Fifty years at the Riverside in West Bay
EXACTLY fifty years ago, on March 12th, 1960, the Watson family took over the Riverside Cafe and Post Office in West Bay.
The Old Riverside Cafe and West Bay Post Office. Courtesy of Keith Alner.
The Post Office was busy and the Cafe was mostly used by holidaymakers staying on the municipal camping ground, and coach parties from Dorchester, Yeovil, Chard, and Taunton. Locals enjoyed playing dominoes there.
A wider view. Courtesy of Keith Alner.
March 12, 2010, and West Bay no longer even has a Post Office while the Riverside – now a restaurant – serves a lot more than the crab sandwiches, cream teas and roast dinners that it used to specialise in. Nowadays it has an international reputation.
Arthur and Jan Watson took over in 1964. Earlier this year, the Bridport and District Tourism Association gave Arthur an award for his lifelong services to tourism. Just think how many people he and Jan have made happy…
Arthur Watson with his award
Arthur Watson
Congratulations to them both, and to their team!
You can read a pdf of the Golden Jubilee Riverside Times, and see lots of great pictures, (including – and this is important – some of Jan!), by clicking on this link.
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