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FOR LYME REGIS, UPLYME, CHARMOUTH & THE AXE VALLEY ● FORTNIGHTLY ● APRIL 15 2022
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Green candidate wins by-election GREEN Party candidate Belinda Bawden won the Lyme Regis and Charmouth seat on Dorset Council last week. Cllr Bawden received 594 votes in last Thursday’s by-election – a convincing 43.8 per cent of the votes – beating competition from Conservative Vicci Stocqueler (359), Independent Cheryl Reynolds (320) and Labour candidate David Hart (82). REPORT, PAGE 2
Improved park and ride service launched
AN improved park and ride service will be operating in Lyme Regis this year and for the first time ever will incorporate Charmouth. The service launched last weekend and will continue throughout the Easter holidays, operating as normal from the Charmouth Road site. REPORT, PAGE 3
Lyme leads the way in gig racing
Artisan Florist
Wild and Seasonal
Popular self-serve flower shed at 18 Woodmead Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3AD
Lyme Regis Gig Club staged the very first Masters Gig Racing Regatta to be held in the country on Saturday, with all of the almost 200 participants from across the South West aged 60 or over. The event came just a few weeks after one of the club’s veteran teams was named world champions after competing in Appledore. See page 13 for full report and more photos. Photo by MAX REDWOOD
Mayor’s shock resignation
TWO LYME REGIS COUNCILLORS STAND DOWN AMID CONTINUED INFIGHTING LYME Regis councillors were left shocked last week, when the mayor and one other member announced their intention to resign.
The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, announced his impending resignation just before the election of mayor for the coming year. In a statement ahead of the election, he
FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk thanked councillors who had offered their support to elect him as mayor for a fourth year, but shocked members who had intended to nominate him for the position, saying he did not wish to continue in the role and would be resigning from the council altogether. Cllr Larcombe said he felt it was the right time
to round off his time on the council, listing some of the achievements he was most proud, and added that he had personal and family reasons for stepping down, particularly following the recent loss of his brother. He commented: “It's been a very successful three years with some significant and substantial things delivered despite COVID – some being
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LymeOnline Published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Hyper-local website and fortnightly newspaper serving the communities of Lyme Regis, Uplyme & Charmouth. 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 Managing Director: Philip Evans MBE philip@lyme-online.co.uk Contributors Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk
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Green Party win Dorset Council seat GREEN Party candidate Belinda Bawden won the Lyme Regis and Charmouth seat on Dorset Council last week. Cllr Bawden received 594 votes in last Thursday’s by-election – a convincing 43.8 per cent of the votes – beating competition from Conservative Vicci Stocqueler (359), Independent Cheryl Reynolds (320) and Labour candidate David Hart (82). The turnout was 32.86 per cent. She succeeds Conservative Daryl Turner, who gave Cllr Bawden his public backing, rather than the Tory candidate, after resigning in February. Cllr Bawden’s success in the byelection comes just a day after she announced she would be resigning from Lyme Regis Town Council amid ongoing claims of bullying and intimidation from other members. After the count, Cllr Bawden commented: “I am astonished, humbled and delighted by the margin of the Green Party victory and would like to thank everyone
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in Lyme Regis and Charmouth who voted for me. “To those who didn’t, I undertake to work to earn your confidence and trust as your ward member. I promise to listen to your ideas and work hard on your behalf on Dorset Council. “My campaign team of two with a lovely group of helpers worked tirelessly to show everyone that positive change is possible and that we can all get involved in taking action in our local communities to improve all our lives. “We had active support from people of every political persuasion and none, including several people who have never voted before. “And I’d like to pay tribute to Daryl Turner for his strong, loyal representation of the residents of Lyme Regis and Charmouth and to thank him for his personal encouragement.” Campaign manager, Richard
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and generally had a favourable impression of the Green Party. It bodes well for us in the future.” The result was noticed by the Caroline Lucas MP, former leader of the Green Party, who congratulated Belinda on becoming the fifth Green councillor on Dorset Council.
Lyme mourns popular pensioner LYME Regis was saddened this week by the death of one of the town’s most popular pensioners.
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Edwards of the Green Party, added: “We were a bit surprised by the scale of the win but not so much by the result because it reflects exactly what we were being told on the doorstep. “People liked our positive campaign, were impressed by the track record of our candidate,
Anne Thirlwell, who lived in Summerhill Road for more than 50 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 5 in a Yeovil nursing home after experiencing a serious fall in November. She was 89. Mrs Thirlwell was a member of the highly respected Wiscombe family and was brought up at the Beach House Cafe, which was run by Granny Wiscombe and her daughters. Her mother was Phyllis Cleal (nee Wiscombe). Mrs Thirlwell was educated at St Michael’s School, leaving at 14 to work in Brewers, the Broad Street grocers, and later at Haddons fashion shop. Mrs Thirlwell was very popular growing up and was a regular at the dances that were held at the Royal Airforce Marine Craft Unit. It was there that she met her husband, the late ‘Geordie’ Thirlwell. The couple were married in Lyme in 1955, and lived for two years in Gibraltar where Mr
OBITUARY Thirlwell was stationed before leaving the Air Force and returning to Lyme Regis to live. They were married for 52 years before Mr Thirlwell’s death in 2007. Mrs Thirlwell loved travelling both with friends and members of the Get Together Club, and one of her favourite holidays was a visit to Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, in Memphis, USA. She was a great supporter of many local organisations, especially Lyme Regis Town Band and was a friendly face at all their concerts. She was also a keen skittler. Mrs Thirlwell is survived by sons Steve and Mark, daughter Suzanne, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The funeral service will take place at the East Devon Crematorium, Whimple, on Thursday, April 28 at 1.45pm. Family flowers only but donations if desired to Cancer Research UK (see death notice right).
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DEATH NOTICE Thirlwell, Anne Margaret Mabel passed away peacefully on the 5th!April 2022 aged 89 years. A dearly loved wife to the late “Geordie”, mum to Steve, Mark and Suzanne, mother-in-law to Paula and a much-loved grandma to her seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral service to take place at East Devon Crematorium on Thursday 28th!April 2022 at 1:45pm. Family flowers only and donations if desired for Cancer Research UK can be made online at! www.ajwakely.com!or sent c/o A J Wakely and Sons, 7a Silver Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HR
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Improved Lyme Regis and Charmouth park and ride service is launched AN improved park and ride service will be operating in Lyme Regis this year and for the first time ever will incorporate Charmouth. The service launched last weekend and will continue throughout the Easter holidays, operating as normal from the Charmouth Road site. Lyme Regis Town Council has this year worked in partnership with Charmouth Parish Council to operate a service which runs between both communities. Not only will passengers have more choice about where they can travel, but there will be three double-deck buses to deal with the volume of visitors and a more frequent service to provide a more efficient service. Passengers will be able to buy an ‘all-day’ ticket and hop on and off the bus as many times as they like, so they can enjoy the benefits of both Lyme Regis and Charmouth in one day. The park and ride will be open for the peak visitor periods throughout the year, including the early May Bank Holiday Monday, the Whitsun half term, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, and the school summer holidays. The service will operate from around 10am until 7.30pm and buses will be running every 15 to 20 minutes. As well as all the usual stops in Lyme Regis, including Holmbush car park, the post office, and Cobb Gate Square, the buses will stop at St Andrews Church, Georges Close and Newlands Holiday Park in Charmouth. As this is a scheduled service, even local residents would be able to use the service to travel between Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
The joint service between the two locations has been welcomed by Lyme Regis Town Council and Charmouth Parish Council and it is hoped it can offer benefits to visitors, businesses and residents alike. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, said: “I’ve been a long advocate of a Lyme – Charmouth dedicated bus link that enables a shared service and park and ride exchange trip that traverses either resort for local residents and tourists wishing a change of scenery while on holiday, and I’m delighted we are trialling it for the season. “I and the clerk and deputy clerk have had exploratory discussions with Charmouth Parish Council over the last 18 months to determine whether there was common support and traction to the idea. This has culminated in the pilot for this year’s upcoming season. “Hopefully, it will prove to be of mutual benefit to both Lyme and Charmouth and underline the value of the park and ride and the part it plays in helping reduce traffic volumes on our narrow streets. “The cost is marginally more than the present singular park and ride, and the level of uptake and benefit will be evaluated at the end of the season. “If it proves viable and of value to both resort communities, all parties can look to its continued operation.
Friday, April 15 2022 3
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM CONTINUING our series commemorating the anniversaries of the deaths of all Lyme Regis those who gave their lives in the Second World War, this week we remember Gilbert Mark. With thanks to Vernon Rattenbury of the Royal British Legion for the research.
GILBERT MARKS
“We have nothing to lose and potentially something useful to gain, but as they say, ‘you don’t know ‘til you try’ and it will all be subject to the end of season evaluation of the numbers. “I hope the idea proves a success for the benefit of less traffic volume and congestion on our streets; a new resident and holidaymaker offering for both towns, and encourages park and ride usage levels to inform the future options of Strawberry Fields.” Cllr Peter Noel, chairman of Charmouth Parish Council, added: “As chair, I have been in discussions with the mayor and town clerk of Lyme Regis on a monthly basis to talk about the potential of the new bus service which has ultimately now been discussed and approved by the Charmouth Parish Council and which I hope will become an annual feature as it is sure to benefit lots of visitors and residents. “We have also been discussing other ways in which we might help each other and making sure we are both aware of potential funding and support from Dorset Council and elsewhere.”
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Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Service No: 1169564 Born in 1922 and died on April 14 1942 in Wetherby, Yorkshire Gilbert was killed along with the rest of his crew when their Halifax bomber (L9576) crashed near Wetherby in Yorkshire. The aircraft was being flown with the two port engines shut down so that the pilots could practice maintaining height with just the starboard engines. It is believed that the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The son of Mary Jane Marks, of Uplyme, is buried in St Andrew’s churchyard in Monkton Wyld, Dorset, near the south west corner of the church. He is commemorated on the Uplyme war memorial and also on the Monkton Wyld war memorial.
If you have a story for LymeOnline, contact editor Francesca Evans on 07810 221 420 or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
4 Friday, April 15 2022
NEWS IN BRIEF
Police warn of suspicious bogus caller POLICE have warned Lyme Regis residents of a suspicious incident after a man gained access to a home after claiming he was from the water board. On Monday, April 11 between 12noon and 12.30pm, a man called at a property in Lyme Regis, claiming that he was investigating why they were using more water than expected. The man was described as being between aged from 35 to 45, of slim build and with mousey hair, and was clean shaven and smartly dressed. The resident said he had an official looking lanyard around his neck and was described as having an eastern European accent.
The resident allowed the man into their home and he looked at the water pipes under the kitchen sink and appeared to fiddle with them. On leaving the address, he presented the resident with a shower head in a brown paper bag. The resident then contacted their water utility company and were told that they had not sent anyone to their address and they had no concerns over their water usage and suspected it was a bogus caller, so the resident called the police. In this incident it does not appear that anything was stolen.
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Leading travel brand buys Lyme Bay Holidays
LOCAL holiday cottage agency Lyme Bay Holidays has announced its acquisition by leading operator, Sykes Holiday Cottages. The company will operate as a sister agency to Sykes from its offices on Uplyme Road in Lyme Regis. Lyme Bay Holidays is an award-winning, family-run company which was established 40 years ago. The business manages more than 330 holiday homes throughout Dorset and Devon and employees 20 people locally, who will all remain in post.
Train line through Axminster closed over Easter
Local groups benefit from cultural grants
BUSES will replace train services through Axminster over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The lines between Yeovil Junction and Honiton will be closed from Friday, April 15 to Monday, April 18 due to maintenance work, and on Sunday, April 17 the line between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids will be closed. Alternative travel arrangements will be in place including revised timetables and bus services. For more details on planned engineering works, visit the website www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/planned-improvements
TWO Lyme Regis organisations were among those to benefit from Dorset Council’s latest round of Community and Culture Project grants. The council has awarded a total of £66,094 to 18 local arts and sporting organisations in its second round of grants. Lyme Regis Development Trust received £5,000 to produce two animated films and youth music charity B Sharp was awarded £4,010 for mentoring and supporting 15 young musicians.
Rising costs impacting on Dorset Council
New café and store at River Cottage HQ
RISINGS costs are impacting on the ability of Dorset Council to deliver some services, with increases to the council in some areas as much as 50 to 60 per cent. Dorchester councillor Richard Biggs, vice chair of a the Audit and Governance Committee, said he found the situation “deeply worrying”. He told a meeting this week: “We have been warning on this committee for some time that inflation will be the number one risk… and it has come to be worse than we anticipated. “We thought COVID was the worst but it’s turned out that other world events have sur-
FOLLOWING the recent closure of its Axminster town centre restaurant, River Cottage is opening a new kitchen and store at its Park Farm HQ on Trinity Hill. River Cottage was founded in Dorset 2004 and later moved to Park Farm in 2006, which has since been headquarters for its cookery school courses and events. Doors are now opening to the general public today (Friday) with the new kitchen venue offering breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks.
Business awards expanded to wider area LYME Regis Business Awards were launched in the spring of 2021, with the focus on promoting the range and quality of local businesses. The awards worked to five promises – to promote the range and quality of local businesses, to be free to enter, to have a range of categories would allow every business to enter, the judging would be independent with no outside influences, and the awards ceremony would be open to all. The awards proved to be a huge success with close to 100 entries, culminating in 45 local business leaders attending the awards
Two fires in three days at same spot in Lyme FIRE crews were called to the same location in Lyme Regis twice within three days over the weekend. Lyme Regis and Charmouth crews first attended a fire in a derelict building on Spittles Lane, off Charmouth Road, at 3.25pm on Friday. One hose reel jet was used and the fire was extinguished at 4.05pm. The fire service then received a call to a fire in the same location at 8.36am on Sunday morning, where a large hay bale and surrounding grass was found alight.
passed that. Committee chairman Matt Hall warned that inflation would “make or break” this year’s council budget, with more than 50 per cent of the council’s budget is used to buy external goods and services. He said that further sanctions on Russia, because of its invasion of Ukraine, would have an impact on council services at a moment’s notice if it hit oil or gas supplies. Corporate finance director Jim McManus said the authority was facing continual financial challenges and “sustained inflationary pressures”.
Golden Cap voted one of UK’s best walks
ceremony. This year the awards will be expanded further, with the catchment area now including Charmouth, Sidmouth and Seaton, under the name of the Jurassic Coast Business Awards. The awards will be officially launched at 12.45pm on Tuesday, April 26 at The Pilot Boat in Lyme Regis and entries will open on the same day. The launch event will be free to attend and all businesses in the above area are invited. The awards ceremony will then be held at lunchtime on Thursday, September 22 2022.
A WALKING route around Golden Cap, near Lyme Regis, has been listed among the best in Britain. National consumer experts Which? recently curated a long list of the nation’s favourite and most well-trodden, single-day walks, voting the Golden Cap walk the 36th best walk in the UK. The survey was carried out by 1,807 Which? panel members in December 2021 and saw the three-mile coastal route around Golden Cap placed 36th.
Local artist to host seafront exhibition
LOCAL artist Alban Connell will be exhibiting a new body of work on Lyme Regis seafront this month. Alban, who works from his studio in All Saints, near Axminster, will be hosting his exhibition ‘Following the Sun’ at 15 Marine Parade (behind the Royal Standard) on April 23 and 24. The show derives from the literary works of Hermann Hesse’s ‘Narcissus and Goldmund’ and J.G. Ballard’s ‘Drowned World’, a novel which depicts a post-apocalyptic future.
Friday, April 15 2022 5
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ALL OVER THE TOWN Lyme’s neighbours step up to compete in tourism trade
with LymeOnline
editor Francesca Evans
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
BUT SHOULD WE JUST SIT BACK AND RELY ON LYME’S SHEER BEAUTY TO DRAW IN VISITORS?
T
HERE’S no doubt that Lyme Regis’ sheer natural beauty is the town’s number one attraction and will always pull in the crowds.
town meeting of Seaton – a quick five-minute affair (no arguments, walk outs or resignations here), followed by the official opening of a new Tourist Information Centre. Unlike in Lyme Regis, Seaton Town Council But does that mean we should rest on our lau- funds its own Tourist Information Centre. This rels when our neighbours are doing all they can was based at the multi-million-pound Jurassic to improve their visitor experience and compete Centre, until the attraction suddenly closed last in the tourism trade? year. This question came to mind when I popped The information centre was temporarily moved over to East Devon last week to cover the annual to the town council offices in the Marshlands Centre, off Harbour Road, and has now been given a permanent home in the same building, but opening up onto the seafront side. The swanky new centre is complete with a professionally-made video showing off the best of Seaton, on loop on a television screen, and a beautifullyplanted courtyard garden with a giant, branded deckchair. As I looked around I couldn’t quite believe that neighbouring Lyme Regis – one of the most popular visitor resorts on the south coast – has been left without such a facility. Photographing the opening of Dorset Council previously ran the Tourist the new Seaton Tourist InforInformation Centre in mation Centre – wine in hand! Lyme Regis, but it was
THE PLACE TO BE: IT seems barely a week goes by without a new restaurant to try in Lyme Regis these days – the latest of which is Baroque. Tucked away in Drakes Way, off Broad Street, this tiny restaurant boasts a gargantuan, traditional Argentinian grill – how they got it in there we’ll never know! Chef Mark and partner Jane will be serving food inspired from around the world while championing local ingredients - see page 16 for details.
■ IN tribute to the colours of the Ukraine flag – yellow and blue – LymeOnline reader Ashley Ball captured this beautiful shot of the rapeseed fields in flower just outside of Lyme Regis, which I’ve selected as Photo of the Week! Send your photos of the Lyme Regis area to edit@lyme-online.co.uk and they could be featured on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages or in this column. closed due to funding cuts in 2020, despite huge support shown for it in a public consultation. But why have the town council not stepped up and opened their own information centre? If Seaton can do it, why can’t we? The council is not exactly strapped for cash. During my visit to Seaton I was told: “This is what you can achieve when you have a council that works together and gets on with things.” There’s no doubt Lyme Regis Town Council’s reputation for infighting and poor behaviour has quickly spread, and we’ve become something of a laughing stock among our neighbours – a little embarrassing when covering events in other towns. Another person at the Seaton opening told me that the town council were lucky to have a seafront building to put to good use. But that’s no excuse in Lyme Regis. The town council has the Jubilee Pavilion – front and centre of Marine Parade and once a popular volunteer-led information centre that has been left empty for months on end (although currently temporarily occupied by the Indoor Rowing
EVENT YOU CAN’T MISS:
AFTER disruption caused by the pandemic over the past two years, Lyme Regis is looking forward to full Easter celebrations once again. The Easter Bonnet Parade is a family favourite, with local residents and regular visitors entering year after year. This will take place on Easter Sunday, with judging in Lyme Regis Baptist Church at 2pm and the procession starting at 3pm. Find out more details on page 8.
Centre). Despite the closure of the Jurassic Centre – one of its two main attractions – Seaton is stepping up to ensure it’s not left behind. The council have been sprucing up the town and attending national tourism trade shows. One of its latest initiatives is to launch a beach school during the summer months – something I personally feel would be a more appropriate and modern alternative to the United Beach Mission in Lyme Regis. Some argue that Lyme Regis doesn’t need to be spending more money on attracting visitors, as its pretty much full to the gunnels during the peak season. “Let Seaton have them,” you may be thinking. Like it or not, our local economy relies heavily on the tourism trade, especially as we recover from the pandemic. And as the outgoing mayor has often said, it’s not about attracting more visitors, but about improving their experience while they’re here, maintaining a reputation that will see them return time and time again.
IF YOU READ ONE THING:
AFTER seven weeks of fighting, it seems we may have become a little numb to the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite daily reports of unimaginable atrocities, the war is no longer on every newspaper front page. It’s no longer the centre of our conversations or at the forefront of everyone’s minds. But Lyme Regis is still doing its bit to help so, if you read one thing, read page 12 – share it, talk about it, let us not forget about it.
Watch Francesca’s weekly video news bulletins, every Friday morning on the LymeOnline website
6 Friday, April 15 2021
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Shock double resignation as split town council elects new Mayor of Lyme Regis CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE and very proud of them – the raised interaction with our MP, neighbouring Charmouth Parish Council colleagues, Dorset Council and other councils across Dorset and neighbouring East Devon; support for residents, local groups and organisations; the significant level of repair and maintenance of the council's assets, facilities
and public open spaces; and importantly, the strength of the council's finances, its sustainability and the platform it provides for the remaining things planned, which can now be confidently delivered within the remaining life of this council. “I’ve also reflected on personal things – the time Wendy and I have given to the last three
Police looking for man after teens report case of ‘upskirting’ on Cobb OFFICERS investigating a suspicious incident in Lyme Regis are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The incident happened at about 5.50pm on Thursday, March 17 when two teenage girls were sitting on the Cobb wall and a gust of wind blew up their skirts, which they quickly pushed down again. They then noticed that a man appeared to have been taking pictures of them on his phone. Police Constable Abi Worley, of Dorset Police, said: “The girls believe that the man positioned himself intentionally to take the pictures of them. “I am now in a position to issue an image of a man who I would like to talk to in order to progress my investigation and would appeal for him to come forward.
“Anyone who recognises the man pictured is asked to contact police.” You can view the image of the man at www.dorset.police.uk/news-information/article/14551 This type of incident is known as ‘upskirting’, where someone takes a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission. It is now a specific criminal offence in England and Wales. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-itonline, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220043854. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE CITIZENS Advice has found one in 12 people turned to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) to cover basic costs - such as food and toiletries - in the last six months. BNPL is often advertised at checkouts as an easy way of splitting or delaying payments on items such as clothing or electronics. But it remains unregulated, and Citizens Advice is particularly worried about the rise of firms offering BNPL for food shopping in the past few years. The charity’s frontline advisers have been raising red flags on the problems they’re seeing, including a parent using BNPL to buy baby clothes while waiting for a benefit payment and someone in debt using BNPL for the weekly food shop. Citizens Advice discovered young people, those in debt and those claiming Universal Credit, are at least twice as likely to have used BNPL for essentials than the general population. ‘It was either use Buy Now Pay Later or starve, so I used it’ Audrey, a pensioner, used BNPL for a £40 food shop as she didn’t have enough money for food that month. Despite struggling to repay, which Audrey has managed to do, the BNPL provider has bombarded her with offers to borrow hundreds of pounds more. She has never used it again. Audrey said: “It was either use Buy Now Pay Later or starve, so I used it at that particular time. I sort of knew I would struggle to make the repayments but I did not have any other way of getting food. I bought canned food as they are non-perishable and would last me longer. “I have been struggling to repay the money. They constantly harass me, calling me for payments. It's really stressful, as if I could afford to pay it back straight away, I would. “This company also sends me texts and emails offering £100 credit and even £500. It
makes no sense as I can't even manage to repay £40, how would I repay £100 or even £500?” Gillian Percival, a benefits caseworker at Citizens Advice, said: “Buy Now Pay Later is a double-edged sword. It can be useful if you understand what you’re getting into, but if you’re using it out of desperation you probably have no way to repay. “We try to help people with foodbank and fuel vouchers, but some people are embarrassed to ask for help if they’re struggling. “If they use Buy Now Pay Later, they’re invisible. They don’t need to speak to anybody - with a few clicks they can borrow instead. “They can resolve their problems immediately without having to worry about the consequences.” Citizens Advice has been calling for urgent regulation of the sector, including for consistent, market-wide affordability checks and for BNPL firms to make the consequences clearer for consumers if things go wrong. Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “The fact that people are turning to Buy Now Pay Later for their groceries really hammers home the urgent need for industry regulation. “As living costs spiral, we fear more people in desperate situations will see this unregulated form of credit as the answer. “The government must keep pace with these firms and ensure consumers are protected.” For help with problems relating to debt, cost of living rises or other issues, Citizens Advice in Lyme Regis has drop-in advice sessions on Wednesdays 10am to 3pm at Lyme Regis Town Council offices, Church Street, DT7 3BS. Alternatively telephone Freephone 0800144-8848 or send an email using the contact form on the website www.bridportca.org.uk
years in particular, and recent very personal family things.” But Cllr Larcombe also condemned the recent poor behaviour seen in the council chamber, saying this had also contributed towards his decision to resign. “I’ve also reflected on the unacceptable behaviour of a small number of members towards me and other council colleagues, which has prompted my repeated requests for it to stop at different times during the last three years,” he continued. “It's been personally aimed, disrespectful and completely unacceptable from those who should know better, but sadly don't seem to. He later added that he was "unable to forgive" some of those who he felt had personally attacked him. Several members of the council paid tribute to Cllr Larcombe’s hard work and dedication during his time in office, including Cllr Belinda Bawden who said she was sorry he had reached the decision to resign. She also condemned the council’s “appalling reputation”, saying that the behaviour of some members had “ruined her life” before announcing she would also resign. Cllr Bawden commented: “As you know I have not been coming to council meetings because, I too, have been subject to relentless personal attacks by three members in particular, most of which have been false allegations, and the intimidation has actually ruined my life. “It’s utterly unacceptable and I too am going to join you in resigning from the council in due course.”
The outgoing Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe, and Cllr Belinda Bawden are now both expected to formally resign from the town council in May
‘Flabbergasted’
As the meeting then moved to the election of mayor for the coming year, Cllr Michaela Ellis said she was “flabbergasted” by what had just happened, and questioned why Cllr Larcombe was able to continue presiding over the meeting. It was explained that Cllrs Larcombe and Bawden would have to hand in formal, written letters of resignation to the town clerk before standing down, and could continue to remain in office until they did so. Cllr Ellis had been nominated for the role of mayor for the coming in advance of the meeting by Cllr Cheryl Reynolds. It was expected that she may have faced competition from Cllr Larcombe on the night, but with no other nominations it was put to the vote. The vote was split six for (Michaela Ellis, Cheryl Reynolds, David Ruffle, Gill Stammers, Richard Doney, Tara Webb) and six against (Graham Turner, Belinda Bawden, David Sarson, Rob Smith, John Broom, Brian Larcombe). In a complicated turn of events, this meant the casting vote fell to Cllr Larcombe, who remained in post as mayor for the time being. Despite initially voting against her, Cllr Larcombe decided to give his casting vote in favour of Cllr Ellis, saying that if he did not do so, he would remain in the post and he did not want this for the reasons already given. Cllr Reynolds was then elected deputy mayor, again with six votes in favour and several members abstaining. Cllr John Broom was also nominated for the position in advance of the meeting, but withdrew his nomination. Cllr Ellis – who has twice previously served as mayor from 2009-11 and 2017-19 – and Cllr Reynolds will take up their new positions in May. Cllr Larcombe has confirmed he will remain in post until this time, to honour existing civic commitments, before formally resigning. Commenting on his decision to resign, he said: “Thank you again for the personal support you've given me and Wendy while mayor and mayoress, and the support you have given in
supporting the very positive things that have been achieved while overcoming the persistent difficulties; behaviour, push back, and resistant challenges, with the commitment those of you have shown and maintained towards me and the council itself, throughout the last three years – it's been 36 months but feels longer. “It's been a working privilege and an honour to serve as a councillor and hold the position of Mayor of Lyme Regis, and in doing so hopefully helping to make a difference on the many fronts I believe we have. I'm sure we and Lyme residents can see the physical results of the things we've achieved. “I was hoping one difference would be another brand new name on the Guildhall's mayoral board from amongst the newly elected council of 2019. I hope that will still happen within the remaining life of this council. “I’m proud of what's been done in the last 36 months despite COVID and the other unnecessary 'challenges' that have beset and tried to resist the things that were done in support of the town, and I believe the physical improvements made in Lyme Regis are quite visible, and the less visible behind the scenes improvements will continue to prove of lasting benefit to the special place Lyme is.” With one seat already available on the council following the recent death of Stan Williams, the resignations of Cllrs Larcombe and Bawden will leave a total of three vacancies on the council. However, no candidates put themselves forward after an election was called to fill Cllr Williams’ position last month, so this is now being re-advertised - see page 15.
Friday, April 15 2022 7
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Lifeboat Week organisers promise new events after record breaking year
Lyme to celebrate this Easter with favourite family events FANCY hats and finery will be on display for Lyme Regis’ legendary Easter Bonnet Parade this weekend. Creations of all shapes and sizes, from the simple but sweet, to the hilariously outlandish, will be on show at this annual Easter extravaganza, which has had to be held virtually over the past two years during the pandemic. All are invited to take part as the parade returns in person, or just come along and watch the colourful spectacle of entrants parading their imaginative creations. The event is open to all ages with prizes awarded for the most creative bonnets in each age category. Grab the glue and get your creative juices flowing. You have until 2pm on Easter Sunday (April 17) to produce your masterpiece. Entrants are invited to assemble at Lyme Regis Baptist Church for 2pm for judging with the parade commencing outside the church at 3pm. Led by the Mayor of Lyme Regis and Lyme
Regis Majorettes, the entrants will make their way down Broad Street to Cobb Gate then proceed along the seafront. Find a space along the route to watch and pop some money in one of the collection buckets, with all proceeds going to local good causes. And don’t forget to buy your ducks for the annual Easter Monday duck race in Lyme Regis. The event will see hundreds of rubber ducks are released into the River Lim, starting outside Higher Mill Flats in Windsor Terrace at 12noon. The race will be held in aid of the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee, with ducks available to purchase at £1 each at www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk/buyducks or from 11.15am on the day of the event (subject to availability). There will be cash prizes for the first, second and third ducks over the finish line and a bonus prize for the last duck that manages to negotiate the river course.
The
Woodmead Halls
YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY HALL
ADJOURNED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, April 28th 2022 at 6.30pm Matters to be discussed include: Adoption of the 2020/21 Accounts Election of new trustees, officers and committee members
MORE events – old favourites and new highlights – have been promised for Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week this summer. The announcement was made when the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters held their annual meeting Wednesday. Chairman of the supporters, Ken Lavery, praised the work of all volunteers and said more would be welcome to help during the week, which this year begins on Saturday, July 23. And treasurer Brian Ken Lavery (left), chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, Cursley reported that presents a long-service award to volunteers Denis and Gwyneth Barker Photo by Richard Horobin the past year had Mr Marks said the pandemic had a major imbeen a record-breaker with gross profits from the RNLI shop next to the lifeboat station and pact on all activities at the lifeboat station. funds raised through all forms of donations, in- There had been a few number of COVID-19 cluding Lifeboat Week, totalling £199,000 for cases among the crew but they did not impact on the ability to launch. He said this was a the life-saving charity. The shop’s volunteer manager, Krys Lavery, major achievement of which the crew could be said that at the end of November the outlet proud. A special long-service award was made to was the top performing shop throughout the husband and wife team Denis and Gwyneth RNLI. Lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks told Barker, who volunteered in the RNLI shop from the meeting that, since the last AGM, the 2005 and on the supporters committee from lifeboat had launched 104 times on service, as- 2006. Their roles included regularly retrieving 70 sisted 58 people and had been credited with collection boxes around the town. saving five lives. Denis, aged 90, and Gwyneth, 82, were also The crew had also launched 102 times on exercise, and volunteers had spent a total of responsible for counting all donations during Lifeboat Week. more than 1,600 crew hours at sea.
Tales From Lyme’s Past
A glimpse of our history with Peter Lacey
Buried Treasure LYME Regis’ major historical events are well documented. However, there is a layer of local narrative that has been neglected and in many instances almost forgotten. To classify such accounts as history may not be correct in the true academic sense. Some are based on little more than legends and have their origins in folklore. Nevertheless, there are historical snippets which have a sound factual basis; they make both interesting and entertaining reading. One example which meets such a classification occurred in Lyme in the month of April 1786. George Kelaway, a labourer, was filling a hole in the ruins of a large house located in Long Entry, at the lower end of Church Street, when to his surprise he discovered a large quantity of buried coins. George at once set about filling his pockets with the coinage. He then staggered away trying to support his overburdened pockets with his hands. However, Kelaway had been observed by a maid in the house opposite; she being a ‘prattler’ informed the next door resident, a Mrs Langford. The lady decided to investigate, and finding a discarded pick-axe, she started digging and uncovered a decaying wooden chest filled with gold and silver coins. Having filled her apron with what she thought was all of the treasure she returned home and told her neighbours of her good fortune. George Roberts in his ‘History of Lyme Regis 1823’ records that the news of buried treasure spread far and wide and started a mad scramble with large numbers (some from Uplyme!) digging for a share of the spoils.
Things got so out of hand that an adjoining house was in danger of being undermined. Soldiers who were quartered in the town were called upon to restore order and quell what was becoming a free for all. Kelaway, who returned to the scene seeking more coins, became involved in a fight and was carried senseless to his house. It would seem that there were several boxes containing coins, each lined with velvet. The coins were black with age. Roberts was told (by old people who remembered the incident) that a man who joined the Monmouth Rebellion had lived in the house and that he had been killed during the battle of Sedgemoor in 1685. Estimates of the value of the coins varied, some as high as £2,000, but in reality was probably not more than £500, which was however still a large sum at the time. Who in the end benefited? Well, not poor Kelaway, his coins were stolen. Many wisely concealed the amount of their treasure, fearing claims might be made by the Lord of the Manor. Mrs Langford used some her share (£200) to redeem her husband’s vessel that had been seized by the Revenue Service. Kelaway became obsessed with finding treasure and even got permission to dig in Sherborne Lane. Despite digging to a depth of some three meters, he found nothing. Francis Bacon wrote ‘that money is like muck, not good except it is spread around’. His statement would have found agreement with the townsfolk who profited from the find. Peter Lacey Local author and historian
Friday, April 15 2022 9
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Booking Essential INDIVIDUAL NIBBLES
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Brioche bun, plant based patty, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries CAJUN CHICKEN BURGER £14 Brioche bun, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries Add to your burger cheddar, Dorset blue, goats, plant based cheese, bacon, caramelised onions £1.75 each MOVING MOUNTAINS® HOT DOG £14.50 | VG Caramelised red onions, summer slaw, American mustard mayo, skinny fries 8oz M/R FLAT IRON STEAK £21 Skinny fries, garlic herb butter, red onion & rocket salad
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Topped with toasted pine nuts (vegan option available)
MONKFISH AND PRAWN, LIME AND COCNUT STEW £21 Chillies, sweet potato, fragrant rice
SEAFOOD PASTA £18 Onions, white wine, garlic, chilli, butter, lemon, cream
CATCH OF THE DAY £22
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PROSCIUTTO £16 Mozzarella, tomato sauce, rocket, parmesan BBQ PULLED PORK £15 Mozzarella, tomato sauce, fresh chillis, spring onions, creme fraiche CRAB £18 Mozzarella, garlic butter base, local crab, chillis, spring onions, rocket SMOKED SALMON £16 Mozzarella, tomato sauce, creme fraiche, watercress
SANDWICHES served 12 to 4pm
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Charmouth Bakery bread
CORONATION CHICKEN £9 Chicken breast, curry mayonnaise, sweet pickles, Charmouth Bakery bread
PRAWN MARIE ROSE £10
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A DISCRETIONARY OPTIONAL SERVICE CHARGE OF 12.5% WILL BE ADDED TO TABLES OF 6 OR MORE. ALL OF THE ABOVE PRICES ARE INCLUSIVE OF VAT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES OR REQUIRE INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS USED IN OUR DISHES/DRINKS. ALL BURGERS ARE COOKED TO MEDIUM.
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Uplyme garage, post office and shop saved from closure
Pupils at Mrs Ethelston’s Primary Academy in Uplyme with the bramley seedling apple tree donated by Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society
Horticultural society donates fruit trees for local schools UPLYME and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society has continued its support for gardening activities at local schools by donating bramley seedling apple trees for pupils to plant. A tree was planted at each of Mrs Ethelston’s Primary Academy in Uplyme, St Michael's Primary School and The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis. This came about following a talk that local botanist and Amazonian explorer, Sir Ghillean Prance, gave to the horticultural society entitled ‘Glorious Trees’. After the talk he requested that fruit trees be donated to local schools. The trees were planted just before the end of the spring term with the help of young students, ranging in age from 4 to 14 years, together with Sir Ghillean and members of the society in attendance.
Pupils of The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, planting an apple tree with Sir Ghillean Prance (second left) and Joanna Benke-Smith, chair of the Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society. Above, Sir Ghillean with pupils at St Michael's Primary School in Lyme Regis planting a Bramley Seedling apple tree donated by the horticultural society
UPLYME Filling Station, village shop and post office has been spared from closure. After months of concern and campaigning in the village, Mark and Mel Holmes, who manage the business, have announced that the facility will remain open “for many years to come”. The announcement comes after they reportedly made a successful offer to buy the premises from owner Dave Ostler. A short statement from Mr and Mrs Holmes, posted on Facebook, said: “We are delighted to inform our loyal customers that the future of Uplyme Stores is now secure. “We will be able to continue providing fuel, provisions and post office services to the Uplyme community and beyond for many years to come. “Thank you for your continued support.” There were fears the well-used village facil-
ity would close this year, after Mr Ostler raised concerns about proposed changes to Uplyme Road, to provide a single entrance and exit point for a new primary school on land opposite the garage. He believed this could have posed a health and safety hazard for his petrol filling station due to increased traffic queueing outside, and therefore making the entire business – which also includes the village shop and post office – unviable in the long-term. Mr and Mrs Holmes have not yet commented publicly on this matter. A petition was launched in the village last year to see the relevant authorities change the approved single entrance and exit point for the school and campaigners have been working with The Bestic Trust, which submitted the application, to find a solution to appease all parties involved.
Vanessa Glossop, director of award sponsors Anytime Booking, with Suzie Towler, Anna Bradshaw, Jenny Ashley and Richard Ashley of Monkton Wyld Holiday Park
Monkton Wyld Holiday Park continues its winning streak MONKTON Wyld Holiday Park, near Lyme Regis, has won gold at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards 2022. The holiday park offers idyllic camping and caravanning, situated in 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds within West Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This latest award comes after the park received gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards’ Caravan and Camping Park of the Year category. Owners Simon and Joanna Kewley also recently received a special award for their loyalty and services to regional tourism this month by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, after running the park for 25 years. They were also recently visited by West Dorset MP Chris Loder to discuss the importance of supporting the tourism industry in
the area. Mr and Mrs Kewley said they were delighted with their latest gold award, achieved through ongoing investment in the park and the enthusiasm shown by all their staff. Mr Kewley commented: “The park's teams, both individually and collectively, are committed in their determination to provide the level of service that our guests expect and deserve and are focused in providing a firstclass destination in a relaxed and friendly environment. As much as anything, this award is a reflection of their work and dedication”. This new award means the park has achieved gold or platinum in just about every category in their industry sector. You can find out more about their awardwinning park by visiting the website www.monktonwyld.co.uk
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Scout group makes new homes for dormice
Nick Gray, West Dorset Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust with members of the 1st Charmouth Scout Group and their dormice boxes
DORMICE on Powerstock Common will soon be enjoying better accommodation thanks to the efforts of the 1st Charmouth Cubs & Scouts. During lockdown, the troop built more than 20 dormouse boxes from cedar wood for the Dorset Wildlife Trust to put out. Although these were sawn up into kits in the workshop at Monkton Wyld Court, thanks to one of the parents, the Cubs and Scouts still had to cut the wood in the right places, drill holes and assemble everything in the correct order. Building the dormouse boxes was the idea of Nick Gray, West Dorset Conservation Officer at the Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), when he was asked if there was a useful project the Cubs and Scouts could get involved with. Nick was on-hand last week to collect the boxes from the Cubs and tell them a few interesting facts about dormice and how they live on the common. Kevin Payne, Cub Scout Leader, said: “It was a real ‘win-win’ situation. Our members got to do something really useful when we could not meet in our HQ, and the Dorset Wildlife Trust gained 20 boxes to set out.” Nick added: “We were delighted to hear how many boxes had been made. DWT and will be inviting the Cubs over to Powerstock Common to see the dormouse boxes in position and hear about our monitoring programme for these delightful little arboreal mammals.” In a further link with DWT, members of the Seagulls Explorer Scout Unit built three barn owl boxes from plywood and batten. These will be handed out to local farmers to put up in their barns and outbuildings.
Friday, April 15 2022 11
Charmouth Village People looking forward to 1950s theme jubilee tea party CHARMOUTH Village People officially restarted their monthly meetings at the village hall in November 2021. The community group meetings include a variety of craft sessions, games afternoons, cake and cuppa groups, alongside regular trips and visits around the South West. Recent activities have included a Christmas party, day-trips to Wells, Galstonbury, Clarks Village shopping outlet and Bath, and a carvery at the Hare and Hounds, near Sidmouth. The group’s main event of the year will be a 1950s tea party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 1, from 2pm to 4pm. Open to local residents, guests are welcome to dress in their finest 50s glad-rags for the party with tickets costing £5. The community group is currently seeking volunteers to help out at events. This could include collecting people to bring them to meetings, driving people to various events, helping to set up the room, serving tea and food. For any further information, to volunteer or to book tickets for the 1950s Jubilee party, contact Judith Howells via email at jude57@btinternet.com or call 07906 840 950.
12 Friday, April 15 2022
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LYME REGIS STANDS WITH UKRAINE
Much support shown for Ukrainian refugees as Lyme Regis meeting
Members of the Masonic Lodge in Lyme Regis presenting a charity check of £500 to Tom Littledyke and partner Georgina
Freemasons support Lyme landlord’s appeal for Ukraine THE Masonic Lodge in Lyme Regis have made a generous donation of £500 to help in local landlord Tom Littledyke’s efforts to send much-needed aid into Ukraine. The money was made up of donations from all members of the Masonic Lodge in Lyme Regis. Tom has already made two trips to Ukraine to deliver much-needed aid and help ferry refugees out of the country. He and partner Georgia – who run the Shave Cross Inn near Bridport, The Shave Cross Cellar and The Shave Cross Taverna, formerly Antonio’s Trattoria, in Lyme Regis – are now in the process of setting up a charity to provide continue support to Ukrainians. Freemasonry prides itself on charity donations, not only nationally through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, but also locally in their own towns. Lyme Regis Freemasons have made many local charity donations over the years, includ-
ing to the gig club, Army cadet force, sea angling club youth section, Lyme Regis Sailing Club of an Oppi Dinghy for youngster’s to learn to sail in, which is still in regular use, and the making of PPE during COVID, to name a few. The Masonic Lodge, tucked off Broad Street, has one of the best halls in the town for hire, which is currently having new toilet facilities fitted. The hall, fitted with a kitchen and two bars, can be hired for a multitude of events such as weddings, christenings, birthdays, yoga, fitness classes, etc. and hall users won’t be disappointed with spectacular views over Lyme Bay. If you are interested in booking the hall or would like to know more about becoming a Freemason then get in touch via the website https://lyme-regis-masonic-hall.business.site Both men and women are welcome to join.
Photo by Lyme Bay Radio
■ LYME Regis seafront restaurant and bar SWIM will be sending £3,850 to Ukraine after a successful fundraising night on Saturday. A packed crowd attended the event, where local musicians and DJs provided entertainment and a percentage of all food and bar sales was donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee. A spokesperson said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Ukraine fundraiser. It was such a great turn out! We raised an incredible £3852.17. We are truly grateful to everyone who made it a success – to Lyme bay Radio and everyone that played, to all of you who danced all night and our fabulous team!”
MORE than 40 people attended a public meeting on community support for Ukrainian refugees, held at Lyme Regis Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 30. Sam Knights QC, a barrister specialising in asylum and immigration law, outlined the government’s response for Ukrainian refugees as the following: The Ukraine Family Scheme – A three year visa with rights to work, study & claim benefits for those who have family here. Homes for Ukraine – This allows Ukrainians to come to the UK if they have a sponsor willing to give them accommodation for at least six months. Those arriving can stay for three years with the right to work, study and claim benefits. Details of both are on the Home Office website www.gov.uk Sam stressed the importance of referring directly to the website as policies frequently change. Dorset Council also has a useful page which links directly to the government schemes www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/refugee-programme-in-dorset A group of volunteer specialist immigration lawyers have formed the Ukrainian Advice Project which offers free advice to those seeking to enter or remain in the UK – details are available at www.advice-ukraine.co.uk Sam also outlined the myriad ways local communities can offer help and demonstrated how many networks are operating locally, even in the more remote rural areas of Dorset and Devon. She said Ukrainians were already arriving all over the South West and were being welcomed. Sam then introduced Eva Fahle-Clouts, who described some of the practical issues to consider before undertaking to host refugees, based on the Uplyme Community Sponsorship (UCS) experience of resettling a family displaced by the conflict in Syria. Eva stressed the importance of getting practical matters like opening bank accounts, registering for medical services and English language lessons, as well as getting DBS clearance for host household members sorted out as soon as possible. She also explained some of the social and well-being issues that could arise where people have been forced to flee their homes and families and might be suffering trauma. Anastazie Toros then updated the meeting with the current situation in Ukraine, where every city is suffering bombardment or bomb
alarms going off most days. She explained her background and experience, saying she felt she could provide a ‘bridge’ between those people in Lyme Regis willing to host refugees and Ukrainians hoping to come to the UK. Town councillor Belinda Bawden outlined the Lyme Regis Town Council’s response which included the following: ● Changing the lighting in the town gardens to blue and yellow ● Flying the Ukrainian flag outside the Guildhall and commissioning video footage of the lights and flags to put on social media to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people ● Agreeing a local statement ‘We Stand with Ukraine’ and signing up to the statement from the political leadership of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions ● Enabling free use of its buildings and facilities to those who are supporting Ukraine ● Donating £2,500 to the British Red Cross ● Agreeing to hold a minute’s silence at the Full Council meeting on April 6 ● Creating an information page on the town council website with links to Dorset Council’s page on the refugee programme in Dorset Cllr Bawden said Dorset Council did not have a specific member of staff dealing with Ukrainian refugee enquiries but this was planned. Dorset Council staff had referred to the charity Reset as being involved in linking families. She recommended Reset’s training, advice and guidance through experience as one of the Uplyme Community Support’s volunteers who underwent thorough training with them in preparation for resettling a refugee family here. Cllr Bawden said posters were also available for local businesses or households to display in their windows to show their support for Ukraine, especially for those holding fundraisers. An informative question and answer session followed and it was agreed to set up an informal network of those interested in hosting refugees or supporting the community in other ways to provide a safe and successful welcome for refugees from Ukraine. A regular fortnightly drop-in session will now be held at the Black Dog Tea Room in Uplyme, with the next on Thursday, April 21 at 3pm. For more information, please contact Eva Fahle-Clouts on evafahleclouts@gmail.com or Anastazie on anastaziet@gmail.com
Gig club jumble sale raises £1,700 A JUMBLE sale organised by members of Lyme Regis Gig Club raised £1,700 to help those in Ukraine. The event was held at Uplyme Village Hall and funds have been paid into the Co-Operative Bank DEC Ukrainian Appeal JustGiving page, where the £1,700 will be matched pound for pound. The Co-Op bank has currently, through their JustGiving page, raised £427,878 and their funds will be again matched by the Disaster Relief Fund, which is providing monies to the leading UK charities providing aid to Ukraine. The event was organised by gig club members Anna Doxey and Diana Dixon and made possible through the hard work and
commitment of so many other club members. Diana said: “The gig club jumbles are always well supported but this year it exceeded all our expectations both in the quantity and quality and support from those who came along to pick up a bargain. “We would also like to thank Dave Turner, the mobile knife sharpener, who was part of the team at Uplyme Village Hall for his kind donation. “It’s great to be able to pay our £1,700 into the Co-Op Bank Ukrainian Appeal JustGiving page and know that it will be matched and used to fund the aid that is so desperately needed in Ukraine.”
Friday, April 15 2022 13
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LymeOnline Letters
Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER
‘Sheep worrying’ trivialises actions of out of control dogs
The races get underway in perfect conditions off the Cobb
Photo by MAX REDWOOD
Lyme hosts country’s first Masters Gig Regatta LYME Regis Gig Club staged the very first Masters Gig Racing Regatta to be held in the country on Saturday. All racing participants were aged 60 or over on the day, which has been nearly three years in the planning after being subject to several cancellations due to the COVID pandemic. Nearly 200 rowers from Boscastle & Crackington, Bridport, Bristol, Brixham, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Flushing & Mylor, Poole, Rame, Swanage,Torridge and Tamar & Tavy attended. The harbour was awash with colourful wooden boats and the views from the Cobb were spectacular with perfect rowing conditions. The 32-feet long, six-oared Cornish pilot gigs rowed around a 1.7km course set in a kite formation, with three buoys to manoeuvre past – always the challeng-
ing moments in any race. Two of the trophies went to Lyme Regis crews with the Men’s A and Mixed A emerging as winners of their respective finals. One of the club’s veteran teams was recently named world champions after competing at an over 50s event in Appledore. Congratulations are also due to Tamar & Tavy, who won the women’s final, and to Flushing & Mylor who won the Men's Plate race, Swanage the Women's Plate and Torridge B who won the Mixed B trophy. No such event can take place without superb organisation and co-operation. Many members of Lyme Regis Gig Club contributed to its success, by buckling down and doing whatever was necessary – from offloading gigs into and out of the water to umpiring the races, to
catering and co-ordinating the sequence of events. The club would also like to thank the Cobb Centre and the harbourmaster for their valuable support. Marcus Dixon, Lyme Regis Gig Club chairman, said: “The Masters Regatta was such a brilliant success! It reminded me of why I love the sport and how great it is to be in such a fabulous club. All the planning and organisation made for just a perfect regatta.” The Masters community has grown considerably in recent years, meaning that there is a real appetite for competing with others in this peer group. It is fully expected that Masters Regattas will be held at other clubs in the future and there is discussion about the possibility of a SuperMasters (over 70 years) competition.
COMING UP AT THE DAVEY FORT
■ WITH reference to your article ‘Sheep worrying a cause for concern in Uplyme’ in LymeOnline (April 1), I would like to comment on the term that is used to describe what happens to livestock. ‘Worrying’ is a word which trivialises this particularly nasty and damaging behaviour from out-ofcontrol dogs. I love dogs but am aware that some will attack livestock if not controlled. Many dog owners find it difficult to believe that their dog could kill, severely injure, traumatise and cause pregnant ewes to abort.
Some animals are so badly injured that they have to be put down. It is not just about the amount of money lost by farmers, but also about extreme distress to the livestock and owners as well as to rural communities. The word ‘worrying’ needs to be changed; the simple fact is that some dogs will attack livestock so let’s not deceive ourselves. ‘Livestock attacking’ is a term which more realistically describes what can actually happen.
■ I AM 52 tomorrow and I'd never seen a wild otter until this year. Now I've seen three this year, all roadkill and two of them were 20 yards down from the Lyme/Charmouth roundabout. There is loads of native orchids on the verge on the eastbound carriageway. Could we get highways or
someone to put up a lower speed limit sign after the national speed limit at Raymond’s Hill or put in a permanent speed camera to help slow drivers down so we can stop running over otters? Also are the council going to strim the orchids? That would be a shame. Dylan (by email)
Ros Cole (Bridport)
Wild otters being hit on busy A35
Email your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk or post them to LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS. Please note, the views expressed in letters published are those of the author and not necessarily of LymeOnline. Publication of all letters is at the editor’s discretion. Letters sent to us for publication may be subject to minor amendments to correct spelling and grammatical errors, or to ensure they are not libellous.
APRIL 15th Tommy Tabberer Cup Final Charmouth v. Drimpton, kick-off at 3.30pm APRIL 22nd Sporting Dinner with Mark Ward Former Everton, Man City & West Ham player Tickets cost £25 including a three-course supper Call Philip Evans on 07796 951 991 to book MAY 12st Casino Night with professional croupiers, prosecco on arrival, buffet and live entertainment Tickets cost £30 - call 07814 114 973 JULY 16th Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival, 2pm - late Live music, 20-plus local ciders, sausage barbecue and other refreshments, bouncy castle and more!
Lyme Regis Football Club, Charmouth Road - Home of the seasiders
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ARTS | MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
What’s on Friday, April 15
The Old School House Cafe The Hub, 9am - 1pm Community café open at The Hub in Church Street every Thursday and Friday morning, affordable food and drink, free wifi. Exhibition: Alchemical Town Mill Malthouse Gallery An exhibition of the latest work by well-known local artist Julie Oldfield, open daily until April 21.
Saturday, April 16
Live Music Night The Nag’s Head, 9pm Weekly live band at The Nag’s Head from 9pm.
Sunday, April 17
Easter Bonnet Parade, Lyme Regis Baptist Church, 2pm Meet at Lyme Regis Baptist Church for the judging of this annual family event, followed by a parade at 3pm down Broad Street and along the seafront, featuring Lyme Regis Majorettes. Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm Award-winning comedian, radio presenter and regular compere at Glastonbury Festival, Sally Anne Hayward headlines April’s comedy club, with support from Alex Kitson and Jeremy Flynn. Tom Glover is still the resident compere. Tickets available at marinetheatre.com
Monday, April 18
Easter Monday Duck Race Windsor Terrace, 12noon An annual duck race in aid of Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee. Buy your ducks for £1 each in advance at lymechristmaslights.co.uk/buyducks to be in with a chance of winning cash prizes.
Wednesday, April 20
‘Lyme and the Sea’ Drama Workshop, Marine Theatre, 2pm An opportunity to work with drama coach and founder of Act for Autism, Tessa Morton. Enjoy being in a real theatre, practice your performance skills with lively games and activities and help put together a short performance for parents and carers to enjoy at the end of the session. Lunch is provided. Places cost £8 per child and can be booked at marinetheatre.com LRTC Town Management & Highways, Guildhall, 7pm Members of the public are welcome to attend town council meetings and speak for up to three minutes in the public forum. For agendas visit the website lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk
Send your diary dates to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Visit: www.lyme-online.co.uk/events
Thursday, April 21
The Old School House Cafe The Hub, 9am - 1pm Community café open at The Hub in Church Street every Thursday and Friday morning, affordable food and drink, free wifi. Lyme Regis Carers’ Café Lyme Regis Baptist Church, 11am Stay all morning or just drop in. Anyone who looks after a friend, relative, partner or neighbour is welcome. You do not have to be a registered carer. For more details visit lymeregiscarerscafe.co.uk National Theatre Live: Henry V Marine Theatre, 6pm Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s thrilling study of nationalism, war and the psychology of power, screened live to the Marine Theatre. Tickets from £14 (£6 for under 18s) available at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.
Friday, April 22
The Old School House Cafe The Hub, 9am - 1pm Community café open at The Hub in Church Street every Thursday and Friday morning, affordable food and drink, free wifi. Sporting Dinner with Mark Ward Lyme Regis Football Club, 7pm ‘From Right Wing to B Wing… Premier League to Prison’ – Lyme Regis Football Club hosts a sporting dinner with guest speaker Mark Ward, a former West Ham, Manchester City and Everton footballer, who later served four years in prison. Tickets cost £25 including a three-course supper – call Philip Evans on 07796 951 991.
Saturday, April 23
Exhibition: Following the Sun 15 Marine Parade, Lyme Regis An exhibition of local artist Alban Connell’s latest work, inspired by literary works of Hermann Hesse’s ‘Narcissus and Goldmund’ and J.G. Ballard’s ‘Drowned World’ (also open on Sunday, April 24).
Sunday, April 24
The Sunday Sessions Marine Theatre, 2.30pm This regular free entry event is the Marine’s dedicated time to promote quality live music—our post-roast music session. Enjoy local drinks
and the best musicians. If you’d like to play, just turn up!
Tuesday, April 26
Exhibition: Waterline 2022 Lyme Regis Museum A joint exhibition of contemporary, abstract photography by local artists Tricia Scott and Lois Wakeman, running until June 12. Talk: What Lies Beneath - The Story of the Three Cups Hotel’ Woodmead Halls, 2pm The Lyme Regis Society hold their AGM followed by this talk by Bob Speer. Entry is free for members and £2 for visitors.
Wednesday, April 27
Talk: Head Gardeners Uplyme Village Hall, 7pm An award-winning writer and garden historian, Ambra Edwards will be talking about the lives, vision and achievements of these often undervalued but very different head gardeners, accompanied by beautiful photographs. Entry is free for members of Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society and £3 for guests, refreshments available.
Thursday, April 28
The Old School House Cafe The Hub, 9am - 1pm Community café open at The Hub in Church Street every Thursday and Friday morning, affordable food and drink, free wifi. India Electric Co Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Blending traditional instruments, folk melodies and subtle electronic influences. Tickets from £14 available at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.
Friday, April 29
The Old School House Cafe The Hub, 9am - 1pm Community café open at The Hub in Church Street every Thursday and Friday morning, affordable food and drink, free wifi. Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps Marine Theatre, 7pm Dom Joly is best known as the creator of Trigger Happy TV. And now the writer and broadcaster is undertaking his first UK tour since 2011, giving fans a rare opportunity to see him live. Tickets available at marinetheatre.com
Brother of Rolling Stone to perform at Marine Theatre CHRIS Jagger, the brother of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, will be appearing at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis next month. Chris will be reading excerpts from his book ‘Talking to Myself’, illustrated with his pictures from childhood, growing up in Kent and insights on the early days of the Rolling Stones. The book also details his fascinating travels on the hippy trail in 1968, music and his times as an actor. The 73-year-old musician, writer and former actor has made dozens of albums, shared a
stage with Pierce Brosnan, been on a journalistic mission to Tibet, made blues documentaries for TV, and written lyrics for two Rolling Stones albums. After question and answer session with the audience, there will be a special musical set by Chris and Elliet Mackrell, running through their extensive repertoire of jazzy and world music. He will be appearing at the Marine Theatre on Thursday, May 5 with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £7 in advance and are available at marinetheatre.com
Award-winning artist opens new exhibition at Town Mill POPULAR Lyme Regis artist Julie Oldfield is currently exhibiting at the Town Mill’s Malthouse Gallery. ‘Alchemical’ opened last week and will run until April 21, showing Julie’s ;latest body of work using her experimental and pioneering mixed media methods on metal sheet. She commented: “This exhibition is based on my interpretation of changing weather conditions. I have been watching the weather in the last year because I relocated closer to the coast. “Walking my dog everyday to interesting viewpoints over the Jurassic Coast, I am fascinated by how the weather only one mile from the coast where I live can be so different to sea level. “My father being farmer always seems to know what the weathers going to do, even a month ahead. I usually ask him when storms are coming so I can get ready as I like to cap-
ture the contrast of dramatic and calm. “I’ve used copper, brass, stainless steal aluminium sheets left out in the weather to get a feel for the atmosphere of the surrounding area. I like to use these materials as depth of luminosity and an element of unpredictability occur. “I hope to create an impression of the environment and is intended to provoke contemplation and an emotional response.” Julie has gained a national reputation for her ground-breaking art techniques on copper and brass metal sheets. Her use of heat from bonfires, chemistry and mixed media on metal recently gained her the Derwent Special Fine Art – Established Artist award in the 160th Society of Women Artists exhibition last year. Her website www.julieoldfield.co.uk gives an insight into her style and shows a range of previous and current work.
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Friday, April 15 2022 15
PROMOTED CONTENT
LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL From bowls club to brass band – town council supports wide range of local organisations in latest grant handout FLORISTRY and creative writing workshops for cancer patients, reading books for schoolchildren and a cream tea for Lyme Regis residents aged over 70. These are among the projects which have been awarded funding from the council, with more than £11,000 granted to local organisations this year. We once again invited local groups and charities to apply to us for grants of up to £1,000 for projects that help and support the community. Applications came from a wide range of organisations, including sporting, musical, youth, environmental, educational, arts and entertainment, health and wellbeing, and community focused. The council had £15,000 available for community grants this year and we were thrilled that we were able to award each organisation the full amount they requested. Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support will provide floristry and creative writing workshops for anyone who is, or has been, affected by cancer with their £1,000 grant, while the Coastal Community Cupboard will use their £450 grant to purchase a freezer and a label gun to mark up produce more efficiently at the Seaside Store. A £450 grant to Jazz Jurassica will support free community concerts on the seafront during the festival in June, and a £938 grant to Lym Valley Croquet Club will help to strengthen flood defences at the River Lim to protect the
croquet lawn at the King George Field in Uplyme. The council is helping to cover the costs of Lyme Morris Day in July with funding of £500, Lyme Regis Bowling Club will replace its worn and damaged clubhouse chairs with a £500 grant, and Lyme Regis Community Garden Volunteers will spruce up the kitchen garden in Langmoor Gardens with a £150 grant to purchase seeds, compost and plants. A £250 grant will allow Lyme Regis Community Support to provide support to elderly residents to set up iPads and teach them how to use them, and Lyme Regis Pantomime Society will use their £1,000 grant to move towards a more sophisticated, environmentally sustainable way of creating scenes for their annual show using a plain black cloth and new flats, painted with a special paint. Three new boats are on order for Lyme Regis Sea School, which was awarded £1,000 to replace the 20-year-old models the youngsters are currently using, and the newly set up Lyme Regis Skate Club are hoping to get more members involved with their £400 grant by purchasing four sets of skates and personal protective equipment to loan to people until their can buy their own equipment. Members of Lyme Regis Town Band will benefit from a workshop delivered by a top level brass band, ending with a concert, thanks to a £1,000 grant, and residents over a certain age in the town will enjoy a cream tea to celebrate
Michaela Ellis elected Mayor of Lyme Regis for third time CONGRATULATIONS to our new mayor and deputy mayor on their recent election. Cllr Michaela Ellis has been selected as the new First Citizen for the 2022-23 council year, with Cllr Cheryl Reynolds as her deputy. They succeed Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE as mayor and Cllr John Broom as deputy and will take office in May. This will be Cllr Ellis’ third time as mayor, having previously served from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2017 to 2019, while it will be Cllr Reynolds’s first time in office. As Cllr Larcombe vacates the mayoral seat, he will also stand down from the council after serving seven years as a councillor. Cllr Belinda Bawden, who was elected as the Dorset Councillor for the Lyme Regis and
Work on new seafront railings now complete WORK to replace the ancient seafront railings has been completed on schedule. The seafront has been given a new lease of life with the old cast iron railings, dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century, now replaced with sturdy jet-black railings lining 220 metres of the Marine Parade. This project has been five years in the making so we’re pleased it’s finally been completed to such a high standard.
Charmouth ward at last week’s election, will also be resigning from the town council after serving three years as a town councillor. We wish Cllr Larcombe well in whatever comes next for him and wish Cllr Bawden luck in her new role, and also thank them both for their hard work and dedication to the council, the town and its residents. So, it’s all change at the town council. There is already a councillor vacancy, which arose following the passing of Cllr Stan Williams in February but unfortunately remains unfilled as no-one was nominated for election. However, that process will start again on Wednesday, April 20 when Dorset Council will once again invite nominations for the town councillor seat. Nominations must be received by 4pm on Thursday, April 28 and if there are two or more candidates, an election will be held on Thursday, May 26. Nomination papers are available from the Electoral Commission website, from Dorset Council or by contacting us at the town council on 01297 445175 or adrianne.mullins@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk. Cllr Larcombe and Cllr Bawden have not yet officially resigned from the council so dates have yet to be confirmed for the election process to replace them.
the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the help of a £400 grant to the Over 70s Christmas Dinner Fund Committee. The newly formed Powder Monkeys Explorer Sea Scouts (pictured) will purchase feather flags to promote their unit and three expedition tents to enable members to take part in Duke of Edinburgh expeditions using their £466 grant, while St Michael’s Primary School Parents and Friends Association are hoping an £800 grant
will help inspire a love of reading among pupils at the Lyme Regis school by funding three book-related projects. Turn Lyme Green/Plastic Free Lyme Regis will further extend public knowledge of environmental matters through education and raising awareness using their £1,000 grant, and Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club’s pavilion will be given a much-needed refurbishment with the help of a £1,000 grant.
Council says goodbye to two staff members CHANGES in the council chamber have also been reflected with changes in the staff team. We have said farewell to two long-standing members of staff, one from the office team and one from the external works’ team and have welcomed a new recruit to the external works’ team. Senior administrative assistant Elaine Pawsey, who has been a familiar face and voice on the front desk or at the end of the telephone for 11 years, left this week to start her retirement. Elaine joined us as an administrative assistant in 2011 and as the longest-standing member of the office team, she has seen four mayors in office and dozens of councillors come and go. We will miss Elaine’s knowledge and experience and wish her and her husband a long and happy retirement together. Maintenance operative Kyle Knight is one of our biggest success stories, having joined the council as an apprentice, fresh from school aged just 17. He became a permanent member of staff, earned a NVQ Level 2 and recently completed his plumbing training. He left last week to continue his plumbing training with local company Evergreen. We wish him the best of luck in his continued training and his future career. As one door closes, another one opens – we’re now recruiting for a maintenance operative and more details are in the advert on page 22. And we welcome Roger Saunders to the team, working at the mini golf hut as an amenities’ assistant. Roger joins us to help cover the longer opening hours during the peak season.
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Mark Hix hosts official launch event for Jurassic Feast app
Launching our new, monthly recipe column in partnership with Jurassic Feast, Luke VandoreMackay, director and owner of High Grange, near Axminster, offers up this lamb and cockles recipe to make this year’s Easter lunch a little more interesting. Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves: 2 as a main course Ingredients: 1x 6-bone rack of Welsh lamb 400g fresh cockles in the shell 100g fresh sea vegetables like samphire or sea astor 200ml cider 1 shallot, chopped 100ml butter 1 tsp chopped thyme Smoked sea salt to season Method: Sear the rack in a hot ovenproof pan on all sides and place in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove and rest for 10 minutes. Add the shallots, thyme and cider to a pan and bring to the
boil. Add the cockles and steam until all open. Remove from the heat, strain the liquid and reserve. Remove the cockles from the shells and set aside. Reduce the liquid by half, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Add the cockles and the sea vegetables to the sauce and heat through gently without coming to the boil. Place the sauce, cockles and veg on the plate, carve the lamb along each bone and place three cutlets on each plate. Season with the smoked sea salt
Save money and support local. Get discounts and rewards at the finest food and drink retailers, eateries and experiences across the Jurassic Coast with Jurassic Feast. Visit jurassicfeast.com or download the app.
By writing a gift in your Will to Cancer Research UK
you’ll help develop long-term research that will save lives across the UK. Find out how you can write a gift in your Will at cruk/WriteAn End or call 0800 707 6006
WE WILL BEAT CANCER SOONER
THE sun setting over the dramatic Jurassic Coast provided the perfect backdrop to the official launch of the new Jurassic Feast app. Hosted by Jurassic Feast’s ambassador and partner, Mark Hix MBE, at his Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, the event was attended by some 50 guests, including some from the best food and drink businesses in the region. Jurassic Feast is a web and app based loyalty scheme based in Dorset and Devon’s Jurassic Coast area, founded in 2021 by Ross Travill and Giles Smallwood who share a passion for good food, cooking and a sustainable, outdoor lifestyle. The Jurassic Feast App offers unique incentives in the form of discounts, offers and other promotions that reward subscribers with savings and keeps more money in their pockets and in the local economy. Subscribers to the app access exclusive deals from Jurassic Feast’s carefully-selected food and drink businesses. These currently The Oyster & Fish House, Tom’s, SWIM, Robin Wylde, Lilac, The Strawberry Tree, The Millside, The Monmouth Pantry, Lyme Regis Butchers, Baboo Gelato, Red Panda and many more.
THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, and Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, pictured with Sally Cuthbert, Ross Travill and Giles Smallwood of Jurassic Feast and host Mark Hix at the launch event
Speaking at the official launch event, the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, said: “Good to see this kind of local initiative and the level of business take-up it’s achieving, particularly when its principal ingredients are of quality and sustainability. “In this respect the Jurassic Feast initiative, with its focus on local, independent businesses and an offering that reflects the area, fits the bill
beautifully. “Very well done to all concerned in this quality, locally focussed venture, and the part it plays in the area’s offering as a destination of choice.” Jurassic Feast partners will now be providing a monthly recipe for LymeOnline readers (see left). For more details on Jurassic Feast, visit jurassicfeast.com or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Baroque offering ‘new concept in cooking’ LYME Regis’ newest eatery, Baroque, has just opened down the charming alley of Drake’s Way - off Broad Street. Having opened just in time for the Easter break, Baroque will deliver a totally new concept in cooking; the kitchen boasts a gargantuan, traditional Argentinian grill, which will offer globally-inspired dishes, such as succulent Lebanese-inspired shoulder of lamb, alongside various fish, vegetarian and vegan delights. Baroque’s delicacies can be enjoyed as either a dine-in experience or a street food takeaway to relish for lunch or dinner – al fresco dining will be available (weather dependent). From the unique style of cooking to the ambient music and stunning decor, the place is a must-visit for fabulous food and a hip ambience – enjoyed by foodie visitors and hungry locals alike. Conjuring up this melting pot of flavours and aromas is Mark Stout, a Dorset-born, classically trained chef, and his partner, Jane Jones, whose background is in hospitality events and PR/marketing within the county. The team’s vision is to marry traditional South-American, wood-fired cooking alongside the subtlety of layered spices from Europe to the Middle East. With Mark’s fiery passion for culinary experimentation and Jane’s appreciation for art and culture, Baroque’s unique proposal is a revelation for food art and street food cuisine in Dorset and beyond. Co-owner Jane said: “With culinary creativity at our heart, we believe it is paramount to use produce from local businesses, whilst sourcing our essential spices from locations across the ancient spice trail. “We are so excited to welcome family, friends, and new friends to our special place.” Available for dine-in and street food takeaway (subject to bookings and availability),
Chef Mark Stout and his partner Jane Jones toast to their new restaurant Baroque, which features a huge Argentinian grill (pictured below)
Baroque will be open for lunch and takeaway Wednesday to Sunday from 12noon to 4pm, and dinner and takeaway Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 8pm (hours are subject to seasonal change). To follow their journey, follow Baroque on Instagram @baroquelyme or visit the website www.baroquelyme.co.uk
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NEWS FROM AXMINSTER | SEATON | COLYTON | BEER ■ BUSES will replace train services through Axminster over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The lines between Yeovil Junction and Honiton will be closed from Friday, April 15 to Monday, April 18 due to maintenance work, and on Sunday, April 17 the line between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids will be closed. Alternative travel arrangements will be in place, as follows: Friday, Saturday and Monday ● London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will terminate at Yeovil Junction ● Buses will run between Yeovil Junction and Honiton ● A revised service will run between Honiton and Exeter St Davids Sunday ● London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will terminate at Yeovil Junction ● Buses will run between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids ● Buses will run between Axminster and Exeter St Davids For more details on planned engineering works, visit www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/planned-improvements ■ AXMINSTER Guildhall is hoping to win public votes to help it secure funding for a Halloween extravaganza. One of the events the Guildhall team are planning for Halloween is a Frankenstein-sized Trick or Treat Event on October 31. This will be a completely free community event and will give parents somewhere safe to bring their children for trick or treating, whilst still allowing those residents who would rather not be disturbed a bit of peace this year. However, the Guildhall is looking for your help to make the event as big as possible. The venue has applied to TicketSource's community fund for a possible £1,000 grant and needs public votes to be in with a chance. To help us make this event fantastic and maybe even start a new, annual tradition for Axminster, you can place your vote for Axminster Guildhall at http://wshe.es/QyoBiwmB At the end of the public vote, the top 10 voted for applications will be put forward to a select judging panel of TicketSource staff members. The judging panel will then select the competition winner, who will receive £1,000 for their next community enriching event. ■ CHARDSTOCK Eco Group will host a 'Talking Rubbish!' coffee morning on Saturday, April 23. The event will be held in Chardstock Community Hall from 10am to 12noon, alongside Plastic Free Axminster. Chardstock Eco Group is a community ally of Plastic Free, Axminster, and to show its commitment to becoming plastic free has decided to host this social event to bring people together and have good conversations about plastic, rubbish, and what more we can do to reduce waste. In addition to a free cuppa and a slice of cake, there will be a number of stalls showcasing plastic-free and waste-reducing ideas. There will be a mini-repair cafe so bring along your household items and small electricals for mending. There will also be demonstrations on how to make beeswax food wraps, and Holly Farm will display their naked veg – not wrapped in plastic and pesticide free. Chardstock Gardening Club will share tips of reducing plastic garden waste and the Chardstock Womblers will tell visitors about the strange things they have picked up while out litter-picking, including the 20 empty gin bottles. Gareth Bourton, senior manager at EDDC in charge of waste and recycling, will give a short talk on what happens to our rubbish when it leaves our kerbside. And there's a chance to win a prize (plastic-free, of course) in the quiz. All are welcome with plenty of parking available at the hall.
Axe Valley Academy runner tipped for success after grabbing attention of national coaches
AXE Valley Academy pupil Innes Fitzgerald is tipped for sporting success after impressing top running coaches at recent competitions. The Year 11 pupil from Beer, who celebrated her 16th birthday this week, has always had an interest in sport but developed her commitment to running during lockdown. As restrictions were eased, she was convinced to take part in Seaton parkrun, recording a record finishing time, and recently won the Junior Grizzly race in Seaton. Her successful year of competitive running started with the East Devon Schools Cross Country Championships at Bicton College, running a distance of 4,000 metres in the under 16s girls category, going on to compete in five championships across the country. After coming first in all her races including the South West regional heat, Innes won a place to compete at the National School Cross Country Championships at Hop Farm, in Kent, in March.
After a long journey, Innes discovered that she had forgotten her running spikes but, instead of getting flustered, a successful social media appeal supported by former GB athlete Jo Pavey saw many athletic clubs offering to help. Innes ran the next day in borrowed shoes and after recovering from a foot infection that had kept her off her feet for three days in the previous week. She led the field for three quarters of the race but was eventually caught by Jess Bailey, an established athlete with national form from Cumbria. Despite being pipped to the post, Innes was offered a place to represent England at the SIAB International Cross Country Championships in Pembrey, Wales, where she not only won her race, but blew the rest of the field away. She recorded a time of 14 minutes, 41 seconds for 4,000m, with her nearest rival 26 seconds behind and she now holds the title of inter girls champion of Great Britain. Her year of success has grabbed the attention of several running coaches, who say Innes could go the full distance. This week she joined Gavin Pavey, husband and coach world, European and Commonwealth medalist Jo Pavey, in Exeter to try out track running. Axe Valley Academy have high hopes for house captain Innes, with staff saying they one day hope to see her compete in the Olympics. She has been backed by staff, in particularly PE teacher Dave Owen, and her peers all the way, and the school this week presented her with a silver pocket watch to commemorate her ‘moment in time’. A humble student, Innes has been over-
Innes Fitzgerald pictured with her silver pocket watch presented to her by Axe Valley Academy to ark her running success. Left, pictured crossing the finishing line in one of her recent races
whelmed by the interest in her running ability and said it is just starting to sink in that this could shape her future. She commented: “The possibilities from now seem endless, therefore I don’t have any specific plans but just to see what happens, let the enjoyment take me.” Headteacher Laura Jenkins praised Innes for her hard-working and determined mindset, saying she is also thriving academically as she prepares for her GCSE exams and is always supportive of her peers. “Potentially Innes could be really special and everyone is really routing for her here,” she added.
At last... work to start on Phosphates in River Axe a major long-awaited skatepark concern for local developments CONSTRUCTION work on a new “world class” skatepark in Axminster is finally due to start later this month. The project has been years in the waiting, after the old skatepark at Cloakham Lawn was closed in September 2019 as it required significant repairs and, not being owned by the local council like skateparks in many other towns, it was liable for all its own costs and maintenance, including insurance. Axminster Town Council and East Devon District Council have been working together in recent months, along with the Axminster Skatepark charity, to get the long-awaited project off the ground.
The new park will have ramps made of poured concrete rather than wood and metal as seen at the old park, similar to designs released by skatepark designers Maverick several years ago. It will be delivered in two phases, with work due to start on the first phase on April 25th and be completed by July. Further funding of £182,000 is needed for the second phase. Axminster Town Council has already offered a “significant sum” towards this and it is hoped the rest will be granted by East Devon District Council and raised throughout fundraising events.
ADVICE to put housing and agricultural developments in some areas of Axminster and surrounding villages on hold due to the level of phosphates in the River Axe has been described as a “real concern” by a district councillor. Cllr Andrew Moulding made the comments at Axminster’s annual parish meeting after reporting on recent advice received from Natural England, which is expected to have significant impacts on planning applications. East Devon District Council (EDDC) has been told it should no longer grant planning permission to any development that could increase phosphate levels in the River Axe, which are said to be causing a “significant issue”. Natural England has informed
the district council that levels of phosphates in the River Axe are having a detrimental impact of local wildlife, and areas designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation are of particular concern. This means that EDDC can no longer approve any developments in the catchment area that would increase the discharge of phosphates into the river, including new residential developments and agricultural developments, with a number of planning applications now on hold. Cllr Moulding said this was a real concern for the Axe Valley and that it would be difficult for developers to mitigate the release of phosphates into the river.
If you have a story for the Axe Valley area, contact editor Francesca on 07810 221 420 or email francesca.evans@nub.news
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Friday, April 15 2022 19
NEWS FROM AXMINSTER | SEATON | COLYTON | BEER
Colyton rider places second at national equestrian event AN East Devon teenager has come home in ribbons after competing at a national equestrian event last weekend. Colyton-based Willow Tulloch, aged 14, travelled to Lincolnshire after qualifying for The Pony Club Animal Barrier Health Spring Festival competition and came second in the arena eventing 80cm championship class on Saturday, April 9. Riding her grey gelding Memo II, the Axe Valley Academy pupil and Axe Vale Hunt Pony Club member also came in 11th in the 90cm arena
eventing, which is a course of show jumps and cross country fences jumped in one continuous course in an arena. Staying at the Arena UK venue all weekend, Willow and Memo II competed in the debut championship 85cm show jumping class on Sunday, having an unfortunate hesitation resulting in faults at one fence in an otherwise clear round. Willow said: "I really enjoyed the experience. Memo was a super star and showed me how it's done. I loved the whole weekend and I'm very
grateful for the opportunity. Thanks to my mum for taking us all that way!" Sarah, Willow's mum, who went with her daughter and drive the horse lorry to the event, added: "I'm very proud of Willow and the lovely Memo, he took such good care of her and they completed three lovely rounds, cool, calm and collected. "To be placed at a championship like this was the icing on the cake! Huge thanks to Willow's sponsors, Livery Dole and Summerleaze Equine Vets."
Trees cleared from River Coly to prevent flooding COLYTON residents have been reassured that the recent clearance for trees from the banks of the River Coly at the Peace Memorial playing field will eventually create a "healthier environment" for local wildlife. Many residents were shocked when the banks were cleared at the end of January. The Colyton Parish Council Newsletter has reported that this work was necessary work after many years of neglect, which had allowed some fallen willows to re-re-root themselves midstream, clogging the flow of the river and creating the perfect environment for the colonisation of invasive Himalayan balsam, which can now be accessed more easily in order to eradicate. Concerns were raised about the possible loss of wildlife habitat, but with the root systems left intact, the trees will soon regrow and provide a much healthier environment for creatures
of the riverbank. There were also concerns about the burning of wood on site. However, these were controlled fires aimed at reducing the amount of fuel burnt in transporting the trees elsewhere and is the normal practise in good countryside management. Now that the river has been unplugged, it is hoped the severity of the inevitable annual flooding of the playing fields will be reduced as the water is free to make its way downstream. Would you like to do your bit to help ensure the quality of the River Coly and the state of its wildlife habitats? The Westcountry Rivers Trust is actively looking for local volunteers willing to do simple surveys as part of a wider campaign to ensure the resilience of rivers right across the region. The trust's Westcountry Citizen Science Investigations (CSI) team of volunteers carries out water monitoring
surveys right across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and West Dorset. As a CSI volunteer, you would contribute to the resilience of our region's rivers, their habitats and wildlife, by carrying out regular river monitoring. You will start by taking observational surveys, using the Westcountry CSI form and you'll be able to record information on plants, wildlife, river condition and visible pollution. You can find out how to join the CSI team on the website wrt.org.uk/ westcountrycsi/
New play to raise funds for Hospice at Home LOCAL playwright Chrissy Evans has put pen to paper to create a one-off comedy which will be performed in Colyton Town Hall on September 23 and 24 September in aid of Seaton & District Hospital League of Friends’ Hospice at Home service. ‘SOS does Shakespeare’ follows poor, hapless director Phil, of the Seaton-on-Sea am dram group, who’s about to put on ‘Romeo and Juliet’, his last show, before he reluctantly retires. If only the cast could keep focussed. If only they could find suitable costumes. If only Juliet wasn’t pregnant. If only the prompt could find her hearing aid and her glasses. Producer Christine Newton said: “As someone who’s experienced the wonderful work of the Hospice at Home service, which need in excess of £250,000 per annum to function, I’m delighted to be working with Chrissy.” The Hospice at Home charity exists to make sure people in our community have an end of life experience that is pain-free, stress-free and managed with dignity. They provide expert nursing care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for those who, for the final weeks or months of their life, would like to be cared for a home as well as providing
advice and support for the end of life care needs of carers and families. Christine continued: “We are now calling all locally-based actors to express their interest. We’ll be holding auditions at the end of April.” Director Steve Miller is a professional with more than 40 productions under his belt in locations from London to Liverpool. He said: “I’m really up for this project from two points of view – one, I’m glad to support such a worthwhile charity and, two, I’m pleased to be working with such a good piece of writing. “Chrissy has produced a piece of work that will give our local am dram enthusiasts something to get their teeth into. “At the front end they’ll have to master quick-paced farce and at the back end deliver some exquisite Shakespeare.’ To find out more, visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/Evansaboveproduction To contact Steve about auditions, email him on steveguyettmiller@yahoo.co.uk or call 07903 868 017. For more information about the Seaton & District Hospital League of Friends Hospice at Home service visit: the website http://www.seatonlof.co.uk
Willow Tulloch receives her rosette from an Animal Barrier Health representative
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■ SILENT but deadly – that would be the situation for any kind of rodent hiding in the daffodils. Barn owls in flight and hunting make no noise at all from beating wings, and once the owl has fixed his eyes on any kind of mouse in the long grass, the outcome is not good for the mouse. Barn owls do not normally hunt during daylight hours but they make an exception when the have young mouths to feed.
You can view all of award-winning photographer Richard Austin’s previous ‘Flashbacks’ columns online at lyme-online.co.uk/blogs
Public consultation on future vision for Lyme gets started A SERIES of public consultation events, run by Lyme Regis Development Trust and supported by the ‘Together for our Planet’ Lottery fund, started on Saturday and will run up to the May Fete on Sunday, May 12. The ‘Lyme 2030 Vision Community Conversation’ will act as the consultation or listening stage of the development of a 2030 Net Zero Plan for the area. Residents in Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Uplyme are warmly welcome to attend any or all of these events to share their hopes and dreams for a cleaner, greener, fairer future as we all learn how to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our impact on the natural environment. Everyone’s ideas are welcome and the more people who get involved in any projects as they develop, the more likely we are to make the positive changes we would like to see in our area.
A few key issues will emerge which could subsequently be developed into project proposals, possibly with support from some of the expert stakeholders in the ‘Future Town’ project, run by the Royal College of Arts. The next consultation events will be held as follows: ● Tuesday, April 26 from 5pm to 8pm at Lyme Regis Football Club ● Saturday, April 30 from 11am to 3pm in the Hub Café as part of the Fossil Festival ● Monday, May 9 from 6pm to 9pm at The Elms in Charmouth ● Tuesday, May 10 from 9am to 1pm at Lyme Regis Football Club ● Sunday, May 12 from 1pm to 4pm at the May Fete on Anning Road playing field A date in Uplyme is also being planned and will be announced shortly.
There will also be engagement with the local schools at different stages of the project. Alongside the face-to-face events, an online community engagement platform will be available with options to pin ideas on a map which will then be collated and updated overnight to show which topics and which areas are generating the most interest or concern. Traffic gridlock, parking chaos and poor public transport provision were at the top of respondents’ frustrations in the ‘Future Town’ research project led by the Royal College of Art in 2020, with litter being the second. What are your hope and visions for a cleaner, greener, fairer future for our area? Here’s your chance to share your ideas. Contact Cllr Belinda Bawden on belindabawden@gmail.com for more information.
Friday, April 15 2022 21
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classifiedsandjobs Lyme Regis Town Council
Maintenance Operative Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (3.30pm on Fridays) Salary, £19,264 - £20,043 The council is seeking to appoint a maintenance operative to join the external works’ team. The successful applicant will maintain and repair the council’s open spaces, properties and assets, conduct safety checks and undertake general cleaning and litter picking. If you are physically fit and don’t mind working outdoors in all weathers, able to work as part of a team but also demonstrate initiative, able to communicate with others well and are willing to learn, we want to hear from you. For further information and an application pack, contact: Adrianne Mullins, Lyme Regis Town Council, Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3BS Tel: 01297 445175 Email: adrianne.mullins@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Download an application pack from www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/job-vacancies Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 9 May Interviews will be held on Thursday 12 May
GOLD TROLLEY, Fraser electtric trolley with charger and battery, good working order and new tyres, £50 - 07713 971 826.
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MOTORBIKE/DRIVING JACKET, Mahogany brown leather, satin-lined, three-quarter length, £150 on very nearest offer - 07870 603 345.
DINNER SERVICE and tea service, Worcestershire Evesham ware, various extras, reasonable offers welcome - 01297 446055.
BOWLS, size 0 Taylors x 4 at £15 each, and size 1 super grip Henselite at £15 each - 078890 019 587.
DRESS RAIL, Dunelm, £5 - 01297 445788.
PETROL MOWER, Mountfield SP425, 135cc Honda engine, runs well, £45 - 01297 443930. EMULSION PAINT, World of Colour 2.5 litre tin in Skye Blue, silk finish emulsion, £10 - 01297 443930. PLASTIC CHAIRS, four heavy duty, white, plastic chairs, very good condition, ideal for barbecues, £1 each - 07500 656 049. LAWN MOWER, Flymo Chevlon, 32V electric, hardly used, very good condition, can be seen working, £40 ono - 07500 656 049. COMPUTER DESK, all metal frame, 70 x 75cm, height 71cm, £5 - 07761 258 115 or 01297 442134. COMPOST BIN, square three-tier thermo recycle compost bin, 150cm high x 50cm square, £40 01297 678602 LIFEJACKETS, two Crewsaver adult air foam lifejackets, unused, £45 each - 01297 560251. GOLF TROLLEY, lightweight, folding with removeable wheels, card and pencil holder, adjustable for height, clean and in very good condition, £20 01297 443170. HEADBOARD, pine, for single bed, £35 - 01297 443930. BEDSIDE CABINET, Lloyd Loom, £25 - 01297 443930.
MASLIN PRESERVING PAN, stainless steel, very good condition, originally cost £40, selling for £10 - 01297 445788. OLD STAMP ALBUM, Argentina-Yogoslavia, £190 - 07527 538 863. BREAD CROCKS, vintage enamel, one cream, one white, £10 each - 01297 443930. KEYBOARD, Yamaha PSR 150, with stand, £10 01297 792957. WINE RACK, holds 48 bottles, £5 - 01297 792957. BED/SETEE, IKEA bed setee, two seater, blue check, £40 - 07590 928 821. SHEEPSKIN FLYING JACKET, brown, WWII replica, rare RFC badge, size XL, £150 or very nearest offer - 07870 603 345. FLAT SACK TRUCK, £10 - 07870 603 345. ROWING MACHINE, Johnson W7000, old, mechanically sound but electronic display broken, 2.7m long but can be separated into two parts for transport, £10 (proceeds to charity) – 01297 442904. TRACTOR TRAILER, solid iron, body measures 6’ long x 3’6” wide, nice condition and has leaf springs plus spare wheel, £59 or very nearest offer - 01297 678602. STAIR GATE, Lindam, £10 - 01297 443930.
Submit your Items for Sale listings - free for any item up to £200 - by emailing edit@lyme-online.co.uk or post them to LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Centre, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS
Fantastic opportunities are coming up at The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, working closely with renowned chef and restaurateur Mark Hix We like to think of our team as a family. We have a long-standing team and seasonal team members that return year after year. We are currently looking for all positions front and back of house as we enter the spring/summer season. This is an amazing opportunity to work with an experienced and friendly team, with plenty to learn along the way. If you have good initiative, strong people skills, and are ready to work in a busy-fast paced restaurant serving the best of local seasonal produce, get in touch. Full and part-time positions are available. Serving locally caught fish and seafood, seasonal cocktails and Dorset oysters, the menu changes daily depending on the fishermen’s catch. With our new outdoor deck you can expect to serve around 200 covers a day in the summer season. It’s busy, it’s fun, and there is plenty of room for developing your role within the business if you are looking for a career in hospitality. If you have a passion for food, drink and hospitality and looking for your next role, then The Oyster & Fish House could be for you. Front of House positions
manager@theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk Restaurant Manager Supervisor
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Apply online: theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk/careers @theoysterandfishhouse The Oyster & Fish House, Cobb Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JP T: 01297 446910 E: reservations@theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk
Are you a talented, dedicated, passionate cook? We are a Championship Golf Course overlooking Lyme Bay and looking for a people‐focused chef/cook to be an integral part of our team in providing a varied menu for members and visitors alike. In conjunc"on with the General Manager and Head Chef, you will be providing meals for our regular Golfer’s Menu, using the highest‐quality, locally‐supplied ingredients, as well as devising and delivering a#rac"ve menus for one‐off events throughout the year. Addi"onal benefits for working at Lyme Regis Golf Club include: Free membership of the club including golf Free parking No split shi%s Minimal late evenings (only for events) Please send your CV to admin@lymeregisgolfclub.co.uk or call to speak to Alan Feltham on 01297 442963
Friday, April 15 2022 23
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Robins return with seven goal feast CHARMOUTH were back in league action after a run of cup games and came back with a bang.
Crewkerne Rangers Reserves made the journey to Charmouth, in Perry Street Division Two. Charmouth came out and created chances from the off, and it only took 10 minutes for Ashley Williams to open the scoring after Brin Seward set him up to make 1-0. Both teams settled into the game but Charmouth made chance after chance. It took until the 35th minute to find the second when Ashley Williams provided the assist for Adzy Whitehouse to make it 2-0. The third goal quickly followed when Ashley Williams grabbed his second goal and took Charmouth into half time three goals up. The second half started with Charmouth piling on the pressure and on the 48th minute Ashley Williams finished off his hat-trick. Charmouth had time and space on the ball
and played some great passing football. The fifth and six goals came in the 68th and 70th minute when Brin Seward grabbed a brace, putting Charmouth 6-0 up. Ashley Williams then rounded off a great performance scoring the seventh and final goal to seal the victory and three well earned points. One of the best displays so far this season and with the cup final against Drimpton on Good Friday at Lyme Regis (3.30pm kick-off), it could not have come at a better time. The whole team played well and man-ofthe-match went to Ty Allen who had a great day in the centre of the park. Charmouth have confirmed promotion to Division One but in a surprise result Drimpton lost to Shepton Beauchamp Reserves, meaning they still need three points from their final game to confirm the league title. Anything less leaves the door open for Charmouth to still take the title.
Uplyme Reserves in niggly 1-1 draw Perry Street Division Three Barrington Reserves 1 Uplyme Reserves 1 UPLYME Reserves battled hard to clinch a 11 draw with Barrington in a bad-tempered league match in sunny conditions. Playing uphill in the first half, Uplyme fought hard to contain the Barrington forwards who had a goal disallowed for offside. The defence consisting of Rhys Hulbert, Josh Lawrence, Matt Rowe and Will Osborne, had to be on their toes to repel the waves of attacks with goalkeeper Finlay Copp impressing with his decisiveness. Uplyme still looked dangerous going forwards and created a number of presentable chances. Oscar Sladen took down a beautiful freekick from Matt Rowe and curled it into the bottom right of the goal from the edge of the
box. The midfield of Alex Pennington and captain Lee Fifer contested hard in the middle of the park against some questionable tackles while Marcus Symonds adopted the number 10 role brilliantly and looked dangerous throughout the match. Wingers Nate Gillan and Matt Nichol supported the midfield and attempted to create width whenever possible. Unfortunately, Uplyme conceded an equaliser midway through the second half but regrouped to fight back to try and secure the win. Barrington had two men sent off 10 minutes apart for foul and abusive language directed at the referee. Uplyme brought on their five substitutes and remained on the front foot right to the final whistle, trying to obtain the win, but had to settle for a draw.
Racing in the sun home and away! By CAROL AUSTIN
More than 8,000 runners completed the marathon which starts at Preston park, goes into the city, out to Rottingdean before heading back to a spectacular seafront finish. Angela Kerr was running her seventh Brighton and incredible 45th marathon. She completed it a 4:28.02, third F65, comfortably within the current London’s Good for Age criteria. Martin Kerr had been planning to run it to celebrate his 70th birthday but the pandemic interfered so today, at aged 72, he completed his fourth Brighton marathon in 6:15.16, ninth M70. Earlier in the 10k Carol Austin competed in her first race for nearly three years due to a series of injuries and then Covid last month. More than 2,600 finished the 10k with Carol happy to finish in 52:04 (622nd) and third W60 (form 46). On Saturday, five AVRs took part in the Exeter Epic Trail 10k at Escot. In perfect weather conditions. It was a tough hilly trail with 700 foot climb with more than 400 finishers. First AVR home was Matt Frost, third overall in 44.49 and first M30. After leading until the halfway point, Ellie Dominey also took third place in the women’s race and first F30 in 47:46.
Kelly Nickels and Cath Brenton ran together finishing 157th and 158th in 1:03.11. Heather Simmons completed the AVR contingent in 1:05:29, 182nd. Earlier in the week Matt Frost had also competed in the Run Exe 5k along the riverside in Exeter. It was the first race of the series and he finished 24th with an impressive personal best of 18:16. Tim Sibley travelled to Turners Puddle for the Dorset Ooser marathon which attracted 159 competitors. It winds its way through beautiful, rolling Dorset countryside in the Piddle Valley between Bere Regis and Dorchester. The lovely route meanders through fields, tracks, trails, woods and past crystal clear streams and shows off Dorset in spring at its best. Given its undulating route and more than 2000 feet of elevation Tim finished in an impressive 4:21:49 coming in 31st. Haydn Boehm completed the Exeter Sprint Duathlon at Escot on Sunday. It began with an early and rather chilly 5k run around the spectacular scenery of the estate followed by a 20k bike on the rural roads surrounding the estate, before a second 5k run leg. Haydn completed it in 1:32.51 ninth M40. At Seaton parkrun on Saturday, Joel Seward was third finisher in 18:52 while Maxine Sweetman smashed her personal best completing in 28:32. Eleanor Wood was third woman in 22:29 with a huge age-grade of 91.55 per cent.
CAROL AUSTIN after running her first 10k race for nearly three years
ANGELA KERR pictured after her seventh Brighton marathon
IN Brighton conditions could not have been any better for the marathon and 10k on Sunday with glorious sunshine and a very light, cool breeze.
Lyme skittles
Flyers are the champions FLYERS have won the re-start Lyme Regis Skittles League with a four-point lead over four teams that tied for the second spot. The league will now be holding their annual meeting at the Powerboat Club on Thursday, June 22 to decide the format for the next season. Results (week ending April 9): Wootton Warblers 222, Alleytwits 239; Flyers beat Pin Pals (game given); Rousdon Rebels 388, Roadrunners 337; Hopes Wrecked 363, British Legion 358; Clueless 345, President’s Men 328; Anthill Mob 295, Hot Gossips 283; Marksmen beat Skittso’s. High scores: Tim Holmes 76, Michael Sankey 72, Steve Shaw 71.
Flyers Anthill Mob Hopes Wrecked Road Runners Rousdon Rebels British Legion Marksmen Clueless President’s Men Alleytwits Hit Gossips Skitso’s Pin Palls Wootton Wobblers
P 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
W 9 7 7 7 7 6 6 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L 1 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8 9
Pts 18 14 14 14 14 12 12 10 8 6 6 6 4 2
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LymeOnline Sport
www.lyme-online.co.uk
April 15 2022
football
The Seasiders had a free afternoon on Saturday but tomorrow travel to bottom club Ottery St Mary. The Otters have only won three games all season and look destined for relegation, especially having been beaten 5-1 by Colyton on Saturday. With the exception of one cup competition defeat against Premier leaders Lapford, Lyme have put together a good run of wins after a very difficult start to the season in which they lost six games. It’s important the Seasiders treat tomorrow’s game as crucial to their desire to finish in a topfour place behind Beer Albion and Thorverton. A big test will be their home
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
Coaching clinic for Lyme youngsters LYME Regis Football Club are in the process of rebuilding their youth section following the difficulties of the past two years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the present time the Seasiders have three youth teams playing competitive football - Under 10s. Under 12s and Under 14s as well as regular training for the under 8s. The youth section is chaired by Martyn Wright who has been coaching young players for 25 years. The plan is to keep players together as the rise up the age structure to Under 16s.
On Sunday, the senior club held a coaching clinic for the young players and then entertained parents and volunteers at a reception in the clubhouse in the afternoon. They were welcomed by president Philip Evans MBE and longserving chairman Howard Larcombe presented each one of the participants with a certificate. Around 20 youngsters were put through their paces by club coach Mark Bailey, first team manager Julien Simier and goalkeeper Christ Higgs and an enjoyable afternoon was brought to a close with a players v dads match.
Uplyme on the verge of promotion in first season in Devon League UPLYME 1sts continued a good run of form with a 7-0 victory over visitors Sandford 2nds. With promotional places still up for grabs, Uplyme's destiny is in their own hands and they wanted the home game to push that advantage. The first half was dominated by Uplyme as they went up the hill, but couldn't find the killer finish. Sam Foster glided through the middle after a sweeping move, but blazed high over
Lyme Reserves Heavitree United Kick-off 3pm
Robins - team of the season!
PHILIP EVANS
match against Beer next Wednesday. Lyme beat the Fishermen 4-3 at Furzebrake and they are capable of doing the double. That leaves Lyme having to play Elmore on Saturday, April 23 and Colyton on the last day of the season, Saturday, April 30, both away fixtures. With no first team game on Saturday, Lyme Reserves, having shipped 11 goals in their last two games, were able to field a stronger side at home to Feniton 2nds. But it wasn’t strong enough to return to winning ways, having conceded the first goal in less than a minute. The score stayed at 1-0 to Feniton at half-time and the East Devon side added a second in the 52nd minute. Lyme had a couple of chances that went begging but were beaten by a better side in the end.
AT THE DAVEY FORT THIS SATURDAY
football
Seasiders must avoid slip-up at bottom side WITH the season edging towards a conclusion, Lyme Regis first team have to take maximum points to clinch a top-four place in the Devon and Exeter Premier division with just four fixtures left to play.
Friday, April 15 2022 24
the bar. It took a header from skipper Wes Holmes to give the home team the advantage going into the second half. After some tweaks to formation, Uplyme clicked into gear second half and completely overwhelmed Sandford. Goals from Ben Prosser, Sam Foster and Fin McLean was a fair reward for the style of play and manner of the victory. "That was our best football of the season."
stated Pete Blandamer. "Our movement and passing in the second half was simply brilliant and what a great time to find such form." The 7-0 win was capped off by a beautiful chip from Harry Robson on his last appearance before moving away from the area. Manager Steve Gillan said: "He'll be a huge loss to this club, both his talent on the pitch and as a character off it. He reflects everything that's good about Uplyme FC."
TEAM of the season among the local clubs has to be Charmouth, writes Philip Evans. The village team dropped out of the Perry Street League after the death of Steve Pratt, the driving force behind the club for many years. His son Kevin then set about reforming the club, recruiting a new committee, manager and players and the were accepted back into the Perry Street League in Division Two. Since then they have lost just two matches in the league, sit in second place behind Drimpton and have won promotion to Division One. They also meet Drimpton in the final of the Tommy Tabberer Cup, a competition in which they have a good record, at the Davey Fort on Good Friday (kick-off 3.30pm). It has also been a great season for Uplyme. Their first team entered the Devon and Exeter league for the first time and have a good chance of promotion from Division Six, having beaten Sandford 2nds 7-0 at home on Saturday. The Swallows are currently sitting in third place in the table, five points behind the University of Exeter but with two games in hand. Uni have completed their fixtures so Uplyme have to win both their remaining games to gain promotion. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are away to mid-tablers Okehampton Argyle 3rds and the travel to Witheridge 2nds on April 23. It has been a more challenging season for Uplyme 2nds, one of the youngest side in the league, in Division Three, having finished their season at the foot of the table. But they have got to the finals of two cup competitions - the Bill Bailey Cup against Kingsbury Episcopi at the Memorial playing fields in Beaminster (kick-off 12 noon) and in the John Fowler Cup against Merriott Dynamos on April 20, also at Beaminster (kick-off 6.15pm).
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