25 YEARS AGO:

January 14 1994

JOBLESS FIGURES: Statistics revealed that 1,065 people were unemployed in the Bridport travel-to-work area last month.

The figure, comprising 790 men and 275 women, represents 8.9 per cent of the workforce.

In November, 8.7 per cent were unemployed.

CLOSURE: The sudden closure of Broadwindsor’s shop has left villagers wondering whether to set up their own store.

An estimated £11,000 would be needed and every one of the village’s 1,200 residents would have to spend £5 a year in it for the shop to initially break even.

A public meeting has been called to gauge local feeling.

NEW LEASE OF LIFE: The former George Inn at Bothenhampton, which villagers campaigned to save, is now being converted into a family home.

Villagers battled long and hard to save the pub but it closed 14 months ago and West Dorset Council planners reluctantly granted Palmers Brewery permission to turn the premises into a private home.

50 YEARS AGO

January 10 1969

CLUB OPENING: Bridport’s Concord Club opens again tonight after a break of six months.

Topping the bill will be star local entertainer, Grayham Rosamund, who has been booked for the Friday night spot for the next six weeks.

AMBULANCE MILES: A statement issued this week shows that the Lyme Regis ambulance covered 15,310 miles during the course of its duty in 1968.

Some 640 people were conveyed to hospital during the year. The ambulance was called out to 14 road accidents, an increase on the previous year.

NEW SPORT: On Friday night at the George in Bothenhampton, the students guests of the Rotary Club, Bridport, had the time of their lives. The ancient art of skittling was completely strange to them.

A lot of fun was had early in the evening when the balls took such an irregular course that the sticker had to jump for his life.