2022 is a year that will go down in the history books. 

A year of political upheaval with multiple scandals and three Prime Ministers, war breaking out in Europe and we said goodbye to our longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and entered a new era under King Charles III. 

And all while trying to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and coping with the cost-of-living crisis. 

There's also been no shortage of news in Bridport and here, the Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, offers his review of the year...

Twelve months ago I wrote the following as an introduction to my end of year blog:

This New Year's Eve, you might be spending the evening watching a romantic movie with a loved one, binge watching a favourite TV series with friends, or playing games at home with your family.

Or perhaps you are going to a party or out for a glitzy night on the town. Alternatively you may even be planning on ignoring it completely and simply curling up on the sofa or in bed with a good book.

Whatever way you are going to usher in the brand new 2022 the prospect of a fresh start is an opportunity to take stock and reset.

Little did we know at the time, as we slowly emerged from two years of trials and tribulations associated with the Covid pandemic, what a momentous year 2022 was going to prove to be.

Shortly before the Russian Revolution in 1917 Vladimir Lenin is quoted as saying "There are decades when nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen," and during 2022 there were weeks when decades certainly happened. During this momentous year:

• US President Donald Trump's supporters invaded the White House.
• Russia invaded Ukraine, the fallout from which continues to reverberate globally.
• The Queens celebrated her Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne.
• The second Elizabethan age came to an end on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
• King Charles III came to the throne.
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced out of office.
• Liz Truss became the shortest serving Prime Minister in history at 45 days.
• Rishi Sunak became the third Prime Minister in 2022.
• Inflation and higher interest rates returned, and energy costs ballooned.
• Iranian women took to the streets in protest about police murders and the repressive regime.
• Pakistan suffered severe political, economic and climate crises.
• Summer 2022 was hot and dry and we saw a new UK record temperature of 40.3C.
• COP 27 – reminded us that the world still needs a giant leap on climate ambition.
• COP 15 – agrees on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss.
• The cost of living crisis worsened and poverty rates in the UK continued to rise – over 14.5 million people are now living below the poverty line.
• Increasing social unrest including rail-workers, postal workers, ambulance personnel, and nurses amongst those striking for better working conditions and increased pay.
• Dorset Council's Community Governance Review agreed a single council for Bridport from 2024.

I think we can all agree that 2022 has been quite a year. But how will 2022 be judged by future historians? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile Bridport returned to its busy, buzzy self as it shook itself free from the strictures of the Covid pandemic. 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.

You can find photos of Bridport's many 2022 events on the mayor's latest blog post at https://www.bridport-tc.gov.uk/news/mayors-blog/