LymeOnline Digital Edition - January 7 2022

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Concerns over plans for holiday homes in woodland area A PLANNING application for three new holiday homes in a woodland area off Stile Lane, Lyme Regis, has raised concerns with neighbours.

The application has been submitted to develop three new holiday homes on a 0.2 hectare area of woodland behind the listed Belmont House and above Langmoor and Lister Gardens.

REPORT, PAGE 8

Council stands firm over dogs on beach

RESPONDING individually to every complaint regarding the dog policy on Lyme Regis beach would be “a full time job” for council staff, according to the mayor.

New restrictions regarding dogs on the town’s main sand beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach were introduced over a year ago, but are still resulting in a significant number of complaints from dog owners.

REPORT, PAGE 21

Rowing centre opens IT was festive and fun costumes galore as the Lyme Lunge returned to Lyme Regis beach on New Year’s Day. Between 850 and 1,000 swimmers are estimated to have dashed into the sea to raise funds for charity, watched by a crowd of thousands. See pages 12 and 13 for full story and more photos.

Queen honours Lyme woman

A NEW indoor rowing centre has opened in the Jubilee Pavilion on the seafront at Lyme Regis.

The new facility offers local people accessible, all weather, pay-as-you-go fitness and coaching sessions, tailored to individual needs.

REPORT, PAGE 24

FORMER WOODROFFE PUPIL AWARDED BEM IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST A LYME Regis woman who has devoted her life to helping others has been honoured by the Queen.

Clare Gollop, the daughter of Ken and Joan Gollop, who live in Fairfield Park, was awarded the British Empire Media (BEM) for services to victims of slavery and vulnerable young people in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Clare, who lives in Exeter, is the director of the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit.

She was educated at Mrs Ethleston’s Primary School in Uplyme, The Woodroffe School and Exeter College before gaining a degree in disaster management and engineering at Coventry University, going on to study

for her Masters Degree at University College London.

Whilst at The Woodroffe School she worked for her Duke of Edinburgh Award with the Lyme Regis Coastguard team, of which her father was a member, become the town’s first female coastguard.

Before joining the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit, Clare worked for the Devon CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Lyme Regis woman honoured for career devoted to helping others CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE and Cornwall Constabulary for 18 years, mainly in an analytical capacity working on major crimes.

Whilst with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary she led a national programme on modern-day slavery throughout England and Wales.

Whilst with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary she worked with the charity Serve and Rescue deploying rapid response rescue teams at disasters all over the world.

Clare was informed in a letter from the Cabinet Office in November that she had been awarded the BEM but managed to keep it secret until informing her mother and father at a New Year lunch.

Mr and Mrs Gollop said they were extremely proud of Clare’s achievements.

Clare revealed that she had received the BEM in a posting on social media in which she said: “Entering 2022 with a surprise: honoured to be recognised for service to victims of modern slavery and vulnerable children – shared endeavours with colleagues and friends who choose hope and take action to end exploitation.”

Clare’s job is to lead the Violence Reduction Unit. Her focus is on encouraging public sector organisations to work together to tackle violence and exploitation in the most effective way: hand in hand with those who are impacted most.

The ambition is to get more people to see preventing violence as their business and to come together to find a solution.

Clare’s remit is to introduce organisations to both new and tried and tested violence

Town council returns to virtual committee meetings

LYME Regis Town Council will return to virtual meetings this month, amid heightened concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

It was agreed before the Christmas break that all council committees will temporarily change their status to ‘working groups’, allowing them to return to a virtual format using video conferencing app Zoom under current government legislation.

Full council meetings where decisions have to be rubber stamped will still be held in person, but in Lyme Regis Baptist Church Hall, which offers more space than the Guildhall.

The public will be able to take part in virtual meetings and attend the full council meetings in person, but are asked to follow COVID guidelines.

Town council office staff are continuing to work from home.

interventions, and to help establish ‘what works’ Her team will also use evidence to help organisations and communities identify the changes that they can make so that the West Midlands becomes a safer place, and our young people have a better chance in life.

She has spent her policing career tackling violence, exploitation and reducing harm at a local, national and even international level. Whether leading on the UKs National Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme or taking rescue teams to earthquake and hurricane disaster zones in Indonesia, Nepal, Haiti and the Caribbean, Clare has dedicated her life to leading the response to helping others.

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Lyme targeted in spate of graffiti LYME Regis was targeted in a spate of graffiti over the Christmas period.

Among the property vandalised was a brand new bench, unveiled in Theatre Square just before Christmas by members of the nowdisbanded Lyme Regis Musical Theatre, dedicated to the memory of former members Brian Manners and David Coates.

The bench was vandalised with a number of graffiti ‘tags’, or signa-

tures.

Also targeted was the 400-yearold Waterside House at the bottom of Sherborne Lane, with graffiti appearing sometime between 9pm and 9.30pm on Boxing Day. Similar graffiti has been seen along the riverside footpath at Jericho.

Lights along the footpath at St Michael’s Business Centre off Church Street have also been vandalised with graffiti.

THE historic Waterside House in Sherborne Lane was targeted, and similar graffiti was seen in the Jericho area (right). Top right, the new memorial bench in Theatre Square

FROM SUNRISE

TO SUNSET

Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JH Follow us on social media @swimlyme | 01297 442668 | info@we eswim.co.uk

Friday, January 7 2022 3

Another successful year for LymeOnline

Your number 1 community newspaper and website!

NOW approaching its fourth anniversary, the LymeOnline website and newspaper is celebrating another successful year – despite the challenges of the pandemic.

In 2021 the LymeOnline website welcomed a record number of 357,040 visitors - that's almost 1,000 a day. Between them, they clicked on 703,540 pages.

Our busiest month was October, when 44,167 people visited the site, thanks in no small part to the arrival of Timothée Chalamet and other stars for the filming of ‘Wonka’ in Lyme Regis.

We uploaded 1,290 articles, videos, podcasts and digital editions of our newspaper to our website throughout the year.

Our most read article of the year was, of course, about the historic Cobb being dressed for the filming of ‘Wonka’.

LymeOnline now has more than 7,600 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, and 1,950 are subscribed to our weekly email newsletter.

We published 26 editions of the LymeOnline newspaper during 2021, nine of these being digital only because of financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic, and we finished the year by printing our 100th issue.

And finally, in November LymeOnline was commended for the Community Website of the Year award for the second consecutive year at the national Newsawards.

If you want to reach our growing readership – both online and in print – call editor Francesca Evans on 07810 221 420 or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk to discuss our competitive advertising rates or ask about our exclusive sponsorship packages.

Prices start from as little as £12.50 in the printed LymeOnline newspaper, with a distribution of 4,000 around Lyme Regis, Uplyme, Charmouth and Axminster, and from just £15 a week on the LymeOnline website.

4 Friday, January 7 2022

NEWS IN BRIEF

www.lyme-online.co.uk

A round-up of news from the LymeOnline website visit www.lyme-online.co.uk for full stories

Prolific West Dorset thief is jailed for three and half years A PROLIFIC burglar and thief who targeted businesses across West Dorset has been jailed for a total of three years and 146 days.

Reece Wilson, 22, of Court Close in Bridport, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court in December after pleading guilty at earlier hearings to five counts of burglary other than dwelling, four shoplifting offences, one dwelling burglary, one count of criminal damage and one count of burglary other than dwelling with intent.

He also asked for 24 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

The first burglary offence occurred overnight at the end of August at a food kiosk on the quayside in West Bay. Charity tins, a small amount of change and food items were stolen.

A second offence occurred overnight between Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18 at Washeteria Laundrette in South Street, Bridport, when entry was forced to the premises and the coin trays of eight machines were removed and emptied.

Gambian musician to give instrumental concert at Marine

THE sound of the Kora is often described as beautiful, soft, enchanting and almost medicinal.

Suntou Susso, a Kora player, percussionist, singer, and composer from The Gambia, plays this rare instrument with his full band at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Saturday, January 22.

Born a Griot in a 700-year old tradition, the Kora – harp-lute with 22 strings – is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people.

Griots have a unique societal role as oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people’s culture through the generations in song, music and poetry.

Tickets for the show at the Marine Theatre cost £12 in advance and are available to book at www.marinetheatre.com

Entry was also forced to an ice cream kiosk in West Bay over the same time period with a quantity of cash stolen.

A fourth offence was committed on the evening of Monday, October 11 at a barbershop in Ilminster, where a charity collection box was stolen.

During the evening of Wednesday, October 13 a burglary occurred at a residential property in Charmouth. The vulnerable victim – a local man aged in his 60s – had his jacket stolen, which contained a bank card and keys, as well as cash, a mobile phone and items of food.

Wilson was known to the victim as he carried out work at his address during the summer.

Three of the shoplifting offences were committed at Co-op in Bridport between Thursday, September 16 and Friday, October 1 and a fourth offence occurred at Phone and Vape in West Street, Bridport, on Saturday, September 25.

Four people and two dogs cut off by tide LYME Regis coastguards and lifeboat crew were called out on their first emergency rescue of the year on Sunday, January 2. The volunteer emergency services were called just after 5pm following reports of two groups of walkers cut off by the tide west of Lyme Regis, between the end of Monmouth beach and Pinhay Bay. Due to their location and the adverse sea conditions, a coastguard helicopter from Newquay was called to winch the four people and two dogs to a safe location.

Second Uplyme Scout to attend World Jamboree A SECOND Explorer Scout from Uplyme has been chosen to attend the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea in 2023.

Josh Dean, who is a member of Powder Monkeys Explorer Sea Scouts, first joined the Uplyme-based 1st Lym Valley Scout Group in 2016 as a Beaver. He is now an Explorer Scout and also a Young Leader helping with the Scout section.

Whilst Josh was initially unsuccessful in being selected and narrowly missed out on a place, he has now been chosen to go to South Korea because another participant dropped out and he found himself at the top of the reserves list.

Josh will be joining Thea Hodges, another Explorer Scout from Uplyme who was selected first time around, in attending the World Scout Jamboree.

This means that there are now two Explorer Scouts from Uplyme going, the first time this has happened in the group’s history and the first time in more than 30 years since the group last had a member attend a World Scout Jamboree.

Emergency services called out Plans for more static pitches just hours before the New Year at Charmouth caravan park EMERGENCY services in Lyme Regis were called out just hours before ringing in the New Year.

Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, coastguards and Dorset Police were called to reports of a man missing in the Charmouth area at about 10pm on New Year’s Eve. Coastguard teams searched the beaches to the east and west of Charmouth while the lifeboat crew carried out a shoreline search.

The police also used drones to search for the man.

After a thorough search, nothing was found and the man was reported to be at his home address. Emergency services were stood down at 11.20pm.

This was the 35th and final call of 2021 for Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, and 80th call out for Lyme Regis coastguards.

A CHANGE from touring caravan pitches to static vans is being planned for the central section of Wood Farm Caravan Park, just outside of Charmouth.

Dorset Council has been asked for its views on the proposal to replace space for 53 touring caravans to 44 static pitches.

Agents for the site have asked for advice on an environmental impact assessment for the site prior to any submission of a formal planning request.

The proposal is expected to involve the removal of a toilet block, reconfiguring of access roads to the pitches, with further trees and hedgerows planned.

The site is within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with its northern boundary marked by a stream and woodland immediately beyond that. To the east and west is the main caravan site which has both touring and static pitches, a clubhouse and offices.

A response from Dorset Council to Park Holidays Ltd, which bought the former family-run park in December 2020, says that it believes the proposed changes are unlikely to have any significant impacts on the AONB or the Charmouth Conservation Area.

A formal planning consent for the change is expected to follow.

By Local Democracy Reporter Trevor Bevins

Friday, January 7 2022 5

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ALL OVER THE TOWN

with LymeOnline

editor Francesca Evans

My New Year’s Resolutions for Lyme Regis in 2022 ANOTHER Christmas season in Lyme Regis has flown by in the blink of an eye.

Other than a handful of event cancellations in the run-up to the big day, there thankfully was some sense of normality this year as we were able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with family and friends.

Now our thoughts turn to the year ahead of us, with many making promises of selfimprovement in New Year’s Resolutions, whether it be hitting the gym or learning a new skill.

But what about setting New Year’s Resolutions for our town – what would you like to see achieved in Lyme Regis over the next 12 months?

There’s many aspirations that immediately spring to mind – subjects that are brought up time and time again in local discussion.

Will 2022 be the year when we see progress on any of them?

First up, reducing traffic congestion Surely the longest-running complaint of Lyme Regis residents and businesses – the insufferable town centre congestion and parking problems seen during busy periods, especially over the summer.

I believe the town council’s longest-serving member Stan Williams stood for election in 1969 on the promise of tackling traffic congestion, and the newest member Caroline Aldridge mentioned it as she was coopted in November 2021.

It seems an impossible task, but greenthinking councillor Belinda Bawden says the we have to consider some radical ideas if

we ever want to find a solution.

That brings us to...

Tackling the climate crisis With the town council having just agreed to dedicate £75,000 over the next three years to environmental issues, this aspiration is looking a little more hopeful.

Lyme has been known to be a little ahead of the times when it comes to green-issues; in fact the launch of Turn Lyme Green was one of the first events I covered as an 18-year-old trainee reporter back in 2007 when I had never really considered the climate crisis.

But I feel now is the time to take big and brave decisions if we want to keep up with our neighbours and play our part in tackling this global emergency.

Thankfully, today’s younger generation seem far more socially-conscious than my 18-year-old self, so perhaps we should...

Involve young people more in community No doubt provision for young people has improved in recent years, with the development of The Hub, the skatepark and the Anning Road playing field. There’s also plenty of sporting opportunities for young people in our town and the Marine Theatre and B Sharp are certainly doing their bit for those interested in the creative arts (see page 14).

What I would like to see is more young people taking an interest in and being encouraged and included in community events and local democracy.

Clubs and organisations are folding due to lack of new, younger members, and our youngest ever town councillor resigned last

The

Woodmead Halls YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY HALL

year amid claims she was discriminated against because of her age. This section of the community is hugely under-represented so hopefully efforts to restart a youth council in the town – put on hold during the pandemic – can be picked up again this year.

And if we want to involve young people more in our community we need to...

Provide affordable housing This has always been an issue I’ve held close to my heart, so much so I based my final project at university on the lack of affordable housing provision in West Dorset.

At 32, I’ve been unable to get on the housing ladder in my hometown and recently moved out of my own privately-rented flat, returning to my student days of flat-sharing with a friend so I can save more money for the future.

Most others my age left town long ago, but how will that provide for a sustainable and diverse society in years to come?

I don’t think anyone denies that more affordable housing is needed, but with Lyme’s limited remaining space for development, sadly I think this aspiration for 2022 is as hopeful as my New Year diet.

Speaking of unlikely aspirations, how about...

Bringing our historic buildings back to use?

The former Three Cups Hotel stands dominant in the centre of Broad Street with shoppers passing by every day and visitors inquisitively peering through the dusty windows. It has stood empty for as long as I have been alive.

PAU L S

We all got a little bit excited when Palmers Brewery finally unveiled its scheme to redevelop the site into shops and apartments with a flagship restaurant behind. But that was before we’d ever uttered the word coronavirus and, sadly, plans seem to have been put on the back burner with the £5million cost now likely to have spiralled.

And what about the Regent Cinema? It has now stood derelict for almost six years following the devastating fire of March 2016.

Last year the town was delighted to hear news that WTW Scott Cinemas had sold the property to a local developer with plans of keeping a cinema of some form on the site.

But the buyer still remains a mystery and there’s been no further visible developments.

And finally, a peaceful council - please!

This shouldn’t be a big ask, in fact it shouldn’t have to be an ask at all. But in my 14 years covering Lyme Regis Town Council I haven’t often felt as uncomfortable at meetings as I did during some of the more awkward spats last year.

Let’s hope the Christmas break has given everyone a much-needed breather and councillors can put aside their personal differences for the good of the town.

So what are your New Year’s resolutions for Lyme Regis? I’m sure our readers can come up with some far more imaginative examples than me. Send your ideas to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk for a special readers’ letters special in the next issue of LymeOnline.

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6 Friday, January 7 2022

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

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philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t!

Carols Around The Tree always draws a large crowd

C

OVID has a lot to answer for.

Just when we thought we were coming out of it and Lyme Regis was slowly getting back to some form of normality, the new Omicron variant does it’s best to spoil yet another Christmas.

Understandably, there was great disappointed in Lyme when one of the town’s most festive and iconic events, Carols Around The Tree, had to be called off at the last moment as the number of COVID-19 cases rocketed.

It was a difficult decision for the organisers, the Rotary Club, and I have great sympathy for the dilemma they faced. In the end they decided to do what the thought best for the town.

It very easy to criticise such decisions, not so easy to make them.

Shortly before Christmas the Lyme Regis branch of Cancer Research UK, of which I am chairman, was informed that we had raised £175,000 since being formed in 2008. That’s a huge sum for such a small town and we are hugely grateful to all those who have supported us over the years.

The year 2020 and most of 2021 was a writeoff as far as funding was concerned. But we bounced back in the final four months of the years, raising about £4,000.

We had hoped to have added another £1,000 to that amount by organising a Christmas Gatsby-style ball on December 19.

Within days of the tickets going on sale we

had sold out with 100 tickets going in just a matter of days. In fact we sold all the tickets before the posters arrived from the printers.

We had plans for what we thought would be a real festive occasion - a brilliant band, and superb supper and the best tombola Lyme had seen for some years.

Some of our would-be guests told us that had bought Gatsby-style costumes especially for the occasion.

And then Omicron raised its ugly head. In a matter of days the numbers attending the event fell from 100 to less than 40. We had no chance of running the event.

It was the first event we have ever had to cancel at such late notice and certainly the first loss-maker. Fortunately, a number of those who had bought tickets told us to keep the money and we held an online raffle for the tombola prizes which raised an unbelievable £400, helping us to negate the loss on the evening.

Like the Rotarians, we pondered greatly over whether we were making the right decision. Having organised dozens of similar social events over the years, I felt a degree of embarrassment, as well as extreme disappointment, that we were not able to deliver on this occasion.

We have a full programme for 2022, COVID permitting, which should help us pass the £180,000 mark by the end of the year.

Meanwhile we wish all those who support Cancer Research UK a happy New Year in the hope that 2020 will be better for us all.

I WAS interested to read that Lyme Regis Town Council are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the town celebrates the Queen’s forthcoming Platinum Jubilee in style.

Originally, the council set a budget of £8,000 but increased this to £20,00, having secured an appearance of the BBC Big Band Orchestra who will give a concert on the beach.

That’s going to be some event and will attract a huge audience.

I was closely involved in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, working closely with the then mayor, Sally Holman.

We had no budget as such but still managed to put together a programme over four days which was one of the most compre-

hensive in Dorset.

We managed to cover our costs and not seeking public money at least satisfied those anti-royalists in the town.

One of the most memorable events in 2012 was a parade of all the town’s organisations led by a marching band with two Chelsea Pensioners out in front.

I shall never forget the roar of the crowd when the two pensioners, resplendent in the scarlet unfirms, joined in the parade at the Royal Lion Hotel whilst the band played ‘Boys Of The Old Brigade’.

I wish the organisers of the platinum celebrations every success. It will be another chance for Lyme to demonstrate its great community spirit.

An honour so richly deserved advantage digital print

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WHEN I was awarded the MBE a couple of years ago and went to Buckingham Palace to collect my medal, I found myself surrounded by recipients all of whom seemed to have achieved such wonderful things.

I was the only one that day receiving the award for services to the community.

All the others were military awards, achievements by the captains of industry and many who had worked in the charitable sector having spent a lifetime helping the less fortunate.

Although very proud to be among them, I wondered what I was doing in such exalted company.

I was left with similar thoughts when I interviewed Clare Gollop who was award the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the New Year’s Honours.

As you will see in our front page story, Clare is the daughter of Ken and Joan Gollop, one of Lyme’s oldest and most respected families. Her Dad is one of the

great characters of Lyme, a former fisherman, town councillor and expert on local history.

Clare has chiselled out a career in which she has dedicated her life to helping others who have been subjected to the most awful of crimes. She spent 18 years working in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary working on some of the most heinous crimes.

Today, she leads the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit and she was awarded the BEM for services to the victims of slavery and to vulnerable young people. She’s also part of a rapid response rescue team who deploys to every disaster in the world and in her spare time cooks for the less fortunate.

Spending 20 minutes interviewing Clare for this newspaper, I could not help thinking how mundane my own career has been.

Ken describes her as a “whirlwind”.

A credit to our town and her upbringing.

CLARE GOLLOP - recipient of the BEM in the New Year Honours - a “whirlwind”, according to her Dad

Friday, January 7 2022 7

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COVID-19: The latest on local coronavirus figures

Coronavirus cases in Dorset now at highest level since pandemic began COVID-19 case rates in across Dorset are now at their highest ever level and continuing to increase.

In line with the national picture, COVID-19 case rates increased across Dorset over the Christmas and New Year period, but hospital admissions have remained relatively stable.

The latest figures released on New Year’s Eve (December 31) showed that there were 2,974 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Dorset Council area, an increase from 2,259 the previous week, and 4,319 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) area, a significant increase from 3,177.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 783.1 in the Dorset Council area, up from 594.8, and 1,087.9 in the BCP area, up from 800.3.

This compares to the national average which currently stands at 1,597 per 100,000 people.

Before Christmas, the national average stood at about 600.

Despite the increase in case numbers, as of December 31 there were 55 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Dorset, a decrease from 62 in the last update on December 24.

A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that more than 90 per cent of community COVID cases in England are now Omicron, so we can see just how quickly this strain has become the dominant variant.

“Locally, infection rates in both Dorset

Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas are the highest they have ever been, and they are continuing to rise.

“Because of these high rates, we are starting to see the impact of an increasing number of staff absences due to COVID-19 putting a strain on local services.

“The number of COVID-19 patients in our local hospitals has been falling in recent weeks which is good news, but it is not yet clear if this will continue as we see the impact of rising cases, so we will continue to monitor this closely.

“Anything we can do to reduce transmission will help ease pressure on local services, so continue to wear a face covering, get plenty of fresh air and take a lateral flow test before meeting other people.

“The best way to protect yourself against serious illness is to get vaccinated. There are many opportunities available in Dorset as the vaccination programme continues to expand, so if you haven’t had your first, second or booster dose yet, please take up the offer.

“As we celebrate the New Year, consider the risks as with high infection rates you are much more likely to catch COVID-19. Avoid mixing unnecessarily, as this could mean having to miss the things that are most important to you.

“If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test.”

COVID-19 cases in the Lyme Regis area are

also currently at their highest point since the pandemic began.

In the seven-day period up until December 30, there were 66 recorded cases of COVID19 in the Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale area, an increase of 26 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 909.8 – above the Dorset Council area figure of 783.1 but below the national average of 1,597.

Case numbers have also increased in every surrounding area. Figures for neighbouring areas as of December 30 were as follows: Uplyme, Kilmington & Colyton – 59 (increase of 25); Seaton – 58 (increase of 21); Axminster – 94 (increase of 24); Burton Bradstock & Chideock – 72 (increase of 23); Bridport South & West Bay – 39 (increase of 23); Bridport North – 53 (increase of 9); Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock – 61 (increase of 30).

The percentage of people aged 12-plus in the Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood area that had received COVID-19 vaccines up to and including January 3 stood at 88.4 per cent for at least one dose, 84.5 per cent for two doses and 72.0 per cent for three doses.

In Dorset as a whole, the figures stood at 89.1 per cent for at least one dose, 84.0 per cent for two doses and 69.7 per cent for three.

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

Lyme Regis taxi service closes amid pandemic LYME Regis’ longest-running taxi service, Terry’s Taxis, has announced that it has closed down.

The business closed down on December 28 with owner Terry Peadon saying disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic was among the reasons.

He commented: “With regret, due to the loss of a driver and despite of many attempts the inability to attract new drivers, the current COVID crisis and the amount of cancellations disrupting business over the last two years, after nearly nine years of trading, I have decided to close the business.

“I would like to thank all my customers for their support over the years.

“When/if we can get back to some normality, I may consider re-opening.”

Soup and pudding lunch in aid of Save the Children THE Lyme Regis branch of Save the Children will relaunch their fundraisng events with a soup and pudding lunch this month.

The lunch will be held at The Pilot Boat from 12noon to 2pm on Friday, January 14.

It will be the first event the branch has organised since the coronavirus pandemic first started two years ago and all are welcome to attend and help raise funds for this worthy cause.

If you have a story for LymeOnline, call Francesca on 07810 221 420 or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

I N V I TAT ION

WELCOME TO NOAH'S ARK

Noah’s Ark toddler group look forward to welcoming more families in 2022 HAPPY helpers of the Noah’s Ark toddler group are pictured above at the end of their final meeting before Christmas.

The group was launched last year and meets monthly at Lyme Regis Baptist Church.

Parents, babies and young children are welcome to join sessions for theme crafts, songs, stories and refreshments in a loving

Christian environment.

This year, the group will meet on the new day of Monday between 10am and 11.30am, with the first session of the year taking place on Monday, january 10 (see advertisement right for full list of dates).

Organiser Jacquie Payne said: “We look forward to welcoming new parents and toddlers - see you there!”

A group for Parents, Babies & Young Children Monday 10th January Monday 7th February Mondau 7th March Monday 4th April Monday 16th May Monday 27th June Monday 18th July at The Pine Hall, Lyme Regis Baptist Church 10am to 11.30am Theme craft, songs, story and refreshments in a loving Christian enviroment

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Green light for Mary’s statue!

A STATUE in tribute to Lyme Regis fossil hunter Mary Anning has received planning permission from Dorset Council.

The planning application was submitted by the charity Mary Anning Rocks after successfully raising £100,000 for the statue, which will be sited at the eastern end of Long Entry.

The campaign for the statue was led by Dorset schoolgirl Evie Swire who set about fundraising with her mother, Anya Pearson, and was given the backing of high-profile supporters such as author Tracey Chevalier, who wrote ‘Remarkable Creatures’ based on Mary Anning’s life, and broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough.

When Evie started campaigning in 2018 she was just 10 years old.

The proposed statue won the support of more than 140 people who wrote to Dorset Council to support the application. They included Dorchester artist Michal Taylor, a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, who said a statue was long overdue.

Local professional fossil collector Brandon Lennon also wrote to support the proposal, along with New York resident Adam Spiel-

TREVOR BEVINS

Local Democracy Reporting Service

berg, who said on behalf of himself and 10year-old son Charlie: “We travelled all the way from the US to Dorset to go fossil hunting on the same beach she made her incredible discoveries on. Mary Anning’s contributions to science are real and meaningful.

“For someone without formal education to make those discoveries in a time when most doors were closed to women in science makes her work even more remarkable and worthy of formal commemoration.

“This statue serves to remember, give credit where its (over)due, and inspire.

We wholeheartedly hope that it is allowed to go forward, and hope that someday soon on our next visit to the Jurassic Coast that we will be able to pay our respects to Mary at this statue.”

The application papers said that, despite coming from a poor background, Anning’s finds changed the way scientists thought about the origins of our planet and how life evolved on it.

It read: “Throughout Mary Anning’s lifetime, her achievements have largely gone un-

A maquette of the Mary Anning statue which went on display at the Marine Theatre last year

acknowledged with her name having been eradicated from the historic archives due to her being an uneducated, working-class woman and an outsider to the polite and scientific community.”

Her discoveries were often attributed to the male geologists she collected for.

The life-size statue is currently being created in bronze by artist Denise Dutton and will be placed overlooking Black Ven where many of Mary’s finds came from. The site is on the junction of Long Entry and Gun Cliff Walk.

It is hoped it will be ready to unveil on May 21 2022, exactly 223 years after Mary Anning’s birth.

Plans for new holiday homes behind historic Belmont House raise concerns for neighbours A PLANNING application for three new holiday homes in a woodland area off Stile Lane, Lyme Regis, has raised concerns with neighbours.

The application has been submitted to develop three new holiday homes on a 0.2 hectare area of woodland at Harbours View on Stile Lane, off Pound Street, which sits above Lister and Langmoor Gardens.

The land is surrounded by six listed buildings, including the grade II listed Belmont – former home of author John Fowles – and the grade II listed former Buena Vista Hotel, now divided into flats The proposed holiday homes have been designed by the award-winning, international architectural practice Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners.

The application says the development is “conceived as sitting lightly on the site, avoiding tree roots, and founded on a minimum number of small bore piles”.

The holiday homes will be perched over the ground leaving the soil to breathe and shade loving plants to grow beneath.

Each unit will have two bedrooms with a shared living dining space and integrated internal and external decking areas.

The units are proposed to be constructed from a mixture of sustainable materials, including timber and light gauge steels, in order to keep the unit light and open.

The buildings have been designed to standard material panel sizes with the intention to facilitate a straightforward, modular construction sequence that allows off-site flat panel fabrication and rapid installation meaning less vehicle trip movements to site.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

There is no vehicular access to the site but pedestrian access can be gained via the public footpath. The application suggests that there are a “number of on-street parking options” and public car parks in close proximity.

Neighbouring residents have raised several concerns about the proposed development, in particular the stability of the land.

One objector wrote: “When I built my house two and a half years ago I was told I needed to tell the engineers if any extra weight was added to the house. So, for instance, I had to get permission from engineers to put my kitchen top in.

“I don’t see how we can go from this to having the weight of three houses on the site below.

“Also the pathway below the site has cracks and is obviously slipping. There has also been a slippage down near Holmbush car park.

“It is very scary for those living above the site and the planning should be refused on this issue alone.”

The application does note that the site is in a landslip area that has been active in the recent past.

In 2006/2007 stabilisation works were carried out in the area as part of Phase 2 of the Lyme Regis Environmental Improvements (LREI) scheme. These works included the installation of drainage and pin piling to stabilise the land.

A Ground Investigation and Ground Stability Assessment Report has been included in the application, which highlights that the de-

The approximate area of the proposed development off Stile Lane (please note: this has been recreated from the original plans and is not exact)

velopment has been designed to have a minimal footprint on the ground and will be sited among existing, and newly proposed, trees.

The report explains that the proposed buildings would be raised above ground level and supported on vertical posts. It is said the use of piled foundations to support the posts would help to minimise the impact on any existing root systems.

Other concerns raised by neighbours include the lack of vehicular access, the site being within the conservation area and its proximity

to listed buildings, and its affect on the woodland area, trees and wildlife.

Comments from the public are welcome on this application until January 12.

Lyme Regis Town Council has reportedly said the application has not yet been raised with its Planning Committee, and has therefore not yet issues a response.

The final decision will be made by Dorset Council and full details of the application are available on the Dorset Council website.

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at

Cocktail Wednesdays 2 cocktails for £12 6-9pm

Thursday 8pm

Limited tables must be booked in advance

Fizzy Fridays

P rosecco

4-8pm

from £20 a bottle

Sunday Roast

12-3pm – Tables must be booked in advance

Happy New Year

We look forward to welcoming customers old and new in 2022!

Pop in or contact us on 01297 443157 or email info@thepilotboat.co.uk 1 Bridge Street Lyme Regis DT7 3QA

10 Friday, January 7 2022

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Christmas Day swimmers brave rough seas ROUGH seas in Charmouth failed to put off swimmers as they took part in the village’s 40th anniversary Christmas Day dip.

The swim was first held in 1981 to raise funds after the Penlee lifeboat disaster, which occurred off the coast of Cornwall six days before Christmas, with 16 people dying, including eight lifeboat crew volunteers.

It has since taken place very year, except in particularly poor weather conditions and last year

due to the coronavirus pandemic, in aid of the RNLI. Despite high winds and rough seas this year, hundreds still braved the conditions for a quick Christmas dip, many wearing festive fancy dress.

The swim had to be moved to the far western end of Charmouth beach where it was deemed safer to enter the water, with members of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew overseeing the event.

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■ CHILDREN from Uplyme pre-School took part in a traditional nativity play before the Christmas break. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the nativity was recorded and the video then sent out to parents so they were able to enjoy their children’s performance virtually. Mary was played by Millie and Joseph by Freddie (pictured below centre), and the Three Kings pictured below right were Ted, Harry and Harry. The children also enjoyed a Christmas party with entertainment and a visit from Father Christmas.

■ BEFORE breaking up for the holidays, children at St Michael’s Primary School in Lyme Regis tucked into a traditional Christmas dinner. The turkey lunch was made from scratch by the school’s newly-appointed cook Vikki Coates, and was finished with cakes which the children particularly enjoyed. The pupils chatted to their friends and sang Christmas songs during the lunch event, which followed other school festivities such as a Christingle service, Christmas Jumper Day and nativity.

New Multiple Sclerosis Group to cover Dorset

F O O R P

MS Dorset is a group of volu teers who formerly covered d the S South Weest of Dorset and who now ow ccover tthe w whole hole of th the county. The group offfers ferrrs a w wide ide range of information advice and, where appropriate, grants to individuals who have MS.

Local helpline: 07554 882414

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Lyme Lunge raises in excess of £4,000 THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis got 2022 off to a splashing start as they hosted the annual Lyme Lunge – now one of the biggest events of its kind in the South West.

An estimate of 850 to 1,000 swimmers dashed down the beach for a New Year’s Day dip in the sea, watched by thousands of spectators lining the seafront.

After gathering on the beach in fancy dress, swimmers paraded around the sand, led by town crier Alan Vian, to show off their costumes.

The dash to the sea was then officially started by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, accompanied by Mayoress Wendy Larcombe.

Among those taking part in the swim was the Rotary District Governor and Assistant Governor.

Lyme Regis’ star collector, Joshua Denning, celebrating his 18th birthday, also took part and raised £500 in sponsorship which goes towards the total of more than £4,000 raised

for Macmillan Cancer Support and Weldmar Hospicecare.

A spokesperson for the Rotary Club said: “Our sincere thanks to all our supporters, sponsors and helpers who help to make this event possible.

“A big thank you to our main sponsors The Pilot Boat and SWIM, and The Harbour Inn for providing the hot soup for the lungers.

“Our special thanks to the Lyme Regis RNLI who provided the safety in the water, Rapid Emergency Medical Services, Lyme Regis Sailing Club, and all our other many sponsors in the Lunge brochure.

“Our thanks of course to our mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, and the lady mayoress for attending, and of course our very own Rotarian, the town crier Alan Vian, and his wife Lynne who do so much to help this and so many other events.

“A happy new year to all from The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis.”

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AMONG those taking part in the Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day was Lyme Regis resident Sophie Olszowski, who took the plunge in memory of her late husband Simon.

After she heard the event was this year raising funds for Weldmar Hospicecare, Sophie decided to take part and was joined by Weldmar’s community nurse Lu Worrall, who cared for her husband Simon as he battled cancer.

Just three days before the Lunge, Sophie set up a JustGiving page, aiming to ‘raise a grand by the weekend’.

She commented: “I thought it was an unrealistic target but I could hear my wonderful husband Simon, who Lu, and Weldmar’s in patient unit, looked after with such imaginative compassion, saying ‘do it.’ Simon always did everything bigger and bolder.”

Sophie decided to do the swim in Simon’s flamingo swimming shorts and his boatbuilding beanie hat, and she and Lu were joined by Ed and Giselle, owners of The Strawberry Tree restaurant in Lyme Regis.

“It was lovely to have a little team of us lunging for Weldmar, and for Simon,” said Sophie.

“Everyone has been so kind. I burst into tears when I went to collect a coffee from Kiosk before the Lunge and was handed an envelope of cash by the amazing team there.

“It meant we went into the Lunge knowing we’d raised almost 250 per cent of the original target. It all felt so generous, so Simon.”

Sophie’s JustGiving page is still taking donations, or head to Weldmar’s Facebook page and support Lu’s ongoing effort through a birthday fundraiser for the whole month.

Record-breaking duck race for Christmas lights A RECORD crowd gathered to watch the New Year’s Day duck race in aid of Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee.

So big was the crowd that there was barely a space left along the route of the course, which had to be shortened due to the fast-flowing and high river levels.

A total of 1,700 ducks competed in the race – the most ever – raising £1,700 for the Lyme Regis Christmas lights display.

The race was started by the Mayor of

Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, accompanied by mayoress Wendy Larcombe and town crier Alan Vian, and the ducks were ushered along the river by members of Lyme Regis lifeboat crew.

Cash prizes were handed out for the winning three ducks and the last duck home. They went to Emily Dutfield, Nat Yearling, Lucy Searle and Loraine Hewer.

Crowds then headed to the beach for the annual Lyme Lunge.

timeoutinLyme

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

B Sharp and Marine Theatre team up in Young Creatives Programme THE Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis has teamed up with local charity B Sharp to offer a number of opportunities to young musicians and creatives this month.

The Young Creatives Programme has been funded by Arts Council England.

In association with the youth music charity B Sharp, the Marine Theatre will be launching its 10-week Young Technicians’ Course on Monday, January 10.

This free course will give 16 to 25 year olds practical experience across lighting, sound, and stage management, leading up to a final show.

Led by five experts from the music industry and theatre, this is the perfect platform to launch a career in the arts.

The course will include masterclasses held by industry professionals, hands-on workshop sessions, the chance to shadow the technical team as they stage manage live gigs, and the opportunity for young creatives to independently manage a full show.

B Sharp will then be hosting monthly mentoring sessions at the Marine Theatre for young performers and bands, starting on Sunday, January 16.

The free mentoring sessions with professional musicians will help you develop your sound and take your performance to the next level.

These are suitable for young people aged 16 to 25, either solo performers or bands, and you can book a session by emailing info@bsharp.org.uk After the first mentoring session on January 16, why not book a slot to perform at the Young Creatives Sunday Session at the Marine Theatre, later that afternoon from 3pm.

These will also be held monthly, providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for performers aged 16 to 25, suitable for first time performers as well as those that have performed before. To book a slot email info@bsharp.org.uk.

Full details on all the above events are available on the website www.marinetheatre.com

■ LOCAL group The Chantry Buoys will be hosting a new regular event at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. The Colyton-based group sings traditional sea shanties and other well known songs. Join them alongside special guests in the Marine’s upstairs bar overlooking the sea for a fun sing-along with local drinks, old seafaring melodies, and maritime frolics. The first session will be held from 7.30pm on Thursday, January 13 and entry is free. Photo by Dan Clist Photography

What’s on Saturday, January 8

Live Music Night The Nag’s Head, 9pm Weekly live music nights at The Nag’s Head, this week with Fluke.

Monday, January 10

Young Technicians’ Course Marine Theatre, 6pm This free 10-week course explores the world of backstage, providing Young Creatives with the first step into the music and theatre industry. For full details and to book visit marinetheatre.com

Tuesday, December 11

The Lyme Regis branch of CancerResearch UK has been informed

by CRUK head office that our branch has raised £175,000 since formation in 2008.

Thank you to call those who have supported our events over the years.

This is a fantastic amount for such a small town to raise.

Look out for our full programme of events in 2022.

Together we can beat cancer

Stage & Screen Acting Course Marine Theatre, 6pm Experienced actor Billy Geraghty leads a 10 week Stage and Screen Acting class. For full details and to book, visit marinetheatre.com

Wednesday, January 12

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

Thursday, January 13

The Shanty Sessions Marine Theatre, 7.30pm A new regular, free event at the Marine Theatre – local group The Chantry Buoys sing traditional sea shanties and other well known songs.

Join them alongside special guests in our upstairs bar that

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

overlooks the sea.

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

Friday, January 14

Save the Children Soup & Pudding Lunch, Pilot Boat, 12noon A soup and pudding lunch in aid of the Lyme Regis branch of Save the Children - all welcome.

Saturday, January 15

Lyme Regis Comedy Club The Nag’s Head, 7pm This month’s headliner Tom Ward is joined by Westcountry favourite Ollie Horn, winner of the Funny Women Awards Laura Smyth and resident compere Tom Glover.

Tickets cost £12 in advance from marinetheatre.com Live Music Night The Nag’s Head, 9pm Weekly live music nights at The Nag’s Head, this week with Simple Chaos.

Sunday, January 16

Young Performer & Band Mentoring Sessions Marine Theatre, 12noon B Sharp offer free mentoring sessions with professional musicians to help you develop your sound. Suitable for young people aged 16 – 25, either solo performers or bands. To book a session email info@bsharp.org.uk Young Creatives Sunday Session

Marine Theatre, 3pm If you are a young musician aged 16 – 25, and would like the opportunity to perform at the Marine Theatre, come and take part in one of the Young Creatives open-mic sessions, supported by a professional music leader. To book a performance slot email info@bsharp.org.uk

Wednesday, January 19

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

Thursday, January 20

Theatre: ‘Jarman’ Marine Theatre, 7pm Mark Farrelly plays Derek Jarman: film-maker, painter, gardener at Prospect Cottage, activist, writer... his influence remains as strong as it was on the day AIDS killed him in 1994. But his story, one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, has never been told – until now. Tickets £14 in advance at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.

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MARINE THEATRE LYME REGIS

LYME REGIS COMEDY CLUB U SATURDAY 15 JANUARY £12 00 advance £12.00

SUNTOU SUS SSO BAND SATURDAY 22 2 JANUARY £12.00 advance

JARMAN N THURSD DAY 20 JANUARY £14.00 ad dvance

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: LEOPOLDSTAD DT THURSDAY 2 7 JANUARY £14.00 advance

MARTIN AND ELIZA CARTH HY FRIDAY 21 JANUARY £20.00 advance

BENJAMIN FR RANCIS LEFT WICH SATURDAY 5 FEBR F UARY £14.00 advance

TICKETS: BRIDPORT TOUR RIST INFORMATION CENTRE, MARINETHEA THEATRE.COM, 0333 666 3366 AND THE MARINE M THEATRE ON MONDAY OR FR RIDAY MORNING .

Booking fee may apply. 10% off for members.

16 Friday, January 7 2022

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Contradicting statements released as council continues to argue over LymeForward JUST before Christmas, Lyme Regis town councillors were warned that their constant arguments over community interest company LymeForward could “cripple the council”.

Now several of the parties involved have released further statements on the issue, but some of them continue to contradict one another.

The warning came from town clerk John Wright – the latest in several calls for councillors to improve their behaviour in the past six months, with many of the personal disputes stemming from disagreements over LymeForward, which runs the town’s food bank and other community projects and receives a £10,000 a year grant from the council.

Mr Wright made the comments after Cllr Belinda Bawden raised several questions over the governance of LymeForward at the last council meeting of 2021, leading Cllr Michaela Ellis – who is the council’s representative on LymeForward – to walk out of the meeting.

Cllr Bawden’s questions followed a longrunning public dispute between herself and the chair of LymeForward, Sue Davies.

Earlier in 2021, Ms Davies made two formal complaints about Cllr Bawden, claiming she had launched an “unremitting campaign of serious victimisation, intimidation and persecution” against her.

In both cases, Dorset Council’s monitoring officer said the claims against Cllr Bawden were lacking in evidence.

One of the questions raised by Cllr Bawden last month was why Alan Reynolds – husband of town councillor Cheryl Reynolds – was appointed a director of LymeForward on October 31 2021 and resigned on November 1 2021.

In a response to LymeOnline, LymeForward chair Sue Davies said that, having appointed Mr Reynolds, they were later informed that Lyme Regis Town Council’s governance arrangements precluded him from taking up his duties.

Over the Christmas period, Mr Reynolds also issued the following statement: “I was looking forward to being a director of LymeForward but my wife Cheryl was advised by an officer at Lyme Regis Town Council that she would have to leave the room and abstain from voting regarding LymeForward if I became a director.

“This is not a position I would like to put her

in as her first allegiance is to the people of this town and Lyme Regis Town Council. We decided it best that I resign.

“Unfortunately the application was sent in on the Sunday and I was only able to stop it the following day. Hence, the next day resignation.”

However, the Lyme Regis Town Council office issued the following contradictory statement: “Claims that Lyme Regis Town Council’s governance arrangements precluded Alan Reynolds from taking up his duties as a director of Lyme Forward are untrue.”

In December, Cllr Bawden also questioned the close links between LymeForward and the Lyme Regis Community Support Group, of which town councillors Cheryl Reynolds, Michaela Ellis and Richard Doney are trustees.

She questioned whether these councillors should be allowed to vote on LymeForward’s grant agreement, implying they had a vested interest.

In response, Cllr Doney, chairman of Lyme Regis Community Support Group, has now said: “Cllr Bawden raised a number of questions relating to LymeForward. One of those referenced ‘very close links between LymeForward and (Lyme Regis) Community Support’.

“Lyme Regis Community Support has a working relationship with LymeForward which is commensurate with what you would expect from an organisation whose purpose is to provide active support to those residents of Lyme Regis in need.

“Cllr Bawden also asked ‘Is it appropriate that the three trustees who also happen to be town councillors, are allowed to vote on LymeForward’s grant?’.

“As said above, we have a working relationship with LymeForward. I and my fellow councillors Michaela Ellis and Cheryl Reynolds refute any suggestion that we would use our position as a councillor to influence a decision that could be seen to benefit Lyme Regis Community Support or LymeForward either directly or indirectly.”

If you missed the initial report on this issue in December, you can catch up at lyme-online.co.uk/news/rows-over-lymeforwardcould-cripple-town-council, including the initial questions posed by Cllr Bawden and full response from Sue Davies.

Lyme Regis and Charmouth residents invited to become Community Energy Champions RESIDENTS in Lyme Regis and Charmouth are being offered the opportunity to train as Volunteer Community Energy Champions.

The champions would be able to give energy advice to their friends and neighbours in their community to help them be more energy efficient and reduce their carbon emissions, save on their bills and keep warm.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bridport will be running the online training with Bridport Town Council from January 20 for six months and volunteers from Lyme and Charmouth have been invited to join the scheme.

It follows Lyme Regis Town Council’s decision to allocate £25,000 a year for the remainder of the current council term specifically to tackle environmental and cli-

mate issues.

Cllr Belinda Bawden, chair of the council’s Environment Committee, said: “By allocating £75,000 in the budget for climate and environment emergency action planning over the remaining three years of the term of the council, Lyme Regis town councillors agreed pro-active engagement in the town to adapt to climate change and the need to reduce our impact on the environment.”

If you would like to become a Community Energy Champion by encouraging others to be more energy efficient, developing new knowledge and skills on energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the support and services available to help and retrofitting opportunities, contact Belinda Bawden on belindabawden@gmail.com

Uplyme garage to remain open until at least April as village continues fight to save facility UPLYME residents have been told that the village’s filling station, shop and post office will now remain open until at least April, while a solution is sought for its long-term future.

Owner Dave Ostler had previously announced that the facility would close down on January 14, but said he would reconsider if action was taken to amend the proposed access for a new school opposite, which he feels will have a detrimental impact on his business.

Proposed changes to Uplyme Road to provide a single entrance and exit point for a new primary school on land behind the village hall has been an ongoing concern for Mr Ostler for several years. He believes this could pose a health and safety hazard for his petrol filling station due to increased traffic queueing outside, making the entire business – which also includes the village shop and post office – unviable in the long-term.

A public meeting was held in November when residents agreed to petition East Devon District Council, Devon County Council Highways and The Bestic Trust, which submitted plans for the school, to change to proposed single entrance and exit point.

A follow-up meeting was held this week, when campaign leader Will Thomson said the petition had been very well supports and the facility would now remain open until at least April, with Mr Ostler then considering it on a month-bymonth basis, as long as he could see that action was being taken to change to access point.

Mr Thomson said: “There’s nothing he wants more than to keep the business open for years to come.”

Mr Ostler did not attend Wednesday night’s public meeting at Uplyme Village Hall, but he did meet with campaign leaders beforehand to update them on the issue.

The meeting was led by Mr Thomson and the Reverend Nicky Davies, who said she did not want to name scapegoats or assign blame, but find a positive way to move forward.

Martin Whitehead, chair of trustees for The Bestic Trust, then gave a comprehensive background to the school planning application and the issues surrounding the access point.

The Bestic Trust is an independent charity dedicated to making provision for Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School and promoting education and wellbeing in the parish of Uplyme.

An outline planning application for the new school building was submitted in 2012, with a preferred option for access to be off the mini roundabout on Uplyme Road. However, Devon Highways objected to this so the application went forward with a new single access and exit point off Uplyme Road.

At this stage, Mr Whitehead said Uplyme Parish Council and Mr Ostler did not object to the plans.

A renewed outline planning application was then submitted in 2015, at which point the parish council and Mr Ostler did object to the access point, but this had already been approved by Devon Highways.

A detailed planning application to finalise re-

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk served matters was then submitted, at which point the Bestic Trust’s consultants drew up a new plan to use new cul-de-sac Masters Close, off the mini roundabout, for the access point. This was also rejected by Devon Highways as it was felt the queuing traffic trying to get in and out of the school site would block Masters Close completely. The trust were also told that access was not a reserved matter and had already been approved in the earlier outline planning applications.

Mr Whitehead said that, following the announcement of the closure of the garage facility, the Bestic Trust contacted its consultants and has been discussing the best way to move forward.

This has included looking into a new plan for an access point off Masters Close, but Mr Whitehead said this was a time-consuming and costly progress that could produce other safety issues for the school.

“It’s not without its difficulties but it is progressing. If they are able to engineer an access point there I think they will have done a wonderful job. It’s very tricky.”

Mr Whitehead said the consultants were also working on a traffic submission paper to open discussions with the Highway and Traffic Orders Committee, which would bring together all parties concerned.

He said this would look constructively at all of the village’s traffic and safety issues, rather than focussing on the access point alone, and could include slowing down traffic in general, reducing on-street parking or creating a zebra crossing.

Mr Whitehead said this could benefit Uplyme long before the new school is actually built, which is not expected to be until September 2024 at the earliest.

“We totally understand the feeling in the village concerning the shop,” he said.

“We are very much part of the community and will do everything we can to find a resolution but we do need other parties to be part of finding that resolution.”

The trustees also clarified some frequently asked questions regarding the new school building.

The plans include a large car park for more than 50 vehicles, which will include a section of the village hall’s existing overflow car park. Permission for this has been granted by the village hall in return for the school car park being open for general community use and events.

There are currently just under 200 students at Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School – far more than its actual capacity – and the new school would take a maximum of 210 children, so there would not be a large intake of new pupils.

The trustees said they were committed to retaining the existing school building and making it available for some kind of community use.

They do not plan to sell it for development.

Friday, January 7 2022 17

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18 Friday, January 7 2022

Time for another clean up, Palmers?

■ IS there anybody local who could lend me a cherry picker vehicle?

I would love to help Palmers Brewery keep their long closed Three Cups building in better condition.

For as my photograph shows the gutters are full of weeds and grass!

A haircut/clean up is definitely needed.

And I would love to go up on a cherry picker hoist too!

Paul Mellor (by email)

Please don’t dredge on to sandy beach ■ AN open letter to the Dorset Harbour Authority, Dorset County Council, Lyme Town Council and Lyme Regis Harbour Master: Further to my letters in March and April last spring, I am appealing to you not to dredge the harbour into the waters of the sandy beach or onto or under the sand this year.

The black silt that pours out of the pipe into the shallows each year lingers near the beach for much of the year. It causes me a rash, which my consultant dermatologist tells me is due to petro-

Thank you for your support ■ THROUGH LymeOnline, I would like to wish my lovely family, friends and neighbours a very happy new year and a much brighter 2022, and a big thank you for all their help and kindness for the past few months and to one over Christmas. Take care and keep safe.

Pam Kaxe, Charmouth Close, Lyme Regis

chemicals or metals. I can swim anywhere else in the west without this happening.

My concern is also for the children who play on the edge of the beach, not to mention adults, young and old, and even dogs.

Doug Parker of the Environment Agency tells me that he is trying to get answers from you about this.

The beach is beautiful and attracts increasing numbers of swimmers and other water users. It is short-sighted to dump this pollution comprised of oil and petrol discharges and other sediment from the harbour into the beach water.

When I was a child the dredger would take the silt out to sea where it stands a chance of being dispersed.

I have been told that the silt is black not because of pollutants because the sun does not reach it. If this was the case, it would not still be visible in the water all summer long either side of the groin.

I would welcome any positive news about this to reassure me and other swimmers.

Sue Gross Marine Parade, Lyme Regis

COMING BACK IN SPRING 2022

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LymeOnline Letters

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

Preaching on the beach is ‘outdated’ ■ IN response to the letter from Diana Hunt (LymeOnline, December 17) defending the United Beach Mission and the role this organisation plays on our beach, I would like to say the following.

The UBM is a fundamentalist organisation which strictly adheres to the Bible (it is “fully trustworthy as originally given and is the unerring revelation of God” according to the UBM). It does not believe in evolution, thereby believing the planet to be circa 6,000 years old which does not easily align with Mary Anning, etc. and which is at direct odds with school teachings and basic science.

Amongst many other rigid beliefs (stated on their website if you dig about a little), it strictly believes in “the eternal blessedness of the righteous and the eternal punishment of the wicked”.

Such strong and unforgiving words and yet it dresses itself up as some child-friendly fun club with activities such as tug of war, sand modelling, smugglers trails, beach volleyball, etc.

I have walked past the UBM on the beach over many years with my own children and I don’t like the fact that it doesn’t properly state its fundamentalist beliefs so that parents understand what is being “taught” to our children when they are left in UBM’s care.

The fact that it has been allowed to preach such strict beliefs on our beach for 50 years does now, in my opinion, seem outdated when we inhabit

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United Beach Mission a ‘wonderful group of people’ ■ A FEW years ago my sister and I answered a similar letter like James Burtoft’s (LymeOnline, December 10) regarding the United Beach Mission.

Our grandchildren used to love it on the beach with the United Beach Mission, winning little prizes and sometime a sing-along. What a wonderful group of young people.

I wonder if Mr Burtoft would give up his time to entertain the children. I don’t expect he would.

I few more young people like the UBM wouldn’t go a miss in this world today. Good luck to them.

Pam Kaxe, Charmouth Close, Lyme Regis

Mary and the Ichthyosaur A poem by Bruce Callander MARY Anning in eighteen hundred and eleven Went for a stroll near the hill called Black Ven For she loved to explore the shingle beaches Of the scenic coastline around Lyme Regis.

For this strangest of creatures with jaws full of teeth And the largest of eyes that look up from beneath.

She wasn’t looking for something colossal But at the foot of the cliff she spotted a fossil Huge mouth, big eyes, it’s teeth in a pile Perhaps it was a crocodile?

It dates from the Triassic - no, wait a minute, hold on It’s definitely Jurassic, and I’m never wrong!

Now I’ve travelled the world to solve all sorts of puzzles Seen fossilized poo and funny-shaped muzzles But as to it’s name I haven’t a clue I suggest you take it along to the zoo.”

Slowly, gently she chipped at the stones Uncovering an amazing range of bones Back at home she spread the parts on her bed Screwed up her face and scratched her head

But the scariest part of the fearsome beast Were the enormous jaws with rows of sharp teeth And the huge eye socket, looking baleful and fierce Brought poor Mary Anning to the verge of tears.

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a world which is in need of unification rather than further division.

I am not a Christian but I don’t believe that the beliefs of the UBM are reflective of modern Christianity. However, I would be interested in hearing the views of the local churches on this.

Its free licence to preach, granted by the town council, expires in 2022 and I agree with James Burtoft (LymeOnline, December 10) and with Carl Salter (LymeOnline, November 26) that this licence should not be renewed.

Ian Mouland Silver Street

Email your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk or post them to LymeOnline, Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS. Please note, the views expressed in letters published are those of the author and not necessarily of LymeOnline. Publication of all letters is at the editor’s discretion.

Letters sent to us for publication may be subject to minor amendments to correct spelling and grammatical errors, or to ensure they are not libellous or defamatory.

This is a puzzle’, she thought, “that looks very hard I wonder if these bones come from a lizard?”

She started at the tail and slowly, over time Added flippers, scales, some ribs and a spine

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But brave young girl that Mary was She grabbed a red ribbon and tied up its jaws Wrapped it in paper and - without apologies Rushed off to find a palaeontologist She took it to the great Richard Owen Who founded the Natural History Museum Richard was proud, with great staring eyes Hairs up his nostrils and a poor taste in ties.

He looked down his nose and pulled at his braces And confessed “This is one of the rarest of cases Where in spite of my knowledge, experience and fame I don’t know the answer, nor can give you a name

Mary went home with her bundle held tight She knew it wasn’t an ammonite.

A turkey? A zebra? A cat or a dog?

Or something more ugly, perhaps a warthog?

Back home she made her fossil secure By hanging it on the hook of her bedroom door.

“Tomorrow”, she thought “I’ll solve this riddle.

I’ll get a name for my fossil and maybe it’ll Get me fame, and an entry to the Geology Club And invites to parties. And free beer at the pub.

With her head on the pillow she headed for sleep But her body was restless and her heart missed it’s beat Her dreams were all troubled, and at exactly midnight A sound in her room made her sit bolt upright Was it the storm that was shaking the sky?

Or something much closer, something nearby?

Then a voice sounded clearly from the back of the door The beast whispered slowly: “I’m an Ichthyosaur!”

Friday, January 7 2022 19

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FREE Seafront security a ‘waste of money’ says councillor

The Volly’s back i n b usi ness !

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

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

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

An ambitious online appeal launched by the Jurassic Coast

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francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

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

The unpublished letter, written

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

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

The Jurassic Coast Trust and

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

An online fundraising appeal was CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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

REPORT, PAGE 3

‘Difficult decisions’ ahead for council

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

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

REPORT, PAGE 7

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

REPORT, PAGE 7

Another ton for Tyler

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

REPORT, PAGE 32

Climb every mountain YME Regis resident Louise

Powell is preparing to climb

Mount Kilimanjaro in memory

of her dad Derek, to raise

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hike of Kilimanjaro in memory

of dad

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

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

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

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

The 21-year-old social work stu-

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Petition launched for lifeguard hut

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

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

REPORT, PAGE 20

Seasiders clinging to promotion

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

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

PIP PICKS UP MBE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE PAGE 6

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Council to go over budget by £339k

Pink sky at night...

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

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

Ambulance response times ‘unacceptable’

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

REPORT, PAGE 7

Plans for Lyme to go plastic free

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

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Meet Lyme’s first Guide Dog

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

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

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

Axminster 01297 32345

HARRY’S IN TOWN! PAGE

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

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

during the half term

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

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

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

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

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

Reserves win a place in cup’s second round

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

REPORT, PAGE 24

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20 Friday, January 7 2022

Council reverses decision to scrap Kilmington school bus

DEVON County Council has reversed its decision to scrap a bus service that takes schoolchildren from Kilmington to Axminster.

The council had planned to scrap the AX32 service, which takes children from Kilmington to Axe Valley Academy, at the end of the 2021 winter term.

Reasons given was that there was "a suitable walking/cycling route available to them to access the college" and there was also a public bus service available.

The decision left parents concerned that their children would have to walk some two miles to school, including a dangerous crossing of the busy A35.

They appealed against the decision, submitted a petition, carrying out traffic counts on the A35 and even attending County Hall in Exeter to put their case forward.

Members of the Appeals Committee then agreed to walk both of the possible routes from Kilmington to Axe Valley Academy to determine whether they were appropriate.

It was announced just before Christmas that councillors had found both routes were not suitable for schoolchildren to walk, and therefore the AX32 bus service would remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Parent Marl Jones, who helped lead the campaign, said: "Many thanks to all who have helped in any way whether by writing to object or just signing the petition, in particular Peter and Lesley and Stafford and Luke."

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Well known local musician imprisoned for sexual offences against two young girls AXMINSTER musician Steve Black was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment at Exeter Crown Court just before Christmas, for sexual offences committed in the early 1990s.

Steve Black, aged 68, whose real name is Stephen Hepher, was convicted of four counts of indecent assault at Taunton Crown Court in September 2021. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges. His sentencing was held in Exeter in late December.

His crimes related to two 15-year-old girls, one

of which he encouraged to undress and then groped her breasts, and the other he exploited and engaged in penetrative sexual behaviour with her.

Black previously ran a drama group which he used to gain access to his victims.

He was well known in the local area as a musician and lived in George Street, Axminster.

Clare Smith of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Stephen Hepher ran a drama group that gave him access to children and he used his po-

Plans for 30 new homes on land between Beavor Lane and Three Acre Close in Axminster have been submitted to East Devon District Council.

The development, on land west of Prestaller Farm, would comprise of four homes to be access via a new private drive off Beavor Lane, and 26 to be accessed via a new road adjoining Three Acre Close.

The properties would include a mixture of one, two, three and four-bed homes, including some flats - to a maximum of two storeys – and afford-

able housing.

The development would also include green spaces responding to the existing vegetation and topographical contrasts of the site.

For two beds and over, a minimum of two allocated parking spaces will be provided per dwelling.

In addition, the larger properties would have either a single or double garage plus the two allocated parking spaces.

For the affordable rented homes, one parking space will be allocated, meaning there will be total of 82 parking spaces on site. The proposed development site, west of Prestaller Farm, highlighted in red Materials used will largely include brick and render, with key buildMembers of the public are welcome to submit ings highlighted in stone. comments via East Devon District Council until Axminster Town Council will consider this January 21. planning application at its full council meeting For full details on the planning application, on January 10. visit https://bit.ly/3pUQTUl

sition to groom and abuse his young victims.

“I would like to commend the victims for their strength in coming forward and supporting this prosecution.

“We want every victim of sexual assault to be able to have confidence that the CPS and police are dedicated to securing justice for them.

“This conviction shows that even when many years have passed since an offence was committed offenders can still expect to face justice."

Plans for 30 news homes between Beavor Lane and Three Acre Close

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Old public toilets to be converted into home

OLD public loos are to become someone’s new home following a decision by the planning committee at East Devon District Council (EDDC).

The toilets on Axminster’s Castle Street, in the town centre conservation area, will be converted into a one-bedroom property.

The transformation will include an extra storey and several external changes.

It’s not exactly clear when the loos were built.

Maps between 1889 and 1912 do not show the toilet block, however, it does appear in those for 1951 to 1992.

There is a further reference to the building’s existence in the 1950s in 'Moulding’s Memories', an Axminster Nub News column written by EDDC councillor Andrew Moulding (Conservative, Axminster), who lived a quick dash to the loos when growing up.

After being sold by the council around 15 years ago, the building has been vacant and mainly being used for storage.

The ground floor of the new home will be flush with a study, a hall and a bedroom. The upper floor will be an open plan living area. It will also have a loo, naturally.

Addressing EDDC’s planning committee, Cllr Moulding said: “I’m glad we’ve reached a position where this old building can be brought back into use.”

The property won’t have on-street parking, causing ward member for Axminster, Cllr Sarah Jackson (Democratic Alliance Group), expressing concern this could lead to the narrow two-way road on Castle Street being blocked up, either by deliveries or the occupier parking next to their home for a short period of time.

She was also worried that the building works needed could affect trade at a garage opposite.

Cllr Jackson wanted conditions placed on the planning permission limiting the hours work could be carried out so as to reduce the disruption to the business.

She admitted she was torn about the plans, commenting: “I’d really like this building to be put back into good use. I think it’s in desperate need of that.”

The application was given the green light by a unanimous vote in favour.

By Local Democracy Reporter Joe Ives

Friday, January 7 2022 21

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FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

■ FEATHERS fly as swans go to war over territorial rights, as well as who gets to mate with who. It does get rough but eventually they seem to sort out disputes and things go back to normal even if they are a few feathers lighter in each of them.

You can view all of award-winning photographer Richard Austin’s previous ‘Flashbacks’ columns at lyme-online.co.uk/blogs

Council sends clear message on dogs on beach policy RESPONDING individually to every complaint regarding the dog policy on Lyme Regis beach would be “a full time job” for council staff, according to the mayor.

New restrictions regarding dogs on the town’s main sand beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach were introduced over a year ago, but are still resulting in a significant number of complaints from dog owners.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) states that between October 1 and April 30, dogs are allowed on the town’s main sand beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach, but they must remain on a lead.

The order was put in place by Dorset Council, but Lyme Regis Town Council has taken a fair amount of criticism for initially suggesting a complete year-round ban on dogs from the main beaches.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Campaigners have not let up since the onlead restrictions were first imposed on January 1 2020, saying the rules discrimiate against dog owners, especially as other beaches are not as accessible or safe, and are affecting dogfriendly businesses in the seafront area.

But the town council has remained clear that it supports Dorset Council’s regulations and does not intend to request a change anytime soon.

Three similar letters from members of the public were read at the last council meeting before Christmas.

They all asked what dog owners could do to work with the town council to get the restrictions changed; what evidence was submitted to

Dorset Council with the town council’s statement in favour of a ban of dogs on the sandy beach; whether business owners were consulted before the restrictions were put in place; and what the council could do to encourage dog-owning visitors and to be inclusive to dogowning families.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, replied: “We have an established position and policy on this and we have made our reasons to keep dogs under control, which means on a lead, in these areas very clear.

“These correspondences that we have are continuing in a pattern and we cannot add anymore to the message we have already been saying.”

The mayor also questioned whether businesses were really losing custom, as claimed, based on the large numbers of visitors seen in

Lyme Regis in recent months.

“It may even be counter-productive to allow dogs on the beach, based on the numbers we have seen,” he added.

Town clerk John Wright added: “We are getting a lot of these letters now and it’s clear that there’s a campign to put some pressure on the council, particularly in regards to exposing the rationale behind decisions.”

The clerk suggested responding with the council’s clear policy, and say that the matter will not be discussed again until Dorset Council’s policy is due to be reviewed in a year’s time.

“That should be it full stop because otherwise we’re just creating work,” he added.

The mayor added: “We are not writing tailored letters every time we get correspondence of this type, it would become a full time job.”

22 Friday, January 7 2022

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★ EXTENSIONS ★ CONSERVATORIES ★ RENOVATIONS ★ ALTERATIONS ★ LOFT CONVERSIONS ★ DRIVES★ ★ PATIOS ★ DECKING ★ FENCING ★ ROOFING ★ DECORATING ★ KITCHENS ★ BATHROOMS ★ BRICKWORK ★ PLUMBING

MODARC MODULAR & ARCHITECTURE

- Planning Applications - Building Regulations - Extensions - New Builds / Conversions - Listed Building Works - Modular Building

NO MOLE NO FEE Telephone 07708 805118 westdorsetmolecontrol.co.uk

GARDENING

TV AERIALS

Bay Cleaning and

Maintenance End/Beginning of sales End/Beginning of lease Full Maintenance Service Carpet Cleaning specialists Holiday Let Cleans

Now taking on staff

PRINTING SERVICES

AERIALS & CABLE TV & Radio Aerials

• Installations & Repairs • Satellite Installation • UHF & VHF • Multi Point Installation

Office: 01308 427428 Mobile: 07956 205733/ 07904 245877

Tel: 01297 443928 Mobile 07814 481833

Email: pjs.builders@sky.com

DOG WALKING VALENTIN’S DOG WALKING AND SITTING SERVICES LYME REGIS, DORSET Offering a caring and patient service Fully insured Contact: 07771 154 807 benshaw590@outlook.com

Contact The Hub for details admin@lrdt.co.uk or 01297 444266

CLEANING

e Lym

Tel: 01297 551393 E-mail: info@modarc.co.uk Web: www.modarc.co.uk

Ring us for a no obligation free quotation on

VENUE HIRE

PEST CONTROL

Valentin’s Dog Walking and Sitting

PAINTING & DECORATING

Chris Higgs

Interior & exterior decorating

C. H. PAINTING SERVICES Tel: 07932 982 206 chrisdhiggs81@gmail.com Free Quotations Fair & Reasonable Rates

HEALTHCARE

Lyme Bay Ear Clinic Ear Wax Microsuction Removal

Tel: 07392 793 472

Clinics at Lyme Regis and Bridport www.lymebayearclinic.co.uk or email: admin@lymebayearclinic.co.uk John Collins GN, ON, MHN, BSC Over 35 years of nursing experience

To advertise your business in Local Services call 07810 221 420 or email edit@lyme-online.co.uk

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classifieds&jobs

Friday, January 7 2022 23

www.lyme-online.co.uk

ITEMS TO SELL?

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

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

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

CAT WILLOW CARRIER BASKET, large, hardly used, £20 - 07870 603 345.

MASSAGING FOOT SLIPPER, M&S massaging Cosy big slipper with remote control and soft fleece lining, still in box, unwanted gift,, bargain at £15 - 01297 442198.

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

MEN’S SHIRTS, Marks & Spencer, pure cotton, 1 x tartan size L, 1 x check size XXL, still packed, cost £19.50 each, selling for £10 each - 01297 443930.

THE BOOK OF SEATON, by Ted Gosling, Halsgrove, 2002 first edition, as new condition, £34 - 01297 442627.

LADDER, second-hand Young Man Trade 200 triple extension ladder, 3 x 14 rungs, £125 07790 017 214.

THE BOOK OF AXMINSTER WITH KILMINGTON, by Ted Gosling, Halsgrove, 2003 first edition, near new condition, very scarce book, £34 - 01297 442627.

INTERNAL DOORS, some panelled pine, some flush, all fully furnished with locks and hinges, offers welcome - 01297 442773.

SHEEPSKIN COAT, grey, size 10, worn twice, £85 - 01297 560742.

Your name: .......................................................................................................................

Your address: .................................................................................................................. ...........................................................................................................................................

Telephone number: .........................................................................................................

Send this form to: Items For Sale, LymeOnline, Unit 5, Uplyme Business Centre, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS

LOOKING FOR STAFF?

ITEMS FOR SALE

WOMEN’S JEANS, Marks & Spencer, indigo, slim leg, size 8, unworn, cost £19.50, now selling for £10 - 01297 443930.

LEATHER JACKET, gentleman’s soft leather jacket, brown, nearly new, 42”-44”, £85 - 01297 560742.

HANDCART, requires repainting, £20 - 07870 603 345.

FOLDING BED, Jaybe, single, little used, £45 07977 504 555.

PRESSURE COOKER, ideal for cooking Christmas puddings, £3.50 - 01297 443930.

COMPOST BIN and wormery dustbin, £10 each - 01297 443930.

LOWRY ORGAN, cost £1,200, now selling for £100, can be played before purcahse, buyer collects - 01297 442103.

FENCING FOIL, Leon Paul épée with carrying bag, £25 - 01297 443666.

SOFTBALL/BASEBALL BATS, Louisville Slugger Official USA 34 inch softball metal bat and wooden Mark McGwire 34 inch baseball bat, £50 for the two - 01297 443666.

BARBOUR COAT, geuine Barbour Bushman coat, rust colour, £90 - 07870 603 345.

BOWLS, size 2, £25 - 07889 019 587.

SHOES, size 6, £5 a pair - 07889 019 587.

DRESSES, size 14/16, £5 each - 07889 019 587.

GLASS DEMIJOHNS, for wine-making, 3 for £10, plus some free homegrown grapes! Call 01297 443930.

DUVETS, good quality, winter 13.5 tog, occasionally used (spare bed), 1 double and 1 single, £8 each - 01297 443930.

Lyme Regis Town Council in exercise of their powers under Section 57 (1) B of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 give notice to vary the off-street parking charges of: Lyme Regis (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 1989 with effect from 1st April 2022. The amendments will be as follows: Woodmead Car Park

LymeOnline can offer affordable and wide-reaching advertising opportunities to promote your vacancies Job advert spaces of varying sizes, starting from as little as £15, are available in our fortnightly printed newspaper with a distribution of 4,000 around Lyme Regis, Uplyme, Charmouth and Axminster.

Plus you’ll get a free job advert on the LymeOnline website, visited by more than 900 users a day!

Call Francesca on 07810 221 420 or email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

Per Hour 3 Day Ticket 7 Day Ticket Residents Annual Permit Non-Residents Annual Permit Holiday Accommodation Monmouth Beach and Cabanya Car Park Per Hour Penalty Charge Notice Full Charge Payment within 7 working days J. WRIGHT, TOWN CLERK JANUARY 2022

Present

Proposed

£1.00 £25.00 £50.00 £175.00 £400.00 £700.00

£1.10 £30.00 £60.00 £175.00 £400.00 £700.00

Present

Proposed

£1.40

£1.50

Present

Proposed

£60.00 £40.00

£60.00 £40.00

LymeOnline Sport

www.lyme-online.co.uk

January 7 2022

Football is back - and so is Covid!

LOCAL football returns this weekend after the festive break but the new COVID variant is also back with vengeance and could well cause further disruption to the fixture list going into the new year.

Axminster Town’s home match

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk against Ivybridge has already been called off because several of the visiting team have tested positive and Lyme Regis Rovers’ Dorset Junior Cup quarter final versus Oakford

cribbage Lamb Swans are making all the running in the Lyme Regis Winter Cribbage League.

The Axminster pub team lead both the league and the beer leg after 11 games. In the main league they have a one point lead over Axminster Conservative Club and the beer league they are leading the Gerrard Arms, Colyton by a similar margin.

Results (December 13): Colyton Club 2, Valley Rejects 3 (Beer Leg 0-3); Volunteer Lyme Regis 2, New

Inn Kilmington 3 (B/L 2-1); Dolphin Beer 3, Gerrard Arms Colyton 1 (B/L 3-1); Lamb Swans 4, Axminster Con Club 1 (B/L 2-1); The Hind Musbury 3, Castle Inn Axminster 2 (B/L 3-0).

The Knock Out Cup semi-finals and final will be played at the Colyton Club on Monday, January m10, 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm start).

The teams involved are: Volunteer Lyme Regis, New Inn Kilmington, Dolphin Beer and Colyton Club.

United is in doubt.

In the days when Lyme competed in the Perry Street League, the Seasiders won the Dorset Junior Cup on a number of occasions.

The club’s third eleven now compete in this competition and they have got through to the quarter finals without playing a game due to walkovers in the earlier rounds.

The Lyme first team’s home Devon and Exeter Premier match against Okehampton Argyle has been switched to the 3G artifical pitch at the Axe Valley Academy in Axminster due to the Davey Fort being waterlogged. Kick-off is at 2 pm.

Argyle sit one place below Lyme in the Premier table so this is a fixture which the Seasiders need to win to keep this season’s campaign on track, especially as the following week they are at home to Beer Albion.

Despite the difficulty in fielding sides in the early part of the season, as a result of COVID and injuries, Lyme Reserves sit in fifth place in Devon and Exeter Division Three and tomorrow travel to Exeter University 5th who are two places below them in the table.

Uplyme 1st have also impressed in their first season in Devon and Exeter football, finishing the year in fourth place in Division Six with eight wins from 12 games.

Tomorrow the Swallows are at home to Sandford (kick-off 2.15) where three more points are well within their capabilities.

Uplyme Reserves have a more difficult task away to Pen Mill Athletic who are in the runners-up spot in Perry Street Division Three.

Team of the moment Charmouth, flying high in Perry Street Division Two, are away to Redland Rebels in the Dorset Junior Cup

New indoor rowing centre opens in the Jubilee Pavilion

PERFORMANCE coach G ary Sutherland pictured inside the new indoor rowing centre at the Jubilee Pavilion on Marine Parade

A NEW indoor rowing centre has opened in the Jubilee Pavilion on the seafront at Lyme Regis.

The new facility offers local people accessible, all weather, pay-as-you-go fitness and coaching sessions, tailored to individual needs.

Performance coach Garry Sutherland has spent a lifetime in pursuit of high performance.

He has coached and mentored athletes from all sports and backgrounds.

Since discovering indoor rowing, Garry has taken individuals and teams from novice to national champions.

The indoor rowing centre is a collaborative partnership between Lyme Regis Gig Club and indoor rowing, born out of a desire to improve the health and well being of people in the town and surrounding area.

The new seafront indoor rowing studio is equipped with six Concept 2 Model D rowing machines and series 5 Performance Monitors.

Marcus Dixon, chairman of Lyme Regis Gig Club, said: “The centre’s indoor rowing programmes deliver a total body work out. Its good for people of all fitness levels to try; its highly efficient and effective non-impact way to burn calories and lose weight; its great for your heart and lungs, building power and endurance.

“For sports teams and individual sports women and men, adding indoor rowing and coaching to your training regime gives a powerful means of improving performance and achieving ones full potential.”

Friday, January 7 2022 24

AT THE DAVEY FORT THIS SATURDAY

BAR OPEN FROM 4 pm skittles

Mini-league to commence on February 4 LYME Regis Skittles League committee met recently an and is planning to restart skittles from Friday, February 4 if there is sufficient interest from teams and there are no further COVID restrictions.

A special meeting will be held at The George in Charmouth on Friday, January 14.

The pub will be open at 7.30pm only for the duration of the meeting, which will start promptly at 7.45pm.

Please note that The George is not open to the public on this night and will close as soon as the meeting has finished.

League chairman Mark Williams said: “The plan at this stage is to work out how many teams are interested and once known then a ‘mini-league’ will be created.

“There will not be any cup games and there will not be a presentation evening. The restart would be from Friday, February 4 until around Easter.

“The committee will be present at the meeting and will be happy to hear team views.

“There will be no entry fees for the restart as the league has sufficient funds in hand.”

All teams are being asked to send at least one representative to this special meeting which will take place unless any Government COVID guidance prevents this from happening.

If anyone has any questions in the meantime, they are advised to contact Mr Williams or any member of the committee.

It is expected to have four alleys available -The George, Rousdon Club, The Ship Inn and Wootton Social Club.

LymeOnline is published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Unit 5, Uplyme Business Park, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS Printed by Newsquest, Weymouth

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