Category: Uncategorized

December 2023 / January 2024 The hullaballoo earlier this year over the felling of a sycamore along Hadrian’s Wall is a stark reminder of our relationship with trees. The Hadrian’s sycamore may not have been old enough to be remembered by a lonely second-century Roman guard, but it had stood for many generations and created…

December 2023 / January 2024 The Revd Neil Robinson is the Salisbury Diocese’s Chaplain to the Deaf Community. He was ordained deacon in 2016 and priest the following year. His job is to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of Deaf* and Deafblind people, and this includes conducting baptisms, weddings and funerals in British Sign…

December 2023 / January 2024 Artist Grace Crabtree – who painted this issue’s beautiful cover image – is looking forward to her first solo exhibition, which opens at Bridport Arts Centre (BAC) in January. We caught up with her to learn about her creative process and find out what inspires her… The Covid pandemic changed…

November 2023 The Bridport branch of the Burma Star Association (BSA) was founded by Les Rose in the 1980s, when he and his wife, Phyllis, moved here. Les had previously worked at the headquarters of the BSA in London, and soon set about setting up a branch in Bridport. He put a notice in the…

November 2023 Robin Stapleton takes a look at the history of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission… The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was originally called the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC), which received its royal charter on 21 May 1917. Its name was changed in 1960 to reflect the changed times, and the organisation is…

October 2023 Patrick Barkham is the author of The Swimmer, a biography of writer, environmentalist and polymath Roger Deakin. The book is written mainly in Deakin’s own words, interspersed with quotes from the people who knew him best, and is truly compelling, even for readers who haven’t come across him before. We had the great…

September 2023 Dave Bolwell has been the mayor of Bridport since May and has already become a familiar face to many locals at both official functions and informal gatherings across the town. We asked him how he’s settling into the role… The Bridge: How does it feel to be mayor? Dave Bolwell: I’m really enjoying…

July/August 2023 Farmer Michael Fooks is President of the 2023 Melplash Show, which takes place at the West Bay Show Grounds on Thursday 24 August. We caught up with him at his North Poorton home to find out what the role – and farming – means to him… The Bridge: The President role is an…

June 2023 Jane Silver-Corren has music in her soul and she’s on a mission to help everyone enjoy the magical benefits of singing. We caught up with her to hear about her current projects… The Bridge: You’re a familiar face around Bridport, and there can’t be many locals who haven’t come across your unique brand…

June 2023 United Diversity Bridport (UDB) is the new kid on the town’s block of community action groups. Formed earlier this year by Josef Davies-Coates, who had previously been involved with the United Diversity movement in London, the group aims to help people ensure a thriving, united future for themselves in the face of increasing…