LymeOnline Digital Edition - August 30 2019

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Meet the new head chef at the HIX Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis

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The Fisherman’s Friend ■ ELEVEN YEARS OF OYSTER & FISH HOUSE IN LYME ■ SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF FOOD ROCKS FESTIVAL PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

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ELEBRITY chef Mark Hix is never happier than when he has a fishing rod in his hand. It’s his way of escaping the rigours of running a hugely successful restaurant chain and he’s so keen on reeling them is he has dedicated his latest book ‘Hooked’ to his favourite way of relaxing.

They say fishing is a sport. But not in Mark Hix’s eyes. It’s much more than that, for a day’s fishing with a close-knit group of friends invariably ends in Mark cooking up a delicious meal from their catch of the day.

It all started when Mark was eight years old, growing up in West Bay, and caught a

KITCHEN PALS: Last year’s main celebrity guest Michael Caines, pictured with Mark Hix and compere Steve Lamb, from River Cottage, in the Food Rocks marquee Photos by MATT AUSTIN

fish which his grandmother cooked for supper, the catalyst for what has become his passion.

As a celebrated angler, chef, restaurateur and food writer, Mark rarely misses the opportunity to head for his home in Charmouth, meet up with his fisherman friends and launch his boat from Lyme harbour.

This is what Mark says in the introduction to his latest book - ‘Hooked, Adventures in Angling & Eating’: “Angling has become a social event that involves cooking and having a laugh and a bit of banter with the boys.

“I shoot a little bit in season, but, given the choice, I’d rather be on the river or out at sea.

“Shooting a bird above your head is instant; once you’ve hit it, you wait for the next one to kill. But with fishing there’s a bit of a fight - sometimes a hell of a fight, depending on what you have hooked - and then there’s the opportunity to release the fish or take it home for supper.”

‘Hooked’ is a collection of amazing fishing adventures with tales from the banks of the coast of Dumfriesshire and fishing expeditions in New Zealand, the Bahamas and Iceland, together with some of Mark’s favourite fish recipes.

CONTINUED INSIDE

FOUR PAGES CELEBRATING HIX OYSTER & FISH HOUSE AND THE SEVENTH ANNUAL FOOD ROCKS FESTIVAL IN LYME REGIS

Creating delicious dishes from the very best local produce Bycatch also on the menu

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ARK Hix - the ultimate ‘fishermen’s friend’ - rarely misses the opportunity to support the local fishing community.

Many of them are among his best friends and he often joins them on a day’s fishing out of Lyme Regis harbour.

Mark is particularly keen to promote what is known in the fishing industry as ‘bycatch’ a fish or other marine species that is caught unintentionally while catching certain target species and target sizes of fish, crabs etc. Bycatch is either of a different species, the wrong sex, or is undersized or juvenile individuals of the target species.

So instead of throwing bycatch, some of which is dead, back into the sea, the catch can be cooked into delicious dishes, taking the pressure off the more popular species and so helping sustainability.

This is quite common in Spain, France and Italy but not so in the UK. Whilst it’s difficult to offer bycatch in his London restaurants, Mark will often get a call from one of the local fisherman with bycatch on board and within hours it can be on the menu at HIX Oyster & Fish House in Lyme marked with ‘BC’ so the customers are aware - dishes such as Lyme Bay shellfish soup and Torbay huss curry.

You may well hear references to bycatch at the two-day Food Rocks festival in Lyme in which Mark and other talented chefs will be demonstrating their skills, creating delicious dishes which are then sold to the audience to raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission and the RNLI. The programme starts at 11.30am on Saturday, September 7 with award-winning author and food writer Gill Meller, followed by Luke Holder (Limewood, 12.30pm), Jesse Dunford Wood (Parlour restaurant, 1.30pm), Richard Bertinet (The Bertinet Kitchen, 2.30pm); James Golding (The Pig Hotels, 3.30pm) and

Win a copy of Mark’s new book - ‘Hooked’ MARK Hix is pictured above at last week’s Melplash Show signing a copy of his new book - ‘Hooked, Adventures in Angling & Eating’, a collection of extraordinary fishing adventures with many of Mark’s favourite fish dishes.

You too could win a signed copy of the book by answering the following simple question: In which Dorset town did Mark grow up?

Put your answer on a postcard or in a

letter marked ‘LymeOnline - Hix Book Competition’ and send to: LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS, or hand it into the LymeOnline promotions stand at the Food Rock festival.

Don’t forget to include your contact details!

Closing date for entries is 5pm on Sunday, September 8.

concluding with Mark joining Ashley Wheeler and James Grant with a presentation on British seasonal ingredients and cheese from Trill Farm and No 2 Pound Street.

One of the South West’s most famous chefs, Mitch Tonks, a great friend of Mark, from Rockfish and The Seahorse, kicks off the Sunday (September 8) presentations at 11.30am.

This will be followed at 12.30pm by James Whetlor (pictured left), the youngest son of a former Mayor of Lyme Regis, Ken Whetlor, and a former River Cottage chef who now runs Cabrito Goat, rapidly making a name for himself breeding and providing goat meat to some of the top restaurants in the country.

Rose Prince, who runs her own cookery school, will be in the festival kitchen at 1.30pm, followed by Steven Lamb from River Cottage demonstrating smoking and curing at 2.30pm.

The kitchen demonstrations will conclude at 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon when Mark will join Paul Archard from Black Cow Vodka to present a cocktail masterclass, which is bound to be popular with the audience with plenty of tasting opportunities.

Food Rocks will also be playing host to no fewer than 38 food and drink providers together with a number of related activities and homeware companies.

As well as the chef demonstrations and food and drink stalls, a popular feature of Food Rocks are the two supper clubs hosted in the festival marquee by Mark.

The Glenarm Estate Meat Feast will be staged on Friday, September 6 at 7.30pm, followed by the Crab and Mackerel Supper Club on Saturday, September 7, also at 7.30pm.

With all profits going to the two charities, the festival relies on generous support from the following sponsors: Lyme Bay Holidays, HIX Oyster & Fish House, Tracklements, twentyretail, Fever-Tree, Clarence Court, Lyme Bay Winery and Palmers Brewery.

Full programme on back page

The Fishermen’s Friend ■ FROM FRONT PAGE You may well be able to see Mark cook-up one of his favourite fish dishes at the seventh Food Rocks Festival in Lyme Regis on September 7 and 8.

Food Rocks was founded by Mark in 2012 to celebrate the fantastic produce that the South West, and Dorset in particular, has to offer whilst raising funds for the Fishermen’s Mission and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Each year the festival has grown in size and popularity and has raised thousands of

pounds for the two charities, unlike other food festivals on Lyme’s seafront.

Each year the two-day food extravaganza curated by Mark brings together the best of Dorset food and drink, celebrated chefs and local producers from the surrounding area.

Both days will see a busy programme of chef demonstrations, food and drink to take home, supper clubs and a raffle of prizes donated by the producers and chefs. The event is free to attend and suitable for all the family.

As well as the Oyster & Fish

House in Lyme Regis, Mark has four restaurants in London and a guest house in Lyme. He is also a renowned food writer with 12 cook books to his name and many columns in magazines and newspapers throughout the UK. His dedication in sourcing seasonal British food and drink is unrivalled and he is known for championing British producers.

In 2017 he was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty The Queen for his services to hospitality.

WIN A RICHARD AUSTIN 2020 CALENDAR LYME CALENDAR COMPETITION

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Could high-end apartments save Lyme’s cinema?

OWNERS of the fire-stricken Regent Cinema in Lyme Regis are considering building two high-quality apartments on the site to offset “extremely high build costs” of a new singlescreen cinema.

The Regent Cinema in Broad Street has stood empty for more than three years following an electrical fire in March 2016.

In their latest statement, owners WTWScott Cinema said they were continuing to work on a rebuild scheme and are currently considering reinstating a single-screen cinema with two high-quality apartments at the rear of the site.

REPORT, PAGE 7

Seafront project to be scaled back

LYME Bay was bustling with boats, kayaks, paddleboards and swimmers this week - all keen to catch a glimpse of a visiting dolphin. The dolphin was spotted several times over the Bank Holiday weekend, thought to have been attracted to Lyme Regis by the warm weather and an influx in mackerel. Residents and visitors delighted as they enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming and sailing with the mammal, who seemed more than happy to soak up the attention and play with the boats. For more photos, see pages 12 & 13 Photo by Richard Austin

Council’s five-year plan

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AT FOREFRONT OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES BECOMING debt free, refurbishing the seafront gardens and a number of environmental initiatives are among Lyme Regis Town Council’s objectives for the next five years.

Members of the recentlyelected town council will finalise their proposed objectives for the coming five years at a meeting on Wednesday, September 4 before

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

putting them to public consultation.

These will form the bulk of the council’s work up until 2025, including the first year of the next council administration, which will be elected in May 2024.

Councillors held an ‘away day’ in June, which resulted in the first draft of objectives and their

target completion dates being put together.

These focussed heavily on the council’s recent decision to declare a climate emergency, with priorities now split into environmental and non-environmental initiatives.

Non-environmental objectives include the council becoming debt free by 2023/24, which would mean repaying its loan from the former West Dorset Dis-

trict Council - now absorbed by the new Dorset Council - which was used to pay for the Marine Parade shelters refurbishment.

The council also plans to refurbish Langmoor and Lister Gardens - the condition of which some members have been highly critical of in recent weeks - from 2020/21 onwards.

The planned refurbishment of the council offices at Guildhall CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

LYME Regis Town Council is having to scale back plans to redevelop the flat roof area in Lister Gardens, after the cost of the project came in at almost double the allocated budget.

Councillors initially set a budget of £332,000 to resurface and develop the area above SWIM, the Antiques & Craft Centre and Amusement Arcade on Marine Parade, and later increased this to £400,000.

But after going out to tender, the council only received two quotes for the work, the lowest of which was almost double the approved budget.

The council is now hoping a scaled back project prioritising the resurfacing of the roof can be carried out in November.

REPORT, PAGE 2

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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

Public to be given say on council objectives CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE Cottage is also among the priorities for 2020/21, as well as building seafront urinals, a suggestion that follows the opening of the town’s first unisex toilets on Marine Parade, which are said to be increasing queueing times.

Councillors are also intending to develop a plan for the future of the seafront shelters - currently an underused space with the Jubilee Pavilion closed most of the time - and Strawberry Fields off Charmouth Road, which the council holds a 999-year lease for and is set aside for recreational use.

Other objectives include organising a residents’ weekend in 2020/21; developing a community engagement strategy (2019/20); re-launching the residents’ Gateway Card discount scheme (2019/20); and implementing an asset strategy (from 2020/21 onwards).

The environmental initiatives include replacing all council vehicles with electric over the next five years, with members having recently agreed to purchase their first electric vehicle.

Other priorities include installing water points on the seafront (2020/21); introducing a free town bus service to cut down on traffic (2020/21); moving to green energy providers and ethical investors (2019/20); becoming an electronic office (2021/22); working with Low Carbon Dorset (2019/20 and

2020/21); adding recycling signage to bins (2019/2020); installing solar panels on the former cadet hut behind Anning Road, now used as a council store (2025 and beyond); introducing a carbon car parking levy (2023/24); an environmental office refurbishment (2020/21); promoting environmental initiatives over the next five years; introducing electric charging points from 2020/21 onwards; and developing a business case for water loss (2020/21).

After the council agrees on a final list of objectives, detailed costings for each project will be undertaken and completion dates for those falling in 2020/21 will be agreed.

The objectives will then be put to public consultation, with an open day at the Woodmead Halls planned for late September or early October, as well as a questionnaire for Lyme Voice, a group of residents randomly selected from the electoral roll. Residents will also be able to write to the town clerk with their observations and suggestions.

The public will have the opportunity to support or reject the objectives, as well as identify their own priorities.

The objectives are then expected to be given final approval by full council in November before members set the budget for the next financial year and release their corporate plan

In print and online, the best of Lyme Breaking news 24/7 ● Digital edition pages Directory of local businesses ● Entertainment news and listings ● Family announcements ● Community news ● Eating out news, reviews and directory ● Blogs ● Directory of local organisations and charities ● Sport ● Jobs ● Photo galleries ● ●

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Seafront roof development costed at almost double council’s budget LYME Regis Town Council is having to scale back plans to redevelop the flat roof area in Lister Gardens, after the cost of the project came in at almost double the allocated budget.

Councillors have been discussing the need to resurface and develop the roof above SWIM, the Antiques & Craft Centre and Amusement Arcade on Marine Parade for several months.

The commercial units were constructed in the mid-1960s and almost no significant maintenance has been undertaken since, resulting in water leaking from the flat roof area.

Patch repairs have been carried out to alleviate this issue, but it was agreed that a more comprehensive and permanent solution was required.

Councillors initially set a budget of £332,000 for the project and later increased this to £400,000. It was hoped that this would cover the cost of resurfacing the flat roof and development of the area, so it could be better used by the public and for events, including new feature railings with glass panelling, additional lighting, a new power supply and water points.

However, after going out to tender, the council only received two quotes for the work, the lowest of which was almost double the approved budget.

In a report to be considered by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, September 4, deputy town clerk Mark Green said it was “absolutely clear that no amount of negotiation or value-engineering would bring the price within budget”.

The council’s architect Crickmay Stark has now been instructed to go back out to tender with a reduced scope of works. This will omit the

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk feature railings and glass panelling along the roof frontage, as this element alone was priced at more than £200,000.

It is now intended to retain the existing railings and incorporate some means of preventing objects falling from the roof area onto the parade below, which was the main reasoning for the glass panelling.

However, in his report the deputy town clerk points out that retaining the existing railings may have some implications on the level of guarantee offered in connection with the new roofing materials.

The works will be priced on an individual ‘menu’ basis, with a primary focus on resurfacing and repairing the roof. Other elements such as lighting, power points and removing the steps on the roof area to improve access will be considered individually but, in his report, Mr Green warned that once professional fees had been included, the council would probably not be able to afford all elements within its allocated budget.

The new tenders should be received by October 4 and it is still hoped that work can begin in early November. This was originally expected to take 20 weeks, but the reduced scope of works may cut this down, reducing impact on the tenants below.

Mr Green said council officers were in discussion with the tenants, who were anxious to better understand the impact the work would have on their businesses, but he said it was difficult to give precise information until the exact scope of works had been finalised following the return of tenders.

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Kate Winslet narrates film for Lyme reforestation charity A POWERFUL new film from documentary maker Tim Tyson Short, and narrated by Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, contains a blueprint for mitigating climate change and alleviating hunger and poverty in Africa.

#TreesAreTheKey is a 40minute documentary made in conjunction with The Word Forest Organisation, a Lyme Regisbased charity that plants trees, builds classrooms and facilitates education in rural Kenya. It also shines a spotlight on the women’s empowerment group, Mothers of the Forest.

Tim is an outstanding filmmaker and, over the past three decades, he has made films for broadcasters and developmental organisations worldwide.

Back in February 2019, he accompanied a small team of Word Forest volunteers to Boré in Coast Province, Kenya. His remit was to tell the story of why we need to plant more trees in the tropics and why we need to support the people who are taking care of the forests.

Word Forest CEO and Lyme Regis resident Tracey West commented: “If we don’t address both of these urgent requirements, we’ll find ourselves at existential

o’clock.”

Tim captured remarkable stories from the tree planters of Boré, including charting the success of the 40 Mothers of the Forest, with group facilitator, Eva Jefa.

Eva said: “I hope by sharing our model for positive change through environmental education, we’ll be able to encourage others to adopt it too.”

Simon West, chairman of trustees of the Word Forest Organisation, added: “Understanding sustainability via permaculture, for example, allows the community to better resist climate chaos. We’re trying to fill the gaps left by governments and undo the damage done by big corporations.”

Over the past two years, the Mothers have addressed social isolation and depression amongst the women in their community by building a framework of sisterly support and resilience.

Eva continued: “Women do the majority of the tree planting here.

We come together to share knowledge on the best ways to take care of the forest; the planet benefits and we benefit too.

“We were shown how to make washable sanitary pads, this has really helped us, especially the young girls who often stay at home when they get a period.

Kate Winslet, pictured on the set of ‘Ammonite’ in Lyme Regis in March, has narrated the #TreesAreTheKey film for local charity The Word Forest Organisation Photo by Richard Austin Now, they can continue to study at school.”

The documentary also captured the Mother’s very first literacy and numeracy lessons. Many of the women were denied the chance to go to school and they truly thought the opportunity to learn had passed them by.

Their new found skills include transacting money, enabling them to take excess commodities from the forest, to market, alleviating poverty and hunger. #TreesAreTheKey will premiere at the Marine Theatre in Lyme

Regis on Wednesday, October 2 and will go on general release soon after. It is narrated by actress Kate Winslet, who learnt about the work of The Word Forest Organisation during her time filming Mary Anning biopic ‘Ammonite’ in Lyme Regis.

To watch the trailer below, for further information or to buy tickets to the premiere, visit TreesAreTheKey.com or WordForest.org To organise a public screening of the film, email team@WordForest.org

Lifeboat launched to sailor at Broad Ledge LYME Regis lifeboat was launched on Thursday after reports that a small dinghy had struck rocks and a man was in the water.

The incident happened at Broad Ledge, three quarters of a mile east of the town’s harbour.

The sailor was safe and well and was helped ashore by a lifeguard.

His dinghy was sailed back to Lyme Regis harbour by a member of the lifeboat crew.

■ FUNDRAISING supporters of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis are planning two weekends of events to boost the charity’s coffers.

This weekend (August 31 and September 1) during the Lyme Folk Weekend, volunteers will be running a wine or water raffle, a name the wellydog family competition and a book stall at the lifeboat station.

They plan to stage all the events again during the Food Rocks weekend from 10.30am to 5pm on September 7 and 8.

Refurbished cemetery chapel to open to public RESIDENTS and visitors to Lyme Regis will have the rare opportunity to visit the Victorian cemetery chapel on Friday, September 13 and Saturday 14.

As part of Dorset Architectural Week, the highly-decorated chapel - first built in 1856 and recently restored by Lyme Regis Town Council - will be open from 10am to 4pm both days.

While not normally open to the public, the chapel is still used occlusionally by local families for funeral services. It contains a fine example of Victorian bier.

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

Swimmers set for fourth Lyme Splash challenge LYME Splash will host its fourth Lyme to Charmouth swimming challenge on Sunday, September 8. All 200 places for the 3.15k swim have sold out but organisers are inviting all to come along and cheer on the competitors. The race will be started on Lyme’s sandy beach at 12.45pm and will finish in Charmouth, with the first competitors expected from 1.25pm onwards, where a medal, hot chocolate, biscuits, water and survival blankets await the swimmers, who will later be brought back to Lyme by sponsors Lyme Rib Rides.

Lyme Bay Arts to host open studio THE newly-formed Lyme Bay Arts, a local community interest company that promotes art and artists in the South West, will be taking part in Bridport Open Studios for the first time. The Gallery at Symondsbury will showcase 2D and 3D work by some of the group’s 80 talented members, open from September 7 to 22.

Lyme Regis lifeboat crew to feature in BBC series LYME Regis lifeboat station and crew will feature in the new series of the BBC’s ‘Saving Lives at Sea’.

The popular documentary returned for its fourth series on Tuesday evening with RNLI volunteers from around the South West set to feature throughout.

The 10-part series is being aired on BBC Two on Tuesdays at 8pm, as well as being available on the BBC iPlayer following broadcast. It will feature real rescues carried out by the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards around the UK and Ireland.

Along with Lyme Regis, lifeboat stations in the South West featuring in the programme include Salcombe, St Agnes, Newquay, Ilfracombe, Minehead, Appledore and Portishead.

Each programme gives a unique insight into the lives and work of the charity’s lifesavers who are needed more than ever before, rescuing thousands of people and saving hundreds of lives around our coastline and on inland waterways every year.

The new series features more dramatic real-life rescue footage, accompanied by emotive testimonials from the volunteer crews, lifeguards and the people they rescue and their families.

Filming took place over the past year, with lifeboat crews and lifeguards carrying special cameras and welcoming film-makers into their day-to-day life.

Rescues from the RNLI’s archives are also revisited, and we get a glimpse into the everyday lives of the thousands of men and women who give up their time to save lives.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland rescued 9,412 people, saving 211 lives, while the charity’s lifeguards aided 32,207 people and saved 118 lives on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

‘Saving Lives at Sea’ begins on Tuesday, August 27 at 8pm on BBC Two, and will continue throughout August, September and October.

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Carnival committee donates to sea school LYME Regis Sea School Trust was delighted to receive a donation of £500 from Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee. The donation has been used to purchase some new buoyancy aids and mast head floats for the multi handed dinghies. Using the floats means that it is much safer and easier to upright the dinghy it if capsizes. The volunteer-run sea school teaches young and mature students to sail, with about 240 pupils a year. For more information visit the website www.lrss.org.uk or email bookings@lrss.org.uk

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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 We won’t let summer slip away quietly

Photography group to host annual exhibition New equipment will help

AXMINSTER Photography Group will be hosting its annual exhibition in the new venue of The Light House from Monday, September 2 to Saturday 14. Formerly known as The Marle Gallery, The Light House can be found at 1 Victoria Place, Axminster (EX13 5NQ). The exhibition will showcase work of the group’s members, who come from across the local area, and will be open from 10am to 4pm weekdays, and 10am to 1pm Saturday, closed Sunday. Admission is free.

crew assist those on shore LYME Regis lifeboat crew has been supplied with a new inflatable boat to help them reach those in danger on the shore. The RNLI has supplied the crew with a so-called X-Boat, a ten foot inflatable with oars, with the idea that crew members will no longer need to swim ashore to reach people, including those cut off by the tide.

SEPTEMBER is just around the corner and that ‘back to school’ feeling has started to sink in. But Lyme isn’t one to let summer slip away quietly - we like to go out with a bang!

A scorching August Bank Holiday weekend brought in droves of beach-goers and even a dolphin was spotted playing with the boats, much to the excitement of those lucky enough to get out on the water.

The crowds were said to be some of the biggest ever seen in the town, similar to Red Arrows day, and there was barely an inch of spare sand to be found.

Or so it seemed from the photos. I was enjoying the rather cooler climes and Atlantic breeze on the west coast of Ireland for the weekend, but was kept up to date with all the Bank Holiday madness back home thanks to your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

See our Bank Holiday photo special on pages 10 and 11 where we share some of our readers’ photos, along with snaps from top photographer Richard Austin (and don’t miss your chance to win his 2020 calendar on page 16).

The summer fun is not quite over. The town will be filled with music and dancing as Lyme Folk Weekend returns for its eighth year today (Friday). As well as

headline gigs at the Marine Theatre showcasing some of the top names in folk, there will be free live music and morris dancing on the seafront all weekend, and look out for gigs at pubs and venues around the town.

For the full programme and tickets, visit lymefolk.com Next weekend Lyme will close its major festival season with one of my favourites - Food Rocks.

Top chef and restaurateur Mark Hix will once again be calling on his culinary friends to offer a weekend of entertaining cooking demonstrations, delicious feast nights and the best food and drink the region has to offer - all in aid of the RNLI and Fishermen’s Mission.

Always keen to support community events (and any excuse to eat and drink all weekend!), the LymeOnline team will be handing out copies of this Food Rocks special edition at our stand near the seafront marquee. We always love to meet our readers, so please come along and say hello!

Francesca Evans, Editor

NE W LOOK

Sea anglers donate £3k Lyme artist selected for to lifeboat volunteers Devon Open Studios MEMBERS of Seaton’s Sea Angling Club have donated £3,000 to the volunteers of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew. The donation follows a number of fundraising events including the club’s annual barbecue, and included a large sum raised in memory of Chris Cox, whose son Nathan is a member of the club.

LYME Regis artist Hugh Dunford Wood has been selected to exhibit his work during Devon Open Studios 2019. A printmaker known for his handprinted wallpaper, Hugh will be displaying his work and ‘wallpaper stomping’ technique at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen centre at Riverside Mill in Bovey Tracey from September 7 to 29.

LYME RE G 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

Upbeat Beatles bring tribute show to Lyme THIS celebration of the Beatles is second to none, taking you along the Fab Four’s long and winding road from the early Cavern days through to Abbey Road. The show will be held at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Saturday, September 14. For details see 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

6 Friday, August 30 2019

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

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Time for Lyme to appoint a dedicated dog warden

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REAT angst among the dog lovers of Lyme over the Bank Holiday period concerning the number of pets left in locked cars during the sweltering temperatures.

Police were called on a number of occasions with vehicle windows having to be smashed to rescue the dogs during the heatwave.

I’m not a dog man, mainly because both my wife and daughter are allergic to animal fur.

But it just amazes me that some dog owners can be so careless and cruel as to put man’s best friend in such danger.

Numerous postings were made on social media calling for the culprits to be punished ■ I BUMPED into Rob James on Saturday, the creator of the ‘Love Lyme Regis’ videos and website.

Rob is an experienced digital media expert whose talents have been used by a number of local businesses to up their image on digital platforms.

I had never met Rob before but I’m a huge fan of the ‘Love Lyme Regis’ videos which receive tens of thousands of hits and show our town at its charming best.

Rob is also helping out a few local organisations as well, boosting their presence and helping to maximise their publicity, one of which is the Lyme Christmas Lights Committee.

If I was running Lyme Town Council’s tourism and publicity committee, which I did back in the day, I’d be quick to get him on board to come up with an alternative to the outmoded and hugely expensive town guide and replace it with something more beneficial and productive.

and with dog ownership more popular than ever there were calls for a dedicated dog warden to be employed by the town council.

Another unseemly sight was the number of dogs being dragged along the Marine Parade clearly distressed by the heat.

Lyme already employs three enforcement officers (one of them seasonal) to look after car parking and curtailing dogs on the main beach. Generally speaking they do a good job but it’s doubtful they can deal with every dog incident during the season.

At the same time there has been increased complaints about the amount of dog mess around the town’s streets. Ninety per cent or more of dog owners are responsible people and clear up after their dogs, but it doesn’t take too many less responsible ones to give the town a bad name.

Lyme council employed a dedicated dog warden, Derek Hallett, for ten years when the dog mess issue was at its worst. Mr Hallett succeeded in getting the town clear of the mess but in doing so made himself hugely unpopular with some and on occasions was physically assaulted.

To their shame, town councillors in those days gave Mr Hallett very little support and no prosecutions were ever attempted. Actually, I think I am correct in saying that no dog owner has been prosecuted in Lyme for knowingly allowing their pet to foul the sidewalks or beach, just final warnings.

We keep hearing that Lyme’s a rich council (how much longer that may last is open to debate) so perhaps it would be possible to employ a dedicated warden again, even if it is just for the summer months.

With dog ownership so popular (many families have more than one), being a dog friendly town has great advantages. There’s much to be said also for a town with streets free of dogs mess.

Crazy golf needs a spruce-up IT is pleasing to see that Lyme Regis Town Council has set out its objectives for the next five years including the refurbishment of the Langmoor and Lister Gardens.

There has been severe criticism from inside the council chamber about the condition of Lyme’s public gardens, for so long the jewel in the crown of Lyme amenities.

Councillors must take some responsibility for this and not lump it all on the outside staff. How often had they inspected the gardens themselves as they deteriorated?

It would seem the air has been cleared

and great efforts are going into bringing the gardens back to their previous glorious state.

On behalf of all the grandads out there, can I express the hope that some attention can be given to the recreational attractions in the gardens - namely the crazy golf course and putting green.

Crazy golf has been hugely popular this year, and whilst this won’t be high on their list of priorities, the 18 holes are starting to look a bit tatty to say the least and could do with one or two more interesting obstacles. I’m not even sure the putting green is open any more.

Can a councillor have a day off?

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I ASK this question after a mild spat with Lyme’s ebullient deputy mayor Jeff Scowen.

Jeff is undoubtedly king of the social media clan in Lyme, having set up his own ‘Pride In Lyme’ Facebook page which he uses to promote his own bizarre videos and postings on all matters Lyme.

Being old-school, I’m a bit wary of social media. I have to accept that in these digital days its a bona-fide media in its own right, but there’s an awful lot of misinformation on the Lyme sites, some of which is taken for gospel.

When Jeff announced on ‘Pride of Lyme’ last week that he had it on good authority that there were plans for two apartments at the rear of the Regent Cinema to meet the cost of Lyme getting its much missed cinema back, I questioned its accuracy as numerous enquiries to the owners in the past resulted in us being referred to their website which made no mention of such

plans. I rarely, if ever, respond to any Facebook stuff but on this occasion I posted that I thought it was dangerous for councillors to post information that had not been confirmed, especially on such a sensitive matter as the Regent Cinema.

Jeff came back in a flash that he was writing as an individual and not a councillor as was his entitlement.

My response to that was that, as deputy mayor, he had a greater responsibility.

So can you take a day off from being councillor when it suits you or is it accepted that when you get elected you sign up for a 24/7 commitment?

There might be a little bit of sour grapes here as Jeff got the story first. We checked it out after the Bank Holiday and a statement from the owners of the Regent confirmed that Jeff’s source was indeed right on the button.

There are some in the town who don’t want to

see more luxury apartments in Lyme, arguing that there’s a much greater need for more social housing, especially for young couples.

Having a young daughter who lives in the town, I have some sympathy for this argument but we are never going to curtail the huge demand for expensive property in Lyme because of our popularity as a holiday resort.

However, the Regent has been sorely missed since it was destroyed by fire in March 2016 and if two more apartments with views over Lyme Bay is what it takes to get our cinema back, I think I will go along with that.

So I can’t complain about the authenticity of Jeff’s information. It was spot on.

We report on the Regent Cinema development on page seven of this week’s issue safe in the knowledge that far more people will read it in our paper than see it on Facebook.

But I am still a bit miffed that he scooped us, not for the first time I might add.

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High-end apartments could make cinema rebuild financially viable OWNERS of the fire-stricken Regent Cinema in Lyme Regis are considering building two high-quality apartments on the site to offset “extremely high build costs” of a new singlescreen cinema.

The Regent Cinema in Broad Street has stood empty for more than three years following an electrical fire in March 2016. While the Art Deco frontage of the grade II listed building remains largely untouched, the auditorium was completely destroyed and later demolished.

Residents have since raised questions over the likelihood of a cinema ever re-opening on the site. Contrary to local rumours, WTWScott Cinema group, which owns the building, has remained adamant that it is committed to a rebuild scheme, but in previous statements said it had struggled to find a proposal that would be both financially and architecturally viable.

In a new statement released to LymeOnline this week, a spokesperson for WTW-Scott Cinema said: “At this stage, we continue to work on designs for a potential rebuild of the cinema in Lyme Regis.

“Given the building’s listed status, the high costs of construction and the relatively low potential turnover of a single screen cinema in the area, any such rebuild has to be both architecturally and financially viable.

“We recently briefed the local authority on a range of design options and our current position, one option of which was a reinstated single-screen cinema with two high-quality apartments at the rear to offset the extremely high build costs. We continue to explore this, and other options.”

THE Regent Cinema’s auditorium was completely destroyed in the fire and later demolished

PLASTIC FREE LYME REGIS ● WHAT have been the hardest challenges in working to reduce plastic in your business?

I would say for us it’s been about changing bad habits. Remembering shopping bags and also if we are buying loose fruit and veg don’t take a plastic bag but take a container with you. Also pay more attention to detail and don’t make an assumption something is biodegradable or recyclable. For example, we were sourcing bags from Amazon for our takeaway and then found that some were actually lined with plastic. Just make sure you spend more time paying attention to detail and making sure that it is green as it says it is or as you think it is. ● WHAT have you achieved in reducing plastic and any other environmental savings?

We have sourced some really nice containers for our takeaway food and drinks; we found a really nice box which is made of sugar cane and some nice biodegradable cups for the coffee and milkshakes. We’ve also reduced our use of clingfilm; most catering businesses have to use quite a lot to preserve the food and keep it fresh but we reuse our plastic packaging. So for example our ice cream comes in plastic tubs, so we wash and sterilise those to keep food fresh. We also use these tubs when we shop locally, whether it’s sausages, meat or cheese. ● WHAT have been the business benefits of reducing plastic?

We found by introducing recycling to the busi-

LymeOnline letters

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

CONTINUING our series of interviews looking at businesses and organisations around Lyme Regis that are planning to become single-use plastic free, Karen Durham-Diggins of Plastic Free Lyme Regis speaks to Nicky Taylor, coowner of the Penny Black Café in Broad Street.

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Another summer of traffic chaos

ness we have more than halved our landfill waste and paying for a recycling service is actually cheaper. So a win-win for us and the environment, in that sense. We also find that our employees and our customers are more engaged because they like to see a business going that extra mile in terms of reducing plastic. So this enhances our reputation as a business. ● WHAT do you hope to achieve for the future?

What we’d really like to do is make waste free shopping part of our weekly routine. There is the Green Weigh that visits Charmouth, and used to visit Lyme Regis, and the farm shop opposite where we actually live.

We go there and get our nuts and fruit and we also refill our containers for detergent and things like that. The other thing that we planned for and have now achieved is our courtyard garden at the café which is perfect to grow salads, soft fruits and herbs. We reused some old pallets that we had to not only make seating but also to make planters so we can grow our own produce here on site.

A video of this interview can be seen at www.plasticfreelyme.uk/case-studies-lyme

■ ANOTHER hectic summer for Lyme Regis is drawing to a close and the town has had to suffer yet another period of insane traffic chaos.

It begs the question: “When will the town council get to grips with this issue and seek a plausible solution?”

The huge numbers of visitors that converge on Lyme in the summer months is obviously good for the local economy and provides much needed jobs for local people. But at what cost?

Lyme Regis Town Council wasted £25,000 on a report which told us nothing we didn’t already know. It was meant to be a traffic survey but turned out to no more than an analysis of Lyme’s parking facilities.

We all know that Lyme’s narrow streets were not made for such huge numbers of vehicles, certainly not the unacceptable number of double decker buses that travel through the town.

I understand a one-way system has been investigated in the past and dismissed as impracticable and that the possibility of extending the traffic lights in Church Street back to the former London Inn rejected.

The parking situation in Broad Street is due to get worse when five spaces are lost when the new - and in my opinion unnecessary - pelican crossing is installed. This will probably result in even longer tailbacks throughout the town centre.

I accept there is no easy solution, but isn’t it time we experimented with previously-discussed ideas, seek initiatives from other towns where

there have been similar problems and make it a priority rather than saying there’s nothing we can do?

Frank Allen (by email)

Lack of respect shown in cemetery ■ I RECENTLY tended to my parents grave at Lyme Regis cemetery and I was disappointed to see the damage caused by a digger driver who had prepared an adjacent piece of ground for a new internment.

This machine had been driven over the top of my parents grave and ripped off a large piece of earth, including some bulbs that had been planted for spring flowering. It looked a mess. We have had to take spades and a box of grass seed to repair it ourselves.

The digger driver is employed by a local undertaker, who have been informed of the damage but didn’t have the decency to apologise to me.

We take care when walking between graves, it’s a pity this person didn’t show the same respect to someone’s final resting place.

Diana Hunt (by email)

Send your letters to Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk. Please note, the views expressed in letters are those of the author and not necessarily of this newspaper.

8 Friday, August 30 2019

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Students achieve ‘remarkable’ GCSE results

THE Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis has achieved another remarkable set of GCSE results, with 83 per cent of students gaining more than five standard passes including English and maths.

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.

In English, 87 per cent of students achieved a standard pass, with 76 per cent achieving a strong pass, and in maths, 89 per cent of students achieved a standard pass and 71 per cent a strong pass.

Woodroffe is unusual in that the majority of

students continue to take a modern foreign language at GCSE. This means that the school’s eBacc scores are always high, and this year it was no different with 45 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.

For a fully comprehensive school, this represents outstanding performance and one which confirms the school’s Ofsted ‘outstanding’ status. Coupled with last week’s excellent A-Level results, this has been a superb year for the school and its students.

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.

Rudi Ellis-Jones gained seven 9s, one 8 and two 7s; Holly Thompson achieved seven 9s and one 8; Iris Parkin five 9s and two 8s; George Bond four 9s and five 8s; Lauren Taylor two 9s and five 8s; Mathew Bartlett four 9s and one 8; Georgie Howarth-Yates two 9s and three 8s; Rachel Dowding two 9s and three 8s; Maisie McCarthy one 9 and five 8s; and Jessica Leat one 9 and five 8s.

Adam Shelley, acting headteacher of the Woodroffe School, said: “This is an excellent set of results and I am absolutely delighted that so many of our students have done so well. The students have worked incredibly hard and I applaud their commitment and determination.

“They have achieved high grades across a broad range of disciplines. I would also like to recognise the dedication of the Woodroffe staff who have worked very hard to ensure that our students achieve excellent results.

“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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Bank Holiday madness as ‘biggest ever’ crowds head to the beach WITH September just around the corner and soaring temperatures hitting the UK, the Bank Holiday weekend provided one of the last chances to head to the beach before summer’s end.

That was certainly the thought of tens of thousands of visitors who descended on Lyme Regis over the weekend, thought to be one of the biggest crowds ever seen in the town.

Barely an inch of sand could be seen between the beach-goers, many of whom were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a visiting dolphin, thought to have been brought into the bay by the warm weather and an influx in mackerel.

The dolphin spent the weekend playing with boats and paddleboarders in the harbour and out in the bay.

Despite the huge numbers seen in the town and on the beach, reports from emergency services, including the lifeboat and coastguards, were relatively quiet. However, police were called out on more than one occasion to dogs left in hot cars.

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CLAIMING THEIR SPOT: The first pitch is claimed on Lyme Regis beach at 7.30am on Sunday morning and, five hours later, barely an inch of sand can be seen (below).

Photos by Richard Austin

MANY took to the water over the weekend to catch a glimpse of Lyme’s visiting dolphin, including on Harry May’s Marie-F fishing boat (left, by Richard Austin) and paddleboarders who were able to get a closer look (above, by Andy Butterfield)

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PADDLEBOARDERS are treated to a close up look at one of the dolphins (photo by Richard Austin) and, below left, members of Lyme Regis Gig Club also took to the water to catch a glimpse (photo by Andy Butterfield)

LYME’S busy beach and harbour pictured from Langmoor Gardens (photo by Edd Cantle) and, below left, from Marine Parade (photo by Philip Evans)

Thanks to all our LymeOnline readers for sharing your Bank Holiday photos!

READY TO SWOOP: A seagull keeps a close eye on the busy beach (photo courtesy of Love Lyme Regis)

12 Friday, August 30 2019

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PROMOTED CONTENT

LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL New mayor announces chosen charity of the year A CHILDREN’S hospice has been chosen as the mayor’s charity for this council year.

The mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE will be supporting Children’s Hospice South West, which provides free care and support for more than 500 children with lifelimiting conditions and their families across the South West.

Cllr Larcombe will be raising funds for the charity throughout his term of office, with various fundraisers already being planned.

He will also be asking local businesses, shops and food outlets to have a collection tin on their counter, encouraging the public to give their small change to support the cause.

Cllr Larcombe said: “I’ve chosen Children’s Hospice South West for my mayor’s charity because it supports local children within our region who will not have the chance to live the length of lives we are fortunate to have.

“Think of all we are lucky enough to live, from the very simple sunny day through to the most enjoyable and rewarding of things. They are robbed of so much.

“Perhaps this charity prompts us to think about the simple things every day gives us and we take for granted. We fill our time often without realising where it went – these children don’t have that chance.

“Your donations will help give them something in their brief lives that helps make as much as possible of the short time they have on earth.

“Your small change will help make a big difference to a short-changed life.”

The charity’s three hospices – Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm in North Somerset and Little Harbour in Cornwall – offer breaks and respite for families with children with complex medical needs.

Parents can take a break from being primary carers for a few days and brothers and sisters are supported by a dedicated sibling team, meaning the whole family can relax and make precious memories together.

The hospices also offer specialist palliative care, emergency stays, end-of-life care, and bereavement support for as long as it is needed.

The charity needs around £10million a year to run its three hospices and relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions.

Lyme Regis area community fundraiser Paula Hullett said: “We are thrilled that Cllr Larcombe has chosen Children’s Hospice South West as his mayoral charity and wish him every success for the municipal year ahead.

“It’s fantastic to have his support; it will make such a big difference to our charity, not only in terms of fundraising, but by raising awareness of what we do for people in the Lyme Regis area.”

If any local businesses would be willing to have a collection tin, please contact Kerry Weekley on 01297 445175 or assistant@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

Council staff member puts new skills to use

Henry’s Way play area to be refurbished by half term

OUR maintenance operative is putting his newly-acquired woodwork skills to good use in his work for the council.

Steve Hossack recently completed a basic woodworking course over four days at Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy (BBA).

Steve, who has worked for the council for 13 years, had picked up woodworking skills over time but wanted to ‘learn everything the right way’.

He said: “It was more what I had picked up working alongside carpenters on building sites and although I picked up some good tips, I had never actually learned properly.

“You get into old habits and think you’re doing something right until you’re told otherwise.

“Due to the amount of woodwork I do in my job, I thought it would be good to do something professional, something that would benefit me in my everyday work.”

Steve thoroughly enjoyed the one-to-one course at the BBA and by the end of the four days, he had used his new skills to make a tool box.

“The course was absolutely terrific,” he said.

“It was exactly what I wanted to do. It was very detailed and so well explained.”

Steve would like to thank everyone at the BBA for making him feel so welcome, especially his instructor Steve Hewins, principal Will Reed, and training manager Paul Dyer.

8, winning the poll with 255 votes.

He will carry out his first council engagement on Wednesday, September 4, when we are holding an extraordinary full council meeting to deal with some urgent busi-

the park.

The £20,000 refurbishment will be paid for by section 106 funding, which are community contributions relating to planning permissions for developments in Lyme Regis.

There is still £9,000 of this funding left over, which is ringfenced for play parks, so we’ll soon be considering how we could use this to improve facilities at Anning Road.

Work on the Henry’s Way play park will begin the week commencing October 7 and should take no more than two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

A FORMER ice cream parlour in a prime location on Lyme Regis seafront is up for rent.

We are now advertising a sevenyear lease for the commercial premises on Cart Road.

We’re currently carrying out reroofing works, which we expect to be finished by the end of November, so the lease will start from January 1 2020.

The premises include a shop/preparation area, a serving hatch and an outdoor seating area for up to 32 covers.

The unit has planning permission for a range of uses, including shop,

restaurant or café, hot food takeaway and financial and professional services, with opening hours limited to between 7am and 11pm.

The premises are being marketed

by Martin Diplock in Lyme Regis, who can provide more information and arrange viewings for anyone who is interested in renting the space.

With such a prominent position on the seafront, we’re expecting a lot of interest, with 14 people expressing an interest before we’d even advertised it.

The closing date for bids is Monday, September 30 at 5pm.

Prime seafront commercial premises available to rent

Council welcomes newly-elected member LYME Regis Town Council is now back up to full strength with the election of Rob Smith.

Cllr Smith, a Green Party candidate, was elected as a town councillor in the by-election on August,

WORK to refurbish Henry’s Way play park will begin in early-October and is expected to be finished for the school half term.

The council approved new designs for the park after previous proposals caused concern from some local residents.

The new equipment will include a wok roundabout, a pod swing and a helicopter springer, all of which are accessible, as well as new ground surface and a gate at the entrance.

To address residents’ concerns about overlooking and the safety of children, we’re also increasing the height of the fencing around

ness.

The election of Cllr Smith brings us back to the full 14 members, an even split of seven councillors from the last administration and seven new faces.

THIS CONTENT IS PROMOTED BY LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

James Corden hit play to be screened at Marine THE comedy hit ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ will be broadcast to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis as part of the National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday celebrations.

Written by British playwright Richard Bean, the play is based on the Italian comedy ‘The Servant with Two Masters’ by Carlo Goldoni and features a Tony-award winning performance by James Corden, who gained a cult-like following after writing and starring in ‘Gavin and Stacey’.

In this British adaptation, which includes the odd littered skiffle-esque song, we follow Francis Henshall in 1960s Brighton, after Francis has been fired from his band and becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe to collect £6,000 from his

fiancé’s dad.

Hilarity ensues as Roscoe is really Francis’ sister, Rachel, posing as her own dead brother who had been killed by her boyfriend, Stanley Stubbers.

As he evades discovery in The Cricketers’ Arms, the eternally ravenous Francis spots the chance for an extra meal deal ticket and takes a second job with Stanley Stubbers, who is currently running from the police awaiting a reunion with his girlfriend, Rachel.

To maintain his secret, Francis must ensure that his two ‘guvnors’ are kept apart.

The play premiered at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre in

2011, highly praised by critics, and went on to do a UK tour, before opening on Broadway the following year, with Corden reprising his role.

The National Theatre Live screening of ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ will be held at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, on Thursday, September 26. The bar will open at 6pm for a 7pm screening.

Tickets cost £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door or £5 for under 18s with a 10 per cent discount for theatre members.

To book, call Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138 or visit the theatre website www.marinetheatre.com

The New Jersey Boys make return to Axminster Guildhall BACK by overwhelming public demand, the New Jersey Boys will bring their hit show to Axminster Guildhall this September.

Having continuously sold out and received standing ovations across the UK, the New Jersey Boys will bring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to Axminster, plus tributes to Showaddywaddy and other musical legends.

The choreographed show, featuring the amazing falsetto voice of Einar Vestman and the humour of all round entertainer Gary Gould, guarantees an evening of fast-moving entertainment with superb harmonies, stunning solo spots

and light comedy.

As well as all the hits from the Four Seasons, the packed twoset programme includes tributes to other legendary performers such as Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Tina Turner.

This is an unmissable show for which early booking is recommended.

The show will be held at Axminster Guildhall on Friday, September 6 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £18 and are available from Archway Bookshop (01297 33595), Bridport Tourist Information Centre (01308 424901) or via the website www.wegottickets.com

The Harbour Inn - celebrating 15 years in Lyme!

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Internationally acclaimed What’s on... guitarist to play in Lyme Friday, August 30

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea all welcome.

Live Music @ Lyme Regis Brewery Lyme Regis Brewery, 5.30pm Live music from A Cat Called Dave at Lyme Regis Brewery at the Town Mill.

Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Friday, August 30 Sunday, September 1

Lyme Folk Weekend Various venues, all weekend Lyme Regis’ annual folk festival returns with live music at various venues around the town throughout the weekend. See www.lymefolk.com for full details

Saturday, August 31

FROM the deep south of Australia, Geoff Achison’s blend of raw blues and funky grooves has created scores of devoted fans around the world, and the acclaimed guitarist has just announced a special concert in Lyme Regis.

Achison was chosen as one of the Top Ten Hottest New Guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine and included in the Top 100+ Guitarists You Should Know.

He is now celebrating a brand new album recorded with his UK Souldiggers, a band that includes internationally acclaimed drummer Sam Kelly, keys man Paul Jobson, and Andy Hodge on bass.

Compared favourably to Jeff Beck and Warren Haynes, Achison delivers a full blues-rock experience with his outstanding band.

As a keen and expert improviser, Geoff has appeared on stage to jam with big names such as the legendary Allman Brothers Band, Hot Tuna, and many others.

This special concert at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis will be held on Friday, September 13, with the bar opening at 7pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets cost £12 in advance or £14.50 on the door, with 10 per cent off for theatre members. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

‘Blues royalty’ to star at the Marine Theatre MAGGIE Bell and Dave Kelly, a blues duo who renewed their partnership in 2016 after a brief hiatus, are on tour playing at a select few venues and festivals in the UK and Canada, including the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

Bell and Kelly’s on-stage chemistry is immediately evident the moment they appear on stage, a bond that stems from their love and respect for the music they play, as well as their deep knowledge of their genre.

Maggie is considered Scotland’s ‘Queen of Soul’ and is a founder member of Stone the Crows. She has sung with some of rock’s greatest legends, such as The Who in 1971, and features on a record with Mad Dog Blues in 2008.

Dave is a celebrated blues vocalist, guitarist, and composer who has played with John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, and Buddy Guy. Both artists have joined forces to create a special concert teeming full of blues, soul, folk, rock, and gospel.

Although the duo can boast a combined musical experience of 100 years, there still remains a certain relaxed and authentic ‘anything can happen’ feeling when Maggie and Dave take the stage.

RNLI Fundraiser Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station, 10.30am Competition and book sale in aid of the RNLI. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Resident DJs play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Sunday, September 1

Sunday Craft Market The Pilot Boat, 10am A weekly Sunday craft market at the Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis.

Call 01297 443157 to book a stall.

RNLI Fundraiser Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station, 10.30am Competition and book sale in aid of the RNLI. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 12noon Resident DJs play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade.

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 2

Lyme Regis Museum Research Team Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm If you’re interested in local history or need help with historical research, meet the museum’s research team at their monthly session at the library.

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.

Wednesday, September 4

Secondhand Book Sale Marine Parade shelters, 11am Secondhand book sale in aid of the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.

LRTC Extraordinary Full Council Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly will appear at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, on Thursday, September 19. The bar will open at 7pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets cost £16.50 in advance or £19 on the door with 10 per cent discount for theatre members. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

Thursday, September 5

Secondhand Book Sale Marine Parade shelters, 11am Secondhand book sale in aid of the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.

Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for

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

local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association.

Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize.

Friday, September 6

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea all welcome.

Charity Jazz Supper Uplyme Village Hall, 7.30pm Music from La Vie en Rose and curry from Khushi Kitchen in aid of Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support. Ticket £25 - call 01297 442138 or visit www.thelittleboxoffice.com/jazzjurassica Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat, this week with Elijah Wolf.

Saturday, September 7 Sunday, September 8

Food Rocks Marine Parade, all weekend Mark Hix brings his Food Rocks festival to Lyme Regis for the eighth year, raising funds for the RNLI and Fishermen’s Mission.

See full line-up on back page.

Saturday, September 7

Belmont House Open Day Belmont House, Pound Street, 10am Visit this 18th century maritime villa, once the home of Eleanor Coade - inventor of Coade stone and more recently author John Fowles. Free entry.

RNLI Fundraiser Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station, 10.30am Competition and book sale in aid of the RNLI. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Resident DJs play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Sunday, September 8

Belmont House Open Day Belmont House, Pound Street, 10am Visit this 18th century maritime villa, once the home of Eleanor Coade - inventor of Coade stone and more recently author John Fowles. Free entry. lyme splash Sunday Craft Market The Pilot Boat, 10am A weekly Sunday craft market at the Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis.

Call 01297 443157 to book a stall.

RNLI Fundraiser Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station, 10.30am Competition and book sale in aid of the RNLI. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 12noon Resident DJs play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Music: Lym Delta Rhythm Kings Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Expect to hear toe-tapping train songs, ragtime, jazz, rockabilly and more, played on acoustic instruments hand-crafted by the band. Tickets £8 in advance, £10 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start.

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.

Tuesday, September 10

Margaret Attwood: Live in Cinemas Marine Theatre, 6.30pm

‘The Testaments’, Margaret Atwood’s highly anticipated sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ will be celebrated with this live broadcast.

Tickets £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door or £5 for under 18s - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening.

Wednesday, September 11

U3A Talk: ‘The Late Flowering Lyricist’ Woodmead Halls, 10am A talk by Miranda Pender, proving you are never too old to try something different! Coffee served from 10am and talk at 11am. Entry is free for U3A members and £2 for non-members.

LRTC Town Management & Highways Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Uplyme Parish Council Uplyme Village Hall, 7.15pm For agenda see https://uplymeparishcouncil.org/ Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Thursday, September 12

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

Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize.

Friday, September 13

Cemetery Chapel Open Day Lyme Regis Cemetery, 10am-4pm A rare chance to view this Victorian chapel, recently restored by the town council.

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea all welcome.

Music: Geoff Achison & The UK Souldiggers, Marine Theatre, 7pm From the deep south of Australia, this guitarist’s exciting blend of raw blues and funky grooves has created scores of devoted fans around the world. Tickets £12 advance, £14.50 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start.

Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Saturday, September 14

Cemetery Chapel Open Day Lyme Regis Cemetery, 10am-4pm A rare chance to view this Victorian chapel, recently restored by the town council.

Music: Raisin’ Cain Lyme Regis Brewery, 6.30pm Lyme Regis Brewery, based at the historic Town Mill, hosts regular live music and DJ sets, this week with popular local trio Raisin' Cain.

Music: The Upbeat Beatles Marine Theatre, 7pm This celebration of The Beatles is second to none: their show takes you along the Fab Four’s long and winding road from the early Cavern days to Abbey Road. Tickets £23 advance, £26 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 7pm start.

Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Resident DJs play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade.

16 Friday, August 30 2019

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A TOWN FOR ALL SEASONS WIN A 2020 CALENDAR BY LYME’S TOP PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD AUSTIN

LymeOnline is offering our readers the chance to win one of four 2020 calendars by local, award-winning photographer Richard Austin.

Celebrating Lyme Regis in all its beauty, the calendar is made up of stunning shots of the Pearl of Dorset throughout the seasons.

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: This historic road was once the high street of Lyme Regis and is now where you can find the Richard Austin Images shop. Can you name the street?

Send the form (right) to LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS or email your answer to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk by the closing date of 5pm on September 13.

ANSWER: ..................................... .....................................

NAME: ..................................... .....................................

PHONE NUMBER: .....................................

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Clinton completes Ride London and raises £1,400 for Alzheimer’s LYME Regis resident Clinton Flux said he was completely overwhelmed with support from the local community, as he took on the Ride London challenge in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Clinton completed the 100mile cycling challenge around the capital on Sunday, August 4. He raised £1,400 for the charity, well over his £600 target, and over half of which was made at a well-supported curry and disco night he and his family hosted at Lyme Regis Football Club.

Clinton had hoped to complete the course quicker than his seven and half hours finishing time, but several accidents along the route slowed down competitors. However, he said this didn’t take away from his enjoyment of the event and he has already submitted his application to take part next year, hopefully with a group of riders from the local area.

He has also signed up to take part in the 100-mile Big Ride in Salisbury next month, although this one will be just for fun and not for charity.

Clinton and his family would like to thank all those who supported his fundraising appeal and the curry and disco night, including all the local businesses that donated raffle prizes and food.

Friday, August 30 2019 17

Lyme Regis cyclist takes on penny farthing challenge LYME Regis resident Seb Cope is in training for a gruelling 55-mile charity cycle ride on his penny farthing.

Architectural designer Seb will be joining thousands of cyclists for the iconic London to Brighton Cycle Ride next month, raising funds for charity PSPA, which supports those living with PSP or progressive supranuclear palsy, an uncommon brain disorder that affects movement, control of walking, balance and speech.

Seb, who is also a volunteer member of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, decided to take on the challenge in tribute to his former employer’s wife, Janet, who suffers from PSP. Despite his penny farthing having a 48-inch wheel and no gears or brakes, he is attempting to complete the 55-mile ride in a single day, including the formidable and infamous Ditchling Beacon.

The ride will set off from Clapham Common at 6.30am on Sunday, September 15 and Seb will need to complete his unique ride by 5pm to avoid missing the bus home!

He said: “It’s a scary thing to ride the penny farthing for so many miles, but it’s nothing compared to the frightening reality of living with PSP every day.

“Having worked for Janet’s husband, Peter, for more than 15 years means she is like family to me, and the least I can do to draw attention to this devastating disease.

“Yes, the thought of Ditchling Beacon without gears or brakes sounds crazy, but it will all be worth it to raise money to fund research into a possible cure.”

PSP is a progressive neurological condition affecting approximately 5,000 adults in the UK and is caused by the progressive death of nerve cells in the brain. The deteriorative nature of PSP over time leaves those affected unable to balance, walk, talk, eat, swallow, drink and see.

COMING SOON THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DORSET’S MOST POPULAR RESORT

LYME Regis resident Seb Cope in training on his penny farthing There is currently no cure, but there is hope that the accelerating pace of research into PSP will lead to future effective treatments to limit the devastation this disease causes.

Last year, Seb completed a 50-mile charity ride along with his father and fellow penny farthing rider, Alistair Cope, in aid of the Aston Villa Foundation community charity. The pair also regularly organise vintage cycle rides and events in aid of charity with their group Velo Vintage.

To sponsor Seb online and help to raise funds for research into PSP, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SebastianCope

Autumn edition coming out in September 2019 The Lyme Life Magazine promotes all the major events and features the many facets of visiting Lyme Regis throughout the year.

With a 6,000 print run for each issue, the magazine will be available for free from a large number of local businesses and all the major accommodation and tourist outlets in the area.

Get your business noticed this season by advertising with Lyme Life for as little as £55. Call Debbie on 01297 306152 or email debbie@lyme-online.co.uk View our Media Pack online at lyme-online.co.uk/lyme-life-magazine

18 Friday, August 30 2019

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Forget summer, it’s just three months until the switch on!

IT may have been one of the hottest days of the year, but one group of fundraisers were looking ahead to Christmas on Saturday.

With just three months to go until the big switch on, Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee is hard at work raising funds for the £12,000 display, which has grown a reputation for being among the best on the south coast in recent years.

A beach stall in the Marine Parade shelters, including bric-a-brac, toys, homemade cakes and more, raised £880 on Saturday and organisers would like to thank all those who supported the event.

The next fundraising event will be a special evening with award-winning local photographer Richard Austin.

Richard is the son of the late Barbara Austin MBE, who was instrumental in raising funds and revitalising the town’s previously tired-looking Christmas decorations, paving the way for the excellent illuminations seen in recent years.

He will be sharing some fascinating and engaging stories about his illustrious 35-

year career as a professional news and sports photographer, as well as showcasing some of his work, covering everything from the royal family to his famous wildlife shots.

The event will be held at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis on Friday, September 20 from 7.30pm. Entry costs £3 on the door (see advertisement on page 13).

The Christmas Lights Committee will also be selling tickets for a grand raffle to be drawn on Saturday, November 30 - the date of the big switch on.

Prizes include a week in a holiday cottage in Yorkshire, cash prizes of £200 and £100, and three course meals at the Alexandra Hotel and Harbour Inn. Tickets costing just £1 each will be available from September 1 from The Slipway at the Cobb.

For more details on the Christmas Lights Committee, upcoming fundraising events and the switch on events on November 30, including the annual lantern competition and parade, visit the committee’s new website www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk

Tales From Lyme’s Past

A glimpse of our history with Peter Lacey Poverty and Hardship THE people portrayed in Jane Austen’s novels are the middle and upper classes; the bulk of the population who laboured to survive are hardly mentioned.

She depicts an affluent, privileged and educated minority whose lives were preoccupied with socialisation and leisure. It was an epoch where social mobility was rare, with the church exhorting the lower classes “to be happy in the station in which God has seen fit to place them”.

There was even an under-class comprised of the unemployed, widows, orphans, the infirm and the aged; abject poverty was their common lot and for many the workhouse beckoned.

The records demonstrate that there was real poverty in Lyme during the 18th and 19th centuries, the under-classes having to rely on parish relief and charity.

The churchwarden’s accounts for 1834 lists 41 sailors and sailors widows who received five shillings each, just enough to purchase a few loaves of bread. Victorian poor were encouraged to engage in ‘industrious application’, which translates into poorly paid menial employment.

Within a port ‘picking oakum’ was a prime example, it involved untwining and picking into pieces old rope which was then used for caulking the seams of vessels to prevent leaking. In 1831 three townswomen and their children unpicked 500 ropes for which they were paid 40 pence, it does not state for how many hours they worked.

On a more charitable note it was the custom to supply coal during the winter to the poor at half price. The offer assumes that they could

afford to pay the reduced price of two shillings and sixpence for 56 pounds of coal.

In January of 1868 a newspaper reported ‘Distress in the Town, a soup kitchen had been opened and unemployed men found work repairing roads and streets’. The rate of pay was not stated.

A major blow to the town’s economy was the closure of the three cloth mills, by 1847 some 300 workers had lost their jobs, it marked the end of cloth making in Lyme For the poor, Lyme was not a healthy place, The river was little more than an open sewer and cleanliness in the streets also left a lot to be desired, harking back to Elizabethan times a part-time ‘street scavenger’ was employed at the rate of £9.2s a year.

Sickness took its toll on the young, of the 72 recorded burials in 1857, 39 were to children aged under 16 years. The main causes being a lack of a clean water supply, poor sanitation and over-crowded living conditions.

In 1876 The Builder Magazine printed a censorious hygienic appraisal of the town. It stated that “sewage gas is very offensive. Half the houses in which the working class live should be condemned, families of six to eight sleeping in one room. Many of the properties are in danger of falling down and one-fifth of the population resort to the river for their requirements”.

The report’s final statement concerned children who “were running the streets semi-nude and whose language is as offensive to the ear as the stench of the drains to the nose”. Times have changed, all to the good, yet in 2019 the town needs a food bank!

Peter Lacey, Local author and historian

s ew n l ca lo e h t ll a r o f p to s t s Your fir lyme-online.co.uk

Friday, August 30 2019 19

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Lyme care home raises The Hub’s holiday activities £1,350 for air ambulance a huge hit with youngsters

APRIL Robinson from Fairfield House presents a cheque to Alan Harrow of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance FAIRFIELD House Care Home in Lyme Regis held its annual fundraising stall at last week’s Melplash Show, in Bridport, this year in aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

April Robinson, Fairfield House receptionist and event organiser, commented: “A massive thank you to everyone that supported and donated for this year’s show.

“We are delighted to announce the total raised for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance was £1,350.65”.

Fairfield House would like to thank Toad Hall Cottages for the first place raffle prize of a £250 holiday voucher, as well as Seaton Tramway, Manor Farm Bar and Takeaway, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Framptons of Bridport, Soulshine Cafe, Windy Corner Cafe, Annie's Tea Rooms, Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Bridport Leisure Centre, The Royal Lion Hotel, Lyme Bay Winery, A Touch Of Vintage, Sandworld

Sand Sculpture Festival, Pecorama, Eagle Autos, Morrisons, Coffee#1, The Town Mill, Moores Biscuits, Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant, Lavender Blue Flowers, Leakers Bakery, CLH Group Ltd and many more for tombola donations Thanks also go to the Royal Oak, The Bank House Café, Herringbone, The Shed Hair & Beauty Boutique and Colmers Hill Fashion for selling raffle tickets prior to the event, and Morgans of Charmouth for permitting volunteers to sell raffle tickets on a stall outside their premises.

Carol Ashby, Fairfield House manager, said: “We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity this year.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Fairfield House staff for their time and enthusiasm in creating such positive community spirit in their fundraising efforts for such a worthy cause.”

A SUMMER holiday activity programme proved a huge hit at The Hub in Lyme Regis.

Twenty-six primary school children thoroughly enjoyed a range of activities, including football, arts and crafts, cookery, music and ‘Beach School’ over a week of fun, learning and making new friends.

Feedback from parents and the youngsters themselves have requested that the activity days be even longer next summer, and suggestions of new activities have included using The Hub’s indoor skate ramps, dance and animation workshops and a movie afternoon, all of which organisers will take on board.

The Hub, managed by Lyme Regis Development Trust, is already planning the next holiday programme and applying for funding so that this pilot project can become a regular event for the local community.

They aim to offer a varied programme led by professional leaders and work in partnership with other local organisations, such as Lyme Regis Football Club Youth Section and B Sharp.

If you would like to receive news and booking dates for future holiday activity programmes, call 01297 444266, email diane@lrdt.co.uk or visit www.hublyme.co.uk

LYME RE REGIS, GISS, PUT YO YOUURR

Join us for food, craft beer and cocktails.

Music kicks offf around 8.30pm

Marine Parade, Lyme Regi g s, Dorset, DT7 3JH Follow us on social media @swimlyme | 01297 442668 | info@weswim.co.uk

20 Friday, August 30 2019

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200 million years old... and another two to prepare

CHARMOUTH fossil collector Chris Moore with his impressive bed of ammonites, which has taken two years to prepare. Below, the block is moved for display at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Photos by Richard Austin

’re u o Y ited inv

COFFEE MORNING AND CAKE STALL raising funds for

Please come and support us!

Friday 25th October 10am - 1pm Baptist Church Hall Silver Street, Lyme Regis A range of Cancer Research UK Christmas Cards will be on sale

LOCAL fossil collector Chris Moore has recently unveiled one of his most significant finds, thought to be the finest block of ammonites ever discovered along the Jurassic Coast.

Mr Moore found the large limestone boulder containing the ammonites following a cliff fall on Monmouth Beach, in Lyme Regis, two years ago but has only just unveiled the finished product.

The boulder was so big that it had to be split into several pieces on the beach and then put back together.

It then took about 600 hours to prepare, with specialist Nic Reast from the Midlands carrying out a large amount of the work, gently chipping away at the limestone to reveal how the impressive ammonites, along with a scattered ichthyosaur carcass, rested on the bottom of the sea 200 million years ago.

Chris, who moved to the area from Manchester 40 years ago and has been fossil hunting ever since, lives in Charmouth where he runs the workshop Forge Fossils. His son Alex, from

Uplyme, has also worked on this and several other projects with him.

The bed of ammonites is now on display at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre for the forseeable future, but Chris hopes for it to eventually go on permanent display at a museum.

If you’re hoping to find your own piece of the Jurassic Coast in the Lyme Regis or Charmouth area, you should always follow the Fossil Collecting Code of Conduct, which advises that the best place to find fossils is on the beach and not on the cliff face. The code advises fossil hunters to be aware of the tides, stay away from the cliffs, never hammer the cliffs, watch out for mudflows, wear goggles and use geological hammers.

The code also offers advice and outlines restrictions for professional and experienced collectors, and how to properly record any significant finds.

For further advice or to read the code in full visit the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre website charmouth.org/chcc

Friday, August 30 2019 21

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1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA 01297 443157

FABULOUS ALL-DAY MENU WITH OUTSTANDING SPECIALS For example

Sauteed Brown Shrimp Samphire & Pan Fried Bass Fillets Whole Roasted Cajun Mackerel, roasted root vegetables 8oz Ribeye Steak Garlic Lobster Tails Food served all day, every day – 8am to 9pm

COOL WEDNESDAYS TWO COCKTAILS FOR £10 Live Music 8.30 -10.30 pm

CHALLENGING THURSDAYS

QUIZ WITH CASH PRIZES and £100 Jackpot Question 8.30 - 10.00pm

FIZZY FRIDAYS 5.00 - 9.00pm

BOTTLE OF PROSECCO £15

LIVE MUSIC

9.00 - 11.00pm

CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

All day dining also available on our stunning Sun Terrace

22 Friday, August 30 2019

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Fun day and walk raises £3,100 for Oli A FUN day and sponsored walk raised £3,100 for local youngster Oliver Apps.

Nine-year-old Oli, a well-known member of the Street family in Lyme Regis, suffers from a genetic mutation of the gene STXBP1 Chromosome 9q, as well as severe epilepsy.

Lyme Regis Football Club’s youth section organised a sponsored walk from Uplyme to the Davey Fort on Sunday, followed by a fun day, to raise funds for a specialist chair to make things more comfortable for Oli at home.

The event included a friendly football match, music, barbecue, face painting and a number of stalls, raising enough funds for the chair.

Oli’s mum Kelly Apps said: “I would like to thank everyone who came along and supported us on Sunday and to the many people who sent donations.

“I cannot tell you how much this means to us as a family. A chair of this type may seem such a simple thing but the type is what is imperative, because of its postural support and comfort it will give Oli on really bad days.”

OLIVER Apps pictured centre with family, friends and supporters at the fun day. Below, local youngsters enjoy the event including the face painting stand. Right, a Storm Trooper attracted crowds on the gate

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

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Friday, August 30 2019 23

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer ACTRESS and broadcaster Elaine Paige was good fun to photograph at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The ice-breaker for me was that she had previously ordered a photograph of mine she had seen in a national newspaper, which she remembered, so when I asked her to pose amongst the flowers she was fine, except every time she heard the camera click she ran up to me to see the picture on the screen! She eventually showed me the one she preferred.

Everyone loves the Chelsea Flower Show. Tens of thousands visit the spectacle over the week and, for the press, it all kicks off on the Monday which is designated ‘Press Day.’ I always endeavour to arrive early, that way you can make contact with the design creators just before judging.

Nothing much changes as far as I’m concerned; most of the stands and entrants are in the same place every year.

I spend a lot of time looking for entrants from the South West, and there are quite a number and quite a few gold medals.

I always endeavour to mix the photographs between serious gardeners, celebrities and the fun things that happen during the show.

If you have a story for LymeOnline, call our editor Francesca Evans on 01297 442781 or email edit@lymeonline.co.uk

24 Friday, August 30 2019

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ITEMS FOR SALE

PIANO STOOL, mahogany frame, re-upholstered, £20 ONO - 01297 445788.

PLANTS FOR SALE, hydrangeas etc. £2.50, others from £1 - call 01297 443930.

HI-VIS JACKET, used, good condition, size large, £5 - 01297 443695.

INTERNAL DOORS, fully furnished, both pine panelled and flush, offers welcome 01297 442773.

MEN’S SHIRT, 16” French blue, long sleeve, Peter England brand, £10 - 01297 443124.

MEN’S SHIRT, medium, airforce blue, Charles Tyrwhitt brand, £20 - 01297 443124.

MEN’S SHIRT, 15½”, light blue, Charles Tyrwhitt brand, £20 - 01297 443124.

TV STAND, silver with glass top and shelf, unmarked, 48cm H x 79cm W, 45cm D, £10, collection only from Lyme Regis - 01297 445940.

CHEST FREEZER, Bush, 42” x 27” x 31”, with instructions, £45 - 01297 446061.

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KITCHEN CHAIRS, six modern pine chairs, can email photo, £60 - 01297 561280.

POND CLEAR UV25, for clear pond up to 4,000 gallons, £20 - 01297 561280.

POND LINER, rigid, 1.4m x 90cm, irregular shape, can email photo, £10 - 01297 561280.

EXERCISE BIKE, as new, buyer collects, £10 - 07565 526 524.

LEATHER CHAIRS, two matching in tan colour, good condition, £35 for the pair 01297 442198.

WATER CARRIER, 25 litres with tap, £10 01297 443419.

BIKE RACK, used on spare wheel, £20 01297 443419.

COMMODE CHAIR, Elite Care, folds away, comes with box, almost new, free - 01297 443419.

SHOWER CURTAIN, un-used, floral bouquet pattern from Sears in USA, £5 - 01297 443930.

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EMBOSSED WALLPAPER, three rolls, suitable for painting over, covers uneven walls, £10 - 01297 443930.

MATTRESS TOPPER, feather and down, double, hotel quality, £22 - 01297 442198.

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LADIES TAP SHOES, black, hardly word, size 6 1/2, £12 - 01297 442198.

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TEXTURED MASONRY PAINT, Watershield brand from Homebase, five litres, £15 - 01297 443930.

MEN’S SHOES, Hotter ‘Engerise’ brand, black, size 10, £20 - 01297 443124.

CHURCH PEW, stripped pine, 6ft long, can email photo, £100 - 01297 561280.

LEATHER SOFA, two-seater, excellent condition, choice of two, can email photo, £50

TENNIS SKIRT, John Lewis, unworn, 26” waist, £10 - 01297 443930.

Please note, items for sale will move down the list each issue as we receive new listings, or will be removed earlier if we are contacted to confirm they have been sold.

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26 Friday, August 30 2019

LymeOnline Sport

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Photo by Pauline Rook

Lyme’s young sailors compete at national level YOUNG members of Lyme Regis Sailing Club are were among those to take part in the Firefly National Championship earlier this month.

The sailing club hosted 53 entrants from all across the UK for the championship, including four teams made up of its own youth members in boats lent by Bournemouth University, allowing them to gain valuable experience in a large fleet, in the comfort of home waters.

Entrants arrived in Lyme Regis and were welcomed to the town by the mayor, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, at a reception on Saturday, August 17.

The championship then got underway on Sunday with the challenge of strong south-westerly winds and big waves, making for exhilarating racing. There were several capsizes and three had to be towed in keeping the safety boats busy, but there were no incidents of concern.

There were several breakages and repairs during the following six days racing. For some it was the first time among a big fleet of more experienced Firefly sailors and was a great opportunity to take part in a national event.

Glowing feedback from competitors and the Firefly Association UK showered Lyme Regis Sailing Club with praise for hosting what has been described as the “best nationals ever”.

The class are keen to return to Lyme Regis within the next few years, commending race officers Chris Turner and Allan Tyler for ex-

cellent race management and even perfect start lines.

Chairman Tony Fastnedge emphasised that it was his team’s efforts and skills, all 50 of them, plus the amazing sea and weather conditions throughout the week, which had made for success and the enjoyment all round.

Safety leader on the water was Jim Thomas, who thanked his helms and crews, as well as other harbour users for their co-operation. The harbourmaster and staff also gave help on shore and received thanks at the prizegiving.

Overall winners were Stuart Hudson and Emily Walters from Spinnaker SC, followed by Jono Pank and Helen Lucas, Imperial Poona YC, in second and Chris Kareem and Jenny Johnson from Imperial Poona in third place.

Best placed among Lyme’s young sailors were Fraser Earle and Anna Parker, closely followed by Cameron Moss and Ferdy Parry Leyshon. Jake Stow with Ed Stubbs and Simon Law with Natasha Dower were a few places behind them.

A debrief party will be held in October, but meanwhile club racing returns to Lyme with the Banbury Chaser this weekend and participation in Bart's Bash for the Andrew Simpson Foundation in two weeks' time.

The club welcomes new members, sailing, family, youth and social.

For details contact honorary secretary Sally Holman on secretary.lrscltd@gmail.com

LYME’S Cameron Moss and Ferdy Parry concentrate on the plane downwind (photo by Jess Douglas)

THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, and Mayoress Wendy Larcombe, pictured with sailing club commodore Jerry Rook, race officials and youth members who were competing in the championships. Left, overall winners Stuart Hudson and Emily Walters from Spinnaker SC (photo by Dave Beer)

Photo by Jess Douglas

Friday, August 30 2019 27

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football

Seasiders on top!

LYME REGIS, 2 - SIDMOUTH TOWN, 1 Wednesday, August 28

PHILIP EVANS

A ROCKET of a shot in injury time gave Lyme Regis a 2-1 victory over a strong Sidmouth Town side on Wednesday, protecting the Seasiders’ 100 per cent record and their top-of-the-table position in the Devon & Exeter Premier division.

The goal – a 30-yard scorching drive – came in the 93rd minute from the right foot of new signing full-back Alex Rockett, his first goal for Lyme.

This was a fierce encounter between two sides not prepared to give an inch. There was little between them in the first half with goal chances at both ends before the Vikings, fielding a side which belied their lowly place in the Premier division, took the lead in the 31st minute after a period of pressure on the Lyme goal which saw keeper Lee Cleal bravely defending his line.

In the opening exchanges Lyme had three excellent chances; Joe Bond heading over the bar and then scuffing his shot with just the keeper

philip@lyme-online.co.uk to beat. Fred Parsons and Alex Rockett also went close with well-hit shots.

They were back on terms in the 42nd minute when Parsons, making his best start to a new campaign for several seasons, glided past two defenders before placing the ball wide of the Sidmouth keeper.

A 1-1 scoreline in the first half was a fair reflection of play, but Lyme came out strongly after the break and looked more likely to steal the points. Their best scoring opportunity to do so came when Ben Turner powered the ball wide from a bullet-like cross from Nathan Wormersley.

The hard-working Bond was substituted in the 67th minute with his replacement, Brad Rowe, immediately making an impact firing over the bar from a Cody Bowditch cross.

Cam Fowler was brought on as a second sub-

stitute, replacing Sam Pollard-Jones who had worked hard upfront, allowing for Bowditch to move into attack which provided more punch upfront.

But time was running short as the game moved into injury time before Rockett unleashed his vicious right-foot to secure the three points, which leaves Lyme leading the Premier pack with a five-point lead over Okehampton Argyle, who dropped points in a draw with Hatherleigh It was difficult to pick a man-of-the-match with Lyme firing on all cylinders in defence, midfield and attack, a good all-round performance which will put the Seasiders in a confident mood for their away match against near competitors Colyton on Saturday.

Squad: Lea Cleal; Cody Bowditch, Gary Knight, Kingsley Wellman, Alex Rockett; Mark Bailey, Ben Turner, Fred Parsons, Nathan Wormersley; Sam Pollard-Jones, Joe Bond. Substitutes: Brad Rowe, Cam Follow, Nicky Land.

Pole position after two games

LYME REGIS, 5 - SEATON TOWN, 0 Wednesday, August 21

LYME Regis first team moved to the top of the Devon & Exeter League Premier division with a 5-0 victory over neighbours Seaton Town. And the season was less than a week old.

Following the Seasiders’ 6-0 drubbing of Chagford at the Davey Fort on Saturday, Lyme put in another impressive performance before a crowd of well over 100 thanks to a large contingent from Seaton.

Seaton, who were beaten 9-2 by Okehampton in their first game of the season, were far from outclassed in the first half, and Lyme’s

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk 3-0 lead at half-time flattered them to some extent.

Joe Bond, looking sharper than ever, had the ball in the back of the net after seven minutes but he was ruled offside. But Lyme were soon a goal up through a ground-level Fred Parsons header from a low cross.

Seaton hit back with a looping cross skimming the top of the bar before Lyme added a second in the 35th minute when wing-back Cody Bowditch slotted the ball home after picking up the ball in his own half and sprinting down the left in

a storming 60-yard run.

Two minutes later Lyme stamped their authority on the game when Bond rounded off a fine move to make it 3-0.

With such a demanding lead, Lyme looked more relaxed in the second half and after 65 minutes Ben Vine latched onto an inch-perfect through-ball from Robbie Fellingham to slot it home to make it 4-0.

Vine also finished off the best move of the game, started by Bowditch at the back with Mark Bailey, Nathan Wormersley and Robbie Fellingham delighting the crowd with a slick passing move to complete the 5-0 scoreline.

Early signs are that this is the best Lyme squad for a number of years with a number of options in all quarters.

Bond, who scored four in Lyme’s opening match, got my man-ofthe-match award for his phenomenal work with Fred Parsons impressing again in midfield, especially in the first half.

Squad: Lee Cleal; Cody Bowditch, Gary Knight, Kingsley Wellman, Craig Every; Mark Bailey, Fred Parsons, Ben Turner, Sam Pollard Jones; Ben Vine, Joe Bond. Substitutes: Robbie Fellingham, Alex Rockett, Nathan Wormersley.

Storming start to new season

LYME REGIS, 6 - CHAGFORD, 0 Saturday, August 17

LYME Regis 1st team made a storming start to the new season with a 6-0 victory over Chagford in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division at the Davey Fort.

There were few scoring chances in the first 30 minutes but when the Seasiders got into their stride they turned in a sparking performance with centre-forward Joe Bond scoring four goals, including a penalty. Ben Vine also notched a brace. Chagford missed a penalty late on.

The dominance of this performance will send a strong message to other Premier division sides that Lyme will be among the favourites for the Premiership this season.

Shock result of the opening day was that the much fancied Colyton lost 2-0 away to Lapford and title favourites Cronies just managed to scrape home with a 2-1 home win over Whipton and Pinhoe.

A 9-2 away win over Seaton Town saw Okehampton Argyle take the top spot in the Premier Division with Lyme in second place.

Lyme manager Gerard Hitchcock was delighted with his side’s opening performance, putting the difference between the two sides down to Lyme’s greater level of fitness after an intense pre-season training programme under new coach Julien Simier.

Hitchcock told LymeOn-

line Sport: “We were the fitter side and it was a game played at 100 miles per hour.

After we went 3-0 up, we went into cruise control.”

Hitchcock acknowledged Joe Bond’s four-goal haul but gave his man-of-the-match accolade to midfielder Fred Parsons who was in tremendous form and was influential in creating four out of the six goals.

LYME Rovers also got off to a good start with a 3-2 win over Uplyme to retain the Bass Bottle, the pre-season trophy competition between the neighbouring sides. The Lyme goals came from Sam Burke, Robbie Fowler and a Pete Peacock penalty.

JOHN Bowditch, son of the late Frank Bowditch, a founder member of Uplyme Football Club, presents the Bass Bottle to Toby Fowler

golf

Heady days for the men’s scratch team

By Richard Jackman

WITH maintenance week in full swing at Lyme Regis Golf Club, it was only the ladies who had a competition this week, the Pros benefit stableford, and Di Smith made hay, returning the best score of the day to win Division 1 with 37 points.

Starting well, picking up 3 x 3 pointers in the first four holes, Smith was well into her stride and but for a small blip on the two par 5s on the back nine could have done even better. Jean Jolley started like an express train, scoring 21 points on the front nine, but ran out of steam but still came second with 36, while Susan Moore improved on her back nine to finish third on 35.

Ros Clemmans had an up and down round with a mixture of 4 pointers and blobs, but ‘the ups’ were better, meaning she won Division 2 convincingly with 36 points to keep progressing in the right direction. Julia Coote and Linda Richmond had a battle for second and third places, but the fine start that Richmond had on the front nine meant that Coote took silver on countback with a better back nine, both scoring 33 points.

Mary Golding comfortably won the ninehole competition with 18 points while Jean Moss, 14 points, was one better than newcomer Beverley Blake.

The men’s scratch team are preparing for two semi-finals, firstly against Ashley Wood at home on September 1in the Stokes Salver, then six days later in the Beckford Bowl versus Barton-on-Sea. These is heady days for the club, it being the first time in many years that the scratch team have featured so prominently in both events in the same season, so fingers crossed for positive outcomes in both matches. Any support, however fleeting, for these two events would be most welcome.

bowls

BIg win keeps the men in the championship

By Paul Moffitt

WELL well well! The championship team at Lyme Regis Bowls Club have just gone and done it.

A thumping victory over fellow relegation prospects Bridport has not only secured them a place in the top flight for next season, but the club finished in fifth place over all. A bit like the English cricketers, they fought to the end.So tight were the margins at the foot of the table, the 10-0 win against Bridport automatically relegates them to Division 1.

No such good fortune for Lyme 2 men in Division 1; they are relegated to Division 2 next season. It’s been a difficult season for them, struggling to put out a settled side.

It was a case of anything the men can do the ladies can match it. Facing a strong side from Poole Park at home, they also managed to secure all 10 points, not something they will have done too often in the past against this opposition. With three games still left to play, the ladies will need to keep the hammer down in order to avoid the same fate as Lyme 2.

Lyme lost both friendlies against Yeovil and a touring side from Brookfield Electric.

A timely reminder to the men’s league members that the end-of-season supper and roll-up will on Monday, September 2.

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LymeOnline Sport

28 Friday, August 30 2019

August 30 2019

cricket

The catch that won promotion for Uplyme AT 2.17pm on Saturday, Ewan Pedder bowled to North Devon’s number three batsman who duly edged the ball into the grateful and reliable hands of Bruce Maltby – just reward for two of Uplyme’s unsung heroes who have made themselves available for a majority of the season.

The catch secured the point required to gain promotion to D division East for next season in the Devon Cricket League and prompted huge celebrations, both on the field, especially from the travelling sup-

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk port of Terry Matthews and Steve (Scroll) Rowlands.

Uplyme did go on to lose the game with North Devon smashing 377-6 and Uplyme being all out for 118 with only Charlie Moss shining with a classy 36.

But it was a great effort by the nine players, after a late injury caused Jacob Maltby to drop out, who made the 150-mile round trip to Instow on the North Devon coast on a bank holiday Saturday.

They secured the point needed for promotion and ensured the club fulfilled the fixture and avoided a 10-

point deduction.

After a topsy-turvy season in which Uplyme have been bowled out for 28 and 29, the team have shown great character in winning six out of their last seven games to keep Topsham at bay and secure promotion.

Secretary Derek Wellman commented: “It has been a tough season with only 20 players signed on and no 2nd XI to fall back on, but every player has shown dedication to the club and we thank them for that.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) Uplyme host Topsham at the King George V field in the final league game to be followed by a promotion/presentation evening party to which all are welcome.

BRUCE Maltby who took the catch to earn Uplyme a point and promotion

football

Seasiders second half surge keeps them ahead of the field PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

LYME Regis first team maintained their early season form in a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Kentisbeare on Saturday to stay top of the Devon & Exeter Premier League after three games.

CODY Bowditch in full flight before scoring in Lyme Regis 1st team’s 50 victory over Seaton Town

Lyme were without the two Knight brothers in central defence, Gary attending a wedding and new-signing Mike suffering from concussion after a collision with team mate Ben Turner.

Kentisbeare, promoted from Division One last season, are a well drilled side with excellent well managed facilities and this was a bigger test of the Seasiders’ mettle than their previ-

ous two high scoring victories over Chagford (6-0) and Seaton Town (5-0) - see page 27.

There was little between the two sides in a robust first half, with wingback Cody Bowditch going close after a marauding run down the flank, similar to the move that delivered his wonder goal last week against Seaton, and centre-back Kingsley Wellman heading over the bar from a Ben Vine corner.

But it was the home team that opened the score after 33 minutes with a header from a free-kick which Lyme failed to deal with.

Lyme pushed hard for the equaliser and had two good penalty shouts rejected by the referee with Joe Bond’s strong running up front causing all sorts of problems for the home defence.

As in their previous two games, the Seasiders upped their game after the break and looked the more dangerous of the two sides with the equaliser coming after 53 minutes after a goalmouth melee ending in Fred Parsons nodding the ball home.

The winner came just four minutes

later when Ben Vine made it 2-1 converting a penalty awarded for handball from a free-kick.

On this showing, Kentisbeare will take points off a few sides this season and Lyme certainly knew they had been in a game.

Man-of-the-match for Lyme was new signing Alex Rockett who slotted into the central defender role and showed great maturity and coolness under pressure, not unlike his grandfather Tony Rockett, one of Axminster’s finest centre halves. Cody Bowditch continued to look dangerous with his penetrating runs down the flank.

The victory sees Lyme retain the top spot in the Premier Division, two points against Lapford but with Okehampton Argyle, Beer Albion and Cronies close on their tails.

Squad: Will Meech; Cody Bowditch, Alex Rockett, Kingsley Wellman, Craig Every; Mark Bailey, Ben Turner, Fred Parsons, Nathan Wormersley; Joe Bond, Ben Vine. Substitutes: Sam Pollard-Jones, Nicky Land.

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Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club Saturday, August 31 Uplyme & Lyme Regis home to Topsham 1.30pm start

football

Sterner test for Seasiders AFTER gaining maximum points from their first four games of the season, Lyme Regis 1st team face a sterner test tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel across the Devon border to Colyton.

Colyton were one of the front runners last season, finishing fourth, one place above Lyme. Colyton won 18 of their 28 games, three more than Lyme.

Colyton have not made such a good start to the season, having lost to Lapford and drawing with Upottery.

They beat neighbours Seaton Town 2-1 on Wednesday and sit in seventh position.

But they can’t be underestimated and Lyme will need to be at their best to continue their winning streak.

Lyme’s excellent start to the new campaign continued on Wednesday with a 2-1 injury time victory over a strong Sidmouth Town X1 (see page 27), courtesy of a magnificent 93rd minute strike from new signing Alex Rockett, to stay on top of the Devon & Exeter Premier League, so they go to Colyton full of confidence.

Early results would indicate that Lapford and Okehampton Argyle will be challenging Lyme for the top spot, although Argyle dropped points on Wednesday, and they can’t write off Cronies who finished in third place last season and were hoping to have been able to join the new Devon League this season. Lack of their own facilities scuppered this ambition.

The following Saturday (September 7), Lyme entertain Lympstone at the Davey Fort in the first round of the East Devon Senior Cup. Lyme Reserves did not have the start they were looking for, losing 41 to Hemyock, Lyme’s goal coming from Mark Batey, but they have the chance to make amends when Hemyock travel to the Davey Fort tomorrow (Saturday) for the return fixture (kick-off 3pm).

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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Meet the new head chef at the HIX Oyster & Fish House PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

I

T’S long hours and sometimes highly stressful, but Jeremy Bird is passionate about cooking and that passion was clearly recognised by Mark Hix when he was promoted to head chef after working in the kitchen at the Oyster & Fish House for four years.

Jeremy, 32, hails from Warwickshire but after attending university in Plymouth he has spent most of life in the West Country.

After school, Jeremy took a gap year not knowing what he really wanted to do with his life and whilst in Australia took a job in a kitchen.

Back in the UK, Jeremy enrolled at one of the UK’s top cookery schools in Ashburton, where he was living, and was taught by professional chefs, most of whom had experience of Michelin kitchens.

It was an intense six-month course covering all aspects of the restaurant world and Jeremy emerged with a Professional Culinary Diploma, firm in the knowledge that being a chef was what he wanted to do.

His first job as a commis chef was at the famous Soho restaurant and members’ club Quo Vadis where he found life in a professional kitchen,

The charities we support

PASSIONATE about cheffng - the new head chef at the Hix Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, pictured in the kitchen Photo by Richard Austin working under head chef Jeremy Lee a far cry from cookery school, describing the experience as “quite an eye-opener”.

Jeremy than saw an advertisement on the HIX website inviting chefs to meet with Mark to discuss possible opportunities at his five

restaurants. He was engaged on a trial period to work at two of Mark’s London restaurants, Tramshed and Chop House, under the guidance of one of Mark’s executive chef at the time, and was then asked if he fancied working at the Oyster & Fish House in Lyme.

Jeremy jumped at the chance and hasn’t looked back since, being promoted to head chef in February of this year.

Jeremy lives in Axminster with his partner Aimee, who is also working for Hix in Lyme.

WIN £100 VOUCHER TO DINE AT HIX OYSTER & FISH HOUSE

ALL profits from Food Rocks are given to charity and, over the past seven years, thousands of pounds have been donated to the Fishermen’s Mission and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), two causes close to Mark’s heart.

And this is what makes Food Rocks different to other food festivals in the town, commercial undertakings for which huge sums are charged for exhibitors.

The organisers of Food Rocks also make sure that local food and drink producers are given the opportunity to promote their ware and services and you will see from the programme at the back of this supplement that several have taken advantage of this offer.

THE FISHERMEN’S MISSION

THE Mission’s story of providing practical help and spiritual support to fishermen began well over a century ago.

In 1881, the Fishermen’s Mission began its work by going out in a fleet of boats under the banner of ‘Preach the Word, Heal the Sick’ offering food and medical supplies.

They met with fishermen while they worked, trying to alleviate the terrible conditions on board.

The fishing industry has undergone many changes over the years and the Fishermen’s Mission has always responded accordingly.

They established large accommodation centres to provide a safe place for fishermen to rest or stay when their boats came in, often many miles from home. Some of these centres had more than 100 beds.

However, many fishermen now fish from their home ports or have sleeping facilities on board. So changing once again with the times, The Mission now provide 24-hour ‘mini-centres’ with good facilities and welfare offices covering the coastline of the UK.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION

■ THIS photograph of HIX Oyster & Fish House in Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis is a particular favourite of Mark’s.

This is the spectacle that greets diners as they walk through the public gardens to the restaurant which commands fabulous views over the harbour and Lyme Bay, making it one of the best venues in the UK. The Oyster & Fish House attracts a huge number of people to the town, anxious to try the

Hix experience, many of whom stay at Mark’s townhouse hotel.

And now here’s the chance to win a £100 voucher to dine at one of the South West’s most famous restaurants.

All you have to do is answer these three simple questions, the answers to which are included in this supplement.

1) Who was the main celebrity chef at the 2018 Food Rocks?

2) Name the local chef making his name in the culinary world

as a goat farmer 3) Name the full title of Mark’s new book on fishing List your answers on a postcard or in a letter marked ‘Hix Voucher Competition’ and post to LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS, or hand it into the LymeOnline stand at the Food Rocks festival. Don’t forget to include your contact details! Closing date is 5pm on Sunday, September 8.

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on some inland waterways.

Founded in 1824, the RNLI was granted a Royal Charter in 1860. It is principally funded by legacies and donations, and most of the members of its lifeboat crews are unpaid volunteers.

The RNLI, which is in Poole, has 238 lifeboat stations and operates 444 lifeboats. RNLI Lifeguards operate on more than 200 beaches, including Lyme Regis. They are paid by local authorities, while the RNLI provides equipment and training.

The Institution also operates Flood Rescue Teams (FRT) nationally and internationally (iFRT), the latter prepared to travel to emergencies overseas at short notice.

Considerable effort is put into training and education by the Institution, particularly for young people; more than 6,000 children a week are spoken to by education volunteers about sea and beach safety, and over 800 children a week receive training.

The Institution has saved some 140,000 lives since its foundation, at a cost of more than 600 lives lost in service.

Saturday 7 September – 10.30am - 6pm Sunday 8 September – 10.30am - 4.30pm MARINE PARADE, LYME REGIS Chef Demos Supper Clubs with Mark Hix Food & Drink Market

Supper Clubs Chef Demos Glenarm Estate Meat Feast Crab & Mackerel Supper Club

Saturday

Sunday

Gill Meller

Mitch Tonks

Luke Holder

James Whetlor

Jesse Dunford Wood

Rose Prince

Richard Bertinet

Steven Lamb

James Golding

Paul Archard & Mark Hix

Mark Hix with Ashley Wheeler & James Grant

Charities

Food & Drink Stalls

Food Stalls

Drink Stalls

Homeware & Activities

Sponsors

www.hixrestaurants.co.uk @foodrocksfestival