The Bridport Local Area Partnership (BLAP) is here for the community. Current members of the partnership include Bridport Town Council, 10 Parish Councils and more than 80 community organisations and individuals working to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of Bridport and surrounding areas. For information or if you have a piece you would like included in the BLAP Bulletin, please contact Jo Hughes by email at jo.hughes@bridport-tc.gov.uk

The Puncknowle, Swyre and West Bexington History Group hold monthly meetings to discuss the local history of our area, and during the spring and summer months also organise history walks. Recently there was a presentation by our own historian-in- residence Paul Kingston on Litton. If you would like to know more about the group, and learn more about your local surroundings please contact Paul Bullen 07527141560 paul.bullen@icloud.com

Bridport Winter Warm Venues & Food & Clothes Support Refreshments are free of charge or for a small donation at these Bridport Winter Warm Venues. They are open to everyone in the community and a great chance to make new friends and chat. No need to book, just turn up. Food and clothes support is also available from local organisations including Bridport Community Fridge, Bridport Food Bank, Bridport Clothes Bank and the Beacon Church Community Kitchen (see page 2 of the poster for details). Bridport Library - Digital Champions Would you like to improve your digital skills? Book a session with our digital champion who will guide you through the basic skills using your own device or a library computer. Sessions run on the following days at Bridport Library, South Street, Bridport DT6 3NY: ྕ Every Monday from 10.15am - 1.15pm ྕ Every Wednesday from 10am - 1pm ྕ Every Wednesday from 4pm - 5pm Contact the library on 01308 422778 for more information and to book. Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau at Bridport Library Did you know Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau visit Bridport Library, South Street, Bridport DT6 3NY every Tuesday from 10am - 12pm, helping you maximise your income and offer advice on benefits, grants and discretionary help. No need to book, just turn up, Bridport to West Bay Shuttle Bus The Bridport to West Bay weekend shuttle bus service starts back up this January with a slightly altered timetable. Following many requests, the service commences an hour earlier although this does mean due to driver hour regulations it will end an hour earlier. The timetable can be found online here. Bridport History Society - Talk The next meeting of the Bridport History Society is on Thursday 8th January when the Society will be welcoming Charlotte Nickels who will give a talk titled ‘History of Paper.’ The talk will be held at the United Church Hall on East Street, Bridport. Doors open at 2.15pm for a prompt 2.30pm start. All are welcome. Members £1pp and visitors £5pp. Bridport History Society meets on the second Thursday of each month (except July and August). Netherbury Nature Group - Talk 'From Fight to Flight', an illustrated talk by Charlie Wheeler, Abbotsbury Swannery Manager on Friday 9th January, 6.30pm for 7pm start at Netherbury Village Hall, DT6 5LR. Admission £3.00, cash bar, all welcome. Bridport Millennium Green An alternative 12th Night and celebration to welcome 2026. An evening of music and words with Rough Assembly & Friends on Friday 9th January at 7.30pm in Bridport Town Hall. Entry £12 (£10 members), cash payable on the door and includes a glass of wine and mince pie. All proceeds in support of Bridport Millennium Green. The Living Tree - Fundraising Barn Dance Barn Dance at Salwayash Village Hall on Saturday 10th January, raising funds for The Living Tree charity. Doors open from 6.30pm and there will be a bar and raffle. Fabulous Barndance Band - THE TREE FELLAHS Singer & Fiddle Player - NINA GARCIA Special Guest: Amazing fiddle player - BENNY WAIN Tickets cost £10 and are available from Paul who can be contacted on 07802 597319. Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club The next Armed Forces Veterans breakfast club meet-up will be held on Sunday 11th January from 9am - 10.30am at the Greyhound Hotel, East Street, Bridport. For Serving Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, their partners and relatives - all welcome, no subs or joining fees, just breakfast and banter. Bridport Community Orchard - WASSAIL! Who is coming a-wassailing on Sunday 11th January, 2pm - 3.30pm? Bring the family and pots and pans to make some noise as we bless the trees for the 2026 harvest at Bridport Community Orchard, behind St Mary's Church, South Street, Bridport DT6 3RW. There will also be: • Storytelling with Martin Maudsley • Hot Spiced Apple Juice • Cider from Dorset Nectar • Music and Dancing from Wyld Morris • Hot Drinks, Cake and Savouries **BRING YOUR OWN CUP!** West Bay Discovery Centre - West Bay in 40 Postcards Join John West on Thursday 22nd January at 2.30pm for a captivating illustrated talk revealing the rich history of West Bay. Through a collection of 40 vintage postcards, John uncovers the stories of the places, and events that shaped the area and explores the evolution of the postcard as a powerful means of communication. The talk will take place at The Salt House, West Bay DT6 4HB. Ticket Price £5.00 available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre 01308 424901 or online here - please book in advance. Proceeds will go to West Bay Discovery Centre. Bridport Food Matters - Job Opportunity Bridport Food Matters is looking for a Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator to help share our work and connect people across the local good food movement. This is a freelance role (7 hours per week, flexible) and would suit someone who cares about food, community, sustainability and inclusion, and is happy working with local partners and groups. Key details: • 7 hours per week (flexible) • £18 per hour (depending on experience) • Work from home, with regular meetings in Bridport • Start date: Feb 2026 (or soon after) • Job Description - Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator To apply, send a CV (max 1 page) and covering letter (max 1 page) to: bridportfoodmatters@gmail.com Applications must be received by 18th January 2026. Bridport Clothes Bank - Volunteering Opportunity Would you like a new challenge and have some spare time? Bridport Clothes Bank are always happy to welcome new volunteers, if you have a couple of hours a week or every so often, hours to suit - as much or as little as you are able. Our unit in Bridport is open every weekday morning and Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Contact us via email: BridportCB@outlook.com or phone: 07596 077385. Volunteer Centre Dorset - Training & Development 2026 Our new Training, Learning & Development is ready for bookings. Whether it is learning something new, doing a refresher, or joining a workshop on business planning or funding applications – please take advantage of this FREE training, learning and development for any of your team. This offer is open to staff or volunteers in the voluntary and community sector. Dorset Council Draft Alcohol Licensing Policy Dorset Council is inviting feedback on its Draft Licensing Policy for 2026–2031, which sets out the principles the council will apply when exercising its functions under the Licensing Act 2003. Licensing Authorities are required by law to publish such a policy at least every five years, and the council is now seeking views during an 8-week consultation period. The Licensing Policy aims to make sure that the council promotes the four key licensing objectives outlined in the Act: ྕ the prevention of crime and disorder ྕ public safety ྕ the prevention of public nuisance ྕ the protection of children from harm Licensable activities covered by the policy include the retail sale of alcohol, the supply of alcohol in clubs, the provision of late- night refreshment, and regulated entertainment. The consultation survey is available online at: https://consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/c-e/licensing-policy/ and closes on 11th January 2026. Dorset Council Capital Leverage Fund (Round 6) The current round of Dorset Council’s Capital Leverage Fund (Round 6) is currently open. Applications close at midnight on Thursday 15th January 2026. The aim of the Capital Leverage Fund is to support community and cultural organisations to deliver capital projects which provide new and improved facilities for our communities and residents. More information is available here. Litter Free Dorset Summit 2026 Litter Free Dorset is proud to announce its annual Summit 2026, taking place on Wednesday 14th January 2026 at the Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester. This full-day event (9am - 4pm) will bring together environmental leaders, local authorities, community groups, and businesses to tackle litter and champion sustainable solutions across Dorset. The summit will explore innovative approaches to waste reduction, circular economy practices, and strategies to protect Dorset’s stunning landscapes and coastline. Litter Free Dorset want to collaborate with others to find real solutions to the issue of litter in Dorset. Whether you’re a community litter picker, business owner, environmentalist, or just keen to know more, all are welcome to this exciting new event. Tickets are available here for a suggested £10 donation which includes lunch and refreshments. The Bride Valley News The January issue of the Bride Valley News is now available and includes updates and events from Burton Bradstock, Litton Cheney, Shipton Gorge, Puncknowle and Swyre.