September 2025
Valerie Payne, formerly the editor of this magazine, died on 30 May aged 91. Her funeral was on 16 June at St Mary’s Bridport, where she worshipped and was a lay minister for many years.
Valerie worked tirelessly in the community of Bridport and in the parish of St Mary’s. She was extremely family oriented and worked hard to support families, children and young people in the town wherever she thought there was a need. By nature, she was very generous – quick to offer a hot meal and hospitality to everyone of all ages and any walk of life, including the homeless and those suffering hardship.
Everything she did was practical, caring and delivered with her trademark sense of fun. As well as The Bridge, she was involved in many other projects, including the Churches Together in Bridport & District youth worker project, Good Books Christian bookshop, PALS and Rock Solid children’s/youth groups and holiday clubs, the Mothers’ Union, Bridport Food Bank and Christian Aid.
An enthusiastic Girl Guide in her youth, Valerie was a senior Guide leader for many years. She was particularly good at organising groups of volunteers and residential trips.
She was a proud mother to four children, grandmother to seven grandchildren and great-grandmother to five. Her youngest daughter, Rachel, owns the Pack Horse cafe in Bridport
and is continuing her mother’s legacy of baking excellent cakes. Valerie was also a skilled gardener with a flourishing vegetable patch and orchard.
After a series of strokes, she spent her final years in Fairfield House, Chickerell, where the staff cared for her with great kindness and she was visited regularly by family and friends.
Valerie will be remembered with love and gratitude by her family, friends, and church family. She was a teacher, encourager, activist and cheerful giver. Many people have benefited from her commitment, friendship and kindness. Valerie would be glad to know that the Churches Together in Bridport & District youth worker project has restarted, and that the St Mary’s Sunday School, St Mary’s Primary School Flourish Project and Wild & Messy Church are encouraging new generations of children and young people to have fun and learn about themselves and how much God loves them. Valerie’s inspirational leadership and huge impact on the local church goes on and will be a guiding light for the future.
Alicen Dines and the Revd Lorna Johnson