25 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER 14, 1994

Local MP Sir James Spicer laid the foundation stone for Bridport’s new community hospital in a ceremony at the North Allington site.

Sir James said his daughter Gay once worked at the old people’s hospital that stood on the land during the 1970s.

Plans are being hatched to give shoppers in Bridport 60,000 hours of free parking.

West Dorset Council officers have got £15,000 to spend on car parking concessions in Bridport - but they’ve so far been unable to come up with a successful scheme and are hoping it’s going to be third time lucky.

The News’ great competition to rename the West Bay Whopper has been won by 11-year-old Lucy Place.

The West Bay Whopper - a famously huge treat of burger, egg, mushrooms, onion and cheese - is now to be known as the West Bay Wonder.

50 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER 10, 1969

Dorset’s health and social services committee gave a firm ‘no’ to a fresh request from the Minister of Health that arrangements should be made to introduce fluoride - said to cut dental decay in children by as much as 50 per cent - to the county’s water supply.

Instead they agreed that alternative methods of administering fluoride to children should be investigated.

The mayor of Bridport - Councillor Ernest Lewis - who used to play for Bridgwater, kicked off when Bridport Rugby Club played their opening match on their new pitch at the Brewery Ground.

Their opponents were Clifton, one of the best rugby clubs in the west.

The battle has been won by the Chideock campaigners who have been fighting for road improvements in the village.

It is understood that the trunk road that dissects the village is soon to be resurfaced. The Ministry of Transport has also agreed to the building of a footbridge over the river, which will be incorporated in a new road scheme.