Bridport Bandits racing club given key financial boost

Bridport Bandits Autograss racing club was set up about 25 years ago at Bridport Youth & Community Centre in Gundry Lane.

It offers children aged 12-18 the opportunity to prepare cars and compete in motorsport racing.

As reported in April, the Bandits said it was desperate for new members after struggling through the pandemic.

Bridport groups and charities have now come together to offer their assistance to the Bandits, which has become a well-established project in the west Dorset town.

Hundreds of pounds have been raised by Brit Valley Rotary Club, Bridport Lions Club and Bridport Rotary Club to support the project. 

It was set up in the aftermath of a sad event back in 1993 following a near fatal stabbing in Plottingham Fields.

Following this, an emergency meeting was held at the Bridport Youth Centre attended by emergency services and young people.

Arthur Woodgate, who convened and chaired the meeting, said: “A familiar theme emerged that there simply wasn’t enough for young people to do in Bridport.”

A number of positive suggestions were taken up and acted upon, and 30 years later, two of the main projects are still in operation.

These are BYPAT (Bridport Young Persons’ Action Trust) – run by Mr Woodgate – and the Bandits Motor Project, which was a suggestion from one of the young people attending the meeting.

“When BYPAT heard of the Bandits’ plight, they stepped in with a donation to help keep things going,” Mr Woodgate said.

“They were joined by Bridport Lions Club, Bridport Rotary and Brit Valley Rotary Clubs, all aware of the very positive influence and outcomes that this project had provided for so many young people over so many years, and all keen to see this work continue.”

President of Bridport Rotary Club, Colin Bowditch, added: “Several members have personal knowledge of young teenagers who have been members and then moved on to related careers and made a success of that.”

These have included 19 year-old Billy Cornwall, who said: “I thought it would be a bit of fun and it turned out to be a career.” 

The Bandits, which is entirely self-funded, operate every Monday and Thursday eveneing between 7pm and 9pm at Bridport Youth and Community Centre in Gundry Lane. 

Its age range varies from 11 to 16. For more information, email [email protected]

Club secretary Rachel Broom can also be contacted on [email protected]