Built between 1936 and 1937, the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze, Weymouth, had a problematic start when its owner went bankrupt just as construction was nearing completion. It finally opened under new ownership in 1939, only to be disrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. From 1958 to 1999, the Riviera was one of

The award-winning Castletown D-Day Centre is ready to transport visitors back in time with its hands-on, immersive living history experience this Easter. Step into a faithful recreation of a bustling wartime Portland dockyard, where thousands of American troops from the US 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions embarked for the beaches of Normandy. The museum will

A herd of artists have been hard at work creating a simply stellar set of designs for Weldmar Hospicecare’s Stampede by the Sea art trail, opening later this month. Terry Whitworth Bridport’s Terry Whitworth enjoyed this task so much he painted two. Terry, who has been a professional illustrator for more than 40 years, invested

Villagers are poised to make an offer on their pub after a fundraising campaign netted more than half a million pounds. Residents of Langton Herring are trying to raise £600,000 to buy the historic Elm Tree Inn, and are within £100,000 of their target after donations and a share offer. They pulled together, attracting global

Objections to expanding a Bridport slaughterhouse and its operating times fell on deaf ears as councillors approved the proposal. After being closed for a year, the abattoir in Mangerton Lane was bought out by Pickstock Telford Ltd, who have now successfully applied for longer working hours at the reopened site. Local residents objected to the

A public meeting to discuss family farm tax and other pressures in Bridport attracted a bumper crowd. The meeting, organised by Hardy Farmers Breakfast Club, was chaired by local journalist Dr Paul Lashmar. The panel included Trevor Cligg, who runs Pipplepen Farm, South Perrott with his wife Penny. Having farmed elsewhere they moved to Pipplepen

The BBC’s former transmitting station at Rampisham Down is a fascinating piece of social and technological history. Now it is fast becoming a busy hub for business, thanks to owner Jeremy Taylor – who also has links with Auntie Beeb. His home, Cricket St Thomas, was transformed into the Crinkley Bottom theme park by Noel

Plans to double the operating hours and staff to process meat, potentially for McDonald’s and Burger King, on the outskirts of Bradpole have been met with a welter of complaints. The abattoir in Mangerton Lane, formerly owned by Norman & Sons, closed over a year ago after more than 30 years in operation. The abattoir

Farmer Tim Hey swapped his marine career in Tasmania for a life on the land near Cattistock. Tim and his family produce rare, pedigree black alpacas from Amberley Farm in Higher Chilfrome. Their her is now 400-strong. The wonder of alpacas and their commercial opportunities are not new to Tim, who majored in aquaculture, but