THE team at West Bay Discovery Centre is launching a new monthly programme of activities to explore the history of Bridport’s harbour.

As part of Stepping into Nature - which provides activities for older people, including those with dementia, and their carers – the team has joined with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to provide guided activities to entertain, inform and encourage people to interact with West Bay’s unique landscape.

Penny Deacon, a volunteer at the West Bay Discovery Centre, said: “We are in a brilliant position to provide activities that fit the Stepping into Nature programme.

“Being at the heart of a culturally and historically rich area, West Bay has so much to offer and we are looking forward to sharing our enthusiasm over the coming months.”

Each monthly activity will focus on a specific aspect of West Bay and a full programme will run from March through to October.

Each monthly activity, which starts on March 28 and looks at how West Bay became the seaside holiday destination it is today, will focus on a different aspect of the area, including the old railway line, the effects of weather, shipbuilding and fishing, West Bay at war and the roots of religion in West Bay.

Sandy Hashimi, manager at West Bay Discovery Centre, is keen to get started and has already trial the first activity with a group of locals.

She said: “Everyone enjoyed it and some of the information surprised even these walking dossiers of local knowledge.

“Coming along to one of our monthly activities is a great way to discover a building or an area in West Bay that you may have wondered about, walked past a dozen times or taken completely for granted.”

The Stepping into Nature activities are free and open to all, are suitable for over 55s and are dementia friendly.

Places are booked on a month to month basis and there is no requirement to attend every activity.

Each activity will cater for up to 12 people and to book a space, email manager@westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk or call 01308 428277.