25 YEARS AGO:

July, 9 1993

FORE: Bemused golfers carried on playing as gliders landed beside their cliff-top links at West Bay.

Six gliders came down on land owned by Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club when they were unable to make their way back to North Hill, near Honiton.

Three other gliders landed along the coast near Bridport.

SOLD: An oil painting of boats in Newlyn Harbour made £5100 when it was auctioned on behalf of a Bridport man at a Torquay art sale.

The picture, dated 1920, was reputedly bought by the owner's father from the artist, Harold Harvey.

DOGS: Broadwindsor Novelty Dog Show and other attractions on Hursey Common raised more than £350.

With funds raised from September's pram race, the cash will help Broadwindsor School and Highcroft, the local Wessex Autistic Society home, among other charities.

50 YEARS AGO:

July 5, 1968

FETE: The fete at Parnham House, Beaminster, on Saturday, was a very gay affair.

"Presiding" over the day's events were the Pearly King and Queen (Mr H Brinsden and Mrs Jennifer Moores).

The many stall holders all helped to add colour to the occasion by dressing in the traditional costumes of a Hampstead Heath fair.

DISCOVERY: 11-year-old Tim Greenhalgh, of Bridge Road, Charmouth, is wondering whether the Romans used to enjoy smoking a pipe now and then.

For, while fishing on the bank of the River Char near his home, he spotted what he thought was an unusual pebble, but what turned out to be a large, sandstone pipe bowl, with a face carved on the front.

"I saw a school film about Roman Britain the same day, and there was a sort of inhaler which looked just like this," he said excitedly.

But British Museum experts were baffled.

WET, WET, WET: Beaminster has had its wettest June for 89 years.

A total of 5.15 inches of rain fell during the month, the most since 1879, when the figure was 7.20.

Rain fell on 15 days, the greatest fall in 24 hours being 1.32 on the 27th.