The Birth of Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd

and the early development of Bridport Leisure Centre

The very beginning of sports being played at Brewery Fields, the location of Bridport Leisure Centre, can be traced back to the 19^th century when a cricket square was laid out.

In 1968 Bridport Rugby Club was formed, using part of the cricket outfield for a pitch and the old cricket pavilion as a clubhouse. The Rugby Club alternated use with the Cricket Club according to the sporting season, and shortly after the Hockey Club was established.

The catalyst that led to the Leisure Centre we enjoy today, was the installation of the squash courts in 1975. These were constructed with financial assistance from squash club members and run by the Squash Club.

This led to the creation of Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd also in 1975, which was registered as a charity,

and the lease of the squash courts was granted to the trust.

Caroline Saunders, current member of the Trust and Arthur Watson MBE

Arthur Watson MBE founding member, former Chairman and current President of the trust, shares his memories of the very early days of the Brewery Fields sports fields.

“I remember coming along the road to here, it was just farm track, that was all it was, the farmer was called George Fox he was the old famer and had a son John Fox. Norman Lingard owned Bridget’s Market in Bridport, he grew all his produce where the rugby pitch is now.”

All of this land belonged to Palmers and was leased to George Fox. Arthur adds: “They (Palmers) thought they’d never get it back but then George suddenly he decided to give it up and the rugby club took over and turned it into the second rugby pitch.”

Tony Palmer made a site available alongside the Cricket Pavilion and two Banbury concrete courts were erected. These were financed by gifts and interest free loans from local squash enthusiasts.

Arthur enjoyed playing squash in these newly erected courts. He adds: “Squash was very important, very good they were, some of them, I wasn’t amongst the very good, I was amongst the very enthusiastic.”

 “Kit White of Milne and Lyall solicitors created the trust, and another very influential person was Admiral Pritchard who lived in Burton Bradstock. Admiral Pritchard became President of the Trust.

“Colonel Tommy Grigg was the originator of most of the squash activity. He was very keen on squash and taught a lot of local people how to play.

The Sports Council were involved in building on these first steps. Arthur adds: “Every sporting body imaginable that had to do with West Dorset were in involved in trying to make the place grow and grow and well it’s ended up as it is now. The whole thing evolved, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, they just kept adding new bits.

“I think is terrific really, it’s marvellous and most people who visit it think it’s marvellous too.”