7 more things about Dorset only local residents would know

We’ve been taking a sideways look at Dorset’s quirks and secrets that only locals would know.

Our seven fun facts that resonated with true Dorset folk proved so popular that we have seven more here now to share with you.

We’ve taken a look at some Dorset gems like the Park Street Shuffle, Randy the dolphin and mourning the loss of our roundabouts - leading to further suggestions.

So here are seven more fun facts that only true Dorset folk are aware of.

1.) We had so many good nightclubs in Weymouth

Dancefloor of the much loved Cat's Whiskers (Image: Newsquest)

We were spoilt for choice for great places to go for a night out in Weymouth in a time before we were all sat at home watching Netflix whilst looking at our phones and not talking to each other.

The names Verdis, the Steering Wheel, the Cat’s Whiskers, Baxters, the Pickwick, Ninos, Malibu, the Harbour Club and Terracotta mean so much to so many of us.

And we'll never forget the nights out there!

2.) Weymouth Carnival was epic

Barrel rolling race at Weymouth Carnival in 1986 (Image: NQ)

The much-missed Weymouth Carnival used to be massive.

Among the many highlights were the Radio 1 roadshow, the fun run, the barrel rolling race, the tug of war, the Falcons parachute display, the sky divers, the helicopter search and rescue display and of course the procession.

And the question on everyone’s lips that day would be: “What time are the Red Arrows on?”

READ MORE: '7 things about Dorset only local residents would know'

3.) Dorset having no motorway is not such a good thing

Dorset drivers attempt to set a record for longest time taken to travel 8 miles (Image: NQ)

Pick up any weekend supplement from a national broadsheet or tune into any property TV programme and chances are a presenter or journalist will wax lyrical about Dorset having no motorways.

However, as this past week has shown (with a collapsed manhole on the A354 between Weymouth and Dorchester leading to traffic lights and very long delays), looking at green fields in the pouring rain in bumper to bumper traffic isn't quite the rural idyll we all dream of.

4.) The debate over which is the best fish and chip shop will never be settled

The much loved Marlboro chippie in Weymouth (Image: NQ)

Just like how it used to be with nightclubs, we were and still are spoilt for choice with fish and chip shops in the Weymouth area – and some have even been frequented by celebrity chefs!

Among the favourites are and have been Alf’s, the Marlboro (loved for its crinkly chips), Bennetts, the Seagull, Tommy’s, Lemon Plaice and the Copper Kitchen.

5.) We loved having a giggle with the Distorter

The 1979 edition of The Distorter (Image: NQ)

The satirical rag the Distorter, which was published on Weymouth Carnival day, gave us all a good laugh.

This particular edition from 1979 apes what must have been a particularly bad summer and jokes that ‘the local council has decided to close Weymouth down as a seaside summer resort and reopen it as a winter sports resort.’

Readers could also enjoy a news in brief item about a boy named Jack who received injuries falling down a hill!

6.) The Pier Bandstand is much missed

Pier Bandstand being demolished in April 1986 (Image: NQ)

The Pier Bandstand in Weymouth was demolished in April 1986 and many Weymouth folk were sad to see it go.

It was a popular destination for courting couples.

People loved attending concerts there with bands performing including Procol Harem, the Searchers, The Tremaloes and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

Bathing beauty contests and roller skating sessions were also held on the pier bandstand.

7.) Driving along Preston Beach Road in Weymouth used to be treacherous

Water and shingle are swept over the beach wall (Image: Supplied)

It wasn’t so long ago that driving one of Weymouth’s main routes used to be a real ordeal.

Whenever there was wild weather, such as in this picture of a storm in the early 1980s, storms would sweep water and large amounts of shingle over Preston beach wall.

In the 1990s the sea wall and beach along Preston Beach Road were substantially built up to alleviate the flooding to which the road had been prone during stormy weather.

The opportunity was taken to include a promenade which has proved popular with walkers.