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

BYPASS: Mystery surrounds the latest delay in the long process to provide a bypass for Chideock and Morcombelake. 
But a senior National Trust officer believes the Department of Transport may have taken fright. 

Said the charity's regional director David Bett: "Whether they've got cold feet about their rotten scheme, I don't know." Bypass campaigners are fuming and the National Trust, whose land is likely to be affected by the road scheme, are puzzled after the DoT announced that the draft orders - which signal the official objection period - will not be published until next year. 

FISHING: A new boat which will patrol the county's coastline has been officially named by West Dorset resident Margaret Gibson. 
The ceremony, at Halmatic's Saxon Wharf base at Southampton, marked the handing over of the vessel to the Southern Seas Fisheries Committee. 

TAX: West Dorset householders who plan to appeal against the valuation of their property under the new council tax system are being urged not to delay payment. 

The district council's principal revenues officer, Frank Wilde, is concerned that people may believe they don't have to pay the tax until the appeal has been sorted out. 

50 YEARS AGO 
Friday, December 22, 1967

FAME: The fame of Bridport's Pram Derby has spread far so far and wide that this year it bids fair to become an international event. Publicity for the race has has reached many countries and people all over the world are following the event with interest. Now four New Zealanders, who will be spending Christmas with friends at Brighthay Farm, Chideock, are planning to compete in Bridport's sole Boxing Day attraction. 

DRUNK: A disreputable figure with a dirty beard, long black hair and old bowler hat tried to barge into the Christmas party held by 84 Guides and Scouts at the Golden Hind, North Allington, Bridport. The intruder, who appeared to be the worse for drink, was twice escorted out of the hut by scout leader F.C.Webb but to no avail - he forced his way in again and it was only then that it was discovered that the 'roadster' was the acting assistant scout leader.