Looking Back: Here's what was making the News headlines 50 and 25 years ago

UNDER THREAT: After eight centuries Bridport’s October fair, held annually since the granting of the Charter by Henry II in 1154, may be no more.

On Saturday night large crowds thronged around the roundabouts and stalls and enjoyed all the fun of the fair just as their ancestors had done.

On the fairground beside the Fisherman’s Arms is to be built a modern showroom and builders’ merchants warehouse with a large car park and easy access and entrance for customers and goods.

The question now arises as to whether the fair proprietor Mr H J Herbert, will be able to obtain an alternative fair ground in the vicinity.

YOUTH WORK: Dave Bailey and John Collier, members of the Beaminster and District Youth Centre, are repairing a footbridge at Parnham which has become unsafe for the old ladies and the others to use.

They have bought all the timber required and are dong the work in their spare time.

GREEN FINGERS: Cowslips and violets are growing in the garden of Mrs F M Childs of Greenway, Shipton Gorge.

In the summer, in her cowyard, Mrs Childs found five four-leaf clovers, two five-leaf closers and one six-leaf clover.

25 YEARS AGO
Friday, October 9, 1992

LAND GRAB: West Dorset Councillors have agreed to buy up land on the eastern edge of Bridport to bring the whole of Askers water meadows into public ownership.

HERO WORSHIP: It was a day Mrs Nancy Hunt will always remember- the moment she met Ian Botham and forgot what she was going to say.

SPIRIT OF LIFE: Bradpole residents Mrs Twissie Haywood celebrated her 104th birthday yesterday with two parties.
Twissie, who lives at St James ark Nursing Home, marked the occasion with a special birthday cake and drink with fellow residents and Bridport Mayor Carole Murless.

Last July, Twissie moved to the nursing home, where she still enjoys a double whisky.

REFUGEES WELCOME: Refugees who fled the fighting in Bosnia have been welcomed into Britain by a small group of Bridport people.

Six residents, including the chairman of the arena's ecumenical group, Churches Together, had only just arrived at Syon Abbey near Plymouth, when the 30 women and children from the war-torn region turned up.

The West Dorset folk had gone to the abbey to take beds, bedding, household goods and clothing for the refugees, who are staying there for about six months.