The charity behind the award-winning West Bay Discovery Centre and the restoration of Bridport’s historic Literary and Scientific Institute has appointed a new chairman.

The position of chairman of the Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT) has been assigned to Phyllida Culpin, who has been a trustee since 2020.

Ms Culpin said: "Bridport Area Development Trust has faced challenges recently, like so many charities, museums and businesses over the past three years. However, I am pleased that we have overcome our difficulties and are operating successfully at West Bay Discovery Centre and the Literary and Scientific Institute.

“In spite of all this positive and encouraging activity, our challenges are not over, like everyone, we are affected by the rising costs of energy, services, and materials. Running historic buildings is expensive and time consuming, but we are determined the coming year will see us continue to manage our buildings as efficiently as possible.

“However, we are also open to new opportunities and we have been talking to other organisations, including Bridport Town Council and Dorset Council, to see if we can help with other historic buildings, as independent projects, partnerships or in an advisory role.

“There is much to do in Bridport and so many areas that need support – housing, employment, jobs, opportunities for young people – and BADT wants to play its part.”

Ms Culpin’s background is mainly in social housing, with a particular expertise in housing management, maintenance and resident involvement.

She has worked for national housing associations, and locally with Yarlington Housing, Magna Housing, and is a committee member for Peabody Housing.

If you have ideas about buildings that could be brought back into community use, contact mail@bridportadt.org.