The Mayor of Bridport officially presided over a ceremony marking the completion of renovations at residential care home Harbour House, in West Bay.

The seafront building has been given a 'face lift' of new glass-fronted balconies. This considerable visual improvement makes up just one element of what has been a major structural repair and renovation project to the severely deteriorating fabric of the building.

Along with the mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, those attending the ceremony last week included

Attendees included trustees of Harbour House; members of Bridport Quaker Meeting House; Rod Mathieson of Ellis Belk surveyors and project manager of the works; and Lee Courage, of Southern Concrete Services, the main contractor.

A delicious afternoon tea, prepared on-site, was enjoyed by all the residents and guests.

Cllr Bark commented: "Meeting the residents and staff once again and having the opportunity to talk to some of the people who carried out the work made for a really uplifting and interesting afternoon. I had the honour in tandem with resident Ken of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to declare the works finally complete.

"Whenever I go to Harbour House, I'm always struck by the warm and caring atmosphere between the staff and the residents. They are all a real tonic."

Harbour House was commissioned in 1961 by an eminent local Quaker, Eileen Morland, a member of the Bridport Meeting House. It was incorporated as West Bay Housing Society Ltd in November 1962, and is a Co-operative and Community Benefit Society, a not-for-profit organisation.

The building was originally intended for, and used as, a home providing semi-independent living for the elderly. To this end, the rooms were built to be spacious en-suite accommodation.

For many years, Harbour House remained a place for semi-independent living, but over the decades, as care needs became more relevant, its purpose transformed into a residential care home, with rooms for 35 residents.

Eileen Morland ensured that the board comprised of both Quakers and local residents. The trustee board and management work to the Quaker ethos of "thinking with an open mind", rather than merely following strict rules and regulations.

This distinguishing characteristic continues to be shared by all the staff and residents to encourage a dignified, respectful, honest and open living/working environment.

Today, Harbour House continues to provide excellent accommodation and a caring, supportive community. It remains a very popular choice for those in need of residential or respite care. 

In more recent years, it became apparent that the building's structure was in need of major repair and renovation, and the £1.1million project for underway in March 2022 and lasted for some 11 months.

Contractors Southern Concrete Services and project managers Ellis Belk did their utmost to ensure as little disruption as possible for the residents, and an extremely good working relationship was maintained throughout the process.

For more details on Harbour House, visit www.harbourhouse-westbay.co.uk