Pictures of 1960s and 1970s Dorset taken by Harry Green

Harry was a popular face in Weymouth, who would often be first on the scene to breaking news.

He had a way of capturing the steady pace of life in Dorset as it once was.

As you can see here, he had a real talent for people photos but was equally at home with taking pictures of the lush Dorset landscape surrounding us.

Scroll down to see the first part of this magnificent collection of photos.

Art class at Weymouth harbour, late 60s or early 70s

Bent MGA, Weymouth

READ MORE: The forgotten station that became a builders' yard

Easton, Portland, in the 1960s

Greenhill Gardens

HMS Reclaim in Weymouth harbour

HMS Reclaim was a deep diving and submarine rescue vessel of the British Royal Navy.

She called into Portland Harbour in November 1959, as this article shows, and an intrepid Echo reporter was able to take a look at the depths of the harbour!

She was originally intended to be the King Salvor-class ocean salvage vessel Salverdant and was fitted with specialised equipment including underwater television cameras and sonar and echosounding apparatus.

She was also equipped for submarine rescue work.

At the time of her commissioning in 1949, Reclaim was the Royal Navy's only vessel capable of carrying out deep diving operations.

READ MORE: When 'smelly green' lake was where people had fun

James & Caddy boatbuilders at Weymouth quay

St Thomas Street, Weymouth

Vandalised statue of Henry Edwards, Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth, September 1979

This statue of Sir Henry Edwards, Member of Parliament for Weymouth and town benefactor, stands in the seafront Alexandra Gardens.

Sir Henry was a 19th century Liberal MP for Weymouth from 1865 to 1885 who is best remembered for setting up a charities trust which bears his name.

In September 1979 yobs climbed the statue and removed the head, which was found in the road nearby by a police patrol.

In July 2003 this statue was once again attacked by vandals, leaving it headless.

This time it was not only the statue which was damaged but a nearby car as well when it was hit by the falling head.

Council staff had to restore the head to the statue body.

Among Henry Edwards' many achievements were building these social housing homes on Boot Hill in the late 19th century.

Boot Hill in the late 19th century (Image: NQ)

The trust administers the Edwards homes in Rodwell Avenue and Boot Hill.

The statue to Henry was unveiled in grand style at Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth, in 1885.

Crowds of people paraded through the streets, which were decorated with flags and bunting to mark the occasion.

God Bless the Poor Man"s Friend," read one of the banners, while others bore mottos such as: God Bless Sir Henry Edwards," and Long Life to Sir Henry Edwards," according to a report in the Southern Times newspaper.

The article told of cannons being fired as the borough"s mayor, Alderman Howard, uncovered the statue, followed by a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Several gentlemen including the Lord Mayor of London praised Sir Henry"s generosity and spoke of the great esteem in which he was held.

The statue portrayed a finely dressed gentleman wearing a cravat and a double-breasted waistcoat, clutching a sheaf of papers in his right hand while the other rested on his hip, sweeping his kneelength coat behind him.

READ MORE: Popular Weymouth beach with no spare patch of sand in 1960s

An inscription on the plinth below paid tribute to the public services, munificent charity and private worth of Sir Henry Edwards". The landmark cost £800, which was financed by public subscription - a testament to his popularity among people of all classes. It remains in the same spot today and despite some weathering from being exposed to the elements for more than a century, the figure proudly stands with chest out, overlooking the town.

Weymouth and the harbour from the air

Weymouth harbour

William Stanley had a very lucky escape in March 1971 when parts of a Canberra Jet flying overhead, fell on to his market garden off Prospect Place, Upwey, narrowly missing him as he rotovated his land.

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