Category: Uncategorized
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In the pod: Margie Barbour
September 2025 It’s a thing. An interactive one. And it’s coming to Bridport. Currently showing in London’s West End, the play Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, stars a rotating cast of actors including Lenny Henry and Sue Perkins. As part of the Allington Arts Weekend, the Bridport production is directed…
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Pick up a book from the Walditch village library
September 2025 Walditch resident and local librarian David Brazier takes us on a tour of the village’s book-filled, repurposed phone box… A few weeks after I moved to Walditch, my lovely neighbour asked me to look after the book exchange, which is housed in a red telephone box on the main road of this chocolate-box-pretty…
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Remembering former editor Valerie Payne
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…
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It’s good to talk: men’s support groups boost wellbeing and can even save lives
July/August 2025 What is it with men? Edmund Brand takes a look at the worrying issues around men’s mental health, and discovers what some local groups are doing to help… Although NHS data says that 12.5% of men have a mental health disorder, the true figure is likely to be higher – after all, men…
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Estonia piano is the key to music at St Swithun’s
July/August 2025 The Estonia grand piano in St Swithun’s Church has an unusual history. It was supplied new in 1982 by Morley’s of Lewisham, and its original owner, Richard Godfrey, enjoyed playing it and giving informal concerts at home. In 2010, when Richard and his wife decided to downsize, they considered living in France, and…
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A lifetime’s connection to farming: Melplash Agricultural Society President John Bugler
July/August 2025 Ahead of the Melplash Show in August, we meet this year’s president, John Bugler, and discover what the show – and the Melplash Agricultural Society’s wider activities – have to offer, whether you’re a farmer, a confirmed townie, or somewhere in between… Words by Annette Shaw Photo of John and his dog Arthur…
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In the pod: Simon Wakely
June 2025 Funeral Director Simon Wakely is a familiar figure in Bridport – so much so that shopping in the town with his wife is impossible because so many people stop him for a chat. And this year he looks set to become even more well known as he starts a two-year term as chairman…
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Bridport Bright & Beautiful: meet the women behind this month’s display of quilts and flowers
June 2025 From Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June, St Mary’s Church in South Street will be transformed by displays of colourful quilts and fragrant flower arrangements. About 20 quilts will be on show, many of them rich in personal meaning as well as artistry. A team of about 15 florists will select flowers for…
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Bridport Local Area Partnership: working together to get results
May 2025 The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is one of the most influential local organisations, but many people have no idea what it does. Because it’s made up of other existing groups and bodies, it beavers away in the background – yet in terms of local impact delivers more ‘bang for your buck’ than its member organisations could ever produce alone. BLAP dates back about…
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In the pod: artist Josie Holliday
April 2025 In the Pod this month is artist Josie Holliday, who delights everyone around her with her love of colour and joyful, uplifting themes. We met her to discover more about her work and her fascinating life… The Bridge: Josie, it’s so good to meet you – and we love your art! Tell us…