January

n Thousands of people watched as fundraisers braved the cold to take part in the annual Lyme Lunge in a variety of whacky fancy dress. It was the 10th year of the event.

n Sir David Attenborough returned to Lyme Regis to film Attenborough and the Sea

Dragon alongside Charmouth fossil hunter Chris Moore. Mr Moore discovered a brand

new species of ichthyosaur, the subject of the documentary, on Monmouth Beach in Lyme the previous year.

n The late Josephine O’Farrell, founder of the Living Tree, earned an MBE for services

to the community

n Long-serving councillor Ros Kayes resigned from West Dorset District

Council and Dorset County Council after 11 years.

February

n A rare paperweight hidden away in the attic of a home in west Dorset for decades sold for more

than £2,000 at auction. The homeowner made the find while preparing to move house.

n The Literary and Scientific Institute (LSI) on East Street, Bridport, was given a new

new lease of life.

The iconic Grade II-listed building reopened its doors to the public after a £2m renovation that took 18 months to complete.

n Bridport caught a touch of the dinosaur fever is sweeping

the county. As Dippy the Diplodocus moved into Dorset County Museum, Bridport Library is became home to a replica skull of the dinosaur.

March

n The Beast from the East caused chaos across the county. Communities were cut off, people were

forced to abandon cars and call on friends - even strangers - for a safe place to spend the night as a severe snowstorm hit the region. But

n Bridport Cohousing, a community-led

housing group, won a nine-year battle to build 34

affordable, sustainable homes near Bridport

Hospital in North Allington. It came after the community rallied

to raise a quarter of a million pounds

for it to go ahead.

April

n A U-turn was made on a decision to turn down plans for a new lifeguard hut in Lyme Regis. The RNLI had requested permission from Lyme Regis Town Council for a replacement, raised lifeguard hut on Lyme Regis beach

but it was refused, with some councillors deeming it ‘ugly’ and ‘unnecessary.’ There was public outcry and a petition against the decision reached 800 signatures. The council then approved the hut.

n After 20 years of saving lives and helping people, a landmark group of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) volunteers, Thorncombe First Responders, celebrated two decades of service.

The group became the first rural Community First Responder (CFR) group in the country when it launched in April 1998.

n A ban on feeding seagulls came into force. The measure came as part of a new West Dorset Anti-Social Behaviour Related Public Space Protection Order 2018.

May to August

September to December