25 YEARS AGO

FEBRUARY 24, 1994

FOOD FILE: Bridport butchers R.J. Balson is in the TV spotlight, featuring in a series of programmes about the plight of traditional shops in the age of the superstore.

The West Allington butchers will appear on Channel 4’s Food File series.

SCHOOL EXTENSION: A £20,000 extension may be built at Broadwindsor primary school to create more space for PE, drama, music and movement.

The problem at Broadwindsor is that the school’s existing hall is being used more and more as an overflow teaching space, for organisational reasons and for small groups, health visits and children with particular difficulties.

FAMOUS REMAINS: The remains of a famous 17th century nobleman could be buried at an ancient crypt accidentally discovered in Whitchurch Canonicorum.

Workmen fixing the village’s 12th century church may have stumbled on the resting place of admiral Sir George Somers.

50 YEARS AGO

FEBRUARY 20, 1970

FOLK-SINGING PRIEST: One of this country’s high priests of the folk singing world, Ian Campbell, is to visit west Dorset with his folk group later this month.

Beaminster Arts Society is lowering admission charges for the evening as a goodwill gesture to the youth of the area and a big crowd is expected.

COUNCIL CHANGES: Bridport is to lose some of its town councillors because of new regulations.

Formerly, ownership of a town, being a ratepayer or a resident meant that a man could put up as a candidate for the council. After completing their present terms, all members who - despite ownership of a property or being ratepayers, will have to go. The only qualification now will be ‘residential’.

HOTEL IS SAFE: Dorset County Council is not considering the purchase of property in Lyme Regis to accommodate boarding pupils for the Woodroffe School.

The news will, no doubt, be welcomed by the borough council, who last month announced that it was opposed to any suggestion to diminish the town’s holiday accommodation - the Alexandra Hotel was mentioned.