Mayor’s Blog 168

4 September – Monique Pasche’s Honorary Townsperson Ceremony

A very special and rare event, when a local resident is recognised for the enormous amount of work done in and for the town over a very long time.  It is not a regular award, and is usually only given once in a council term, i.e. 4 years, or unusually recently, 5 years, but it is the highest award the Town Council can give.

Monique Pasche was put forward and accepted by the Town Council as a very worthy recipient.  There were several speeches on all she has done and achieved over her time in Bridport, and the evening was very much enjoyed by all of us, plus all her special guests.  Monique was in splendid form – outgoing as ever – and even sang a few bars of “Je ne regrette rien” to everyone’s delight and let us know that she now intends to drive sheep through the centre of Bridport!

Her name is now on the list of our Honorary Townspersons for perpetuity and it was an honour and a pleasure to be Mayor for this occasion and to help lead the proceedings.

6 September – Bridport Hat Festival

Pictures galore: just click and enjoy!

Welcome to the Bridport Hat Festival 2025! – Bridport Hat Festival

Another amazing event held annually in our town, during which hundreds of people – residents and visitors – put all sorts of wonderful things on their heads – ready-made or home-made but all fabulous creations.

It has expanded over the years since its inauguration and extends from the centre of town to the Millennium Green with music, stalls, food and drink – and a bar!

Entertainment everywhere, in and around Bucky Doo and on the Millennium Green kept the crowds happy and interested.  It’s a very inclusive festival – anyone and everyone can join in, even dogs, and there are categories with prizes for the best creations (as seen by the judges) although is really difficult to choose from the clever ideas people come up with.  This year we had glorious weather too!

15 September – Yeovil Civic Day

Yeovil’s Civic Day took us on a guided tour of Leonardo Helicopters, (home of British Helicopters – building, repairing, you name it…) and Brimsmore Garden Centre – a very locally- and climate-centred centre which also provided a very delicious home-produced afternoon tea.  What a treat!  Both come highly recommended if you ever get the chance to visit.

Altogether a very informative, and fascinating day.  Look online to find out what they’re about, and click on ‘Images’ for both places, where there are some amazing pictures.

22 September, Cupola lighting at St Swithun’s Church

If you are local you will have noticed the extensive renovations which have been taking place there, beautifully done, inside and out, and I was pleased to be invited to be at the turning on of their Cupola lighting.  It was quite magical, so many colours too!  It will be lighting up Allington in fine style from now on.  PS Do you know the pronunciation is “Kewpola”?  I didn’t!

 24 September, Christchurch Civic Day

This was a beautiful sunny day, and we were invited by the Mayor to a day in Christchurch.   We started with a historical talk on smuggling and the Battle of Mudeford.  The Mayor then took us out on a wonderful 90-minute boat-trip around Mudeford  Quay and the water on that day was as still as a millpond.   So many sights to see of the town but from a completely different aspect.  The harbour is beautiful – beyond the many moored boats, lots of wildlife – many swans and visiting sea-birds, but also wild horses – NOT on the sea, real ones!

After an enjoyable buffet lunch at their Haven House Café our last event was an informative tour of their Lifeboat Station – with working staff explaining how they operate and even a chance to sit in the lifeboat – which is pushed out to sea by a tractor, where the driver cannot see where he’s going!  Well, you can’t drag it into the sea behind a tractor, can you? 🙂   What super-skilled and very brave people they all are.  Very impressive.

25  September – Allington Arts Week opening & Art exhibition preview

I was invited to the opening concert for this event, which was Bridport Primary School’s choir singing for us.  I love to hear youngsters singing and clearly enjoying the performance enormously.

Later in the day I was also invited to a previous of the Art Exhibition – some really lovely art on show and I was so taken with one of the paintings, I bought it!