25 YEARS AGO

SEPTEMBER 16, 1994

BEAST OF BROADWINDSOR: More villagers are claiming to have seen the mysterious Beast of Broadwindsor.

Estate agent and surveyor Frank Smith said: “I saw it the animal around 8.30am near Bucks Head, south of Lewesdon Hill.

“It was black, about the size of an Alsatian, and resembled a panther, with a small head and small upright ears. It had a deep chest and a long tail which appeared to be tufted at the end and it loped along like a cat.”

LANDSLIDE HELP: Government minister Robert Atkins is to be asked again to help stop cliff landslides at West Bay, following his visit there on Tuesday.

Keith Cole, West Dorset District Council’s engineering manager, said that letters would be sent to countryside minister Mr Atkins, reminding him that £500,000 was needed to drain and load-up West Cliff.

CHARGES CLASH: Traders reeling from the district council’s refusal to slash parking charges in Bridport are to quiz shoppers on what they think of the town.

This comes after news the council has rejected the Chamber of Trade’s request for reduced parking fees.

50 YEARS AGO

SEPTEMBER 12, 1969

PARNHAM SALE: Once the home of Admiral Sir Dudley North, Parnham Lodge, on the Bridport to Beaminster Road, has been sold by auction for £16,000.

In addition to the hamstone residence with two reception rooms, a kitchen and four bedrooms, there is a self-contained maisonette and six acres of ground.

EMPIRE EXPANDS: A man who has quadrupled the size of his family business in the last three years was in Bridport on Tuesday to see the official opening of the latest edition to his empire - the new Pricerite supermarket in West Street.

Mr G. J. Kaye’s late father started the business in 1934 and built it up to a 25-store combine with a turnover of about £4 million.

DEVELOPMENT DROPPED: The flats development scheme for Cliff House land at Lyme Regis is off.

After two hours of cut and thrust debate, the borough council decided to abandon the scheme in the interest of the visual amenities of the Lister Gardens.