Many in Bridport and the surrounding area were brought together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla over the Bank Holiday weekend. 

A proclamation of the King's coronation was made by town crier John Collingwood and the Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday morning as the ceremony was taking place in Westminster.

The mayor also took part in the coronation civic service at St Mary's Parish Church on Sunday.

Meanwhile, celebrations were held across the local area, including a party hosted by the Allington Hillbillies at Coopers Field. The event went ahead despite the poor weather and saw residents enjoy live music, food and drink and children's craft activities.

Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype also hosted a whole day of celebrations and screened the national events, while the Grow Slow nursery and cafe at Broomhill Farm hosted an 'alternative coronation' for those less keen on watching.

West Bay celebrated with a well attended Pirates Day on Sunday, with live music, an outdoor bar and barbecue on The Mound, stall and games, rounded off with a spectacular fireworks display.

Despite the wet weather on Bank Holiday Monday, the fifth Street to Sea litter pick saw a record number of people take part, tying in with the King's Big Help Out campaign.

Volunteers gathered at several meeting points across the town, cleaning roadsides, green spaces and beaches.

Symondsbury plants coronation cherry trees

Symondsbury got its celebrations started early, with children from Symondsbury Primary School and staff from Symondsbury Estate unveiling a plaque beside one of the three flowering cherry trees planted to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The coronation trees are but a small part of the work the estate is doing towards building a more sustainable environment through regenerative farming practice.

The recently constructed 'Bugingham Palace' bug hotel is is already occupied withe several different species.

The Mayor of Bridport, who attended the plaque unveiling, said: "All of this is not only commendable but as time passes it will all become increasingly beautiful.

"Speaking to the children it was eveident that they are already very knowledgable about and aware of the importance of looking after the environment. Investing in the environment and young people is essential for the future of humanity."

Symondsbury also celebrated with coronation afternoons teas served at the estate.

Coronation bridge restored

An iron bridge erected in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth – the grandparents of King Charles III – has been given a major restoration.

As part of the restoration, a comemorative plaque has been added to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The mayor at the time of the erection of the bridge was H.R.C. Palmer, whose name can be seen on the original plaque.

The restoration of the bridge has been jointly funded by Palmers Brewery and the town council to mark the King's coronation. Work was carried out by the council's own Tim Smith and local contractor Jason Wheeler.