A discovery centre welcomed Bridport's new town mayor to a preview a new pop-up exhibition about the harbour's history. 

Councillor Anne Rickard, who was officially elected as Mayor of Bridport in May 2024, visited West Bay Discovery Centre to attend a preview of a new pop up exhibition - West Bay – A Resort to Rival Others.

The exhibition, which is now on until the end of December, tells the story what happened some 140 years ago when a group of local businessmen believed that Bridport Harbour could become a seaside resort to rival Weymouth or Bournemouth.

One of those businessmen was Elias Cox, shipyard owner and builder of the former Methodist Chapel that now houses the Discovery Centre.

Cox was a Bridport Town Councillor and Alderman for over 40 years, serving as Mayor in 1867.

The Discovery Centre team spotted that a photo of Cox was not present amongst the gallery of former mayors in Town Hall, so they located a photo and had it printed and framed.

It was duly presented to the current Mayor during her visit to the exhibition preview, who was both surprised and delighted to receive it.