Mayor’s Blog 172

7th January – ‘Best Dressed Christmassy Shop Window’ awards

I was invited to deliver the Winner’s trophy and certificates to runners up. Thanks to all the businesses who took place – it makes Bridport look wonderful. Thanks also to Kathy Dare for all the organising and work she has put in before, during and after the event.

Quote from the organising team:

“During December, Bridport’s local community were invited to vote for their favourite Christmas shop window. We were thrilled by the number of people who voted and how many shops were nominated. We would like to thank all the town’s retailers and businesses for enhancing the festive atmosphere through their decorated windows.

The retailers and businesses receiving the most votes were:

Winner – Snooks the Hatters

2nd – Smith & Smith (Bridport) Ltd

3rd – Battens Solicitors

4th – West Dorset Mencap”

Lots of pictures here – courtesy of Tim Russ, who is ALWAYS there to record Bridport’s life! Thank you Tim! Follow this link – (9) bridport christmas cheer – search results | Facebook

8th January – Bridport Business Awards

I was so pleased to be invited – this was held at the Bull – a really lovely event and so good to see local businesses rewarded, having been nominated and voted for by our own community.

I had the honour of presenting two awards coming under the category of Bridport Young Entrepreneur. The first was 23-year old Joanna House, who has single-handedly taken over The Five Bells Inn.

Under the category of ‘Rising Star’ the winner was also a young lady, Amelia Burt – working at Stags.

Hearty congratulations to them both and I wish them all the best for the coming year.

9th January  – Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest Awards – Blandford

This is an annual event, run by Hall & Woodhouse Brewery in Blandford. However, they invite applications from all over West Dorset and I was invited to witness our Bridport Clothes Bank was one of the organisations winning a quite a substantial award. All entries are from community organisations who have need for financial help to keep their organisation going.

It makes one feel so proud of our town – in three years of being Bridport’s Mayor over time, I have been invited to this ceremony, because we have organisations which have worked hard and made a difference to sections of our community, and therefore seen as being worthy of an award to assist the continuity of their activity. In the past I have been there for Bridport Read-Easy (teaching adult non-readers), our CAB, and again this time for Bridport Clothes Bank.

I have to say that besides the H&W Brewery being clearly wealthy enough to be able to do this, they do have a financial limit, so it just shows how highly thought-of our Bridport organisations have been.

We all enjoyed their generous hospitality too – a really lovely evening.

Read all about it here: (with a pic!)  Hall & Woodhouse provides largest-ever Community Chest fund – Hall and Woodhouse

 24th January – Cornish Bakery West Bay

Well, this was an early one for us! However, we got there for 8.30, to be greeted very warmly by the staff, all of whom had been there baking and preparing for their re-opening day since half-way through the night before (or so it seemed!).

They have had a complete refurbishment of the premises, very tastefully done, which gives a comfortable, calm and welcoming feel to the cafe. There is plenty of space for customers and the friendly staff are on hand to attend to everyone’s every wish.

We were offered whatever we fancied from the display – which looked absolutely yummy – all sorts of tasty pasties and other pastries on offer, all freshly baked that day. I didn’t indulge, tempting as it was, but I just brought back something for my son who enjoyed it!

There was a good turnout for the reopening, and after I’d declared the shop was well and truly re-opened, and cut the red ribbon, I was asked to say a few words – with a few dogs joining in here and there.

I can highly recommend the Cornish Bakery – do give it a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Visit here to see a few pics when they reopened and how inviting it is! CORNISH BAKERY WEST BAY REVEALS STRIKING NEW LOOK FOLLOWING MAJOR REFURBISHMENT – Dorset Eye

27th January  – Holocaust  Memorial Day Event, Dorchester

Well, this was amazing. I believe this was the 5^th year that Dorchester Town Council has hosted this, and it involved three local middle schools in making models and writing about the Holocaust and other injustices people have been, and still are, suffering across the world.

The experience was really moving – I was close to tears often. These young people were so well informed and had shown so much love and understanding within their models and displays.

Follow this link for the item in the Dorset Echo: Wey Valley pupils create art to honour Holocaust victims | Dorset Echo