Polished performers out on parade

If you’re a vintage vehicle buff, or just enjoy a bit of good-old-fashioned nostalgia, then head for the West Bay Vintage Rally at Melplash Showground on June 10 and 11.

The West Dorset Vintage Tractor & Stationary Engine Club (WDVTSEC), a small club of 380 or so members who meet once a month at the Colliton Club in Dorchester, have been holding the rally since 1976. It was held at Puncknowle before moving to Gore Cross, Bridport, with its final move to West Bay. There’ll be plenty to see and do (and eat!), from a vintage auction on the Saturday, from 10am – which always draws the crowds – to perusing a fabulous cross section of stationary engines, tractors, vintage cars, steam engines and more. There are marquees and stalls with a plethora of craft displays, model makers and collections. The Ring will also host the vintage vehicle parades, the ever-popular Extreme Falconry on the

Sunday, plus there’ll be everyone’s favourites – the beagles!

The team have raised nearly £90,000 for local charities and community projects. Local groups also pitch in and help them over the weekend too, from the

Young Farmers to the Scouts, to name but a few. 9am-5pm at Melplash Showground, West Bay Rd, Bridport, DT6 4EG. Adults £10, OAPs £8, 11-16s £2, 7U11s free when accompanied by an adult. wdvtsec.com/rally

Well-known Bridport photographer and disability campaigner Neil Barnes has opened a gallery in South Street.

Newly installed Bridport Mayor Dave Bolwell cut the ribbon on the gallery, showcasing Neil’s landscape work of Bridport and the surrounding areas. There is a large range of beautiful pictures in canvas, print and framed format along with a selection of greetings cards, postcards, posters, gift wrap and his newly issued 2024 Bridport & West Bay Calendar, now in its 11th edition. He said: “After seven years on the market in East Street selling my work, I thought it time for a change especially considering the inclement weather that continually interrupts the market. On looking around