LymeOnline Digital Edition - February 18 2022

The latest news, sport & events in Lyme Regis

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Daryl Turner resigns from Dorset Council

DORSET councillor Daryl Turner, who represented Lyme Regis and Charmouth, has resigned.

Announcing his decision to step down, the Conservative councillor made a scathing statement about the council, saying it would continue to increase council tax and overspend, and launched an attack on the leadership of Spencer Flower.

REPORT, PAGE 3

Royal Lion Hotel sold to Hall & Woodhouse

THE historic Royal Lion Hotel in Lyme Regis has been sold to independent family brewer Hall & Woodhouse.

The acquisition of the town centre hotel – the largest in the town – is part of the brewer’s ongoing estate expansion, with a number of future purchases across the south coast already in the pipeline. REPORT, PAGE 6

Atlantic rower makes donation to RNLI

Artisan Florist

Wild and Seasonal

Daily deliveries, order online or self-serve flower shed at 18 Woodmead Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3AD

LYME Regis Gig Club member Neil Wittridge, aged 61, has returned to the town after rowing the Atlantic and has presented the RNLI with a donation of £3,005 raised during his epic voyage. Neil (pictured third from left) was part of a 12-strong crew setting out from Tenerife on December 5 to row 3,000 miles to Antigua in the Caribbean. They arrived 41 days, four hours and 18 minutes later. He raised just over £1 for every mile rowed on what he described as “a terrific experience”.

Photo by Richard Horobin

Foodbank in jeopardy?

Teresa Fowler

35 years experience

Tel: 01297 444743 07721 628 754

COUNCIL REFUSES LYMEFORWARD’S GRANT AFTER MONTHS OF ARGUMENT QUESTIONS have been raised over the future of Lyme Regis Foodbank, after town councillors agreed not to continue funding the organisation that runs it – LymeForward – following months of argument.

Debate over LymeForward’s £10,000 a year grant from Lyme Regis Town Council stems from a decision first made two years ago, with

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk the issue being described as “an unholy mess that’s been going on for far too long” by town councillor Richard Doney at this week’s heated meeting.

The town council first approved LymeForward’s grant back in February 2020, to be paid in quarterly instalments of £2,500.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a grant agreement was not drawn up as usual, but the council continued to pay instalments and kept the arrangement under review until September 2021 when councillors were asked to consider a formal grant agreement.

Prior to this, tensions between the council and LymeForward had started to appear, with Cllr Belinda Bawden raising questions about Ly-

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New £300,000 truck for fire brigade

Hyper-local website and fortnightly newspaper serving the communities of Lyme Regis, Uplyme & Charmouth.

Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS www.lyme-online.co.uk edit@lyme-online.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LymeOnlineUK Twitter: twitter.com/LymeOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/lymeonline Editor: Francesca Evans francesca@lyme-online.co.uk 07810 221 420 Managing Director: Philip Evans MBE philip@lyme-online.co.uk Contributors Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk

■ DORSET & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have provided a brand new truck for the Lyme Regis crew. The truck cost £300,000 and is kitted out with all the latest equipment and tools, including new water pumps, to ensure the crew are working to the best of their ability. The old truck had been on service in Lyme Regis for about 12 years and it is expected the new vehicle will last long into the future.

The fire crew have been getting to grips with the new equipment at their recent training sessions and the truck has already been taken out on several emergency calls.

Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk

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Daryl Turner gives damning indictment of Dorset Council as he announces resignation DORSET councillor Daryl Turner, who represented Lyme Regis and Charmouth, has announced his resignation.

Announcing his decision to step down on social media, the Conservative councillor said: “Unfortunately, because of issues within the council, I can’t find it in my heart to continue. I wanted innovation, working at pace and, to be honest, a little less risk aversion.

“If you believe dear old Boris and his followers have problems then I can tell you the same mentality appears at other levels of government.

“Dorset Council will continue increasing your council tax even though it’s one of the country’s highest and will still be overspent. With no real drive towards creating income streams and easing your burden.”

Addressing recent rumours that he will be moving to Wales, Cllr Turner continued: “For me, it’s got to be at least one more adventure – a Welsh one.

“Mark Twain wrote: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.'”

Cllr Turner – who served on the former West Dorset District Council before being elected the county representative when Dorset Council was formed in 2019 – went on to call out Dorset Council leader Spencer Flower, who was reportedly heard saying that Cllr Turner would not be selected as a Conservative candidate again during a virtual meeting of the council in July last year.

His scathing statement continued: “Personally, I cannot forgive the words uttered by the ‘leader’ (I use the word, tongue in cheek) during the break at a full council meeting, to say: ‘Daryl Turner won’t be selected again, won’t be selected as a Conservative’. I felt that it broke a number of principles.

“Having worked with true leaders over many years in the forces, it should not have been said and wouldn’t have been said by them. By leaving his microphone on, it became an analogue mistake in

a digital world. So much for a code of conduct or Nolan Principles!

“More importantly, declaring openly that there is no Conservative whip and saying those words should send a message to the electorate that Conservative councillors seemingly have to tow the line – or else! That really should be a deep concern.

“For information I did make a formal complaint against the leader; I asked for a voice recognition expert to be used and was told by the monitoring officer it wouldn’t be required. Like him and many others, I know it was Cllr Flower speaking those words.

“The outcome was an apology from Cllr Flower even though he says he ‘didn’t recall making the remarks’! We have a pathetically weak, standard process, I think we are all aware of that; however, I think the monitoring officer’s decision not to pursue an investigation was questionable.”

‘You need and deserve much better’

Cllr Turner then went on to comment on the recent in-fighting seen at Lyme Regis Town Council, on which he also used to serve.

“To my dear patch, Lyme and Charmouth, it will soon be time to elect a new councillor,” he continued.

“Let’s hope for a refreshed, newer model with plenty of get up and go. We don’t want any of the old school, divisive versions we see in the town council; you need and indeed deserve much better.

Get the headlines you want, not those which drive the area and councils downward.

“My last working day is Valentine’s Day, February 14, and I’ll seal it with a kiss. I’ve enjoyed most of the many years I’ve represented my patch and hope I’ve helped lots of you on many occasions. My list of outstanding items has gone to the clerks.

“Wishing you a bright, younger future, all the very best, Daryl.”

Responding to Cllr Turner’s statement, Cllr Flower said: “The resignation of Daryl Turner as a Dorset Councillor has been anticipated for some months, following his move to Wales.

“I am aware of his deep-rooted disappointment when he was not offered a position on the Cabinet

following the May 2019 elections and it was equally disappointing for all his colleagues that Daryl found being team player such a challenge.

“However, Daryl has been a faithful councillor to his ward and we all wish him well with his new life closer to his family in Wales.”

Jonathan Mair, Corporate Director – Legal and Democratic at Dorset Council, who is also the council’s statutory monitoring officer, added: “As monitoring officer part of my role is to help councillors to maintain high standards of conduct.

“I also oversee the arrangements established under the Localism Act 2011 for the assessment and if necessary the formal investigation and hearing of complaints about councillors.

“One of the strengths of our arrangements for assessing complaints about councillors is the involvement of independent persons.

“These are independent people from outside the council who give their time to advise on complaints about councillors, including whether a complaint is serious to warrant a formal investigation.

“I can confirm that, whilst he was still a councillor, Mr Turner did complain to me about a remark that he said had been made by Cllr Spencer Flower.

I referred the complaint to an independent person who advised that, if Cllr Flower was to apologise, there was no need for an investigation.

“Cllr Flower had no recollection of making the remark complained about, but in order to avoid taking up time in an unnecessary investigation he apologised to Mr Turner.

“In line with the advice of the independent person I was satisfied that no further action was needed.”

Dorset Council will issue a notice of casual vacancy next week. For a by-election to be called, two registered electors from anywhere in the Dorset Council area will need to write to the council asking for the vacancy to be filled by election.

Once the two signatories are received, Dorset Council will publish a notice of election – and a byelection will then be held, following the usual arrangements.

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Large knife discarded on Lyme Regis beach

A LARGE knife and other dangerous items had to be removed from Lyme Regis sandy beach last weekend.

Lyme Regis resident Debbie Conibere discovered the items on one of her daily dog walks on the beach.

She was filming a live video at the time for her Facebook page Lyme Regis Loving Dog Owners, Visitors & Friends.

On the video she was showing the kind of litter that some dog owners regularly pick up on their walks, with what looks like burnt debris from a barbecue left on the beach.

But while taking a closer look during filming, Debbie was shocked to find the discarded large knife, amongst broken glass and a canister.

She removed the dangerous items and reported the incident to the police and Lyme Regis Town Council.

Debbie and fellow dog owners regularly pick up items of litter such as wrappers, soiled nappies, baby wipes, cigarette butts, cans and nitrous gas canisters on dog walks as part of a ‘Paws on Plastic’ initiative, which has more than 17,000 dog owners pledging to pick up litter.

This litter picking initiative helps stop litter causing harm to humans, animals, wildlife and marine life.

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Debate over LymeForward grant comes to a head

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE meForward’s governance, resulting in a public falling out with LymeForward chair Sue Davies.

With these concerns in mind and LymeForward’s focus seemingly changing during the pandemic – with more emphasis placed on the food bank and other services to support vulnerable members of the community, rather than those outlined in the initial grant application – the council agreed that it wanted to set objectives for LymeForward to be included in its grant agreement.

After struggling to come to an agreement on this, the objective “to work with the town council to deliver its community engagement strategy” was eventually set. This was considered to be one of the core objectives of LymeForward when the grant application was initially made.

However, LymeForward has since not signed the agreement so no further grant payments have been made by the council, with the relationship between the two organisations rapidly deteriorating.

Councillors were asked how they wanted to move forward at Wednesday’s night meeting, with town clerk John Wright raising several concerns in his report to members.

He said that council officers remained unclear about the future direction of LymeForward and its intention to carry out activities other than those currently undertaken, and that the organisation may change its Articles of Association in the future.

He also pointed out that there were only two LymeForward directors in place, which was in breach of the current Articles of Association, and expressed concerns over changes in staffing as the chief executive had recently stood down and there was no intention to replace him, with a publicity co-ordinator appointed instead.

“Who is going to carry out community engagement?” he asked.

Mr Wright also pointed out that the council’s decision council affect the future of the foodbank, writing in his report: “If the council withdraws funding, it could jeopardise the foodbank’s operation. This could place an obligation on the town council to commit to keeping this or a similar fa-

cility in place.”

Speaking in the public forum, LymeForward chair Sue David said she felt Mr Wright’s report “misrepresented LymeForward” and outlined how they had worked tirelessly during the pandemic to support some of the community’s most vulnerable through the foodbank and expanding its services to support schoolchildren, the homeless and carers.

“LymeForward is totally committed to supporting the most vulnerable and is full engaged with the community,” she added.

Mr Wright said he felt the council had reached a “stalemate” with LymeForward, saying he had worked to the council’s instructions to include community engagement in the grant agreement but Lyme Forward “had been clear they had no intention of doing that”.

Cllr Michaela Ellis, who is the council’s representative on LymeForward, argued that LymeForward simply wanted to know what the council meant by community engagement and what this would involve, as they did not want to agree to something they potentially could not afford.

She said that other funding coming into LymeForward was strictly ring-fenced for specific projects, such as the foodbank, and this could not be spent on general running costs which the town council grant was for.

Cllr Ellis added: “I joined this council to support the people of this town. There are people in this town who really, really need this money now.

That food bank cupboard is starting to get bare and they need that money now.

“People are struggling with their bills and things are not going to get any better, they are going to get worse in the near future, and we as a council need to be supporting those people.”

Cllr Tara Webb said she was offended by the council’s perceived lack of support for the foodbank, adding: “We are letting our community down.”

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, who regularly delivers food parcels on behalf of LymeForward, said she had seen it grown and grown over the last six weeks in particularly.

“This town is my priority and the foodbank should stay where it is and they should get their

money,” she added.

Cllr John Broom said: “This has been going on, and on, and on but if we want community engagement, surely the foodbank fulfils that a hundred times over. We are just going round and round in circles and I am getting very tired of it.”

Several councillors expressed concerns about the future of the foodbank if the grant was not paid, with some saying this would place a huge responsibility on the council to ensure “no one slipped through the net”.

The town clerk said the council would be obligated to take action if not paying the grant impacted the foodbank, or to involve other organisations, with some implying that Lyme Regis Development Trust could take on the service or that it could be run voluntarily again, as in other neighbouring towns.

this criteria could not be reversed without a rescinding motion signed by six councillors, as it was made less than six months ago.

In attempting to simplify the debate, the town clerk asked: “Does the council want to continue funding LymeForward in absence of a grant agreement or not?”

The Mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, expressed concerns that would set a precedent for other grant recipients. He proposed that in absence of a singed grant agreement, no further payments be made.

His proposal was passed with seven votes to four.

Cllr David Sarson said that other councillors’ comments on the foodbank made it unclear whether the grant money was going to the foodbank or general running costs of LymeForward, as they had previously been told.

Cllr Caroline Aldridge raised concerns about the transparency of LymeForward and the foodbank’s finances, saying when she previously volunteered for the organisation it was well financed and run by volunteers, but she now understood this was no longer the case.

“My concern is, how is LymeForward managing its money?” she asked.

Cllr Tara Webb, who had already been warned by the mayor not to interrupt others when speaking, then said she could no longer remain in the meeting and left the room.

Cllr Ellis said that the ‘community engagement’ clause added to the grant agreement was a “cop out” because councillors could not think of any specific objectives to set LymeForward.

“It was all placed on John Wright’s shoulders and it was out fault; we should admit we were wrong and it should be taken out,” she said.

Cllr Ellis formally proposed that the ‘community engagement’ criteria be taken out of the grant agreement and the money paid. This was seconded by Cllr Reynolds but administrative officer Adrianne Mullins explained the decision to add

LYME Regis Town Council’s recent infighting – much of which has stemmed from personal disputes over the LymeForward grant – has been condemned in the strongest possible terms in Dorset Council’s Community Governance Review, with several members of the public calling for the authority to be abolished.

A Community Governance Review is a legal process whereby the council will consult with those living in the area on the most suitable ways of representing the public.

It can consider things like creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes and electoral arrangements, such as the number of members on a council.

Several Lyme Regis residents have taken the opportunity to condemn the town council’s recent behaviour in the review.

One describes the council as “a laughing stock” and says councillors do not have the town’s best interests at heart, while others have complained about claims of bullying and several have gone as far as to say that the town council should be abolished altogether and Lyme Regis run from Dorset Council.

You can read the full responses at https://bit.ly/3oWoNaC

Councillor walks out of meeting

Public calls for town council to be scrapped amid infighting

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

Free seasonal magazine returning in March 2022 To advertise call Francesca Evans on 07810 221 420

Friday, February 18 2022 5

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ALL OVER THE TOWN

with LymeOnline

editor Francesca Evans

Flashbacks of the Olympic Torch relay B

ack in 2012, an excited Lyme Regis was told that it was to be part of the route for the Olympic Torch to be carried across Great Britain, ahead of the London Games.

Despite being a bit peeved that no one from Lyme Regis would actually be able to carry the torch through their hometown – so much so that we later held our own ‘relay’ with local sporting heroes carrying a replica torch in the kind of event only Lyme Regis would stage – there was still much anticipation for the real deal to arrive.

I was then working for the View From Lyme Regis newspaper and we carried a countdown in every weekly edition as we released more and more snippets of information about the torch relay.

Finally the morning arrived and the entire town must have let out an almighty groan as they pulled back the curtains to find torrential rain hammering down.

“It’ll brighten up”, we kept telling ourselves as we geared up for the big event – how wrong we were.

Almost the entire View From staff were sent out to cover the event, each positioned at different spots along the route – it didn’t matter it you were a reporter, graphic designer or in sales – if you could press a button on a camera, you were going out.

Never prepared for the weather, I wrapped up in the most pathetic pac-a-mac and headed to my appointed spot of Cobb Gate Square with my camera for what turned out to be a six-hour stint covering the build up.

Residents and schoolchildren were soon lining the street and waving flags in high spirits, despite the ongoing downpour, with whispers of “it’s in Dorchester”, “it’s in Bridport now”, and “it’s just around the corner” spreading

like wildfire.

When we were all as wet as could be, a presidential level of police vehicles and Coca Cola Christmas advert-style motorcade finally appeared around the Guildhall corner (how did they make it without hitting that window?), eventually revealing a complete stranger carrying a torch with a tiny flame that somehow defied the onslaught of pouring rain.

I clicked away as quickly as I could – my camera also now dripping wet – and “sprinted” half way up Broad Street after the torch (in hindsight, I really should have trained for this event).

By the time the torch reached the end of the Cobb we may as well have all jumped into the harbour – we wouldn’t have been any wetter – and we retreated to the Harbour Inn for hot chocolates.

I’m not sure a single photo of mine was used in the coverage – seasoned pros Richard Austin and Rob Coombe having done a much better job – and two days later while out covering the summer floods my camera eventually conked out through water damage.

Despite the weather, my broken camera, lack of by-line, and the slightly anti-climatic arrival of the torch, the day remains one of my fondest working memories – working alongside family and long-term colleagues, many who had become life-long friends, soaking up the buzzing atmosphere as the town put its very best foot forward – despite the damp circumstances.

These memories came ‘flooding back’ (excuse the pun) on Monday, when it was announced that Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley would be cycling through West Dorset and East Devon on his ‘Hell of a Homecoming’ challenge for Comic Relief this week.

Not quite the same build up as we only had two days notice, but there was still plenty of

■ THE OLD GANG: Soaked to the bone while out covering the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012 – myself, Dad and Geoff Baker, taken by Geoff’s partner Jill Newton who was poised with camera in the window above Quality Corner

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: ■ LYME Regis butcher Dave Holland proved early mornings really are worth it when he captured this stunning sunrise shot over Broad Street. The image was shared on LymeOnline’s social media as our ‘Photo of the Day’ and garnered one of the biggest ever responses from readers.

You can send your photos of the Lyme Regis area to edit@lymeonline.co.uk and they may also be featured!

excitement on Wednesday as crowds lined the streets to welcome the Devon-born diver. And the weather forecast wasn’t much different!

I instantly had visions of me stood on Charmouth roundabout in a torrential downpour as Tom whizzed past in a flash.

But as it turns out, I wasn’t able to get out and about as I did for the Olympic Torch.

Now editor of LymeOnline and with this week’s print deadline looming, there was no time for another six-hour stint in the rain.

Thankfully, I’m still able to rely on Richard to

get the perfect shot – see our photo coverage on page 12.

I remained in the office to run live updates on Tom’s progress on our websites – LymeOnline, Axminster Nub News and Seaton Nub News – along with constant posts on social media, and our readers sent in plenty of their own photos and videos.

I don’t think anyone even thought to film the Olympic Torch Relay back in 2012, and social media? Who needed that?

How times have changed!

IN my column I normally point out one article as the week’s ‘must read’. This week I considered whether to highlight the council debate on LymeForward’s grant (see page 1 and 4), but I’m not actually sure I want to put you through it.

I have covered Lyme Regis Town Council for 14 years and never have I dreaded attending meetings as much as I do now. It has become the only part of my job that I don’t enjoy.

On Wednesday night I was feeling paticularly anxious to attend, with several councillors having predicted “it’s gonna be a bad one”. Sigh.

I trudged along to the Baptist Church – where the council have been holding meetings during COVID restrictions – and soon realised many others were in the same frame on mind.

It was clear several councillors had arrived on the defensive – they were ready for a fight. The subject up for debate was the long-running debacle over LymeForward’s £10,000 a year grant, described by Cllr Richard Doney this week as “an unholy mess”.

After two and half hours of argument, personal

jibes, interruptions, moans, groans and one councillor walking out, the decision was finally made – despite concerns over the future of the foodbank, LymeForward would not receive its grant as it would not agree to the criteria of working with the town council on ‘community engagement’ – a rather vague term from which has stemmed almost a year of infighting, claims of bullying, lying, and councillors saying their mental and physical health has been affected.

I left with a migraine and almost considered chucking in council reporting altogether, wondering “does anyone really want to read this diatribe?”

Surprisingly to me, results of our reader survey (open until February 21 - see page 2) have so far showed that most are still interested in council matters and some encouraging words from readers have left me determined to continue holding the council to account.

So I’ll still be on the press bench – whether they like it or not.

This week’s ‘must read’ or perhaps just one to miss?

Watch Francesca’s weekly video news bulletins, every Friday morning on the LymeOnline website

6 Friday, February 18 2021

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Royal Lion sold to Dorset brewery THE historic Royal Lion Hotel in Lyme Regis has been sold to independent family brewer Hall & Woodhouse.

The acquisition of the town centre hotel – the largest in the town – is part of Hall & Woodhouse’s ongoing estate expansion, with a number of future purchases across the south of England already in the pipeline.

The three-star Royal Lion Hotel will join the Hall & Woodhouse family as part of the business’ managed estate and will be the company’s first pub in Lyme Regis.

Mark James, property director at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We are delighted to purchase the highly successful Royal Lion Hotel and carry on the good work of the former owner, Lesley Stone, who operated the hotel for over 19 years.

“At Hall & Woodhouse, we continually look to evolve as a business by proactively managing our estate and investing in pubs of the future. We are always seeking out further opportunities to grow through highquality acquisitions that complement and enhance our existing estate’s offering.”

The Royal Lion is an historic 17th century inn located in the heart of the tourist seaside resort of Lyme Regis.

It has a characterful wood-panelled bar, large restaurant, 33 bedrooms with leisure facilities including a swimming pool and sauna, and a sizeable car park.

Hall & Woodhouse will close the Royal Lion

“

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

for a short period to carry out some refurbishment works and will re-open with its popular food menu from early March.

Andrew Theobold, of independent hotel consultants IHCA, who brokered the off-market sale, said: “I am delighted that Hall & Woodhouse has been successful in purchasing The Royal Lion Hotel, the largest in Lyme Regis and a perfect fit for the brand.

“Hall & Woodhouse successfully fended off stiff competition from other buyers, which is testimony to their commitment towards this important acquisition.

“This purchase also further demonstrates how the sector is driving its way to recovery, evidenced by the sheer volume of active buyers in the current climate.”

Hall & Woodhouse is an independent family company based in Dorset that brews award winning Badger Ales and runs an estate of high-quality pubs in the south of England. Locally, these include The Harbour Inn in Axmouth and The Dolphin Hotel in Beer.

The company has a collection of circa 170 beautiful pubs that make up its managed house and business partner estate, stretching from Bristol to Exeter, London to Brighton.

For more information on Hall & Woodhouse and its pubs, visit www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk

Hall & Woodhouse successfully fended off stiff competition from other buyers, which is testimony to their commitment towards this important acquisition

Lyme’s iconic Royal Lion Hotel, the largest establishment of its kind in town, now has new owners, the Dorset family brewer Hall & Woodhouse, bringing to an end the 20 years of stewardship by Leslie Stone Photo by Richard Austin

PHILIP EVANS recalls many memories of his favourite hostelry

The days of dinner-dances and late-night lock-ins

I

WAS 17 years-old when I first went to the Royal Lion.

The occasion was the annual dinner of the Lyme Regis Skittles League.

Since that memorable night in 1966, I have been a regular frequenter at the Lion, enjoying some riotous nights and splendid occasions.

In those days skittle league dinners were an all-male event. There was no ladies’ league in those days.

After the presentation of trophies, we sat around the dining room as all the cups, brimming with all sorts of alcoholic concoctions, were passed around for everyone to take a sip. It was the first time I went home drunk - and my mum never forgot it!

It was where I witnessed my first pub fight. There was a bit of a scuffle in the downstairs bar and in the process the grandfather clock got knocked over.

In those days the Royal Lion was owned by Bass Charrington and the landlord was Bob Dunne who had been running the Volunteer.

Mr Dunne was a much respected citizen of Lyme and he persuaded barman Jim Hayball to help him out for a few weeks at

the Lion. He stayed 30 years.

In those days all the main organisations in the town - groups like the Chamber of Trade, Rotary Club, Freemasons, Sailing Club would hold their annual dinnerdance in the splendid ballroom at the Lion.

The local paper was always asked to send a reporter to cover the event and so it was necessary to buy a dinner suit, which at the age of 18 hugely amused my skittling mates. Perhaps taking dancing lessons was a step too far.

The Lion was eventually sold by Bass Charrington and there was great conjecture in the town over who was buying it.

As a local reporter I went to the auction held in Crewkerne and was amazed when Uplyme butcher Bob Irish and Jack Cross, two popular characters of Lyme, acquired the premises.

Bob was not exactly the jovial mine host and was rarely over-polite especially to the visitors.

But we spent many happy nights in the Lion bar and occasionally, if Bob was in a good mood, we got a lock-in.

One night I shall never forget was when I became Lyme’s youngest mayor at the age of 34.

After the mayor-making ceremony it was customary to adjourn to the Royal Lion for a post-match party with a sumptuous buffet paid for by the First Citizen. I succeeded John Broderick and well recall the hilarity caused by local landlord Joe O’Donnell making a mock chain of office for John out of a Mackinson ashtray and bottle tops to ease the pain of giving up the mayoral chains.

I went up to the Lion the day after to settle up and the bill came to £350 - the exact amount the mayor was given for expenses throughout the year of office.

So I went into overdraft and remained that way until I stepped down when the bank manager summoned me to see him.

Bob and Jack sold the Lion to the Sienesi family who invested heavily in the hotel, building new bedrooms at the back of the property and creating a leisure area for indoor bowls, later transformed into a swimming pool.

Leslie Stone, an experienced hotelier, arrived in 2002 and set about building on the Lion’s reputation as a top class hotel attracting visitors who returned time and time again.

Miss Stone invested heavily in

GRINS ALL ROUND: Philip Evans celebrates his election as mayor with his predecessor John Broderick and local landlord Joe O’Donnell at the Royal Lion Hotel

improving the fabric of the former 17th century coaching inn and upgrading the bedrooms with an excellent silver service restaurant and comfortable lounge, bar and leisure facilities.

In short, she managed to enhance the Lion’s old-world charm. it’s greatest asset, bringing thousands of regular visitors back to the town as well giving huge sup-

port to many local charities and events. It says much for the reputation of the Lion that a number of high-profile brewery and hotel groups wanted to acquire Lyme’s iconic main street hotel.

She wil be sorely missed by her regular guests but intends to continue living in Lyme, the town she has supported so generously in the last 20 years.

Friday, February 18 2022 7

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Lyme Regis Fossil Festival returns for 2022 HAVE you seen a life-sized dinosaur or held a 200 million year old fossil in your hands? Will you discover your very own fossil in the sand and get to take it home?

All these questions and more will be answered in a weekend of science, discovery and fun!

After two years of delivering the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival online, the popular science festival will be back in Lyme Regis town from Saturday, April 30 to Sunday May 1 2022.

The Fossil Festival, now in its 14th year, will once again host the country’s top palaeontological and geological organisations throughout the town centre, featuring representatives from the Natural History Museum, the Palaeontological Association, Bristol University, Jurassic Coast Trust, Dinosaur Isle, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Geologists Association and lots of local scientific organisations, as well as some thought-provoking and entertaining talks and lectures in the Marine Theatre and the Guildhall.

The coast around Lyme Regis and Charmouth is one of the most famous, and significant fossil sites in the world.

It is the richest source of fossil marine reptiles, fish and insects anywhere in the world and is the place where the first ichthyosaur and plesiosaur were described in science thanks to Mary Anning (1799-1847), quite possibly the most famous fossil collector of all time.

There will be plenty of opportunities to follow in the footsteps of Mary Anning when you join one of the many guided fossil or geological walks over the weekend.

There will also be stalls selling a variety of fossils, jewellery and dinosaur gifts as well as a vibrant street food and drinks market.

Full programme details will be made available at the beginning of March on the website www.fossilfestival.com

8 Friday, February 18 2022

villagenews

‘Promising outlook’ as campaign to save Uplyme garage continues THOSE campaigning to save Uplyme garage, shop and post office from closure said their latest meeting had concluded with a “promising and positive outlook”.

It was initially thought that the village facility would close down in January, but is now set to remain open until at least April, while a solution is sought for its long-term future.

Owner Dave Ostler says he will reconsider closing if action is taken to amend the proposed access for a new school opposite the garage, which he feels will have a detrimental impact on his business.

Proposed changes to Uplyme Road to provide a single entrance and exit point for a new primary school on land behind the village hall has been an ongoing concern for Mr Ostler for several years.

He believes this could pose a health and safety hazard for his petrol filling station due to increased traffic queueing outside, making the entire business – which also includes the village shop and post office – unviable in the long-term.

Village residents have attended two public meetings to discuss the issue and launched a petition to see the access changed so the fa-

■ THE Royal Geographical Society (RGS) has recognised the excellent work of Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.

As representatives of the centre, manager Alison Ferris and Professor Jim Rose attended a ceremony at the RGS headquarters in Kensington, London, where the award was presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

The award acknowledged “the achievements of the centre in advancing the education of the public in the geology, palaeontology, geomorphology and natural history of the coast and adjacent areas at Charmouth”.

As well as fossil walks for the public and schools, the centre runs geography and geomorphology sessions for schools and higher education. It also organises community-based beach cleans, seashore events and activities for those wishing to be involved in citizen science.

The centre is constantly evolving with new exhibits of spectacular fossils and entry is free. See more details below.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

cility can remain open.

Representatives of The Bestic Trust, which submitted the planning application for the new school, attended the last public meeting in January, saying they would “do everything we can to find a resolution”.

Uplyme resident Will Thomson, who is fronting the ‘SOS Save Our Shop’ campaign, recently offered an update on social media, saying his latest meeting with The Bestic Trust offered a “promising and positive outlook”.

“They have been working hard on the solution to the issue, and things (I hope) look to be heading in the right direction. I will hopefully be able to divulge this in more detail with you all later next week, after the results of certain surveys have been carried out.”

Members of The Bestic Trust are also now hosting regular drop-in sessions for residents to ask questions or share their concerns. These will be held on a first come first served basis without designated time slots.

For upcoming dates of drop-in sessions and further updates, join thee ‘SOS Save Our Shop’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/251730873475673

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■ YOUNG leaders from the Powder Monkeys Explorer Sea Scouts, based in Uplyme, attended a training weekend.

The young leaders, who support Beavers Cubs and Scouts in 1st Lym Valley and 1st Axminster Scout Groups, had the chance to meet others from across Devon, share new skills, experiences and do training modules to help them in their role. Six members of the Explorer unit attended the weekend, with two managing to complete their Young Leader Award and gain their Young Leader Belt – the highest award for young leaders.

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Charmouth’s acclaimed coast centre looking for new trustees

FREE ENTRY!

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Home of the Attenborough Sea Dragon

An award-winning educational centre celebrating the geology, palaeontology, geomorphology and natural history of Charmouth and the Jurassic Coast

Open every day of half term (until February 27th) We are currently looking for two new volunteers to join our board of trustees and help manage the centre Call 01297 560722 or email info@charmouth. org for details

CHARMOUTH Heritage Coast Centre is situated on the seafront at Charmouth.

It is an internationally recognised coast centre, a charity whose remit is “to advance the education of the public in geology, palaeontology, geomorphology and natural history of the coast and adjacent areas at Charmouth”. ● Home of the Attenborough Sea Dragon. ● Many fossil specimens on display. ● Awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2016, and awards from the Geological Society and the Royal Geographical Society in 2019 and 2020 respectively. ● Extensive educational programme open to school groups. ● Citizen Science events including beach cleans and nurdle hunts. ● Fossil walks, shoreline safaris, and fossil identification. ● Entry is free The coast centre, which occupies the first floor of the Old Cement Factory, was officially opened by the author John Fowles in 1986. In the first year there were 28,665 visitors.

In 2005 an extension was completed resulting in a much needed larger space for centre activities.

In 2018 the BBC broadcast ‘Attenborough and the Sea Dragon’, documenting the discovery and excavation of an ichthyosaur by local fossil hunter Chris Moore, which is now on display at the centre.

At a function celebrating this important find, Sir David said: “This (Charmouth) is a very, very important place in science and it’s marvellous to come down and see that local people, taking it into their own hands, have created this splendid display.

“Congratulations to this town and all you for

The Attenborough Sea Dragon, on display at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre this splendid centre. It’s a monument, a reminder of what local effort can do.”

In 2018, there were more than 150,000 visitors to the centre, which ahs since weathered the COVID-19 pandemic due to the dedication and hard work of our employees, volunteers, friends and trustees.

Two new seasonal wardens have been appointed to start work in March.

To make up our full complement, the centre currently has two vacancies on the board of trustees, which manages the centre. The board is particularly interested in someone who has experience in grant applications.

Anyone wishing to find out more information about becoming a trustee, contact the centre on 01297 560722, email info@charmouth. org or visit the website at www.charmouth.org The centre is currently open everyday during the half term period (up until February 27) and from February 28 to March 31 will be open Friday to Monday, then seven days a week from April 1. Opening house are 10.30am to 4pm.

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Booking Advised INDIVIDUAL NIBBLES

OLIVES £3 | VG

CHARMOUTH BAKERY MINI LOAF £4 | VG Rapeseed oil, balsamic vinegar or salted butter/vegan spread

GARLIC PIZZA BREAD £6 | VG Add cheese or plant based cheese

SMALL OR LARGE PLATES STICKY BARBECUE CHICKEN WINGS £7 | £14

WE LOVE LOCAL

ROAST SQUASH, CHICORY, HAZELNUT & BLUE CHEESE SALAD £7 | £14 | VG

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BREADED WHOLE TAILED SCAMPI £8 / £15

SOUP OF THE DAY £5 | £9 Charmouth bakery bread

Tartare sauce, mixed leaves Large portion with thick cut chips

CHARCUTERIE PLATE £10 | £18 Chorizo, salami, prosciutto, cornichons, olives, sun dried tomatoes, winter slaw, Charmouth bakery bread

MINI PIZZA PIE £8 I VG Stuffed with caramelised red onion, goat's cheese and chives or spiced chicken, bocconcini, sundried tomato pesto, spring onions

FISH GRILLED FILLET OF HAKE £18 Buttered new potatoes, seasonal greens, lemon butter CRISPY FISH & CHIPS £8 | £16

Crispy fish of the day in a gluten free batter, thick cut chips, minted mushy peas, tartare sauce

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Charmouth Bakery - Charmouth Kingfisher - Brixham West Country Catch - Weymouth Complete Meats - Axminster Foots Eggs - Sherbourne RD Johns - Newton Abbot Last Course Patisserie - Cullompton West Country Veg - Newton Abbot Crab Man - Beer

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ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE £15 | VG Butternut, sage, pumpkin seed crumb

MONKFISH CURRY £19 Basmati rice, chutney, raita, garlic flatbread

SEAFOOD PASTA £18 Shallots, white wine, garlic, chilli, butter, lemon, cream

CATCH OF THE DAY £19

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BABA GANOUSH & FLAT BREAD £7 | VG Mixed leaves

Tomato, fennel, thyme, red wine

PLEASE BE PATIENT - ALL OUR FOOD IS COOKED FRESH TO ORDER

Brioche bun, plant based patty, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries CAJUN CHICKEN BURGER £14 Brioche bun, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries Add to your burger cheddar, Dorset blue, goats, plant based cheese, bacon, plant-based bacon, caramelised onions £1.50 each MOVING MOUNTAINS® HOT DOG £14 | VG Caramelised red onions, winter slaw and American mustard mayo, skinny fries WEST COUNTRY 8oz SIRLOIN STEAK £24 Thick cut chips, peppercorn sauce, rocket & pickled red onion salad

12” PIZZAS MARGHERITA £11 | V Mozarella, basil, tomato sauce PEPPERONI £13 Mozarella, tomato sauce SEAFOOD £15 Mozzarella, mussels, prawns, squid, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, tomato sauce BBQ PULLED PORK £14 Mozzarella, tomato sauce, fresh chillis, spring onions, creme fraiche

SIDES THICK CUT CHIPS £4 SKINNY FRIES £4 BABY MIXED LEAVES £4 BUTTERED NEW POTATOES £4 WINTER SLAW £4 SEASONAL GREENS £4 ROAST SQUASH SALAD £4

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Mozarella, tomato sauce, olives, capers, red onion, sun-dried tomato, artichoke

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TODAY’S SPECIAL PIZZA Please ask for today’s choice

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SMOKED CHICKEN, BRIE & CRANBERRY £16 Mozarella, tomato sauce

DORSET HAM & MUSHROOM £13

Mozzarella, tomato sauce CRAB £16 Mozarella, garlic butter base, local crab, parmesan, chillis, spring onions, rocket SEITAN £14 | V Mozarella, tomato sauce, capers, red onion

Tomato chutney, Charmouth Bakery bread

BABA GANOUSH £8 | VG Rocket, pickled red onion, Charmouth bakery bread

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HANDPICKED LOCAL CRAB £12

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Charmouth Bakery bread

SMOKED CHICKEN £10 Brie and cranberry, Charmouth bakery bread

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A DISCRETIONARY OPTIONAL SERVICE CHARGE OF 12.5% WILL BE ADDED TO TABLES OF 6 OR MORE. ALL OF THE ABOVE PRICES ARE INCLUSIVE OF VAT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES OR REQUIRE INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS USED IN OUR DISHES/DRINKS. ALL BURGERS ARE COOKED TO MEDIUM.

Book at www.thepilotboat.co.uk or email reservations@thepilotboat.co.uk

1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA – 01297 443157

10 Friday, February 18 2022

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Lyme Regis says final goodbyes to former mayor LYME Regis residents have paid their final respects to former mayor, long-serving councillor and Honourary Freeman of the Town, Stan Williams.

The town was saddened last month to hear of the death of Mr Williams, aged 87. He had served on Lyme Regis Town Council for more than 50 years and was made an Honourary Freeman of Lyme Regis last year, recognising more than half a century of service to the community.

St Michael’s Parish Church was full for Mr Williams’ funeral service, led by the Reverend Sarah Godfrey, last Monday.

Along with family and friends, those attending included the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, and mayoress Wendy Larcombe, town crier Alan Vian, town clerk John Wright and several staff members and councillors from Lyme Regis Town Council.

Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, on which Mr Williams served in his younger days, was also represented by uniformed crew members, as was the Royal British Legion, of which he was a member, with branch standard bearer Jon Hunt taking part in the service and a poppy wreath laid by the coffin.

Family memories were shared by Stan’s younger sister Judith Hare, daughter Anita Williams (see full tribute right) and niece Poppy on behalf of her brother Nick Williams.

Mayor Brian Larcombe paid tribute to Stan’s public life and community service, and a Bible reading was given by Stan’s sister-in-law Shirley Williams.

Hymns included ‘Eternal Father, Strong to

Stan the Man - by Anita Williams

Save’, ‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’ and ‘To Be a Pilgrim’, and Frank Sinatra’s ‘I Did It My Way’ was played as the congregation left the church.

A celebration was then held at the Woodmead Halls, where Mr Williams had been life president, before the family attended the committal at East Devon Crematorium.

The funeral service was filmed for those unable to attend and you can watch the video on the LymeOnline website.

Tales From Lyme’s Past

A glimpse of our history with Peter Lacey Lyme in the 20th Century, Part VII DURING The Great War of 1914-18 people had to rely on newspapers for information. It was not until November 1922 that the BBC began broadcasting, and even in the early 1930s only 60 per cent of the nation’s households had a radio.

To a degree, the government controlled and monitored what the papers printed; there is no comparison with the media coverage of today.

However, the Casualty Lists revealed to some extent the terrible loss of life that trench warfare was inflicting on our armed forces. In reality the public at home had no real idea of the true state of affairs at the front.

Lyme has a first-hand account of the fighting in France, it is unique in that most accounts were written by officers. Earnest Shephard was born in 1892, his father Fredrick was the owner of a thriving photographic business. He had three sons and a daughter, they all attended the National School opposite their home in Church Street.

In July 1909 Earnest joined the regular army and, having enlisted into the Dorset Regiment, he progressed rapidly, becoming a sergeant in 1914. Posted to the 1st Battalion he deployed to France in January 1915, just three months later he was promoted to Company SergeantMajor.

While on active service he kept a daily diary, it was found in a chocolate box several decades later and published in 1987. The book titled ‘A Sergeant-Majors War’ covers the period January 1915 to December 1916.

Earnest’s diary is considered to be of major historical importance and is a compelling account of life in the trenches. He describes the horror of continuous shelling and records the daily death toll from machine-gun fire and enemy snipers. At times the German trenches were only 10-15 meters away.

One entry states: “A miserable night, we are all soaked and the trenches were over our knees in water and mud.”

On May 1 1915 he writes: “The enemy started the most barbarous act known in modern warfare.” He is referring to the use of poisonous gas and how men caught by the fumes “were dying in agony like rats caught in a trap”.

At this stage of the war there were no gas masks, the only protection was a cloth pad soaked in water or urine. He reveals that after

Shephard as a sergeant, 1914 the gas attack, the Dorset’s made a decision ‘to give the enemy no quarter and take no prisoners’.

June 17 1916 saw him home on seven days leave. After visiting his father he went down to the sea shore remarking he “had a splendid swim”. He writes that Lyme “had a fair number of summer visitors”.

People he met bombarded him questions about the war and what action he had seen.

He was embarrassed when congratulated on being ‘Mentioned in Despatches’, in fact he been recommended for the Military Medal (for several acts of bravery) but it was never awarded. Before returning to France he enjoyed himself ‘making an inspection of the pubs’.

Earnest was killed on January 11 1917, just two months after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He died when his company were cut off during an attack on a German stronghold.

Both his bothers were in the army. Fredrick was also killed in 1917, while Percy was wounded and invalided home. The Shephard brothers fought in a world war over 100 years ago, it was a war that many people today have little or no knowledge of.

To be continued...

Peter Lacey Local historian and author

AS his friends and family know, whilst he was most often Cllr Stan Williams, there was also Stan the Man – father, grandfather, great grandfather, family member and great friend.

It is though fair to say that often this came after Cllr Stan Williams and Stan, the Woodmead Halls chairman! Family meals were often interrupted by a phone call and a ‘whoosh’ moment as he disappeared out of the door because something needed to be done at the halls or the toilets needed to be cleaned.

Dad was born in the Lyme Regis Maternity Home on May 30 1934, to Gordon and Winifred.

Elder twin (and that mattered, a lot!) to Pete who we sadly lost in December 2014.

Gordon had been awarded an OBE for services during World War One at Porton Down for an incident that seemed to have been top secret but, sadly, he died early. Nana had instilled in us all the importance of family which has stayed with us.

Dad and Pete both did National Service in the RAF; Dad did two years, Pete did three years and served in Rhodesia and Egypt, Dad being much more of a home bird, never got much further than Middle Wallop and usually managed to be home for his Mum’s Sunday lunch most weeks. He was very proud of the potato peeling skills he learnt though which served him well over the years!

Dad married our Mum, Frances Ryder, on October 5 1957 in this church. Chrissie was born in August 1961 and I was born in November 1969.

Chrissie has very fond memories of Dad being a very hands on Dad at a time when that was quite unusual. When she was little, he was working as an electrician and Chris remembers being taken to building sites with him; she remembers learning to hammer nails into odd bits of wood aged three!

She also remembers rattling around in the back of his old grey work van – no health and safety, seatbelts or car seats for kids at that time!

He would read her bedtime stories and later recorded them for her on tape so that she could listen to them if he wasn’t there. He taught her to swim in the sea and would rescue her when the waves tumbled over her.

I remember days in the Beachcomber where I was taught to wash up from seven years old, standing on a stool because I couldn’t reach the sink. I was bought my first bike, with a saddle bag, as the restaurant freezers were at 7 Silver Street and there was often a call to bring more chips to the restaurant quickly!

Dad ran a tight ship at the Beachcomber and could spot a light bulb that wasn’t working at 20 paces! He’d appear with his trademark cheery “how are all the workers?” comment before pointing out said faulty lightbulb.

Dad employed a lot of local people, and especially young people, at the Beachcomber, not just because we were cheap labour but because he strongly believed that working enabled young people to gain skills which helped them in the future. He gave a lot of local youngsters their first job and I know that many remember their time working there with fondness.

I have many memories of working the bar at the Beachcomber for late nights when Dad and his fellow councillors spent hours discussing council business and putting the world to rights. As Pip Evans has said, they may not have always agreed, but they knew how to debate and would do so over a drink or three – always a half of lager in Dad’s case!

Chrissie’s children Lisa and Johann have many fond memories of their visits to England, the time they spent with Grandpa and all the lovely things they did together; playing in the rock pools and on back beach, going fossil hunting, hunting for crabs, eating fish and chips, spending loads of time in the amusement arcade and all the times Grandpa bought them ice creams and in later years drove them to the Cobb with their friends.

They remember many gatherings at the Beachcomber and at Penwaye.

They particularly remember that it was always Christmas when they were in England; as many will know, because Chrissie has been in Germany for so long, we have a tradition that we celebrate Christmas when the family is all together regardless of the time of year. Many friends have shared that tradition with us and we’ve surprised many a visitor or delivery driver by answering the door in August in Christmas jumpers and hats!

Dad loved these Christmases and he loved having his family and friends around him.

Johann particularly remembers that Grandpa

taught him that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. Dad put his heart and soul into everything that he did in his incredibly full life. He strongly believed in community and doing his bit.

Dad travelled to Germany many times for the big family events – christenings, confirmations, weddings, etc. He loved being on Spiekeroog and walking out to the harbour, often early in the morning with Johann. The language barrier never bothered him and after a couple of beers, he and Heio’s family always conversed well – not always on the same subject but they conversed well!

Aunty Shirl has many good memories of her brother in law, Stan. When Pete had become disabled Stan was every bit a brother to him and often visited Pete for lunch and a chat to keep him company whilst Shirley carried out her work and fulfilled her Guiding commitments.

He stayed with Pete on many occasions allowing Shirley to go on holiday. He joined them on regular trips out, he and Pete would go off and visit places of interests to them both, mainly boats, sailing, car parks and parking arrangements whilst Shirley had some ‘me’ time.

After Pete died, Stan accompanied Shirley on many Guiding days out and Shirley had always accompanied Stan on official and social occasions as his plus one when he needed one. They spent time visiting National Trust properties and having nice days out.

Dad was part of a group that fundraised and built the then lifeboat station to bring a RNLI lifeboat back to Lyme in 1967. He was a lifeboatman for a number of years and was part of the crew, but not on the boat, in January 1969 when Robert Jefford was lost. Dad was on the shore with others who tried to rescue Robert but they were unsuccessful. He and I know others were very affected by the loss of such a young life.

Dad was very proud that, despite not being academic, he had become a successful businessman, councillor and valued member of the community. He was always very encouraging of those who similar to him and was happy to tell everyone that he left school with only an O level in woodwork. He was a good role model for many of us.

Dad was the life and soul of any party, you always knew when he was in a room the moment you walked in as you could hear his laugh.

There were many parties and gatherings of family and friends at the Beachcomber and Penwaye over the years and he was the first to offer people a drink when they came into the house, although you had to watch the strength of what he poured you which caught many people out over the years!

Even in later years, he’d be up before me and down at the Woodmead doing jobs that needed doing, then a council meeting with the obligatory trip to the pub or a function and a bar to run and he’d be home long after I was asleep – I don’t know where he got the energy from!

Dad lived for his trips to India with Karen, Jim, Garry and his other friends and what he regarded as his Indian family. They had stayed with the same family for many years, attending family occasions and being welcomed as part of that family. He loved going on bus and train trips, including a 14 hour train trip where Karen remembers that he had a fantastic time chatting to the lads in the carriage, sharing lunch and a few beers and his trademark bottle of half lemonade, half white rum!

Dad loved the beach and sunbathing, he always had an early sundowner at lunchtime, often with the words “the sun’s over the yard arm” and “my daughter says I must drink plenty of fluids”!

We are grateful to Karen and Jim for travelling with Dad on his last few trips to enable him to still go and to all his friends and indian family for looking after him while he was there. They all have such good memories of good times, good meals, trips and nights where they sat chewing the fat til the early hours and they will miss him dearly.

One word that has been used to describe him many times in the last few weeks is “legend”, he really was a legend, a good man, who did good things for all of the right reasons. There aren’t many like him and I’m proud that he was our Dad. We will miss him hugely but know that he is at peace, although given that he never did anything peacefully I’m not sure that can entirely be true!

Friday, February 18 2022 11

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All the local news 24/7 Now approaching its fourth anniversary, LymeOnline has become the first choice for local news, using a multi-media approach to offer unrivalled and comprehensive coverage of Lyme Regis, Uplyme and Charmouth.

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FREE Seafront security a ‘waste of money’ says councillor

The Volly’s back i n b usi ness !

WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder was among the patrons at The Volunteer Inn - Lyme Regis’ smallest pub - as it reopened doors for the first time since lockdown on Monday. Mr Loder (left), who has been keen to support the tourism and hospitality sector in West Dorset, is pictured behind the bar with Volunteer staff, including manager Matt Puddy (far right). See ‘Lyme Matters’ on page 6.

Mary’s letter lost FOSSIL HUNTER’S LETTER SELLS FOR MORE THAN £100K

LYME Regis lost out on bringing an historic letter by famous fossil hunter Mary Anning home this week, as it sold at auction for a staggering £100,800.

An ambitious online appeal launched by the Jurassic Coast

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

Trust and Lyme Regis Museum raised more than £21,500 in just 24 hours, but it was not enough to secure the artefact as bids soared in the last few minutes.

The unpublished letter, written

by Lyme Regis’ most famous daughter, was sold by auction on the Sotheby’s website on Tuesday afternoon.

It was expected to reach between £8,000 and £12,000, but eventually sold for more than eight times this amount.

The Jurassic Coast Trust and

Lyme Regis Museum hoped the letter could be “brought home” and put on permanent display in the museum, which is based on the site of the former home of fossil hunter Mary Anning.

An online fundraising appeal was CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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● FEBRUARY 23 2018 ●

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LYME Regis has welcomed its first Guide Dog after resident Lizzie Wiscombe qualified as Guide Dog Healey willan owner. help Lizzie, who is partially sighted, to walk around the town, including from Lyme Regis Museum to and she now volunteers with where her new best friend.

REPORT, PAGE 3

‘Difficult decisions’ ahead for council

ECO-GROUP Turn Lyme hoping to make the town Green is plastic free.

The organisation has initial support from the been given town counci and it is now hoped Lyme Regis can join 180 other coastal towns working towards the ‘plastic free’ title.

REPORT, PAGE 7

The council had expected to see its reserves drop to £67,000 by the end of the financial year but this figure has now risen to £200,000.

REPORT, PAGE 7

Another ton for Tyler

UPLYME & Lyme Regis cricketer Tyler Wellman has put himself in the club’s history books, scoring centuries for two consecutive weeks.

REPORT, PAGE 32

Climb every mountain YME Regis resident Louise

Powell is preparing to climb

Mount Kilimanjaro in memory

of her dad Derek, to raise

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Lyme student takes on charity

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FRANCESCA EVANS

hike of Kilimanjaro in memory

of dad

She said: “This is a francesca@lyme-online.co.u very personal their k trip to me and is in memory of my help mental illnesses and there is dad who suffered from out there.” dent, who is currently mental illin Speaking about her chosen at Southampton Solenther first year nesses for many years, and charity, last year Louise added: said the challenge wouldUniversity, committed suicide.

“In England, one in six be a “very people report “This trip to Mount personal trip”, as it Kilimanjaro mon mental experiencing a comwas something was she and her dad had wanted something my dad and I had anxiety and health problem (such as to do to- planned gether. depression) in any given to do together and is very week. important to me. As Louise is also hoping well as raising to scatter her much-needed “The charity I am fundraising father’s ashes at the funds for for top of Kilimancharity, I want to also this amazing Mind. This charity offers support is jaro, in Tanzania, as raise aware- many people for he had always ness wanted to visit. across the UK who are about mental health people that they don't and inform battling mental health problems. have to hide TURN TO PAGE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2

up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise unds a mental health charity in memory of her father.

Louise Powell, who grew up in Lyme Regis and attended The Woodroffe School, is hoping to raise £3,500 for the charity Mind, after her father Derek committed suicide arlier this year.

The 21-year-old social work stu-

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Petition launched for lifeguard hut

A LYME Regis resident has launched a petition, asking the town council to reconsider its refusal for an improved hut to be set up on the lifeguard beach.

Councillors turned down a proposal for the raised grounds that it would hut, on the much space and was take up too unnecessary.

REPORT, PAGE 20

Seasiders clinging to promotion

LYME Regis FC 1st team are still clinging to their hopes promotion to the Devonof winning & Exeter Premier Division.

Recent poor weather out much of the local has washed programme in the pastfootball but the Seasiders are few weeks place in Division 1. still in second REPORT, PAGE 24

PIP PICKS UP MBE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE PAGE 6

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Council to go over budget by £339k

Pink sky at night...

to be LYME Regis Town Council is expected of the fi£339,000 over budget by the end £1.4milnancial year - but still has more than

lion in reserves. expenThe council budgeted for an overall financial diture of £1,573,402 for the 2018-19 year and an income of £1,478,884. up - foreWhile takings are expected to be March 2019 cast at £1,597,905 by the end of a total of - the council is expected to spend budget. £1,937,084, which is £339,179 over REPORT, PAGE 3

Ambulance response times ‘unacceptable’

write to the LYME Regis Town Council will to comSouth Western Ambulance Service replain about “unacceptable” emergency sponse times in the area. said that A draft letter considered last week and the council was concerned that residents to visitors of Lyme Regis were “vulnerable loto our delays in emergency response due service cation, combined with the ambulance policy on use of fire co-responders”.

REPORT, PAGE 7

Plans for Lyme to go plastic free

THE town council’s financial forecast has started to improve following the reopening of more facilities in Lyme Regis, but the town clerk has still warned there will be “difficult decisions” ahead.

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Meet Lyme’s first Guide Dog

LYME Regis Town Council's unprecedented decision to employ security guards to patrol the seafront was not supported by all members, it has been revealed, with one describing it as "a waste of money".

The council took the decision last month to employ security guards to patrol the seafront on a nightly basis, following increased reports of anti-social behaviour in Langmoor and Lister gardens.

The guards started patrols on July 17 and will continue to patrol nightly through the main summer season, for a total cost of REPORT, PAGE 3 £10,080.

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to glorious weather and visitors to Lyme Regis were treated the end of British Summer Time, residents

by Richard Austin BEFORE the clocks went back signalling and sunrises, with the photo above captured break and some stunning autumn sunsets

during the half term

COUNCIL AT WAR FEELINGS ‘EXPLOSIVE’ MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ILL EVANS COUNCILLORS have been PHILIP philip@lyme-online.co.uk warned over their ‘unacceptthem able behaviour’ after a war write to all members warning their behaviour on social broke out on social media about and asking them to “respect media this week. each other”.

After town clerk John Wright warned councillors that personal disputes were bringing the council nto disrepute, the mayor, Councilor Michaela Ellis, was forced to

Mr Wright, in a report to councillors, said personal conflicts between members was damaging the council’s reputation.

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After Wednesday’s meeting when a number of allegations were made Cheryl Councillor against Reynolds, her brother, Daryl Turner, district and county councillor for Lyme Regis, posted on Facebook that it was the most “explosive” council meeting he had ever attended, adding: “If this does I not get into the national papers, don’t know what will.”

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other Reynold’s Councillor brother, Virgil Turner, station commander at Lyme Regis Fire Station, used the pubic forum to draw attention to an allegation by his sister that he planted drugs that were found by his son in the Anning Road playing field to strengthen the case for the removal of the teen shelter. The council had previously CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Reserves win a place in cup’s second round

booked LYME Regis Football Club Reserves Dorset Ina place in the second round of the have termediate Cup, a trophy the Seasiders past, in the won no fewer than nine times Sports 3-2 when they beat Merley Cobham after extra time at the Davey Fort.

REPORT, PAGE 24

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Olympic medallist Tom Daley cycles through West Dorset for Comic Relief challenge OLYMPIC gold medallist Tom Daley cycled through West Dorset on Wednesday, as part of an epic endurance challenge for Comic Relief.

Tom Daley pictured cycling through Bridport during his 'Hell of a Homecoming' challenge for Comic Relief. Below, Tom was joined by a supporting cyclist on the busy A35 near Charmouth Photos by Richard Austin

To raise money for this year’s Red Nose Day, diving star Tom rowed, cycled, ran and swam his way from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to his hometown of Plymouth this week,.

Over four days, Tom’s Hell of a Homecoming saw him pass through significant places and locations from his life, joined by family, friends and fellow Olympians.

On Wednesday he cycled through county town Dorchester and then through the town centre of Bridport.

He continued along the A35 through Chideock, Morcombelake and passed the Charmouth roundabout before heading into East Devon, where he took a break at Hunters Lodge before heading towards Axminster, Musbury, Colyford and Sidford.

Crowds lined the streets in some towns to cheer Tom on and he was joined by a motorcade of support vehicles.

Tom completed the challenge in Plymouth on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the challenge he said:

“When I first heard about this challenge, I honestly thought it was going to be impossible as I’ve never done anything like this before. Although I’ve trained for the Olympics, I’ve never done any kind of endurance training, let alone swimming in freezing water and let me tell you, it’s cold.

“I said yes to the opportunity as it’s one hell of a challenge and most importantly, it will be raising money for Comic Relief and for people who really need it.

“I really hope my journey inspires people to donate. The thought that this challenge might actually make a difference to someone’s life, someone who is struggling, is what will help me push through every step.

“I’d love for people to get out on the streets and come and say help while we’re doing this challenge – I’m going to need all the support that I can get.

“Most importantly, even if you can’t come outside and say hello, it would mean so much to so many people if you could donate what you can to Red Nose Day.” Tom Daley’s ‘Hell of a Homecoming’ was filmed for a BBC One and iPlayer documentary to air in March.

Red Nose Day returns on Friday, March 18.

Former Woodroffe student takes on long-distance cycle for rugby star’s charity A FORMER Woodroffe School student with long-standing family connections to the town is taking on a sponsored cycle ride between Spain and Portugal to help young people disengaged from education.

Clive Lathey, who boarded at Woodroffe in the 1970s, is now an osteopath, sports scientist and founder and director of The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy in London.

He has extensive experience working with elite athletes and sports people, and former England and British Lions rugby player Lawrence Dallaglio is among patients.

Now aged 61, he has been taking part in cycling events since 2012 to raise funds for Lawrence’s charity The Dallagio Foundation, which focuses on teaching young people who are disengaged from education, and many in gangs, key life skills to help change

their lives.

Every two years the charity hosts a long-distance cycle ride in Europe, with this year’s starting in Almeria in Spain and finishing in Lisbon, Portugal – a distance of 1,156km with 13,368 metres of mountain climbing.

Although he now lives in London, Clive describes Lyme Regis as his “spiritual home”, with his three sisters, mother – from the Wiscombe family – and several other relatives now living in the town.

He said: “The hills around Lyme are a perfect training ground, and our event starts on April 29, so I’m currently down in Lyme whenever possible!”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Clive can do so online at www.collectionpot.com/pot/clivelathe or for more information on The Dallaglio Foundation, visit the website www.dallagliorugbyworks.com

Regular visitor to Lyme Regis and former Woodroffe School student Clive Lathey (left) with rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio

Friday, February 18 2022 13

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New app showcases the best of COVID-19: The latest on local coronavirus figures food and drink on Jurassic Coast COVID-19 cases starting to A NEW app showcasing the best food and drink businesses across the Jurassic Coast has recently been launched, with 75 businesses so far signing up in Lyme Bay and surrounding areas.

Jurassic Feast is a web and app based loyalty scheme based in Dorset and Devon’s Jurassic Coast area, founded in 2021 by Ross Travill and Giles Smallwood who share a passion for good food, cooking and a sustainable, outdoor lifestyle.

They had a vision to create a digital platform that would showcase the areas fantastic local food and drink produce for the benefit of locals and tourists.

Jurassic Feast began as a web-based portal providing locals with a one stop shop to all the suppliers, producers and hospitality businesses which provided click and collect and delivery options.

It was well received so Ross and Giles – now also joined by brand & marketing consultant Sally Cuthbert as co-owner – wanted to develop it into a product that would sustain the interest in shopping local and our community’s appreciation of the fantastic food and drink businesses that we have on our doorstep.

The Jurassic Feast App offers unique incentives in the form of discounts, offers and other promotions that reward subscribers with savings and keeps more money in their pockets and in the local economy.

As an area heavily reliant on tourism, the app also provides a means for businesses to engage with visitors to the local area beyond their holiday, facilitating more sales and opportunities.

Ross, Giles and Sally commented: ““Our aim is for Jurassic Feast to encourage both tourists and locals to be conscious consumers by shopping and eating locally on a more regular basis. The

obvious environmental benefits of this are to reduce food miles and support local producers and the eateries that utilise them.”

Jurassic Feast partners are carefully selected and invited to be featured on the app, based on meeting a ‘Criteria of Care’, which includes: Supporting local producers and suppliers Using recyclable materials and minimising packaging Using organic and sustainable methods or utilising producers that do so Subscribers to the app access exclusive rewards, discounts, offers and value-adds in return for supporting the local food and drink businesses it features.

These currently include discounts and offers at The Oyster & Fish House, Tom’s, SWIM, Robin Wylde, Lilac, The Strawberry Tree, The Millside, The Monmouth Pantry, Lyme Regis Butchers, Baboo Gelato, Red Panda and many more.

Membership prices are £3/month or a Value Membership is £15 for six months. The Just Visiting Plan is £5 valid for two weeks.

Jurassic Feast has been backed by three ambassadors – the award-winning chefs Mark Hix MBE, Harriet Mansell of Robin Wyld and Lilac in Lyme Regis, and Gill Meller of River Cottage fame.

Mark Hix commented: ““I am passionate about shopping locally, supporting independent businesses, small suppliers and eating the best of local produce. So, it’s no surprise that I love the idea of what Jurassic Feast is all about and am delighted to be an ambassador along with my friends Harriet and Gill.”

Mark will be hosting an official launch event for Jurassic Feast at The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis in April.

drop again across Dorset

FOLLOWING a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past couple of weeks, infection rates have started to fall again across Dorset.

The latest figures released on February 11 showed that there were 3,358 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Dorset Council area, compared to 3,692 the previous week, and 3,650 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) area, down from 4,503.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 884.2 in the Dorset Council area, down from 972.1 in the previous update on February 4, and 919.4 in the BCP area, down from 1,134.3.

This compares to the national average of 795 per 100,000 people, as of February 11.

There are currently 92 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Dorset – an increase of just two on the previous week.

A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “Following a rise in cases over the past couple of weeks, infection rates have started to fall again across Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

“Case rates in both council areas are above the national average for England but below the regional average for the South West. Infection rates remain highest amongst children and lowest amongst over 65s.

“The number of people in hospital in Dorset with COVID-19 remains similar to last week at 92.

“Whilst there are far fewer people needing hospital treatment as a result of COVID-19 compared to last year, our local health and

care services are under significant pressure.

“Alongside exceptional demand and the usual pressures faced every winter, COVID-19 is adding to these pressures.

“Please continue to play your part by getting your jabs to protect yourself from serious illness, and taking precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.”

Similar to the picture across Dorset, COVID19 cases in the Lyme Regis area have also started to decrease according to the latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until February 8, there were 44 recorded cases of COVID-19 in the Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale area, a decrease of 17 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 606.6 – below the Dorset Council area figure of 884.2 and national average of 795.

The picture in areas surrounding Lyme Regis is currently varied, with infection rates in some areas dropping while others have seen continued increases.

Figures for neighbouring areas as of February 8 were as follows: Uplyme, Kilmington & Colyton – 61 (decrease of 5); Seaton – 51 (increase of 8); Axminster – 92 (increase of 12); Burton Bradstock & Chideock – 39 (decrease of 22); Bridport South & West Bay – 45 (increase of 10); Bridport North – 32 (decrease of 4); Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock – 61 (decrease of 37).

You can find out more details on COVID case numbers in your local area at https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

The latest news from the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis...

■ AT a recent evening meeting, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis enjoyed a most interesting talk by Audrey and Ed Standhaft, on their seven years of missionary work spent in Zimbabwe.

The couple were deeply involved in the running of The Matthew Rusike Children’s Home for vulnerable and orphaned children near Harare, which has now developed into one of the largest child welfare organisations in Zimbabwe.

Ed and Audrey were later invited back to another Rotary meeting where Ed told the club about the life and times of Cecil Rhodes, a now somewhat controversial figure but known as ‘The Father of Rhodesia’, now Zimbabwe.

Having arrived in South Africa at a young age, he rose to become chairman of the De Beers Diamond Mining Company at the age of 35 and Prime Minister in 1890 at the age of 37.

Despite some unsavoury activities in his rise to fortune, he was revered by the Matabele people who, on his death in 1902, gave him an honoured Matabele salute at his grave in the Matobe Hills in Zimbabwe.

In recognition of the tremendous work being undertaken at the Matthew Rusike Children’s Homes, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis were pleased to present a cheque for £250 (pictured below left).

■ THE Denning family of Lyme Regis were able to present £520 to the Rotary Club at recent meeting.

The money was raised by brothers Joshua and Jacob Denning, who were sponsored for taking part in the Rotary Club’s Lyme Lunge event on New Year’s Day. The family always take part in the New Year swim – this year marking Joshua’s 18th birthday – and have helped raise thousands for local charities over the years.

Rotarians were proud to present Joshua and Jacob with a certificate of an Award of Excellence (pictured above).

The Rotary Club has now collected almost £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Weldmar Hospicecare from this year’s Lyme Lunge, plus the many individual sponsor-

ships for other chosen charities.

A further £250 has been donated to Lyme Regis lifeboat crew as a thank you for overseeing safety at this year’s Lyme Lunge (pictured below right) A spokesperson for the Rotary Club said: “Safety in the water is the most important part of our planning and we are so grateful to the members of the RNLI crew who volunteer to turn out every year to provide that service.”

■ THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis was delighted to be able to donate £800 to Children's Hospice South West.

Despite being unable to hold its traditional Carols Round the Christmas Tree event due to COVID-19 restrictions, the club raised the funds through Christmas street collections in Lyme Regis and Charmouth.

Mary Gray from Children’s Hospice South West joined Rotarians for their February meeting to receive the cheque from club president Chris Buckingham (pictured above right).

You can visit chsw.org.uk to see some of the fantastic work this hospice does to help children with life lim-

iting conditions. They give free support to more than 500 families in the South West, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and have three centres in Barnstable, Bristol and St Austell relying almost completely on fundraising.

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ARTS | MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

‘Our finest jazz singer’ to perform in Lyme Regis

VOCALIST Claire Martin OBE and pianist David Newton are two of the most acclaimed jazz artists on the UK music scene.

In a new show for 2022, they combine their unique musical talents for an intimate duo concert, celebrating the sublime duo recording by jazz legends Carmen McRae and George Shearing.

It will include musical gems such as ‘I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You’, ‘Gentleman Friend’ and ‘If I Should Lose You’.

They will be playing at the Marine in Lyme Regis on Saturday, March 12.

The Times has deemed Martin as “our finest jazz singer”.

As a recording artist and BBC Radio presenter, she has spent the last 30 years honing the craft of jazz singing.

To worldwide critical acclaim she has established herself as a tour de force on the UK jazz scene gaining many awards, including winning the British Jazz Awards seven times along the way.

After leaving stage school she became a professional singer at 19 and two years later she realised her dream of singing at Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz club in Soho.

Signed to the prestigious Glasgow based Linn Records in 1990, Claire has since released 20 CDs with the label, collaborating with musical luminaries including Martin Taylor, John Martyn, Stephane Grappelli, Kenny Barron, Richard Rodney Bennett and Jim Mullen on many of these recordings.

The show at the Marine Theatre will start at 8pm and tickets are available from £25 at www.marinetheatre.com

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Olympic sailing champion to speak at Jurassic Coast event

THE Jurassic Coast Trust is teaming up with The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis for a special evening celebrating mark the twentieth anniversary of the World Heritage Site’s inauguration.

Sarah Ayton OBE, double Olympic sailing champion and Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2016, will be speaking at the event on Tuesday, March 15, which will showcase how sports and outdoor pursuits combine with world-class geology across the 95 miles of the Jurassic Coast.

Sarah’s talk will be accompanied by a fourcourse meal from renowned Dorset chef Mark Hix MBE. Sarah is a performance coach and personal trainer, and a motivational speaker with over a decade of experience.

Mother to Thomas and Oscar, she is passionate about fitness with the family, getting outdoors and is always looking for a new challenge.

Sarah will bring her unique blend of inspirational and entertaining stories from across her decorated sailing career to The Oyster & Fish House for this one-off event.

A proportion of proceeds from the evening will go to the Jurassic Coast Trust to help protect and conserve the coast.

Tickets are £60 per person and can be purchased via the website https://theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk/ This will be the first in a series of events and exhibitions planned for 2022 in recognition of the World Heritage Site’s twentieth anniversary.

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ARTS | MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Lyme Regis pub to host two live What’s on recording sessions for local bands Friday, February 18 Live Music: Lau Marine Theatre, 7pm For the first time in over a decade, Lau present an entirely acoustic tour. The pioneering Scottish folk trio have always experimented with sound and form; the results have always been complex and thrilling. Tickets £18.50 available at marinetheatre.com

Saturday, February 19

Sara, David and Chris from local band A Cat Called Dave

THE Ship Inn in Lyme Regis will be hosting two live recording sessions this month with local musicians.

The first will be a performance on Sunday, February 20 at 7.30pm with local duet Face For Radio, made up of David Sproule on guitar and vocals and Richard Smith on harmonica.

The two-hour set will comprise live arrangements of popular songs by artists including Gerry Rafferty, Paul Simon, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Metallica and one or two of the band’s own compositions, including their title song ‘Face For Radio’.

The set will be recorded live, taking in the ambient sounds of the venue as they play, and any applause.

On Friday, February 25, local band A Cat Called Dave will be returning to Lyme Regis, again starting at 7.30pm.

A Cat Called Dave are known for their harmony singing and animated live performance

style and have established a loyal following in Lyme Regis over the last three years.

The band includes Sara Hart on vocals, David Sproule on guitar and vocals and Chris King on guitar, kazoo, cajon and vocals.

This two-hour set will include hits from Beautiful South, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Wings, Abba, Crowded House, Queen and Paul Weller.

A Cat Called Dave have established a loyal following in Lyme Regis over the last three years and the performance will be announced on our Facebook page.

David Sproule, who plays in both bands, said: “For both events we’d love to welcome an audience who are happy to be part of a live performance recording, with all the potential for retakes that such an endeavour so often entails.

“The finished mixed recordings will be used as demo arrangements for future performance opportunities.”

Family film to keep kids busy this half term IF you’re looking for something to entertain the kids this half term, the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis will be screening animated comedy ‘The Addams Family 2’ (PG).

Everyone's favourite spooky family is back in this all new movie, where we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with ‘scream time’.

To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation.

Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin It, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?

The screening will take place at the Marine Theatre on Tuesday, February 22 with the bar opening at 1.30pm and film at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £4 and are available to book at marinetheatre.com

Live Music: Nubiyan Twist Marine Theatre, 7pm This infectious and powerful 10-piece big band sound recently played on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’. Nubiyan Twist draw on jazz, afrobeat, Latin, soul, and dance music. Expect ultratight musicianship and dancing! Tickets from £15 available from marinetheatre.com Live Music Night The Nag’s Head, 9pm Weekly live music every Saturday night from 9pm.

Sunday, February 20

Beach Litter Pick Meeting at RNLI Shop, 10am All invited to help with a litter pick, including families (children under 16 should be supervised). Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves, coffee available afterwards.

Live Music: Face For Radio The Ship Inn, 7.30pm Performance by local duet Face For Radio, to be recorded live with ambient sounds of the venue - all welcome to join.

Tuesday, February 22

Film: ‘The Addams Family 2’ Marine Theatre, 1.30pm Everyone’s favourite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, ‘The Addams Family 2’.

Tickets £4 available at marinetheatre.com

Wednesday, February 23

Talk: ‘Glorious Trees’ Uplyme Village Hall, 7pm Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society host this talk by Sir Ghillean Prance , a celebrated botanist, plant collector and author who will share his lifelong enthusiasm for trees with an emphasis on Amazonia. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start, entry is free for society members or £3 for guests, refreshments available.

LRTC Human Resources Guildhall, 7pm

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

Members of the public are welcome to attend town council meetings and speak for up to three minutes in the public forum. For agendas visit the website lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

Thursday, February 24

Theatre: 'Last Will and Testament of Henry Van Dyke' Marine Theatre, 7pm What do men talk about when left to their own devices? Using the premise of two ordinary men with very different approaches to the world and how they can make their mark creatively, this two-man play takes the audience on a journey which invites a questioning of how we all see art. Tickets from £10 available at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.

Friday, February 25

Live Music: Fleetwood Bac Marine Theatre, 7pm The world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band: endorsed by Mick Fleetwood and the only one to replicate the ‘Rumours’ line-up. Tickets from £17.50 available via the website marinetheatre.com Live Music: A Cat Called Dave The Ship Inn, 7.30pm Performance by local band A Cat Called Dave, to be recorded live with ambient sounds of the venue - all welcome to join.

Saturday, February 26

Live Music: Blazin’ Fiddles Marine Theatre, 7pm One of the world’s most prolific fiddle groups, Blazin’ Fiddles formed for a one-off tour of the Scottish Highlands in 1999 and are still raising roofs far and wide well over two decades later. Tickets from £18 available at www.marinetheatre.com Live Music Night The Nag’s Head, 9pm Weekly live music every Saturday night from 9pm.

Sunday, February 27

Tree Pruning Workshop Entrance to Slopes Farm (Horn Bridge, Roman Road), 10am Join horticulturist Phil Gamble and learn how to care

for trees while tending the Turn Lyme Green community trees planted some years ago in Anning Road and Slopes Farm. Wear warm footwear, gloves and bring secateurs if you want to.

The Sunday Sessions Marine Theatre, 2.30pm This regular free entry event is the Marine’s dedicated time to promote quality live music – a post-roast music session. Enjoy local drinks and the best musicians. If you’d like to play, just turn up!

Monday, February 28

Young Performer & Band Mentoring Session Marine Theatre, 6pm B Sharp are offering free mentoring sessions with professional musicians to help you develop your sound. Suitable for young people aged 16 – 25, either solo performers or bands.

To book a session – email info@bsharp.org.uk

Tuesday, March 1

Pancake Morning St Michael’s Church Hall, 10am Celebrate Shrive Tuesday with pancakes, coffee and a raffle at St Michael’s Parish Church Hall. Donations for the church would be welcome.

Wednesday, March 2

LRTC Town Management Guildhall, 7pm Members of the public are welcome to attend town council meetings and speak for up to three minutes in the public forum. For agendas visit the website lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

Thursday, March 3

The Shanty Sessions Marine Theatre, 7.30pm Local group The Chantry Buoys sing traditional sea shanties and other well known songs. Join them alongside special guests in the Marine Theatre bar that overlooks the sea. It will be a fun sing-along with local drinks, old seafaring melodies, and maritime frolics.

Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.

16 Friday, February 18 2022

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LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL Work to protect historic Guildhall now complete WORKS to hopefully protect the historic Guildhall for generations to come have been completed this week.

The roadside window has been set back around nine inches to help prevent large articulated hitting it as they swing around the tight bend.

There have been more than 10 strikes in the last three years, some of which have caused considerable damage to the GradeII listed building.

Something had to be done to prevent this damage from recurring and we have been trying for many years to find a solution but we couldn’t get support from the highways authority or police for additional traffic resolution or enforcement measures to prevent large vehicles using this narrow section of road.

Finally last year we were granted planned permission to reduce the projection of the first floor oriel window.

The works went as planned and were completed ahead of programme, with the end result a great success.

Although you would hardly notice a change in the appearance of the window, it should significantly reduce the possibility of future vehicle strikes.

Only time will tell…

Essential community transport still on the road thanks to council grant AN essential community transport service has remained on the road thanks to core funding from the town council.

For many years the council has provided annual grants to the Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride Service but what the organisation really needed was longer term funding to provide some security.

In 2020, the council agreed to award a grant of £1,500 per year for the next five years, helping the service through the pandemic and beyond.

The service has been in operation since September 2021, running community transport for the West Dorset and East Devon areas.

Transport is provided for the elderly, disabled, parents with young children or people living in isolated areas where there is no adequate public transport.

The door-to-door service offers passengers

It’s goodbye to Dave!

Dorset Council has also been carrying out works to improve the function and reliability of the traffic lights in Church Street and we have carried out some essential repairs and maintenance to the council offices.

The road is expected to be re-opened on Friday as planned, once Dorset Council have tested the lights.

We’d like to thank local residents, businesses and visitors for their patience during the road closure while the works have been taking place.

THIS month we said farewell to a long-standing council employee as he heads into retirement.

Amenities’ assistant Dave Heneghan, who works at the mini golf hut, has left the council after almost 14 years.

Our thanks to Dave for his loyalty and service over the years – we shall miss his friendly welcome at the amenities’ hut.

His departure means there is now a vacancy to fill – we are looking for someone to cover shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between April and October.

More details are in our job advert on page 22.

Former mayor heading to the Palace!

FORMER mayor Cllr Michaela Ellis will be rubbing shoulders with royalty when she attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace this spring.

Cllr Ellis was due to attend a Royal Garden Party in 2020 with her husband and former mayor’s consort Alan in recognition of their public service but the pandemic meant the event was called off.

They will travel to London for the prestigious event on May 11 to represent not only Lyme Regis, but the whole of Dorset and will be honoured for their civic service.

Cllr Ellis served as mayor from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2017 to 2019, with Alan serving as mayor’s consort for both terms of office.

Cllr Ellis said she was disappointed when the event was cancelled in 2020 and thought her opportunity to attend a garden party had been missed, so she was thrilled when the invitation was extended for this year.

She said: “It was just one of those things because of Covid and I wasn’t sure if I would get the chance to go again, I thought once I’d been offered the chance to go once I wouldn’t be offered again.

“When I was told I was going I was so excited.

“It would be really special if the Queen was there in her 70th year.

“There’s only one person going from Dorset so it’s even more significant – we’re not just representing Lyme Regis, we’re representing the whole of Dorset and it will be an honour.”

Cllr Ellis is a proud Royalist and hosted a party in Lyme Regis for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

During her time as First Citizen, she fundraised for Lyme Regis Football Club and St Michael’s Parish

Church.

She continues to volunteer in the local community as chairman of Lyme Regis Bingo Association, a governor at St Michael’s Primary School, a trustee of Marders Almshouses, a trustee of Lyme Regis Charities, a member of Lyme Regis Community Support, and backstage manager for Lyme Regis Pantomime Society.

The Queen hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland each year, welcoming a total of over 30,000 guests.

According to the Royal Family’s official website, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed at each garden party.

The content on this page is promoted and provided by Lyme Regis Town Council

security and comfort, taking a lot of the strain out of shopping. The fares are reasonable, with morning shopping trips to Bridport, Dorchester, Honiton, Axminster and Chard costing £5 return.

There is also a Passenger Club for each zone that offers a weekly afternoon trip and a day trip on one Saturday each month.

The annual membership fee is £10 and trips include Sidmouth, Otter Nurseries, Sherborne, the Somerset Levels, Weymouth, Dorchester, Lynton and Lynmouth, Glastonbury, Wells, and Swanage.

The service covers isolated rural areas and offers a lifeline to many who may find other forms of transport inappropriate or simply lacking.

For further information and details about any of the trips available, contact the Ring and Ride office on 07510 255965.

Dorset Council to carry out parking review A WIDESPREAD review will be carried out to help tackle one of Lyme’s biggest issues – parking!

Dorset Council has committed to carrying out a widespread, holistic parking review of the town and the public will be asked for their views as part of that process.

We recently met with highways officers from Dorset Council to tell them about some of the major parking problems in Lyme Regis.

These included visitors parking in residential streets, particularly when major events are taking place, cars parking on double yellow lines on Cobb Road and Sidmouth Road, cars parking on both sides of the road outside Woodroffe School

at pick-up time, and visitors staying in holiday lets being given permits for residential roads.

The highways officers said implementing solutions in one area would only shift the problem to another area of the town so it would be better to do a more widescale parking review of the whole town.

This was welcome news to the town council as we have long been calling for a fundamental review of parking.

The highways officers were unable to commit to a firm timescale for the review but hoped initial consultations would start soon after April this year and some simple solutions could be put in place later this year.

Seafront railing replacement delayed until March YET more delays at the foundry have pushed back the start date to replace the historic seafront railings.

Work was expected to start in November but a hold-up in receiving the new cast iron posts has meant the project still hasn’t started.

We are now confident of a start date in earlyMarch so work can be finished before Easter.

The railings, which date back to the late 19th or early 20th century, on the eastern end of Marine Parade are in a poor state of repair and over the years have been patched up with pipe or scaffold poles.

The work involves replacing around 220 metres of railings and 98 posts.

There may be some disruption while the work takes place, specifically noise disruption while the old railings are removed, some sections of the Cart Road cordoned off temporarily to vehicles, and the Marine Parade being closed to pedestrians for short periods.

We will be writing to all neighbouring properties before work commences and will be able to

provide more details to the public closer to the start date.

■ THE council is now inviting applications for community grants of up to £1,000.

We have up to £20,000 available in 2022-23 to award to local organisations for capital projects that help and support the community.

Grants can be used for the purchase of materials and equipment, or the provision of a service that is of benefit to Lyme Regis.

The grants fall into two further categories: projects up to £500 and projects up to £1,000.

Projects over £500 require 50% match funding of the total project cost and more supporting documents.

More information and an application pack are available on the website www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/grants or email admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, February 28 and they will be considered by the council at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 30.

Friday, February 18 2022 17

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18 Friday, February 18 2022

Emergency shouts in Charmouth

THE volunteers of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew alerted at 3pm on Sunday, February 6 after reports of a paddle boarder in distress off Charmouth.

When the lifeboat crew reached the paddle boarder he was found to be in no difficulty and the incident was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.

The coastguard helicopter from St Athan in Wales was called to Charmouth on Saturday, February 12 after a man broke his ankle on the beach 2km east of the village.

Due to the incoming tide and condition of the sea, the lifeboat was unable to reach the casualty. He was airlifted back to Charmouth and taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester by land ambulance.

Over 70s cream tea for jubilee

A CREAM tea for Lyme Regis’ senior citizens will be held to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Lyme Regis Over 70s Christmas Dinner Committee are hosting the celebratory cream tea to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The event will be held on Wednesday, June 1 at the Woodmead Halls – just ahead of a special four-day Bank Holiday for the event.

All residents of Lyme Regis over the age of 70 are invited to attend. Tickets will be issued at the committee AGM at Hallett Court on Wednesday, May 4.

Horse trailer stolen from village farm A HORSE trailer has been stolen from a farm on Berne Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum, near Charmouth.

The theft of the Ifor Williams trailer took place sometime between 5pm on Saturday, February 12 and 12noon on Sunday, February 13. Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference number 552225090.

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LymeOnline Letters

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

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Beach restrictions not fair for assistance dogs ■ I WOULD like to complain about the comments made by the person writing on your letters page (LymeOnline, February 4), in particular the reference to keeping the beach for kids only.

Had the writer considered kids with assistant dogs who are allowed in restricted areas off-lead at anytime of the year?

By misleading the public they are indirectly discriminating against people who have hidden disabilities. Many children with autism or other protected disabilities are finding it increasingly difficult to visit Lyme Regis as it’s been made clear it has become a town where many people are claiming dogs are not welcome.

I feel this needs to be addressed by LymeOnline to offer a balanced view of the difficulty those who have a disabled child, family member or friend face.

In the Public Space Protect Order 2020 you will find reference to assistance dogs, being auxiliary aids. If you also check the Mental Health Act, Disability Act and Equality Act you will find these all give guidance to all decisions makers who create restriction, or fail to include information and display clearly for the public to prevent discrimination.

PTSD is increasingly leading to people having support dogs; they live within a family supporting the person who suffers with this disability, and have children who may wish to visit the beach.

Wheelchair accessible beaches are one thing we are still waiting for Dorset Council to provide under access for all. Service dogs for those with hearing disabilities and those with vision disabilities are all allowed to access restricted areas at any time.

We hope you will publish this response; I have

Interested in becoming a volunteer?

The next Citizens Advice training course begins on 28th February 2022. !$#,#&#$)(#"$&+#,-$)(#*$!)#(++&0#1#2$&#30(0++#' 6&*07+8#&$!+'#,*,0!,-!+#,#&#($#$-(,0##,##,%%!07,(0$# 2$&"#7$#(,7(#)': email: ,&*07+;-&0&%$&(<7,-=$&1=) phone: ?@A?B#CDEDFC visit: CD#G$)(H#G(&++(8#I&0&%$&(8#J!E#AKL

a family member who has a hidden disability and an assistant dog trained by the family, they do not need to prove this is their assistance dog and the dog doesn't wear a lead or harness.

At the moment they feel they cannot visit Lyme Regis due to hostile news items being shared.

This impedes on their mental health increasing isolation.

The off-lead areas have been referred to the disability group who support human rights for all, they are not fit for purpose and do not provide an alternative as issued in guidance to authorities in the UK. Name and address supplied

Not just a village store ■ I need to go to Uplyme Store, For diesel and a few things more.

I get my mask and cash and bags, To purchase bread, milk, paper and fags, Cards and mags and silver foil, Just past the shelf of motor oil.

I’ll post a letter and buy a card, Maybe look for a block of lard.

Compost, coal kindling and logs, There’s even a place to tie your dogs.

I’ve got my bread, now for some jam, Hold on, I’ve forgotten ham.

To Pat and Jill and Sonia too, Who try to do the best for you, Other names have slipped my mind, Though all the staff are very kind.

You see, it isn’t just a village store, It offers us all so much more, To lose it is something that we dread, With no village store Uplyme’s dead.

Diana Hunt (by email)

Can we compromise on dogs using beach?

■ I HAVE read your recent articles about council enforcement officers being abused by some dog owners. Firstly, I will say that no council employee should be subjected to abuse of any kind whilst doing their job.

Secondly, I would like to give people an insight to why a lot of people are complaining about the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on the front beach. Before this was brought in, people could walk their dogs off lead only during the off season, which dog walkers were happy with.

When the PSPO came in it changed it so that dogs now had to be on lead in the off season and dog owners are pointed towards Monmouth, Church Cliff and the back beach for off lead exercising.

The problem with this is people with mobility issues, families with very young children in pushchairs are unable to use these beaches, as there are either steep steps or it is rocky.

I did write to Dorset Council and they confirmed that the alternative beaches are not suitable for disabled people to walk their dogs. So, many Lyme Regis dog walkers are now going further afield to beaches where they can allow their dog off lead, also people who used to visit Lyme are not coming at all, this means any money they would have spent in this town is now lost.

All I am asking is that Lyme Regis Town Council find a compromise to the current situation; maybe allow dogs off leads at certain times during the off season or just go back to the way it was.

Richard Daw by email

Please note the views expressed in letters are those of the author and not necessarily of this newspaper

NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE MORE people are seeking one-to-one support from Citizens Advice than at any point during the pandemic.

That’s according to stark new figures which reveal the enormous pressures facing households even before major increases to energy bills kick in this April.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Cost-of-living pressures are at boiling point. April’s price hikes haven’t yet hit and already people are turning to our services in record numbers.

“Our data has reached red alert levels and many more households will be pushed beyond breaking point.”

‘Unwelcome records’ this January • In January more than 270,000 people sought one-to-one advice from Citizens Advice. Demand for support is now higher than at any point since the pandemic began.

• 24,000 people helped by the charity’s advisers required some type of crisis support such as food bank vouchers and charitable payments.

This is the highest on record for the charity.

• More than 8,000 people were supported with energy debts which again is the highest number on record.

Frontline advisers are hearing desperate stories of families living in just one room to keep warm, people turning off their fridges to save money and others relying on hot water bottles instead of heating due to fears about mounting bills.

“They just keep taking money from all angles” - mother-of-two Ruth Ruth, 26, lives in a two-bed house with her two young children. She has found her bills rising uncontrollably over the last few months.

“I’m struggling to get by, the money just keeps going up and up and up. They just keep taking money from all angles.

“I knew my energy bills were going to go up but didn't realise it would increase this much. I’ve had to dip into my rent money just to buy some nappies and washing powder. We’ve been spending most of our time at my Nana’s just for some heating and electricity.”

Supporting low-income households through the cost-of-living crisis On February 3 it was announced that the energy price cap will rise to £693 in April which will affect 80% of the population and the government outlined measures to support people with their bills.

Citizens Advice described the government’s package of measures as “strange, complicated and untargeted|. Whilst acknowledging the proposals offer “some relief for all households in April”, Citizens Advice pointed out that for people on low incomes who need it most there are easier ways for the government to deliver support, adding: “If the government is serious about helping families facing the desperate choice between heating and eating, it should use the benefits system.

“Energy rebates are a buy now, pay later solution which only provide temporary relief later this year. And linking financial assistance to Council Tax will result in a complicated lottery that means support is not targeted at people who really need it. ” Citizens Advice continues to press the government to take further targeted action against the cost of living crisis including: • A one-off Energy Support payment, paid to all Universal Credit and legacy benefits claimants plus those in receipt of Pension Credit; • Uprating benefits in line with Bank of England forecast inflation rate; • Temporarily extend the Warm Homes Discount scheme; • Spreading the cost of energy supplier failures over two to three years.

For help with problems relating to cost of living rises or other issues, Citizens Advice in Lyme Regis has resumed its drop-in advice sessions on Wednesdays 10am to 3pm at the council offices, Church Street, DT7 3BS. Alternatively, telephone Freephone 0800-1448848 or send an email using the contact form on the website www.bridportca.org.uk

axminsternews

Friday, February 18 2022 19

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Former Axe Valley pupil thanks hometown as he prepares musical for Edinburgh Fringe MARCUS Wood, a former pupil and head boy of Axe Valley Community College – now Axe Valley Academy, in Axminster – is due to take a new show to the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

'Blóðlína' is about two Viking sisters, inheriting their father’s legacy amidst political unrest, broken relationships and a looming invasion.

It focuses on what it truly means to be a leader, and in a time when tensions are fraught in our own government, it couldn’t be more apt.

The idea for the music began 10 years ago whilst Marcus, whose family still live in Axminster, was still studying.

“I remember sitting at the piano in our music room with Mr Jevons, trying out ideas and utterly failing to write them down on a traditional score," he said.

"Thank goodness for the digital age, as I was able to play my ideas straight into the computer instead!”

Fast forward many years amidst a global pandemic, Marcus – now a graduate of East 15 Acting school – like many other creatives found himself out of work.

“The industry had just collapsed, so as the days went by I found myself looking back over those old sketches of ideas, and incorporating them into a passion project to keep my mind sane," he said.

"The pandemic was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand all signs of work had dried up and there was nothing on the horizon for the best part of two years, but on the other there were thousands of other creatives

who were guaranteed to be as available as I was.”

Marcus began reaching out to other professionals, who normally would have been unattainable, or unwilling to help, and slowly found a cast of West End performers to record a demo album over the internet.

“That was the catalyst I think," he said.

"Having such quality voices singing my work was a dream come true, and I’m eternally grateful for all who volunteered their time and effort.

"It meant people could start to hear what had been bouncing around in my head for the best part of a decade.”

And the support didn’t stop there. After some London-based producers heard his work, they offered their expertise and mentorship in bringing the show to life and finding a home on the Edinburgh Fringe stage.

While competition has been fierce this year, with many venues honouring their commitment to 2020 and 2021 productions, Marcus was still able to find a huge 300-seat venue willing to stage the show.

With his fundraising campaign reaching 50 per cent within its first 12 hours, Marcus is now well on his way to securing the theatre and making a fringe debut.

“I will always be thankful to the people of Axminster and Lyme for providing an environment where I could thrive and grow my passion for theatre and music," he said.

"From working at the Regent Cinema and the Marine Theatre, taking part in Axminster Musical Theatre and Axminster Drama Club,

Launch event For Axminster’s unique toy recycling scheme A unique, community pre-loved toy shop opens in Axminster on Friday, February 25 with a special launch event.

No Toy Left Behind is a brand new community shop selling giftable and restored, pre-loved toys.

Kickstarted by a successful crowdfunding campaign, the not-for-profit environmental initiative aims to decrease waste by saving toys from landfill and inspiring the local community to buy secondhand rather than new.

The launch event runs from 1pm until 4pm on February 25 with the official ribbon cutting at 1.15pm in the Pippins Community Centre in Axminster.

In addition, there will be story time with local children's environmental author Emily Hobson-Martin, a screening of the environmental short animation 'The Story of Stuff', a fun upcycling art project and an update on Net Zero Devon from Catherine Causley, East Devon District Council climate change officer.

Founder and environmental activist Beth Steele said: "Having spent several months painstakingly cleaning and refurbishing over 20 wheelie bins worth of donated toys, we're excited to be finally opening our shop to the

performing in Axe Valley’s school shows and even playing in the worship band on a Sunday morning at Crossroads, I owe the local area so much to my development and my career today.”

You can find more details and Marcus’ fundraising campaign via the website www.kickstarter.com/projects/blodlina/bloli na-a-viking-fight-musical

Train services to be reinstated to ‘pre-Omicron levels’ TRAIN services through Axminster will return to a normal timetable from Monday, February 21 having been cut during the rise in Omicron infections.

The move comes as improving staff availability means that South Western Railway (SWR) can increase the number of trains it runs without compromising reliability for customers.

The uplift is timely as more people return to the railway following the government’s work from home instruction being lifted.

The timetable will be almost identical to the one that served customers in December 2021, meaning that a whole host of services – including through trains to and from Exeter St Davids and Weymouth and a more frequent service on the Shepperton line – will be reinstated.

In January, SWR was forced to introduce a temporary timetable in response to staff absences caused by the spread of Omicron. The train operator said this timetable "ensured reliability for customers during a challenging period, with SWR adding additional services as staff availability improved".

A national network of h hyperlocal news websites, now covering the Axminster & Seatton areas With editorial content provided by the team from Ly Lym meOnline

community.

"No Toy Left Behind aims to help the planet by reducing waste and manufacturing demand. We hope to demonstrate that we don't need to buy new and get our community thinking about the environmental impact of their purchasing choices."

No Toy Left Behind is opening in Pippins Community Centre in Axminster. The shop will be run entirely by volunteers and open from 1pm until 4pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit www.notoyleftbehind.com

Visit our new websites at

axminsterr..nub.news and seaton.nub.news And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & T Tw witter to keep up to date with all the latest local news

20 Friday, February 18 2022

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

■ DAME Helen Mirren holding court at the Chelsea Flower Show, where she was invited along to a flower display and stole the show.

Members of the public were soon gathering along with photographers and reporters. She didn’t say a lot but she didn’t need to – just her presence was good enough.

I did call out “Dame Helen” and she turned, smiled and I got the shot. The bright flash of an iPhone in the background was a stroke of luck giving the picture a studio look.

In the Queen’s 2003 Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Dame for services to drama.

Friday, February 18 2022 21

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classifieds&jobs

22 Friday, February 18 2022

BED/SETEE, IKEA 3/bed setee, two seater, blue check, £40 - 07590 928 821.

SHEEPSKIN FLYING JACKET, brown, WWII replica, rare RFC badge, size XL, £150 or very nearest offer - 07870 603 345.

FLAT SACK TRUCK, £10 - 07870 603 345.

ROWING MACHINE, Johnson W7000, old, mechanically sound but electronic display broken, 2.7m long but can be separated into two parts for transport, £10 (proceeds to charity) – 01297 442904.

TRACTOR TRAILER, solid iron, body measures 6’ long x 3’6” wide, nice condition and has leaf springs plus spare wheel, £59 or very nearest offer - 01297 678602.

STAIR GATE, Lindam, £10 - 01297 443930.

DUVETS, 2 x 13.5 tog, £10 - 01297 443930.

Fairfield House are now recruiting for the following positions:

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ITEMS FOR SALE

WOMEN’S JEANS, Marks & Spencer, size 8, new/unworn, £10 - 01297 443930.

TENNIS RACQUET, Dunlop, £10 - 01297 443930.

BREAD CROCKS, vintage enamel, one cream, one white, £10 each - 01297 443930.

WALL TILES, 160+ various shapes and sizes, £10 - 01297 443729.

Please note this service is only for private sellers, not for commercial items, tradespeople or vehicles. Please include a brief description of your item, the cost and a telephone number where a buyer may contact you.

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

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THE BOOK OF LYME REGIS, by Rodney Legg, Halsgrove, 2003 first edition, as new condition, a very scarce book, £34. - 01297 442627.

For a Job Description/Application Form please contact us on 01297 443513 or email: admin@fairfieldhouse.co.uk

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ITEMS TO SELL?

You can advertise items for sale up to £200 free by filling in the form below or emailing francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

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Fantastic opportunities are coming up at The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, working closely with renowned chef and restaurateur Mark Hix We like to think of our team as a family. We have a long-standing team and seasonal team members that return year after year. We are currently looking for all positions front and back of house as we enter the spring/summer season. This is an amazing opportunity to work with an experienced and friendly team, with plenty to learn along the way.

If you have good initiative, strong people skills, and are ready to work in a busy-fast paced restaurant serving the best of local seasonal produce, get in touch. Full and part-time positions are available.

Serving locally caught fish and seafood, seasonal cocktails and Dorset oysters, the menu changes daily depending on the fishermen’s catch.

With our new outdoor deck you can expect to serve around 200 covers a day in the summer season. It’s busy, it’s fun, and there is plenty of room for developing your role within the business if you are looking for a career in hospitality.

If you have a passion for food, drink and hospitality and looking for your next role, then The Oyster & Fish House could be for you.

Front of House positions

manager@theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk Restaurant Manager Supervisor Waiting staff | Runner | Bartender

Kitchen positions

chef@theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk Sous Chef Chef de Partie | Commis Chef Kitchen Porters

Part-time/Full-time staff also required for Horsebox takeaway Apply online: theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk/careers @theoysterandfishhouse The Oyster & Fish House, Cobb Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JP T: 01297 446910 E: reservations@theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk

Lyme Regis Town Council Amenities’ Assistant Start 12th April 2022 (training required prior to start) Fixed term initially until 27th October 2022 Working Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Between 3pm and 6pm (April, May and October) and between 3pm and 9pm (June to September) Salary: £9.90 per hour This role involves managing the council’s amenities’ facility in the Lister Gardens, taking payment, and issuing tickets and equipment for mini golf, putting green and table tennis There are set hours but there may be the possibility of other shifts to cover colleague absence Application packs can be downloaded from www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/job-vacancies or can be requested from support services manager Adrianne Mullins E: admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk T: 01297 445175 The closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday 17 March Interviews will be held on Wednesday 23 or Thursday 24 March

Friday, February 18 2022 23

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football

Lyme come out on top in local derby

football

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

THE much-awaited clash between Lyme Regis 1sts and Axminster Town Reserves produced an entertaining game, watched by the biggest crowd of the season at the Davey Fort.

Neither side have played to their expectations this season in the Devon and Exeter Premier division, struggling on occasions to field sides, but Lyme soon established the lead with a clinical finish in the 10th minute from Fred Parsons.

The in-form midfielder capitalised on the Seasiders’ positive start when he made it 2-0 in the 14th minute, beating the Axminster keeper to a through ball and coolly slotting the ball home.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between for the rest of the half. For Lyme, Cam Fowler shot wide after some clever work from Parsons, Mark Bailey fired the ball wide after a corner clearance and the industrious Rikki Sargent, back after injury, was unlucky with a header than rebounded off the post.

Axminster rallied at the start of the second half and player manager Jamie Barfoot came close when his shot skimmed the cross bar just after the Lyme keeper, Chris Higgs, was forced to turn another effort from the Tigers around the post.

As the game progressed Lyme started to take control with three successive corners which saw some stout defending by Axminster.

Their situation was not eased, however, by centre-back veteran Garry McCauley being sin-binned after an altercation with the referee.

Lyme rounded off a successful afternoon

Steve Batey passed the 170 goal-mark for the Seasiders with the two goals he scored in the Reserves’ 4-2 home defeat by South Zeals in the Bill Slee Cup

Cup exit for the Reserves

Lyme Regis builder Matt White, who played for the club for a number of years, has supported the youth section Under 10s by providing new bibs, balls and marker cones for training. with a fine volley by Mark Bailey from a glorious Parsons’ cross and in the 84th minute Parsons completed his hat-trick and the 4-0 victory with a clinical finish after an impressive move down the right.

This was one of Lyme’s best team performances of the season and manager Julien Simier will be pleased how well his side defended.

But man-of-the-match has to go yet again to

Fred Parson for his superb hat-trick.

Whilst no quarter was given or taken, past encounters between these two sides have been far more feisty. This was the first competitive game between these two neighbouring sides for several years but there will be many more in future if both sides remain in Devon and Exeter Premier division.

The victory sees Lyme move into seventh place whilst Axminster drop to tenth.

Uplyme’s young Reserves impress against experienced Perry Street League opponents WITH an average age of about 18, Uplyme Reserves travelled to Penmill with some caution that they would dominated by a much older, more physical team.

Recent results suggested a tough day, but the team talk pre-game was all about personal battles, supporting your teammates and being resilient when defending.

That is exactly what happened and, for the first half, the whole team defended brilliantly.

Finlay Copp, once again standing in as goalkeeper,, was largely untroubled by any clearcut chances, but did a great job in racing out to collect any loose balls and stifle attacks.

Penmill had plenty of possession and

looked for the ball over the top numerous times, but Uplyme's defence worked well as a unit.

As the half came to a close, successive corners from Nate Gillan provided chances for Lyndon Smith, but he scooped his shot over the bar.

The second half began the same, with Penmill's two imposing centre backs hitting balls down the channels and Uplyme defending.

But it was Uplyme who could have taken the lead through Smith, who broke down the right hand side but flashed his shot wide when he should have at least tested the keeper.

The pressure mounted from the hone team

and Gillan and Aidan Hulbert produced three off-the-line clearances. Around 70 minutes the deadlock was broken from a shot from 25 yards and there was no way back. In the last minutes, Penmill scored and sealed a win hard fought for.

Manager Pete Blandamer said after the game: "Credit to our very young squad for standing up to a very good Penmill side full of experienced players. It says a lot that so many of their players congratulated us on our spirit and effort. Definitely something to build on.”

In a game full of effort, Aidan Hulbert gets the nod for man-of-the-match for his tenacity and attitude.

LYME Regis Reserves exited the Bill Slee Cup, beaten 4-2 by South Zeal 1sts who play in a division below them in the Devon and Exeter League.

In an abysmal first half display, the Seasiders' second string were torn apart by the young Mid Devon side and were 3-0 down in the opening half hour, having conceded two penalties, one of which was saved by the Lyme keeper, Rob Harp.

Lyme managed to claw one back just before half-time when Steve Batey fired home after a Dan Rendell shot was parried by the keeper.

The Lyme manager was so incensed by his team's first half performance that he chose not to go into the dressing room at half-time to rally his troops.

Lyme did lift their game a tad in the second half but South Zeal dominated in all quarters and added to the scoreline when Harp mishandled the ball, leaving the visiting attacker an empty net for the tap-in.

The Seasiders rallied a little in the final minutes with three consecutive corners, one of which was headed home by Steve Batey from a Jake Bearpark delivery.

It was difficult to pick out a man-of-the-match for Lyme as there were so many sub-standard personal performances. However, it's difficult not to admire the robust competitiveness of Steve Batey, a lone figure up front who never stopped running and was rewarded with two more goals.

Squad: Rob Harp; Robbie Fowler, Darius Pickering, Toby Fowler, Wally Blackmore, Shaun Vallely; Jon Davies, Ben Bowditch; Steve Batey, Dan Rendell, Jake Bearpark. Subs: Josh Daines, Matt Brady, Zac Harrison, Will Meech.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Reserves return to league action at home to University of Exeter 5ths who are two place below them to Division Three (kick-off 3pm).

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February 18 2022

football

Lyme avenge surprise defeat by bottom of the table Ottery PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

THE quality of the side Ottery St Mary 2nds fielded in their recent game at the Davey Fort surprised the Lyme Regis first team.

The Otters were sitting at the foot of the table without a win all season and whilst there are no easy games in the Devon and Exeter Premier division, the Seasiders soon found themselves trailing and were eventually beaten 4-2.

There have been big changes at Washbrook Meadow with a number of players transferring to Sidmouth Town along with manager Billy Rouse and new faces coming in.

Whilst the Otters reserve side were running rings around Lyme, their first team were losing 13-0 in the South West Peninsular League.

Lyme went to Ottery determined to avenge that defeat and they started well dominating proceedings early on. Joe Bond fired narrowly wide after being put through by an incisive Mark Bailey through ball but it wasn't until the 25th minute they took a deserved lead when Ben Turner flicked on a corner for the in-form Fred Parsons to head home from close range at the back post.

Despite continued dominance it stayed 1-0 at the break. The second

AT THE DAVEY FORT THIS SATURDAY

Lyme Reserves v University of Exeter 5ths Kick-off at 3pm skittles

Lyme skittlers back in action LYME skittlers are back on the alley after a long break caused by COVID19.

Just one league of 14 teams will play between now and Easter with all games taking place at The George in Charmouth with men and women competing together.

If the comeback arrangement is successful, it is hoped that the full league will recommence later in the year.

After two games Anthill Mob, British Legion and Marksmen lead the league with a maximum of four points each.

Three teams at the bottom of the table are yet to win a game - Alleytwits, Clueless and Wotton Wobblers.

Results (February 12): British Legion 335, Alletwits 294; President’s Men 322, Flyers 318; Hot. Gossips 348, Roadrunners 357; Skittso’s 339, Pin Palls 313; Marksmen 347, Wootton Wobblers 329; Anthill Mob 301, Hopes Wrecked 290; Rousdon Rebels 371,Clueless 343.

High Scores: John Williams 80,Martin Down 76, Paul Bright 67,Joyce White 66.

cribbage Lyme celebrate a goal at Washbrook Meadow in their 2-1 victory over Ottery 2nds half was a more even affair. Lyme started the better and getting a deserved second when a pinpoint cross from Rob Fellingham was headed home by Fred Parsons after the ball ricocheted off two defenders before crossing the line.

This sparked a mini-revival from Ottery who pushed hard as Lyme inevitably sat back looking to preserve

their lead. Some stout defensive play meant Ottery created virtually nothing until the 95th minute when a freakish sliced cross sailed into the top corner giving the previously untested Chris Higgs no chance.

SUPERB TEAM EFFORT This set up a tense last few moments after the officials added on another seven minutes of injury

time, a total of 12 minutes in total.

Despite all the pressure Lyme defended stoutly and saw out a deserved win.

It was a superb team effort from the back four who deserve special praise particularly the stand-in right back Alex Rowe and Rikki Sargent who deputised at centre back.

Why a win at Colyton is essential WITH Fred Parsons firing on all cylinders, having scored eight goals in the last four games, Lyme Regis first team are at last showing the form that could see them challenging for a fourth place in the Devon and Exeter Premier division, writes Philip Evans.

They say that one player doesn't make a side but it seems that when the talented midfielder is in such dangerous form, he inspires those around him to raise their game as well.

Friday, February 18 2022 24

Parsons added two more goals to his season's tally on Saturday in the Seasiders' 2-1 victory over a Ottery St Mary 2nds, the bottom placed side who beat Lyme 4-0 two weeks ago.

Lyme have shown they can compete with the best when able to field their strongest line-up, having taken points off division leaders Lapford and beaten promotion chasers Beer Albion who have applied to join the Devon League next season.

Lyme have no chance of winning the Premiership, having lost six games so far this season, but a win against Colyton tomorrow could see them challenging for fourth place. Earlier this season they drew 3-3 with the East Devon side.

The Seasiders are currently in seventh place in the Premier division, one point behind Colyton but with two games in hand. University of Exeter are in fifth place with a two-point advantage over Lyme but having played one more

game. Tomorrow Uni meet the bottom side Ottery St Mary 2nds but they are a much stronger side these days and a surprise result could well be on the cards.

The top three clubs - Lapford, Thorverton and Beer Albion - have all applied to join the Devon League next season. The league run two divisions - South and West and North and East - and they are likely to be accepted as each division has just 12 sides at the moment.

WITH just two games to play the New Inn Kilmington and Lamb Swans are neck and neck at the top of the Lyme Regis Winter Crib League each with 46 points Dolphin Beer sit at the bottom of both tables but they have games in hand.

Fixtures for Monday, February 21 (Losers Cup semi-finals at The Hind, Musbury): Lamb Swans, Gerrard Arms, The Hind, and The Volunteer Lyme Reggis.

The start is scheduled for 7.15pm wit a 7.30pm start and the draw will be made on the night.

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