25 YEARS AGO:

December, 10 1993

SADDLE UP: The magic of Christmas came to Bridport when Santa rode into town to take up residence at Groves Nurseries in West Bay Road.

On his steed Holly, he trotted in to be greeted by a crowd of delighted youngsters.

Two small gnomes accompanied Santa, Rebecca Groves (13) riding her pony Tinsel while brother Christopher (10) ran beside.

IN THE MONEY: Twelve good causes in the Bridport area benefited from the annual Drill Hall Fund share-out when representatives of the organisations each received cheques for £50 presented by Bridport mayor Colin Crossby.

The fund was set up around 20 years ago when Bridport's Drill Hall, built by public subscription for the local regiment, was sold to the Scout movement.

FUNDRAISING: Bridport primary school children reacted positively when they heard two favourite computer games had been stolen from the town's youth centre.

Ten-year-old member Jamie McClimmonds took in a couple of his own games for the centre to borrow.

And fellow pupils at St Mary's School held a disco to raise funds to replace the games.

50 YEARS AGO:

December, 6 1968

HE ARRIVES: Santa must have felt that the Bridport weather was hardly in keeping with tradition when he arrived at the railway station on Saturday.

A small crowd had gathered on the platform and as the diesel drew silently into the station, there were a few nostalgic sighs for the days of steam, Santa emerged from the seat beside the driver to be greeted by cheers of the adults and by the delighted Ohs and Ahs of the children.

IN CHARMOUTH TOO: Opening the annual Christmas market at the Church Hall, Charmouth last week, the Rector of Charmouth (the Rev H Hacking) said it was one of the main parochial efforts of the year on behalf of the Church Missionary Society.

SURPRISE: There was a surprise for the centre organiser of the Lyme Regis Derby and Joan Club (Miss Ruth Newman) last week.

She knew that one of the members, Mrs Yeoman, had won prizes in a national handicrafts competition, but was unaware four other members took awards.