'We should be proud of our town' - that's the message from its dignitaries, who have praised Bridport's resilience at bouncing back from the pandemic.

Mayor Cllr Ian Bark has paid tribute to the town's people and its visitors, who have helped the town recover from Covid, which saw businesses forced to close and the town centre deserted during the national lockdown.

He said Bridport has become 'Dorset's eventful town'.

Bridport Town Council leader Dave Rickard echoed the mayor's sentiments and said he was 'amazed' by how the many events held in the town in 2022 were put together so well by an army of volunteers.

Bridport's first citizen hailed the town's emergence from the pandemic as he delivered a New Year message to residents.

Cllr Ian Bark, writing on his online blog, said that 2022 has been an eventful year with monumental events such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II, three different Prime Ministers and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He also voiced concern as the cost of living crisis worsens and poverty rates in the UK continue to rise – with more than 14.5 million people now living below the poverty line.

But he praised the people of Bridport and its many visitors for helping it to return to its 'busy, buzzy self as it shook itself free from the strictures of the Covid pandemic'.

Cllr Bark said: "The town’s high streets, shops, restaurants, theatres and green spaces were fully alive once again with happy smiling faces. Numerous festivals and events showed that Bridport really is Dorset’s eventful town."

The town was able to celebrate several events in style this year with Covid-19 restrictions like social distancing and social bubbles removed. 

The Queen's Jubilee, Bridport Food Festival, BridLit, festival Jurassic Fields and Christmas Cheer and the West Bay Wallow were among the well-attended get togethers in the town. 

Cllr Rickard elaborated on Cllr Bark's blog and said: "I've been amazed about how we have been able to bounce back. We rely on staff and key members of the public to put things together. 

"It is a partnership between the town and organisations. It has been brilliant we have had some superb community events this year. It has been pleasing and hopefully will continue. 

"In light of national problems, we can be immensely proud of the town. Not just as a Town Council but as a town. We have had resilience. A lot of towns are really struggling because they were on a knife edge. 

"There has been things on TV with communities that are struggling. At that macro level we seem to have bounced back and there is still a big buzz. 

"People are so happy to get back out and meet and greet. We are generally pretty positive, but guarded. We can't be too complacent."