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Charmouth consulting on Neighbourhood Plan AS Lyme Regis residents and businesses face what is being described as the most challenging period during peacetime, this stunning shot of the Cobb by Richard Austin reminds us of the town’s natural beauty and that the sun will always rise again

We’re all in it together

OVER the past four years a dedicated team of local volunteers, working on behalf of the Charmouth Parish Council, have been developing the village’s draft Neighbourhood Plan, reflecting the wishes of the people who live and work in the area. This is now ready for public consultation. Residents and those who work or run businesses in Charmouth parish will have the opportunity to comment on the draft plan from Friday, April 3 for a six-week period. REPORT, PAGE 8

COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES IN CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK LYME Regis residents and businesses have come together as the coronavirus epidemic starts to take hold of the town.

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday evening, advocating more stringent ‘social distancing’ measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Lyme has seen its spring events calendar decimated, while some local attractions, amenities and businesses have temporarily shut their doors, including the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Museum and Woodmead Halls. Lyme Regis Town Council has suspended all meetings and schools are

expected to close today (Friday). But amid concerns over Lyme’s elderly population and the effects on local businesses and tourism, community spirit has come to the fore. A new group called ‘Lyme Regis Community Support’ has been set up on social media site Facebook, to coordinate offers of help and support for the elderly and vulnerable during the coming weeks.

Local residents Victoria Cottle, Grace Herbert, Becky Lippett and Cheryl Reynolds have taken the lead on the community effort to help those in need. They have asked residents to volunteer as a ‘person of contact’ for their street or area, to look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Volunteers can then use the Face-

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Published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Hyper-local website and fortnightly newspaper serving the communities of Lyme Regis, Uplyme & Charmouth. Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS www.lyme-online.co.uk edit@lyme-online.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LymeOnlineUK Twitter: twitter.com/LymeOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/lymeonline Editor: Francesca Evans francesca@lyme-online.co.uk 07810 221 420 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Regular Columnists: Sophia Moseley, Marine Theatre Mark Vandeweyer, Citizens Advice Peter Lacey, Tales of Lyme’s Past Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk

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LymeOnline recognises climate change and environmental concerns as one of the most important current issues faced by our local community and across the globe. We are committed to continued, fair and accurate reporting of environmental news and events, as well as taking action to reduce our own impact on the environment. Print and paper is used by news media publishers to produce their print titles. Newsprint is uncoated paper, made out of mechanical pulp or waste paper, which is used to produce newspapers. Newspapers are not responsible for rainforest depletion; the hardwoods from tropical rainforests are simply not suitable for newsprint production. Newsprint is an environmentally sound, renewable resource which comes from managed softwood coniferous forests, mainly in North America and Europe. For every tree cut down, two or three more are planted. Between 2005 and 2015 European forests grew by 44,160 sqkm. The newspaper industry has a voluntary agreement with the government on the recycled content of UK newspapers, which is supported by our printers Newsquest, which is committed to purchasing newsprint responsibly to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources In 1991, the UK publishers set a target of achieving 40 per cent recycled content in newspapers by the year 2000. The industry met this target four years ahead of schedule. In 2018, the recycled paper content of UK newspapers was 69.2 per cent.

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Community pulls together Town council to ‘support through uncertain times wider community’ through coronavirus pandemic CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE book page if groceries, medication, phone calls, toilet roll etc. are needed. Victoria commented: “Myself and Grace Herbert wanted to find away to support community members with the impending shut down, and thought the best way to bring people together and reach a wide range of people would be with Facebook. “Lyme Regis has a brilliant community spirit and it has shown that in the outpouring of support in the last few days. We have overwhelmed with kind offers and support. “Our biggest aim is to make sure that the vulnerable, elderly or isolated members of the community weren’t left feeling alone or without provisions. It really is wonderful to see the community pulling together in such uncertainty and remembering that we are all connected.” Local printing company Advantage Digital Print has supported the scheme by printing 2,000 ‘offers of help’ leaflets which have been filled out with contact details of volunteers and posted through doors in the Lyme Regis area. The leaflet can also be seen on page 8 so you can cut out your own copy and post it to neighbours. Alternatively, anyone in need of help can call Cheryl Reynolds on 01297 443814 or 01297 691492. Several local businesses have also offered their support with many launching takeaway and delivery services to ensure they can still reach customers in isolation. Others have

offered to pick up essential items for those in need or order them through suppliers (see page 7). The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, has also called for residents to look out for one another during this uncertain time. He said: “This is one time when a town as small and much more group-focussed than others can keep an effective eye on neighbours within our community. It’s not a lot to simply check the person next door is OK, particularly if they are elderly, on their own, less mobile and vulnerable. “Although a distance from the resources within large conurbations, we’re lucky that our local environment is so much different from the dense urban concentration of UK cities and the cosmopolitan nature of them. “Government will set measures that reflect London and other large towns and cities needs, and places like Lyme will have to work out the application of them in our less dense and more remote locations – a benefit being that, as well as having the fresh sea air that surrounds us, we are a small town and know each other well enough to keep an eye out for neighbours, the elderly and the vulnerable. “Beyond this we must look to our GP for individual advice, and the NHS and Government advice as the effects of the virus and the response to it develops.”

LYME Regis Town Council has released a statement on the coronavirus emergency, saying it aims to provide support to the wider community. In a statement released earlier this week, town clerk John Wright said: “The council is regularly monitoring the situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and is following any official guidance issued. “The council remains open and will continue as normal for as long as possible or until told otherwise. “We are implementing precautionary measures where appropriate and should the situation change, plans are being put in place to maintain council services where possible. “We will aim to provide support to the wider community where appropriate and will co-ordinate aid and resources with other local organisations, such as Dorset Council. “We are regularly communicating with our staff and councillors and further decisions are expected to be made by the Strategy and Finance Committee on Wednesday (March 18). We need to find a sensible way through this situation to ensure essential business is dealt with and urgent decisions can be made.

“The council’s priority is the health and safety of our staff, councillors and customers and we will act accordingly with the guidance issued. “The mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, has taken the decision to cancel civic night, which was due to take place on Saturday, April 4, and full refunds will be given to all those who have bought tickets. “We have contacted the organisers of all major events due to take place in Lyme Regis to establish their position and ensure decisions are made in a timely manner. Meetings and discussions are already taking place, particularly for events scheduled for April and May. “The council will provide daily updates about its own services and help communicate information about other community events and activities. “The council would urge the public to use trusted websites and sources for official guidance and regular updates, specifically www.gov.uk and www.nhs.uk.” The council is planning to share daily updates and information on its social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Lyme Regis Town Council has now suspended all meetings See page 7

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Beach comber discovers WWI ‘Death Penny’

BEACH comber Jason Turner stumbled across a large, perfectly-round bronze disc beneath the Jurassic cliffs between Charmouth and Lyme Regis. The disc was badly corroded with all the detail unreadable, eventually with several cleanings it revealed a ‘Death Penny’ from the First World War, bearing the name of Albert George Hodder. The disc was found on the beach below the part of the cliff where the town’s rubbish was dumped for many years, it’s historic contents is now crumbling down the cliff and onto the beach. Jason is now trying to find relatives of war hero Albert Hodder and present them with the momentum. Albert met his death in a tragic way; his submarine was in dock and as he left the sub to go ashore, he slipped into the sea. He was rescued but later died in hospital. According to Forces War Records, the WWI Memorial Plaque was made from bronze and was popularly known as the ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ among frontline troops, also becoming widely known as, the ‘Death Penny’, ‘Death Plaque’ or ‘Widow's Penny’. It was in October 1916 that the British Government setup a committee for the idea of a commemorative plaque that could be given to the next of kin for those men and women whose deaths were

caused by the First World War of 1914-18. The first a family would know of the death of a relative was the arrival of a telegram from the War Office. This would be followed by the WWI Death Plaque and any medals the serviceman would have earned serving his country. The original plaque was a 12cm disk cast in bronze gunmetal, which included an image of Britannia and a lion, two dolphins that represented Great Britain's sea power and the emblem of Imperial Germany's eagle being torn to pieces by another lion. Britannia is holding an oak spray with leaves and acorns. Beneath this was a rectangular tablet where the deceased’s name cast into the plaque. No rank was given as it was intended to show equality in their sacrifice. On the outer edge of the disk it bears the inscription 'He died for freedom and honour'. The memorial plaque was posted to the next of kin protected by a firm cardboard, purpose-made folder, which was then placed in a white HMSO envelope. Production of the plaques and scrolls, which was supposed to be financed by German reparation money, began in 1919 with approximately 1,150,000 issued. They commemorated those who fell between August 4 1914 and January 10 1920 for home, Western Europe and the Dominions,

JASON Turner with the ‘Death Penny’ bearing the name of Albert George Hodder, also pictured below before cleaning whilst the final date for the other theatres of war or for those who died of attributable causes was April 30 1920. The next of kin of the 306 British and Commonwealth military personnel who were executed following a Court Martial did not receive a memorial plaque. Words and photos by Richard Austin

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

MP welcomes A303 improvements WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder, who has lobbied government for better transport and road connections for the South West, welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s recent Budget announcement regarding improvements on the A303. During his first Budget speech at the House of Commons on March 11, the Chancellor announced a £27billion funding injection for roads across the UK, with a special mention for the A303. The trunk road is one of the main routes connecting London to the South West and there are plans to make it dual carriageway.

Going green is good for business GOING green is good for business! That was the message at Turn Lyme Green’s latest meeting, where local business owners shared ideas and success stories on how they have become more environmentally friendly. The meeting was held at the Driftwood Café in Lyme Regis Baptist Church, attended by a wide range of local businesses and organisations who said customers had been impressed with the eco-friendly changes they had made.

Popular Lyme restaurant up for sale for £1.3million THE popular Bell Cliff Restaurant & Tea Room in Lyme Regis has gone up for sale for £1.3million. The grade II listed restaurant is one of the most prominent buildings in the town – the focal point as you come down the main street and the subject of endless photographs of Lyme. After 21 years in the business, its owners are retiring and have put the traditional 17th century restaurant up for sale with Christie & Co for £1.3million.

The property is arranged over three floors, with the main trading area and kitchen on the ground floor; owners’ accommodation on the first floor and a one-bedroom flat on the second floor. The restaurant has a total of 40 covers inside, with a further 16 on the terrace outside, which is rented from the council each year and offers outstanding views across Lyme Bay. The full property listing is available at www.christie.com

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Public share climate change ideas with council LOCAL organisations and residents and put forward their ideas on how Dorset Council can tackle climate change. The council’s Executive Advisory Panel for Climate Change recently hosted two Inquiry Day sessions where the public were invited to present their ideas for how the Council can help tackle climate change. Of those people who submitted ideas and indicated they would be prepared to present, the panel shortlisted more than 30 organisations and individuals to speak and said the ideas showed enthusiasm and creativity.

Friday, March 20 2020 5

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the latest from Lyme Regis

FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE

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Raymond’s Hill Ladies make donations THE Raymond’s Hill Ladies Group has presented cheques to two local charities from funds raised at the group’s events over the past year. Donations of £375 each were made to Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support and the Friends of ARC, the mental health support charity that runs a shop in Axminster. Raymond’s Hill Ladies Group is a thriving friendship group for ladies in this area of Axminster. They meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm at Woodbury Community Hall.

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We may be apart, but we’re in it together IT’S been difficult to find the right words for this week’s column as it seems so much of life has changed in the past two weeks and none of us know what to expect next. After the Prime Minister’s announcement advocating ‘social distancing’ on Monday evening, we made the decision to close our office and the LymeOnline team has been working remotely from separate houses to bring you this week’s edition. In these uncertain times we recognise more than ever the importance of keeping residents informed, so we’ve done our best to stay on top of this constantly changing situation, and we launched a special ‘Coronavirus: Live Updates’ page on our website with all the latest developments. You can also read the latest on pages 1, 2, 7 and 8. It’s not all been easy to report; we pride ourselves on being part of the Lyme Regis community so to see much-loved events cancelled and facilities such as our theatre and museum close their doors has been worrying and upsetting. But through this turbulent and uncertain week, it’s acts of kindness that have shone through and kept everyone going. And that’s why we chose to concentrate on the community effort to help those most in need on this week’s front page.

A few concerned comments made by kind-hearted residents on social media has developed into a full co-ordinated response to ensure the elderly and vulnerable are cared for during the pandemic. Volunteers have now been identified in almost every street to keep an eye on their neighbours. Local businesses too are getting on board, many launching delivery services to ensure they can still reach their customers in isolation. It’s a scary time for all of us; the biggest disruption to everyday life during peacetime and something most of us have never known the likes of. But the Lyme Regis community will always pull together when needed - there is always someone to check up on you or to simply pick up the phone and say “hello”, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even when we’re standing two metres apart, really we are all in it together.

Francesca Evans, Editor

The

Anglers rescued off North Wall

Woodmead Halls YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY HALL

TWO anglers fishing from the North Wall of Lyme Regis harbour were rescued by the lifeboat crew on when they were cut off by the tide. The two women from Bristol said they had not noticed the tide rising and were “embarrassed, cold and relieved” after being rescued. The incident was one of the fastest on record for the volunteer Lyme Regis lifeboat crew. The volunteers were already preparing for a training session when they were called and managed to launch and return to the station with the anglers in just 11 minutes.

Well known Dorset artist to exhibit in Symondsbury From March 28 to April 8 The Gallery Symondsbury is delighted to be hosting ‘Norman at 90’, a retrospective of the artwork of Norman Saunders-White, whose paintings range from the naturalistic to the abstract, record landscapes both at home and abroad and include more personal work drawn from his imagination and influenced by Magritte. The Gallery Symondsbury is normally open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm, admission is free as is parking in the Estate’s car park. Please note that The Gallery will be following government guidelines, so before planning your visit, you can call 01308 301326 to confirm that it is open.

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

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philip@lyme-online.co.uk

I was so bored I made a cake!

oday, for the first time, I feel old. Last year seems so far away - I flew through my 70th birthday, a little over weight but fit for a Baby Boomer, I was knocked sideways by being made an MBE and going to Buckingham Palace for the presentation by Prince William, a future King of England. It was such a lovely day for my family, one we will never forget.

I am reminded of it every day when I turn on my computer. I have a screen saver photo of the four of us outside Buckingham Palace - my two daughters, Zoe and Francesca, and me and my wife Jackie - and they look so proud. I relive that moment every time I turn on my computer and think “how lucky am I?” I was getting over the demise of the View From newspaper group that I was managing and was pleased with how the creation of LymeOnline was going. My stress levels were declining faster than Jeremy Corbyn approval ratings. As a diabetic, my sugar levels were well under control but I was still reliant on insulin despite being Type 2. And then, just before Jackie and I were about to depart for my 70th birthday treat, a holiday in our favourite place, Amalfi, in Italy, I passed a tiny bit of blood. My doctor was not concerned. “Not unusual for a man of your age. Forget about it. Have a good holiday and we will run a few tests when you get back just to be sure.” Never take anything for granted. Following numerous trips to the hospital I was diagnosed with multiple health issues, most of them treatable without surgery but one of them more serious. My world stood still for a few moments when I was told and it took me a long term to discover anything positive about my condition. After a stern word from my doctor, I decided there was something I could do about my health – treat my diabetes more seriously. So I went on a strict carbfree diet - the first time I have ever stuck to a diet – and I walked more than 200,000 steps in November, raising £600 for the Movember charity in the process. My diabetic nurse was delighted and informed me excitedly that I was walking myself into remission. No more medication.

I had a bit of stomach pain from time to time, having been admitted to hospital where I was diagnosed as having one more complaint – a highly inflamed gallbladder. Just after New Year the pain returned and it was more acute so back to hospital I went where they discovered my gallbladder was gangrenous and disintegrating. Twenty-four hours later I might have been poisoned. So they whipped it out by keyhole surgery and sent me home the next day with the surgeon telling me “you’ll be a new man in a few days”. That few days rolled into two months and just when I’m about to start my daily walk again up pops Boris Johnson on the box to say that all 70year-olds with health issues (that’s me) should stay indoors for 12 weeks. And that’s when I finally felt old. So as I write this we have shut up the LymeOnline office and have started working from home. It’s only 3pm on Day One and I’m already missing working alongside Francesca on this week’s LymeOnline paper version. Her dedication and skill inspires me every day and we always have a good laugh, both having the same weird sense of humour. I lead such a busy life being president of three local organisations and chairman of two others, the thought of being holed up at home 24/7 fills me with dread. Not being able to get out and about around town is a real pain – but necessary if I want to see my two delightful granddaughters grow up (which of course I do). But I know the advice to isolate makes good sense especially those of us with health problems. But on Saturday, when there was no football, I spent three hours watching the film ‘Zulu’ (for the eighth time) and then made a near-perfect lemon drizzle cake – that’s how bored I was! Tuesday is usually spent writing sports copy but there’s no sport to report on. So later I shall mainly be making biscuits. Or it might be a quiche. The good news is I’ve started my daily walks again, at 6.30 in the morning when the town is waking up and at its best. The secret I think is to Stay Calm and Bake More Cakes! Only 79 days to go!

100 years and still singing THE clock was well and truly turned back at the Royal Lion Hotel on Saturday when Lyme Regis Musical Theatre (formerly the Operatic Society) celebrated its 100th anniversary in glittering style. They did so with a black tie and posh frock event in the hotel’s wonderful Oak Room where in past times virtually every organisation in town would hold their annual dinner dance. Cast members past and present gathered to swap stories of their favourite shows and to commit to August’s concert version of ‘The Mikado’, their very first production at the Marine Theatre in 1921, to mark this wonderful anniver-

sary. The Mayor, Brian Larcombe MBE and his wife Wendy, graced the occasion and made a thought-provoking speech of what life was like in Lyme in the 1920s. Responding to his toast, chairman Johanna Hopkins delivered a moving account of her family’s association with society going back more than 50 years. The evening was rounded off with entertainment from international cabaret artist Paul Roberts, seen above serenading vice-chairman Jane Broom. Unfortunately, the society’s next production of ‘Chicago’ has been postponed to later in the year because of the coronavirus epidemic.

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AS we come to terms with the greatest crisis this country has experienced since the Second World War, our thoughts inevitably turn to how this will affect us personally. Like every other city, town and village in Great Britain, and large swathes of the world, the coming weeks, maybe months, are going to test our nerve and our ability to come together as a community. I have no doubt that despite the severity of the situation, the people of Lyme will rise to this challenge and make sure we come through this crisis in the best possible manner. It came as no surprise to me when within hours of the pandemic being declared that an organisation was formed in Lyme to ensure that help is at hand, especially for the elderly of Lyme and district (see pages 1 &.

2). I applaud those who moved so quickly and this newspaper will give them as much support as we are able. It’s amazing how quickly normal life changes in such a short time and there’s no doubt that for a while Lyme will be a very different place to live and work. After a period of ill-health I have started my daily walk early in the morning but now find myself selfisolated for 12 weeks. It is already obvious that a gallows humour has started to emerge among those doing likewise. “Only another 83 days to go,” someone shouted at me this morning. We all cope with crisis in our life in different ways but none has been so serious, so worrying, than this since the war years. Regular readers of this column will know I am not a big fan of so-

cial media, especially Facebook. But working in the media I have had to accept that it has great benefits in certain situations and this is definitely one of them in as much it’s hugely helpful in getting messages out to the wider public and being able to keep in touch with family and friends to ensure they are safe. We are all conscious these days of the explosion that society is experiencing in mental health issues and what distresses me most about Facebook and Twitter is the sheer cruelty of some of the postings, many of which are inaccurate and hugely unfair. My hope is that everyone endeavors to show a little kindness to others, put their gripes and prejudices behind them and be aware that the written word can be very powerful in creating misery and mayhem.

The current crisis is a huge challenge for LymeOnline. In most issues we carry between 50 and 60 different news and sport items from Lyme, Uplyme and Charmouth. A huge effort goes into sourcing this material but with no council meetings and very few local events taking place in the coming months, it will be impossible to maintain this level of coverage. Also, most of our revenue comes from the hospitality trade which is already suffering badly in Lyme and that provides us with an even more challenging situation. We will, as always, do our best to maintain a relevant news and information service both on our popular website and in this printed version. In the meantime, remember a little kindness goes a long way - especially when the chips are down.

www.lyme-online.co.uk What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is disease caused by a coronavirus, a common virus that can cause a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). Most coronaviruses aren’t dangerous. In early 2020, following a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified a new type of coronavirus. Officials named this new virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This is the virus that causes COVID-19. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath. Early symptoms are much like those of the common cold, but the virus can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and, in some cases, septic shock. If you’re exposed and infected, symptoms can show up in as few as two days or as many as 14. It varies from person to person. What should I do if I have symptoms? If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection, however mild, do not leave your home for seven days from when your symptoms started. Do not go to a doctor’s surgery or hospital. You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999. How do I protect myself? ● Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds ● Always wash your hands when you get home or into work ● Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available ● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze ● Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards ● Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell ● Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean For the latest government advice on coronavirus, including how to protect yourself, when to self-isolate and travel advice, visit www.gov.uk

Friday, March 20 2020 7

Councils suspend meetings Local businesses offering LYME Regis Town Council has suspended all meetings to fit guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The council held its final meeting on Wednesday night where a strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak was discussed. It was agreed to suspend all meetings effective immediately. This includes the annual meeting of electors scheduled to take place on April 17. This will now be held on or before June 1 if possible. The council’s office will be closed to the public and staff will start working from home in the coming few days, after a new mobile phone and computer system is in place. Staff will be able to answer calls made to the council’s main switchboard number and it is hoped they will still be able to complete all their usual tasks remotely. The town clerk has been given delegated authority to make decisions on behalf of the council where such a decision cannot be reasonably deferred and must be made in order to comply with a commercial or statutory deadline. Financial regulations which currently allow the clerk to make expenditure up to £10,000 on behalf of the council will be increased to £150,000. This will be carried out in consultation with councillors by email or phone. Councillors will also receive daily email updates from office staff on how council business is progressing. Council amenities such as the mini golf in Lister Gardens will be closed down. The outside work force, including gardeners, will continue to work for the time being but will be carrying out more tasks in isolation.

The park and ride service at Charmouth Road will be cancelled until the beginning of the school summer holidays, unless the current situation improves. All the council’s capital projects that aren’t contractually committed will be deferred, with the exception of the office refurbishment project which will be progressed to the design stages. This does not effect the council’s current contract to repair the flat roof above the Amusement Arcade, Antiques & Craft Centre and SWIM on Marine Parade, which is already underway. The virus is expected to effect the council’s finances. Approximately 50 per cent of the authority’s annual income of £1.6million is considered reasonably secure as it comes from tenancies and the precept. However, the other half comes largely from car parking, with 75 per cent of this coming in between April and September, which could be affected if the public are reluctant to travel. Dorset Council has also taken the decision to postpone all its committee meetings until central government advice is issued on how to continue democratic services amid the coronavirus outbreak. All meetings where elected members would make decisions on council business have been suspended in order to comply with Public Health England advice on self-isolation and avoiding office spaces. It is hoped councillors and officers will be able to make use of available technology, such as teleconferencing, in order to virtually conduct the meetings without the need for individuals to all physically be in the same place.

support during epidemic

SEVERAL businesses in the Lyme Regis area are reaching out to customers in new ways as the coronavirus emergency takes hold. Amid concerns about the effects the epidemic will have on businesses, most in Lyme Regis still remain open. Some are offering help and support for the elderly and those in need, and several have launched takeaway and delivery services to ensure they can still reach their customers as new ‘social distancing’ measures are introduced. Here’s a round-up of announcements made by local businesses: The Pilot Boat (01297 443147) has launched a new menu including pizzas, fish and chips and burgers available for takeaway and delivery. It has introducing ‘social distancing’ measures and all live music and quiz nights are currently cancelled. Italia restaurant (01297 442123 / www.italialymeregis.co.uk) will be offering is freshly-made pizza and pasta dishes for delivery or takeaway. Vegetarian restaurant Tierra Kitchen (01297 445189 / 07827 224 735 / www.tierrakitchen.co.uk) has also launched a new takeaway and delivery menu with a selection of hot meals for just £5. The Millside (01297 445999 / www.themillside.co.uk) will deliver meals that can be shared by the family or split and frozen. Penny Black Café has launched a meal delivery service for anyone in isolation and staff have also offered to pick up essential items from other town centre shops for delivery. Call 07795 465 760 between 9.30am and 2.30pm to arrange.

Lyme Fish Bar (01297 442375) will launch a delivery service for the elderly and isolated today (Wednesday). The Royal Oak in Charmouth (01297 560277) will also deliver hot meals to those in need around the village. Lyme Regis Butchers (01297 445000) has special offers on meat packs and will deliver to elderly and vulnerable residents in the area. All the above businesses remain open as usual. SWIM (01297 442668) has closed but will be offering a takeaway-only service at the weekends, launching this Friday. The Rousdon Village Bakery, which has not been open since suffering a fire in January, will host a farm shop in shopping containers on its forecourt, opening at 10am on Saturday, March 21 to provide an outlet for local suppliers who have had many orders cancelled. Haye Farm, Trill Farm, Gilt and Flint and The Old Dairy will be among those attending. Local taxi firm Causley Cabs (01297 642011) is still taking regular bookings but is also collecting prescriptions, shopping, takeaways, etc. for a minimal charge for those unable to get out of the house. Local businesses that have taken the decision to temporarily close include Cellar 59 and Lyme Bay Café Bar. LymeOnline is happy to publicise the efforts of any local business offering help and support to the community during this period – get in touch by emailing francesca@lymeonline.co.uk or call 07810 221 420.

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

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Events calendar and amenities hit by coronavirus THE coronavirus epidemic has had a severe effect on Lyme Regis amenities and the spring events calendar. The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis Museum and Woodmead Halls have all temporarily closed and several major events, including the Fossil Festival, Uplyme Village Fete and Civic Night, have been cancelled or postponed. Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, one of Dorset’s biggest science festivals, was set to kick off Lyme’s peak season in May but has now been postponed. Organisers from Lyme Regis Development Trust said they would look into whether it was feasible to stage the event later in the year, adding: “We are hugely disappointed that we’ve had to make this decision, but as I’m sure you’ll understand, the safety and health of everyone involved with the festival is our primary concern.” Uplyme Village Fete has also been cancelled, as well as Lyme’s Easter Monday duck race and Easter Bonnet Parade, although there are plans to replace this with a ‘virtual parade’ with entrants ask to submit photos of their bonnets - details are available on Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival’s Facebok page. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, said it was with “personal regret” that he had to postpone Civic Night, which was set to take place at the Woodmead Halls in April. The Woodmead Halls has now closed its doors, with several other events cancelled including weekly bingo nights and regular talks and meetings. Lyme Regis Musical Theatre, which was set to stage its production of ‘Chicago’ at the halls in May, have also taken the decision to postpone. Celebrating its centenary year, the society said

this decision could threaten the future of the group. The Marine Theatre closed its doors this week with all events until the end of April to be rescheduled where possible. A statement from the Marine said: “We look forward to welcoming you back to the Marine once the situation is safer. In the meantime we would like to say thank you for your understanding and wish you and your families well.” Details about possible refunds are available on the theatre’s website www.marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Museum has also closed until early summer, commenting: “We are disappointed to have to delay welcoming visitors to the museum building, but the most important thing for us is to protect the health and wellbeing of our visitors, volunteers and staff.” The Town Mill has closed its Malthouse Gallery and stopped all tours, but is still milling and selling flour. Lyme Regis lifeboat station and the RNLI shop at the Cobb have closed doors to the public. Lifeboat training has been reduced to the bare minimum needed to sustain the crew’s ability to deliver their lifesaving service, but they will still respond to emergency calls. Several local organisations have cancelled regular meetings, talks and classes, including the Lyme Regis Society, Friends of Lyme Regis Museum, Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society, Lyme Bay Ladies and the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, which has also had to postpone its annual President’s Night. The Lyme Regis branch of Cancer Research UK has postponed its Big Breakfast and local collections for Marie Curie’s annual Daffodil Appeal will be pushed back. All local church services have been suspended

and Lyme Bay Chorale has called off its spring concert at St Michael’s Parish Church. The Lyme Regis/St George’s Twinning Association’s annual trip to Bermuda in April has been called into question as it is unclear whether

flights will still be running. The local sporting programme has also been affected, with Lyme Regis Football Club closing its clubhouse and all fixtures postponed. Local schools are expected to close on Monday.

If you are willing to help those who are self-isolating due to coronavirus, you can cut out this form, fill it in and post it through the doors of your neighbours who are most in need.

For live updates on the latest coronavirus news, figures, advice and how it is affecting the local area, visit www.lyme-online.co.uk/coronavirus-updates

Call 01297 442299 - harbourinnlymeregis.co.uk

WE ARE STILL OPEN!

We are staying open until ordered to close – when we will commence a take-away service Social distancing and extra hygiene measures in place for our customers

FISH

especially our famous wonderful Fish Platter!

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■ CHILDREN from St Michael’s Primary School have been rewarded with Easter eggs from the Lyme Regis Co-op store after they helped the shop raise funds for its chosen charity MIND. Pupils from St Michael’s recently baked Valentine’s Day cupcakes to sell in the Co-op store, which along with a hamper competition raised £151 for mental health charity MIND. Store manager Karl Josko visited the school this week to say thank you and presented all the children who took part with an Easter egg. ■ SIX local organisations have benefited from funds raised at weekly bingo nights in Lyme Regis. The six member organisations of Lyme Regis Bingo Association take turns to help to run the weekly events at the Woodmead Halls and each received £896 from funds raised over the last year. They are St Michael’s Primary School PFA, Lyme Regis Musical Theatre, Lyme Regis Pantomime Society, Lyme Regis Football Club, the Christmas Lights Committee and the Over 70s Christmas Lunch Committee.

Friday, March 20 2020 9

Lyme’s youngest councillor wins chairmanship THE youngest ever member of Lyme Regis Town Council, Kelsey Ellis, has won her first chairmanship. Councillor Ellis, aged 20, was elected chairman of the Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee last Wednesday. She previously served as vice-chairman under former councillor and deputy mayor Jeff Scowen, who resigned from the council in December last year. Last night was the first time the committee had met since his resignation and election of a new chairman was the first item on the agenda. Councillor Cheryl Reynolds, who previously served four years as chairman of the committee before resigning from the council and later re-joining, nominated Councillor Ellis for the role. She said the council needed more young people to take on leading roles and she felt it would be good for both Kelsey and the committee. With no other nominations, Councillor Ellis was unanimously elected chairman.

She then nominated Councillor Reynolds to serve as her vicechairman, saying she would be able to call on her previous experience and they would work well together. Councillor Reynolds was also elected with no other nominations. Councillor Ellis won a seat on Lyme Regis Town Council in May 2019, when she was just 19, becoming the authority’s youngest ever member. She is the daughter of fellow council member and former mayor Councillor Michaela Ellis.

10 Friday, March 20 2020

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Charmouth consulting on Neighbourhood Plan OVER the past four years a dedicated team of local volunteers, working on behalf of the Charmouth Parish Council, have been developing the village’s draft Neighbourhood Plan, reflecting the wishes of the people who live and work in the area. This is now ready for public consultation. Residents and those who work or run businesses in Charmouth parish will have the opportunity to comment on the draft plan from Friday, April 3 for a six-week period. Certain statutory bodies will also be consulted. The neighbourhood planning regulations require the draft Neighbourhood Plan proposal to be the subject of a pre-submission consultation before it is submitted to Dorset Council for independent examination. This is your opportunity to have your say before the draft plan is put forward to Dorset Council. It will be available for viewing and making comments from Friday, April 3 at 9am to Friday, May 15 at 5pm online at hwww.charmouthparishcouncil.gov.uk/charmouth-nhp with an online response form at www.charmouthparishcouncil.gov.uk/np-consultation. Alternatively, a paper copy of the draft plan can be viewed at Charmouth Library, St Andrew’s Church and parish council offices at The Elms. Response forms and special post

boxes will also be available at these locations, and at Fortnam Smith and Banwell Estate Agents in Charmouth. All comments will need to be returned either online, emailed or dropped off at one of the viewing points within the timescales above. All responses received by the above date will be considered by Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and may be utilised to amend the draft Neighbourhood Plan. Following this, a consultation statement including a summary of all comments received and how these were considered will be made available for viewing, along with the amended Neighbourhood Plan. This Neighbourhood Plan sets out planning policies for Charmouth parish and will be used by Dorset Council when making decisions on planning applications. It doesn’t cover every issue that could occur as a planning consideration, but it does strengthen the approach taken in the Local Plan by providing more detail of specific issues in some key areas that will make the planning system work better for Charmouth. Overall, Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan reflects a balance between encouraging moderate growth and development whilst protecting the uniqueness of our village and its natural environment. There are 22 draft policies included in the

plan, covering Heritage and History, Assets and Amenities, Natural Environment, Local Economy, Housing, Getting Around and Energy Efficiency and Coastal Change. If you would like to find out more about Charmouth’s Neighbourhood Plan, visit www.charmouthparishcouncil.gov.uk/charmouth-nhp or if you want to discuss the draft plan, there will be drop-in centres at the following locations, dates and times:

Charmouth Village Hall on Saturday, April 4, 2pm-3pm ● Charmouth Library on Wednesday, April 15, 2pm-3pm ● The Elms on Monday, April 20, 7pm-8pm ● St Andrew's Community Hall on Saturday. April 25, 10am-11am ● Charmouth Library on Friday, May 1, 2pm3pm ● The Elms on Wednesday, May 6, 7pm-8pm ●

Eight members invested into Uplyme’s new Explorer Scouts

THE new Explorer Scouts following an evening of target shooting

THE BIG BREAKFAST archTO 202THE 0 Friday 27 MDUE POSTPONED Woodmead Halls 8am - 1pm COVID-19 EMERGENCY Full English with orange juice and toast £7 Please keeproll a look outcan fordeliver a new date Bacon £3 – We

EIGHT new Explorers and their leaders have made their promises and been invested into the new Explorer Sea Scout Unit in Uplyme, which has had a busy first term. The unit was launched as part of the the 1st Lym Valley Scout Group earlier this year. Explorer Scout leader Sarah Dean said: “We’re so pleased to get off to a strong start, it’s been great to finally get on with it! “When we first met back in January, it was just a few Explorers sat round a table having tea and biscuits thinking about what to do next. Alas, nearly coming to the end of this term we’ve already done quite a bit – shooting, hiking, pancakes – we’re definitely keeping busy” Fellow leader Callum Mitchell spoke about the growing interest in the unit, commenting:

“It’s been good fun bringing sea scouting back to Lyme after quite an absence. “It’s also sparked quite a few conversations with local sea-faring organisations about how we can support each other. I think we can look forward some really exciting evenings ahead for the Explorers this summer.” The unit continues to grow, with a few more Explorers joining after Easter, hoping to learn new skills for life and get stuck in with an action-packed summer term ahead. Whilst a lot of things seem set in stone moving forward, the name of the unit still has yet to be decided on. At the moment, however, the unit is on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members and leaders are optimistic that they will return as soon as is possible.

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

Friday, March 20 2020 11

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We are launching a

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For more details please call us on

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12 Friday, March 20 2020

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Local children celebrate World Book Day SCHOOLS in the Lyme Regis area recently marked World Book Day with children dressing as their favourite literary characters for the day. World Book Day is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and, most importantly, of reading. It is the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. This was the 23rd year the event had been held.

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Friday, March 20 2020 13

PROMOTED CONTENT

LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL Council doing all it can to maintain services AS the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) extends daily, the council is doing all it can to maintain its services to the community. In these extremely challenging times, our initial approach was to continue as normal for as long as we were able, while always following official guidance issued. Further developments this week have meant we have taken some decisions to protect staff, councillors and visitors. It means changing the way we deliver some of our services and implementing precautionary measures where appropriate. At the Strategy and Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday evening, some key decisions were made which will affect the way we operate. At that meeting, we agreed to suspend all council meetings until further notice and the annual meeting of electors, scheduled to take place on 17 April, has been postponed. Legally, the meeting of electors must take place on or before 1 June and we will aim to re-arrange the meeting within that timescale, although this may be out of our hands.

We are also legally required to hold the annual meeting of the council in May each year so this is also under question. We are not the only council is this position – every other local authority in the country has the same dilemma. National organisations are already in discussions with the government about emergency legislation to address these kinds of issues. Although we will not be holding any council meetings, we still need to be able to make decisions and incur expenditure. The Strategy and Finance Committee this week put plans in place to allow decisions to be made by the town clerk in consultation with members. In the interests of transparency, all decisions made during this time will be recorded and made public. We need to be mindful of our finances during these uncertain times, especially as a significant amount of our income comes from car parking, and we are adopting a cautious approach to protect our income. As such, the council has decided to defer any capital projects which we aren’t contractually

committed to, with the exception of the council office refurbishment which we can continue to progress as we are still in the very early stages. The other key decision made this week was to cancel the park and ride service until the beginning of the school summer holidays, as we anticipate a drop in visitor numbers, although this can be reviewed if the situation changes. Behind the scenes, office staff are preparing to work from home and we have been arranging the equipment and technology needed to do this effectively, so we can hopefully continue to provide our normal services. We will still be answering the phone during office hours and email addresses for all members and office staff are available on our website. We’re making full use of our website and social media to provide updates from the council and other community groups so please keep an eye on those pages. Our external works’ team will continue to provide the normal gardening, maintenance, cleansing and enforcement services but will maintain safe distances from each other and

the public. The amenities area in Lister Gardens (mini golf, table tennis, putting green) will be closed for the foreseeable future and staff there will be re-deployed on other duties. The mayor has cancelled his civic night, due to take place on 4 April, and we are reviewing other major events with the organisers. The situation can change hour-by-hour so we are continuously reviewing the guidance issued and responding to the needs of our staff, members and wider community. In the weeks and months ahead we may be called upon to carry out more critical tasks and we will do all we can to help partner organisations to support the community. One positive to come out of this crisis is the community spirit which has emerged. Lyme Regis has always had a compassionate and supportive community but it’s at times like these we see just how special this town and its people are. Stay safe and we wish everyone well in these uncertain times.

Promoting responsible dog ownership THE town council is advocating responsible dog ownership in Lyme Regis by signing up to a community-based scheme. The Green Dog Walkers Scheme aims to change attitudes about dog fouling and encourages dog owners to act responsibly. The initiative acts as a reminder to others that they need to pick up after their dog and keep them under control. Dog walkers who sign up to the scheme make certain pledges in return for a badge to display on their clothing or dog lead, and a car window sticker. Those signing the pledge agree to always clean up after their dog, to put the bag in a bin and to use a friendly approach to encourage other dog walkers to do the same. We are now one of over 40 councils across the country to sign up to the scheme. To further support this initiative, we have installed four new dog bag dispensers around the town. They are at Jericho, in the cemetery near the King’s Way entrance, at Monmouth Beach, and on Marine Parade railings near the sandy beach. These are in addition to the dispenser which was already in place near the war memorial. We’re also looking into whether there are enough bins to dispose of the bags and areas highlighted include the Church Cliff walkway, the River Lym path leading to Middle Mill, and Monmouth Beach. Dog fouling is one of the issues most

Beach hut replacement continues

commonly raised with the council by residents so we hope by adopting this scheme and encouraging others to follow it, we can tackle the problem as a community. Although we have enforcement officers who have authority to issue fines to people who do not pick up after their dog, we would always prefer to adopt a friendly and non-confrontational approach. And just a reminder that Dorset Council’s public consultation on dogs in public places is still open and runs until 19 April. The public are invited to have their say on where and when they think there should be restrictions on dogs in public places, also covering topics such as fouling and lead length. The survey can be found at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

A FURTHER 12 new beach huts line the seafront as part of our three-year replacement programme. We are replacing all 36 of our Cart Road huts with a new pitchroof style, with the final 12 due to be replaced in 2021. As last year, we sold the old huts for £50 each and were surprised to still have three left at the end of the day, considering the first 12 sold in

less than 10 minutes last year! One of the new huts will be used by Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support, who will make the hut available to anyone affected by cancer, allowing them to have a calm, peaceful rest by the sea. The charity is funding the initiative after being awarded £5,000 of the Fossil Films grant, which was donated to the town following the filming of Ammonite.

Wedding stewards needed WE have an exciting job opportunity at the council which offers great flexibility and enjoyment. We are looking for a steward to facilitate weddings at the Guildhall. Stewards are on hand at civil ceremonies to ensure the day runs smoothly, with duties including preparing the room, welcom-

ing guests and calming any lastminute nerves. There is a small team of stewards and we would like one more person to join the team, but it is essential that person can work at weekends. For more details about both the role and how to apply see the advertisement on page 22.

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

Broadway’s ‘Avenue Q’ hits Axminster! HILARIOUS, cheeky and uproariously entertaining, with a cast of 11 hugely talented performers and puppets, ‘Avenue Q’ is a musical like no other. Axminster Musical Theatre’s production, directed by Jodie Glover, brings the Sesame Street-esque puppet world crashing into reality with the human world. It’s described as one of the funniest shows to ever come out of Broadway. ‘Avenue Q’ is the worthy winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. This musical is something completely different to any others that have been seen on stage in Axminster. After all, on paper a social commentary musical performed by a mixture of puppets and humans with

more than a touch of rudeness, and touching on subjects of racism and suicide, doesn’t exactly look like box office magic. But the creators’ unique selling point was that cuddly puppets could get away with being cruder and more politically incorrect than humans, and so it proved. The production first opened OffBroadway in 2003, before transferring to Broadway where it picked up three Tony Awards. It opened in London’s West End in 2006, where it ran for five years. Its musical numbers include the controversial ‘The Internet is for Porn’ and ‘Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist’. This show has been referred to as ‘Sesame Street’ for adults and is not suitable for children.

Even if you’re not a big theatre buff and the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll know writer Robert Lopez from his work on ‘The Book of Mormon’ and the hit song ‘Let It Go’, from Disney hit ‘Frozen’, which he wrote. Director Jodie Glover commented: “Please give this musical a go even if you have never heard of it before. Professional sound, lighting, scenery and puppets together with a very talented cast make seeing this show like a visit to the West End!” Axminster Musical Theatre’s production opens on Tuesday, March 31 at the Guildhall. Further performances will be held on April 2, 3 and 4, all starting at 7.30pm. Tickets can be booked online at axmt.co.uk/book-online or from The Archway Bookshop (01297 33595).

May production

POSTPONED

DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

The Harbour Inn - celebrating 16 years in Lyme Regis!

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

Jazz Jurassica announces festival line-up JAZZ Jurassica returns to Lyme Regis at the end of May to kick off the summer’s festival season with another star-studded programme of music. This annual spring Bank Holiday event now welcomes some of the UK’s leading performers and continues to grow in popularity and reputation. Festival organiser Julie Sheppard, said: “We aim to attract both jazzlovers and those who’d never consider going to a ‘jazz’ festival with music spanning jazz, blues, soul, latin, hip hop and even some New Orleans boogie.” The festival opens with a celebration of 1960s soul music in a specially-commissioned show recreating the sounds of legendary record labels Stax, Motown and Atlantic. “For soul fans out there this is your chance to get down to your favourite Tamla tunes”, said Julie. Blues guitarist Martin Harley (pictured inset), better known for playing acoustic roots and Americana, will preview his much-acclaimed new electric band before it

embarks on a UK-wide tour in the autumn. And the town will reverberate to authentic Cuban salsas, mambos and sambas. Dockside Latin Orchestra (pictured right), a seventeen piece big band, with big punchy horns and pulsating latin rhythms, will recreate downtown Havana for the festival’s finale. Other programme highlights feature Jazz Singer of the Year Zoe Gilby, rising soul star Georgia van Etten, Dom Pipkin’s celebration of New Orleans boogie and vintage jazz from the three-piece FB Pocket Orchestra. The weekend also includes free concerts on the seafront every afternoon and in venues around the town each evening. And for the first time, the new internet based Lyme Bay Radio will be broadcasting live from the heart of the action with festival news, music and interviews. Julie added: “We’ve got an exhilarating mix of music - some outstanding award-winning performers and exciting emerging talent.

“We’re one of the few independent music festivals along the Jurassic Coast and we’re going to make the most of our iconic location. Where better to hear great music over a sunny Spring Bank Holiday than overlooking Lyme Bay?”

Jazz Jurassica will be held from May 22 to 25. More information on the line-up and tickets are available from www.jazzjurassica.co.uk or from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138.

LYME RE REGIS, GISS, PUT YO YOUUR R

RESTAURANT CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Opening our kiosk for a selection of take-away food items on Friday March 20th - 4pm-8pm Saturday March 21st 12pm-8pm Join us March for foo22nd d, cr12pm-4pm aft beer and cocktails. and Sunday Music kicks offf around 8.30pm Times may change - please check social media for updates and menu

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nd C a e m y l ly p U , s is i g e R e m y L

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Friday, March 20 2020 17

From music to memories... PROMOTED CONTENT

GUITARS ON THE BEACH CREATOR LAUNCHES NEW ‘THIS IS MY LIFE’ SERVICE FOR ELDERLY THE creator of Guitars On The Beach is launching a new project for the benefit of residents of Lyme Regis – and this time he’s aiming to help the elderly and their families.

Lyme-born journalist and PR Geoff Baker is launching My Epilog – a new means for the elderly to record their life story for their families to treasure as an everlasting memory. Geoff, a 64-year-old grandfather and former PR to The Beatles, is offering residents of the Lyme area the new facility to tell their story and create “the logbook of their lives”, choosing exactly how they want to be remembered by future generations of their loved ones. “I’ve often thought that it’s unfair that only celebrities and the famous will be known about long after they’ve gone, but many ordinary people are forgotten after a couple of generations,” said Geoff. “It bothered me that, apart from old photos and the memories of your children and grandchildren, the whole of your life story could be largely unknown to future generations of your family. “And that’s a shame because every life is precious and so many rich, unusual and unique lives are going unlogged and unremembered. “But everyone deserves to be remembered so I’m offering people a new, simple service which will ensure that you can be remembered forever and remembered exactly as

you’d like to be. My Epilog is your own ‘This Is My Life’. “With My Epilog your great-grandchildren, your great-great-grandchildren and all who ever come after you can know about your life. My Epilog is a permanent personal logbook of your life, your story told for your future generations just as you want to tell it. It’s like putting the leaves on your family tree. “It’s a lovely gift, a unique birthday, anniversary or Mother’s Day present for a family to buy for a loved one or for you to give to your family. “And it’s so easy - all you have to do is talk. I’ll do the rest. With My Epilog, Geoff will sit down with a client and record them talking about their life, for an hour or so. Then he turns the memories into a digital audio file and families will have their loved one’s story to remember them by forever. Geoff said: “It’s truly very simple: you or a family member phone me and I’ll ask a few questions to get a little basic information about you – where you were born, your job, how many children, hobbies, favourite music, all simple stuff – and from that I’ll prepare some questions which will act just as prompts for when I sit down with you to record your life story. “Then we make an appointment to meet in the comfort of your home, or wherever you like, with a family member present if you want, and I’ll gently interview you, for about an hour, making a digital recording.

“It’s a very enjoyable experience, everyone likes to talk about themselves and it’s lovely to remember. “Then I’ll go away and make a digital audio file of your story, which will be emailed to you or to your family to have as an everlasting keepsake to play back whenever you like, both now and in the future. “Besides the point about why should only celebrities be remembered, I thought of My Epilog because my own father died very suddenly and in the years since I have often wished that I had known more about his life, I would have liked to have had a recording of him telling his life story, listening to him saying how he lived it”. Geoff said My Epilog offers many special benefits: ● It’s you deciding exactly how you want to be remembered ● It’s a constant comfort for loved ones as it will be just like you being in the room ● A family treasure as it will inform next generations of what your time was like ● It can act as a prompt to yourself when your own memory is going ● It can help those facing Alzheimer’s and other problems with remembering ● And it means that you need never be forgotten “Tell your story for those who would one day like to hear it. Keep your life alive for future generations who might otherwise never know about you. Tell your tale while you can,” said Geoff.

EXPERIENCE journalist and PR Geoff Baker is launching new project My Epilog to preserve the memories of elderly residents

“I’m a lifetime journalist who has conducted literally thousands of interviews and I’m hugely experienced and skilled at the art of gentle interviewing, which is basically all about good listening. But I am fascinated by everyone’s story; everybody has a life story and they all deserve to be logged for family, friends and posterity.” My Epilog is being launched with an introductory offer of £50 per life story. For appointments, phone Geoff on 07856 367 823 or email geoffbaker12@hotmail.com

ADVERTORIAL

MY EPILOG - your logbook of your life as you lived it By Geoff Baker HAVE you ever thought that it’s unfair that only celebrities and the famous will be known about long after they’ve gone? Have you ever worried that apart from old photos that the whole of your life story could be largely unknown to future generations of your family? Worry no more – as I’m offering you a new, simple service which will ensure that you can be remembered forever and remembered exactly as you’d like to be. With MY EPILOG your great-grandchildren, your great-great-great grandchildren and all who ever come after you can know about your life. My EPILOG is a permanent personal logbook of your life, your story told for

your future generations just as you want to tell it. It’s like putting the leaves on your family tree. And it’s so easy - all you have to do is talk. I’ll do the rest. With MY EPILOG, I’ll sit down with you and record you talking about your life as you lived it, for about an hour. Then I’ll turn your memories into an audio file and you and your family will have your story to remember you by, forever. MY EPILOG has many benefits: • It’s you deciding exactly how you want to be remembered • A family treasure, as it will inform next generations of what your time was like • It can act as a prompt to

yourself when your own memory is going • It can help those facing Alzheimer’s and other problems with remembering • And it means that you need never be forgotten. MY EPILOG is your logbook, of your life, as you lived it. Tell your story for those who would one day like to hear it. Keep your life alive for future generations who might otherwise never know about you. Tell your tale while you can. HOW IT WORKS: It’s very simple: you or a family member contact me and I’ll ask a few questions to get a little basic information about you. From that I’ll prepare some questions which will just act as prompts for when I sit

down to record your life story. Then we make an appointment to meet in the comfort of your home, or wherever you like, with a family member present if you want, and I’ll gently interview you, making a digital recording. It’s a very enjoyable experience, everyone likes to talk about themselves and it’s nice to reminisce. I’ll make a digital audio file of your story, which will be sent to you or to your family to have as an everlasting keepsake to hear whenever you like, now and in the future. ABOUT ME: I’m Geoff Baker, a father of four, grandfather of three, a 64-year-old journalist who has conducted thousands of interviews in a career that started on Lyme

Regis newspapers and took me around the world and back here again. I’m hugely experienced and skilled at the art of gentle interviewing, which is all about good listening, and I am fascinated by everyone’s story; everybody has a life story and they all deserve to be logged for family, friends and posterity. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: Phone Geoff on 07856 367 823 or email geoffbaker12@hotmail.com. INTRODUCTORY OFFER: Don’t be forgotten. Create your own everlasting life story for just £50. A thoughtful gift; a unique birthday, anniversary or Mother’s Day present for family to buy for a loved one, or for you to give to your family.

18 Friday, March 20 2020

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Musical theatre group celebrates centenary LYME Regis Musical Theatre, formerly know as the operatic society, celebrated its 100th anniversary in sparkling fashion with a centenary dinner in the Oak Room of the Royal Lion Hotel. About 70 members past and present, patrons and guests sat down to a sumptuous dinner followed by speeches and entertainment by international cabaret artist Paul Roberts. The society was formed in 1920 and performed its first production, ‘The Mikado’, at the Marine Theatre in 1921. Since then, it has entertained local audiences with 86 different shows. The society will mark its centenary by performing a concert version of ‘The Mikado’ at the Marine Theatre on August 1 and 2. A toast to the society was proposed by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, who was accompanied by his wife Wendy. Councillor Larcombe asked the audience to imagine what life was like in Lyme Regis was like on 1920 with the country recovering from the First World War and the only entertainment available in the town was that provided by its citizens. He congratulated the society on its 100 years of entertaining the people of Lyme Regis and district and wished members every success in the future. Responding to the toast was the chairman of the society, Johanna Hopkins, who has been connected with the society for more than 50 years, appearing for the first time when she was 17 years-old. She spoke of the achievement of reaching the centenary in such a difficult economic climate. She said: “But we have weathered the storms throughout that time and it’s been magical to bring so many wonderful shows to our audiences.

“We feel so fortunate to be holding our celebration dinner here at the Royal Lion this evening, as when Lyme Regis Operatic Society finished their shows, long ago, after their final performance they would come here for their supper and drinks. “Every local town had their own society as so many people lived and worked in their town, and evening pastimes were something to be enjoyed. “Sadly, these days our society has very few people from the town, but we are so lucky that people from the surrounding area want to be in our shows so that we are still able to put on first class performances and enjoy a well respected reputation. “We have won various NODA awards in the past and have been nominated for the Councillors’ Choice for our production of ‘Anything Goes’.” Mrs Hopkins said she would be stepping down as chairman at this year’s annual meeting in September and sincerely hoped that a younger person would come forward to lead the group into the next 100 years. The evening concluded with the regional councillor for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, Graham Liverton, presenting Mrs Hopkins with a framed certificate recognising the society’s 100th anniversary. He spoke of the high regard in which Lyme Regis Musical Theatre was held and praised the high standard of their performances. The society’s president, Philip Evans MBE, acted as master of ceremonies. The society’s forthcoming production of ‘Chicago’ at the Woodmead Halls in May has been cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic but it is hoped it can be restaged later this year. Photos by Philip Evans

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â—?

20 Friday, March 20 2020

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

A FEW years ago I’d been looking for a reported kingfisher that had been seen fluttering up and down the leat and river at the bottom of Sherborne Lane in Lyme Regis. People had seen the bird that was at the time a regular on the river. Personally I had never seen a kingfisher on the river so I was hoping for a first that morning. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the kingfisher laying dead on a stone slab on the dry riverbed. On examining the bird to see if there was anything obvious that would give some idea as to how he met his death, there was none. He looked in great condition on the outside and he wasn’t overly thin. I do know that at certain times of the year male kingfishers will go to war over territorial disputes and sometimes one of them is killed.

New sign on Cobb inappropriately-placed ■ HAVE you seen the latest addition to our iconic Granny's Teeth on the Cobb? The scene of many a group family photo has been ruined by this inappropriately-sited sign. I fully support necessary health and safety warnings, but I suggest zero consideration has been given here to the civic importance of this location. The sign should be relocated, or made smaller. Paul Mellor, Lyme Regis

LymeOnline Letters

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GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Shop local during these difficult times ■ IT is very sad-making to see local shops, cafes, pubs and businesses put in peril by this blasted virus, especially when so many have worked so hard to build them up. And although it is understandable that fear may push some residents to shop online, now more than any other time in our history is the hour when we all must spend local as much as is possible, to help our friends in business

through this difficult struggle. I urge everyone to embrace the shop-for-you service offered by the Lyme Regis Community Support group on Facebook and let's think of other ways of how we can help the town's traders who have always been there for us. Geoff Baker, Sidmouth Road, Lyme Regis

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

local services

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‘BEAUTIFUL HOMELAND’, set of 6 books, first edition, 1920, illustrated in colour, by E.W. Haslehurst, £180 or £35 each - 01297 506707. RYOBI electric sucker/blower, almost new, £30 - 01297 445376. TACK LIFE electric submersible water pump, £25 - 01297 445376. GARDEN GROOM PRO safety hedge cutter, shreds and collects, £30 - 01297 445376. AL-KO petrol mower, £60 - 01297 445376. ASH Hoover, £15 - 01297 445376. CONFIDENCE FITNESS Power Plus Treadmill, £60 - 01297 445376. LADDERS, various sizes and prices - 01297 445376. LOCAL BOOK, ‘A History of Axminster to 1910’, Geoffrey Chapman, 1998, like new and scarce, £15 01297 442627. PURPLE RUG, IKEA ‘Stoense’ low pile, 133cm x 195cm, in perfect condition, £15 - 07397 206 365. VENETIAN BLIND, Marco wooden venetian blind, 180cm width x 160cm depth, basswood natural colour, new and still in box, £20 - 01297 443461. NEST OF 3 TABLES, Queen Ann style, legs solid wood, offers welcome - 01297 561512. BOOKCASE, veneer rosewood, 94cm length x 90cm width x 28cm depth, buyer collects from Charmouth, offers welcome - 01297 561512. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Branch Line to Lyme Regis, Mitchell & Smith, Middleton Press 1993, in new

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ITEMS FOR SALE

condition, £12 01297 442627. LOCAL BOOK, ‘Lyme Worthies’ by John Fowles, portraits by Gavin Bird, limited issue of 1,000 copies, beautiful condition, £6 - 01297 442627. GLASS SHOWER SCREENS, two screens, 8mm thick with fittings, one 2,000mm x 640mm, and one 2,000mm x 720mm, redundant due to shower replaced by bath, free - 01297 444104.

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.

WOODEN FUTON BED BASE, without mattress, 4’ 6” wide, buyer collects from Lyme Regis, £30 - 01297 444698. BURBERRY MEN’S MACKINTOSH, full length, burberry beige colour, chest 44”, little used, £30 ono - 01297 444698. ANYA HINDMARCH HANDBAG, genuine leather with protective storage bag, used but in excellent condition, £40 ono - 01297 444698 YAK BUOYANCY JACKETS, two jackets coloured red and yellow respectively, £10 for the pair or £8 each ono - 01297 444698. GAS COOKER, Stoves 4 ring gas cooker, buyer collects from Lyme Regis, £75 - 01297 445091. MEN’S SHIRTS, brand new from Marks & Spencer, pure cotton, green checked, XXL, paid £19.50, selling for £12 - 07973 349 717. MEN’S SHIRTS, new from Marks & Spencer, 15½ regular fit, ideal Christmas presents, half price - 07973 349 717.

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LYME REGIS TOWN CO OUNCIL

LymeForward Community Interest Company Lyme Regis We’re here to make a difference to people’s lives. Will you join us? LymeForward is a thriving and innovative Community Interest Company which is deeply embedded in the local community of Lyme Regis and surrounding areas. As a not for profit social enterprise, our culture and values are person centred and our purpose is to make a difference to people’s lives – be they service users, staff, volunteers or citizens. It has been an exciting journey for everyone at LymeForward as our growth looks set to continue. As part of our business evolution we are looking for new Directors (voluntary) to join our Board and enhance our committed and passionate organisation. We are keen to attract committed and dynamic individuals who are prepared to actively contribute to decisions and support the actions required for the future development of LymeForward. We welcome people from all diverse communities and are interested in those with passion, experience of Human Resources, finance, campaigning, fundraising, and business planning. If you are interested and would like to find out more about the Director Roles and LymeForward Community Interest Company please email lymeforward.office@gmail.com

Do y you love a g good we edding? Lyme Regis To Town Council is looking for a wedding steward to support civil ceremonies at the Guildhall. Stewards are the town council’s representa atives at ceremonies and will help ensure a couple’s special da ay goes smoothly. Duties include setting out the room before the ceremony, welcoming and seating guests, operating g a music player, and calming any last-minute n nerves. Stewards are paid a fixed rate of £20.77 7 per ceremony, usually lasting no more than two o hours. Weekend availability is essential. Training and a uniform will be provided. An ideal steward will be friendly, outgoin ng and calm and able to work flexibly. To find out more about this role, contact Adrianne Mullins on To 01297 445175 or email admin@lymeregisttowncouncil.gov.uk

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LymeOnline Sport

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

sailing

Top young sailors train at Lyme THE National 420 class squad were welcomed to Lyme Regis Sailing Club to train last weekend before their selection trials for the World Championships in July 2020. Fourteen young sailors in this RYA Pathway class, which leads into the Olympic classes, faced challenging conditions on Sunday off Lyme Regis. One squad member was unable to join them, being detained in Tenerife. Winds on Sunday gusted up to 30kts, there were several squalls reducing visibility and waves over two meters high, but these top youth sailors returned to shore after four hours on the water with big smiles and praise for our sailing waters. A close watch was kept on the squad by the current GB Olympic 470 class coach

Jonny McGovern, partnered by Neil Marsden, both of them former world champions in various classes and experienced mentors. Sailing club secretary Sally Holman said: “It was a real pleasure to host these keen, talented young sailors who show amazing skills for their ages and cope with detailed theoretical knowledge of tuning and setting up their boats, rigging and sails, as well as the rules of racing. They will all go to their worlds in France and two will be selected for the Europeans. “Their parents have to support them trailing all over the country to events as well as abroad, but the co-operation between them all was marked, a kind of friendly rivalry as new crews get together each year.”

RYA coach Jonny McGovern (left) and Neil Marsden, second left, brief the squad

football

CHALLENGING conditions off Lyme for the young sailors

skittles

Harp saves Lyme’s League suspended blushes in cup exit until further notice ■ FROM PAGE 24 cision as he maintain it was unintentional. Feniton added two more goals before the final whistle with Harp again thwarting a number of goal-bound attempts. Lyme added a consolation goal from Joe Bond, his 20th of the season, shortly before the final whistle. Lyme did well to restrict Feniton to four goals. Harp gets my man-of-the-match award for a stoic performance whilst centre-back Kingsley Wellman had one of those games that won him player of the year last season. Squad: Rob Harp; Cam Fowler, Alex Rockett, Kingsley Wellman, Cody Bowditch; Nathan Womersley, Ben Turner, Robbie Fellingham, Mark Bailey; Sam Pollard-Jones, Joe Bond. Subs: Luke Clifton, Brad Rowe, Shane Featherstone. This was Lyme’s third defeat on the trot with 13 goals conceded. It’s been 21 years since the Seasiders lost four games in succession and they will be going all out to get back to winning ways when the season resumes.

LYME Regis Skittles League has been suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. The following statement was issued today by league secretary Mark Williams: “The skittles committee have decided that under the current circumstances the Lyme Skittles season will be suspended until further notice. “Thank you all for your understanding in this matter: I imagine that most of you were already thinking that his would be the case given the government announcements yesterday. “We will provide further updates when appropriate but if anyone has any questions then please do not hesitate to contact me via email, phone, text, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.”

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LymeOnline Sport

24 Friday, March 20 2020

March 20 2020

First outing for gig rowers LYME Regis Gig Club took take part in their first race of 2020 at the traditional season opener, the gruelling 3 Rivers Race hosted by Caradon Gig Club at Saltash in Cornwall. The endurance race is around six miles long, starting and finishing under the iconic Tamar bridge, with crews battling against the incoming tide and strong winds. The 3 Rivers Race features 75 crews from across the south of England giving a good test and a measure of how all those long hours of winter training have gone. An opportunity, also, for some to compare their performance with that of other crews they are likely to be racing against throughout the forthcoming season. Lyme Regis entered two crews in the women’s race. The A crew, rowing in Tempest, held off some strong crews including Cattewater and Coverack to finish 32nd overall. The women’s B crew, rowing in Black Ven, finished 57th. Lyme Regis also entered two crews in the men’s event. The newly formed A crew, with a quartet of 3 Rivers debutants and two competing in their first ever race, finished 28th with the established B crew setting the bar and finishing in 23rd. A healthy rivalry beckons in the early part of this season between the two crews. Overall Tempest finished 29th

ONE of the Lyme men’s crew in Black Ven

THE Lyme women’s A crew in action in Tempest and Black Ven 42nd which is an excellent starting point to build on for the upcoming the season. The club focus is now training for the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly at the beginning of May when Lyme Regis will enter seven crews. The Gig Club has three beautiful wooden boats, Rebel, Black Ven and Tempest; all built by local boat

builder Gail McGarva in Lyme Regis, along with Prospero and Daring, the club’s two training boats. The club also have two 15ft sea skiffs, a wooden skiff Gale Force and her sister Storm Force for young rowers between eight and 12 years of age. The aim of the club is to offer the sport of Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing to anybody who wishes to try

ocean rowing, and by doing so, encouraging fitness and spirit within the community. The club are always on the lookout for new members of all ages, so get in touch if you are interested in making some new friends, seeing Lyme Bay from a different perspective, getting a bit fitter and possibly participating in organised racing regattas in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

Two cup defeats in six days PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk THERE have been few seasons in the last two decades when Lyme Regis 1st team have not delivered a trophy or two – but there’ll be no prestigious silverware at the Davey Fort clubhouse this season after the Seasiders were dumped out of the two major competitions within six days.

The Seasiders were completely outplayed by Devon & Exeter Premier highflyers Lapford in the East Devon Senior Cup on the all-weather pitch at Axe Valley College because the Davey

Fort pitch was ruled unplayable. Lyme have yet to win a fixture on the artificial surface and never made use of the wide expanses of the full-sized pitch whilst Lapford, currently third in the Premier division, took full advantage of wide open spaces, winning 5-1 in one of the Seasiders’ most disappointing performances of the season. Last Thursday night Lyme fielded a less than full-strength side against Feniton in the Morrison Bell Cup under floodlights at Ottery St Mary, another full-sized pitch. Feniton have gone seven games without defeat, which has seen them sprint up the Premier division to the

runner-up spot, and they were really pumped up for the game which they dedicated to their player Hamish Culling, who died recently. Their supporters turned out in force to join in a two-minute applause in memory of Hamish and all the players wore a T-shirt emblazoned with his portrait under their club strip. When the their first goal went in, the scorer took off his short and ran into the crowd to celebrate and got a booking for his exuberance, slightly unnecessary considering the circumstances. Lyme were without a number of influential players, including the Knight brothers, Gary and Mike, but this was a much better performance than Sat-

urday’s disappointing showing against Lapford. They also lost defenders Alex Rocket (hamstring) and Cody Bowditch (shin splints) in the first half. The Seasiders were trailing 2-0 at the break but it could have been more had it not been for a dogged performance by keeper Rob Harp, who spent much of the game under siege. Shortly after half-time Lyme midfielder Ben Turner got a straight red for violent conduct, having kicked a Feniton player right in front of the referee. Turner was distressed by the de-

■ TURN TO PAGE 23

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE

Davey Fort

Clubhouse closed until further notice

All local football postponed for indefinite period ALL local football matches have been postponed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. Secretary of the Devon & Exeter League, Neil Anthony issued the following statement today (Tuesday): “Please note, that following the FA announcement yesterday suspending all grass roots footballing activities for an indefinite period, the Macron Devon and Exeter Football League have no option but to postpone all outstanding fixtures until a later date. “Our apologies for any inconvenience caused but as you can understand the decision by the FA was made with the priority being given to the health and well-being of the entire footballing family. This decision is fully supported by the Devon and Exeter Football League. “The problem is that we now find ourselves in a rapidly changing situation and therefore we will be reviewing our fixtures backlog at the end of the month.” Two of Lyme Regis Football Club teams compete in the Devon & Exeter League. Lyme 1sts play in the Premier division. They currently occupy fifth position, where they finished last season, but they have another 15 games to play Lyme Reserves play in the Devon and Exeter League Division Three, currently sitting in sixth place with another nine games to play. All Perry Street League games will also be postponed as the epidemic gains momentum in the South West. Lyme Rovers, the club’s third X1, are pressing for promotion from Perry Street Division Two and have 13 games left to play.Uplyme and Charmouth compete in Division Two and share the bottom two places in the table.

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