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

SHAPING THE FUTURE: A development blueprint to take West Dorset into the 21st century has been unveiled to parish and town councillors.

And the people of the area are being urged to play an active role in shaping the policies for the next nine years.

The aim of the district-wide consultative local plan – published yesterday and the first in Dorset – is to establish policies which will control the development and other uses of land up to the year 2001.

ROAD BLOCK: Angry Bridport householder Phil Morris this week used his car to block the path of contractors working for the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB) after a private road was dug up.

SWEB has apologised to Bothen Drive residents for failing to tell them about the work to replace an existing underground cable.

A spokesman said: “There was an administrative error.”

CRUNCH VOTE: General Synod member Jane Dibdin, of Bridport, will be voting for the ordination of women during next week’s crucial debate in Westminster.

The synod will be deciding whether women should be allowed to fulfil the complete role of a priest.

At present women deacons may not preside at the Holy Communion service by blessing the bread and wine, give absolution, or give the priestly blessing.

50 YEARS AGO
Friday, November 10, 1967

NEW INDUSTRY: The need to bring new light industry to Beaminster was mentioned by Mr Norman Welsford at Monday’s Parish Council meeting.

“We ought to go into the possibility of finding sites and get Town and Country Planning to give permission to have industry on them,” he declared.

Mr Ralph Bugler said the first thing they had to do was find a commercial developer.

BIRD SHOW: Axminster and District Cage Bird Society’s seventh open show was held on Saturday in the Guildhall, when there were over 500 entries from 48 competitors.

Last year entries were limited, because of the show being held in a small hall, and this year, with plenty of space to work in, the organisers found many competitors, who had dropped out last year, had not returned.

CHURCH APPEAL: Bridport Parish Church Council, finding it necessary to carry out extensive repairs and renewals, has opened a Church Renewal Fund, and is planning a varied programme of events to raise the money needed.

Organ builders, architects and engineers have been consulted. The organ is urgently in need of overhaul.