Category: Uncategorized
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Bridport Clothes Bank: an idea born amid war, now helping the whole community
April 2026 Back in April 2022, during the early weeks of the war in Ukraine, an enterprising Bridport group started to collect clothing to send out to people in need in the newly occupied country. As the war progressed, some of the refugees accepted into the UK came to West Dorset, so emphasis was…
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Mark the book! A round-up of tips for the National Year of Reading
April 2026 An early-age foray into literature has the potential to last a lifetime. Yet reading appears to be on the decline, and a campaign launched recently to reverse – or least stall – the trend is timely. The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK-wide initiative led by the National Literacy Trust and…
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The Allington Hillbillies have nature in mind
April 2026 Rising above the rooftops of North Allington, with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, Allington Hill is a place where people come to enjoy fresh air and nature. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of local volunteers, led by Cathy Harvey and Steve Todd, work hard to keep the hill thriving. This group…
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The yellow-legged hornet threatens our native bees
March 2026 In late November a resident of Swyre noticed a strange-looking nest high up in a tree. The nest had the same look as a wasp nest but was much bigger and in a more exposed position than a wasp nest would usually be found. The resident reported the nest to the National Bee…
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Homes for Heroes: the development of Bridport’s ‘garden suburb’
February 2026 At the end of World War 1 there was a severe housing shortage. Prime Minister David Lloyd George launched the Homes for Heroes initiative to construct inexpensive council homes for returning service members, prompting Bridport Town Council (BTC) to launch a house-building programme financed by the 1919 Housing Act subsidies. BTC bought land…
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In the pod: illustrator Terry Whitworth
December 2025 / January 2026 This issue’s stunning cover is the work of illustrator Terry Whitworth, who is well known in Bridport for his images of the town’s buildings. We caught up with Terry to find out about his life, career and inspirations… The Bridge: Terry, thank you so much for letting us use your…
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From Dorset to Italy: local author Rosanna Ley’s latest book takes readers on an emotional journey
December 2025 / January 2026 Author and writing tutor Rosanna Ley lives in West Bay and writes wonderful novels full of compelling plots and relatable characters. Her most recent book, The Italian Flame, was published this year. We met her near her home to find out more… Words by Annette Shaw Photos courtesy of Rosanna…
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An attitude of gratitude
December 2025 / January 2026 As the turning point of the year approaches, many of us will reflect and wonder what 2026 has in store for family, friends and our community – and, indeed, globally. The Serenity Prayer* holds timeless wisdom and there’ll always be things we cannot change. However, nurturing a positive view on…
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A place to remember among the trees of the National Memorial Arboretum
November 2025 Regular contributor Robin Stapleton marks Remembrance Day with a visit to an inspiring place commemorating the lives lost in war… The 150-acre National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire honours those – military and civilian – who have served and continue to serve the nation. Planting began in 1997 and there are now around 30,000…
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In the pod: Martin Clunes
October 2025 Actor and author Martin Clunes is quite a familiar face in these parts, as he lives in the countryside near Beaminster with his family and pops into Bridport fairly regularly. He is appearing at this year’s Bridport Literary Festival talking to Jo Willett about his latest book, the delightful Meetings with Remarkable Animals.…