Visitors were given anything but a cold reception when they visited an ice cream parlour on Weymouth seafront.

Rossi’s Ice Cream Parlour came alive with past and present workers as it celebrated a milestone birthday of 80 years yesterday.

Photographs and memories spanning the 80 years of the company, located on Weymouth Esplanade, were shared at the party - and of course there was plenty of ice cream to go round.

Owner Fulvio Figliolini, known as Figgy, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.

“If it wasn’t for our staff and customers we wouldn’t be where we are today.

“Out of the 80 years I’ve done 41 and I don’t see why I can’t do another 20 and make it to our 100th year.

“It has been a fantastic day, with so many people coming – some who I used to work with and others who I had never met because I wasn’t even born.

“Everyone has so many memories of the place and I love to hear them all.

“It was also lovely to see Kirsty here who was standing in for her brother, Thomas Telfer. Tom worked with us about ten years ago but he sadly died two years ago. He was a great lad and worked really hard for us here whilst he was studying at school and college.”

Dorothy Symes, who will be 85 next month, worked at Rossi’s in 1948

for three years.

She said she was overwhelmed to be invited back and celebrate the company’s milestone birthday.

She said: “It has changed so much. I used to work on the front selling the ice creams. I absolutely loved working here.

“Mr and Mrs Figliolini were a lovely team to work with. We had to call them madam and mister – things have changed now.

“I was only about 17 so very young, but I remember it and coming back has brought back more memories.”

“I left the area when I met my husband and we went travelling together around the work because he was in the army.”

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830985

e: meghan.hindley

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg