25 YEARS AGO:

September, 17 1993

WINNER: Artistic acclaim is mounting for Bridport painter Michael Upton, who this week scooped a major prize in a prestigious national competition.

Mr Upton was awarded £1,000 after becoming one of the five third prize winners in the Singer and Friedlander/Sunday Times watercolour contest.

His highly-praised still life painting entitled Table 1992 was one of nearly 2,000 watercolours entered in the competition, which carried a first prize of £15,000.

BEST IN SHOW: Bridport Team Vicar, the Rev Roger Shambrook, blessed with a beautiful crop of prime produce, captured the trophy for vegetables at the Allington show.

Mr Shambrook, of Allington Vicarage, takes pride in his home-grown veg and his jams and preserves, which help boost funds at St Swithun's Church fetes.

EXHIBITING: Delighted organisers have hailed Bridport's first open art competition as an 'absolute revelation'.

At a prizegiving at the town's Art Centre, vice-chairman of the centre Sir Robert Marshall said the contest had yielded a fabulous collection of art.

A look at the exhibition of nearly 500 works soon bears out his comments.

50 YEARS AGO:

September 13 1968

FLOWER SHOW: Entries at Beaminster Flower Show on Saturday showed a very high standard, especially in the floral arrangement section and in the photographic classes.

Total entries were 20 higher than last year's figure at 448.

There was also a record public attendance.

TRIUMPH: The 1st West Bay Sea Cub-Scouts won the West Dorset Cub-Scouts annual sports at St Mary's Field, Bridport (St Mary's pack), and they were presented with the district sports shield by Mr J.C. Angus, the District Commissioner.

MELPLASH: This year's Melplash Show was attended by 9,800 people, only 500 less than at the 1967 event which attracted a record gate.

Although last month's show escaped heavy rain, downpours and in the surrounding villages deterred many people from visiting the showfield.