25 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 25, 1994

A Poundbury-style development of 139 new homes is in the pipeline for Bridport on land at Lower Walditch Lane.

Fourteen acres were earmarked for housing in the area’s local plan and Weymouth firm Betterment Properties is now seeking consent for the development, 20 per cent of which will be housing association homes.

Plans to establish a young people’s advice centre in Bridport have been knocked back by Dorset’s failure to win £1 million in a competition.

Dorset’s Rural Development Partnership wanted young people to set up a centre in part of the old King Street school and offer their peers practical help and information about job opportunities, transport, accommodation and recreation.

The fate of a new £3million golf course, which would create 19 jobs for Bridport, is hanging in the balance.

Plans by Broadlands Leisure to convert Vearse Farm have been recommended for refusal by members of West Dorset Council’s western area planning sub-committee.

50 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 21, 1969

Mr Sidney Charles Barrett, who recently retired from the fire service after joining at the outbreak of the Second World War, was presented with gifts at a ceremony at Bridport Fire Station.

County councillor F. B. Chubb, chairman of the County Council Fire Brigade Committee, presented him with a small shield in recognition of his long service. Colleagues gave Mr Barrett a shooting stick.

There doesn’t seem to be much enthusiasm in Bridport to brighten the town up for Christmas.

Response to a plea by the Bridport Chamber of Trade and Commerce for more traders to decorate their shops at Christmas has been disappointing. Despite publicity, only two more trees were ordered by traders, bring the total to 44.

St James’s Secretarial College, Bradpole, has been taken over by Mr Vivian May, an industrial management consultant.

Under royal and other distinguished patronage, both from home and overseas, the college trains young ladies in all aspects of secretarial practice.