Mayor’s Blog 165
6 June – Rotary Club of Bridport – President’s Evening 2025
This was held at The Bull in town. A formal evening, hosted by the current President where we were invited to their President’s Dinner. There is so much good work done by all the members, fundraising for local causes. It was a very enjoyable evening and we were very honoured to be invited.
If you’d like to find out more about the Club (and see some pics of the evening), click on this link: President’s Evening 2025 – Rotary Club of Bridport
11 June – St Mary’s School Edible Garden
We were very lucky to be able to enjoy a sunny afternoon at St Mary’s to express thanks to all those who strive all year to produce fabulous vegetables from their school garden. The afternoon was started with some lovely singing from their school choir and after our town Crier had given his fabulour ‘Cry’ and I’d said my bit, we all enjoyed see the art, their various stalls, offering free food too! They had so much to show and share with us – what a wonderful job they and all the helpers are doing.
See Robert Golden’s amazing pictures capturing the feel of the day: (6) St Mary’s Edible Garden – search results | Facebook
12 June – Bridport History Society
We were so pleased to have been invited – we were treated to a really superb talk by Bruce Upton on the history of Bridport. I was particularly impressed to learn how Bridport has been so independent over the past 1,000 yes, 1,000! years. We have been developing our independent and caring nature for simply centuries! It was memorable and insightful. No wonder Bridport has the reputation it has. We felt so proud that we are continuing this through our Rights Respecting status.
14 June – Bridport Food Festival
A gorgeous day for it, and a plethora of excellent stalls offering their local foodstuffs (and drinkstuffs). The familiar Beer Festival which always accompanies the Food Festival was buzzing with a huge assortment of beers and ciders, and of course people and music. Many thanks to our staff for all the help they always provide to prepare the field and then put up our BTC stall and make sure that everything runs well.
Here’s a link to the festival – great photos (6) Facebook
14 June – Art Unlimited Award
Also on 14th – we were invited to the award-giving ceremony by Art Unlimited, who run a competition every year offering young artists a chance to win a substantial sum to help them with the furthering of their studies and therefore careers. The competition’s entry fees are won by the person chosen by Howard who owns the gallery. This year he was able to put on a show of the entrants’ pieces in Lyme Regis.
Take a look at their website here, Art Unlimited or visit in person – they’re in South St.
19 June – Bridport Refugee Support
Nice to be invited to this event. We have been looking after refugees in Bridport for a very long time and how lovely it is to be still doing it. We were entertained by a lovely refugee from Syria who sang several songs and has been living in Dorchester for 5 years.
20 June – Bridport Youth Voice
Organised by Cllr Bridget Bolwell, through her Dorset Council membership, a gathering of a few students from several of our local schools were debating the concept of whether schools should ban mobile phones from schools. They provided some very different aspects of pluses and negatives – great to hear all their different views from students, and it has been agreed to consider this idea further.
22 June – Bridport Chamber Orchestra, St Swithins
Another delightful recital from this excellent local orchestra. Recommend! This time we were treated to “An afternoon with Mozart”. Excellent it was too.
Find out more and get all their dates in your diaries – ABOUT US | Bcodraft
24 June – Radio Solent re ‘Ropey’ purchase
An early (for me) piece live to Radio Solent on how pleased we are to have been gifted the elephant ‘Ropey’ (or Knotty Netty) – perfectly named for Bridport given our long history of rope and net-making. She is the latest member of the Bridport family! She will be taken around to different venues with the hopes that people will keep donating to Weldmar Hospice. It will be loved and cherished, and a constant reminder that (like elephants) we will never forget those friends and relatives we have lost over time.
It was such a lovely gesture from Martin and James Cox – who run West Dorset Leisure Holidays, to bid for and buy this special elephant – which has been very aptly named – with Bridport’s long history in rope-making – and then to donate it to Bridport Town – how very generous.
Here’s Ropey – what a gorgeous creature! (Having a short visit to Highlands End before returning home).
