As we reach almost twelve months since work started on the Chapel its a good time to look back and see what has been achieved. It’s difficult to remember that the Methodist Chapel looked like this time last year – abandoned and in need of a restoration.

The builders started work in mid-February and the interior looked even worse for a while as the early work stripped back existing wall and ceiling coverings.

The floor boards were removed so that repairs could be carried out to the timber joists underneath and then relaid. The ceiling panels were also removed , the roof insulated and new panels were fitted.

In April the  walls were re-plastered and the windows refurbished and the ceiling was refitted.

 In May a new mezzanine level was completed using oak and pine.

The completed building prior to fitting out. Our builders, R & C Building Conservation, led by Cristian Nicoara, did a great job !  The basis for this was the design work of Angel Architecture’s Kim Sankey, who has had a long association with the building. Daryl Chamber’s tenacious project management skills meant that everything was delivered to plan.

The outside was repainted creating a very different look to its appearance in January 2018. Although the seagulls didn’t take long to christen it!

The fitting of interpretation and displays by our designers Smith & Jones begins – it takes three days – it was strange to see everything in reality after having worked on the concept and content for so many months beforehand.

Our Discovery manager Sandy Hashimi welcomes our volunteers and gives them a final briefing.

West Bay Discovery Centre is officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Bridport, Martin Ray. The Trustees of Bridport Area Development Trust and the Management Group of West Bay Discovery Centre join him to mark this important milestone.

Washed Ashore– our first exhibition highlighted the issue of plastics being washed  up on the beach.

Our collection of nurdles/biobeads collected from West Bay Beach Clean sessions by the public.

World War 1 Exhibition  – most of the artifacts were lent by local people.  We  discovered the life stories of the six men who never returned to West Bay and are recorded on the memorial in St John’s Church. 

Model Boat exhibition – a wonderful selection of model boats produced by members of the local  model group

It has been wonderful to have welcomed over 9,000 visitors into the building since August. The numbers having well exceeded our expectations. We still have many exciting plans and ideas to fulfill in 2019. So do please follow our progress and come in and see us when we reopen in mid-February for the 2019 season.