in East Street.

LSI restoration project co-ordinator Crystal Johnson said: “Bridport’s place in the landscape and the layout of its streets and long gardens lay testament to its rope making heritage.

“Today, its net makers are still are the forefront of design, production and innovation – the Brid-port name is linked with nets from Wembley to Wimble-don, aviation and defence to children’s play areas.”

The Ropewalk Fair will be a community event that will, over the weekend of May 10 to 11, host a whole range of activities including sporting challenges, heritage walks, talks and discussions, skill sharing and live music.

Emily Hicks from Bridport Museum said: “The Ropewalk Fair will be about more than just a great weekend of fun and learning for all ages – organisers are keen that events before the fair will draw in community groups, young people and employers.

“The fair will raise money for Bridport’s Literary and Scientific Institute and Bridport Museum redevelopment projects.”

The Saturday will revolve around talks, walks, music and exhibitions in the town, while Sunday will be the main event which will involve a family fair with lots of stalls, activities and food, all themed around rope and net.

Among other things there will be the chance to form a team for the tug of war, try spinning rope or trace your family’s rope-making past.

Organisers are keen to rope in as many people as possible to get involved with the weekend and build up. So if you have an idea for a stall, game or activity based on the fair’s rope and net theme or would like to become an event sponsor, they want to hear from you.

For more information pelase contact Crystal Johnson on crystal@bridportadt.org.uk or 07968 577867 or Emily Hicks, Bridport Museum curator on 01308 45703 or at curator@ bridportmuseum.co.uk