25 YEARS AGO

MAY 27, 1994

HARBOUR PLANS: Fears that an ambitious outer harbour scheme at West Bay could become an “expensive white elephant” have been dismissed by West Dorset Council.

But, claims retired engineer Malcolm Waterfall of Bradpole: “I hope that the bait of fisheries money to build this harbour wall will not result in West Bay being landed forever with an expensive white elephant without any resulting revival of the local fishing economy”.

BREWERY SUPPORT: Palmers Brewery announced it supports in principle the proposed Chideock to Morcombelake bypass - despite its effect on three of the company’s pubs.

The brewery says with adequate signage and access, The George at Chideock and The Ship at Morcombelake will survive without the custom of through traffic.

COBB FALL: A man who fell from Lyme Regis’ historic Cobb has won £95,000 in damages.

Self-employed drain cleaner Paul Staples sued West Dorset Council claiming they had failed to warn the public of danger.

Crouching down to take a photo of the spray, he slipped on algae and crashed 20ft on to the rocks below, breaking his leg.

50 YEARS AGO

MAY 23, 1969

SEWAGE SOLUTION: The £350,000 submarine pipeline sewage scheme at West Bay was uppermost in the mind of Cllr Ernest Lewis when he was installed as the mayor of Bridport.

“The scheme as I envisage it”, he said, “is, and will be, a 100 per cent solution to our troubles at West Bay. I can foresee, in the very near future, the development of East Beach into a revenue yielding area, and an addition to our reputation as ‘a holiday centre with a difference’.”

STATION EXTENSION: An extension of the RNLI lifeboat station at the Cobb, Lyme Regis, has provided an operations room, a combined kitchen and first-aid centre, toilet facilities and offices for the harbourmaster and the recreations supervisor.

MYSTERY BOOKING: A booking made at The Clock House in Chideock for Robin Knox Johnson - the first yachtsman home in the round-the-world non-stop race - and a party of 16, is shrouded my mystery.

The booking was made for May 20 and the pub was open specially for the occasion, but when the evening came, the appointment hour of 8.30pm passed.

Proprietors Mr and Mrs Hunt are wondering if there was a hold-up or if it was an elaborate hoax.