25 YEARS AGO:

December, 3 1993

STOLE THE SHOW: The spectacle of men dressing up as women and making complete fools of themselves is a traditional panto sight, but it could scarcely have been done better than John Challis' performance at Chideock Pantomime.

As Widow Twankey in Chideock Players' three-night production of Aladdin, John completely stole the show.

WORTH THE WAIT: Thousands of feet up a volcano, struggling for breath, Andrew Kingscott wondered whether it was worth going on his Duke of Edinburgh's gold award.

His doubts rose when he had to be taken to hospital with altitude sickness and suspected salmonella, even worse, the trip was costing him £1,000 of his own money.

But that was the low point.

Andrew, a landscape gardener from Chideock,. has just become the first member of the Bridport and District Duke of Edinburgh's award panel to get his gold award.

MAGIC: Members of Bridport and West Dorset Rambling Club enjoyed a walk through the historic landscape after setting off from White Hall, Littlebredy.

Led by Cecil and Gillian Amor, they walked up the ancient Bowprest Way, appreciating the spectacular views.

50 YEARS AGO:

November, 29 1968

FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS: Forty-four year-old Sir John Colfox of Symondsbury Manor, is to be the next High Sheriff of Dorset.

When he takes up his duties in March, he will be following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather and father. They too were High Sheriffs.

HONOURED: Two stalwart members of the Bridport Branch of the British Legion are to be honoured at the 42nd annual County Conference at the Public Hall, Beaminster.

Mr Ronald Brent, service secretary for the last seven years, and Mr Alan Bush, subscription secretary since 1953, will be receiving the county certificate of appreciation "in recognition and appreciation of their devoted zeal to the British Legion."

FOSSILS: Lyme Regis is making money out of the "seekers".

The secretary of the Borough Advertising Committee (Mrs G McKnight) told members at the annual meeting that a large proportion of the numerous letters she received contained inquiries about the fossils to be found in the area.