News & Views

BRIDPORT

Popular bakery closes

Bridport residents were shocked to hear of the closure of popular bakery Leakers in October. Citing the energy crisis and the decision not to allow solar panels on the building, the owners said in a Facebook post: ‘It is with regret that we have made the very difficult decision to close the bakery. Final orders will be taken over the coming days and our last day of shop trading will be Friday 14th of October 2022. ‘Sadly the current climate of escalating costs puts us in a position of uncertainty. In tandem with rising costs of raw ingredients, our energy costs particularly are unsustainable.’ The owners thanked customers for their loyalty over the last twenty years.

SOUTH SOMERSET

Awards recognise volunteers

Dedicated volunteering groups have been praised after Yeovil Country Park, Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve and Ham Hill Country Park were awarded the Green Flag Award for another consecutive year. The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. SSDC Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Mike Best said: ‘We are really proud to be recognised for our extraordinary countryside sites. Our dedicated and hardworking Countryside teams and volunteers are to credit for our success.’

DORCHESTER

Climate Network plea

Dorset Climate Action Network has sent an open letter to Dorset’s Conservative MPs, urging them “to be more conservative” in their approach to the environment. Following widespread recent coverage of threats to the countryside, wildlife and our rivers and beaches, DorsetCAN called on the county’s MPs to keep in place environmental regulations and controls that the new Government is promising to scrap. The letter says that “…significant changes are being proposed by the Government which threaten serious harm to the environment and the future of our beautiful county”. To read the full text of the letter visit www.dorsetcan.org/mpletter

EAST DEVON

Rough Sleeper Initiative

A grant for more than £500,000 has been awarded to help tackle rough sleeping across East Devon. East Devon District Council (EDDC) has successfully bid for funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities through the Rough Sleeper Initiative. The money has helped to provide a more stable platform allowing EDDC to finance and hire personnel. Councillor Dan Ledger, EDDC’s portfolio holder sustainable homes and communities, said: ‘With the cost-of-living crisis that we are currently facing as well as other winter pressures on the horizon, this funding is really welcomed.’

WEYMOUTH

Down Memory Lane

103-year-old Ruby Morris got to relive the simple pleasures that were so important to her throughout her life by visiting Weymouth recently, all thanks to her carers at Cheriton Care Home. She wanted to sit on the beach with an ice cream, smell the sea air, and reminisce of times gone by. Once the landlady of The Rock, Ruby also visited the Old Boot Inn on High West Street. Pictured here in Herbert’s Photography shop in earlier times, Ruby was joined on the trip down memory lane by Sharon Best and Jo Casemore.