LymeOnline Digital Edition - January 4 2019

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Stallholders hit back following complaint SEAFRONT stallholders have hit back after a Lyme Regis trader berated the town council, saying it was “treacherous” that the authority allowed competitng stalls on Marine Parade for minimal rent.

Paul Crossley, who owns Jurassic Gems in Drakes Way, made the complaint to the town council before Christmas.

Mike Jefferies, who organises the seafront markets, has now hit back to refute several of the “false allegations” made in Mr Crossley’s statement.

REPORT, PAGE 3

Town council retracts support for crossing

Lunging into 2019!

THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis saw its biggest ever turnout of both swimmers and spectators at the annual Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day. An estimated crowd of 6,000 watched as about 600 swimmers dashed into the water in fancy dress. See pages 12 & 13 for full report and more photos.

DOGS ON THE BEACH CALL FOR POLICY REVIEW AFTER CHILD BITTEN CALLS have been made for a prosecution after a child was injured by a dog on Lyme Regis beach.

Councillor Owen Lovell has asked fellow members of the town council to support a prose-

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

cution against the dog owner for “failing to have the dog under control”, and said he hopes policies regarding dogs on the beach will be reviewed.

Under West Dorset District Council’s current policies, dogs are allowed on the main sandy beach in winter without a lead.

Speaking at a meeting before the Christmas break, Councillor Lovell reported that a 12-year-old

boy was left with bites and bruising on Saturday, December 1 after a dog leapt up at him several times.

Councillor Lovell said the dog owner tried to call the animal CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

LYME Regis Town Council has formally retracted its support for a pedestrian crossing in Broad Street, despite pleas from elderly and disabled residents.

The council went back on its initial support for a puffin crossing at an extraordinary meeting called before Christmas, where several members of the public pleaded with them to consider the needs of the disabled and elderly.

REPORT, PAGE 7

Life membership for veteran sailor

VETERAN Lyme Regis yachtsman Colin Walters has been made a life member of Lyme Regis Sailing Club.

He was presented with as certificate by commodore Jerry Rook at a pre-Christmas social evening.

REPORT, PAGE 24

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Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS www.lyme-online.co.uk edit@lyme-online.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LymeOnlineUK Twitter: twitter.com/LymeOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/lymeonline Editor: Francesca Evans francesca@lyme-online.co.uk 07810 221 420 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk Regular Columnists: Sophia Moseley, Marine Theatre Mark Vandeweyer, Citizens Advice Peter Lacey, Tales of Lyme’s Past

Enforcement officers shown no respect over dog policies CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE back, but it “failed to respond and was not under control”.

“It wasn’t on a lead and this is the very thing I want to make an issue of,” he added.

“We were promised when the regulation to allow dogs on the beach without leads was put in, it would be reviewed.”

Referring to the introduction of a new unitary authority in Dorset, which will replace the district council later this year, Councillor Lovell continued: “With all that’s going on at district with the unitary authority, I want us to make sure that the dog laws do get reviewed and we get controls on dogs on the beach. It’s an absolute disgrace.

“The poor dog warden goes down and tells someone to put their dog on a lead because it’s dangerous in the middle of summer, but in the winter he’s got no control.

“He gets told to leave the beach because people don’t have any respect and he doesn’t get enough support from this council or West Dorset and I think they do a very good job under very difficult circumstances.

“This poor child will probably be scared of dogs for the rest of his life.”

Councillor Lovell said the grandparents of the child, who were with him on the beach, had photos of his injuries and of the dog and its owner.

Councillor Lovell added: “I’d like this council to support a prosecution. We have to prosecute for dogs failing to be under control, it’s just not good enough at the moment.”

Councillor Lovell said that a successful prosecution would help the enforcement officers to carry out their job with more respect.

He added: “West Dorset don’t like to spend money of this kind of thing but just think of the impact it would make on the life of the en-

forcement officers if only someone was to prosecute.”

It was agreed that the matter would be dealt with at a future committee meeting.

The incident sparked debate on social media over the Christmas period, with many residents agreeing that policies regarding dogs on the beach should be reviewed.

Several residents also took to social media to complain about the increased amount of dog’s mess in the town, with some suggesting dogs being kept on leads would help to address the problem.

Council warns dog owners after sheep worrying incident

UPLYME Parish Council has warned dog owners of the law after a recent incident of sheep worrying.

The incident of dogs being off leads and hassling sheep at Highlands Farm in Gore Lane, Uplyme, was reported at the latest parish council meeting.

Parish clerk Ricky Neave has now warned dog owners that they can be found guilty of an offence if their dog is caught hassling sheep.

He said: “Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence.

“The act considers sheep worrying to include attacking sheep, chasing them in a way that may cause injury, suffering, abortion or loss of produce or being at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.”

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Council to contribute to staff driving lessons LYME Regis Town Council has agreed to contribute towards the cost of driving lessons for two of its staff members.

Councillors discussed the possibility of paying for driving lessons for the seafront attendant and a gardener at a recent meeting of the Human Resources Committee.

Members were told that, while driving was not essential for the roles, it would allow for more flexibility within the council’s external works team, making jobs more efficient and freeing up time for further tasks.

A report said that driving lessons cost £28 per hour, a theory test was £31 and practical test between £62 and £75. A fast-pass intensive course, which included 10 hours of lessons of a week and both exams, would cost £450.

Councillor Sean Larcombe suggested that the council pay for half the cost of driving lessons and an examination.

Councillor Stan Williams said a cap needed to be put on this, to ensure the council’s contribution was not open-ended, as it was not known how long it would take the staff members to pass.

Councillor Derek Hallett questioned why the staff were employed if they could not drive, but was told that driving was not listed as an essential skill when advertising the roles.

Town clerk John Wright later confirmed that one of the staff members was too young to drive when they were first employed.

Councillor Hallett was also concerned about how other council staff who had paid for their own driving lessons would react if the council agreed to the costs.

It was agreed to pay half the costs of an intensive driving course and examination for each employee, totalling £450.

If the course took place during work hours, the employees would work additional hours to compensate for this, and if they did not pass after the intensive course they would have to continue driving lessons at their own expense.

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Seafront stallholders hit Council agrees to loan back after trader makes theatre £40k to help complaint to council secure EU funding SEAFRONT stallholders have hit back after a Lyme Regis trader berated the town council, saying it was “treacherous” that the authority allowed competing stalls on Marine Parade for minimal rent.

Attending a council meeting before the Christmas break, Paul Crossley, who owns Jurassic Gems in Drakes Way, complained that stalls selling fossils, minerals and jewellery were allowed to operate from the seafront shelters, while traders selling similar items from town centre shops struggled to make a living.

Mike Jefferies, who organises the seafront markets, has now hit back at Mr Crossley’s complaint to refute several of the “false allegations” made in his statement at the council meeting.

Mr Jeffries said: “Let’s start with the council, which Mr Crossley obviously has little or no respect for.

Lyme Regis Town Council does an amazing job for a small town like Lyme, year after year.Lyme punches far above its weight and this is largely down to the council and volunteers.

“As for the market itself, anyone can sell anything they like. For example, we’ve had a gentleman selling T-shirts at various times in one of the bays and through the year you will see all sorts of goods being sold.

“The cost of hiring the shelters in £100 a day. There are three bays. I pay a year in advance for all my bookings. I charge £30 for a whole bay and £20 for a shared bay. I have a whole bay myself and get £70 for the rest of the space, this covers the £100 rent.

“Now I could charge double that but I choose not to do so. I’m not doing this to make a profit from other stallholders, this includes Mr Crossley.

“Indeed, I’ve done a market in the shelters, not organised by me, when there were six traders in one pay, all paying £15 each – do the maths.

“I don’t allow any traders to participate unless they have full third party insurance cover. Mr Crossley knows this as he assured me that his shop insurance covered him for market use as well, when he was invited to sell at my market.

“As far as paying tax is concerned, that is for the individual to keep a good set of books. I do a summary at the end of each market and pass them on to my accountant in June.

He will then let me know how much tax I have to pay.

“As for us taking thousands and thousands of pounds, anyone who has done a market will be aware that taking £200 would be regarded as a good day.”

See letters on page 20

THE Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis hopes to secure a European Union grant of £47,200 to improve its lighting equipment, thanks to financial support from the town council.

Lyme Regis Town Council has agreed to offer the theatre a shortterm loan of £40,000 to ensure it meets the conditions for the grant funding.

Lyme Arts Community Trust (LACT), which operates the theatre, submitted a grant application to Dorset LEADER for funding from the EU to install a new lighting rig, training bar and desk.

Installation will bring the Marine’s outdated lighting equipment up to industry standards and will be geared towards a technical training course for 14 to 18 years olds – the only one of its kind in the local area.

The equipment would also benefit several local organisations that hold productions in the theatre.

The total cost of the project is £59,000 and the application was successful in securing £47,200 from Dorset LEADER, with LACT contributing £10,800 itself.

However, as a condition of receiving the grant funding, the trust must hold at least the total cost of

the project – £59,000 – in its bank account for the duration of the project from March to June 2019. The trust currently has £20,000 in its bank account and holds no reserves.

The town council has agreed to offer a short-term loan of £40,000 between March 1 and August 31 2019, allowing time to pay contractors and for the Dorset LEADER funding to come through.

Councillors spoke positively about the theatre when they considered the request at an extraordinary meeting before Christmas.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, said the council should be encouraging other local organisations to do the same in seeking grant funding from other sources.

Look out for our next issue on January 18

Until then you can catch up with the latest at www.lyme-online.co.uk

Lyme Regis shops hit by Christmas Day break-ins LYME Regis shops were targeted by thieves on Christmas Day. A number of commercial properties suffered break-ins or were damaged in attempted break-ins on Christmas Day night.

Among the shops targeted was Asian food takeaway Red Panda in Broad Street, where the glass door was smashed.

Commenting on the incident on social media, owners said the break-in had affected their plans to re-open after the Christmas break on January 8 and the shop would remain closed until further notice.

A glass window was also smashed at Boots and Arthur Fordham & Co is also thought to have been targeted.

Police commented: “We are aware that there have been a number of break-ins and attempts to commercial properties in Lyme Regis on Christmas Day. “We are continuing to make enquiries and are following up various leads, particularly in the area of CCTV and forensics.

“If you have been a victim yourself and have not yet reported or witnessed any suspicious behaviour please contact us on 101.”

Three car crash on A35 THE A35 at Charmouth was closed on the afternoon of Friday, December 21 following a three-car crash.

The road was closed in both directions between Berne Lane just outside Charmouth and Veriotts Lane at Morcombelake from about 5.45pm.

It was originally thought that four vehicles were involved in the accident, but police later confirmed that three cars were involved.

Only minor injuries were sustained.

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NEWS ONLINE: Catch up with A round-up of the top stories from our website

Hollywood stars in new Mary Anning film HOLLYWOOD stars Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan will star in a new film following Lyme Regis fossil hunter Mary Anning’s fictional relationship with another woman. The actresses will star as lovers in the film ‘Ammonite’, written and directed by Francis Lee, and some filming is expected to take place on the Jurassic Coast.

Works starts on harbour office WORK to improve and expand the harbourmaster’s office in Lyme Regis got underway this week.

Contractors CG Fry were due to start work in full yesterday (Thursday) on the office based on Lyme’s historic Cobb.

The project will see the existing office modernised and extended to accommodate the continuing development and growth of Lyme’s harbour. The work is expected to be completed in May 2019 and will not disrupt the day-to-day running of the harbour.

Father Christmas visits Beaver troop Cinema re-build still on the cards Lifeboat crew answers 40th call THE 1st Lym Valley Beavers had a visit from Father Christmas this week to round off another busy term. The Beavers enjoyed a Christmas party with games and a visit from Santa in their headquarters, based in Uplyme. Beaver leader Karen Yelland said: “We’re very grateful that Santa took time out of his busy schedule to deliver presents, it certainly made the Beaver’s night.”

ALMOST three years after a fire devastated the building, owners of the Regent Cinema in Lyme Regis are still “actively engaged” in a potential rebuild scheme. The WTW-Scott group is currently working on the fourth set of design proposals, to achieve a rebuild scheme is both financially and architecturally viable.

LYME Regis lifeboat crew answered its 40th emergency call of the year over the Christmas period. The volunteer crew were called out on Thursday, December 27 following reports of what appeared to be two drifting kayaks a mile and a half to the east of the town’s harbour.

Photo by Seb Cope

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Candles raises more than £10k for charities THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has donated more than £10,000 to local organisations following this year’s Candles On The Cobb event. Half of the proceeds – equating to £5,050 – were donated to the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion earlier this year and the remaining half has now been split between 14 local youth organisations.

Photo by Ben Kapur

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the latest from Lyme Regis

FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE

Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community What a way to start the New Year!

Appointments made to new Dorset Council THE Shadow Dorset Council has announced four appointments to the new Dorset Council’s senior leadership team. The Shadow Council considered recommendations for the statutory Section 151 and Monitoring Officer roles of the new unitary Dorset Council, which will come into force in May 2019, replacing the existing county and district councils.

Resident calls for further repair to cemetery chapels LYME Regis resident Rachael Pope has called for the town council to take more action in repairing and restoring its cemetery chapels. Work has recently taken place to repair the roof and address the issue of water ingress in one of the chapels but Ms Pope argued that more work was required, and suggested opening the chapels to the public with an information board about their history.

CHRISTMAS and New Year seems to pass by quicker every year.

Weeks and weeks of build-up and then it’s all over in a flash.

As I wrote in my last column before the Christmas break, my family and I spent the holiday in Galway, visiting my sister and her husband.

Galway is a lively, social city full of festive cheer. The streets were absolutely packed with shoppers during the last few days before Christmas, and Salthill Prom was full of families on Boxing Day - or St Stephen’s Day as it’s better known in Ireland - walking off the turkey with many children taking their new scooters and bikes out for a spin.

I’m sure it was a similar sight on Lyme’s seafront.

Talking about packed crowds, have you ever seen Lyme so busy on New Year’s Day? I left home and made my way along the River Lim to the start of the duck race just before 12noon and couldn’t quite believe the hoards of people heading in the same direction.

It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen for a duck race and, walking down to the seafront afterwards for the annual Lyme Lunge, it just seemed to get busier and busier!

The crowds must have rivalled those seen on Red Arrows Day. What a great way to kick off 2019 - glorious sunshine and 600 swimmers splashing around in the sea. I waded out in my wellies to take some photos but that’s as far as it went. More than one person joked,

“you’ll have to go in next time!”

Maybe one year but no promises!

Dad and I met for lunch after the Lunge but decided it would be near impossible to get in anywhere along the seafront so we headed back into town and grabbed the last free table at the Pilot Boat.

It must have been a great start to the year for Lyme’s traders with some reports of restaurants even running out of food as they were caught off guard by the number of visitors. Let’s hope it’s an early sign of another successful season.

Of course, such busy days take a toll on Lyme’s infrastructure, with the age-old problem of parking debated on social media once again.

But with Christmas holidays now coming to a close, residents can take a breather during Lyme’s quietest period of the year.

The town really has become an allyear-round resort but January and February seem to be the most peaceful months. If you’re looking for things to keep you busy, take a look at the What’s On section on the LymeOnline website, regularly updated with all the upcoming events, or you can even browse our directory of local organisations if you’re thinking of taking up a new hobby!

Francesca Evans, Editor

N E W LO O K

BEM for Axminster community stalwart

RNLI wellie dog given family for Christmas

AXMINSTER community champion John Jeffery has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List. Mr Jeffery, an Honorary East Devon Alderman and former Mayor of Axminster, has been awarded the honour for his exemplary services to the community of his home town.

ONE of the most popular features on the Cobb in Lyme Regis – the dog created from worn-out lifeboat wellies – celebrated a happy event just in time for Christmas. The novel attraction outside the RNLI shop has now become a family of three thanks to the original dog’s creator, longserving lifeboat crew member Garry Gibbs.

Comedy Club back at Marine Theatre for New Year STUART Goldsmith, a “charming, expert stand-up” famed for ‘The Comedian’s Comedian’ podcast, is the headline act of the next Lyme Regis Comedy Club.

Stuart started his career as a street performer, moving on to stand-up comedy. In addition to his stand-up credentials, recent years have seen Stuart build a reputation as a highly skilled interviewer and engaging host.

Dan Evans and Sandi Smith are also on the bill, alongside resident compere Tom Glover.

The comedy club will be held at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Saturday, January 19 with doors opening at 7pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door with 10 per cent off for Theatre Friends. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

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LYME MATTERS with Philip Evans Essential reading for all those with Lyme at heart

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philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Time to come together as a town as well as a country I

AM sure I am not the only one tip-toeing into 2019 with a thorough disgust of our political leaders and parliamentarians.

I can’t recall a time in my life when I felt so disillusioned by politics and those who practice this dark art.

And also for the first time, if there was an election tomorrow morning, I just don’t know for whom I would vote.

The sheer arrogance of our MPs and their manoeuvring for their own inflated egos makes me want to...well, I better not go any further.

The most morally abhorrent sight of hitherto unknown political nonentities being given positions of influence in our Brexit negotiations, bailing out when things really got tough and then having the sheer audacity to believe they could become Prime Minister, well that takes some swallowing.

I believe the country has been let

down by politicians of all shades as the very real possibility of exiting Europe without a deal becomes ever likely.

This country deserves better.

I’ve never been an admirer of the European Union since the day I was invited to participate in a debate in Luxemburg on electronic publishing, attended by 600 delegates who were coralled in the most expensive hotel in town and lavished with mountains of food and parting gifts.

The experience was not helped by the fact my luggage got lost by the airline and I had to attend a black-tie event wearing a checked sports jacket!

This was followed by a trip to Cape Town in South Africa where I came across Glenys Kinnock - wife of former Labour leader Neil, anti-Europe when he led the party but took a job with the EU when he abandoned his principals who were also fettered and fed at the best restaurants in town and accommodation at the most expensive hotel on

Traffic: Lyme’s number one issue WE expect traffic chaos in Lyme Regis in August but on New Year’s Day? Surely not?

Lyme’s rocketing popularity as an all-yearround resort and a glorious sunny winter’s day conspired to produce one of the busiest days of the year - in January!

We have to say well done to the Rotary Club for organising another superb Lyme Lunge and thank the 600 brave souls who dipped themselves in the freezing waters of Lyme Bay,

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some unnecessary fact-finding tour. It achieved absolutely nothing, in fact a giant junket.

I never stray into party politics in this column. In an area where you could put a pig up in a blue ribbon, as my Dad often said, and it would win the West Dorset seat, I stand to offend too many.

Whilst I’m sure that leaving the EU without a deal is going to cause huge difficulties and hardship, you know we have stood on our own before. There has to be a coming together of the whole nation. It may be the making of Great Britain.

Likewise, I believe there has to be a coming together of the various factions in this town. We live in one of the most beautiful areas in the country, Lyme is a most generous town in spirit, but in recent times there have been so much negativity, most of which is expressed on social media.

In a long career in which technology has revolutionised my industry, I have had to come to expect that social media is a force for good. But it can also be so divisive.

There is real dissatisfaction among many in this town about the failure of our council to get to grips with some of the more immediate issues. The trading community seems forever upset and an increasing number of local people believe that it’s all about the visitors.

I don’t believe we, here in lovely Lyme Regis, will be immune to Brexit. It could make life a lot tougher for many, in this town as well in the areas where poverty and prejudice are real problems.

We may not have people sleeping on our streets, but there are some families here who struggle greatly to make ends meet.

We must find a way of coming together in this town as well as in this country.

That’s why I support LymeForward, an organisation mainly of volunteers which is doing so much to improve the lot of others via the community lunches, the memory club, the food bank, etc.

Social cohesion is a clumsy expression but the willingness of members of a society to co-operate with each other in order to survive and prosper must be the way forward. If we all gave just one hour a week to help towards this goal, it would make a tremendous difference in 2019.

Here’s one politician I greatly respected TALKING of politicians there was one I had an enormous respect for - Lord Ashdown, former Yeovil MP and leader of the Liberal Democrat Party who died last week.

We were not of the same political persuasion but I admired him greatly after getting to know him when he wrote a column for a group of free papers in Somerset which I managed in the 1980s.

I enjoyed many a lunch with Paddy, including a couple at the House of Commons. He was enormously good company.

After being chosen as leader of the Lib Dems, Paddy invited photographer Richard Austin and I to attend his first party conference at Blackpool.

As this was his maiden conference as party leader there was intense press interest and the foyer of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool was crowded with photographers when he arrived.

As he passed through the throng of flashguns going off, Paddy caught sight of me and Richard and shouted over to us: “Philip and Richard, you are invited to my opening cocktail party tonight. No cameras.”

The other snappers looked as us as if to say “who the hell are they”?

We duly turned up at Paddy’s hotel suite for the cocktail party and Richard, never wishing to miss a photo opportunity, tried to smuggle in a small camera under his raincoat.

But after a bit of a struggle with the doormen, our coats were taken from us. We were the only members of Her Majesty’s Press in the room, but our presence didn’t last long.

helping to raise several thousands of pounds for Dorset County Hospital’s Cancer Appeal.

Lyme just never stops giving.

But I have never seen more people in Lyme over a festive period. The crowd was estimated at 6,000; I think it was many more.

Some compared it with Red Arrows day. Certainly it was a bumper day for the pubs and restaurants. In some places they ran out of food and one restaura-

teur told me it was their busiest day of the year. Again, in January?

But with the staging of the event came the usual traffic chaos with vehicles parked in any space available, blocking residents’ drives and causing the usual mayhem.

There seems no solution to Lyme’s traffic problems. The town council is eagerly awaiting the result of a report that has been commissioned - costing a rumoured £25,000 - but it probably will tell us all the things we already know.

Is there a magical solution we are not aware of?

This year will be a crucial one for the council. There’s an election in May and a new unitary authority to deal with.

Surely the new town council has to look at traffic as its number one priority - or do we resign ourselves to living with this blight for ever?

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IT’S good to see that Lyme’s new Army Cadet Force detachment is up and running in such a short time.

It’s amazing what can be achieved by a group of people who feel they have been dismissed without due consideration when they put their mind to it.

This is exactly how parents felt when the Woodroffe School, without prior consultation, decided to close the former Combined Cadet Force.

It was not the school’s finest hour from a public relations viewpoint.

Lyme had its own Army Cadet Force back in the day, with their own HQ at the hut at the rear of Anning Road which is

After a couple of drinks, Paddy shouted across the room: “Thats it boys. Thank you for coming. We are now going to talk about strategy.”

And we were hustled out of the room. It turned out to be quite a week.

On the first day we were involved in an accident on the way to the conference venue when a car drove into the back of our taxi.

These were before the days of electronic transfer of photographs so Richard had to send his rolls of film by train back to our office in Taunton.

We stayed in a typical bed and breakfast establishment on Blackpool seafront with parking on a slight incline. When Richard came back from the railway station he had left the handbrake of my car off and it gently rolled onto Blackpool seafront bringing the whole tram complex to a halt.

now the depot for the town council’s outside staff.

With Mr White in charge, the detachment was known as ‘Chalkie’s Chindits’ and regularly drilled on the playing field.

The new detachment will meet and drill at Charmouth Tunnel and expect to have around 25/30 members and a sufficient number of potential adult instructors who are currently being trained with Councillor Cheryl Reynolds, the driving force behind the initiative, looking after the administration.

The photo (left) shows the old detachment being put through their paces by - I think - John Curtis in the 1950s.

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Town council formally retracts support for pedestrian crossing COUNCIL REPORTED FOR ‘DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DISABLED’ AFTER CROSSING RE-THINK LYME Regis Town Council has formally retracted its support for a pedestrian crossing in Broad Street, despite pleas from elderly and disabled residents.

Lyme Regis Town Council first requested a pedestrian crossing in 2016 when more than 600 residents signed a petition in favour of the idea.

However, concerns have since been raised about its proposed location between the Pug & Puffin and Joules stores, the potential for traffic congestion and the loss of four or five on-street parking spaces a crossing would cause.

Dorset County Council’s highways officer recommended refusal of the crossing, saying the loss of parking would adversely affect local businesses. But the county’s Regulatory Committee unexpectedly went against the recommendation, instead putting it forward for approval as they felt the benefits of the crossing outweighed the disadvantages.

The proposal is now expected to be taken to Dorset County Council’s Cabinet for a final decision this month.

Despite their initial support for the crossing, several members of the town council expressed concern that it may now be approved.

County councillor Daryl Turner said the town council’s current position on the crossing would be an important consideration for the Cabinet.

An extraordinary meeting of the town council was then called just before Christmas to reconsider the matter, where several people in favour of the crossing spoke in the public forum.

Adrian Robinson, who is visually impaired, made a legal argument for the crossing. He told councillors that the Department of Transport’s best practice document ‘Assessment of Crossings’ states that local authorities should provide facilities which enable disabled people to cross the road safely.

He added that the Single Equality Act 2010 requires an authority to take action when a ‘physical feature’, such as an increase in traffic, puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage.

He added: “A public authority is required to ensure that it eliminates discrimination and foster or encourage good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t.

“Your current indecision has driven a wedge between those who are older, disabled or with pushchairs and the general population.

“You have a lawful pre-emptive duty to eliminate discrimination, if you back track on your previous recommendation, you will unlawfully breach these duties, which you no not have the authority to do.”

Victoria Stocqueler, who suffers mobility problems, said she had travelled to neighbouring towns to go shopping rather than “play chicken” in Broad Street, and Judy and Mike Haines, from Charmouth, wrote a letter to the council saying they had struggled to help elderly relatives across Broad Street.

Lizzie Wiscombe, who is also visually impaired and brought her guide dog to the meeting with her, said she was the first to suggest the idea of the crossing.

She said she found trying to cross the main street in her hometown a “very traumatic experience” and she still required help despite having her guide dog.

“Imagine the courage it takes for me, or anyone like me, to step off the pavement and put my life at risk every time I want to cross the road independently,” she added.

Lyme Regis resident Joan Cool, who is in her 90s, also wrote to the council, commenting: “A stair lift was installed to help any member who was unable to climb the stairs to the council chamber, yet there seems to be a reluctance on the part of the town council to have a pedestrian crossing installed for the general use of the disabled members of the people of Lyme and also

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk the visitors.

“It seems that it is okay to help a councillor but not okay to help members of the public who need to cross Broad Street.”

During their fraught debate, councillors struggled to refrain from interrupting one another, with the mayor having to ask them on several occasions to respect each other when they were speaking, as well as asking the public to be quiet.

Starting the council’s discussion, Councillor Jeff Scowen said he agreed with county councillor Turner, who had suggested that Lyme’s traffic problems needed to be addressed as a whole.

“It’s far too simplistic and premature to just put a crossing in Broad Street,” he added.

“We all wish to look after our disabled citizens, Lyme’s a caring society. It’s not about disadvantaging disabled people, it’s about looking at the whole picture. We could possibly have a crossing, but not until we look at the problem as a whole.”

Councillor Scowen pointed out that results from a comprehensive traffic survey carried out on behalf of the council were imminent, and they should wait for these before taking any action.

Councillor Cheryl Reynolds – who led a petition for the crossing which gained more than 600 signatures – asked: “How long have we been waiting to get the traffic sorted out in Lyme? I rest my case.”

She continued: “How many towns and even villages do you now without any pedestrian crossings? Lyme Regis has a large percentage of elderly people; in fact 50.2 per cent over twice the national average and 23.8 per cent of the population is disabled. Elderly people tend to have mobility and other health issue problems that make crossing the street a feat in itself.

“Those with mobility issues, visual impairment or lacking in confidence will not be able to cross the road easily and, for them, the sheer number and frequency of vehicles makes crossing almost impossible.

“And don’t forget that for much of Broad Street there is a raised footway on the southern side making it very difficult for the less agile to cross quickly and, potentially, leaving them trapped in the carriageway.”

Protecting vulnerable people Councillor Reynolds went on to dismiss arguments regarding the potential traffic congestion a crossing could cause, pointing out that Dorset County Council’s highways officer said this would not be a concern.

“There will always be traffic build up in the summer that is inevitable. Pedestrian crossings always cause some delay but is that an excuse for not protecting vulnerable people?” she asked.

Councillor Reynolds also argued that the loss of four or five on-street parking spaces caused by the crossing could be alleviated by moving the Broad Street bus stop further up the road to its original position – something the town council has been trying to achieve for years – which would make space for additional parking spaces.

Dorset County Council has now agreed to look into this.

She added: “Does the loss of spaces or the traffic tailback or indeed any of it, compare to what disabled and the elderly face when crossing the road?”

Councillor Brian Larcombe said he had sympathy with the partially sighted and less mobile members of our society, but it was “nonsense” to suggest that Lyme needed a crossing just because other towns and villages had one.

He also argued that the loss of on-street parking would not be made up by the bus stop being moved, as he believed this would only create two additional spaces.

He added: “Those spaces in the town are used by the less mobile and partially sighted passengers of cars. It allows them to park right outside

the shops they wish to use. I suggest that this simplistic idea actually is damaging to the less mobile and partially sighted by removing those very valuable parking spaces.”

Councillor Larcombe questioned how much the crossing would actually be used, suggesting that pedestrians would not walk half way up or down the hill to get to the other side.

He added that the DCC highways officer had deemed the area “low risk” and said it would be “remiss” of the council not to wait for the results of the traffic survey.

Councillor Larcombe finished by saying he had sympathy with the disabled but his comments received jeers from the public gallery.

Councillor Stan Williams expressed concern that the council had only heard one side of the argument from the public gallery, and said he felt local traders should have been invited to the meeting to put forward their case.

He said this was “dreadfully unfair” and the council shouldn’t make a decision before hearing from all interested parties. However, he agreed that they should wait for the results of the traffic survey.

Councillor Owen Lovell also said that if Lyme Regis was going to get a pedestrian crossing, it should be part of a major traffic scheme.

He said that Dorset County Council “won’t like it because it will cost money” but they should continue pushing for an overall traffic scheme similar to that implemented in Dorchester.

Councillor Steve Miller said he had spoken to 35 Broad Street businesses and the majority of them were not against the pedestrian crossing.

He said there was some concern about loss of parking, but traders were willing to see what happens and were concerned about safety of pedestrians.

Councillor Richard Doney said he understood the desire to have an overall solution to Lyme’s traffic problems, but any solutions suggested in the traffic survey would not be implemented anytime soon.

“As a public body I think we have a duty to help people who fund disadvantages in the society we have created for them,” he added.

“We have been through this twice before and made a decision, and I have not heard any new information tonight that says we were wrong.”

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, said she had concerns about the location of the crossing and she would have liked to have the results of the traffic survey, but she added: “Council has already made a decision so I think we should stick with that and see where it goes.”

Councillors took some time to put forward an acceptable proposal, but it was eventually agreed to retract support for the pedestrian crossing.

Those voting against the crossing were Stan Williams, Owen Lovell, Graham Turner, Sean Larcombe. Pat Hicks, Brian Larcombe and Jeff Scowen. Those in favour of it were Richard Doney, Cheryl Reynolds, Steve Miller and Michaela Ellis.

Following the meeting, Mr Robinson who spoke in the public forum, contacted LymeOnline to say he had submitted a formal complaint of indirect discrimination against the council on the grounds of disability.

He said the council was guilty of not carrying out its duty of care and, in failing to carry out its duties correctly, was also guilty of maladministration.

A final decision on the crossing is expected to be made by Dorset County Council Cabinet this month.

Musician and conductor wins award at band’s annual concert MUSICIAN and conductor David Tozer was honoured with the Gordon Broom Memorial Shield at Lyme Regis Town Band’s annual Christmas concert.

The concert was held in December at the Woodmead Halls, where guests included the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and Stuart Broom, son of one of band’s founding members, the late Gordon Broom, who presented the trophy in memory of his father.

Mr Broom said it was fitting that this year’s winner was David, who was doing a “fantastic job” of conducting and compering the band’s concert that afternoon.

David started playing when he was seven years old, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who played baritone in St Swithun’s Band in Bridport.

He started taking lessons at school and began playing both cornet and French horn with various bands, including principal cornet with St Swithun’s.

He joined Lyme Regis Town Band in 2012, playing soprano cornet for one year and returning to play solo cornet four years later, when he moved closer to the area.

In September 2017 David took charge of the training band, encouraging and helping young musicians to play brass instruments.

Proving his versatility and wide range of music ability, David then took responsibility for conducting the band from September 2018 when musical director Brian Scott needed to step into the breach and fill a temporary vacancy in the trombone section.

David compered the afternoon’s entertain-

STUART Broom (right) presents the Gordon Broom Memorial Shield in memory of his father to musician and conductor David Tozer ment, which included traditional and modern festive numbers, a sing-along section of favourite carols and performances from guest artists, poet David Ruffle, and barbershop quartet The Four Tune Tellers, from All Saints.

The town band’s training band also entertained with several Christmas numbers.

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Town council being ‘ripped Council to refurbish Guildhall Cottage off’ over winter boat storage A TOWN councillor has said Lyme Regis is being “ripped off” by West Dorset District Council over its winter boat storage arrangements at Monmouth Beach.

Every winter, the town council allows West Dorset District Council to use the far end of Monmouth Beach car park for boat storage, renting out space to boat owners per metre.

The arrangement results in a loss of car parking income for the town council, estimated to be in excess of £5,000.

Last year, the town council charged West Dorset £3,500 for use of the car park, and the district council was thought to have made about £4,000 by charging £47.50 per metre for boats.

However, this year the district council has increased its charges by 21 per cent to £57.50 per metre. Town councillors have expressed concern about the increased cost and the amount of space being used.

Speaking at a recent meeting, Councillor Stan Williams said there were 26 boats measuring a total of 200 metres currently being stores in the car park, which equated to £11,680 under West Dorset’s new charges.

“That doesn’t include all the junk they have left there, a very big trailer and 30 dinghy racks. There’s virtually no parking left,” he added.

“We are being ripped off. I’m all for them putting the boats there but not all the other junk.

“They have increased their charges considerably, they are making a lot of money out of this and we, as a council, need to look after our council taxpayers and we should get a fair share. We are being robbed blind.”

Councillor Brian Larcombe also expressed concerns, saying an increase of 21 per cent was “horrendous”.

‘Profiting at our expense’

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“The district council should pass to us the money they collect. It’s our car park, our spaces, our remuneration, the money should come back to us. They are profiting at our expense, which is all wrong.”

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, said that the money made by West Dorset was probably being spent back in Lyme Regis harbour.

“We need to be allowing them to do this, this council supports the fact that we have a working harbour,” she added.

However, Councillor Derek Hallett argued that the district council didn’t need to make any money for the harbour as it “pays for itself”.

He added: “We shouldn’t let them make money out of us. It’s a good idea to help everyone out but we shouldn’t be the loser.”

Councillor Ellis proposed the town council increase its charge for use of the car park from £3,500 to £4,234 – in line with the district’s 21 per cent increase. However, her motion failed to win support.

Councillor Williams added: “We are responsible to the council taxpayers of Lyme Regis and no one of this council seems to want to listen to them at all.”

Councillor Larcombe commented: “It’s one thing having the boats there but all these racks as well, it’s taking up the whole car park.

Who is managing this?

“These people are taking the proverbial and the measly figure we’re getting is of no reflection of the kind of income we have lost because of this.”

Councillor Larcombe proposed charging the district council £5,750 plus VAT for use of the car park, which was agreed.

LYME Regis Town Council has thrown out suggestions of moving its staff to new office accommodation, and instead will focus on improving current facilities at Guildhall Cottage.

Councillors discussed the issue of office accommodation at a recent Human Resources Committee, when Councillor Steve Miller put forward the idea of moving into Broad Street premises previously occupied by Lloyds Bank.

Councillor Miller said this would provide a modern space in the centre of town, and rental costs were advantageous for Lyme Regis high street. He also said these costs could be further off-set by converting Guildhall Cottage in Bridge Street into residential accommodation.

Councillor Sean Larcombe argued it would be a “waste of money” to rent the Broad Street premises and suggested the £100,000 earmarked in the budget for this would be better spent on refurbishing the existing office accommodation, expanding into the Tourist Information Centre downstairs, which the town council is expected to take ownership of when the new unitary authority comes into force next year.

Councillor Brian Larcombe said he had previously suggested that the council could move

into the former Three Cups Hotel when it was renovated, but he now agreed with Councillor Sean Larcombe’s proposal.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, said she didn’t think staff would be able to remain in the current office while it was being refurbished, and moving to the former Lloyds building would save money in the long run, taking into account the opportunity to sell Guildhall Cottage.

Town clerk John Wright also warned councillors that undertaking a refurbishment would be a major building project and it would be difficult for staff to deliver services when working in a building site. Someone would also need to be employed as project manager.

However, councillors agreed not to pursue the opportunities to move into either the former Lloyds building or Three Cups Hotel, and instead to refurbish the existing office with expansion into the Tourist Information Centre.

Councillor Owen Lovell suggested the refurbishment should also include the Mayor’s Parlour, which he described as the “most underused” part of the entire Guildhall and adjoining offices.

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The BIG Breakfast

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Hallett Court holds bumper festive draw THOSE who attend the weekly coffee mornings at Hallett Court in Lyme Regis were treated to a bumper festive draw just before Christmas. A record number of prizes totalling 135 were on offer, including hampers, chocolates, cuddly toys and lots more. Coffee mornings are held every Wednesday in the community room at Hallett Court in Queen’s Walk from 10am, where residents can socialise and enjoy refreshments and the weekly draws together.

Special raffles are held every Easter and Christmas and social trips are also organised regularly.

All are welcome to attend.

■ ONE of the most successful duck races Lyme Regis has ever seen was held on New Year’s Day. A huge crowd lined the River Lim to cheer on their ducks, with more than 900 entries competing for cash prizes for first, second and third places, plus the last duck home. Members of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew started the race and ushered the ducks along the river, and the prizes were handed out at the end by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, accompanied by her husband Alan Ellis and town crier Alan Vian. The event was held in aid of Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee.

■ LYME Regis Baptist Church was adorned with Christmas trees over the festive period, with 27 local organisations taking part in the annual Christmas Tree Festival. Now in its eleventh year, the festival - organised jointly by Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee and the Baptist Church - has grown in popularity and attracted more than 500 visitors over the weekend in December. Many organisations taking part leave collection tins under their trees with visitors making donations to their favourite cause.

If you have a story call the LymeOnline team on 01297 442781

Percy’s legacy - views of Lyme which have never been seen

PERCY BIRD was an extraordinary man. By day he worked on the railways - but in his spare time he developed brilliant photography skills, recording the events and views of Lyme Regis, most from between 1930 and 1950 which have never been seen - until now.

A collection of Percy’s fantastic work will be shown at the Woodmead Halls on Sunday, February 10, starting at 2.30pm in a presentation sponsored and organised by LymeOnline.

The event has the full support of Percy’s family with proceeds from the entrance fee being donated to charity.

A commentary on Percy’s ‘Bird’s Eye View’ will be given

by Ken Gollop, famous in Lyme for his hugely popular ‘Under Shady Tree’ presentations.

Award-winning local photographer Richard Austin will also be present to comment on Percy’s photographic skills.

Percy’s collection of more than 800 glass negatives of local views and scenes, hitherto unseen, were discovered by his grandson, Rob Wheeler, when clearing out the roof of the family home at the bottom of Hill Road where Percy spent the last years of a fascinating life.

Rob, a keen and talented photographer himself, has painstakingly reproduced prints from the negatives and brought them to our attention.

We contacted Mr Gollop, who has built up a collection of local photographs for Lyme Regis Museum, and he was staggered by the number and quality of

Percy’s work. Richard Austin was also highly impressed by the technical quality of Percy’s work, bearing in mind the unsophisticated photographic kit of those days.

So with Rob’s approval and that of his family, we have decided to show a selection of Percy’s work under the title of ‘Bird’s Eye View’ at the Woodmead Halls on February 10.

And there was another fascinating aspect to Percy’s life. Always immaculately dressed, he also collected telescopes and musical squeeze boxes and rode a classic motorcycle. His family were blissfully unaware of most of this.

Percy Bird was born in Kings Nympton. His parents were Henry and Annie Bird, who worked for Lord and Lady Rolle at Bicton Gardens. Henry was a groundsman and gamekeeper.

Lord and Lady Rolle recommended Percy for a job on the railway when he was 15 yearsold.

He started off as a steam engine cleaner and worked himself up to a steam engine driver. He drove the main line Exeter to Waterloo for some time.

He married May Cozens, daughter of Charles George Cozens and Bertha Ash Hill (Cozens) in 1913.

Percy and May moved to Exeter where Percy worked and had children - Charlie, who was born in Uplyme; then Bill, Jack, Clifford, Sheila (later to marry Lyme builder Sam Wheeler), and Joan who still lives in Lyme. They also had two other

boys George and Lesley, who died very young.

Percy and May decided to move back to Lyme to live and had a house built in Colway Lane called Belvedere. In 1936 Sheila and Joan were sent on there own to travel by train to move to Lyme. Sheila was nine years old and Joan was four.

They stayed with a sister of May, Effie Love, who lived with Bert in Corporation Terrace (now Lym Close). Percy, May and Clifford moved soon after their new house was built.

Percy then drove the steam engine on the Lyme to Axminster branch line.

Percy had a few other hobbies including high powered telescopes, playing the concertina, mouth organ and cello and other instruments and he also liked top-of-the range motorcycles. He always had a camera in his hand and developed his own pictures and specialised in stereo glass slides and the viewing equipment which was in 3D even at that early time. He developed many of his pictures under the stairs at Belvedere.

Percy took early retirement in 1948 because of heart trouble.

He sold Belvedere and got a caravan in Devon which was transported to Les Feltham’s field in Haye Lane most summers.

When Percy got older he moved to to Sheila and Sam’s house in Mill Green Court where Mrs Wheeler looked after him in a little garden flat. He died in 1978.

‘Bird’s Eye View’, Woodmead Halls, February 10, 2.30pm

’ IEW Exhibition & of th t n pho

Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis Sunday February10th 2019 at 2.30 pm Commentary by Ken Gollop Sponsorred by LymeOnliine

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Senior citizens enjoy annual Christmas lunch SENIOR citizens from Lyme Regis tucked into a traditional festive meal at the annual Overs 70s Christmas Lunch.

The lunch was held at the Woodmead Halls on Saturday, December 15, with more than 70 residents attending.

Guests were welcomed by the chairman of the Over 70s Christmas Lunch Committee, Councillor Owen Lovell, and grace was said by the Reverend Keith Vivian.

Diners then enjoyed a traditional meal of soup, roast turkey and all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding, prepared by local caterer Laurie Statham and volunteers.

Entertainment was provided by The Kroft Originals and Father Christmas even made an appearance, giving everyone a gift before going home.

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Christmas Day swim raises £1,500 for RNLI Photos by Richard Austin and Richard Horobin A GLOOMY Christmas Day morning did nothing to deter spectators and swimmers at the annual fancy dress swim in Charmouth.

Crazy and colourful costumes were on display, while generous donations were made to the RNLI, which organises the annual event.

An estimated 300 people watched as dozens of swimmers – Santas, skeletons, elves and vicars among them – charged into the chilly waves as Lyme Regis town crier Alan Vian announced the start of the popular event.

At least £1,500 was raised for the RNLI and the event was supported by the landlords of Charmouth’s Royal Oak pub, Matthew and Sue Bracey, who supplied warming mulled wine for the courageous swimmers.

LYME Regis lifeboat crew were on hand to keep swimmers safe at the RNLI fundraiser

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Biggest ever turnout for Lyme Lunge A RECORD number of both participants and spectators turned out for the annual Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day. The seafront was packed for the fundraising event, organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis.

Some 600 swimmers dashed into the sea for a refreshing dip on Lyme Regis beach, watched by huge crowds estimated at about 6,000.

The event started with swimmers parading around the beach to show off their fancy dress

costumes, led by town crier Alan Vian and president of the Rotary Club, Peter Fortnam, dressed as Donald Trump (pictured below).

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, then officially started the Lunge, with swimmers sprinting across the sand and splashing into the sea.

Collections on the day raised £2,834.89 for the Rotary’s chosen charity - the Dorset County Hospital Cancer Appeal - with sponsorship still to be collected.

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Lyme celebrates Christmas at Carols Round the Tree

THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis hosted its traditional Carols Round the Tree event just before Christmas. The event is one of Lyme Regis’ longest-running festive traditions and a favourite with local residents and visitors alike. Broad Street was closed to traffic for the first time for this year’s carol service, with a huge crowd packing the street as they gathered around the Christmas tree. Carols were announced by town crier Alan Vian and accompanied by Lyme Regis Town Band, and hot soup was provided during the interval by the Royal Lion Hotel. Donations collected on the night, along with two street collections held in the run up to Christmas in Lyme Regis and Charmouth, came to a total of £1,401 for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Wilde time to be had on Wednesdays STARTING on January 23, the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis will be hosting regular screenings of Oscar Wilde plays that were performed in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre.

The season starts with ‘A Woman Of No Importance’ (pictured top right) in which an earnest young American woman, a louche English lord and an innocent young chap join a house party of fin de siècle fools and grotesques.

First performed in 1893, Oscar Wilde’s marriage of wit and drama satirised the world of the Victorian upper class, creating a vivid new theatrical voice which still resonates today.

Directed by Kathy Burke and starring Jennifer Saunders, the series continues with ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ (pictured bottom right) on February 24.

March sees the return of Oscar Wilde’s hugely popular masterpiece ‘An Ideal Husband’. It stars Olivier Award-nominated Frances Barber (Silk), and Susan Hampshire (Forsyte Saga, Monarch of the Glen).

Tickets for the screenings start from £5. For full details of ‘Wilde Wednesdays’ visit the Marine Theatre website www.marinetheatre.com or call 01297 442138.

Iconic hits of Barbara Streisand to be performed at the Marine THE iconic sound of a legend in music and film is brought to life in a brand new production touring theatres across the country.

Singer Jillian Winter will perform Barbra Streisand’s songs with a full live band at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. Expect to hear all the hits – ‘Send In The Clowns’, ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’, ‘Woman In Love’, ‘Evergreen’, ‘Tell Him’, ‘The Way We Were’, and many more.

Jillian first became fascinated by Barbra’s talents as a teenager.

“I saw Funny Girl when I was about 19 and I was shocked! Barbra’s voice had a raw clear power that just brought me to tears” she said.

“At the time my voice was very timid though, so I never dreamt then that I could ever sing like her but I desired it very much.

“Then a couple of years ago I’d had a bit to drink at an evening in with the girls, and a couple of us were Barbra lovers, so we put on a CD and started singing.

“I sang along and the others told me I could sing like her. It was by no means a polished performance but it lit a fire to sing Barbra’s songs and do them proud.”

When asked what it is about Barbra that she loves so much, Jillian added: “I love her honesty, her sensitivity and shyness. I love her strength and her drive and her tenacity.

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Music kicks offf around 8.30pm

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“She has some all time legendary performances recorded both live and in the studio, she has mastered her voice and cultivated her talent through six decades and that deserves massive respect.”

Jillian will be covering Barbra’s material from the 1960s and 1970s.

Complete with the depth of double bass, keys, and violin – this will be an evening of music not to be missed by Barbra’s fans.

The show will be held at the Marine Theatre on Saturday, February 16 with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets cost £17 in advance or £21 on the door, with 10 per cent off for Theatre Friends. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit the website www.marinetheatre.com

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

World class music from Wales and beyond

Focus on photography

‘ALAW’ is Welsh for melody and it is a love of melody that is at the heart of this outstanding trio, who will be visiting Dorset during January.

Drawing on a great wealth of musical experiences, ALAW will take their audiences on a musical journey, with a tune brought back from a tour in Bulgaria or collaboration in India; at the heart of their set is a passion for the old tunes of Wales.

From the elegant to the virtuoso, the three musicians play with an empathy that comes from many years of collaboration in concerts across Dorset, organised by Artsreach.

From stirring songs to driving jigs, ALAW

INSPIRED by several successful photographic exhibitions held in 2018 and by the number of talented photographers in the region, the Town Mill in Lyme Regis will host a wintertime showcase of recent work by nine Dorset and Devon-based photographers, including John Marriage, Tom Gladstone, Moya Paul, Pete Hackett, Terry Jeavons, Tricia Scott and Roger and Daniele Bradley.

Visitors can expect to enjoy a range of different styles and photographic techniques, as well as different subjects, in this show at the Courtyard Gallery from January 5 to February 3. The exhibition, entitled ‘Focussed’, will be open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm and admission is free.

This month at the Marine Catch up with Lyme’s Little Theatre by the Sea

DON’T ask about my car, okay? Just don’t ask. I was en route to a spa break in Bournemouth when a fuel injector went, then less than three weeks later the pipe that goes into the injector went.

I am minded of the ‘bad things happen in threes’ superstition but I’m really not superstitious and, anyway, I put it down to saying ‘Macbeth’ as I walked across the Marine auditorium.

Talking of Shakespeare, we had some VIPs who dropped by to say hello; one of the UK’s greatest actors, Oliver Ford Davies, he of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Star Wars’, and a couple of days later Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan. It was a little surreal chatting about grass cuttings and Storm Diana with people who are used to hobnobbing with Hollywood A-listers, but that’s what makes our patrons so very special.

The three of us (that’s Gabby, John and yours truly, not Oliver, Ian and me) went up to London for the NTL exhibitors’ day. We stayed in an Airbnb which was great except for the bathroom incident.

I was first in for a quick wash ‘n brush-up before we headed out to Ronnie Scott’s to see Pee Wee Ellis and after several minutes of trying to unlock the door and panicking just a little, John came to my rescue with a screwdriver, penknife and eventually the flat end of a spoon to get me out. We later found the warning not to lock the bathroom door on a scrap of paper under some magazines.

The Marine Players’ performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ was brilliant. Their rendition of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ was worthy of an Oscar. They’re back in the spring so keep an eye on our programme.

And what an eye-wateringly fabulous programme we have lined up for you. Our brochure launch party in December was the best yet with the great and the good of Lyme Regis. A few programme highlights include the film Peterloo, multi-instrumentalist and singer

David Ford and one I’m definitely not going to miss, The South with The Beautiful South’s exsinger Alison Wheeler.

Anyway, how was your Christmas and New Year? Did you over-indulge?

I started as I meant to go on with Jazz Jurassica’s Julie Sheppard’s Chrimbo soiree. If you are ever offered one of her margarita’s, just be ready for the consequences, and no, it was nothing to do with me joining the TIC lot in the Pilot Boat afterwards #nuffsaid Then there was the Lyme Regis Development Trust’s lunchtime buffet at The Hub with some familiar faces and a few new ones so a great networking opportunity. ‘Networking’… is that still a thing or has it been usurped by faceless digital marketing including ‘SoLoMo’ and ‘Real-time Engagement’?

The other main event was the firm’s Christmas party when the ladies dressed to kill, bar manager Claire Jillings’ shoes were spectacular. Back in my City days there were always tales to tell post-Christmas party, it goes with the territory and red faces on a Monday morning, but I’ve never been one to gossip. However, I do recall trying to improve Gabby’s whiskey/prosecco cocktail with a sachet of brown sugar we found in the bar store… it didn’t and I haven’t yet formally apologised to the town clerk but then maybe he didn’t recognise my party face.

I’m planning to make a big splash at the Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day, quite literally.

I raided the theatre prop-box and will be sporting a yellow wig and red Marine theatre t-shirt.

I may as well start 2019 as I mean to go on, hopefully I won’t have to make too many apologies along the way, especially if I’m in disguise.

Sophia Moseley,

Theatre Manager

communicate their music with relaxed humour and a genuine affection that is truly infectious. Expect an evening of joyful and life affirming music to start the new Artsreach season.

Tickets available on the door at Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, near Charmouth, on Thursday, January 10, starting at 7.30pm or call 01297 560948.

Other performances will be held in Langton Matravers Village Hall, Child Okeford Village Hall and Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall.

For full details visit www.alaw-band.com or www.artsreach.co.uk

What’s on...

Sunday, January 6

Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.

Monday, January 7

Football Club Cash Bingo Lyme Regis Football Club, 7.30pm Cash bingo in aid of Lyme Regis Football Club, held on the first Monday of every month. Eyes down 7.30pm, book of six for 10 games costs £4.20.

Thursday, January 10

Flying Solo Uplyme Church, 3.30pm This is a friendly, supportive, open group for anyone who has been a single parent and their children to chat, discover resources and build friendships with others who understand the complexities of single parenthood.

Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association.

Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for the winner plus £100 jackpot prize!

Friday, January 11

Talk: ‘A Year Through My Lens’ Woodmead Halls, 10am Charlie Wheeler gives a talk photographing swans at Abbotsbury Swannery for the past 13 years, organised by the Heritage Coast branch of the U3A. Doors open at 10am for tea and coffee with the talk at 11am. Entry free for U3A members or £2 for non-members.

Sunday, January 13

The Sunday Sessions Marine Theatre, 3pm A post-roast music session in the Marine Theatre bar overlooking the Cobb, hosted by Street & Matthews, who are joined by other guests, with a selection of local drinks. Free entry, please note this event is upstairs and has limited seating.

Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.

Monday, January 14

Screening: Met Opera’s ‘Adriana LeCouvreur’ Marine Theatre, 5pm Screened from New York, soprano Anna Netre-

Send your diary dates to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk www.lyme-online.co.uk/events

bko sings in the title role based on the eighteenthcentury actress whose real-life intrigues inspired Cilea’s tragic opera. Tickets £15 for adults or £5 for under 18s - visit www.marinetheatre.com or call 01297 442138. Duration: 213 minutes including interval. Doors open 4.55pm for 5.55pm start.

Tuesday, January 15

Screening: ‘The Tragedy of King Richard II’ Marine Theatre, 6pm Broadcast live from the Almeida Theatre in London, Simon Russell Beale leads in Shakespeare’s play about the limits of power. Tickets £11 in advance or £14 on the door for adults, or £5 for under 18s - call 01297 442139 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 6pm for 7pm start.

Thursday, January 17

Meet & Remember Penny Black Café, 2.30pm Memory Café to provide a supportive, friendly environment for those experiencing memory loss or who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and friends/relatives/carers who support them.

Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association.

Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for the winner plus £100 jackpot prize!

Tuesday, January 15

Film Screening & Talk: ‘The Last Witness’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm A Q&A and screening with director Piotr Szkopiak and producer Carol Harding. Set in 1947, and starring Michael Gambon, the film is about a journalist who risks his life to uncover the identity of an Eastern European refugee and his connection to one of Stalin’s most notorious crimes. Tickets £6 in advance or £8 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 6.30pm for 7.30pm start.

Saturday, January 19

Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm This edition is headlined by Stuart Goldsmith, famed for the ‘Comedian’s Comedian’ podcast which shines a light on his fellow comics. He’s joined by three other comedians including resident compere Tom Glover in this great value night out. Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 7pm for 8pm start.

Regular Fossil Walks will be held at Lyme Regis Museum throughout January - for dates, time and full details visit www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

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Students practice outdoor cooking ahead of expedition

Experiencing Chinese culture

STUDENTS from the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis have been preparing for their Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition with weekly training sessions.

Training for the expedition in spring has included how to safely use a Trangia stove and how to plan what food to take to ensure they are eating healthily.

Mrs Vincent, Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator for the school, said: “We looked into which foods contain high energy that will replace the many calories they will burn off over the expedition.

“They will have to carry all their food with them and will have no access to refrigeration, so all food must be able to stay fresh at room temperature. There were many pesto pasta meals tested out and students were excited about the thought of bringing their homemade flapjacks!

“Experimentation is hugely encouraged and

we try to steer them away from the lure of ration pack style, ‘boil in the bags’, to allow them to widen their ability and scope and to get them thinking about cooking good, fresh food.

“It is good to see many of the Year 9 students getting well underway with their sections and I am enjoying getting to know them at our regular meetings and clinics.

“As we get towards the summer term I am hoping that many of them will have finished their physical, volunteering and skills sections and will be ready to start their expedition training.”

The school would like to congratulate the following students for achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Awards: Silver Award – Amelia Dare, Maisie McCarthy, Louis Rood, Bella Taylor, Ben Clayton, Phoenix Veal, Evie Trafford, Rose Trafford, Jess Leat.

Bronze Award – Robert Shepherd.

Pupils compete in maths challenge SIXTH form students from the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis recently competed in the Regional Senior Maths Team Challenge.

Tom, Polly, Chet and Jamie travelled to Exmouth Community College for the event and competed in three rounds of testing maths team competitions.

Head of maths at Woodroffe, Dr Kelly, said: “They had to answer questions under time pressure and compete in a cross-number round where one pair had the ‘across’ clues and the other pair had the ‘down’ clues, and both needed the other pair’s answers to complete their own questions.

“The final round was a relay where the answer

from one question had to be passed to the other pair to enable them to answer their question.

Tricky stuff requiring excellent communication as well as speed and accuracy.

“They were very successful in the first two rounds and only fell back in the relay round, coming a very respectable 17th overall.”

YEAR 7 pupils from the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis joined 200 Mandarin Excellence Programme students for China Day, organised

by Bay House School in Gosport.

With Woodroffe having announced it was participating in the Department for Education’s national Mandarin Excellence Programme earlier this month, the students were able to take part in a variety of Chinese cultural experiences, including learning martial arts, as well as several indoor pursuits.

In the Chinese calligraphy workshop, the Mandarin students couldn’t wait to practise writing their names in Chinese characters on the special paper, once they had learned the correct way of holding the ink brush.

The experience of hosting a Chinese tea ceremony was definitely different the Dorset cream teas the Woodroffe students may be more used to. However, the highlight of the day was watching the performance of Chinese dances, traditional Chinese musical instruments and the mouth-dropping martial arts from Goldsmiths Confucius Institute for Dance and Performance, London.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Learning Chinese cultures is one of the most fascinating parts in the learning of Mandarin to many students and it is an essential part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme.

“This day was the beginning of a wonderful Chinese adventure to come for all students par-

Getting hands on at River Cottage YEAR 11 food students from the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis recently visited River Cottage HQ at Home Farm, near Axminster.

Staff and students were welcomed by Roly, head of livestock, and Adam, head of the garden, at celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s headquarters.

The students were wrapped up warm in coats and wellies to ward against the gusting winds which whipped across the valley. They were eager to see firsthand, how the working farm keeps within the organic status they have achieved by raising cattle and plants to very high standards.

Students were shown how animal welfare is at the heart of the ethos of the farm and were given the opportunity to feed the Red Devon cattle and the sheep, kept in fields around the main buildings.

A short walk to the cottage garden and poly tunnels allowed the students to see how stock rotation keeps the kitchens at Home Farm stocked with fresh seasonal fruits and vegeta-

bles all year round.

The staff gave an in depth talk on the importance of compost on the farm, how much they use each year, and the best way to produce it.

During a walk through the kitchen garden, students were encouraged to try the yellow raspberries, edible flowers, and the vast array of herbs cultivated in the garden.

The final port of call was to see the hybrid chickens that produce around 30 eggs per day.

Overall it was a very enjoyable and informative experience.

Friday, January 4 2019 17

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LymeForward hosts Christmas lunch LYME Forward hosted its last community lunch of the year just before Christmas.

About 30 residents enjoyed a traditional two-course lunch at Lyme Regis Football Club, including roast turkey and all the trimmings, cooked by Steve Batey of Fossil Food Catering and served by volunteers.

Crackers and serviettes were donated by Tesco.

Following the lunch, guests enjoyed musical entertainment by the Lyme Luggers ukulele group, and then the monthly Meet Remember session, also organised by LymeForward.

Alison Bowskill worked with those who attended Meet Remember to create Christmas table decorations.

The Christmas raffle was then drawn, with

Shirley Williams winning a state of the art personal security alarm, donated by Portcullis Security, and her brother-in-law Stan Williams winning second prize - an aromatherapy massage donated by Aromantique.

The event also marked the retirement of Heather Prior from LymeForward, who has been instrumental in organising the community lunches and Meet Remember sessions.

She thanked all those who had supported both events over the past year.

There will be no community lunch in January but the Meet Remember session will be held at the Penny Black Café, behind the post office, on Thursday, January 17 at 2.30pm. For more information, please contact Chris Tipping on 01297 441224.

RAFFLE winners Shirley and Stan Williams pictured with Nigel from Portcullis Security, Chris Tipping from LymeForward and Cliff Powley as Father Christmas

Lyme resident wins Christmas hamper in magazine competition CHRISTMAS came early for one reader of the Lyme Life Magazine. Queen’s Walk resident Deborah Hunter was delighted to win a hamper full of Christmas goodies worth £100 after entering a competition in the latest issue of the magazine. The popular competition received many entires, with Deborah answering the question of who provides the town’s Christmas tree displayed in Broad Street every year with the correct answer of Penn Farm. She was presented with her prize by magazine editor Francesca Evans (pictured).

The winter edition of the Lyme Life Magazine - produced seasonally by the LymeOnline team is still available to pick for free at many local outlets, or you can read it on the LymeOnline website www. lymeonline.co.uk

NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE CITIZENS Advice has welcomed an announcement from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that it has decided to launch a major probe into the costs of funerals.

In its initial review, the CMA found that the price of a funeral has increased in the last 10 years by more than two thirds, with the normal cost now being between £3,000 and £5,000 which for those on the lowest incomes amounts to nearly 40 per cent of their annual outgoings and is more than their combined spending on food, clothing and energy.

It also concluded that these price hikes do not appear to be justified either by rising costs or quality improvements.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “People organising a funeral are being exploited at one of the most emotional and stressful times in their lives. Huge upfront costs and unclear fees are far too common, with thousands of pounds of ‘extras’ regularly added to bills.

“We help thousands of people each year who struggle to work out over-complicated fees or who simply cannot afford the cost. It’s encouraging to see the CMA taking action in markets where it sees evidence of consumers being ripped off on a massive scale.”

Local offices of Citizens Advice are expecting to be particularly busy over the next few weeks. Many people are continuing to seek help with difficulties they are facing with Universal Credit, the new benefits system that has recently been introduced, and after Christmas there is normally a significant increase in the numbers asking for assistance in sorting out their financial problems.

Rovarn Wickremasinghe, manager of Bridport and District Citizens Advice, commented: “In the second half of January we normally experience growing demand for debt advice.

“Christmas, in particular, can take a heavy toll on people already struggling with money problems. But it is important that if you are in

this situation you take action to prevent this becoming a crisis. Problems can be taken care of much more easily if you seek advice early.

“This is a good time to get on top of your debts, cut your costs and work out a plan to budget better in the future. Our advisers can help review your situation so you can make decisions to improve your financial security.”

Help can be offered with a wide variety of debt concerns with the most common problem being where people have fallen behind with their council tax payments. Citizens Advice wants all councils to commit to fair and effective debt collection of council tax along the lines of the policy/protocol operated by West Dorset District Council for assisting vulnerable people.

It says that budget constraints mean councils face significant pressure to collect all the money owed but that collection processes can be improved, with costs reduced, where local authorities and advice agencies, such as Citizens Advice, work closely together.

Anyone is welcome to visit Citizens Advice even if they do not have an appointment, and the advice that will be provided will always be free, confidential and impartial. In Lyme Regis two advice sessions are held each week, on Mondays between 10am and 12noon at the medical centre in Uplyme Road, DT7 3LS, and on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm at the St Michael's Business Centre, DT7 3DB, in the centre of the town.

In addition people can visit the offices in South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NY every weekday between 10am and 3pm. You can also contact with Citizens Advice by email on advice@bridport-cab.org.uk or by telephone on 03442 451291, which will get you through to the Dorset AdviceLine.

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Nurses thank Lyme Regis for support THE nurses at the Fortuneswell Cancer Unit at Dorset County Hospital have thanked the people of Lyme Regis and wished them a happy New Year after they helped to raise more than £20,0000 for the unit.

The donation - made by Lyme Regis Golf Club following a year of fundraising events led by captain Lee Caddy and his partner Lynnette Ravenscroft was one of the biggest ever received by the unit.

Mr Caddy said: “The donation truly reflects the on-going support received from the wonderful people of Lyme Regis. The nursing staff want Lyme Regis to know they are overwhelmed by their generosity.

“The money will be used in the New Year to send three nurses on advanced training courses and to help with the refurbishment of the chemotherapy unit at the hospital.”

Lee and Lynnette said the donation would not have been possible without the kindness of their family, friends and club members and the amazing support of the local people and businesses in Lyme Regis. In particular, they thanked they independent shops and restaurants, with a special mention for The Harbour Inn, HIX Oyster Fish House and The Alexandra Hotel.

Mr Caddy added: “Every business that was approached were happy to support The Fortuneswell Unit and without exception everyone wanted to show their appreciation for the nurses, doctors and staff at the cancer unit and wanted to support them in their continuing care for people with cancer in Lyme Regis. This small seaside town definitely has a very big heart.”

Lynnette was invited to visit the nursing staff to accept their thanks just before Christmas, and brought supporter Cliff Powley, dressed as Santa Claus, along with her.

While visiting the unit, Father Christmas took the time to visit some of the younger patients on the children's ward. Freddie, aged three, was especially over the moon that Santa had made a special detour to drop in and see him.

LYNNETTE Ravenscroft (second from right) and Cliff Powley as Father Christmas, pictured with nursing staff from the Fortuneswell Cancer Unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. Right, Father Christmas visits three-year-old patient Freddy

Print or online advertising?

Get the best of both worlds with LymeOnline

For every advert booked in our printed edition, you’ll get a free advert on our popular community website!

Call 01297 442781 to discuss your advertising needs

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1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA 01297 443157

Back to winter normality at the Pilot Boat WEDNESDAYS

8.30pm to 10.30pm House bands including Adam Sweet and other local artists Two cocktails for £10 8pm to 10pm

THURSDAYS

QUIZ NIGHT from 8pm for teams of two and more.

Cash prize for winning team plus £100 JACKPOT PRIZE

FIZZY FRIDAYS

Bottle of Prosecco for £15 between 5pm and 9pm

Live Music 9pm to 11.30pm

Don’t miss our Sunday Morning Craft Market - 10 am to 12 noon

❉ HAPPY NEW YEAR ❉ ❉and thank you for your support in 2018❉

20 Friday, January 4 2019

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

Death of former Lib Dem LymeOnline letters leader Paddy Ashdown Why were toilets closed? ‘a loss to the country’ THE sad news of the passing of former leader of the Lib Dem’s Lord Paddy Ashdown is a great loss to the country, his family and all who knew him.

It was during the 1980s that I began to photograph Paddy as he was the MP for Yeovil and he wrote a weekly column in the Somerset Star. Being the photographer for the Star I covered almost all occasions where Paddy was present or an invited guest, from assault courses to fete openings, we were there and I got to know Paddy quite well.

Paddy eventually became leader of the Lib Dems, and his first conference as leader was to be at the Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Journalist and MD of the Star Group, Philip Evans, and myself covered the Blackpool conference for the Somerset Star. We stayed in a Blackpool bed and breakfast, that was an experience on it’s own.

Our first encounter with Paddy at the conference was his opening address to his members on Sunday evening (pictured). The next morning in the foyer of the Winter Gardens, Paddy and his wife Jane arrived with a wall of photographers to greet them. Paddy caught sight of Pip and myself and invited us to his hotel suite that evening but whispered in my ear “no cameras”.

I have fond memories of Paddy from those early days as a press photographer. I presented him with a leather bound photo album of his first conference at Blackpool and out of the blue he wrote to me with a ‘back slap’ for winning a major press award.

RIP Lord Paddy Ashdown, one of the best.

■ I WAS astonished to find the toilets at the bottom of Broad Street were closed on New Year’s Eve, when the town was full of visitors, one of the busiest times of the year.

There were dozens of people during the day, attempting to enter them and ending up walking away in disgust. The nearest other toilets being on Marine Pa-

rade near to the Amusement Arcade, quite a long walk for somebody desperate to use a loo.

Whoever decided not to open the Broad Street toilets should be named and shamed, it is a disgrace and harms the good reputation of Lyme.

■ WE sell sea shells on the sea shore. We all have occasions when we do our selling on the seafront at Lyme Regis!

Local fossil collectors, the Lyme Regis Museum and on more than one occasion Paul Crossley himself (LymeOnline, December 14).

The annual Fossil Festival actually relies on this form of sale.

None of the local traders have

ever commented on how unfair this is. And once again, Paul Crossley has sold fossils at Lyme Regis Fossil Festival!

The more trading in fossils that occurs the more people will be encouraged to visit. Just think of book shops in Hay-on-Wye and crystals in Glastonbury!

Brandon Lennon lymeregisfossilwalks.com

Hazel Read (by email)

We all sell our wares on seafront

Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

TALK OF THE TOWN

Most read stories at lyme-online.co.uk

1 2 3 4 5

Child injured by dog on Lyme Regis beach https://bit.ly/2R5B0uK Read 1,118 times, reached 1,700 on Facebook and 294 on Twitter Lyme shops suffer Christmas Day break-ins https://bit.ly/2BQzL80 Read 623 times, reached 1,573 on Facebook and 375 on Twitter Three car crash on A35 at Charmouth https://bit.ly/2CIVJM6 Read 389 times, reached 577 on Facebook and 251 on Twitter Town council retracts support for pedestrian crossing https://bit.ly/2F6ccv8 Read 324 times, reached 1,312 on Facebook and 294 on Twitter Regent Cinema owners still ‘actively engaged’ in re-build https://bit.ly/2Vmwsyp Read 291 times, reached 1,476 on Facebook and 450 on Twitter

Friday, January 4 2019 21

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Army Cadet detachment reformed in record time A NEW Army Cadet Force detachment has been reformed in Lyme Regis - in record time.

Parents of pupils at the Woodroffe School were shocked to learn in July that the Combined Cadet Force, embracing the three main Armed Services, was being disbanded due mainly to the lack of adult helpers.

A ‘Save Our CCF’ campaign was launched by pupils and parents but efforts to get the school to change its mind proved fruitless. Since then a group of parents and others, led by town councillor Cheryl Reynolds, have been working with the Dorset Army Cadet Force to form a local detachment.

And before Christmas potential members and adult helpers gathered at the Woodmead Halls for a briefing and they meet for the first time at their new headquarters, the Charmouth Tunnel, on Monday evening. Around 25/30 youngsters have shown an interest in registering.

Five potential instructors are currently under training, including Daniel Buckley, formerly of the Royal Engineers, parents Ellen Austin and Liane Costin, and Kelsey Ellis and Julian Dixon.

Cllr Reynolds will act as the detachment civilian assistant, looking after administration.

RSM Owen Wells from the Dorset ACF will command the unit.

Potential members of the new Army Cadet Force detachment in Lyme Regis met for a briefing with adult helpers and Dorset ACF personnel

local services CLEANING

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No job too big or too small Services offered: • Decluttering • Woman Friday y/Personal PA • Administration/Clerical • Research & management of jobs you don’t want to tackle alone

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For more information log onto our website: www.lymebayearclinic.co.uk or email: admin@lymebayearclinic.co.uk John Collins GN, OH, MHN, BSC Over 35 years of nursing experience

IT SERVICES

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Security Consultant ● Insurance Risk Surveys ● Intruder Alarms ● CCTV Systems ● Fire Alarms & Safety Systems ● Fire Risk Assessments ● Alarm Maintenance and Monitoring Tel: 01297 445879 / 07590 559294 email: nigel@portcullisalarms.co.uk web: www.portcullisalarms.co.uk with us you’re in safe hands

TO FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR LOCAL SERVICES SECTION CALL 01297 442781

classifieds&jobs

22 Friday, January 4 2019

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ITEMS FOR SALE? You can advertise items for sale up to £200 free by sending details to the following address: LymeOnline, Unit 5, Uplyme Business Centre, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS or email francesca @lyme-online.co.uk Please note this service is only for private sellers, not for commercial items, tradespeople or vehicles.

Please include a brief description of your item, the cost and a telephone number where a buyer may contact you.

If you wish to advertise an item over £200 your advertisement will cost 10p per word, please email or phone us on 01297 442781 to arrange payment. Please also include your name and address, although this will not be published.

ITEMS FOR SALE / WANTED FREE standing light pine mirror, as new, £48 - 07768 901 443.

TWO free standing clothes rails (with wheels), £8 each or two for £12 - 07768 901 443.

MATTRESS, single, good clean condition, £35 - 07510 296 183.

KLINN trailer, deep sided, 62x36x19 inches, marine ply base, spare wheel, £50 - 01297 442134 or 07761 258 115.

RAILWAY collection - memorabilia, photos, post cards, framed pictures, excellent conditions - call 01297 560934 (during evenings).

PINE blanket chest, painted dark brown, height 46cm, width 52cm, length 97cm, sinsible offers around £50 - 07870 603 345.

BESTEK food processor with blender, chopper, juicer, 1.5L mixer bowl, used once, still boxed, original cost £45, now £30 - 01297 443118.

LADIES Jack Murphy raincoat, beige, worn once, detachable hood, waterproof, sieze 12, as new, £30 - 01297 678665.

COAL effected fire, £20 - 01297 678536.

WANTED: Large, weathered terracotta pots, example 12”-13” height or 12”15” width, for wildflower garden, will collect call/text 07870 603 345.

SEASONAL BEACH CONCESSION FOR NON-MOTORISED WATERSPORTS Lyme Regis Town Council invites tenders for non-motorised sports on Front Beach The council will consider offers for a one-year concession from 11 March to 27October 2019, or a three-year concession from 11 March 2019 to 29 October 2021 Offers should be made separately.

Tender forms and conditions of operation can be obtained from the council offices or downloaded from the website www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Tenders must be returned by 5pm on Wednesday 9 January 2019 in a sealed envelope The council reserves the right to accept or reject any tender Council Offices, Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3BS Tel: 01297 445175 Fax: 01297 443773 Email: admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

Friday, January 4 2019 23

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LymeOnline Sport golf

email your sports reports to edit@lyme-online.co.uk skittles

football

Lyme Regis League

Thrilling campaign is looming in 2019

LYME Regis Skittles League results weekending December 15.

Ladies Generations 284 (+BL) v Smashers 338 Pin Pals 305 v Rollercoasters 285 (+BL) Wootton Wobblers 302 (+BL) v Hot Gossips 295 Skittso’s 306 v La Crème 329 (+BL) High Scores: Tracy Chapman 77; Heather Kitcher 65; Anthea Gillings 63; Jan Wyatt 62 Men’s Skittle Me Timbers 287 v Alleytwits 338 (+BL) Marksmen 383 (+BL) v Trappers 311 Young Guns 363 (+BL) v Roadrunners 390 Anthill Mob 313 (+BL) v Wreckers 277 No Hopers 362 (+BL) v Flyers 345 Miscellaneous 340 (+BL) v Clueless 364 Rousdon Rebels 348 v President’s Men 358 (+BL) Shakers 298 (+BL) v British Legion 326 High Scores: Colin Barnes 75; Mark Whatmore 74; Richard Cridge 72; Neil Ellis 71; Kevin Trott

IN a week where the weather got the upper hand over golf, the annual presentation evening Lyme Regis Golf Club saw some familiar and some new faces.

Our photos show the winner of the ladies club championship Melissa McMahon, left, with last year’s ladies captain Susan Moore, and 11 year-old Zac Mudford, who triumphed in the 36-hole club handicap championship, with last year’s captain Lee Caddy.

MEN’S DIVISION ONE P W Marksmen 7 5 No Hopers 5 5 Anthill Mob 7 4 Flyers 7 3 Roadrunners 6 3 Trappers 7 3 Wreckers 6 2 Young Guns 7 1

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 2 0 3 4 3 4 4 6

Pts Beer L eg 10 11 10 4 8 8 6 8 6 7 6 2 4 6 2. 6

axminster football

Brace for league’s top scorer Pinder Southwest Peninsula League East Division (December 22nd) Ilfracombe Town 2 – Axminster Town 4 THE Tigers made the long trip to North Devon missing Cameron Vere (illness), Callum Garrett and Skipper Darren Hutchings (unavailable), but welcomed back university students Jacob Rowe, George Haywood and Aaron Daniels The Bluebirds of Ilfracombe found themselves one up within three minutes after a neat cross from Jamie Morow that found top goal scorer Sam Box at the far post who powerfully headed home from four yards out.

Axminster hit back immediately with Tony Pinder latching onto a through ball from Ashley Small.

Pinder neatly rounded the home keeper Jamie Matthews and placed home.

The remainder of the half was a good spectacle but failed to produce any additional clear-cut goal scoring opportunities as both defences were playing exceptionally well. For ‘Combe Brodie Montague had a fine half and for the Tigers Rowe was pulling all the midfield strings.

Axminster made some minor tweaks to their formation after the break and this played dividends as on the 60th minute. The normally impeccable Mathews in the home goal made a complete hash of a back

pass, totally missing the ball and this allowed Pinder to nip in and tuck the ball home.

Five minutes later Matthews came for a cross and caught the ball but then bumped into one of his own players and this dislodged the ball which fell invitingly to the feet of Connor Swingler who riffled it home to make it 1-3.

By now Axminster were firmly in control as the home side seemed deflated, on the 70th minute Ilfra-

combe again shot themselves in the foot after giving away a needless penalty. Up stepped the league’s top scorer Pinder who sent Matthews the wrong way to claim his 22nd league goal in the process.

The Bluebirds deserve a lot of credit as they took the game to the Tigers. After a rash challenge by Ax’s Connor Hannaford in the penalty area that gave Combe a life line, but the spot kick was dragged wide.

‘Combe continued to push and press for a goal, on the 85th minute Tigers keeper Smith made a terrific save tipping a long range drive over the bar that was destined for the top corner. From the resultant set piece CJ Roberts beat Tigers Nathan Antat to the ball and headed with ease past the stranded Smith to give a more respectable full-time score line.

Man of The Match – Tony Pinder

Tigers tame Hippos in Boxing Day clash Southwest Peninsula Football East Division December 26th Axminster Town 2 – Honiton Town 0 THE Tigers were at near full strength only missing Ben Allen (illness) and Luke Finn who picked up a nasty ankle injury at Ilfracombe in the previous match.

As expected the home side started on the front foot taking the game to the Hippos. Axminster huffed and puffed but failed to create any meaningful chances.

As for Honiton their game plan was evident, it was clear that they were going to try and rough up the young Tigers at every possible opportunity.

This was a major distraction for Ax as they started to get involved with the ‘dark arts’ of the game instead of concentrating on just playing football.

On the 30th minute Honiton had the first real chance, a crossed ball hit central defender Matt Clenahan on the shins, ricocheting off centre back partner Cameron Vere but luckily landed straight at the feet of Keeper Ashley Smith.

On the 44th minute Axminster were awarded a corner, Connor Hannaford delivered a terrific cross that was met perfectly by the head of Clenahan whose effort flew past Alex Bowring in the Honiton goal and into the top corner to make it 10.

After the half-time oranges Axminster introduced joint manager Jon Hurford to bolster the forward line.

The Tigers started the second half in positive fashion. Full-backs Nathan Antat and Hannaford started to impose themselves and in the 60th minute Hurford broke the offside trap and with just Bowring to beat the normally clinical Hurford blazed his shot over the cross bar.

Ten minutes later Hurford made amends, whipping in a terrific left-wing cross with pinpoint accuracy that was met by the right foot of Ashley Small who placed past Bowring with ease, claiming his 18th league goal of the season and effectively putting the game to bed.

■ FROM PAGE 24 will join a glowing list of clubs from the past. The eventual winners will also become just the 41st club to celebrate the Premier title which just goes to prove how hard it is to claim the league’s biggest prize. So where do we stand for not just this season but the future?

Most East Devon grassroots football followers will have realised next year is likely to be a gamechanger. Discussions are taking place to re-organise both the many Devon and Cornish leagues, although nothing has yet been decided.

From Step 6 status, which would encompass the leading South West peninsular league teams, then Step 7 and down to the recreational level the Devon & Exeter operate at, clubs will have little idea as to what to expect for the 2019-2020 season.

In the meantime the Macron Devon & Exeter Football League turn into the new year with the anticipation of some some thrilling campaigns looming up, not least in Premier where at least five clubs are looking at the prospect of winning the championship for the first time ever.

Newly promoted Colyton, Exwick Villa and Newtown all sit on 32 points with half the season out of the way. Cronies have matches in hand and most would feel they are good enough to play catch-up and with Lyme Regis getting into stride what a finish is in prospect. Upottery and Clyst Valley may be just off the pace but if they get a good run going then who knows.

Alphington and Elmore are neck and neck for the Division Four title and their main rivals, Teignmouth and Lyme Regis Reserves, are both doing well.

Devon & Exeter Premier P W D L F A Gd Colyton 14 10 2 2 62 23 39 ßß Villa 14 10 2 1 45 15 30 Newtown 13 10 2 1 39 10 29 Cronies 12 7 4 1 44 12 32 Lyme Regis 13 8 1 4 40 22 18 Upottery 15 7 2 6 30 23 -3 Clyst Valley 12 6 2 4 30 21 9 Witheridge 2nds 12 6 0 6 32 27 5 Feniton 13 4 1 8 28 33 5 Heavitree United 12 4 1 7 16 33 -5 Beer Albion 12 3 3 6 21 28 -17 Exmouth Town 2nds 11 4 0 7 12 41 -29 Seaton Town 15 3 0 12 28 48 -20 Topsham Town 14 2 2 10 19 56 -37 Okehampton Argyle 12 2 0 10 13 57 -44

Pt7 32 32 32 25 25 23 20 18 13 13 12 12 9 8 6

Devon & Exeter Division Four Alphington 3rds 11 8 1 2 39 18 21 Elmore Seconds 9 8 0 1 39 10 29 Teignmouth 2nds 12 6 2 4 34 36 -2 Lyme Regis Reserves 10 5 3 2 34 17 15 Exeter University 5th 10 5 1 4 28 20 -8 Halwill 2nds 8 4 2 2 27 21 6 Hemyock 12 4 2 6 29 29 0 Feniton 2nds 10 3 3 4 17 23 -6 Winkleigh 8 3 2 3 17 19 -2 Sampford Peverell 12 2 4 6 11 28 -17 St Martins 2nd 12 3 0 9 22 48 -26 Millwey Rise 11 2 2 7 17 23 -6 Pinhoe 7 2 0 5 8 28 -20

25 24 20 17* 16 14 14 12 11 10 9 8 6

CALLING ALL LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUBS

If you would like your matches to be featured on the LymeOnline website and in our print version, email your reports to Philip Evans at philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Man of The Match – Matt Clenahan

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LymeOnline Sport

24 Friday, January 4 2019

January 4 2019

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE

Saturday, January 5 Lyme Regis Reserves v Hemyock Kick-off 2.15pm

Life membership for veteran Lyme sailor

New name will be on the Premier trophy

VETERAN sailor Colin Walters was made an honorary life member of Lyme Regis Sailing Club at its annual ‘Mince Pies and Punch’ Christmas get-together.

Club commodore Jerry Rook announced the award, commenting: “Colin is an inspiration to us all, still racing and working with youth members in his ninth decade.”

He praised Colin’s willingness to help with youth training at all levels, from knots and basic rigging with the youngest Optimists, to race tactics, seamanship and tuning with the older youth sailors.

His current crew in his Albacore is a 14 year-old who has progressed to spend the weekend training at the Weymouth Academy in his Laser.

Colin was brought up in Lyme Regis where his father was borough surveyor. His first boat, in 1954, was a Coot at a time when

ALTHOUGH the Devon & Exeter League, in which two of Lyme Regis Football Club teams play, has been in existence since 1900 - nearly 120 years ago - in reality the league is currently engaged in their 107th season because of the years taken up by the two world wars.

All levels within the league are important but the Premier has to be regarded as the pinnacle and yardstick. Division 1 was the top flight with 14 seasons completed before the First World War, but renamed Premier when football restarted in 1919. A further 20 seasons were played between the two wars taking the number to 34. Since then 26 seasons have been played as the Exeter & District League and now 46 years have gone by operating as the Devon & Exeter League.

Statistics show that Friernhay can be regarded as the most successful ever side, with 13 Premier titles, and it was a sorry day that the club finally folded in 1988. The next most successful team are St Lukes College with 11, Exeter City with eight and Exeter University with seven coming next, Heavitree United and Tiverton Town have six each, and Dawlish Town have five. Altogether 56 Premier championships shared between just the top seven with the other 50 titles spread as follows among 33 clubs.

Moving on, a new name is almost certain to appear on the trophy this season and whoever is eventual champions they

there were then several racing regularly and berthed on moorings in the Lyme harbour.

The production of moulded lighter-weight dinghies changed the face of dinghy racing. Colin raced in various classes, including at national level, as he moved away from Lyme for his career.

Later, he settled on the Albacore class, popular partly due to it being so suited to Lyme’s rolling south westerly seas. Colin’s skill sees him continuing to win club trophies.

Colin and his wife Eileen are keen supporters of the club. Tuesdays will find them helping with youth training, while Wednesday evenings and Sundays are for his own racing.

Members congratulated Colin and wished him many more years of sailing at his club.

By Colin Goodwin

COMMODORE Jerry Rook, (right) presents Colin Walters with his honorary life membership Photo by David Beer

Seasiders look forward to 2019 in confident mood PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

LYME Regis 1st go into 2019 confident they can keep pace with the leading pack in their very first season in the Devon & Exeter League Premier League, the highest level the

club as played at in their long history.

The Seasiders finished 2018 with a dominant 3-0 away victory and the double over coastal neighbours Beer Albion, courtesy of goals from Ben Turner, Fred Parsons and Robbie Fellingham, but it could have easily been 6-0 had they taken all their chances.

ONE of the highlights at Lyme Regis Football Club in 2019 will be welcoming the Seasiders’ twin club from Normandy, US Creully Commes, for the 39th anniversary of the association between the two clubs. Lyme will be defending the Nicholas Marie trophy seen here being present to Lyme skipper Mark Bailey by Nicholas’ father, Patrick

Manager Gerard Hithcock will be satisfied to have completed the 2018 fixtures lying in fifth place in the Premier Division on 25 points, the same number as the side above them, Cronies, who have played one more game.

It’s tight at the top of the table which is led on goal difference by Colyton on 32 points from 14 games, followed by Exwick Villa (32 from 14), Newtown (32 from 13), Cronies and Lyme.

There was no football last weekend but Lyme return to action tomorrow (Saturday (January 5t) with an away trip to struggling Topsham Town who have amassed only eight points from 14 games and are firmly entrenched in the bottom two.

Lyme Regis Reserves finished 2018 on a down note, losing 2-0 to Sturminster Marshall in the quarter final of the Dorset Intermediate Cup. But this gives the Ressies the opportunity to concentrate on their Devon & Exeter Division Three campaign and they go into the New Year well–placed to challenge for promotion to Division Three.

The Lyme second string are well placed in fourth place, three points behind Teignmouth 2nds, but with

two games in hand. The table is led

by Alphington 3rds with a single point advantage over second placed Elmore 2nds who have two games in hand.

Tomorrow the Reserves are at home to mid-tablers Hemyock (kickoff 2.15 pm).

The Seasiders’ third X1, the Rovers, are enjoying their best season since formation under the inspired leadership of joint managers Rob Larcombe and Niall Davis. They are sitting in fourth place in Perry Street Division Three and are well capable of pushing for promotion.

They don’t play again until January 12th when they meet Farway Reserves, who sit two places below them in the table.

Uplyme have found the going tough in 2018, having played just seven games to date, leaving them second from bottom in Perry Street Division One. Tomorrow they are at home to Misterton Reserves who are in fifth place.

Charmouth are enjoying a good season in Perry Street Division Two and lying in second place will be aiming to continue to push for a promotion place in 2019. tomorrow they are at home to Crewkerne Rangers Reserves who are struggling at the foot of the table.

Turn to page 23

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