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See top chef Michael Caines in the Food Rocks Marquee
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Mark Hix celebrates ■ TEN YEARS OF OYSTER & FISH HOUSE IN LYME ■ SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF FOOD ROCKS FESTIVAL PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
TOP chef and restaurant chain boss Mark Hix is cooking up a double celebration - the tenth anniversary of his iconic Lyme Regis restaurant and the sixth anniversary of the successful Food Rocks festival.
HIX Oyster & Fish House in Lister Gardens opened in 2008, since when hundreds of discerning diners have gravitated towards Lyme Regis to taste the culinary delights of one of the most respected chefs in the UK. Foodies travel from far and wide to dine at Mark’s restaurant in Lyme which commands magnificent views over Lyme Bay and Food Rocks is now firmly established as one of the most popular food festivals in the South West. With four highly popular restaurants in London as well as HIX Town House guest house in Lyme, Mark is considered to be one of the most
MARK Hix and some of his Lyme Regis-based staff pictured with his manager, Rob Moretto, outside the Oyster & Fish House in Lister Gardens, which commands magnificent views over Lyme Bay Photos by RICHARD AUSTIN creative restaurateurs in the UK and is a highly respected food writer with no fewer than 11 books to his name and countless columns in newspapers and magazines. Mark’s dedication to sourcing seasonal British food and drink is unrivalled and he is known and respected for supporting and championing British producers. In 2016 Mark received the MBE for his services to hospitality. Sitting on the terrace of the Oyster & Fish House with views across Lyme Bay, where Mark first honed his culinary skills and love of fishing, he spoke about how by chance he came across the opportunity to take over the distinctive wood-constructed restaurant after receiving a
call from the owners of the property, Carl Salter and Merry Bolton, who live next door. It didn’t take him long to make up his mind and complete the deal, and within weeks Mark had opened the doors to the Oyster & Fish House, his first business venture in his home county, to wide acclaim, especially from food writers who clamoured to taste the new Hix menu. With Mark’s love of fishing - which continues to this day - its closeness to the sea and his commitment to the sustainability of fish stocks - it was appropriate that HIX Oyster & Fish House should specialise in ingredients from the sea.
CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE
MARK Hix appearing at Food Rocks which is this year celebrating its sixth anniversary and which is now well established as one of the most popular events on the festival calendar
FOUR PAGES CELEBRATING HIX OYSTER & FISH HOUSE AND THE SIXTH ANNUAL FOOD ROCKS FESTIVAL IN LYME REGIS
Bringing together the best of Dorset food and drink F
MARK Hix keeps his audience spellbound at a previous Food Rocks presentation. Inset, Michael Caines, one of the UK’s top chefs, who runs the hugely popular Lympstone Manor, will also be appearing
OOD Rocks was founded by Mark Hix in 2012 to celebrate the fantastic produce that the South West has to offer while raising funds for the Fishermen’s Mission and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Each year the festival has grown and continues to raise thousands of pounds for these charities. The two-day food extravaganza, curated by Mark himself, brings together the best of Dorset food and drink, celebrated chefs and local producers from the surrounding regions. Both days (September 8 and 9) will see a jam-packed programme of chef demonstrations, food and drink to take home, supper clubs and a raffle of amazing prizes from all the producers and chefs. The event is free to attend and is suitable for all the family. For this year’s festival, Mark has brought together an electic group of well known chefs and producers who will appear in
the festival marquee of the upper level of the Marine Parade shelters over the two days. Among them will be James Whetlor (pictured), the youngest son of a former Mayor of Lyme Regis, Ken Whetlor, and a forRiver mer Cottage chef now who runs Cabrito Goat, breeding and providing goat meat to some of the top restaurants in the country. The programme starts at 11.30am on Saturday, September 8 when one of the most respected chefs in the country, Michael Caines, from the highly-regarded Lympstone Manor, one of the top fine-dining venues in the South West, will appear in the marquee. Other chefs and food experts taking to the stage on the Saturday will by Richard Bertinet (The Bertinet Kitchen), James
Golding (The Pig Hotels), Jesse Dunford-Wood (Parkour), Naomi Devlin (author, fermenter, gut health expert and a River Cottage tutor), and Steven Lamb (River Cottage). Sunday’s programme includes Claudio Sarfati (DeLuca Mozzarella), James Whetlor and Rose Prince (Rose Prince C o o k e r y School). Mark Hix will with appear Ashley Wheeler (Trill Farm) and Oliver Rampley (Altana) for a presentation on fishing and will close the festival programme sharing the stage with Paul Archard, from Black Cow Vodka. Two supper clubs will also be held in the marquee - the Glenarm Estate Meat Feast on Friday, September 7 and the Crab & Mackerel Supper Club on the Saturday (September 8). Tickets for both events are £45.
Saturday
Sunday
11.30am
11.30am
Michael Caines
Jesse Dunford Wood
Lympstone Manor 12.30pm
Richard Bertinet The Bertinet Kitchen 1.30pm
James Golding The Pig Hotels 2.30pm
Claudio Sarfati De Luca Mozzarella 3.30pm
Naomi Devlin
Author, fermenter, gut health expert River Cottage tutor 4.30pm
Steven Lamb River Cottage
Parlour
Food Stalls HIX Oyster & Fish House Hotel Alexandra Open Sesame Somerset Hog Roast Crab House Café Sally’s Fish Camp Uprising Bakehouse Cakes by Alana The Arctic Cow Street Food South West Elises Farm Red Panda The Cheese Press
Food Stands
De Luca Mozzarella The Chillees/Bumblees Tracklements Chesil Smokery Dorset Shellfish
Belazu Fussels Fine Foods Cornish Sea Salt The Pig Cheese & Somerset Membrillo
Drinks Just Gin Salcombe Gin Somerset Cider Brandy Co Conker Gin Nags Head Palmers Amid Giants & Idols
Hullabaloo Castlewood Lyme Bay Winery Furleigh Estate Dorset Nectar Dorset Orchards Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka
Suppliers Flint & Flame Classic Cottages
Vulkanas
Beefer Original Mobile Massage
Charities/Organisations
Fishermen’s Mission
RNLI
12.30pm
Mark Hix with Ashley Wheeler Trill Farm
Oliver Rampley Altana On fishing 1.30pm
James Whetlor Cabrito Goat 2.30pm
Rose Prince
Rose Prince Cookery School 3.30pm
Mark Hix with Paul Archard Black Cow Vodka
PHOTO SPECIAL: Lyme gets in the carnival spirt!
LAST LOOK AT REGATTA & CARNIVAL WEEK PAGES 18-19
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Woodroffe celebrates exam results PAGES 20 & 21
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Fake notes used in Lyme and Charmouth DORSET Police are asking members of the public, shopkeepers and those in the hospitality trade to be vigilant as there have been three reported incidents of counterfeit notes being used in the Lyme Regis area in the last week. Goods have been purchased or attempts have been made to purchase them using either fake English £20 notes or fake Irish £50 notes. REPORT, PAGE 3
Lyme Heartbeat group installs defibrillators
TWO new defibrillators have recently been installed in Lyme Regis by a fundraising group now known as Lyme Heartbeat. The automated external defibrillators were purchased following a highly successful fundraising campaign last year and have now been placed at the back of Monmouth Beach car park, past the Boat Building Academy, and at the rear of the Marine Theatre. REPORT, PAGE 9
We all love Lyme! COUNCILLORS and council staff pictured on the first ‘I Love Lyme Day’ last Thursday, when residents and visitors enjoyed a programme of community events, including displays by The Flying Circus wing-walkers and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team. See pages 12 & 13 for full report and more photos.
Where’s our police? POLICE COMMISSIONER GIVE ROUGH RIDE ON VISIT TO LYME REGIS DORSET’S Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill was left in no doubt over Lyme Regis residents’ dissatisfaction with police cover when he held a public meeting in the town last week.
Mr Underhill held a poorly-attended public meeting at the Woodmead Halls last Friday to
FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
outline proposals to merge Dorset Police with the force in Devon & Cornwall. The discussion was dominated by the perceived lack of police presence in Lyme Regis, with Mr Underhill questioned repeatedly on the subject and asked to guarantee more frontline staff if the
merger was to go ahead. Giving a presentation on the proposed merger, Mr Underhill who has served as Police and Crime Commissioner as an independent since 2012 - emphasised that the move was not being driven by politicians, but by police officers themselves. He said the chief constables of both Dorset and Devon & Cornwall felt that the two forces would
work better together and had asked to officially merge - the first request of its kind in 100 years. While the proposed merger was expected to make immediate savings of £3.2million, Mr Underhill said it was “not about money”, but improving the police force to respond to the increasing demand on its services. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Seasiders victorious in Premiership debut
LYME Regis 1st team kicked off their first ever game in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division, the highest standard in which they have played, on Saturday with a controversial 3-2 victory over old rivals Beer Albion. Their debut was followed by a 3-1 victory against Seaton Town on Tuesday. REPORT, PAGE 28
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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 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk Regular Columnists: Sophia Moseley, Marine Theatre Mark Vandeweyer, Citizens Advice Peter Lacey, Tales of Lyme’s Past
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‘Government is not looking after policing,’ says commissioner CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE Dorset and Devon & Cornwall police forces formed an alliance in 2015; 25 per cent of staff were already involved in this and 38 sections of the police were already combined. The proposed merger would see the two forces legally become one, with one chief constable and one Police and Crime Commissioner. However, it was hoped there would be three separate headquarters in the three counties - in Bodmin, Exeter and possibly Dorchester. This would create the fifth biggest police force in the country and the biggest rural police force, which would have more influence at a national level. Mr Underhill said the merger would guarantee at least 100 additional frontline staff across the area, but he hoped this would increase up to 430 additional staff. Other benefits would include an increase in efficiency, effectiveness and productivity, strengthened accountability through a single point of leadership and a reduced administrative burden. With the meeting having been opened to questions from the public, town and district councillor Cheryl Reynolds complained that Lyme Regis only had one “part-time” Police Community Support Office (PCSO). She commented: “We need to know that this merger will give us more frontline police because we have no one other than one parttime PCSO and everyone is really upset about that.” Mr Underhill reiterated that between 100 and 430 more frontline staff would be coming
to Dorset, Devon and Cornwall if the merger went forward but said it was up to the chief constable where they were placed. He added that 30 per cent of PCSOs were part-time, and he could not change this because of employment laws. Councillor Reynolds replied: “What about the rest of the hours? We are without a police officer for more than half the week.” Town councillor John Broom added: “Lyme has something like 15,000 people here on a summer’s day and we have no one. It’s ridiculous!” Funding cuts Mr Underhill said that Lyme’s PCSO was not its only police force and the area was covered by officers based out of Bridport. He added that Dorset had lost 500 police staff through government funding cuts, however he would look into the issue of the PCSO’s hours. Councillor Reynolds continued: “We have no police officer and a station that is left empty. We have an influx of residents in summer. We had a major event yesterday [‘I Love Lyme Day’] and not one officer was available to attend.” Mr Underhill replied: “It won’t get any better if we don’t merge forces.” Councillor Reynolds: “But you can’t guarantee it will get better if we do merge.” Mr Underhill: “We can guarantee it, as there will be more front line staff.” Councillor Reynolds: “But you have no jurisdiction as to where they go.” Local police officer Kirsti Ball clarified that PCSO Amanda King was not part-time, but the area she covered also included Marsh-
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wood, Charmouth and surrounding villages, which meant she was not in Lyme Regis all the time. PC Ball encouraged residents to call police with any issues so they knew what was going on. Councillor Reynolds replied: “People do call and they get no response so they’ve had enough of calling, they say it’s a waste of time.” Town clerk John Wright said the council needed to tighten its relationship with the police, as it currently felt “disjointed” from officers. “Trying to arrange meetings has become a bit frustrating with just one PCSO who is not here all the time,” he said. “It’s important that we have a sense of what’s going on. We can do bit a more together because it feels like we are a bit disconnected at the moment.” Mr Underhill said he hoped Lyme would feel more connected with the police force if the merger did take place, as it would no longer be the “last bastion” on the outskirts of Dorset, and would be more central in the wider Dorset, Devon and Cornwall force. He added: “I sense your frustration. I hope you have told your MP because the government has cut and cut and cut. The government is not looking after policing.” A public consultation on the proposed police force merger will remain open until Monday, August 27. For more information or to respond to the consultation, visit the website www.futurepolicing.co.uk
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Counterfeit notes Pilot seriously injured used in Lyme area in light aircraft crash DORSET Police are asking members of the public, shopkeepers and those in the hospitality trade to be vigilant as there have been three reported incidents of counterfeit notes being used in the Lyme Regis area in the last week. Goods have been purchased or attempts have been made to purchase them using either fake English £20 notes or fake Irish £50 notes. Two incidents have taken place in Lyme Regis and Charmouth and another occurred in Bridport. The first incident occurred on Wednesday, August 15 at an hotel in the Charmouth area. Two white Irish men went into the hotel and asked if there were any cheap rooms available. When they were told there was only one room available they declined this but stayed and each ordered a drink at the hotel bar, paying with an Irish £50 note. Soon afterwards the member of staff that served them realised that the money was counterfeit but the men had already left. Both men were described as being in their early 20s, one being about 5’8” having short dark hair and had freckles and wearing sunglasses, shorts and a grey T-shirt, and the other as having short ginger hair, taller than the other man and wearing a white T-shirt and shorts. In a second incident on Saturday, August 18 a white Irish man entered a shop in Lyme Regis and attempted to purchase some items using a fake £20 note. The member of staff spotted that it was fake and confiscated it and the man then left the store and got into a blue
estate car with another man. The car had an Irish number plate and the man who had been in the shop was described as having short dark hair, was unshaven, had a scar on his nose and appeared to walk with a limp. In the third incident On Wednesday, August 22, a man used a counterfeit £20 note to purchase food in a Bridport shop. The man was described as being white, aged between 35 and 45 and of slim build with blonde hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a hoodie, a baseball cap, a wooden crucifix around his neck and was described as being “quite loud”. Dorset Police advice is to check all notes as they are passed in payment. Criminals trying to use fake notes will target businesses where they know that bank notes are not being checked and will often purchase small value items and pay for them using fake £20 or £50 notes. For information and advice on how to check English bank notes, see the Bank of England website www.bankofengland.co.uk or the website https://goo.gl/dY3R6g If you discover that you have been passed a counterfeit banknote it is your duty and responsibility to hand this in to the nearest bank so that they can dispose of the note safely. If you have any information about the circulation of fake notes, contact police on 101 or use the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
A PILOT has suffered potentially life-changing injuries after a light aircraft crashed on the Devon and Dorset border, near Lyme Regis. Emergency services were called to the scene at Blackpool Corner on the B3165 between Axminster and Marshwood, at about 1.50pm on Tuesday, August 21. Two men were injured in the crash. The male pilot sustained potentially life-changing injuries and was taken to hospital by air
ambulance. The male passenger was also taken to hospital by road ambulance as a precaution. The aircraft crashed into a field next to a solar farm. Witnesses said the aircraft was on fire in the sky before it crashed and it was severely damaged by fire when Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service arrived. Dorset Police are liaising with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Safe stolen in golf club burglary A SAFE containing a quantity of cash was stolen when Lyme Regis Golf Club was broken into in the early hours of Monday, August 20. Police were called to the scene where alarms were sounding at 4.20am and found evidence of forced entry at the rear of the property on Timber Hill. Officers have been carrying out forensic CCTV
Lifeboat assists broken down yacht
LYME Regis lifeboat crew were called to their 22nd emergency of the year on Wednesday, August 15, to help two men aboard a yacht with engine failure. The crews’ pagers sounded the alarm at 7.25pm, and the lifeboat was quickly alongside the 21-foot yacht, a short distance east of the harbour. The lifeboat crew towed the yacht to the safety of the pontoons just outside the harbour.
and house to house investigations but no arrests have yet been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55180134109.
CHARMOUTH VINTAGE FAIR Monday 27th August
Charmouth Community Hall
10am - 4pm
Enquiries: 01297 560634
ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Local couple launch taxi firm providing professional service CAUSLEY Cabs is run by husband and wife team Neville and Sarah Causley. Both have a background in hospitality, successfully running the Hunters Lodge Inn between Axminster and Lyme Regis for 14 years. During their time at the pub they built up a reputation for providing an excellent service to their customers, both working tirelessly to improve the busi- LOCAL couple Sarah and Neville Causley have launched Causley Cabs with a ness to ensure every- focus on providing a professional, reliable and friendly service one who stepped inside had a great experience. for over 25 years until his retirement in 2014. Their shared work ethic and desire to provide He organises the annual charity Santa sleigh, a superior service is the driving force behind which tours the streets of Lyme Regis every Christmas, bringing much excitement to local their new taxi venture. Sarah and Neville are focussed on providing children. Sarah has been producer/director of Lyme local people and visitors to Lyme Regis, CharRegis Pantomime Society for a number of years. mouth, Axminster and surrounding areas with She is also a member of the musical theatre a reliable, professional and friendly taxi service. groups in both Lyme and Bridport. Their objective is to offer their customers totally Sarah's love of dance inspired her to launch a transparent pricing, while ensuring each and local Fitsteps group, a ballroom and latin dance every person who gets into one of their cabs ar- based fitness class which she runs in Lyme and rives at their destination on time and in com- Charmouth. fort. When you book a cab through Causley Cabs Neville and Sarah, who have two grown up you can rest assured that the people driving you sons, Jake and Harvey, are both active members to your destination will do their utmost to enof the local community. sure your experience is positive. Whatever your requirements, Causley Cabs Neville was one of the longest serving members of the RNLI team at Lyme Regis, serving will provide the service to match.
FAMILY RUN TAXI BUSINESS YOU CAN RELY ON Local destinations Airport transfers Special occasions and nights out Business & Corporate Sightseeing tours & attractions Comfortable & safe Well-presented and helpful drivers Female driver available
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LOOK OUR FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE ON SEPTEMBER 7 Until then you can catch up with all the latest at www.lyme-online.co.uk
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NEWS ONLINE: Catch up with A round-up of the top stories from our website
Dorset drone operator Lyme gardener tops competition welcomes new rules A DORSET drone operator is welcoming new laws to regulate the use of drones in the skies above the UK. Geoff Goy, also known as Captain Drone, who has 30 years of experience as a private aircraft pilot and captures aerial photography around the Lyme Regis area, says that people who use drones must be prepared to operate within the new rules, which ban the use of the devices near airports and airfields.
GREEN fingered residents from Magna Housing were recognised for their skill and hard work to produce beautiful gardens, in the housing association’s annual gardening competition. Mrs McCarthy, who lives in Lyme Regis, was the overall winner of the John Foot Cup. A total of 25 people entered the competition and
the standard was very high, so the judges had a hard time placing the winners, who were invited to a presentation ceremony at Sandringham Court community room, Dorchester, to receive their certificates and prizes. Mrs McCarthy said: “I was really pleased to win and I will probably enter next year.”
Abbeyfield hosts annual summer fair DJ to present film in Lyme Regis Charity offers unique commission
ON a glorious summer’s day, the Abbeyfield Society of Lyme Regis & District held their annual summer fair. Visitors and residents of the Abbeyfield house in Silver Street enjoyed homemade cream teas, browsed various stalls and were serenaded by local singer Roy Wooton and his grandson Harvey.
IN a nationwide exclusive, the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis will screen ‘The Man From Mo’Wax’, a new film charting the life and career of the DJ icon, music producer and global trip hop mogul James Lavelle, presented by the man himself. For details of the screening, see www.marinetheatre.com
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ARTSREACH, the rural arts charity for Dorset is looking for artists to create unique and individual donation boxes or containers to help with its fundraising. The successful artist will be asked to make 20 boxes for a fee of £2,500. For full details visit the website https://bit.ly/2MrhoPa
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the latest from Lyme Regis
FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE
Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community No signs of slowing down in Lyme
Don’t miss the latest Town Mill exhibition RESIDENTS and visitors of Lyme Regis are invited to enjoy the latest exhibition at the Town Mill’s Courtyard Gallery, showcasing fascinating 2D and 3D work. Four artists – glass artists Celia Goodman and Kathy Collins, potter Martin Collins and watercolourist Jasper Jacob – have been inspired by the liminal spaces in landscapes and seascapes for their new exhibition ‘Edge’.
Golf club hosts national girls’ championships LYME Regis Golf Club was privileged to recently host the English Girls’ Under 16/14 Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Francesca Fiorellini won the under 14s competition with a final round score of two under par, while 15year-old Kerttu Hiltunen, from Finland, won the under 16 competition by an incredible 11-shot margin. Photo by Leaderboard Photography
LymeForward names Dorset joins Essex to its new manager improve social care DORSET County Council is teaming up with Essex County Council as part of a government initiative to improve children’s social care across the country. Partners in Practice gives councils the opportunity to work together and share best practice to strengthen the way they support the most vulnerable children.
THE directors of LymeForward are delighted to have appointed Chris Tipping as the organisation’s new manager, following a recruitment and interview process. He will start with LymeForward on Monday, September 3, working three days a week. With a strong business background and proven commitment to the community, Chris has been working part-time for Lyme Regis Development Trust as its property manager, which he will combine with his new role.
AUGUST seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye and the heatwave has cooled off, but Lyme Regis shows no signs of winding down towards as the end of summer approaches. This weekend is being billed as ‘The BIG Bank Holiday Weekend’, with two major events to be staged in the town (see page 15 for full details). Lyme Regis Football Club kicks things off on Saturday (August 25) with its popular Sausage & Cider Festival. A selection of Colyton Butchers’ finest sausages will be sizzling on the barbecue, while locally-made ciders will be available at the bar. There will be live music throughout the day, with headliners Delta Tango 7 playing at about 8pm, plus attractions for all the family. Gates open at 2pm and entry is free. Candles On The Cobb makes a welcome return on Sunday (August 26), with 5,000 candles set to light up Lyme’s historic harbour at 8pm. The event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities, growing each year since it was first thought up by assistant harbourmaster Mike Higgs and former town crier Phil Street in 2000. But when the original organising committee announced they didn’t intend to hold Candles again after the last event in 2015, Lyme thought it was the end for this spectacular fundraiser. Thankfully, the Rotary Club of
Lyme Regis has taken on the organisation this year, so residents and visitors can once again enjoy this completely unique and moving event. The 5,000 candles are available to purchase for £2.50 each in memory of loved ones and funds will be split between local youth causes and the Royal British Legion, honouring the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. If the bumper Bank Holiday wasn’t enough, the town will be filled with music and dancing as Lyme Folk Weekend hosts one last summer party from Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 2 (see page 14 for full programme). It may be time to go back to school but that doesn’t put an end to the special events in Lyme, as Mark Hix hosts the sixth Food Rocks festival over the weekend of September 8 and 9, bringing top chefs and the best produce the West County has to offer to town (see our four page wrap for all the details). It’s set to be a spectacular end to a scorching summer in Lyme Regis, but we’re not quite ready for the party to be over just yet. Francesca Evans, Editor
N E W LO O K
LYM E R EG I S
Sunday Sequence Every evening 8-10pm Dancing Fitness that’s ‘Strictly’ Fun New dancers welcome
Fun, Fab, Dance Based Fitness Join Sarah on Tuesday mornings from 10-11am for 1st session free Call 07788 946 427 for more information Other regular events include Ballet, Yoga, Pilates, Bingo and Short Mat Bowls
Folk legend announces concert in Lyme For more than 50 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators and, at times, a quietly controversial figure. The folk legend, who has worked with everyone from Bob Dylan to Paul Simon, has just announced a concert this October at the Marine in Lyme Regis - for full details see www.marinetheatre.com
To book the Woodmead Halls telephone Michaela Ellis on 07856 630975 Follow us on Twitter @WoodmeadHalls and Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodmeadhalls
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LYME MATTERS with Philip Evans Essential reading for all those with Lyme at heart
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Not the Arrows but a good day for Lyme I
T is impossible, of course, to replace the Red Arrows as a seaside attraction, but we did our best last week to make ‘I Love Lyme Day’ something special for locals and our visitors. For the past 40 years and more Lyme has been lucky to have the Red Arrows performing their spectacular aerobatics over Lyme Bay. There is no substitute for the Arrows. When people see them for the for the first time they often say it makes them proud to be British. I brought them to Lyme for the first time in the early 1970s when I was secretary of the Regatta & Carnival. After that they appeared free of charge every year during Lifeboat Week until 2015, after which a charge was made. Lifeboat Week organisers felt they could not justify spending charitable money on such a significant sum and it looked as though the long association between Lyme and the Arrows would come to a close. With generous financial support from Lyme Bay Holidays - a company that supports organisations and events in Lyme with great generosity - I formed the Lyme Regis Red Arrows 100 Club to raise the necessary funds to make sure the Red Arrows connection continued. Each member of the club contributed £100. So in 2016 and 2017 we were lucky enough to see the Arrows roar in over the Bay again and we were hopeful of bringing them back this year as part of the town council’s Community Week, in which local organisations were granted free access to Marine Parade to promote their group and fundraise in exchange for providing collectors during the Arrows’ display. Unfortunately, our application this year was not granted because it clashed with an engineering day for the Red Arrows jets. Keen to continue the community week initiative, the council asked if I could arrange
some aerobatic attractions and it was agreed to stage a ‘I Love Lyme Day’. Again, with the generous support of Lyme Bay Holidays, I managed to book The Flying Circus wing-walking by-planes and the RAF’s freefall parachute team, The Falcons. It was the first time by-planes had appeared in Lyme since the Rothmans Team came to the town in the 1970s, but due to safety regulations the planes had to perform 150 metres offshore which made it difficult to see the wing walkers. A blustery day also resulted in some of the free fall parachutists dropping into the sea rather than on the beach. The council staff, led by Councillor Cheryl Reynolds and administrative officer Adrianne Maslen, also put on a number of events during the day, culminating in a firework display. The council’s outside staff turned out in force, wearing the “I Love Lyme” t-shirts and Francesca and I pitched in to help during the day. Council staff get quite a bit of stick when things go wrong so it was good to see them all pulling together to make it a successful day. Well done Cheryl and Adrianne. Alan and Lynn Vian, as usual, were also fantastic. The outside staff were particularly helpful, joining in some of the activities, including cricket on the beach and five-side football, and I was happy to buy them all fish and chips at the end of the day for their efforts. Of course, the by-planes and parachutists were no substitute for the Red Arrows but they attracted a fairly good crowd and loads of kids enjoyed the other activities. My thanks go to the Matthews’ family at Lyme Bay Holidays for their continued support and to SWIM, the new restaurant/bar on the seafront, for providing hospitality for the Falcons parachutists, Hopefully the Red Arrows will return next year.
BY-PLANE aerobatics over the bay captured by talented amateur photographer Rob Wheeler
Now where did I put those platforms... IF only I kept those flared trousers and platform clogs I used to wear in the 1970s... I would have definitely worn them at the Marine Theatre on Saturday night where we clapped our way through a brilliant performance by the tribute band Abba Forever. They wore some pretty awful wigs but put on a fantastic show of all Abba’s greatest hits and a few other popular numbers from that golden era of music. I left the Marine thinking how lucky Lyme is to still have a theatre offering such a wide range of entertainment. The new team at the Marine, led by artistic director Gabby Rabbitts, seem to have got it just right in terms of the variety of entertainment now available at our theatre by the sea. There can be few small towns in the country that have so much live entertain-
ment 12 months a year. With new improved toilet facilties and a bar downstairs, the Marine has become a real asset to the town again, both for locals and holidaymakers, and it was good so see so many locals at Saturday night’s performance. In my childhood, the theatre always staged a traditional summer show and at one of these there was cowboy act complete with white horse which was kept backstage. Then, of course, there was the era of the Big Beat dances at the Marine, followed by some very barren years. Since the Marine as been run by a trust, the town council has invested heavily in it and the theatre’s big challenge now is to improve its financial viability and to persuade the next council to continue their funding. They deserve to succeed.
Let’s be fair when the council listens N
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O one’s been more critical of Lyme Regis Council over the years, especially in this column. Making councils accountable for their decisions is what proper newspapers should do, although very few do these days. The two other newspapers that circulate in Lyme rarely, if ever, attend council meetings. LymeOnline attends almost all meetings that are open to the press and we record them all so there can be no argument about who says what. On occasions I’ve come to the conclusion that some councillors would prefer us not to attend so we don’t report some of the more outrageous things they say. One thing we never submit to is when a councillor turns to the press bench and says, “don’t put that in”. When they say that, you can be sure it will end up in print. And whilst it may seem I have a
downer on the council, I have always been quick to praise them when they get it right. And they often do. I’m in the fortunate position of having sat both sides of the press bench, but things were very different when I was a councillor. There was less accountability or transparency. And now of course, as well as me having a go at them occasionally, they have the Facebook fraternity of Lyme, an unforgiving lot, to contend with as well. Last week’s big talking point on the Lyme Soapbox Facebook page was whether the town council was still planning to kick the bowling club off their premises on Monmouth Beach. It was alleged that some councillors were in favour of this. I rarely take part in such discussions but I weighed in with the view
that it would never happen and that the suggestion that the bowling club be moved to an alternative site had never been discussed in full council. It is true that a couple of councillors have mooted the idea and it is also a fact that the town council’s communication with the bowling club has left a lot to be desired. But club members turned up in force at a council meeting to make their feelings known and the council listened. This resulted in two members of the council - Brian Larcombe and Graham Turner - meeting with club members to thrash out a solution over the best use of the car parking facilities used by the club. The issue has not come into the public arena simply because there are no council meetings held in August, but I understand a proposal will go before the council in
September. Whilst they may have dragged their feet, the council listened to what the bowling club had to say and there is absolutely no intention of the club being kicked off their site. It’s a council duty to maximise their revenue assets and the main issue has been the car parking facilities at the club. So let me repeat: the bowling club is not under threat of being moved. One issue I have with the council is the umber of working parties that are formed to discuss various issues at which the press are public are barred. It is at such meetings when some of the more controversial matters are discussed behind closed doors and where decisions are often aired before going to full council.
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Cricket club auction raises over £3,000
UPLYME & Lyme Regis Cricket Club raised an impressive total of more than £3,000 at an auction on Saturday night. The star prize was the chance to spend a day on the set of the ITV hit series ‘Doc Martin’ in Cornwall, including a walk-on part as an extra alongside star Martin Clunes. Other lots included sports memorabilia, dinner vouchers and tickets to local attractions. The event was held at Lyme Regis Football Club on Saturday evening, with Simon Flux acting as auctioneer and Fossil Food Catering, run by cricket club member Steve Batey, providing the food. The auction was held as part of a fundraising campaign to purchase a new roller and provide a sound financial foundation for the club. Commenting on the total raised, Derek Wellman of Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club, said: “This is of course a great result and will go a long way in buying the roller and making the club financially stable . “Many thanks to all the organisations and individuals who contributed towards the auction and the club members who helped source prizes, serve up food and drinks. “The club would like to send an extended thank you to Lyme Regis Football Club for allowing us to use its facilities to host the event and to Patsy behind the bar who kept us watered all night. “I would like to personally thank the following non-members of the club who gave up their time to help run the auction and make it the success it was - Simon Flux, Stuart Fowler, Robbie Fowler, Yasmin Chowdhury and Kirsty Roberts.”
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Join us for food, craft beer and cocktails. Music kicks offf around 8.30pm
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TROPHY winners at the Charmouth Gardeners summer show
More entries in summer show despite poor growing season CHARMOUTH Gardeners held their annual summer show on Saturday, August 11. Despite the difficult growing season, entries were up on last year with more taking part in the home
produce classes, and judges commented on the high standard across all categories. Displays of fruit, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, home produce and photography were split between two
venues – St Andrew’s Community Hall and Charmouth Village Hall. Trophies were presented at the end of the afternoon, with Ron Dampier taking home the RHS Banksian Medal for most points in show.
! Cinema is coming =/<@C!BA! to Charmouth soon =/ THE cinema is coming to Charmouth with the staging of four movie nights in the village during the autumn. The nights are being staged by Charmouth Events Committee, in association with Moviola, with the films being shown at St Andrew’s Community Hall starting in September. Films will start at 7.30pm and refreshments will be on sale. Tickets are available at Morgans and Charmouth Stores (Nisa) and cost £5.50 bought in advance or £6 on the night. The first film to be shown on Thursday, September 20th will be ‘Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society’ (12A) starring Tom Courtenay, Michiel Huisman and Lily James, a period drama which has received rave reviews. This will be followed on Thursday, October 18 by ‘Hatton Garden - The Heist’ (15), a film that follows the planning and execution of one of the most audacious heists in British history. The third film night will be held on Thursday, November 22 featuring ‘Phantom Thread’ (15), starring Daniel Day Lewis, another highly acclaimed drama set in the 1950s post-war London. The run of four comes to a close pm Thursday, December 13 with the showing of ‘Leisure Seeker’ (15), a comedy-drama based on the 2009 book, starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren. If the film nights are well supported it is hoped to show more in the future.
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A SCENE from Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society, starring Tom Courtenay, the first of four films that will be shown in Charmouth during the autumn
Time for villagers to let their hair down again CHARMOUTH will be letting its hair down this Bank Holiday weekend with the staging of another Party In The Park, organised by Charmouth Events Committee. The popular event, now a part of summer life in the village, will be held in the Barr’s Lane playing field on Sunday (August 26th). Gates will open at 5 pm and there will be nonstop entertainment until 10 pm when the day finishes with a spectacular firework display. Food available during the event will include burgers and lamb curries with a vegetarian option and a bar will operate throughout. Entertainment will include Jess Upton and The Guilty Pleasures and popular signer Grace Gillan.
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Defibrillator funds and awareness to be raised at Lyme Heartbeat Day TWO new defibrillators have recently been installed in Lyme Regis by a fundraising group now known as Lyme Heartbeat. The automated external defibrillators were purchased following a highly successful fundraising campaign last year. These potentially life-saving devices are now fully operational and registered with the South Western Ambulance Service. One is located at the back of Monmouth Beach car park, past the Boat Building Academy, and the other is situated at the rear of the Marine Theatre. Lyme Heartbeat organised a boat jumble, raffle and crowdfunding campaign in September 2017, raising over £4,500 for the equipment. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to be used by members of the public and are very effective at guiding the operator through the process. The device is used to give an electric shock to help restart a patient’s heart when they are in cardiac arrest. Organiser Steve Postles commented: “Lyme Heartbeat are extremely grateful to the support of the local community and businesses in helping us raise enough funds for two units. “We also thank Lyme regis Town Council and the Marine Theatre for
enabling these units to be installed as planned.” The organisation is now planning to hold ‘Lyme Heartbeat Day’ on Sunday, September 16 in the Marine Parade shelters, with hopes of raising funds to purchase an additional unit and to support the ongoing maintenance of the existing devices. In a joint statement, organisers Rob James, Virgil Turner, Steve Postles and John King said: “Our plan is to increase the provision of 24-hour access defibrillators right across Lyme Regis as the availability of defibrillators can help to save lives. “When a heart stops beating from cardiac arrest, every second counts. The chances of recovery are reduced by about 10 per cent after each minute without action. “Effective CPR coupled with the use of a defibrillator within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can produce survival rates in the 49-75 per cent range. “If there were more public access defibrillators, more people could get a life-saving shock as quickly as possible, ahead of an ambulance arriving.” Indications are that many members of the public don’t know what an AED is, where to find one or how to use one. This is despite AEDs
LYME Heartbeat members (from left) Virgil Turner, John King, Rob James and Steve Postles standing beside the newly installed defibrillator near Monmouth Beach being suitable for use by untrained members of the public. Lyme’s chief fire officer and First Responder, Virgil Turner, commented: “We know it's not enough to have the devices in situ, educating the local com-
Lyme writer’s work published in project to mark WWI centenary A LYME Regis writer is among 100 to have their work published as part of a project to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. Sophie Olszowski is one of 100 writers invited to write a centena - a 100-word piece of prose based on the life of real individuals involved in the First World War, as part of the 100 Days project. Having launched on August 5 in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum, a new centena is being published every day on the First World War Centenary Partnership website, until November 12, covering the centenary of the hundreds days offensive. They will also all be published in a crowdfunded book with the proceeds going to charity. The centena literary form was specially created for the project by the writers’ collective 26 Characters Ltd, whose members have produced the works. Each runs to exactly 100 words with the opening and closing three words repeated. The stories cover a diverse collection of individuals from Mahatma Gandhi and Elsie Inglis, founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals, to Karl Kraus, a Jewish Austrian satirist and Jeanne De-Neve, a Belgian refugee needle worker. Sophie (pictured), a doctor with a PhD in neuroscience, has worked as a medical and science writer for more than 20 years for all UK broadsheets and well as specialist journals, and has also won prizes for her creative fiction. She chose to write about conscientious objector Harold Bing in her centena ‘Conscience or Cowardice’. Commenting on her choice of subject, she said: “I’ve long puzzled over why countries fight: while knowing I would, to defend loved ones, and that violent atrocities must be halted, state-organised murder is troubling. “I first researched these conflicting sentiments when my partner’s son was fighting in Afghanistan while my work focused on evidencebased medicine. Worried I had missed the point, I would ask military folk (trying not to offend people viewed as heroes) for evidence that war ‘works’. Show me that good outcomes – lives
munity on resuscitation and defibrillator usage is a priority which is why we will be holding a number of demonstrations during Lyme Heartbeat Day.” Full details of Lyme Heartbeat Day can be found on the website www.ly-
IN our regular series commemorating the 100th anniversaries of the deaths of all men from Lyme Regis and the surrounding area who died in the First World War, this week we remember Montague George Boucher and Arthur James Winter. With thanks to Vernon Rattenbury from the Royal British Legion for the research.
MONTAGUE GEORGE BOUCHER
saved or anguish lessened – are better achieved by war than by not fighting? “I won an award for a short story exploring this where I referred to the journey of Harry Patch. The longest surviving world war one soldier, his retrospective misgivings were at odds with the military pomp surrounding his life and death. “As I wrote then, ‘Where’s Harry Patch when we need him? Shrunken man so full of memories who told us that war is organised murder yet sat in your medals while we took your photograph and took you as our hero. Why did you let us, when people like you could have made the space between the dust, heat and grit of Helmand and my Ben, and now the last of you is gone?’ “I was interested to explore why ‘conchies’ refused to fight, other than their battles against those who deemed them cowards. Having recently settled in Lyme Regis I wondered whether conscientious objectors had been prominent here, but found little reference other than to them being attacked by women in the street.” For more details on the 100 Days Project or to read Sophie’s and other centenas already published, visit the website www.1914.org
Lance Corporal, A Company, 11th Battalion, Tank Corps. Service No. 302859 Born 1889 in West Bay, Bridport, and died August 23 1918 in France Montague Boucher was a Domestic Butler and initially enlisted at the start of the war in the 2nd Battalion, King Edward’s Horse at Hounslow, but later transferred to the Tank Corps. He arrived in France on May 4 1915 and later served with XIV Corps, taking part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Montague was killed in action along the Amiens/Arras front during the Second Somme Offensive. Son of Sidney and Lily Boucher, of The Coach and Horses Hotel, Charmouth, and a native of West Bay, Bridport, he is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France, grave VI.C.22 and is commemorated on the Charmouth war memorial.
ARTHUR JAMES WINTER
Able Seaman, Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Service No. Z/1404 Born September 28 1892 in Lyme Regis and died August 25 1918 in Arras, France Although born in Lyme Regis, Arthur Winter’s family who were Greengrocers, moved first to Brixham and then to Bridgewater. He enlisted on November 22 1915 giving his
meheartbeat.co.uk or by following the organisation on social media. The website also features a database and map of the 24 hour public access defibrillators currently in operation in the town.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM occupation as Chemist Porter. He joined the 2nd Reserve Battalion, Royal Naval Division at Blandford on February 23 1916 and was transferred to Hawke Battalion in July 1916. Arthur arrived in France on September 11 1916, being first drafted to 8th Entrenching Battalion before joining Hawke Battalion again. They took part in the following actions: Battle of the Ancre, November 13-18 1916 ; Operations on the Ancre, January-March 1917; Second Battle of the Scarpe, April 2324 1917; and Battle of Arleux, April 28-29 1917. He returned to England on leave between August 29 and September 8 1917 before going back to the Western Front and seeing more action during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. He was admitted to a field ambulance station on December 7 1917 and rejoined his unit on January 4 1918, but was then admitted to 150th Field Ambulance again suffering from mild diphtheria on February 15 1918 before being moved to 25th Stationary Hospital in Rouen. He did not rejoin his unit until April 20 1918, fighting at the Battle of Albert from August 21 to 23 1918. Arthur died from multiple shrapnel wounds received in action near Arras. The son of John Thomas and Sarah Winter of 36 St Johns Street, Bridgewater, Somerset, and husband of Mrs A.J. Winter of 4 Pattifinder Terrace, Bridgwater, he is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France, plot IV. G. 21 and is commemorated on the Bridgewater war memorial.
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Celebrating community on ‘I Love Lyme Day’ RESIDENTS and visitors celebrated their favourite seaside resort, as the first ‘I Love Lyme Day’ was held last Thursday. A whole day of community events was organised by Lyme Regis Town Council, with support from LymeOnline, to take the place of the Red Arrows which were unable to give a display in the town this summer. Instead, aerial displays from The Flying Circus wing walkers and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team wowed the crowds, their appearances made possible by generous support from Lyme Bay Holidays. Heavy rain cleared just in time for the first event of the day - children’s cricket on the beach led by Laurie Thomas of Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club. Youngsters were also able to enjoy a pavement art competition and a quiz trail around the town. Both children and adults took part in a five-a-side football tournament, while older members of the community joined in with an over 60s walking race along the seafront, won by 82-year-old Dinah O’Donnell. Local organisations which applied to take part in the event held fundraising stalls on the seafront, including Lyme Regis Football Club, the 1st Lym Valley Scouts, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and Lyme Regis Pantomime Society. Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee also held a stall the previous day, as they were unable to attend on Thursday. Members of youth music charity B Sharp performed in the Marine Parade shelters, followed by a reggae disco by DJ Mad Jeff, and ‘I Love Lyme Day’ was topped off with a spectacular firework display. Collections of more than £1,300 were raised on the day, with the money to be split between the local organisations taking part. Events ran smoothly but there were some concerns followed the RAF Falcons’ display, which saw two of the parachutists land in the sea due to an unexpected change of wind conditions. The RAF released the following statement after the display: “The Royal Air Force is aware of the RAF Falcons display at Lyme Regis, Dorset, not running as planned on Thursday, August 16 2018. “Following disembarkation from a Dornier 228 aircraft at 3500ft, the ten highly trained parachutists experienced an unexpected change of wind conditions at 1000ft. Due to a number of hazards close to the drop zone four of the parachutists elected to land approximately 30ft outside of the planned drop zone in a safe area. “This is a standard operating procedure designed to minimise any risk to both the parachutists and spectators. We can confirm that no injuries were sustained by either the RAF Falcons or the spectators. “Flight Lieutenant David Sellers, Officer Commanding the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, said: ‘We undergo intense training in order to prepare for these situations, the parachutists responded correctly to the scenario encountered, identifying the pre-briefed alternative landing areas to ensure the safety of all parties during the display.’” After landing, the Falcons were greeted by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her consrt Alan Ellis, and Group Captain Brian Lavender OBE Retired, who took the salute. See Lyme Regis Town Council page on 12
THE Flying Circus wing walkers and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team wowed the crowds with displays in Lyme Bay last Thursday. Right, the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, greets the RAF Falcons after they landed on the beach. Photos by Richard Austin and Francesca Evans
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PICTURED clockwise from top left - Lyme Regis Pantomime Society run fundraising games; Lyme Regis Football Club hold a popular bottle tombola; the 1st Lym Valley Scouts sell homemade cakes on their stall; Councillor Cheryl Reynolds hands out prizes to children for the pavement art competition; the over 60s walking race gets underway on Church Cliff Walk; youngsters from music charity B Sharp entertain; and children enjoy a football tournament on the beach
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‘I Love Lyme Day’ a huge success THE first-ever I Love Lyme Day has been hailed a success, with over £1,300 raised for local organisations. We held the event on Thursday, August 16 with the support of LymeOnline and the dynamic duo of Alan and Lynne Vian. I Love Lyme Day was put together in a matter of weeks to replace Community Week, when the Red Arrows were expected to perform in Lyme Regis. It was bitterly disappointing to learn the aerobatic display team wouldn’t be coming because of scheduled engineering works, but undeterred, we set about putting together a programme of events to make up for it. The RAF Falcons parachute display team drew in the crowds and there was extra excitement when a few of the parachutists missed their mark and landed in the sea and harbour! An amazing £667 was raised in the collection buckets. This will be split evenly between Lyme Regis Pantomime Society, Lym Valley Scouts, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and Lyme Regis Football Club, who all ran stalls in the Marine Parade Shelters throughout the day. Also among the highlights was a display by the Flying Circus, a formation wing-walking team. They were delayed due to cloud cover, but hopefully everyone thought they were worth the wait. The cricket and football matches on the beach were great fun, with people of all ages joining in and giving it a go. Pavement art produced some masterpieces,
and the camaraderie shown by the competitors in the over 60s walking race was very touching, as they all stepped over the finish line at the same time and donated the winnings back to the collection pot. Evening entertainment came from two talented B Sharp musicians and DJ Mad Jeff, and the fantastic fireworks’ display over the Cobb rounded off a successful day. An incredible £650 was raised during the fireworks in aid of the Mayor’s charity, the parish church tower fund. Our thanks go to everyone who supported us in putting on I Love Lyme Day – there are too many to thank individually, but there are several who simply couldn’t go unmentioned. Alan and Lynne Vian were on the seafront from early-morning until the early hours of the following morning. Their energy and enthusiasm was unwavering and their knowledge of running events in Lyme Regis was invaluable – we couldn’t have done it without them. We’d also like to thank Lyme Bay Holidays for their generous financial support for the aerobatic displays. Like any event, some things went better than others and we have plenty to learn from. It’s hoped we can put on a similar event next year, but we want to make it truly for the benefit of local people. The council needs to give it more thought, but we’d like to hold events over a week outside the main holiday season, such as open-air cinema, theatre, live music and sporting activities.
Plans for Mary Anning statue moving forward
A CAMPAIGN to install a statue of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning is gathering pace. The idea was first mooted to the council at a meeting of the Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee in early-August, when the councillors gave their backing to Cllr Cheryl Reynolds to find out more information and report back. Since then, the idea has taken on a life of its own and Cllr Reynolds is working with Dorset businesswoman Anya Pearson, whose 10year-old daughter Evie first put the idea in her head. Cllr Reynolds has been approached by several people who would like to make donations to help fund the statue, which is expected to cost a six-figure sum, and an eminent sculptress will be visiting Lyme Regis in the next few weeks to develop the project. Author Tracy Chevalier, who wrote about Mary and her life in her acclaimed novel, Remarkable Creatures, has also agreed to be one of the campaign’s patrons. BBC Spotlight has picked up the story, which was aired on Thursday and featured Evie and Cllr Reynolds. You can follow the #MaryAnningRocks campaign on Twitter @MaryAnningRocks.
COUNCILLORS and council staff pictured on the first ‘I Love Lyme Day’
Have your say on Local Plan RESIDENTS are being encouraged to have their say on the long-term planning strategy for the area. West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council have a joint Local Plan which forms the main basis for making decisions on planning applications. The Local Plan includes detailed policies and site proposals for housing, employment, leisure and infrastructure. The two councils are now reviewing the plan and has launched what is called the preferred
options consultation, which is an opportunity for the public to have their say on the preferred approach to meet future growth. The consultation is open until October 8 2018 and drop-in events are being held in the area, including in Lyme Regis. It will be held at the Woodmead Halls on Monday, September 10 from 10am to 7pm. You can find out more information and respond to the consultation online at dorsetforyou.gov.uk.
Opposition to pedestrian crossing A PUBLIC consultation has shown strong opposition to the proposed puffin crossing in Broad Street. There were 59 responses to Dorset County Council’s consultation in July, which we’re told is a high response rate for a traffic regulation order consultation. Of those who responded, 76 per cent objected to the proposed traffic regulation changes to make way for the crossing, and
Mayor to host county’s civic dignitaries CIVIC dignitaries from across Dorset will be welcomed to Lyme Regis when the mayor hosts her Civic Day. Cllr Michaela Ellis has invited mayors, leaders and chairmen from all over the county to the town on 10 October. The day will have a nautical theme, with visits to the Marine Aquarium, RNLI lifeboat station and Boat Building Academy included in the itinerary. A lunch of fish and chips and entertainment from youth music group B Sharp will be hosted at the bowling club. It has long been a tradition in Lyme Regis for the mayor to host a Civic Day, with visits to the museum, town mill, and sailing club, games of mini golf and boat trips all featuring in past programmes.
17 per cent supported the proposals. Following an approach to the council by a visually-impaired resident, supported by a petition with over 600 signatories, we gave our support to the crossing in February, before the public consultation took place. The final decision will be made by the county council, whose Regulatory Committee will consider the proposal in either October or November.
Park and ride to open late for Candles On The Cobb A REMINDER that the park and ride will operate later into the evening for Candles on the Cobb. We’ve arranged for the service to operate for an extra two-and-a-half hours on Sunday 26 August to allow people to stay later in the town for the lighting of the candles and the fireworks. The full timetable for Sunday is available at lymeregis.org/parking
Should police forces merge? WHAT do you think of the proposed merger of Dorset Police with Devon & Cornwall Police? If you have an opinion, now is the time to share it. The two forces want to know the public’s view on the proposed merger by completing an online survey at futurepolicing.co.uk/survey But you’ll need to be quick – the consultation closes on Monday, August 27.
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14 Friday, August 24 2018
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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
Free music and dancing for Lyme Folk A WEEKEND of free music, dancing and other events will bring the summer holidays to a close in Lyme Regis. Among a whole host of performers from the local area as well as further afield is a brilliant group of shanty singers who are visiting the town all the way from Fremantle, Australia. The Lost Quays are well known in their home country, and will be bringing their unique brand of Aussie entertainment to Lyme Folk Weekend as part of their European tour. Member Nick Eustance explained: “We are singing at the Bie Daip festival in Appingedam, Holland, one of the main shanty festivals in Europe, and then in Papenburg in Germany two weeks later. But this left 10 days or so in between to fill. “Lyme Folk Weekend falls exactly over the middle weekend, and Jeremy Hayes, the organiser, was very encouraging right from my initial tentative enquiry. It’s just what we were after, and we’re really looking forward to it all.” The Lost Quays will be performing on the free Seafront Stage on Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1. Also during the folk festival will be an opportunity to see one of Dorset’s rarest dance traditions. Bradninch Millers Morris are one of just three sides in the country who still perform stave dancing, a style unique to Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Stave dancing died out in the 1920s, before
being revived in the 1970s, but has been dwindling ever since. Bradninch Millers reintroduced it to their repertoire in 2012 and are doing all they can to keep the tradition going, performing original 19th century dances. They will be dancing in and around the town on Saturday, September 1. Back in Theatre Square for Lyme Folk Weekend will be the amazing Story Boat, a maritime museum created in an upturned boat. This fascinating attraction will be in place all weekend, but Saturday, September 1 will see it transformed into a unique miniature cinema of the sea, accompanied by musical performances. The tiny cinema is a collaboration between Gail McGarva, creator of the Story Boat, and Somerset folk singer Amanda Boyd. Archive films on show will tell the story of Dorset’s maritime past in this charming and unique setting. Lyme Folk Weekend will include all the usual music, dancing and other activities on the seafront, in the Ship Inn, Theatre Square, the Galley Cafe and, of course, the headline concerts in the Marine Theatre. The Sunday night finale concert starring Show of Hands is sold out, but tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows, featuring Ninebarrow, Merry Hell, Kadia and Ranagri are still available from the website www.lymefolk.com or from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138.
The Lost Quays y
The Story Boat
What’s on, where and d when — Your essential guide to this year’s festival estival FRIDAY AY AUG A 31 Marine Theatre NINEBARROW & FRIENDS featuring Kadia, The T Tea eacups & Will McNicol plus Toby Noble Doors: 7pm
Theatre Square The Story Boat 10-3pm: FREE Come and meet Story Boat creator Gail McGarva The Galley Cafe All day: The Galley is our
Seafront Stage FREE music all day 12 noon: Julian Shaw 12.40: TBC 1.20: Shiraz 2pm: TBC 2.40: Margaret Lyons 3.20 Elfentale 4pm: Hazel Williams 4.40: Charlie Barber 5 20: TBC 5.20: 6.20: The Fountaineers 7pm: Lost Quays
Come and see us on the
8pm: FREE Moonlit Ceilidh! With brilliant band No Strings Attached and caller Richard Gracie. Come and have a dance!
Claire Ji Marine Parade Morris dancing: Bradninch Millers, HappenMorris, Borderline Morris. (Times vary: see boards.)
SA ATURD TURDAY AY SEPT 1 Marine Theatre MERRY HELL plus Ranagri Doors: 7pm Seafront Stage FREE music all day 11.15: Bradninch Millers 11.50: Stanchester Quire 12.40: The Lost Quays 1.20: Shiraz 2pm: Mariners Away Away 2.40: Mellohed 3.20: Dave Easeman 3.50: Mariners Away 4.30: Axbridge Singers 5.10: One Stop 5.50: Pasajada 6.30: No Strings Attached 7.20: The Lost Quays Theatre Square The Story Boat 11-7pm: This amazing creation is being turned into a ‘miniature maritine be missed. PLUS, music
in Theatre Square from: 2pm: Amanda Boyd & Jane Jay 2.15: Axbridge Singers 2.45: Island Voices 3.15: Gail McGarva 6pm: Gail McGarva 6.10: Dawn Chorus 6.30: Amanda Boyd & Jane Jay
Yetminster Dancers The Ship Inn 1-3pm: Singing session with The Teacups Teacups The Galley Cafe All day: See Friday
Marine Parade Morris dancing See Friday SUNDAY AY SEPT 2 Marine Theatre SHOW OF HANDS plus Steve Dagleish and
The Ship Inn 1-3pm: Song and tune session with Richard Gracie The Galley Cafe All day: See Friday
Doors: 7pm Seafront Stage FREE music all day 12 noon: Yetminster Irish Dancers 12.40: Steve Dagleish 1.20: Tappers Tappers Knapp 2pm: Yetminster Irish Dancers 2.30: Juliette Hughes 3.10: Harbour Voices 4pm: Claire Ji 4.50: Yetminster Irish Dancers 5.30: present Kara-Ukey. You WILL L join in! Song sheets provided!
Uke-Men League Marine Parade Morris dancing See Friday Theatre Square The Story Boat See Friday
Marine Theatre tickets: 01297 442138 lymefolk.com
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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
Have your say at anti-Brexit film screening THE Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis will screen anti-Brexit film ‘Postcards from the 48%’, presented by its director David Wilkinson and writer Emlyn Price. The film is made by and features those who voted Remain in the UK’s EU Referendum, to show the other 27 EU Member States that they believe it was far from a landslide victory. It states the case for why they are fighting to stay part of the EU. The film argues that, despite both sides having been widely accused of relying on partial
information, neither side presented precise information. It concludes that voters used personal emotion or partially informed preference as a basis for voting. The film stars Joan Bakewell, Catherine Bearder, Vince Cable, Ruth Cadbury, Alastair Campbell, Rachel Clarke, Nick Clegg, Mark Constantine, Andrew Cook, Mark Durkan, Bob Geldof, AC Grayling, Bonnie Greer, Will Hutton, Rachel Johnson, Matt Kelly, Helena Kennedy, and Miriam Margolyes. The film screening will be followed by a ques-
tion and answer session with the director and writer, chaired by Anthea Simmons of Devon For Europe. Theatre manager Sophia Moseley said: “We’re not a political organisation and we provide entertainment for people from all backgrounds. “This event is open to those from both sides of the Brexit debate - and everyone who at-
What’s on... Friday, August 24
The Cuban Brothers Marine Theatre, 7.30pm The Cuban Brothers’ unrivalled funk soul review blends soulful music with b-boy action and riotous comedy. Tickets £15 in advance or £17.50 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
Saturday, August 25
Summer comes to a close with the BIG Bank Holiday Weekend TWO major events will be staged this weekend, bringing summer in Lyme Regis to a spectacular close. Billed as ‘The Big Bank Holiday Weekend’, Lyme Regis will play host its popular Sausage & Cider Festival tomorrow (Saturday, August 25) followed by the return of the unique fundraiser Candles On The Cobb on Sunday 26. Back by popular demand, Lyme Regis Football Club will host the second annual Sausage & Cider Festival, this year with an even bigger programme of entertainment. Gates at the Davey Fort ground on Charmouth Road will open at 2pm on Saturday, August 25 with live music all day, culminating with headliners DeltaTango7. Entry is free. A range of locally-made ciders will be on offer, as well as a selection of sausages from Colyton Butchers on the barbecue. There will also be a full bar, Pimm’s & Prosecco Tent, a raffle to win a wheelbarrow of booze and face painting. Money raised at the festival will go towards the club’s ongoing development fund, with plans to build a grandstand for supporters and to carry out extensive drainage work on the pitch next summer. Candles On The Cobb will return to Lyme Regis on Sunday and organisers have announced a whole programme of musical entertainment leading up to the unique event. The spectacular fundraising event will see 5,000 candles light up Lyme’s historic Cobb
harbour. The lighting of candles will take place at about 8pm but a whole day of entertainment will be on offer in the run-up to the event. The Lyme Luggers Ukulele Group will perform from 2pm to 3pm, followed by Lyme Regis Town Band from 3pm to 3.45pm, Pasajada Ukulele Bank from 3.45pm to 4.15pm and a second set from the town band from 4.15pm to 5pm. Harbour Voices, a local shanty singing group, will then perform from 5pm to 6pm. All the above acts will appear in the performance area of the Marine Parade shelters. From 6.30pm onwards, Uplyme Morris will be entertaining along the seafront, as well as a Male Voice Choir, either in the performance area or seafront gardens. Candles On The Cobb is this year being organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis as part of the 100th anniversary commemorations of the end of the First World War. Candles can be brought in memory of a loved one for £2.50 from the seafront on the day or visit the website http://candlesonthecobb.org Money raised will be split between the Royal British Legion and local youth causes.
tends will have a chance to voice their opinion.” The screening and talk will be held on Thursday, August 30 with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £6 in advance or £8 on the door, with a 10 per cent discount for Theatre Friends. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
Bethany Chapel Coffee Morning Bethany Chapel, 10.30am Refreshments and cakes raising funds for the air ambulance and lifeboat. Free entry. Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival Lyme Regis Football Club, 2pm A selection of locally-made ciders and sausages on offer, plus a programme of live music with headliners DeltaTango7. There will also be a full bar, Pimm’s & Prosecco tent, face painting and other attractions. Free entry. Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm An evening of comedy led by Dave Johns, lead actor from ‘I Daniel Blake’, who is also a celebrated comic. Bridport comedian Tom Glover hosts and there’s support from Dan Thomas and Karen Bayley. Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
Sunday, August 26
Café Worship, Uplyme Church, 9.30am Relaxed, all age, café-style worship at Uplyme Church on the last Sunday of each month. Candles On The Cobb 8pm, The Cobb The spectacular fundraising event returns, with 5,000 candles set to light up Lyme’s historic Cobb harbour. A programme of musical entertainment will be held all afternoon on the seafront in the run-up to the main event. In aid of the Royal British Legion and local youth causes. Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.
Monday, August 27
Film Screening: ‘Nothing Like A Dame’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith have let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. Tickets cost £4 in advance or £6 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for film at 7.30pm.
Tuesday, August 28
Lunchtime Concert St Andrew’s Church, Charmouth, 12noon Regular lunchtime concerts at St Andrew’s Church in Charmouth, this time with Annabel Howitt giving a piano recital.
Wednesday, August 29-Thursday, August 30
Second-hand book sale Jubilee Pavilion, 11am both days A two-day secondhand book sale to be held in aid of the Friends of Lyme Regis Philpot Museum.
Thursday, August 30
Amadeus Animation Workshop Lyme Regis Museum, 10am-3pm Join animator Matthew Dean and help to create a fabulous animation based on local children’s book ‘Amadeus and the Sea Dragon’ – the adventures of
Send your diary dates to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk www.lyme-online.co.uk/events
an ammonite! Matthew has been teaching animation and film-making for 14 years, and these workshops are sure to be creative and fun. This drop-in session is a free with normal museum admission fees. Talk and cinema: ‘Postcards from the 48%’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Screening of a film made by and featuring those who voted Remain in the UK’s EU Referendum to show the other 27 EU Member States that they believe it was far from a landslide victory, followed by a Q&A session with director David Wilkinson and writer Emlyn Price, chaired by Anthea Simmons, Devon For Europe. Tickets £6 in advance or £8 on the door call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for screenings at 7.30pm. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association.
Friday, August 31-Sunday, September 2
Lyme Folk Weekend Venues across town The popular folk festival returns, bringing some of the top names of the industry to Lyme Regis. Headline gigs will be held in the Marine Theatre, with music and morris dancing also being held at the Galley Café, The Ship Inn and on the seafront. See www.lymefolk.com for full details and tickets.
Sunday, September 2
Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.
Monday, September 3
Football Club Cash Bingo Lyme Regis Football Club, 7.30pm Cash bingo in aid of Lyme Regis Football Club, held on the first Monday of every month. Eyes down 7.30pm, book of six for 10 games costs £4.20.
Thursday, September 6
Live Screening: ‘Julie’ Marine Theatre, 6pm A new version of August Strindberg’s play ‘Miss Julie’, written by Polly Stenham, remains fiercely relevant in its new setting of contemporary London. Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) and Eric Kofi Abrefa (The Amen Corner) star. Tickets cost £11 in advance or £14 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6pm for screening 7pm. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association.
Saturday, September 8-Sunday, September 9
Food Rocks Marine Parade Mark Hix’s food festival returns for the sixth year, bringing top chefs to Lyme Regis for live demonstrations, talks and tastings, plus a variety of stalls on the seafront offering the finest produce from around the South West. In aid of the RNLI and Fishermen’s Mission.
Saturday, September 8
Live Music Night @ The Nag’s Head The Nag’s Head, 9pm Regular live music nights at the Nag’s Head, this week with acoustic covers duo Gut & Steel.
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P
ECORAMA in Beer opened its doors to the public in 1975 and has been a favourite day out for locals and visitors alike ever since. Aside from the breath-taking views over Lyme Bay, Pecorama has nine acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with a 7 ¼ inch narrow gauge passenger carrying railway running for over a mile around our grounds. There’s steam and diesel locomotives, an electric tram, a railway modelling exhibition and shop, indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, plus various eateries on site. Even people who have been to Pecorama are surprised to discover that the PECO group of companies was established in 1946 to design and manufacture model railway track. That make PECO two years older than the NHS! The PECO founder, Sydney Pritchard, set up ‘The Pritchard Patents Product Company’ which was often referred to as ‘the P company’ and subsequently became incorporated as
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Friday, August 24 2018 17
Happy days at Pecorama
‘PECO’. Sydney’s son, Michael, helped establish Pecorama as a tourist attraction in 1975 and was the Managing Director for many years before becoming Chairman in 2015, when Sydney’s grandson, Ben, became the current Managing Director. In addition to tourism, product design and manufacturing, the PECO Group also publish two railway modelling magazines on site in Beer, which have the highest circulation of magazines of their kind across Europe. Pecorama welcome around 80,000 visitors a year and the most common feedback from visitors and review on social media tends to mention great staff, the quality of the site, how much there is to enjoy and value for money. General Manager, Russ Pearce, said: “We’re on a mission to constantly improve our customers’ experience without compromising the special ‘feel’ of a visit to Pecorama. “Over the coming year visitors will experience many new elements to our site, for example, more special events, themed food and drink evenings, weddings, private bookings, business meetings and special user groups”. It’s fantastic to know that a local attraction that’s become such a well-loved institution for visitors and railway modelling enthusiasts alike remains committed to providMUSICIAN and model train enthusiast Jools Holland pictured during a visit to ing what its always Pecorama earlier this year, when he launched a new steam engine named ‘Jools’ set out to provide – Photos by Richard Austin Happy Days!
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Procession tops off successful carnival week DESPITE the wet weather, huge crowds turned out for the annual carnival procession on Saturday, August 11 - topping off another successful Regatta & Carnival Week in Lyme Regis. Local clubs and organisations, as well as individual children and families, turned out in force to take part in the procession, which also included two marching bands and Lyme Regis Majorettes. The colourful parade was led down Pound Street, Broad Street and along Marine Parade to the Cobb, with the rain holding off just long enough for the crowds to enjoy the spectacle. The fire engine led the way, followed by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her consort Alan Ellis in their motorised buggy. The parade topped off a week of family-friendly events, including a torchlight procession, open-air cinema and fireworks display. Children enjoyed pavement art, a teddy bear’s picnic, sand sports and a family dog show, while on the water Lyme Regis Sailing Club held their annual regatta. Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee chairman, Alex Heath, commented: “Regatta and carnival week has been great this year with a fantastic team that have given there all to achieve a great week of activities for all ages. “We have been so pleased with all the support from the community and local traders. A huge thank you to all that got involved this year.”
LYME Regis Pantomime Society promote next year’s production ‘Snow White’. Below, Lyme Regis Football Club’s youth section were the loudest entrants in the carnival procession, belowing horns and whistles throughout the event
NOAH Turner as a circus ring master. Right, the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Above right, Plastic Free Lyme Regis with their marine-themed umbrellas and local youngsters dressed as an admiral and a knight
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LYME Regis Musical Theatre promote next year’s production ‘Anything Goes’
LYME Regis Christmas Lights Committee got into the festive spirit
LYME Regis Brownies
LYME Regis lifeboat crew and their families
LYME Regis Taekwondo Club took on a superhero theme
MEMBERS of Lyme Regis Power Boat Club
THE Beach Team handed out balloons
LYME Regis Kids Club has a Minions theme for this year’s procession
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Woodroffe pupils achieve excellent results in both A-levels and GCSEs DESPITE the introduction of much tougher exam specifications, students from The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis once again impressed with their A-level results. Students had been awaiting their results with much anticipation due to the new specifications. They have had to cope with harder exams, much more content to learn and the withdrawal of coursework from most syllabuses. This is also the first year in which the majority of students took A-Levels without the intermediate step of AS levels to help them towards a final grade. But The Woodroffe School confirmed its position as one of the most successful fully-comprehensive sixth forms in the county as pupils collected their results on Thursday. The overall pass rate was 99.6% and 47% of entries were graded A*, A or B, with 21% at A*/A. Outstanding individual A-Level performances included Cody Lau, who gained 3A*s in maths, further maths and physics, securing him a place at Cambridge University; Iona Adair achieved 3 A*s in art graphics, media studies and photography; Rumi Thompson gained two A*s in geography and politics and an A in classics; Jack Price gained two A*s and a B; Ruby Bond one A* and two As; Mia Cawthorne an A*, an A and a B; Anna Brent an A* and an A; Wilf Jevons, an A* and two Bs; Lottie Maynard, an A*, a B and a C; and Luke Johnson and Matthew McStea both achieved three A grades each. Although far fewer AS Levels were taken by Year 12 students this year, the results in those subjects which still offered the AS qualification were excellent. There was a 100% pass rate overall and some impressive individual subject performances. For example, seven students gained A grades in photography and four in classical civilisation. Performance in vocational qualifications was particularly pleasing with 100% pass rates in all subjects, including business, sport and exercise science, and workskills. It is also worth noting that a significant number of students who completed their A-levels last year and took a gap year were successful in securing university places and they will be starting courses at some of the best universities in the country in September. Isabella Brown, for example, is off to Oxford to study classics. Headteacher Dr Richard Steward said:
“As always, I am delighted to celebrate the success of our sixth formers. I am always impressed by the resilience of students who year on year manage to navigate the complexities of A-level study to attain outstanding results. “It is great to see so many individuals achieving A* and A grades and pleasing to note the consistency in results across all subject areas. For a medium sized comprehensive school in a rural area, Woodroffe offers an excellent range of subject choices at A-level and it is good to see students performing well in all of them. “It is particularly encouraging to see top class performance in both the arts and sciences. Despite lots of warnings in the press regarding changes to A-levels and more demanding exam papers, Woodroffe has maintained its record of excellent performance at all levels. “Once again students will be leaving Woodroffe to take up places at many of the best universities in the country and I am pleased to say that the majority of students met their target grades and secured university places. We all wish them well and are confident that they are on course to succeed at degree level. Turbulent waters “With constant changes to examination specifications and accountability measures, this has been a difficult year for sixth forms and sixth formers, and it is a tribute to the professionalism and expertise of staff at Woodroffe that students have been guided so successfully through very turbulent waters.” GSCEs were also a challenge this year, seeing some of the most significant changes to the exams, both in terms of subject content and the grading structure. Instead of A*-G, exams are now marked 9-1, with 9 being the highest, 7 roughly equivalent to an old A, and a 4 to a C. The new government benchmarks now focus on the number of students achieving 4+ (a standard pass) and 5+ (a strong pass), with particular focus on ‘the basics’, i.e. English and maths. The Woodroffe School achieved another remarkable set of GCSE results, with 78 per cent of students gaining more than five standard passes including English and maths. In English, 87 per cent of students achieved a standard pass (4+), with 75 per cent achieving a strong pass (5+). In maths, 85 per cent of students achieved a standard pass (4+), with 66 per cent achieving a strong pass (5+).
The combined ‘basics’ figures were very impressive indeed, with 81 per cent of students achieving a standard pass in both English and Maths, and 60 per cent achieving a strong pass. Woodroffe is unusual in that the majority of students continue to take a modern foreign language at GCSE. This means that its eBacc scores are always high, and this year it was no different with 46 per cent of them achieving the eBacc. Entries for separate sciences are also always high and this year the standard pass rate was 100 per cent in all three subjects. Religious studies saw nine out of the 27 entries achieve a grade 9. For a fully comprehensive school, this represents outstanding performance and one which confirms the school’s Ofsted Outstanding status. There were some excellent individual performances with a host of students gaining impressive sets of grades, including a good number of the new harder to attain grade 9s. Theo Coleman gained seven 9s, plus two A*s from subjects still using the old system; Jamie Waplington achieved five 9s, one A*, and four 8s; Sean Harvey six 9s, and two 8s; Grace Bellorini five 9s and three 8s; Max Helston four 9s, one A* and three 8s; Beth Gillies three 9s, two A*s and two 8s; Kitty Ford, five 9s and two A*s; Chloe Saltmarsh, two 9s, two A*s, and four 8s; Oscar Bowskill, four 9s and two 8s; Louis King four 9s and four 8s. Dr Steward commented: “‘This is a fantastic set of results and I am absolutely delighted to see so many of our students doing so well. “As ever, students have worked incredibly hard and one can only admire the commitment and determination of those young people who manage to achieve high grades across such a broad range of disciplines. “ It is also vitally important to recognise the dedication of the Woodroffe staff who work tirelessly to ensure that all students do their best every year but especially this year when the introduction of new courses, new syllabuses and the new grading system has led to great turmoil in the system and a huge amount of extra work. “I am delighted to say that the vast majority of students will be joining the sixth form where I am sure they will continue to do well. A-Level results were also impressive this year and serve to underline the overall excellence of the school.”
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Friday, August 24 2018 21
Tales From Lyme’s Past
A glimpse of our history by Peter Lacey
FIERY AND ASHES THE expansion of Lyme in the 19th century was restricted by its topography. This led to buildings being congested and therefore fire was a major hazard. On Guy Fawkes Night 1803 “a great fire broke out at a bakers close to the George Inn”. The town’s three fire engines were poorly maintained and ineffective so the fire rapidly spread. Houses in Mill Green were soon ablaze; 42 were destroyed as was the cloth factory. It was said that “a great distress prevailed, the houses being tenanted by the lower orders, nevertheless the destruction of so WOODCUT from Illustrated London News, May 18 1844 many close unhealthy houses may smouldering ruins. The Shambles was the next have beneficial results”. victim; its roof caught fire, the building along It is unlikely that those made homeless had with the clock and spire burnt to the ground, the same feelings; weeks later, they were still the bell was saved and now resides in the muhaving to cook their meals on a furnace seum. erected in the church porch. Some 50 houses were wholly or partly deNote the term “lower orders”. It was an age stroyed leaving the families homeless. The of inequality asserted by a defined hierarchy total estimated damage to the town was which included the church. The poor were ex- £25,000, which would equate to £1,750,000 horted “to be happy with the station in life that today. God had placed them and not to envy those November 1889 saw yet another fire, this above them”. time in Broad Street destroying “several buildOn the May 11 1844 a second and more ex- ings below the Three Cups in Broad Street”. tensive fire broke out. The London Evening Lyme had always celebrated Guy Fawkes News stated “nothing could arrest the flames”. Night with a degree of recklessness, a dangerThis conflagration also started in a bakers, ous custom was that of lighted tar barrels which once again was close to the mediaeval being raced down Broad Street by youths who George Inn, it was soon ablaze. Completely attempted to control them with long poles. The destroyed it was never rebuilt, George’s authorities put an end to the practice (circa Square is the only link to what was an historic 1895) when a flaming barrel crashed through building and the centre of the pack horse the door of the Pilot Boat Inn causing a serious trade. fire. The fast moving fire consumed the Three That so many of the town’s historic buildings Cups Hotel (at that period opposite Cobb that would today have had listed status are no Gate), the Pilot Boat Inn, the adjacent Market longer with us is a tragedy. Place and Custom House - all reduced to Peter Lacy
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1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA 01297 443157 email: info@thepilotboat.co.uk ●
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Fully air conditioned 90-seat restaurant All-day dining 8am to 10pm Stunning roof terrace
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Families welcome
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Dog friendly
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Live music on Tuesday, Wednesdays & Thursdays
The Pilot Boat has been relaunched following a nine-month project by Palmers Brewery to rejuvenate the iconic grade II listed building back to life as a lifestyle destination pub & restaurant with roof terrace and bedrooms.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU
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FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin
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SUCH a fantastic feeling when a great idea comes together in the exact way you imagined it. Meet Jess, the friendliest dog I have ever met. Not only was she loved by people but also by all the sheep on the farm where she lived. I first met Jess when I went to the farm to photograph her owner, Louise. I couldn’t help noticing that Jess was happiest carrying something in her mouth as she wandered in amongst the herd of sheep. I don’t know why but the idea of Jess feeding the lamb with a bottle of milk in the middle of the Devon countryside came to me whilst driving on the M5. All the ingredients were in place, a dog with a bottle of milk, a bottle-fed lamb and the rolling hills that is the Devon countryside.
The photo shoot went so well it was over in 10 minutes using a single bottle of milk. The photographs of Jess running up the hill squeezing the bottle and milk spraying everywhere were a treat. The picture was a great success and published in newspapers all over the world. It also attracted TV stations globally with six different film crews trying to replicate it. I have to say none of them managed to come close to the original. Sadly, Jess died last year from old age peacefully in her basket at home. Jess will live on in her famous photograph and leave many people glad to have met her. She is also immortalised on a greeting card. An amazing dog.
■ I TOURED the wonderful Albert Hall in London this week followed by a cream tea in one of their restaurants. The whole day was perfect, and the tour very interesting and informative I learned so much from it. I was amazed to learn that it only took four years to build the Albert Hall from the day that Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone in 1867 to the day she officially opened the building in 1871. It made me wonder whatever is going on here in Lyme; we have a cinema which is in ruins following the fire over two years ago, we have an hotel that has been empty waiting to rebuilt for over 20 years. It is unbelievable that 145 years ago the Victorians were able to build that wonderful building in four years with no modern equipment, with no university trained designers, builders or anything like that. Come on residents of Lyme Regis, let’s get our act together and persuade the owners of these properties to get on with it. We want our cinema back and the Three Cups to be up and running again. Hazel Read, Clappentail Park, Lyme Regis
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Woodroffe students celebrate excellent A-level results https://bit.ly/2w5jGcI Read 266 times, reached 1,143 on Facebook and 293 on Twitter
Light aircraft crash on Devon and Dorset border https://bit.ly/2MpMoPL Read 221 times, reached 660 on Facebook and 218 on Twitter Full programme of events for Candles on the Cobb https://bit.ly/2N6t3zg Read 201 times, reached 1,378 on Facebook and 194 on Twitter LymeForward appoints new manager https://bit.ly/2BEX2go Read 139 times, reached 775 on Facebook and 143 on Twitter Seasiders start Premier League campaign with late penalty victory over old rivals https://bit.ly/2whN8eX Read 104 times, reached 550 on Facebook and 645 on Twitter
communitynews
24 Friday, August 24 2018
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Five generations of the same family get together in Lyme
Action-packed summer camp for Scout troop
THERE’S nothing in life more important and family - just ask the Parkinson/Ward/Allen/Wakely family of Lyme Regis. Recently five generations of the family got together for this unique photograph. Pictured (left to right) are: Dawn Allen (great great-grandmother), Jacqui Ward (great grandmother), Nettie Wakely (grandmother), Nicole Parkinson-Ward (mother) and Mason Parkinson (son).
Lyme Regis Branch Don’t miss our forthcoming events:
August 25th ED The Big L L E Cream Tea NC A C £7 September 21st Soup and Sweet Lunch at the Woodmead Halls 12 noon to 2pm All welcome
October 26th Coffee Morning and Cake Stall Baptist Church Hall, Silver Street
November 3rd Bonfire Curry Night Lister Room - Watch the fireworks while enjoying a delicious curry Phone 07796 951991 to book
November 30th Christmas Bingo at the Woodmead Halls All welcome
THE 1st Lym Valley Scouts had an incredible week-long summer camp this year at ‘Run to the Fun’, the county Jamboree held at Exeter Racecourse on Haldon Hill. The Scouts took part in a range of activities, from a hike on Dartmoor and paddle boarding at Exeter quay to a silent disco at the camp. Scout leader Karen Yelland said: “The Scouts had a brilliant time at the jamboree and had a lot of fun meeting people from across the West Country and around the world. The Scouts are now really looking forward to our summer camp next year, when we will be heading off the south of France for a water sports week.”
Courgettes grow taller than their gardener! YOUNG horticulturist Ashely Ball will be munching through is mammoth crop of courgettes for some time, after one grew to almost six feet tall. Ashley who works alongside his dad Nigel Ball in and around Lyme Regis, planted some courgette seeds in May not really knowing what would come of them, but the trombonchino variety has thrived in his greenhouse, despite the difficult growing conditions this summer, simply grown in compost and kept well watered. The longest was even taller than Ashley!
communitynews
Friday, August 24 2018 25
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Community Lunch joins with Meet & Remember
FOLLOWING the August break, LymeForward’s Community Lunches and Meet & Remember sessions will join forces on Wednesday, September 19. The two events will be brought together at Lyme Regis Football Club, with the community lunch at 12.30pm followed by Meet & Remember at 2pm. The lunch will include roast chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, followed by apple pie and custard, with tickets costing £6 available from the Penny Black Café behind the post office. The Meet & Remember session will include a talk by Heather Godfrey of Aromantique, who will outline the benefits of aromatherapy and give hand massages. Tea, coffee and cake will be available, with an opportunity to chat and reminisce. Lunch places must be booked in advance but no booking is required for Meet & Remember. Free parking is available at the at the football club but if you require transport, contact Heather Prior on 01297 441224 or email heather@lymeforward.co.uk
Talk on fighting memory loss THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, held a beach stall in aid of her chosen charity of the year last Sunday. The stall was held in the Marine Parade shelters, including a tombola, homemade cakes, bric-a-brac, books and clothes and raised £608, which will be donated to St Michael’s Parish Church’s Town Fund, to make essential repairs to the bell tower, which is suffering from water ingress.
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THE Friends of Charmouth Library will host a talk on ‘Fighting Memory Loss’ on Thursday, September 6. The talk will be held in Charmouth Library at 3pm for a 3.15pm start, offering strategies for potential patients and carers. The talk is free and refreshments will be available.
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ITEMS TO SELL?
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Please note this service is only for private sellers, not for commercial items, tradespeople or vehicles. Please include a brief description of your item, the cost and a telephone number where a buyer may contact you. If you wish to advertise an item over £200 your advertisement will cost 10p per word, please email or phone us to arrange payment. Please also include your name and address, although this will not be published.
QUALITY A-frame hardwood picnic table, pub-style bench seats either side, 6 foot, heavy, cost £150 new, now £75 - 01297 443930. LITTLE black dresses, sizes 12-18, ideal waitress-wear, good makes such as Wallis, Jaeger, etc, £5 each - 01297 443930. DUVET, luxury quality, double bedsize, 13.5 tog, seen occassional use in spare bedroom, bargain £10 - 01297 443930. TOYOTA portable sewing machine RS200, single dial, 18 stitch, zig zag, overlock, darning facility, £20 - 01297 443963.
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ITEMS FOR SALE
‘CHIDEOCK: Wander Through This Enchanting Village’ book, mint condition, £8 - 01297 560934 (evening). MARTINA Cole ‘Betrayal’ hardback, dust cover, mint condition, £8 - 01297 560934 (evening). Your name: ....................................................................................................................... Your address: .................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... Telephone number: .........................................................................................................
Send this form to: Items For Sale, LymeOnline, Unit 5, Uplyme Business Centre, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS
BRITAX Eclipse car seat, suitable for children 9-18kgs, very good and very clean condition, our grandchild outgrew it, £27 - 01297 444437. HABITAT uplighter, matt black, 6ft tall, excellent condition, £25 - 07971 955520. WELLBEING Elite Care Commode, chair folds, flat boxed, free - 01297 443419.
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LymeOnline Sport
email your sports reports to edit@lyme-online.co.uk
football
Second Premier win for Seasiders AFTER Saturday’s nail-biting victory over Beer Albion, Lyme Regis first team dispensed with another near rival, Seaton Town, chalking up their second Devon & Exeter Premier Division victory on Tuesday.
Saturday’s victory over Beer had a real local derby atmosphere about it, watched by a crowd of 150. But Tuesday’s game, also well supported, was a scrappy affair with Lyme dominating
PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk for much of the game in a 3-1 win. Their first goal came after just 11 minutes when mid-fielder Ben Turner skilfully brought the ball down on his chest before driving it home from 20 yards. Lyme continued to press and Julien Simier went close with a left footed curling shot which skimmed the post. The visitors increased their lead
cricket
after 29 minutes when a corner from Rob Fellingham was met at the near post by centre-back Dominic Rowe, whose glancing header gave the Seaton keeper no chance. There was more goalmouth action from the Lyme front-runners with Ben Vine going close and Mark Bailey heading wide from a good position. Simier also had the ball in the net again but the goal was ruled offside. Jacob Rowe, son of former Lyme player Nicky Rowe, came on in the second half to add some fizz to the Lyme midfield and demonstrated a range of skills, which makes the Loughborough student a much sought-after signing while he is home from university. Rowe demonstrated those skills,
putting the game beyond Seaton’s reach in the 87th minute, when he slotted the ball home from a narrow angle to complete the 3-1 scoreline. This was a workmanlike performance from Lyme, putting together some good passing moves. Turner worked hard in midfield, Keiren White looked sharp at full-back and Simier showed more than enough to demonstrate he still has the appetite for first team football. No games for the Lyme teams on Saturday as the club is hosting a sausage and cider festival to raise funds for Project Fortify, the club’s development programme, but the first team expect their early success to be challenged next Tuesday when they travel over the hill to Colyton, champions of Division One last season.
Reserves fight for point
MARK Bailey of Sporting Chance presents a cheque for £200 to Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club’s Steven Batey towards the club’s fighting fund, the result of cricket coaching courses on the King George V playing fields during the summer holidays
LYME Regis Reserves started their Devon & Exeter League Division Four campaign with a hard fought 1-1 draw at home to near neighbours Millwey Rise on Wednesday evening. The Axminster side were much the better outfit in the first-half and went in at half-term with deserved 1-0 advantage, their goal coming from Tyler Allen who fired the ball home from an acute angle after the Lyme keeper, Will Meech, failed to clear a goalmouth scramble. The young Millwey side gave the home defence a few anxious moments and were a yard quicker in midfield. They came close to increasing their lead just before the interval with a freekick that skidded wide. Lyme’s best scoring chance in the first half also came from a free-kick, delivered across the face of the goal by Jake Bearpark which just eluded centre-back Wallace Blackmore bearing down on the goal.
It was a different story in the second half with Millwey running out of steam and Lyme looking the more dangerous especially when Sam Pollard-Jones came on in midfield. It was Pollard-Jones who got the equaliser with a sublime left-foot volley in the 75th minute. Lyme put the Millwey defence under extreme pressure with number of corners and were kept in the game with two spectacular saves from their keeper, Brett Garner, the former Axminster Town gloveman who has lost none of his athleticism. New signings Joe Allen and Max Patch, former Perry Street players, showed some useful touches and Jake Bearpark, who was in the first team squad at Seaton on Tuesday, was in impressive form. The Reserves next league fixture will be on Saturday, September 8th when they travel to Hemyock.
sailing
Uplyme cricketers lose to local rivals Chardstock UPLYME & Lyme Regis 1st X1 returned to action on Saturday after three weeks without a game – two through cancellation due to lack of players, which resulted in a reduction of 20 points from Devon Cricket league’s D Division East, and the previous week’s game being rained off. Uplyme entertained close neighbours and old rivals Chardstock, who won the toss and elected to field. Uplyme fielded only ten men and were bowled out for 180 in 43.2 overs, with captain Laurie Thomas top-scoring on 54. Mark Batey, batting at No 3, weighed in with 18 runs and Rob Them (28) and Mark Brimicombe (18) made useful contribu-
tions at the end of the innings. Richard Pyman was Chardstock’s best bowler, returning figures of 3-21 off his nine overs. The visitors knocked off the required runs in 42 overs for the loss of five wickets, thanks to a blistering 97 not out from Gary Larcombe. Laurie Thomas was Uplyme’s best bowler, finishing with two victims for the loss of 34 runs. This defeat leaves Uplyme entrenched firmly at the foot of the table on 90 points. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are due to make the long journey to Barnstable and Pilton, who are lying in fourth place in the table.
THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her husband Alan pictured with sailing club commodore Jerry Rook and race officials
Lyme hosts national championships SOME of the top sailors from across the world have been competing in Lyme Regis this week for the Merlin Rocket Championships 2018. Lyme Regis Sailing Club hosted the championship, a major event which welcomes Olympic sailors including medal winners and world and national champions from many classes. The event was launched on Saturday
night with a reception at the clubhouse on Marine Parade, hosted by club commodore Jerry Rook and attended by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her consort Alan Ellis. Racing got underway on Sunday and social events have continued throughout the week. The championship will be closed with a prize giving ceremony in the clubhouse this afternoon (Friday).
golf
Brilliant scores in August stableford By Richard Jackman THE seniors’ August stableford at Lyme Regis Golf Club produced a string of brilliant scores. In Division 1 if your points didn’t begin with a 4 you weren’t in the prizes! Earning top spot was Stephen Pitt as his 41 points was built on several four point-ahole scores, as he finished the back nine in great style easing to 41 points in total. Jim Rowlands-Rees and Nick Franks both had excellent front nines with 21 apiece and the same good score of 19 on the back nine so it was down to a close countback where Rowlands-Rees emerged to take second place. Division 2 produced a spectacularly brilliant round of golf from Ken Lavery as he went on a nett birdie spree, taking three points on eight of the holes and a fourpointer on one to come in with the best score of the day of 45 points. Steve Harlow has been on good form recently and after a modest start he stormed through the back nine scoring 24 points to lift his total to 41 and second place while Mike List finished third on 36 with a steady round highlighted by a birdie two on the eighth. There was keen competition in the midweek stableford as Tony Harley put together a string of high scoring holes to finish top of the pile on 41 points while Brian Collis pulled together some good scores on tricky holes to finish second on 40 points, as Matt Rose steadied himself on the back nine to finish third on 39 points.
bowls
Lyme men avoid relegation By Paul Moffitt LYME Regis Bowling Club’s championship side played a postponed game against Dorchester. A really tremendous effort gave the Lyme bowlers an 8-2 win and, thereby, also an outside chance of avoiding relegation if they can secure some points against Greenhill in the last game of the season. In the three friendlies, Lyme were well beaten by both Severalls and Crewkerne, whilst the game against Merriott was abandoned after four ends. Results: Dorset Men’s Championship. Lyme 55; Dorchester 50. P Stephens, P Eagles, P Moffitt, P Pomeroy 15-19; M Heneghan, R Cridge, A Weech, B Rattenbury 19-18; B Driscoll, G Clode, S Pomeroy, S Chant 21-13. Friendlies: Lyme 56; Severalls 78. E Sarson, T Young, P Stephens, P Knight 1221; B Smith, D Sarson, A Sherring, P Weech 10-12; J Moon, J Sherring, A Darvill, A Weech 12-28; M Knight, L Young, A Rattenbury, A Nabarro 22-17. Lyme 52; Crewkerne 92. D Mayo, L Young, B Driscoll, B Rattenbury 10-20; J Moon, J Hare, B Parsons, J Moseley 14-24; B Smith, R Turpin, A Darvill, R Legg 18-23; V Henson, T Young, A Nabarro, W Payne 10-25.
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28 Friday, August 24 2018
August 24 2018
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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE
Don’t miss the Sausage & Cider Festival on Saturday, August 25
sports shorts Cricket club auction raises over £3,000
LYME Regis first team line-up for their first game of the season in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division at the Davey Fort last Saturday. Back row (from the left): Howard Larcombe (chairman), Tim Edwards (coach), Lee Cleal, Kingsley Wellman, Dominic Rowe, Will Meech, Fred Parsons, Jake Bearpark, Sam Beviss, Julien Simier, Gerard Hitchcock (manager). Front row (from the left): Ben Vine, Ben Turner, Mark Bailey, Rob Fellingham, Cody Bowditch, Alex Rowe, Cam Fowler.
Seasiders off to a flyer in first game ever in Premier football PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
LYME Regis 1st team kicked off their first ever game in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division, the highest standard in which they have played, with a controversial 3-2 victory over old rivals Beer Albion.
In years gone by clashes between the two seaside teams were always feisty affairs – and this opening game of the season was no exception. Lyme were the better side throughout, playing some expansive football at times, but Beer, with former Aston Villa and Bristol Rovers striker Richard Walker leading their front line, are not the sort of team to roll over and made a real game of it in the second half. In front of a crowd of around 150, including the Devon & Exeter League secretary Neil Anthony, visiting the Davey Fort for the first time, Lyme started strongly with Ben Turner going close with a header from a pinpoint cross from Cody Bowditch. Minutes later Dominic Rowe shot wide from a Robbie Fellingham freekick.
Lyme took the lead soon after when full-back Cody Bowditch headed home from a Ben Vine corner. Walker showed glimpses of his skill and brought a full-length save from the Lyme keeper, Will Meech, but the former pro, carrying a few more pounds these days, got little change from centre-back Dominic Rowe, who alongside fellow central defender Kingsley Wellman, was in commanding form. Bowditch and Vine also went close before Beer leveled matters against the run of play when Joe Adkin put the visitors on level terms just before half-time. The Lyme linesman, Ryan Turner, flagged for offside but the referee, Duncan Stamp, a former Lyme youth player, overruled him which resulted in an altercation between the ref and Turner, who threw down his flag in disgust and was replaced by former Lyme captain and manager
Tim Edwards in the second half. There was some sympathy for Turner’s stance who accepted the ref’s ruling but complained about Adkin, who ran to the touchline when he flagged and unleashed a tirade of foul language which the ref claimed he did not hear. Beer came strong at Lyme after the break but the Seasiders soon settled into their rhythm again and Cody Bowditch caused all sorts of problems down the left flank with his long runs and superb crossing. From one of these frontrunner Lee Cleal went achingly close to slotting the ball home but the ball skidded wide. But Beer were not done yet and they hit back, again against the run of play, when Chris Love slotted the ball home to level the scores again on 63 minutes. Lyme bounced straight back with a Julien Simier goal which was flagged off-
side by the Beer linesman. After a lengthy discussion the referee disallowed the goal but to the derision of the Lyme crowd, who felt the decision was unfair. The Beer goal was now under constant attack and the visitors were lucky to escape when a defender sliced the ball onto the bar as he cleared yet another Lyme onslaught. The equaliser came in the 74th minutes when Julien Simier beat the keeper to a one-on-one and deftly lifted the ball into the net to make it 2-2. The final controversy settled the game when Vine, a menace all afternoon, was brought down in the box by the Beer keeper. The Beer players argued that Vine had lost control of the ball when the clash occurred by referee Stamp was having none of it and Vine stepped up to clinch the winner from the penalty spot to give Lyme their first ever victory in Premier football.
New manager Gerard Hitchcock will be pleased with this first performance. It was a good all-round showing from the Lyme boys with Cody Bowditch winning the man-of-the match award in my view. The first team were also in action on Tuesday when they travelled to near neighbours Seaton Town for the first encounter between the two clubs for several years. In a scrappy game Lyme emerged 3-1 winners with goals from Ben Turner, Dominic Rowe and Jacob Rowe. Favourites for the Premier title, Exeter-based Cronies, started the way they intend to go on with a 14-0 victory over Exmouth Town 2nds. Lyme’s closest competitors, Colyton and Seaton Town, also started with victories – Colyton beating Heavitree United 71 at home and Seaton winning 4-1 at home to Upottery.
UPLYME & Lyme Regis Cricket Club’s precarious financial position has been eased with the players and community rallying around with a number of fundraising initiatives. Before calling a public meeting at the King V playing field in Uplyme, club chairman Ian Thomas warned that the 132-year-old club was in danger of folding if they could not raise around £4,000 by the end of the season to complete the purchase of a roller, essential for the continuation of cricket at the Uplyme ground. Generous financial support has been forthcoming from Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival, Lyme Regis Town Council, the Talbot Arms and Sporting Chance and current and former players have also rallied round. An auction of cricket memorabilia and other lots raised more than £3,000 at the football club last Saturday, organised by cricket club members Derek Wellman and Steve Batey with Simon Flux wielding the auctioneer’s hammer. Among the items to attract significant amounts were a Gary Sobers’ signed bat, bought by golf club captain Lee Caddy, and handed back to the club, and a walk-on part in the ‘Doc Martin’ television series. Last night (Thursday) former players got together for a reunion supper at the football club with comedian Jimmy Quinn, raising another £500. The big challenge now is for the club to finish its 2018 season fixtures having had to cancel two 1st X1 games due to a lack of players. However, they were back in action last Saturday when they were beaten by local rivals Chardstock (see page 23). The 1st X1 has two more fixtures to play. The club committee will now have to decided how to go forward next year and it would seem that the favourite option is to run just one team in the Devon League next season and then play friendlies on a Sunday. This will give the club some breathing space to bring on more youngsters with a successful Dads and Lads team already up and running with some promising talent on show.
LymeOnline is published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Unit 5, Uplyme Business Park, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS Printed by Newsquest, Weymouth
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HIX Oyster & Fish Bar, perched high on Lister Gardens with stunning views over Lyme Bay
Photos by RICHARD AUSTIN
Is this the best location for a restaurant in the UK? I
F location is the most important ingredient for a successful restaurant, then surely HIX Oyster & Fish House, with glorious views over the harbour in Lyme Regis, must be among the best positions in the world?
Or am I biased because I’m a Lyme boy? Mark Hix jumped at the chance of taking over the wood-constructed restaurant perched high in Lister Gardens when offered it by owners Carl Salter and Merry Bolton. Apparently he gave it serious consideration before saying yes - all 20 seconds of it. Simply, the view from the Oyster & Fish House over Lyme Bay is breathtakingly beautiful and was too good to pass over. For Mark there was the added attraction of it being just 20 minutes as the crow flies from West Bay, where he grew up and where his love of fishing was nurtured. A frequent visitor to his Lyme restaurant, Mark has his fishing boat moored in the harbour and spends as much time at sea on his trips back to his home waters. Is there anywhere better on this planet to sip a chilled rosé from the balcony of this far western outpost of the Hix empire. As a former employee of an international media company, I have been privileged to dine at some of the finest restaurants in the world, including Alain Ducasse’s Le Louise XV at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. But HIX Oyster & Fish House is by far my favourite place to eat - and not just because I think the food is superb, and the quality of service second to none. Part of the attraction for me is taking in the magnificent intoxicating views over Lyme Bay
Confirmed foodie
PHILIP EVANS
says HIX Oyster & Fish House is his favourite restaurant of all time... and not just because of the food and the fact that such an iconic restaurant, run by one of the most admired chefs in the country, is located in my hometown and attracts hundreds of visitors to Lyme who come especially to dine at the Fish House. That’s why the acquisition of the HIX Town House, Mark’s bed and breakfast establishment next to the Regent Cinema, where many guests stay on their culinary expedition to Lyme, was such a good business move. When HIX Oyster & Fish House opened in 2008 some of the more discerning local foodies were disappointed that it was not silver service. But Mark, one of the most laid-back characters I know, had a different vision. He wanted diners to be able to enjoy simple ingredient dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere. There were others, of course, who when I mentioned the new Hix restaurant spouted the fallacy that, “I can’t afford to eat at a celebrity restaurant” having no knowledge what was on the menu or how much it cost. First of all Mark does not - and never has considered himself to be “a celebrity”. He receives numerous requests to appear on television
A fine vintage that’s Mark Hix not the wine! food shows but rarely accepts. And you can engage in the Hix experience for under £30 a head for a three course meal from the current á la carte menu - starter £6.95, first course £14.95 and sweet £6.50, a total of £27.95 with house wines at a reasonable price, not dissimilar to other restaurants in Lyme which locals often patronise. If you want to push the boat out for that
special occasion - and who doesn’t from time to time? - you don’t necessarily have to max-out
your credit card. I won’t mention the many thousands of pounds Mark and his staff have raised for good causes over the last ten years, but it’s another reason why we should celebrate this anniversary.
Catering is ‘in the blood’ for Fish House general manager PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
LIKE many high-flyers in the hospitality trade, HIX Oyster & Fish House general manager Rob Moretto started at the bottom, washing pans and waiting on tables.
Rob is in his second year as the boss at Mark Hix’s Lyme Regis restaurant and he counts himself lucky to be working in such a beautiful area and for a chef he has known and admired for many years. Food is definitely in Rob’s blood. His father left Italy as a young man, leaving his wife and two daughters behind, to make a life for his family in England. He spent three years working in kitchens in London before he could afford to bring his family to the UK, where he became a successful chef, owning and running his own restaurant in Soho. Rob was educated in London and went to college to study electrical engineering, but when his parents opened their own restaurant he decided to join the family firm, starting at the bottom just like his father. After graduating to front of house, Rob’s career took off when he moved to some highprofile positions in Central London, ending up as general manager of one of the capital’s most swish restaurants, J. Sheekey, in the heart of Covent Garden, part of Caprice Holdings where Mark Hix was chef director. When Mark set up his own restaurant group in London and started opening businesses in the capital, Rob and his mates often socialised at Mark’s places, particularly HIX Soho in the heart of theatreland. After marrying New Zealander chef Amy, the
SPONSORS
FOOD Rocks would not be able to take place without the generosity of sponsors each year. The HIX organisation would like to extend its huge thanks to Lyme Bay Holidays, HIX Oyster & Fish House, Tracklements, twentyretail, Clarence Court, Lyme Bay Winery, Palmers Brewery and Fisher and Paykel for their support.
CHARITIES
GENERAL manager Rob Moretto considers himself to be fortunate to be working at the Oyster & Fish House in a such a beautiful part of the country Photo by RICHARD AUSTIN couple moved to North Island, near Aukland, to improve their quality of life and both worked in restaurants before opening their own cafe, which they ran for five years. With two children, they decided to move back to London after six years with the economy quite tough in New Zealand, and Rob immediately landed the role of general manager at HIX Oyster & Fish House. The couple are happily settled in Raymonds
Hill and their children are pupils at St Michael’s Primary School in Lyme. Rob enjoys being part of the HIX brand and counts himself fortunate that he is able to continue developing his career in such a beautiful location. He is also proud of the fact that the Lyme restaurant has, at times, outperformed some of Mark’s larger establishments in London and is keen to help develop his young staff.
Will the HIX brand be extended in Lyme? ‘Well, you never know...’ ■ FROM THE FRONT PAGE Whilst Mark inevitably spends much of his time looking after his London restaurants, he visits his Lyme operation as often as possible and is looking forward to the completion of his new house in Charmouth, again with glorious views over the Dorset coastline, where he will resume his regular Kitchen Table events - tickets for which are highly sought after, people travelling hundreds of miles to see him creating dishes in his own home. Mark’s other Dorset interest revolves around his aim to discover and develop the finest young chefs through the establishment of the HIX Academy at Weymouth College, where he first trained - a fully commercial restaurant run by full-time students and supported by professional Hix staff. Mark has always been willing to visit catering colleges to help those determined to make a success in a hugely competitive industry. Looking back over his ten years in Lyme, Mark says tastes have changed very little and the Hix philosophy of sourcing simple ingredients has lost none of its appeal over the years, with all his restaurants remaining as popular as ever. But he concedes that the hospitality industry, one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, has changed immensely with far more competition, especially in London. Mark, however, welcomes the explosion of food outlets in Lyme Regis, in-
MARK Hix at his kitchen table Photo by RICHARD AUSTIN cluding the recent arrival of SWIM on the seafront and the refurbishment of the Pilot Boat. He believes that competition is good for other food outlets in the town, with Lyme rapidly becoming a food destination for visitors. However, he admits that the London market is going through a very tough time with a number of closures of some big players in the capital’s hospitality industry, not least Sir Terrence Conran’s group of three London restaurants, including Les Deux Salons in Soho, which called in the administra-
tors with the loss of 72 jobs early in the summer. On a recent visit to London I dined at two of his restaurants, HIX Soho and HIXTER at Bankside, and both were clearly doing good business. And the Lyme restaurant, supervised by general manager Ron Moretto, has had a particularly good summer and on some occasions out performs the London businesses. Food is definitely the rock-n-roll of this era with more TV cooking shows, food festivals and celebrity chefs abounding. Mark dislikes the term “celebrity” and rarely appears on television but not for the want of asking. His official role with the HIX group is managing director and creative director, he doesn’t refer to his chain as an “empire” but as a successful private company. His laid-back appearance and demeanour hides an astute business acumen with further ambitions for his company and staff. Inevitably his name is linked with every food outlet that comes on the market in Lyme. He is unlikely to match Rick Stein’s domination of the Cornish town of Padstow, now often referred to as ‘Padstein’, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see an addition to the HIX brand locally. Will it happen? Mark finishes our interview by flashing me one of those cheeky smiles that I interpret as “you never know!”
FOOD Rocks is delighted to support The Fishermen’s Mission and the RNLI. The Fishermen’s Mission provides a lifeline and support for fishermen and their families, the only national charity to work solely with fishermen who face danger, difficulty and poverty on a daily basis. However, thanks to The Fishermen’s Mission they’re not alone. When times are tough, they care for our active and retired fishermen in the most practical of ways and have done so for over 130 years. The RNLI saves lives at sea. Every day of every year, people of all backgrounds get into danger in the water and charitable donations enable their rescue to happen.
Cook up a fish dish with seasonal local ingredients and win a £100 voucher to dine at the HIX Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis Here’s you chance to showcase your culinary skills and win a £100 voucher to spend at the HIX Oyster & Fish House. We are asking readers to submit their own recipe for a local seasonal fish dish and send in a photo. Mark Hix and his head chef at the Oyster & Fish House, Ben Fuzzard, will judge the entries. Your recipe, including a photo of your dish, should be sent to: LymeOnline Hix Recipe Competition, Unit 5, Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS by then closing date - Friday, September 21 2018. Alternatively, you can email it to edit@lyme-online.co.uk The winning recipe will be published in LymeOnline and on our website. Two runners-up prizes of Mark Hix’s book ‘Fish Etc’ will also be awarded Rules: 1. The judges’ decision is final. 2. The recipes must be original and not copied from any cook book 3. All ingredients must be in season and available to be sourced locally (i.e. Dorset)