25 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER 28, 1994

Bridport’s water polo team won the first swimarathon staged by the town’s Lions Club. The team, one of 23 taking part, completed 83 laps in the allotted 55 minutes.

The fundraising event raised more than £2,000 for equipment for use in life-saving training sessions at the pool.

An all mod cons village hall is to be built in Loders, replacing the 1926 Wellplot building.

John Hyde, committee treasurer, created two models so villagers could see how the proposed building could look. It will incorporate staging, toilet facilities for the disabled and car parking for 48 cars.

Soaring sales to airlines have helped Bridport’s largest employer back into profit.

Preliminary results from the technical textile manufacturers Bridport-Gundry show a retained profit of £317,000 for the year up to July 31, compared with a loss of £166,000 last year.

50 YEARS AGO

OCTOBER 24, 1969

Lyme’s event of the year, the annual regatta in August, was an outstanding financial success.

This year’s regatta, presented at a cost of over £780, realised a profit of £340. This is the highest figure for at least a decade, possibly the highest ever.

West Street was the scene of the opening of a bright new supermarket this week.

Soon after 9am, crowds started to gather outside the doors of the re-built Maypole store. Miss West of England 1968 appeared to cut the ceremonial tape with officials of Maypole, and the first shoppers poured into the store.

The man who has had charge of Bridport Railway Station for the last two years gave up his job on Friday.

Mr Reg Chester said: “I first knew that I would have to leave about two years ago. The staff here has been reduced over the years and the station will be unmanned from now on. Tickets will be issued on the train by the guard and all enquiries will have to go to Yeovil.