Bridport’s Lyndon ‘Riff’ Tilbury of Steptoes has had quite the journey – showing patience and agility still pays off in retail, despite massive changes in the high street over the past few decades. And the 72-year-old shoe seller shows no sign of slowing down. Though he’d quite like to go back to his real name. […]
A party is planned in August to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Bere Regis Floral Group. Flower arranging societies have a long history in Dorset thanks to Mary Pope, a member of the Eldridge Pope Brewery family. Impressed by the garden clubs of America where she spent time during the Second World War, she came […]
Damers Blinds has been making quality, made-to-measure blinds, awnings, canopies and materials in Weymouth since 1884. Potter along the Weymouth seafront and the traces of this small family business with a big history can be seen with many old traditional awnings still protecting the little independent shops from the elements. Years ago, Damers were also […]
Dorset County Golf Union President John Gordon was joined by England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson, to welcome honoured guests and representatives to Came Down Golf Club to celebrate the union’s 100th anniversary. The golf union was formed at Came Down in February 1923, and guests from clubs across the county enjoyed a packed day to […]
The cost of living is having a devastating effect on some Portland businesses – with one announcing its closure and another appealing for help to keep going. Fancy’s Family Farm has long appealed for donations to keep open – there’s no entry fee, but there’s a large tin pig for donations and they make a […]
Local travel company Crossways Travel donated £981 to their 2022 Charity Of The Year, Portland Coast Watch. The organisation was established in 1997 to monitor the sea off Portland and keep people safe. With technology constantly changing donations are always needed to keep the lookout fully operational. Volunteer watch keepers are normally on duty for […]
‘The larger than life’ landlord of the Hunter’s Moon pub in Middlemarsh near Sherborne has raised £10,300 for Parkinson’s UK by taking on several tough challenges in honour of a close friend with the disease. Dean Mortimer smashed his £5,000 target having put his heart and soul into a fundraising mission to benefit the charity […]
“We must have some VERY thirsty villagers,” says pub protagonist Barrie Lovelock, after pledges to help buy Tolpuddle’s Martyrs Inn topped an astonishing £400,000 in just a month. Villagers are hoping to buy the building and spend a further £50,000 turning the inside into a ‘proper’ pub rather than a gastro destination. They feel so […]
The Dorchester Bayeux Twinning Society may “wither and die” if it cannot find new members in 2023, its chairman has warned. Gareth Jones says maintaining strong links with our continental counterparts is more important now than ever before in the wake of Brexit and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Mr Jones told West Dorset Magazine: […]
Bridport’s exceptional freelance photographer NEIL BARNES is well known for his work in the West Dorset area and with a regular market stall on Saturdays and a gallery in the Customs House in West Bay, Neil’s stunning photographs captivate locals and visitors alike. The West Dorset Magazine asked (nicely) if Neil would review 2022 for […]