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Complaints over late night drinking LYME Regis Town Council is to raise complaints regarding anti-social behaviour and late-night drinking on the seafront with the police and licensing authority. The issue was raised last week after the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, received several letters of complaint from residents of the Marine Parade area, one in particular that said the noise disruption last summer was the worst it had ever been. REPORT, PAGE 3

Carnival hands out £9k to local groups

Dancing for Down Under! FOLLOWING the devastating fires that have swept across Australia, a Lyme Regis dance class decided they wanted to do something to help the huge number of animals affected. Fitsteps, led by instructor Sarah Causley, enjoyed a special class with members dressing in Australian or animal costumes and dancing to animal-theme music, followed by tea and cake. The event raised £305 for WIRES, a New South Wales-based wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity.

Grant cuts ‘brutal’

DIFFICULT DECISIONS AS GRANTS BUDGET CUT BY £50K IN the most heated Lyme Regis Town Council meeting in months, members allocated grants totalling more than £340,000 over the next five years to seven local organisations. In light of some major expenditure, including resurfacing the flat

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk roof area at the bottom of Lister Gardens and refurbishing the council offices, the budget for local grants has been reduced from about £130,000 to £80,000 this year. The council has also completely changed its system for allocating

funds, scrapping the former minor, medium and major grants for two new pots - £20,000 a year for annual community grants and £60,000 a year for term grants. For the community grants, organisations can apply for up to £1,000 each and for the term grants, discussed during a tense meeting this week, applicants were invited to

apply for between £1,000 and £30,000 annually for up to five years. Against the £60,000 annual budget, 18 organisations applied for a total of £167,292 in the first year alone, resulting in some difficult decisions and arguments over whether the new system was fair.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Tribute paid to victim of Charmouth collision

THE family of a man who sadly died following a collision in Charmouth has issued a tribute. The victim of the hit and run incident, which took place on the evening of January 23, has now been named as a 90-year-old Peter Bide, who had lived in the village for 60 years. He had three children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The driver - a local man in his 40s - is helping police with enquiries. REPORT, PAGE 8

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Lyme to spread ‘shop Park and ride signage local’ message with to help alleviate traffic Fiver Fest special offers THOUSANDS of independent businesses are coming together to highlight their contribution to the Great British high street and Lyme Regis is taking part. To show the importance of supporting our high streets, Lyme Regis is joining thousands of independent shops and businesses across more than 80 towns in the UK, to put on special £5 offers over two weeks in February for the Totally Locally Fiver Fest. Local organiser Belinda Bawden said: “Fiver Fest could become a big part of our promotions for Lyme Regis. The independent shops and businesses are what makes our town special and unique. “We appreciate it when our community supports local shops and cafés, so these offers are to say thank you for that support, and to show just what great value our local businesses are.” Fiver Fest is a free to join campaign, devised and run by Totally Locally, a grass roots high street organisation that has been helping businesses and high streets to help themselves since 2010 with incredible results. Fiver Fest is based around the now famous Totally Locally £5 message: “If every adult in Lyme Regis spent £5 per week in their local shops and businesses, instead of online, at a national chain or at the big supermarket, it would be worth £700,000 going directly into our local economy. Which means more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy and a nicer place to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?”

Fiver Fest has been running successfully in towns in the UK and abroad over the past seven years, and last October 63 towns from all over the UK took part to promote themselves and each other. The result was phenomenal with reports of new customers, people rediscovering shops they hadn’t been into in years and huge sales of £5 offers. “We know Fiver Fest isn’t going to change the world”, said Chris Sands of Totally Locally, “but small changes in spending habits can really make a difference to our high streets. “Just by diverting £5 of our weekly spend to local independents we give them a fighting chance to thrive. It’s a conversation worth having!” Fiver Fest will take place from February 15 to 29 with many shops and business in Lyme Regis taking part. More than 20 local businesses have already signed up with some of the £5 offers including a locally designed bone china mug from Serendip, usually priced £7.99; two bath bombs usually £2.99 each at Lyme Gifts; and two Gyle 59 bottled beers or one litre of cask beer to take away from Cellar 59. A map showing the participating shops and cafés will enable residents and visitors to explore what the independent traders have to offer. Any independent business wishing to participate should contact Belinda Bawden by emailing belindabawden@gmail.com

SIGNAGE will be erected on the outskirts of Lyme Regis this summer, directing drivers to the park and ride to avoid unnecessary traffic coming through the town centre. Lyme Regis Town Council hopes to alleviate traffic congestion issues with a new signage system that will take drivers around the town to the Charmouth Road park and ride. The council has worked with the AA on a trail of temporary signs to be erected when the park and ride is open during the peak season. This will include a sign at Boshill Cross in Devon, directing traffic off the A3052 and instead encouraging them to take the A358 through Musbury. A second sign will be placed at the Abbey Gate junction of the A358, just outside Axminster, to direct traffic onto the A35, then down to Charmouth roundabout and into Lyme Regis. The town council felt this was the “most convenient, safest and fastest route” to the park and ride, avoiding unnecessary traffic coming into Lyme Regis via Sidmouth Road or through Uplyme via Hunters Lodge. The scheme hit a stumbling block when Devon County Council initially objected to all the signs within its remit, including those at the Boshill Cross and Abbey Gate junctions. Deputy town clerk Mark Green said Devon County Council’s rea-

son for initially objecting was that people would already find their way to Lyme Regis via the A3052 Sidmouth Road and could presumably then find the park and ride. “That’s probably true but it doesn’t address the problem of reducing unnecessary vehicle movements through the centre of town,” he added. Town councillors said the response from Devon County Council “completely missed the point”. However, the mayor has now reported that following discussions between Dorset Council and Devon County Council highways officers, this issue has been resolved and the signs have now been approved. As a main A-road, permission for signs on the A35 has to come from Highways England, rather than local councils. Highways England has approved signs directing traffic straight on at the Hunters Lodge and ‘Corkscrew’ junctions on the A35, but not the sign for the turnoff into Lyme Regis at Charmouth roundabout, which has sparked some concerns that drivers may accidentally continue towards Bridport. “Again, this seems equally daft and nonsensical,” said Mr Green. It is hoped this final issue can be resolved with further discussions to complete the full signage trail.

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COUNCIL SHORTS ■ LYME Regis Town Council has agreed to lobby Dorset Council for improved street lighting in Haye Lane. The decision was made after resident Wendy Matthews contacted the town council to express concerns over safety of pedestrians walking along the lane after dark. She said the stretch of road from the Haye Gardens shop up to the junction with Uplyme Road was particularly dangerous and she had had several “near misses” with herself. Councillors agreed that the narrow width of the road, coupled with blind bends, no pavement and poor lighting made for a dangerous situation. While street lighting is not in the town council’s remit, members agreed to lobby Dorset Council to change its current policy on street lighting and install an additional lamp. ■ WORK to resurface the flat roof area above the Amusement Arcade, Antiques & Craft Centre and SWIM on Marine Parade has got off to a better start than expected, councillors have been told. Essential resurfacing work to prevent water from leaking into the premises below got underway on January 13 and deputy town clerk Mark Green said there had been no major issues so far. Work to break out the existing ramp and steps on the roof area had gone smoothly as this had turned out to be a hollow structure, and some rear wall excavation had also been carried out. No major complaints had been received from tenants below. ■ KEEN environmentalist and Green Party member Rob Smith has been elected vicechairman of Lyme Regis Town Council’s Town Management & Highways Committee. Councillor Smith takes over the role from Jeff Scowen, who resigned from the town council in December to move to north Wales, and will most certainly be pushing for the council to achieve its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030. He will serve under chairman Councillor John Broom.

Friday, February 7 2020 3

Complaints made over late Regatta & Carnival night drinking and disruption donates £9,000 to LYME Regis Town Council is to raise complaints regarding anti-social behaviour and late-night drinking on the seafront with the police and licensing authority.

The issue was raised at last week’s Town Management & Highways Committee, after the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, received a letter of complaint from a resident of Marine Parade. The resident, who has remained anonymous, said: “The summer months have always had their fair share of revellers who spill into the streets, beach and public gardens and make enough noise to keep those nearby of all ages awake during the early hours of the morning. “The last two years have been exacerbated, possibly by late licence venues that at times have contributed to disturbance throughout the night, particularly at weekends. “This year has been worse than any other with noise pollution; at one point we had visitors staying in our property when we were away, who kept awake with items landing on the roof, as well as loud music throughout the evening and into the early hours of the morning. This alarmed them enough to contact the police, who duly responded and cleared the gardens. “We have ourselves been disturbed by very late night music and shouting especially in June, July and August and particularly on Friday and Saturday until sleep deprivation makes us dread the weekends and what it might bring.” The complainant added that broken bottles and silver gas canisters had been thrown over her property from the public gardens, and said bottles, cans and drug-related items could often been found in the gardens after disruptive nights.

FRANCESCA EVANS

local good causes

She added that she and her husband had previously lived in Bristol and were “used to city life and tolerant of youthful venture”, but said young people did not need the encouragement of a late night venue “taking advantage of them” by serving drinks until 3am. Some questioned whether the council should accept an anonymous letter, but Councillor Belinda Bawden argued it was acceptable in the circumstances, as she would fear intimidation and damage to her property if she had submitted a similar complaint with her name attached. The mayor said he had actually received several emails complaining of similar problems, and suggested writing to Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the licensing authority, which is Dorset Council, making them aware of the issues and requesting an increased police presence in town during the hours of complaint. “It’s unlikely we’ll get an increased police presence but we have to report the problems we’re having,” he added. Councillor Larcombe also suggested that the licensing approach in the town should be reviewed. Committee chairman John Broom commented: “It’s out of our remit but the only thing we can do is speak to Dorset Council and ask them to review the licenses, and that they consult with local councils when they give out licenses like this, because they don’t at the moment.” Councillor Belinda Bawden said she was very concerned about underage drinking and drug taking. “I think it’s awful and we can’t just stand by and do nothing when we know it’s happening,” she said.

FOLLOWING another successful year of events, Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee has donated more than £9,000 to local good causes. Committee secretary Alan Vian said: “We are delighted to be able to give so much money away to local organisations many of whom helped us with our events this year. We have a small team which organises three events each year, as well as Regatta & Carnival Week itself.” The committee is currently looking for new members to help plan events, and anyone interested is welcome to attend its annual general meeting at the Pine Hall of Lyme Regis Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 19 at 7pm. The committee would be pleased to hear views on its plans for 2020, either on the night or by emailing alan@alanvian.co.uk The local good causes who received donations this year were as follows: B Sharp, Lyme Regis/St George’s Twinning Association, Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support, Charmouth Guides, Charmouth Rainbows and Brownies, Charmouth Scouts, Charity Santa Sleigh, Get Together Club, Lyme Regis Gig Club, Hallett Court, Jazz Jurrasica Youth Project, Lyme Bay Radio, Lym Valley Scouts, LymeForward, Lyme Regis Christmas Lights, Lyme Regis Community Workshop, Lyme Regis Brownies, Lyme Regis Guides, Lyme Regis Majorettes, Lyme Regis Sailing Club, Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Regis Musical Theatre, Lyme Regis Pantomime Society, Lyme Regis Junior Park Run, Lyme Regis Power Boat Club, RNLI, St Michael’s Primary School, Lyme Regis Taekwondo Club, Uplyme Christmas Lights, Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club, Uplyme Village Hall, Woodroffe School.

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

Arrest made after man held against his will A MAN was arrested in Lyme Regis after reportedly assaulting another man and holding him against his will at a property in Pooles Court. A heavy police presence, including armed police officers, was seen in the area after being called to the incident at 1.42pm on Tuesday, February 4. It was reported that a man had been assaulted by another man known to him, and was held against his will at an address in Pooles Court. The man who committed the assault was reportedly in possession of a kitchen knife. Officers attended and a 26-year-old man from Sidmouth was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Following detailed enquiries by officers, the arrested man was subsequently released without charge.

Work begins to repair beach jetty WORK to repair a stone jetty at Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis started this week. Dorset Council has arranged for maintenance work to be carried out after the jetty was damaged by recent stormy weather conditions. A large excavator will be used and the work is expected to take around two weeks, although bad weather could cause delays. Photo by Daryl Turner

Former mayor and consort invited to royal garden party A FORMER Lyme Regis mayor and consort of Lyme Regis will attend a Royal Garden Party in recognition of their public service. Cllr Michaela Ellis and her husband Alan will be welcomed by The Queen to Buckingham Palace for the prestigious event in May. They will represent Lyme Regis and Dorset and will be honoured and rewarded 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 and Mr Ellis were nominated along with other chairmen and town mayors in Dorset and were selected along with representatives from High Stoy Parish Council. They will now be formally invited to a garden party on 12 May by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer of the Royal household. Cllr Ellis said: “I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience. I’m thrilled to have been chosen – I can’t quite believe it. “It will be an honour to represent Lyme Regis and Dorset at this very special event.” Having been nominated in the past and with only two couples being selected from the whole county each year, Cllr Ellis never expected to be lucky enough to be chosen. “I never thought I would be picked out,” she said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m feeling both excited and nervous.” 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. 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 con-

sumed at each garden party. Cllr and Mr Ellis can expect to watch The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the garden party accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, while the national anthem is played by a military band.

They will be able to stroll around the Palace gardens and if they’re lucky enough, they may be chosen at random to talk to The Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh as they mingle among the guests.

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Cherry trees to be planted for VE Day A ROW of ornamental cherry trees will be planted in the Anning Road playing field in Lyme Regis, as part of commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Town councillors agreed to go ahead with the planting, despite some reported concerns from neighbouring residents. Those living opposite thought the trees might block the clear view of the playing field, which currently helps to ensure children are safe and prevents anti-social behaviour. The majority of councillors did not feel the tree planting would cause significant issues.

Friday, February 7 2020 5

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FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE

Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community Lyme given a winter spruce up

Young Carer Awareness Day promoted in schools CARER Support Dorset attended both the Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport and the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis to promote Young Carer Awareness Day 2020. According to Carers Trust, recent research has estimated that one in five secondary school pupils may be classed as young carers. Often children can be caring for relative or a friend who has an illness, disability or addiction problems and they may help with cooking, cleaning, collecting prescriptions or getting someone dressed. Support for young carers is available at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

RNLI looking for new lifeguards this summer THE RNLI is currently taking on lifeguards to join their teams on some of the Dorset and East Devon’s busiest beaches. This is a great option for young people starting their career. However, the charity is also keen to encourage applications from those looking to diversify or who need to work around other commitments. For details visit rnli.org/BeALifeguard

LYME Regis has been given a facelift in recent months. After weeks of construction work and road closures, the town is finally starting to emerge from the scaffolding that has encased it over the winter season. As I walked down Broad Street this week, at least three local businesses were sprucing up their shop frontages as they prepare for the coming season, the road works were nearing an end and we’ve been given the first glimpse of what the new Rock Point Inn will look like when it opens its doors in March, with a blue colour scheme and hand-painted signage set to make a striking addition to the high street (see page 9). Having ditched its familiar pebble dash, our new-look tower at St Michael’s Parish Church has finally been revealed, and the Guildhall has also been given a stripped-back look with white paint removed from the stonework so it can now be admired as was originally intended (see page 6). Essential resurfacing work on the flat roof above the Amusement Arcade, Antiques & Craft Centre and SWIM has got off to a “better than expected” start, councillors were told last week (page 3). And even our beaches have undergone repair and replenishment having taken a battering in this

winter’s storms - although I’m not sure we’re quite over the worst of that as we await Storm Ciara this weekend. After all the disruption over winter, traders will be keen to get those tills ringing during the upcoming half term break, and they’ll be given a boost by the Totally Locally Fiver Fest campaign, promoting the ‘shop local’ ethos. The campaign will see independent shops, cafés and other businesses up and down the country promoting £5 special offers from February 15 to 29, with more than 20 already signed up to take part in Lyme Regis thanks to local organiser Belinda Bawden. Some of the offers are listed on page 2 but keep an eye out for full announcements and a map showing businesses that are taking part. So as Lyme emerges from its winter hibernation, why not take this chance to explore your local high street - you might be surprised at what you can find!

Francesca Evans, Editor

NE W LOOK

Axminster Carpets seeks rescue deal THE historic Axminster Carpets is hoping to avoid collapse for the second time in seven years. The 265-year-old company, known for supplying high quality carpets to Buckingham Palace and all Wetherspoon pubs, is currently in talks with potential buyers, having filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on Wednesday.

Holocaust Memorial Day marked by local MP WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder was among those to sign the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment at Westminster. This year marks 75 years since the liberation of the concentration camps of Europe and the end of the Second World War. On the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on Monday, January 27, people from across the globe came together remember those lost in the atrocities under the theme ‘Stand Together’.

Lyme beer festival returns FOR several years the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis hosted an annual beer festival and now the community event is returning, thanks to a new partnership between the venue and Lyme Regis Brewery. Event organisers have made the announcement that the festival will return bigger than ever, with a promise of a hearty celebration of more than 20 beers and 20 live acts across the Easter weekend. Lyme Regis Brewery is gathering craft beers and ale from around the region, with a focus on showcasing local drinks now on offer in Dorset, Devon and Somerset. The festival is celebrating local musical talent, with Town of Cats, Fromage En Feu, La Juega and Palooka 5, Raisin’ Cain, Lyme Morris and B Sharp on the bill.

LYME RE G I S

Lyme Regis Pantomime Society presents

19th - 22nd February

Nightly 7.30pm and Saturday Matinee 2.30pm Tickets in advance from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre

Fitness that’s ‘Strictly’ Fun Fun, Fab, Dance Based Fitness Join Sarah on Tuesday mornings from 10-11am - 1st session free Call 07788 946 427 for more information

Other regular events include Ballet, Yoga, Pilates, Bingo and Town Band Rehearsals

To book the Woodmead Halls telephone Michaela Ellis on 07856 630975 Follow us on Twitter @WoodmeadHalls and Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodmeadhalls

6 Friday, February 7 2020

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

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Generosity comes at a price W

HEN it comes to financial support for local organisations, there can be no denying that Lyme Regis Town Council is the most generous of all the towns and parishes authorities in Dorset.

But that generosity comes at a price - because it’s impossible to please all. Numerous occasions we have been told that Lyme is a rich council. Former deputy mayor Jeff Scowen was often quoted as saying “we can afford it, we are a rich council”. But the days of milk and honey may well be over, as made perfectly clear by the Mayor, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, at this week’s grants allocation meeting when a total of about £340,00 was sanctioned over the next five years, £60,000 in the 2020-2021 financial year. Giving away money should be a joyous occasion - but that has never been the case at the town council’s grants meetings. In past years they have degenerated into slanging matches between councillors who, understandably, have their own favourite charities, and unacceptable boorish behaviour. The council has always struggled to come up with the fairest way to allocate money and settled for a system of minor, medium and major grants. But this year that was scrapped for a new system of having two pots of money - community grants of up to £1,000 (£20,000 in all) and term grants for between £1,000 and £30,000 up to five years (£60,000 in total per year) - has been introduced. So on Tuesday night the term grants were on offer but with requests totalling £167,292 for the first year alone. No other town or parish council gives away that amount of money, even in Weymouth where there is a population of 71,000. How is it possible for such a small town as Lyme to be so generous? To answer that question, I will have to take you back to 1974 when local government was reorganised, doing away with the old borough council and the formation of West Dorset District Council with local matters being allocated to the new Lyme Regis Town Council. Lyme ended up being able to keep many of its

amenities not envisaged by the Local Government Act, due mainly to the efforts of the then town clerk Harry Williams sacrificing his local government career to make sure the town retained some of its more lucrative assets. Initially, the town council struggled financially and there was an uneasy relationship with the district council for the whole of its lifespan. The district council is, of course, no more with Dorset having a new unitary authority. Lyme kept the lucrative Monmouth Beach car park but leased it to WDDC for 25 years. At the end of the lease the town council took back the running of the beachside park and this has helped to swell the council’s coffers along with the other amenities in their ownership, which would have been gobbled up by WDDC had it not been for Harry Williams’ negotiation skills and dedication to Lyme. It was this boost in car parking revenue that has enabled Lyme Regis Town Council to generate such funds to be able to give away so much to community groups and charities. But those days are drawing to a close and de-

spite having cash assets of £1.3million, the council is facing a number of costly essential projects, including the resurfacing of the flay roof above the Amusement Arcade and SWIM, which could wipe out a big chunk of that amount. Before Tuesday’s meeting it had been agreed to reduce the amount allocated this year from £130,000 to £80,000 but the demand was just as high. The meeting did not descend to the level of past grant debates but it was the most lively of the new council with one councillor shouting out: “Stop arguing, this is ridiculous.” Some thought the cuts to be “brutal”. The full debate is reported on pages 1 and 7 in which it was stated several times that the council cannot afford to support all applications. Those days are over. The biggest beneficiary on the night was the Marine Theatre, allocated £22,000 for the next five years, a reduction of £8,000 a year which is likely to impact heavily on the theatre’s financial viability as it’s already in a loss-making situation. Some councillors were in favour of reducing

the Marine’s grant even further but the mayor pointed out that no regional theatre could exist without such help and reducing the sum would probably be “signing a death warrant” for the Marine. The council is always likely to support community groups such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Axe Valley Ring & Ride, The Hub and LymeForward, but great disappointment has been expressed, particularly on social media, that organisations such as the majorettes and bowling club, have not been successful. It is probable that such groups will not be able to rely in future years on any significant financial support from the town council. Whilst that is disappointing, from the council’s point of view it will put an end to the abuse that some councillors are currently experiencing with residents voicing their opinion strongly that the council should be giving more support to these local groups. We should be celebrating the fact that the council is able to give away such a large amount of money. But yet again, it’s tinged with rancour and controversy.

Guildhall as we’ve never seen it before TWO of Lyme’s most iconic buildings are sporting new facades - and winning a great deal of admiring glances. Surely the most recognisable building in Lyme, the Guildhall, built in 1887, has been stripped of the white paint that surrounded the windows and entrance, exposing the stonework that townspeople have probably never seen. The work has been carried out by the town council’s own outside staff. Also, the scaffolding is finally coming down at St Michael’s Parish Church, revealing its smart new tower with repairs having been carried out and the removal of the ugly pebble dash. The bells were rung last week in celebration for the first time for several months and the church clock will soon be ticking again.

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THE new-look tower is unveiled at St Michael’s Parish Church, doing away with the ugly pebble dash rendering

THE Guildhall with the stonework of the turret exposed for the first time for many years, work carried out by the town council’s own staff

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Councillors clash over grants system FEARS ‘THERE WILL BE BACKLASH’ AS LOCAL GRANT BUDGET CUT ■ CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE Town clerk John Wright said that in previous discussions regarding the new grants policy, there had been two major themes which members were asked to bear in mind during their deliberations. These were that councillors wanted to support functions and services which were important to the community and its well-being, and organisations which showed an effort to raise money in their own right. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, added that it was also important to consider the “criticality” of the grant and what it meant to the organisation in receipt. Councillor Richard Doney, who initially put forward the change to the grants system, said that the term grants were intended to offer long-term revenue support to organisations that relied on it, so he questioned why several applications were for one-off events or capital projects. Michaela Councillor Ellis said these organisations had to apply for term grants because the new community grants were only for a maximum of £1,000. Councillor Cheryl Reynolds added: “It seems odd to me that if someone wants, say £6,000, but only for one year, they can do nothing else other than apply for the term grant, because the community grants are only up to £1,000. I can’t see where else these people could have gone.” Councillor Larcombe said that they would try to make the allocations “as fair as possible with the limited means we have”, pointing out that the total requested was far more than the council had given out in previous years, let alone its newly-reduced budget. He added that Lyme Regis Town Council still gave away more in grant funding than any other town or parish council in Dorset. Members went through the list of 18 applications to consider which ones they wanted to support and which ones should be cut, with some describing the process as “brutal”. Most of those cut from the list were organisations that had requested a smaller amount for one year only, rather than long-term revenue funding over five years, as it was considered they did not meet the criteria of a term grant. It was suggested that some of these could instead apply for the community grants, which will be considered in April, but Councillor Ellis argued this was unfair because they could then only apply for up to £1,000. “These people have got to come to this pot because we have reduced the total of the other pot,” she said. “When we had three levels [minor, medium and major] they had a place to go but now we have cut that out. “If we cut all these organisations out we are really going to be slated. We’ve told them this is

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where they have to come and now we’re saying they’re not suitable for a term grant and they have to apply for a smaller grant.” Councillor Larcombe said that councillors could still vote in favour of those who had requested smaller, one-off sums if they felt their applications were valid, but they would have to be conscious that they were “doing so at the expense of others”. “We cannot accommodate these kinds of figures from everyone,” he added. “The previous grants total of £130,000 was excessive by any comparator and we cannot live in that environment anymore.” Councillor Reynolds commented: “Well this isn’t working either.” Councillor Doney said: “I know this is hard and we are struggling, we just do not have the money to help everyone and it hurts but we need to keep on pushing through. We can’t just keep going back and changing our policy, we’ve made our bed and now we lie in it.” Councillor Ellis continued: “This first year is going to be absolutely hell to get this money down to budget, and if we’re saying the only way we can do that is by not giving these people [those that had applied for one year of funding] the money it’s unfair.” The meeting became more frustrated as members struggled to see eyeto-eye about which organisations to cut from the list. Councillor Reynolds said it was “impossible” to cut the £167,292 requested down to the £60,000 budget. Councillor Kelsey Ellis replied: “At the end of the day we’ve got a system we’re working with. We can’t now go back months of discussions and say ‘hang on a minute, this isn’t working’. We have got to make it work, we have no choice.” Councillor Michaela Ellis continued to clash with Councillor Larcombe, maintaining that the new system was unfair on organisations that had requested just one year of funding. Councillor Larcombe commented: “You’re going to have to think about this a bit harder, Michaela.” Councillor Ellis replied: “I am thinking about it harder, I’m thinking about all the organisations we have told can apply tonight and now we’re saying they have to apply for a smaller grant and they can only have up to £1,000.” Councillor Larcombe: “No, no, no. This is the last time I’ll explain it Michaela…” Councillor Ellis: “I do not need you to explain it, Brian, I fully understand what you’re saying.” Councillor Larcombe: “The statement you have made is incorrect, we have not said that they have to go into community grants. What we said is that it feels more appropriate for that kind of grant and they’re welcome to apply, we haven’t said they must. “What we can see from tonight’s long list of ap-

We just do not have the money to help everyone and it hurts, but we need to keep on pushing through.” Cllr Richard Doney

LymeOnline Letters Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk ■ I WAS appalled to learn of the way our council-taxpayers' money has been allocated in this year's grants, by those we elected to represent us. Once again the Marine Theatre has drained a huge sum from our coffers and the museum has also benefitted, in spite of falling visitor numbers last year. Both these ventures are aimed at a certain level of society. Indeed the museum's visitors are largely from out of town. How many locals go to look at its fossils or literary memorabilia? So our money has been given to boost the museum's visitors. But my main objection is the lack of fairness in the funding allocation. Why should these institutions get so much money, and other - far

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more deserving organisations - get none at all? Chief among my concerns here are the majorettes. Those girls and their mothers put many hours of work into their training, and fundraising. It is a great activity, and they represent the town at events all over Devon, Somerset and Dorset. They also go out in all weathers, as witnessed by their performance at the turning on of the town's Christmas lights only a couple of months ago. They asked for a very modest £5,000 - but got nothing. Who are these people on our council who give local people nothing, but fund the museum so it can benefit from more out-of-towners? They should be ashamed of themselves. Jill Newton Sidmouth Road, Lyme Regis

See more LymeOnline letters on page 18 The views expressed in letters are those of the author and not necessarily of this newspaper

THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, and Councillor Michaela Ellis failed to see eyeto-eye at the grants allocation meeting plications is that we cannot afford all of them, it’s as simple as that.” After two hours off debate, final figures were agreed for seven successful organisations. The biggest beneficiary of the night was the Marine Theatre, although this still saw a significant blow to its annual funding, cut from £30,000 a year to £22,000 up until 2025. Some members had wanted to see the theatre’s funding reduced over five years to £15,000 in 2025, but the mayor argued they would be “signing a death warrant”, as the Marine is reliant on the council’s funding. He added that no provincial theatre made a profit. Other annual grants awarded up until 2025 were £10,000 for LymeForward, £10,000 for The Hub, £5,000 for B Sharp, £4,500 for Bridport & District CAB, and £1,500 for Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring & Ride. Members were unanimous in their support for these groups, as they felt they benefited those most in need in the community, although LymeForward and The Hub were the only organisations to receive the full total they requested. Lyme Regis Museum will also receive £7,000 a year but only until 2023, as per its application. Applications from the following organisations were rejected (the amount re-

quested given in brackets): Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support (£3,000), Lyme Folk Weekend (£2,000), Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (£6,000), Lyme Regis Musical Theatre (£3,500), Guitars On The Beach (£6,000), Lyme Regis Bowling Club (£2,000), Lyme Regis Gig Club (£10,000), Lyme Regis Majorettes (£5,000), St Michael & St George Roman Catholic Church (£30,000), Town Mill (£15,000), Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club (£5,000). With the exception of Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support, these applications were all for one-off events or capital projects, which members felt did not meet the criteria of the term grants. They rejected Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support’s application, as the council had already granted it £5,000 from the ‘Ammonite’ film funding pot, and members said there were a lot of other health charities in the area that also needed support. Councillors did not support the £30,000 application to repair the roof at St Michael & St George Roman Catholic Church, despite awarding £40,000 for the refurbishment of the tower at St Michael’s Parish Church last year. Councillor Larcombe said comparisons should not be made between the two, as the grant for the parish church had been made to support a Grade I listed building that was in grave risk of severe damage. He emphasised that this was not related to religious affiliation. As the meeting was closing, the mayor congratulated members on getting through a difficult debate and said that when they woke up the next morning their decisions “would look entirely sensible”. But arguments continued with Councillor Michaela Ellis commenting: “To me, I think we’re going to get a lot of backlash because all those that asked for a one-year grant have been cut.” Councillor Larcombe replied: “Whichever way we cut it we could not afford them all.” Drawing the matter to a close, Councillor Kelsey Ellis said: “We have agreed as a council what we’re doing, that is the council’s view and it’s done.”

newsfromwestminster

A monthly column by West Dorset MP Chris Loder

I’M really pleased to be writing my first ever monthly column for LymeOnline as your MP. I must admit, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind since December but I feel that, after just seven weeks, I am starting to make real headway in Westminster on your behalf. On transport, I have launched an APPG (All Party Political Group) for the South Western Railway area. I have also been appointed to the Transport Select Committee, with a key responsibility for holding government to account on transport strategy. I will be pushing for better connections for Lyme Regis and our surrounding towns and villages – in particular addressing the issue of bus connectivity from Lyme to Exeter at Axminster Station. On Monday in the House of Commons I had the honour of delivering my maiden speech during the Second Reading of the Agriculture Bill. Although I had just seven minutes to talk about what is so special about West Dorset, along with the challenges we face, I did manage a mention for our famous Dorset Knobs and of course Felicity’s Farm Shop! I also highlighted our local farmers and explained why I believe we need to be more grateful to them for their stewardship of our

environment. Given the tourism value of Lyme Regis I am concerned about plans to close the town’s Tourist Information Centre and am currently looking into that situation. It was an opportunity also to speak about my own family, who have farmed in West Dorset for nearly a century. I shared with the House how my grandmother met my grandfather when she was with the Women’s Land Army, coming to work at our farm during the Second World War; part of the concerted effort to feed the nation during wartime. I believe the Agriculture Bill is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that will transform our farming sector and that’s why I was delighted to support it in Parliament. You can read my speech in full or watch the recording at www.chrisloder.co.uk/maiden-speech Another milestone was on February 5 when I introduced my Private Members’ Bill in the House of Commons. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill - inspired partly by my own dog Poppy - makes provision for the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to be increased from six months to up to five years and is an important piece of legislation for anybody who cares about the welfare of animals.

Visit www.chrisloder.co.uk for links to my social media channels and news, or email hello@chrisloder.co.uk if you are interested in a face-to-face meeting at one of my surgeries

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Family pay tribute to victim of fatal collision THE family of a man who sadly died following a collision in Charmouth has issued a tribute. Dorset Police was called at 7.11pm on Thursday, January 23 to reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a car at the junction of The Street and Lower Sea Lane. It was reported that the driver of the car failed to stop at the scene. Sadly the pedestrian – a 90-yearold local man who has now been named by his family as Peter Bide – died at the scene. A local man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue. Peter’s family said in a statement: “Peter was a much-loved dad, grandad and great grandad and we will all greatly miss his reassuring and loving presence. He was happily married to Katharine for 54 years until her death in 2006, and they had three children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. “Born in London, his sense of adventure led him to teach in Yorkshire and Canada before settling in Charmouth 60 years ago. Having

survived the blitz as a child, he joined the scouts and developed a lifelong interest in camping and all things outdoors, which he shared with his family. “Peter had a wry sense of humour which never deserted him and he would make light of the indignities and frailty of old age. He was unswervingly optimistic and never complained about setbacks he encountered. Adept at finding contentment in daily life, he took great pleasure in reading and various creative hobbies, even taking to the stage in his younger years.” Officers from the traffic unit are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision and are appealing for any vehicles or pedestrians who were in the area and witnessed the incident to contact them. They are also keen to hear from anyone who may have captured the collision on dashcam. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 23:346. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Uplyme will soon be welcoming family from Syria after fundraising success UPLYME Community Sponsorship (UCS) is the local charity devoted to resettling a family from Syria in the local area. After a year of successful fundraising events, they will be holding a public meeting at the Uplyme Village Hall on Friday, February 28 from 6pm to 8pm to update the community on the group’s progress so far, and to let people know what will happen next. Thanks to the members of the public who have supported events and donated so generously, UCS has already raised more than £11,000, identified a suitable private house for the family to rent in Uplyme and submitted their application to the Home Office following approval by Dorset Council and East Devon District Council. So, in a few months Uplyme will be welcoming the family from Syria. All are welcome at the public meeting, whether they want to help with a one-off activity, make a more regular commitment or just want to stay informed about UCS’s progress. UCS needs more willing volunteers to help

with practical tasks both before and after the arrival of the family. For example, getting the house ready, accompanying family members to the shops, familiarising them with the area, helping with English conversation or providing transport. Donations to furnish and equip the house will also be welcomed. Many local people expressed an interest in some of these tasks at UCS’s earlier meetings and UCS would now like to take this a step further and organise a list of volunteers assigned to different tasks. The periods before the family arrive and in the early months following their arrival will be the most intensive. However, UCS stress that they are not here to ‘look after’ the family but to enable and empower them to manage independently so the degree of support needed will gradually ease off. Those who can't get to the meeting but are interested in being involved in any way or who want more information can contact UCS at uplymecommunitysponsorship@gmail.com

If you have a story for LymeOnline call editor Francesca Evans on 01297 442781 or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

CHILDREN from Uplyme Pre-School were excited to take a bus trip to Lyme Regis and back last week. The trip was held as part of this term’s transport theme and for most was a new experience as they had never been on a bus before. On arriving at Lyme Regis, the children walked through Langmoor Gardens to the shelters where they enjoyed their snacks, before walking along the seafront and watching the swimmers and boats in the rough sea. They then strolled back through the gardens to catch the bus back to Uplyme Village Hall. The pre-school would like to thank the First drivers and passengers for their patience and kindness.

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Brewery reveals new-look for Rock Point Inn ST Austell Brewery has unveiled its vision for the Rock Point Inn in Lyme Regis. The Cornwall-based brewery confirmed it had purchased the Rock Point in November 2018 and work on a complete refurbishment got underway last year. It was St Austell’s first acquisition in Dorset. The renovations will bring together the pub and adjoining former fish and chip shop and kebab takeaway as one building, including a bar, dining area, new kitchen in the basement, guest bedrooms on the upper floors and outside seating areas. An artist’s impression of how the prominent building will look from the outside have now been revealed, favouring a blue colour scheme over the current black and white frontage. Steve Worrall, retail director of St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re due to reopen the Rock Point before Easter – sensitive restoration work on the pub is still underway. We’ve recently appointed a manager – David Putt – and we’re also recruiting bar staff, who will go through training in the next couple of weeks. “We look forward to welcoming Lyme Regis residents, and visitors to Rock Point very soon.

AN artist’s impression of the new-look Rock Point Inn, expected to open in March under the ownership of Cornwallbased St Austell Brewery, shows a blue colour scheme with painted signage on the front and side of the prominent town centre building

An Introduction to Hawaiian Temple Healing and Magic Sunday, March 8th 10am - 4pm Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre, Chard Street EX13 5DZ

Join us for a laughter filled day exploring the magical healing techniques of Hawaii, and leave with a tool box of easy, fun and effective personal techniques for health, happiness and longevity. No experience necessary, just an open mind, and your hands, heart and breath. Facilitated by Medicine Woman and Shaman Claire Powell, places are limited and must be booked in advance.

For more information email info@nemetona.online or call Claire on 07939 935 749 Cost £60 / £40 concessions

10 Friday, February 7 2020

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Former Lyme Rotarian receives Paul Harris Fellowship THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis is delighted to announce that former member Mark Tredwin has been made a Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris was one of the founders of the Rotary movement and this prestigious fellowship is bestowed on people whom Rotary believes have made an outstanding contribution to the Rotary movement or to the community they serve. Mr Tredwin, a former deputy town clerk of Lyme Regis and current town clerk of Honiton, was described as having done outstanding work of his own initiative to raise awareness of the global campaign, pioneered and supported throughout the past 35 years by Rotary, to eradicate polio from the world. Several years ago he purchased a Caterham racing car and embarked on

an amateur career on the track, cleverly using his exposure in the sport to promote the Polio Awareness initiative under the banner Purple4Polio. Over the next few years Mark persuaded other drivers in the Caterham racing circuit to join him in promoting this cause, and in one subsequent race all three podium placed drivers carried the Purple4Polio banner on their cars. It wasn’t just about creating awareness of the polio eradication campaign, he also raised significant funds of more than £6,000, much coming from challenges he issued to fellow drivers and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which contributed $2 for every $1 raised through Rotary. Mr Tredwin has also attended various Rotary events to promote the cause, including in Cardiff and Lon-

don, recently taking part in the London New Year’s Day Parade while proudly displaying the Purple4Polio logo. Polio is a dreadful disease for which there is no known cure, yet it is preventable by sustained vaccination. It attacks mainly children under 5, resulting in death or a lifetime of disability. The Rotary led vaccination program has resulted in a 99.8 per cent reduction in known cases globally but the campaign must go on to eradicate in fully, otherwise this disease will return with devastating effect. A spokesperson for Rotary said: “Mark has shown great resilience and drive in getting this done and for this reason we are proud to award him, on behalf of Rotary International, a Paul Harris Fellowship.”

Mark Tredwin is presented with his Paul Harris Fellowship by Michael Fernando, District Governor Nominee for Rotary District 1200

Rotary’s annual lunch raises funds for Water Survival Box THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis held its annual soup and ploughman’s lunch at the Alexandra Hotel on Monday. The event was held to raise funds for the charity Water Survival Box, launched in 2006 by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge following the devastating 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The charity now sends its boxes to those in need following natural disasters or conflict all across the world. They contain many essential survival items, including cooking pots and utensils, health and hygiene items, basic shelter and simple tools, but most importantly a pump and filter that can be used to purify dirty water to clean and safe drinking water.

A SPECIAL CELEBRATION

To book call 01297 442299 harbourinnlymeregis.co.uk Harbour Inn Valentine’s Evening Friday 14 February

To Start Asparagus Soup - Finished with white truffle oil croutons and asparagus flakes Seared Lyme Bay Scallops - Sugar snap and spring onion katsu Carpaccio of Local Venison - Sea salt and spice rub, blackcurrant, ginger salsa KF Cod - Southern Fried Cod and tartar slaw Main Course Devonshire Fillet Steak Rossini Fois Gras crouton, truffle, mushroom gravy and hand-cut chips Parma Ham Wrapped Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Gruyere cheese and served on a roasted new potato and vegetable salad with our own Caesar dressing Medallion of Cornish Monkfish Lobster, potato gratin. Harbour Inn Thermidore Sauce Pan Roasted Fillet of Local Hake Root vegetable fagliatelle, Fowey mussel cream sauce with leeks and Pernod Desserts Cherry Meringue - Kirsch sauce Dark Chocolate Roulade - Fresh raspberry and raspberry sorbet Sticky Toffee Pudding - Toffee sauce and clotted cream Selection of West Country Cheese and Biscuits £30 inclusive

Both the dining room and orangery at the Alexandra Hotel were packed with supporters at Monday’s lunch, with special guests including the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, and mayoress Wendy Larcombe. Following their two-course soup and ploughman’s lunch, guests took part in a quiz about Water Survival Box to help them learn more about the charity, as well as a raffle to boost funds. The final total raised has not yet been announced. Members of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis would like to thank staff from the Alexandra Hotel for their generosity in hosting the event, and all those who attended.

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NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE CITIZENS Advice is campaigning to ensure that consumers are properly protected as the UK tackles climate change and moves towards becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It has warned that the government risks fatally undermining the country’s ability to achieve this target unless it puts the public at the heart of the process. A survey carried out by Citizens Advice showed that more than 80 per cent of people supported the objective of becoming carbon neutral over the next 30 years, but the majority were worried about the costs and inconvenience of making the changes and did not fully understand what would be involved. Only just over a third of those surveyed were aware of the need to change the way their home is heated. The Committee on Climate Change believes 90 per cent of homes will need to install low-carbon heating systems for the UK to meet its net-zero goal by 2050. Also less than half of UK adults realised they will have to switch to an electric car. Citizens Advice found that this minority is largely willing to take the steps needed to replace their heating system or change their car to ensure the UK meets its climate change target but, even among this group, most will need help and financial support in order to be able to make the changes. It says that without public understanding of why these changes were needed, support making those decisions and help when things go wrong, public faith and trust in the process will be undermined and this could make achieving the targets impossible. The UK’s decision to legislate for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 means, according to Citizens Advice, that 29 million homes will need their heating system replaced with lowcarbon alternatives which they say will be a huge challenge for a large number of householders. In addition major upgrades to the national energy infrastructure will be required so that by 2040 all new vehicles will have the capa-

bility for zero emissions. New technologies in people’s homes like smart thermostats, electric car chargers and home battery storage will become widespread - changing the way we all use energy. Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “The public overwhelmingly backs the net-zero target. But if people don’t understand what changes will be needed to get there and the process is complex and confusing, public support could quickly fall away. “We saw with the smart meter rollout how multiple problems eroded public trust in an important technology. Government can’t allow the same to happen again.” To ensure that the public are properly protected while the UK tackles climate change, Citizens Advice is calling on the government to introduce a heat policy roadmap which includes specific consumer protections and a programme of support to help customers adopt low-carbon heating systems. Citizens Advice holds two sessions each week in Lyme Regis, on Mondays between 10am and 12noon at the medical centre in Uplyme Road (DT7 3LS) and on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm at St Michael’s Business Centre (DT7 3DB). The help that is offered is always free, confidential and impartial and no appointment is required. Anyone who is seeking help from Citizens Advice can also visit its offices in South Street, Bridport (DT6 3NY) every weekday between 10am and 3pm. Alternatively they can contact Citizens Advice by email on advice@bridport-cab.org.uk or by telephone on 03444 111 444, which gets them through to the Dorset AdviceLine. People having problems with Universal Credit can contact Citizens Advice on a national freephone number which is 0800 144 8444 and the webchat support service is available through its website.

Awards for Poppy Appeal organisers

LYME Regis Poppy Appeal organiser Jacqui Ward (right) is presented with one of her awards by Dorset County President Commodore Richard Brooks, with Charmouth Poppy Appeal organiser Judith Howells (left) LYME Regis Poppy Appeal organiser Jacqui Chairman of the Lyme Regis branch of the Ward has been recognised with two awards Royal British Legion, Ian Marshall, said: “Of from the Royal British Legion. course we must give a massive thank you to Representing the Lyme Regis branch of the all of our supporters and the general public Royal British Legion at the organisation’s for donating to the Poppy Appeal over the county annual general meeting in January, years. Mrs Ward was presented with a one-year “And we hope that you will be able to take award for the Poppy Appeal for the second year running, as well as a five-year award for part in the various events that Lyme Regis Town Council are promoting to celebrate the a medium-sized branch. Charmouth’s Poppy Appeal organiser Judith ending of the Second World War in Europe Howell also picked up an award. and Japan which occurred 75 years ago.”

Mond da ay y 23rd March 7pm _________________________ Cobb-smoked mackerel pate with pickled sea aw weed Mug of Portland and crab soup with Tarquin’s Pastis Lym me Bay mackerel ceviche Whole e cock crab and mayonnaise Temperley mess

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Food Rocks’ e ev ver-p er popular crab and mackerel e e supper club comes to HIX Oyster & Fish House for one night only

hixrrestaurants.co.uk | @hixrestaurants aurants HIX Oyster & Fish House, Cobb Rd, L Lyme yme e Regis DT7 3JP 01297 446910

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Friday, February 7 2020 13

FAIRFIELD House in Lyme Regis celebrated the diamond wedding anniversary of residents Brenda and Alan Hill last week. Brenda and Alan first met as teenagers in Redcatch Park, Bristol, and said it was “love at first sight”. They were married 60 years ago at St Barnabas and lived in Withywood and Whitchurch, Bristol, where Brenda worked in admin at a printing company and later sold advertising for Tradeit, and Alan worked as a fireman on the railway and was a doubleglazing fitter. They retired to Charmouth, where they became a big part of the local community, Brenda in particular enjoying her gardening. The couple have three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They said the secret to a long and happy marriage was simply talking to each other and going through the ups and downs together.

LYME Regis Library has launched a weekly LEGO Club, where children can enjoy being creative while making new friends. At the last session the children created a model of Lyme Regis, which included the Marine Theatre with library manager and local performer Lorraine Knowles on the stage, St Michael’s Primary School, St Michael’s Parish Church, the Cobb and the seafront gardens. LEGO Club will be held at the library every Friday from 3.30pm and is suitable for children up to the age of 11 years. For more details on this and other regular events at the library, visit the Lyme Regis Library Facebook page or call 01297 443151.

Diamond wedding anniversary Children make model of Lyme celebrations at Fairfield House Regis at library’s LEGO Club

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

What’s on

Friday, February 7

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome. Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Saturday, February 8

Music: Sam Lee Marine Theatre, 6.30pm The Mercury Prize nominated folk singer visits the Marine with his band as part of the tour for new album 'Old Wow’. Tickets £16 seated/£14 standing in advance or £19 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 9pm DJ Tomjuno and friends perform every Saturday night at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Sunday, February 9

Sunday Craft Market The Pilot Boat, 10am A weekly Sunday craft market at the Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis. Call 01297 443157 to book a stall. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 12noon DJ James Baker and friends perform a chilled out set every Sunday afternoon at SWIM on Marine Parade. Creative Writing Workshop Lyme Regis Museum, 2pm Creative writing workshops inspired by the museum’s collections, with poet Sarah Acton. Entry £5.95 - call 01297 443370. The Sunday Sessions Marine Theatre, 3pm This regular free entry event is the Marine Theatre’s dedicated time to promote quality live music. Enjoy local drinks and the best musicians in the bar overlooking the Cobb. If you’d like to play, just turn up! Sequence Dancing Charmouth Village Hall, 7.45pm Lyme Bay Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.

Tuesday, February 11

The Old School House Café & Clothes Swap, The Hub, 9am Community café run by LymeForward, open every Tuesday morning at The Hub in Church Street. This week will also include a clothes swap - bring a good quality, second-hand item of clothing and take something away with you! LRTC Planning Committee Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Talk: ‘Plastics: The Recycling Story’ Royal Lion Hotel, 7.15pm A meeting of Turn Lyme Green with talk by Mark Foxhall on the subject of recycling plastics. All welcome.

Thursday, February 13

Cinema: ‘Mrs Lowry and Son’ (PG) Marine Theatre, 6.30pm

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

Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall lead in this portrait of the artist L.S. Lowry. Tickets £6 in advance/£7 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for the winner plus £100 jackpot prize! Live Music @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Weekly live music night every Thursday at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Friday, February 14

U3A Social Morning Woodmead Halls, 10am Lyme Regis University of the Third Age (U3A) host a social morning with the opportunity to meet activity group leaders and sign up for groups. Refreshments available. Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome. Music: Simply Rered Marine Theatre, 6.30pm This world class seven-piece band recreates every slick groove and from Mick Hucknall’s remarkable global career. Tickets £18 in advance/£21 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start. Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Saturday, February 15

Screening: ‘Kinky Boots’ Marine Theatre, 6pm Kinky Boots The Musical, filmed live at the Adelphi Theatre is strutting onto the big screen! Tickets £11 in advance/£13.50 on the door/£5 for under 18s - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6pm for 7pm screening. Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 9pm DJ Tomjuno and friends perform every Saturday night at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Sunday, February 16

popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.

Monday, February 17

Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support Drop-In, Lyme Regis Football Club, 2pm Drop-in for those by affected by cancer and looking for support and advice. For details call 01297 279663.

Tuesday, February 18

The Old School House Café The Hub, 9am Community café run by LymeForward, open every Tuesday morning at The Hub in Church Street. Hot drinks, homemade cakes and toast available – just pay what you can, if you can.

Wednesday, February 19

Children Love Disco Marine Theatre, 2pm This is a half term special daytime party for parents and their children (0-10 years), with a real DJ - the kids enjoy themselves whilst adults socialise and have a drink. Tickets £3 for adults/£4 for children - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. LRTC Full Council Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

Thursday, February 20

Screening: ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ Marine Theatre, 6pm James McAvoy returns to the stage in an inventive new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, broadcast live to the Marine from the West End in London. Tickets £12 in advance/£1.50 on the door/£6 for under 18s - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6pm for 7pm screening. Cinema: ‘Downton Abbey’ (PG) St Andrew’s Community Hall, Charmouth, 7pm A big-screen adaptation of the hit television series starring Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith. Tickets £5.50 in advance, available from Morgans or Nisa in Charmouth, or £6.50 on the door. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm screening. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for the winner plus £100 jackpot prize! Live Music @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Weekly live music night every Thursday at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Friday, February 21

Lyme Bay Chorale leads celebrations for 10 years of Lyme’s Škrabl organ

Lyme Bay Chorale will give an extra concert this season to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the Škrabl organ at St Michael’s Parish Church in Lyme Regis. The three-manual, 50-rank organ was installed in 2010 after a widespread fundraising campaign. The choir is preparing a programme of music that puts the magnificent instrument in the spotlight, the centrepiece being Zoltan Kodaly’s 1966 work ‘Laudes Organi’ (‘In Praise of Organs’). They will also sing ‘Hear my Prayer’ and ‘Geistliche Lied’ by Mendelssohn, both accompanied by the organ, as well as ‘Nachtlied’ by Max Reger and ‘Esti Dal’ by Kodaly. Soprano Kate Barnes will sing two solo songs by Reger, and organist Alex Davies will play Toccata and Fugue (opus 59) by Reger and the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Organ Sonata no. 1 in F minor. The concert will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre, Penny Black Café or

on the door, and refreshments will be available. “It has been a privilege to play this great instrument over the last decade,” said Alex Davies, who is organist and director of music at St Michael’s as well as musical director of Lyme Bay Chorale. “The organ has brought significant benefits to the church and to the wider community, touching the lives of people from near and far who come to services, concerts and recitals.” The concert is being organised in partnership with the South Wessex Organ Society and will be conducted by Peter Lea-Cox, the society’s artistic director. On Sunday, February 16 at 11am there will also be a special Sung Eucharist at St Michael’s with an invited choir of local singers, directed by Matt Kingston. The Venerable Paul Taylor, Archdeacon Emeritus of Sherborne, will lead the service. Music will include excerpts from the Mass of St Thomas by David Thorne and ‘Messe Solenelle’ by Louis Vierne, plus the introit ‘I Will Sing with the Spirit’ by David Goodenough.

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

APPARENTLY I look pretty nimble, well according to Bridport Timber and Flooring, as I swung myself out of my office into the foyer to avoid stepping on the wet floor. Yes, we have at long last had the auditorium floor refurbished and with three hours drying time, I had to make sure I could get into and out of my office… albeit with the help of the door frame that I clung onto as I executed some nifty legwork. It did also mean our loos were out of bounds but thankfully I was allowed to use the facilities of the wonderful TIC so no need to practice bladder control along with my gymnastics. But it’s great to see the Marine floor looking like new, other than the scars left by the leaky roof; who can forget those days of two paddling pools being strategically placed to catch the drips as the rain leaked through the holey roof? But then it all added to that unique charm that is the Marine Theatre and that all of our visiting artists find so appealing; take our dressing rooms for instance. Who wouldn’t be bowled over by the quirkiness of dressing room number two with its wartime glamour including wonky walls, ancient plumbing and dodgy window frames. But no more! During our winter dark period, heroic theatre tech, Pete Hackett, arrived on his white steed, aka a blue Renault, hammer and drill in hand and transformed our VIP suite from shabby to chic. There are a few finishing touches to make… well OK, it needs new windows, a floor laying, new basin and decorating, but other than that the transformation is complete. Mind you, with the walls stripped back and the gaping holes round the windows exposed,

we’re reminded just how close to the sea and elements we are. The sound of the waves roaring into shore on a stormy day could be heard above the hum of the beer cooler and the force 10 gales that blew through our back passage was positively freezing! Talking of noise, I was glad to hear from one of the workmen, he of the four-hour drive home to north London, that the gas works were ahead of schedule and they finished over a week early. They swore blind it wasn’t they who cut through a mains cable cutting off the electricity to most of the town one afternoon. Luckily we didn’t have a show that night and I hung on until it was just too dark to see what I was doing. The torch on my iPhone just doesn’t cut it and I cannot deny being extra spooked as I walked round the building doing my end of the day theatre check. Anyway, with the new year in full swing, the brilliant Marine Players are starting to think about their next performance and will soon be in regular residence for their readings and rehearsals. It’s always fun to see how their productions move from page to stage. And it’s Valentine’s Day next week plus it’s a leap year, so I’m expecting to hear all about those romantic gestures; editor Francesca is hoping for an Eddie Hearn mug, I’ll be happy with roses, chocolates, dinner pour deux and some fizz. It might put pay to my nimbleness but I’m not planning to leap again, for a while anyway…

Sophia Moseley

Theatre manager

The Harbour Inn - celebrating 16 years in Lyme Regis!

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

Riverdance’s spectacular to be screened in Lyme

FILMED in the exact spot where it all began, Riverdance’s 25th anniversary gala performance will be streamed live to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis this March. Bringing Riverdance to the big screen for the first time, this anniversary special promises to immerse the audience into its music and dance. Fans will remember that 25 years ago, a seven-minute

Riverdance performance during the Eurovision interval engaged millions of people with Irish dance. Now, a quarter of a century later, composer Bill Whelan has recorded a soundtrack to this celebratory spectacular. Producer Moya Doherty, alongside director John McColgan, have re-imagined the family favourite with innovative lighting, projection, stage, and costume designs to cre-

ate a powerful reinvention. Riverdance is celebrated the world over for its Grammywinning music and the thrilling energy that the Irish and international dance emanate. Riverdance 25th anniversary show will be screen live on Sunday, March 8 at 7pm. Tickets cost £12 in advance, £14.50 on the door or £6 for under 18s. Call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com to book.

LYME RE REGIS, GISS, PUT YO YOUURR

Join us for food, craft beer and cocktails. Music kicks offf around 8.30pm

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

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

Campaigning comic Mark Thomas comes to Dorset THIS March, Mark Thomas brings his brand new comedy show to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. The show, which combines Thomas’ signature blend of storytelling, stand-up and mischief, examines a left-wing view of the state of the UK. In his hilarious attempt to discover how we ended up in today’s society, Thomas muddles through the myths, facts and figures of our national identities to ask how we have so much feeling for such a ‘hollow land’. Mark says: “Look, I have been doing this for 34 years. I have gone from stand-up to theatre

and half way back again. “It’s another slightly odd show, a sort of sweary, History Channel with laughs and creative mischief. If you’ve seen my shows before, this one is going to be a show in the vein of 100 Acts of Minor Dissent.” Heralded as a “sweary-history channel”, the show features an amalgamation of history, songs, gongs, wigs, unicorns and guns. Mark Thomas: 50 Things About Us will be held at the Marine Theatre on Wednesday March, March 11. Tickets cost £18.50 and are available by calling 0297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

It’s panto time... oh yes it is!

THE cast and crew members of Lyme Regis Pantomime’s Society’s ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’ pictured during rehearsals TICKETS are now available for Lyme Regis would be freed, so the Queen took away the Pantomime Society production of ‘Hickory key. Dickory Dock’ to be held this month. But the wicked Wizard steals the key, frees This will be the society’s 36th show since its the Imp, and seeks to destroy Fairyland by reformation in 1985 and, while not such a well using him to get the magic Jewel of Miracles. known story, it still has all the wonderful char- All is set for a terrific battle between the acters, fun, laughter and shenanigans of any goodies and baddies, with plenty of audience traditional pantomime. participation, dreadful jokes, bright lights, Written by Norman Robbins, this local pro- glitter and fabulous costumes in true panduction is being directed by Sarah Causley, tomime style. who is also leading the choreography along Any show would not be complete without with Amanda Rattenbury-Davies. the amazing backstage crew, the unsung heThe cast is made up of lots of new faces to roes, who again fall under the management the society, together with one or two of its of Terry Cozens. Ensuring sets are changed much-loved regulars, all supported by a fab- on time, furniture is exactly where it is supulous young and enthusiastic chorus. posed to be and the curtain is pulled at the Both at just 15 years of age, the society’s correct time is not an easy task, and normally Grace Knowles and Thomas Miller take up all done in complete darkness. Working the roles of Mary Foxtrot and David - the prinalongside Terry is the props lady, Jane Tapcipal girl and boy - for the first time, and what a great partnership they make, supported by pin, who manages to make, beg, borrow and Richard Shepherd as the wonderful Dame steel some fantastic props, the finishing touch to any show. Foxtrot. A team of helpers also come to the aid of The cast also welcomes newcomers Jon Doody as the Wizard and John Tassell as the society to ensure that front of house, box office, refreshments and raffles are run with King Neptune, as well as Jacob Denning, Izzy Carey and Josie Smith all treading the boards military precision, again a team of people that with the society for the first time. They are all make up the whole Pantomime package. The show will be held nightly at 7.30pm ably supported by some regular faces that audiences have grown to love over the years. from February 19 to 22 at the Woodmead Penniless Dame Foxtrot doesn't know her Halls, plus a matinee performance on the old grandfather clock is a magical posses- Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets are now on sale sion. Years ago the Fairy Queen locked into at Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre, it the wicked Black Imp who menaced Fairy- costing £10 for adults or £6 for 14s and land. If the clock ever struck one, the Imp under.

Friday, February 7 2020 17

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M AR I N E TH E ATR E L YM E RE GI S

CHILDREN LOVE DISCO WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY £3.00 adults / £4.00 childr en

L AID BL AK SATURDAY 7 MARCH £13.50 advance e / £16.00 on the door

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: CYRANO DE BERGERAC THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY Fr om £6.00

MARK THOMAS: 50 THINGS ABOUT US WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH £18.50

GEOFF NORCOTT: TAKING LIB L ERTIES SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY £14.50

RICHARD JO ONES SATURDAY 28 MARCH From £19.50

TICKETS: MARINETHEATRE.COM, LYME REGIS AND BRIDPORT TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES AND OVER THE PHONE ON 01297 4 42138. Booking fee may applyy.. 10% of f for members.

18 Friday, February 7 2020

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LymeOnline Letters

IN a new, monthly feature for LymeOnline, Lyme Regis Museum will be showcasing its wide variety of items and artefacts on display, starting this month with its collection of butterflies and moths. THE Victorian era was an age of collecting; also an age of enquiry. It was a time when many, often clergymen, collected butterflies and moths. How fortunate from a scientific viewpoint it was. It was an age of discovery, as well as an era of acquisition. Lyme Regis Museum has a three cases containing butterflies, some European, some Asian. For the curious, one case is on display with a few European and many Asian. Of the dozen or so European butterflies it appears they were collected in Belgium and France in the 1880s. There is a swallow tail and a scarce swallow tail. Those travelling in Europe will be familiar with both, the former still to be seen, just, in the fens of Norfolk - ours is distinct from the continental examples. There are two interesting specimens of the map butterfly found in northern Europe, exhibiting different forms - one for spring and one for summer. In the 1920s someone tried to establish a colony in the Forest of Dean but the experiment did not last more than a year or two. Then there is a specimen of the blackveined white which became extinct in Kent in the early twentieth century. Finally, there are specimens of two species of copper butterfly. Were these resident in Britain in the distant past? Take a look at some medieval paintings. Collecting butterflies and moths is frowned upon in some quarters today, but it has an important scientific role; so we must be thankful for the Victorians and their collecting zeal. Looking after collections of insects is not easy and calls for expertise, but for future

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

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Here’s to the next 50! ■ WE would like to congratulate LymeOnline and its team of contributors on the 50th edition of our local paper (January 24th), so excellently produced and now developing into other communication areas to keep us all so well informed on local matters . It is also a wonderful way you have a band of people who will deliver to us when we are unable to easily get out. On the very odd occasion when that has not been possible it is like being without some bit of one’s life and realising how detailed the content is for taking part in our community as

well as having all the news . The high quality of those of you who contribute is way beyond that of many papers who would consider themselves superior. The printed word is still an essential for many who live in Lyme. However, it is wonderful to have the use of the media and the new ventures are also much appreciated and used. Here’s to the 100th!

■ AN interesting and somewhat misleading and unsubstantiated response to my letter by Mr Orr featured in the last issue of LymeOnline (January 24th), with quite a lot of use of the words ‘majority’, ‘many’ and ‘hatred’. The author is quite correct when saying “owners clear up after their dogs”, evidenced by one of the previous letters (by Richard Hendrix) to the paper, which described how the owner of a dog washed its mess onto the beach where children were playing and putting pebbles in their mouths. Furthermore, bags of mess can be found slung into hedgerows and at a certain coastal

boat club in Lyme behind the picket fence. As for businesses, I would prefer not to be dining in the same vicinity as a ‘small pony‘ type dog. The dogs slobber and the mess is consequently mopped up with the drinking bowl contents, while other diners are doing what you do in a restaurant. Hygienic? Probably profitable for the business concerned. As for the author’s reference to ‘namby pamby’, perhaps ‘sticks and stones’ is appropriate. Over and out!

■ I APOLOGISE for this letter being so late after the event, but Christmas was busy and then I have been away for a few weeks. On Monday, December 23 I took my 10year-old grandson who has Asperger’s Syndrome for a walk on the beach in Seaton before coming to do my final bits of shopping in Tesco prior to Christmas. The store was extremely busy and when we came to pay there were very long queues at the checkouts – including the self service. As should be expected at that time of year! After about 20 minutes in the queue my grandson told me very quietly that he was getting stressed (he is learning to control panic attacks very well now). I had a little chat with him and then he said it was getting worse. I asked the lady in front of me if she would keep an eye on him while I found a Tesco em-

ployee. She called a supervisor and they very kindly offered to stay in the queue with my shopping while I took my grandson outside. They said they would send for me when I needed to pay. After about 15 minutes my grandson said he was fine and we went back inside. My shopping was being packed so I just had to pay. My grandson thanked the helper, as did I for her care and kindness. Unfortunately I didn’t take her name or the supervisor’s. They were such kind and considerate people, I really felt I ought to let you know about these two lovely ladies. It was such a relief for me and so thoughtful of them.

Audrey & Keith Vivian, Sidmouth Road, Lyme Regis

Dogs in restaurants: probably profitable but is it hygienic?

scientific enquiry they will prove invaluable. Lurking among many family possessions maybe there are cases or cabinets. It is important to safeguard these and generations inheriting a cabinet may not know what to do with them. Whilst museums lack space, nevertheless they can offer advice. So the curious can see a small butterfly display in the museum. Who knows, a youngster, as the writer, can be inspired by just being curious. Alan Kennard, Lyme Regis Museum trustee

J.F.D. (full name and address supplied)

Care and kindness shown in Tesco

Betty Wood, Lym Close, Lyme Regis

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

‘Night at the Museum’ to welcome potential volunteers Wednesday 12 February 4pm - 6pm

Tuesday, February 25th, 6.30pm Choice of two pizzas and a glass of wine for £15 All proceeds to Cancer Research UK Tickets must be booked in advance by calling Philip Evans on 07796 951 991

Have you ever wondered how our Museum runs? Come along for an evening of information, interest and local intrigue with some refreshments. Find out what volunteering here is all about. Discover ‘behind the scenes’ at the Museum and how you can join in, contribute, know the benefits and support our work. Sign up to volunteer and help welcome visitors to the Museum,

Contact Cara Jenkins: cjenkins@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Phone 01297 443370

Friday, February 7 2020 19

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Did you know

BREAKFAST

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Dorset hen eggs: scrambled or fried, traditional Dorset sausage, back bacon, vine cherry tomato, mushroom, hash browns, toast

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AMERICAN PANCAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8 Stack of three, berries, maple syrup

CROISSANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2.50 Jam or marmalade

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Choice of juice – Three eggs, three hash browns, three rashers of streaky bacon or stack of pancakes, two rashers of streaky bacon, maple syrup – Bottomless tea or coffee

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

20 Friday, February 7 2020

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

IT makes you feel it well worth following through with a planned idea for a photograph on the beach at Charmouth when you get a snap like this. The tide had to be just right, as well as a sunrise picking out the sea spray and highlighting the contours of the cliff, and not to mention a pair of riders, Milly and Charlotte, with their horses. The whole shoot started at 5.30am, the horses came up from Exmouth and to my surprise they walked across the footbridge over the River Char and down to the beach. My experience with the sea and horses goes back to the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery on holiday on the sands of North Devon and a Suffolk Punch stallion in the sea in Cornwall. On those previous encounters I knew that some horses love the sea and others are frightened to death by it. On this occasion they were a little nervous and avoided dipping their toes in the water but it was enough to get the picture I wanted.

Glitz and glamour of 1920s coming to the football club

THE Lyme Regis Society held its annual coffee morning in the old chapel adjoining the Alexandra Hotel this week. The historical chapel was an appropriate venue for the society, which aims to safeguard the architectural and natural beauty of the town. Members and supporters enjoyed tea, coffee and a selection of homemade cakes. The event also gave them the opportunity to read the society’s new Lyme Regis Building and Environmental Guide and make comments on the document. For more details about the Lyme Regis Society visit www.lymeregissociety.org.uk/

LYME Regis Football Club is planning to celebrate the start of the 2020s by going back a century for its first fundraiser of the year. The club will be hosting a Roaring 1920s Ball on Saturday, February 29 - Leap Day - and is inviting all to dress as fabulous flappers and Gatsby gangsters for what is being billed as ‘the party of the decade’. Organisers are planning to transform the Davey Fort clubhouse in Charmouth Road for the special event, which will include a speakeasy-theme cocktail bar, sumptuous buffet and live music and dancing with saxophonist Daniel Costin. Organiser Francesca Evans said: “Daniel performed at the club for a private party last year and had everyone on the dance floor within minutes. We were so impressed we had to invite him back for this special fundraising event and we can’t wait to celebrate the start of the new decade with his upbeat party tunes.”

The event will also include a luxury raffle and prizes for the best dressed, although costume is optional. Tickets cost £10 for Lyme Regis Football Club members and £15 for non-members, available from the football club on Saturdays, Lyme Rocks sweet shop in Bridge Street or by calling Francesca on 07810 221 420. The Roaring 1920s Ball will kick off the football club’s 2020 fundraising efforts. Other major events this year will include the fourth annual Sausage & Cider Festival on Saturday, July 4 and the annual Christmas auction in December. Francesca commented: “As well as helping towards running costs of the club - one of the biggest sporting organisations in the town - our events help to raise funds for our ongoing development project to improve facilities both on and off the pitch at the Davey Fort.” See advertisement on page 23

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22 Friday, February 7 2020

ITEMS FOR SALE

NEST OF 3 TABLES, Queen Ann style, legs solid wood, offers welcome - 01297 561512. BOOKCASE, veneer rosewood, 94cm length x 90cm width x 28cm depth, buyer collects from Charmouth, offers welcome - 01297 561512. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Branch Line to Lyme Regis, Mitchell & Smith, Middleton Press 1993, in new condition, £12 01297 442627. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Around Uplyme and Lyme Regis’, Berry & Gosling, archive photographs series, excellent condition, £40 - 01297 442627. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Lyme Worthies’ by John Fowles, portraits by Gavin Bird, limited issue of 1,000 copies, beautiful condition, £6 - 01297 442627. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Roberts History of Lyme Regis and Charmouth’, 1996 limited edition, as new, £20 - 01297 442627. GLASS SHOWER SCREENS, two screens, 8mm thick with fittings, one 2,000mm x 640mm, and one 2,000mm x 720mm, redundant due to shower replaced by bath, free - 01297 444104. WOODEN FUTON BED BASE, without mattress, 4’ 6” wide, buyer collects from Lyme Regism, £30 - 01297 444698. BURBERRY MEN’S MACKINTOSH, full length, burberry beige colour, chest 44”, little used, £30 ono - 01297 444698.

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GAS COOKER, Stoves 4 ring gas cooker, buyer collects from Lyme Regis, £75 - 01297 445091.

PURPLE RUG, IKEA ‘Stoense’ low pile, 133 x 195cm, in perfect condition, £15 - 07395 206 365. MEN’S SHIRTS, brand new from Marks & Spencer, pure cotton, green checked, XXL, paid £19.50, selling for £12 - 07973 349 717. MEN’S SHIRTS, new from Marks & Spencer, 15½ regular fit, ideal Christmas presents, half price - 07973 349 717. GREY TROUSERS, 32” waist, 29” length, new with tags from F&F, cost £14 new but selling for £10 - 01297 443930.

ITEMS TO SELL?

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ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE, 5ft, spruce looking, all lights included, £10 - 01297 445788. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, including ornaments and baubles, £10 for all - 01297 445788. BABYLISS HAIR STYLING WAND, used once, boxed and in perfect condition, £5 - 01297 445724. BASKET WEAVE COMMODE CHAIR, cream/beige, very attractive chair, excellent condition, as new, height 31”, width 23”, depth 20”, £79 - 07828 172 375 (Ottery St Mary). LADIES TAP SHOES, black, size 6½, as new, £10 for quick sale - 01297 442198.

ANYA HINDMARCH HANDBAG, genuine leather with protective storage bag, used but in excellent condition, £40 ono - 01297 444698

MEN’S COAT, long black winter coat, wool/cashmere mix, size medium, 40 inch chest, very good condition, originally cost £140, selling for £30 ono - 01297 445788.

YAK BUOYANCY JACKETS, two jackets coloured red and yellow respectively, £10 for the pair or £8 each ono - 01297 444698.

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

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LymeOnline Sport

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

football

Roll of honour for Lyme’s glove men A

GREAT strength of Lyme Regis Football Club down the years has been the high standard of the club’s goalkeeper talents. And that is certainly still the case today with the club able to call on five very competent glove men for its three teams.

The first team’s goalkeeping jersey is currently being worn by Brett Garner, the former Axminster Town player who is considered to be one of the best keepers in the area and is enjoying his first spell with the Seasiders in the Devon & Exeter Premier division. The last Axminster keeper to play for Lyme, if my memory serves be correct, was Pete ‘The Cat’ Hayball. Earlier in the season the versatile Lee Cleal was the first choice for the first team but, regretfully, he is no longer playing football. The ever-reliable and no-nonsense keeper Rob Harp, formerly of Netherbury, is the regular choice for Lyme Regis Reserves in D & E Division Two, and former first team keeper Chris Higgs, who as a youngster was on Exeter City books and played for Dorchester Town, has returned between the sticks for Lyme Rovers after taking a break from football and proving he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the game. Last season’s first team keeper, Will Meech, whilst not available every week due to work commitments, is fit again after injury and standing in the wings to step in when required, as is Rovers’ outfield player Robbie Fowler, who was called on several occasions to keep for the first team last season and never let them down. Looking back over my 57 years’ association with Lyme Regis Football Club, I’m struck how lucky we have been to have had so many talented keepers, some of whom went on to play at a higher standard and pick-of-the-league honours. I first started watching Lyme at the old Sidmouth Road ground in the 1950s during which time Brian Wellman - grandfather to current players, the Batey brothers Steve and Mark Roy Emmett and John Perry were vying for the first team keeper’s jumper. Jack Loveridge, father of life-member Les Loveridge, also played

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.hb between the sticks but that was before my time and I never saw him in action. I was 15 when I played my first game for Lyme Reserves against Donyatt. We changed in a chicken hut behind the village pub. The landlord cleared out the chickens, put in a couple of benches and a tin bath to wash in. In goal that day was one Kenneth ‘Cooey’ Hitchcock whose antics between the sticks have gone down in the folklore of Lyme Regis FC. Allegedly, it was he who stuffed the ball up his jumper in the Sidmouth Road fog, ran the length of the pitch and tapped the ball home without the referee Doug Pomeroy seeing. The goal was attributed to Arthur Smith. I had to stop playing at 19 due to work com-

‘

We changed in a chicken hut behind the village pub. The landlord cleared out the chickens, put in a couple of benches and a tin bath to wash in

mitments on a Saturday afternoon covering sport for the Express & Echo in Exeter but turned out for the Exeter Press X1 on Sunday mornings. I also had a couple of seasons with Axminster FC after launching the Axminster News and then returned to Lyme, taking over as Reserve team manager with Dave Cozens running the first team. At the grand old age of 28 I managed to win a place as full-back for the first team and held my place until I was 33 when I broke my ankle in the Axminster Hospital Cup final after which I played just a few games for the Reserves before hanging up my boots. Playing in goal for much of my time with the first team was Phil Hodder, another excellent keeper, passed whom I scored two own goals in a Perry Street League Cup final which we lost 5-3. So who has been the best Lyme goalkeeper throughout the past 50 years? That’s a tough

cribbage

Lamb Swans holding onto their lead LAMB Swans are still holding onto their lead at the top of the Lyme Regis Cribbage League despite losing 4-1 at home to bottom of the table rew Inn Kilmington B. In the Beer Leg, The Hind Musbury have a one point lead over Axminster Con Club who also have a game in hand. Results (January 27): New Inn Kilmington A 3, Royal Standard 2 (B/L 1-2); Colyton Club 2, Stepps 3 (B/L 2-3); Dolphin Beer 3, Volunteer Lyme 2 (B/L 1-2); Talbot Arms Uplyme 1, Ger-

rard Arms Colyton 4 (B/L 1-2); Lamb Swans 1, New Inn Kilmington B 4 (B/L 2-1); The Hind Musbury 3, Axminster Con Club 2 (B/L 1-2). Fixtures (February 10): New Inn Kilmington A v The Hind Musbury, Colyton Club v Talbot Arms Uplyme, Stepps v Gerrard Arms Colyton, Dolphin Beer v Lamb Swans, Volunteer Lyme v New Inn Kilmington B, Royal Standard v Axminster. Con Club.

LYME REGIS LEAGUE P W Lamb Swans 18 12 New Inn Kil A 17 12 Dolphin Beer 18 11 Volunteer Lyme 17 9 Royal Standard 17 9 Gerrard Arms 18 6 The Hind Musbury 18 10 Talbot Arms Uplyme 18 8 Colyton Club 17 7 Ax Con Club 17 7 Stepps 18 7 New Inn Kil B 17 7

BEER LEG P W Hind Musbury 18 12 Ax Con Club 17 11 Volunteer Lyme 17 9 Dolphin Beer 18 9 Royal Standard 17 11 Lamb Swans 18 9 New Inn Kilmington A 17 10 Stepps 18 10 Talbot Upyme 18 8 Colyton Club 17 7 Gerrard Colyton 18 6 New Inn Kilm B 17 4

L 6 5 7 8 8 12 8 10 10 10 11 10

Pts 51 47 47 46 45 45 43 42 42 40 40 37

L 6 6 8 9 6 9 7 8 10 10 12 13

Pts 33 32 29 29 28 27 26 26 25 23 20 17

one so I have consulted with a number of my former playing colleagues and have decided it would be a toss up between Robert ‘Jock’ McLennan and Grant Northover, who at one time was on Yeovil Town’s books. Coming a close second would have to be Chris Higgs who was considered to be a prestigious talent when he was playing for the Exeter City youth teams and then Dorchester Town. So, with the help of former Seasiders Martin Rowe, Dave Reed and Stuart Broom, and club chairman Howard Larcombe, here’s a list - in no particular order - of those who have played in goal for Lyme teams during the last 50 years: Jack Loveridge, Reg Emmett, John Perry, Johnny Cozens, Jock McLennan, Phil Hodder, Chris Sweetland, Bernard Hall, Dave Hull, Ken Caddy, Martin Cleal, Keith Broom, Ken Hitchcock, Andy Hercock, Kevin Warren, Grant Northover, Simon Gillings, Steve Meech, Gary Way, Simon Hall, Dave Sweetland, Mike Croad, Jon Whetlor, Mark Burkhalter, Mark Beviss, Gus Cleal, Alistair McLennan, Pete ‘The Cat’ Hayball, Ashley Caddy, Chris Higgs, Jedd Whittington, Robbie Fowler, Robbie Prior, Jim Larcombe, Rob Thom, Josh Stunnell (now manager of Axminster Town), Nigel Biddlecombe, Dave Holland, Lee Cleal. Apologies if we’ve missed someone out. If you know of anyone who played in goal for Lyme but are not on the list, please let us know.

BACK IN THE FOLD: Chris Higgs now keeping goal for Lyme Rovers

Roaring 1920s Ball

decade! Don’t miss the party of the

Saturday, February 29th 2020

Lyme Regis Football Club Live music and dancing with saxophonist Daniel Costin

Sumptuous Buffet ✦ Speakeasy Cocktail Bar ✦ Luxury Raffle ✦ Best Dressed Prizes ✦

Tickets £10 for club members and £15 non-members - call Francesca on 07810 221 420 to book

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LymeOnline Sport

24 Friday, February 7 2020

February 7 2020

football

Ref abandons game after three sent off PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

LYME Rovers were expecting a tough test against a solid Winsham side in their Jack Venn Cup tie at the Woodroffe School top pitch on Saturday. But with three red cards – two for Lyme players – and the referee abandoning the game with just eight minutes to play, it turned out to be more difficult than expected with the Rovers losing 2-0.

SCOTT MEYERS - red carded in Lyme Rovers 2-0 defeat by Winsham in the Jack Venn Cup

Right from the kick-off, the Rovers were on the back foot, defending against a strong end-toend wind. The visitors played the conditions well, moving the ball quickly and efficiently and deservedly took the lead with a header from a corner. Five minutes later, on the half-

hour mark, a speculative long-range shot was smashed past Lyme keeper Chris Higgs to double the lead. As the half progressed, the Rovers grew into the game and there were several half-chances with Winsham’s keeper very quick to rush off his line several times. Knowing that the difficult defensive work was done in the first 45, it was down to taking chances. Keeper Higgs had very little to do in the second period, whilst the visiting keeper was busy immediately, producing several good stops to foil Harvey Brimicombe, Pete Peacock and Julien Simier. Lyme also hit the bar twice. Just after the hour mark, the game took a bizarre turn. Winsham’s winger was only shown a yellow for striking Robbie Fowler in the face off the ball, and not long after, a Winsham striker was sent off for a studs-up tackle on Lyme skipper Toby Fowler, which ended Fowler’s participation for the afternoon.

Two minutes later Lyme’s Rhys Evans was controversially shown a straight red for bad language, having appeared to be clearly fouled in front of the ref, only to not get the decision. Still looking to get back into the game, Lyme had several more chances, with Niall Davis heading narrowly over, and Fin McLean going close. The game ended abruptly in the 82nd minute, as Lyme’s Scott Meyers was shown a straight red (having already been shown a yellow), for kicking out at a Winsham player. The ref then decided to abandon the game, having already threatened to do so several times. Enough of the game had been played for the result to stand. This coming Saturday the Rovers return to Perry Street League Division Two duty with an away game at Crewkerne Rangers Reserves who are lying second from bottom in the table.

Batey hat-trick steers Reserves away from the relegation zone A SUPERB hat-trick from Steve Batey steered Lyme Regis Reserves out of the Devon & Exeter Division Three division relegation zone with a deserved 3-2 victory away to top five club Winkleigh.

Lyme started the game looking to defend the big slope at Winkleigh and as expected came under a lot of early pressure against a side with a considerable size advantage. Despite some resolute defending the pressure told after 25 minutes when an unfortunate slip at the back from Lyme allowed the Winkleigh forward in who smashed the ball home from the edge of the area.

Within five minutes Lyme were level when Steve Batey latched onto a pin-point Mark Bailey freekick to cooly slot under the keeper from close range. Lyme gained confidence and grew more into the game with winger Sam Pollard-Jones becoming increasingly influential. The second half saw Lyme now attacking down the hill and becoming increasingly on top. The pressure told when Batey grabbed his second, stealing in at the back post to drill home another tidy finish. Winkleigh weren’t done yet and hit back against the run of play when Luke Clifton was unfortunate to score an own goal when a drilled cross cannoned off him past the helpless Rob Harp.

Lyme continued to press and got their rewards when Batey climbed above the home defence to head home and complete his hat-trick. Winkleigh still had one more big chance and it took a brilliant pointblank stop from Harp to preserve the lead in the dying seconds. It was a great all round team performance but special praise was reserved for Batey after his perfect hat-trick and Sam Pollard-Jones for his scintillating performance on the left. The victory sees the Reserves move into ninth place in the table but all four teams below them have games in hand so they could easily be sucked back into the relegation zone.

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE

Saturday, January 25 Lyme Regis Reserves v Halwill 2nds k-o 2.15pm

Seasiders drop to fifth place WITH Lyme Regis first team’s home game against Exeter University called off on Saturday because the Davey Fort ground was deemed unplayable, the Seasiders have dropped down to fifth place in the Devon & Exeter Premier Division. At one time well ahead with their fixtures with points on the board, Lyme now have games in hand and are still capable of a top-three finish. Okehampton Argyle’s run-away lead at the top of the table was curtailed by a 1-0 defeat by dark horses Bampton who have only played ten games. Beer Albion also lost ground in their climb towards the top when beaten 10 by neighbours Colyton. Exeter Cronies climbed into fourth position with a 3-1 win at Whipton & Pinhoe and have their eyes very firmly on the top spot with four games in hand over the leaders. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Seasiders travel to Upottery who have won just three of their 14 games this season but are certainly no pushover. Three points are essential if Lyme are to beat last year’s fifth place in the table. Lyme Reserves moved out of the bottom four in Devon & Exeter Division Three with an excellent 3-2 victory over fifth placed Winkleigh with all three goals coming from Steve Batey. Tomorrow they will be more severely tested, however, with a home game against second placed Halwill 2nds. Following their disappointing 2-0 defeat by Winsham United Reserves in the Jack Venn Cup in which three players were sent off and the game abandoned after 82 minutes, Lyme Rovers will be anxious to return to their Division Two promotion bid with an away trip to struggling Crewkerne Rangers Reserves. In Perry Street Division One, last week’s much-awaited local derby between Uplyme and Charmouth, both struggling at the foot of the table and in dire need of points, was called off because The Cherries could not field a team. Tomorrow, Uplyme are away to Ilminster Town A in the quarter final of the Daisy Hutchings Cup.

LymeOnline

STEVE BATEY: His hat-trick has eased Lyme Reserves’ relegation fears

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