Blue Plaques are focal point for local history

BASED in Weymouth Harbour, MV Freedom is a charity providing access to the sea for people living with disability. Established over 35 years ago, and with a brand-new catamaran in 2021, the charity, which holds the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, operates weekdays until October with two hour trips every morning and afternoon.

The voyage explores the glorious Jurassic landscape—looking back to the wonderful Dorset coastline from the sea is a delight everyone should value. Sometimes they sight dolphins and seals, but there’s no guarantee.

Depending on the weather, which if poor can lead to last minute cancellations, trips either go eastwards towards Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, or into Portland Harbour to see interesting features from WW2.

The charity aims to provide a safe, enjoyable experience, which builds confidence, enhances knowledge, and develops a sense of wellbeing and selfworth, as well as providing respite for carers.

Passengers come from a wide geographic area. Individuals and holidaymakers are welcome to book a place. They often host groups from care homes for the elderly and special needs, plus other support organisations such as military veterans.

The boat can carry 12 eligible passengers, accommodating up to six wheelchair users, plus a skipper and two crew. Carers are welcome plus service dogs. Children must be at least five. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet onboard.

All the skippers are MCA/RYA qualified and give their time without payment, as do the safety trained crew. On board navigation equipment etc. exceeds the Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements.

The charity asks for a minimum £5 donation towards running costs but welcomes support from local businesses and individuals, who may be organising a fund-raising event themselves.

Eligible passengers and their carers are welcome to book a trip by calling 07974 266867.

Further information is available on the website mvfreedom.org.

Trading Estate has ‘always been rightly proud of our record in providing commercial trading space for 53 years. But we have always been conscious not to overlook the fact St Michael’s had an industrial life for hundreds of years before the estate as a net and rope making factory, when it was also providing jobs and employment for hundreds of local people back to the time of King John.’

He sais the estate was also conscious of being the largest part of Bridport’s South West Quadrant conservation zone which brings with it a sense of responsibility.

‘Of course, Bridport Museum and Heritage Centre does an outstanding job in keeping Bridport’s history alive and regularly takes visitors round the Bridport Heritage Trail’ continued Martin. ‘We see our plaques, not only as being a continual visual reminder of the Estate’s history, but as part of that trail and as focal points for those walking tours.’

The first plaque unveiled was to William Saunders Edwards and it was unveiled by his great granddaughter Amanda Streatfeild. ‘Edwards broke new ground by taking nets from St Michael’s into the world of sport; lawn tennis- the All England Club and then to the Football Association, then we saw the arrival of cricket nets, plus badminton nets in almost every village hall in the country’ said Martin.

The second plaque to William Gale and his family was unveiled by His Worship the Mayor Councillor Ian Bark. William Gale established the family business and set about the manufacture of twine. His three sons, Sidney, Fred and Albert picked up where their father left off; the family was also very civic and community minded and both William and Sidney

ALTHOUGH unveiled at the end of last year, three blue plaques on St Michael’s Trading Estate Bridport are still a focal point for visitors. It would be unusual to have one blue plaque on a trading estate let alone three but why have historic plaques on a trading estate at all? Interviewed on Radio Solent after the unveiling at the end of last year Martin Ridley explained that St Michael’s are former Mayors of Bridport.

In unveiling the third plaque to commemorate the creation of Bridport Industries, Karen Hunt, Chair of the Bridport Museum trustees, agreed that Bridport’s heritage is ‘not just about these buildings we see around but about the people who shaped them, worked in them and lived in the surrounding streets. These plaques mark part of the story of why Bridport is laid out and looks the way it does; they are a sign of what it has meant to be a small industrial town in a rural area dominated by one industry.’

The Edwards Tower Building on the estate, so badly damaged by fire in 2018 is scheduled to open soon. Viewing Open Days for prospective tenants are set for 24, 25 and 26 May. There are 11 units / studios over 3 floors. Viewing will be by appointment only and appointments can be made through 01308 423747.

EAST DEVON Biodiversity starts at home

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has launched a ‘biodiversity starts on your doorstep’ campaign, encouraging residents to support nature by way of their gardens. Biodiversity activities for the weekend will be shared every Friday by social media, giving residents the chance to support local wildlife. Advice for growing vegetables at home will also be shared, helping residents enjoy the fruits of their labour and reduce their plastic-use at the same time. The Council is also offering green-fingered residents the possibility of a plaque from the Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Garden Award to recognise their garden efforts. For more visit: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/biodiversity/

LYME REGIS New

support group launched

People living in and around Lyme Regis who have recently been diagnosed with and / or have a connection to Parkinson’s will soon be able to join a new local group to meet, socialise and get together with other people living with the condition. The new group aims to encourage anyone from Lyme Regis, Axminster, Charmouth or Seaton living with the condition to come along and share anecdotes, ideas and wisdom in an informal, comfortable and friendly environment. The first group meeting will be held on 9 May from 2pm to 3.30pm at the Lyme Regis Powerboat Club, Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, DT7 3LE.

BRIDPORT Bursary scheme announced

Bridport Literary Festival is launching a new bursary scheme to help local students planning to go to university this year. The BridLit bursary will allow two successful candidates £1,000 a year for each year of their three-year degree course, in any subject. To be considered for one of the two bursaries available for this autumn, students should complete the application form on the Bridport Literary Festival website at bridlit.com/bursaries. In no more than 4,000 characters, they will need to explain why they think they are a suitable candidate, why they have chosen their subject of study, and how they see the Bridlit Bursary helping them to achieve their goals.

BRIDPORT Call for carnival entries

Whilst many carnivals have ceased to exist due to lack of enthusiasm and dwindling numbers of entrants, organisers of Bridport’s annual carnival are putting out a call for entries to make sure Bridport’s event doesn’t go the same way. Joining in is free and a bit of friendly rivalry is being encouraged this year with the introduction of Awards that can be won for best pub/ hotel, best sports/dance, best school/youth organisation, best club (adult), as well as best overall, best costumes & most original entry. There are many classes that can be entered. For more information and entry forms, visit Bridport Carnival web site https:// bridportcarnival.co.uk.

KIMMERAGE BAY Nurdle threat to wildlife

With the aftermath of the oil spill in Poole Harbour still being monitored, visitors and staff at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wild Seas Centre at Kimmeridge Bay are reporting a large amount of white nurdles, or tiny plastic pellets, which have been washed onto the beach. Nurdles are the form of raw plastic that is transported to factories around the world to be moulded into a myriad of plastic products. Nurdles pose a real threat to marine wildlife. Apart from collecting and removing these tiny plastic pellets from beaches, people can take action against this type of pollution by avoiding singleuse plastic and excessive packaging and by choosing items made from natural materials.