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SNOW WAY! Lyme covered in snow on first day of spring
LEAPING FOR THE LEGION PAGE 3
Local musician set to make a million
A LYME Regis musician is set to earn a million after inventing a new gadget which removes every guitarists’ nightmare of howling feedback. Harmonica player Richard Smith has been hailed a “genius” for inventing a new system, which means that superstars around the world will no longer suffer the screech of feedback ruining their performance. REPORT, PAGE 7
Flood works causing ‘chaos’ in the lanes A ROAD closure in Uplyme is causing “chaos” in the country lanes, according to residents. A short section of the main B3165 Lyme Road in Uplyme was closed this week while flood prevention works are carried out, resulting in “gridlock” in the surrounding narrow lanes and safety concerns outside the primary school. REPORT, PAGE 8
Management trio step down at Davey Fort
LYME Regis youngsters Wesley and Daley Holmes, and Kieren Daniels and Robbie Fowler, sledge down Bumpy Field in Middle Mill as Lyme Regis enjoyed a rare snow day on Thursday. For full report and photo spread, see pages 11, 12 & 13 Photo by Richard Austin
War on plastic waste
LYME Regis FC’s first team management trio - Robin Townsend, Steve Crabbe and Mark Lock - have amicably parted company with the Seasiders after 18 months in the job. Club vice-captain Mark Bailey has agreed to take on the role of caretaker manager until the end of the season, assisted by club secretary Rob Thom and Reserves manager Gerard Hitchcock REPORT, PAGES 23 & 24
Council gives its backing to make Lyme Regis a ‘plastic free’ town
LYME Regis has declared a war on waste with the council this week giving its official backing to plans to become a ‘plastic free’ town.
Eco-group Turn Lyme Green will lead the campaign, with the aim of receiving the ‘plastic free’ accolade from Surfers Against Sewage - the leading organisation in the national drive to reduce plastic waste ending
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francesca@lyme-online.co.uk up in our seas. The organisation is hoping to create 125 ‘plastic free’ coastal communities by 2020, with towns such as Penzance in Cornwall already holding the title. To become ‘plastic free’, Lyme Regis would have to meet a number
of conditions, and the first is to have the support of the local council, which should “lead by example” in cutting down the amount of single-use plastic items it uses. Having already given their initial support to the idea in recent weeks, councillors at this week’s Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee have their official backing, after member Richard Doney presented
a report on what the ‘plastic free’ campaign would entail. In his report, he said: “No town will ever be literally ‘plastic free’. Plastic is embedded in our everyday lives to an extent that it cannot be eliminated in the foreseeable future. “However, steps can be taken to reduce the amount of plastic mateTURN TO PAGE 2
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Published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Hyper-local website and fortnightly newspaper serving the communities of Lyme Regis, Uplyme & Charmouth. Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS www.lyme-online.co.uk edit@lyme-online.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LymeOnlineUK Twitter: twitter.com/LymeOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/lymeonline Editor: Francesca Evans francesca@lyme-online.co.uk 07810 221 420 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Geoff Baker edit@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk
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Environmental campaigners say ‘going green is good for business’ CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE rials we use, particularly single-use plastic objects, such as bottled water, cutlery, cups, bags and straws. “Simple changes in habits can improve our environment with both individuals and businesses practising the four Rs - refuse, refill, reuse and recycle.” Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Doney added that going ‘plastic free’ could also help boost tourism. “It’s not to do with our personal views, it’s about getting our name out in front in an area which is getting a lot of attention at the moment. It’s another way of selling the town.” As well as having the council’s support, Turn Lyme Green will also have to work with local businesses to remove single-use plastic items and replace them with sustainable alternatives before Lyme Regis could be declared ‘plastic free’. It is also required to gain community support through voluntary organisations and schools, organising community events to promote the initiative and setting up a steering group to drive the scheme. Councillor Doney said that Lyme Regis was already on the road to achieving the objectives set by Surfers Against Sewage, as it held regular beach cleans and businesses were taking an interest in going ‘plastic free’ and joining the ReFill scheme, meaning they offer free refills of customers’ water bottles. Lyme Regis Baptist Church has also achieved a silver eco-award and two art projects are planned for the holiday season to raise awareness and inspire visitors and residents to support the campaign.
A steering group set up by Turn Lyme Green will take the project forward and this will be made up of residents, businesses, the fishing community, voluntary organisations, schools and churches, as well as a town councillor. Councillor Doney reported that the campaign would not cost the council anything, and that Turn Lyme Green were applying for a grant for the scheme. He added that the cost to local businesses in switching to eco-friendly products was not yet known, but prices of such products were expected to drop as the demand for them increased. Chairman of the Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee, Councillor Cheryl Reynolds, said the project had her “full support”. “It’s really important for the town. Surfers Against Sewage are big news everywhere; if they will give us this accolade that’s really good for everyone - businesses, residents and visitors.” Councillor Brian Larcombe also backed the scheme, saying he hoped it would also take into account the amount of waste taken to landfill. He suggested that conditions could be put on the town council’s licensees to be ‘plastic free’ and that the council should encourage events that it supports to also adopt the ‘plastic free’ ideal. Turn Lyme Green will now be holding a
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meeting on Tuesday, March 13 for local businesses and organisations to have an open discussion on the practicalities and benefits of ‘going green’. Chris Boothroyd of Turn Lyme Green said: “This is an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and swap ideas to work together to improve and protect our environment to benefit our residents, business and visitors - so important in our seaside community with the high season fast approaching. “Turn Lyme Green wants to congratulate those local businesses who feel strongly about protecting our environment and are responding to customers who are also looking for environmentally-friendly solutions to use of plastics and improved recycling. “Local businesses are joining schemes to stop using single-use plastics and some have already achieved awards for eco business and tourism. Eighteen local business support the ReFill scheme, which provides free top ups for refillable water bottles.” The meeting will be held at the Driftwood Café at Lyme Regis Baptist Church at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start and all are welcome to attend. Anyone interested in helping achieve success for this project is encouraged to get in touch with Turn Lyme Green by emailing chairman Jo Smith Oliver on info@josmitholiver.com visit the website www.turnlymegreen.co.uk
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Ania to skydive with Red Devils to raise funds for British Legion
LYME Regis resident Ania Driver is planning to celebrate her 70th birthday by jumping out of a helicopter with the Army’s crack Red Devils free fall parachute team in memory of her late husband Terry, a former Royal Marine, and to raise money for her favourite charity, the Royal British Legion. In an exclusive interview with LymeOnline, Ania said: “I will always be indebted to the Royal British Legion and in this 100th year after the end of World War One I felt it fitting to try and repay this great charity. “My husband Terry served as a Royal Marine for many years and in his closing years became totally dependent upon me. “After approaching the Legion, at the suggestion of a friend, they very kindly provided a wet room at home and other aids to allow me to care for Terry the best I could. “Without the care and consideration given I’m sure I would not have been able to look after Terry as I would have wished to. “On a personal basis I also have a fear of heights and wanted to do something that would not only benefit the RBL but also be a personal challenge for me. So I’m going to jump with the Red Devils Free Fall team on June 26. “If the truth be told, Terry spent a large
PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk proportion of his service with the Royal Marines jumping in and out of ‘Junglies’, so I thought I’d better get my own back and join him in some aerial frolics!” Ania met her husband whilst serving in the Queen Alexandra Royal Navy Nursing Services, when he was being treated at the Royal Navy Hospital in Plymouth. As a Royal Marine, Terry served four tours of duty in Northern Ireland during the troubles. The couple moved to Lyme Regis in 1999, where they had spent many happy holidays, when Terry was diagnosed with an incurable disease. He died in 2006 and Ania has never forgotten the kindness and support offered by the Royal British Legion. As ex-service personnel, they were both members of the Royal British Legion and in recent years Ania has played a prominent role in the Lyme Regis branch, acting as welfare officer. Ania spent the first eight years of her life speaking only Polish as her parents were part of the Allied Forces brought to the UK from Italy to live in a refugee camp near Nantwich in Cheshire. Every year Ania sings the Polish National Anthem at the Polish war memorial in Anning Road at Remembrance time. Ian Marshall, chairman of the Lyme Regis Royal British Legion, paid tribute to Ania’s desire to repay the charity for the help it provided for her husband. He said: “We are exceedingly proud of Ania for taking on this challenge in aid of the Legion’s Poppy Appeal. In recent years she has done wonderful work for the Legion as welfare officer, visiting and helping many former service personnel who live in Lyme. “We hope the people of Lyme will support this wonderful fundraising effort.” Ania’s free fall jump will take place on Tuesday, June 26 at Old Sarum in Salisbury, where the Red Devils are based. The Red Devils are no strangers to the people of Lyme Regis as they performed during the town’s Lifeboat Week last year and will be dropping into Lyme again this summer on August 2.
ANIA Driver, welfare officer for Lyme Regis Royal British Legion, with branch chairman Ian Marshal (photo by Richard Austin). Left, the Red Devils land on Lyme Regis beach during last year’s Lifeboat Week
Chamber of Commerce a no go TOWN councillors have dropped their plans to create a new Chamber of Commerce in Lyme Regis, due to a lack of interest from local businesses. The council has been trying to encourage the launch of a Chamber of Commerce for several weeks, following the closure of Lyme Regis Business Group last year, but has said it’s “like trying to flog a dead horse”. Very few traders have shown interest in joining a Chamber of Commerce, and councillors even considered paying business’ membership fees for the first year to encourage more to take part. However, at this week’s meeting of the Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee it was agreed that there was little point in taking the idea any further. Councillor Brian Larcombe said he did not think the council should put any funding into setting up a
Chamber, as they were “flogging a dead horse”. “If businesses are not interested enough to get together and do this, we can’t say we know any better.” Councillor Jeff Scowen disagreed, saying that the council should go even further than paying membership fees to encourage businesses. The Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis, said: “I think this council has tried very, very hard to facilitate this and we need to stop using our time and energy on it if they don’t want it, and focus on something we can achieve.” Councillor John Broom added: “If they can’t be bothered, why should we bother?” It was agreed not to pursue setting up a Chamber of Commerce any further.
Councillor concerned over park and ride progress A LYME Regis councillor has expressed concern about how long it is taking to get planning permission for the town’s two park and ride sites, claiming that Lyme could face another summer season without the additional parking facilties. Speaking at Tuesday’s town council Planning Committee, Cllr Stan Williams (pictured) said he was “quite appalled” that members had been asking council staff to deal with the matter for a year and still no permissions had been granted for either Charmouth Road or Sidmouth Road park and ride. The committee was considering an application by Dick Wellman, owner of the park and ride field in Charmouth Road, to extend the park and ride season from the end of March to end of October, and to be able to install protective matting on part of the site. Cllr John Broom said Mr Wellman wanted to apply for planning permission himself and the application had nothing to do with the council. Town and district councillor Cheryl Reynolds said: “He [Mr Wellman] put the planning application in and it was done straight away at West Dorset.
Cllr Williams: “This goes back to last October.” Cllr Broom: “He didn’t put it in in October, he put it in in January.” Committee chairman Brian Larcombe: “I presume we have no objection to this.” Cllr Reynolds: “No we haven’t. If we make an objection we are cutting off our nose to spite our face. We have got to have that park and ride. There’s no argument over who put it in or how it happened. Let’s just get on with it.” Cllr Williams asked whether it was possible to get the matter “fast-tracked” at West Dorset, adding: “ The point is we are coming to the beginning of the season and we have no park and ride at all.” Cllr Reynolds: “It only went in two weeks ago. As you know when a planning application it usually takes at least eight to 10 weeks.” Deputy town clerk Mark Green said that
WDDC were “expediting it”. Cllr Reynolds added: “I have done everything I can and it is going through.” Cllr Williams: “It is dreadfully important that we get this through. It could be a disaster for the traders in the town. It seems to me that business people are losing out and we need to ensure we are doing our best for them and this is why I raised it because we face another season without park and ride.” The committee recommended approval of the application and Cllr Larcombe asked Mr Green to stress the importance of early decision when conveying the town council’s recommendation to the district council. The council has confirmed that they hope the Charmouth Road park and ride will be operational by Easter, saying it is their “top priority”. The council is also outlaying a five-figure sum on commissioning a transport and parking strategy to secure planning permission from East Devon District Council for the Sidmouth Road park and ride, which is just over the county border in the parish of Uplyme. See Lyme Regis Town Council’s dedicated column on page 16
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NEWS ONLINE: Catch up with A round-up of the top stories from our website
Matt Puddy back behind the bar at The Volunteer Council to reconsider lifeguard hut decision THERE’S a new guv’nor in charge at Lyme Regis’ own ‘Little Ireland’. Fifteen years after leaving The Volunteer Inn, Matt Puddy, one of Lyme’s most popular characters, has returned as the pub’s new manager. Matt, who last worked at The Volly in Broad Street when it was run by the late Joe O’Donnell, is back behind the bar after a decade at the Rock Point. On his new appointment, Matt said it “feels like coming home” and he was looking forward to St Patrick’s Day on March 17.
LYME Regis councillors will meet with an RNLI safety officer to discuss their controversial decision to oppose the erection of a new lifeguard hut on stilts on the main beach. The RNLI requested an improved lifeguard hut to be sited on Lyme Regis’ sandy beach during the summer, elevated above ground level to give a better view of those in the water. The council’s decision to oppose the new construction
New street food festival coming to Lyme Pub quiz raises £220 for lifeboat crew A STREET food festival will be held in Lyme Regis this May. The Dorset Street Food Festival, organised by Street Food Warehouse, will be held on Marine Parade over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 26 to 28, adding to Lyme’s ever-expanding calendar of festivals. The event promises a weekend of “fantastic fresh food and delicious drinks”
A PUB quiz raised more than £220 for Lyme Regis lifeboat crew this week. Craft beer bar Cellar 59, in Broad Street, took park in the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz – a fundraising campaign organised by Pub Aid – on Sunday evening and chose the RNLI as their charity.
because it was “ugly and unnecessary” was met with a barrage of complaints on social media, prompting local resident Ryan Turner to launch a petition urging the council to change its mind. Mr Turner attended a recent Town Management Committee meeting and made an eloquent plea for the council to reconsider its decision. He said the online petition had received 750 signatures in a couple of weeks.
Local Scouts earn Master at Arms badge MEMBERS of the 1st Lym Valley Scout Group visited The Tunnel Target Sports Centre, near Charmouth, as part of their Master at Arms Badge. Ten Scouts were awarded the badge, which involves training for at least six sessions, learning how to shoot safely and taking part in competitions.
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Chalet saga ‘a joke’, says veteran councillor THE ongoing saga of getting a dilapidated chalet on Monmouth Beach replaced has been described as “a joke” by veteran Lyme Regis councillor Stan Williams. A recent report by deputy town clerk Mark Green reminded members that the condition and replacement of No 18 Monmouth Beach was first considered in September 2016. Councillor Williams said it was “weak and pathetic” to allow people to “treat the council in this way”.
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the latest from Lyme Regis
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Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community Lyme’s snowfall: a picture perfect reminder to look after the planet
Council takes first steps towards CCTV system LYME Regis councillors have taken the first step towards establishing a comprehensive CCTV system in the town. A CCTV system was installed on Marine Parade in 2012 with nine cameras to cover the area around the Jubilee Pavilion, adjacent buildings and the upper concourse, and there are two camera outside the council offices. There are now plans to extend the system to cover the rest of the seafront, Langmoor and Lister Gardens, Broad Street and the Town Mill area.
Lifeboat to move home for boathouse revamp THE lifeboat stationed at Lyme Regis is ‘moving home’ for a month during March. The 8.5metre ‘Spirit of Loch Fyne’ will be housed in an industrial tent on a car park from March 7 while the station’s boathouse floor at the Cobb is re-laid. The move also includes the tractor used to launch the inshore lifeboat as well as other boathouse equipment.
New tech speeds up Lyme bar among the work at medical centre best for beer, says Oz A NEW digital dictation and document creation system is “transforming efficiency” at Lyme Regis Medical Centre. The centre has installed the Lexacom digital dictation and speech recognition system, which means clinicians and admin staff can now create and send crucial documents, such as referrals, quickly and efficiently.
A LYME Regis bar is toasting success after being named as one of the very best for beer by the UK’s top drinks expert. Cellar 59, the Broad Street bar run by Thorncombe-based artisan brewers Gyle 59, won the rave review from Oz Clarke (pictured) when the TV wine oracle discovered it by accident when visiting the town.
YOU might have heard it snowed a little last week? I didn’t quite manage to catch it myself; while Lyme Regis was blanketed in one of its heaviest ever snowfalls, I was enjoying my own winter wonderland on holiday in Venice. I headed off ignoring all warnings of ‘The Beast from the East’ last Tuesday but, before I knew it, the South West was covered in the white stuff and my flight back to Bristol was cancelled. As a news editor, it can be frustrating when you’re away and you know something exciting is happening back home. You naturally want to get stuck in, taking photos and reporting on events, especially when it’s something so unusual – and I’d definitely never seen snow like it in Lyme in my 29 years. But then again I was in Venice... so who’s complaining? By the time I finally made it home to two days later than planned, the sun was shining and not a single flake of snow remained in our garden. I heard the community pulled together - as Lyme Regis always does when needed - clearing roads, helping out neighbours and simply enjoying the day off. We take a look back at Lyme’s snow day with a special photo spread on pages 11, 12 & 13. My extra two days in Venice gave me plenty of time to explore the sights, and one thing that really stuck out to me (quite literally!) was the art installation ‘Support’ by Lorenzo Quinn - giant hands rising from the Grand Canal, installed at the
Ca’Sagredo Hotel last year to draw attention to climate change and rising sea levels. It couldn’t have been anymore poignant, with such heavy snowfall back home on what was supposed to be the first day of spring, and the streets of Venice getting wetter and wetter throughout the week thanks to rain and a high tide. Lyme has also been turning its attention to environmental matters in recent weeks, with hopes the town can go plastic free (see our front page and Turn Lyme Green’s column on page 19). It’ll be no easy feat, especially with the amount of unnecessary plastic packaging found in supermarkets, but something we should all get behind - I’ll definitely be giving more thought to the shameful amount of plastic bottles and bags I seem to get through. With spring now on its way, last week’s extreme weather seems like a distant memory, although you can’t walk up the town without three people stopping to say “you still can’t get bread, you know?” That’s probably for the best, considering the amount of pasta I’ve consumed! You can read all about my trip to Venice in my latest ‘All Over the Town’ blog on our website.
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Punk musician and activist to star at Marine THE 1970s punk singer, BBC DJ and activist Tom Robinson will play the classic album ‘Power In The Darkness’ at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, alongside other hits. Born in Cambridge in 1950, Tom Robinson first became known in the late 1970s as a musician and LGBT activist with the Tom Robinson Band (TRB), who were early supporters of Rock Against Racism and Amnesty International. He will appear at the Marine Theatre on Friday, October 5, with doors opening at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets cost £20 in advance or £23 on the door, and are already selling quickly. To book call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
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LYME MATTERS with Philip Evans Essential reading for all those with Lyme at heart
No stopping her... WHEN Cheryl Reynolds won a seat on West Dorset District Council I warned her that as an Independent she would find it most frustrating with the liklihood that she would not be able to get a place on any of the council committees. She gave me that look she’s flashed at me so many times before - “that’s what you think”. True to my prediction, no committee place was available until the Lib Dems came up with a remarkably generous offer - “you can have one of our seats”. And so Cheryl has just received confirmation that she is now officially a member of the influential Overview and Scrutiny Committee (me neither!). Cheryl won’t mind me saying this (actually she probably will), but she’s not the easiest to control at committee meetings when she’s in full flight. A challenge for any chairman - who just happens to be her brother Daryl!
Tea Rooms treat
ONE advantage in working at the top of town - we have a new bijou office among friendly folk in the Uplyme Road Business Centre - is that it’s only a short walk to the wonderful Black Dog Tea Rooms. I remember the Black Dog well when it was a pub, especially when it was run by local lad John Govier, who went on to find fame with BBC Radio Devon. I have many fond memories of using it as our HQ when a few members of Uplyme Cricket Club, led by entertainer Richard Digance, organised a week of theatre shows supported by Richard’s showbiz pals, to raise £30,000 in a bid to save Lyme Hospital in the early 1980s. We failed to save the hospital but had a lot of fun and the money eventually went to the medical centre. I have to admit I’d never been into the tea room before this past week - what have I been missing? Rod and Sonia serve a dazzling array of snacks and lunches, all homemade with locally-sourced, healthy produce. I chose Rod’s Rustic Rarebit historic, bordering on the biblical! We will definitely make the tea rooms our once-a-week-lunchtime-treat.
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Worst snow ever -1962-63? W
ITH Francesca enjoying glitzy snowy scenes in Venice for a short break last week, I was forced out into the white stuff on Friday morning to ensure we had enough photos for this week’s picture spread.
We went out early when Lyme was eerily quiet. Little or no traffic was passing through the town and the sidestreets were impassable. There was at least a foot of snow in places and the sidewalks were treacherous after the overnight freezing rain. Storm Emma had clearly delivered one of the worst snow conditions in living memory. After getting a few pretty pictures and enjoying community craic in Broad Street as more ventured out as the day progressed, I decided to write a tongue-in-cheek snow blog when I got home. I chose as my theme “Never seen it this bad before”, which is what most people said as we exchanged greetings. As I write this, to date 1,921 people have read that blog which must tell me something about the success of the LymeOnline website. I ventured to suggest that 1978 was the worst ever snow in living memory, but of course it wasn’t. Those baby-boomers among us will recall that it was almost certainly 1962-63 when the big freeze
MY next door neighbour and pal Howard Williams on his way to buy ‘milk’ in the snow. Yeah, of course Howard! lasted several weeks, starting before Christmas and not thawing until early March. Local schools were closed for a number of weeks, fish were frozen to death in the sea and, over in Charmouth, Cedric Edwards rode his bike up the frozen River Char from the shore up to the caravan park. I’m told he still has the picture. The generation before me will probably say 1947 was the most severe, but I wasn’t born then. That year the month of February was particularly vicious with record low temperatures.
I’VE always believed that traders should have a strong voice in the community and in days now long gone the Chamber of Commerce fulfilled that role in Lyme Regis. They were consulted on all matters relating to the town centre, particularly parking and traffic issues, perennial problems that are as important today as they ever were. It’s a fact, however, that bodies like the Chamber of Commerce are struggling in most small towns and I applaud Lyme Regis Town Council for trying to kick-start an effective traders’ organisation to have a say in some of these crucial debates.
Cold and snowy conditions tend to make people more sociable and I commented in my blog that people said “hello” and stopped to chat when normally they would pass right by without speaking. Perhaps that’s why the people of Canada - and so many other snowy places - are said to be so much more happier than the British. There were many reports of kindnesses around town, with people helping out the elderly and infirm, so typical of Lyme. One surprising hangover from our two days of snow - two whole days - was that there was suddenly a world shortage of bread. Even this morning (Wednesday) the main supermarkets in town were still waiting for deliveries. In France that would have caused a riot. Initial discussions with local traders have not been met with great success but I applaud the council for trying to ensure the traders have an effective voice. It would have been a step too far, however, had they agreed to a suggestion - not from the traders - that the council should fund shopkeepers’ fees for affiliating to the Chamber of Commerce network. Sensibly, councillors did not go down this avenue. If the traders want to have some influence over matters that effect them most, then they have to be responsible for their own financial arrangements.
Back where it all started - delivering as well as writing the news WELL, I started my newspaper career as a paper boy - and it looks very much like I might end it in the same manner. For me, the wheel has certainly turned the full circle. Before I started my first job as a cub reporter in 1965 on the Express & Echo in Exeter I used to deliver the Echo every night around Lyme. About 30 copies, as I recall. Lyme was on the far extremity of the Echo’s circulation area and as there was no reporter covering the town for the Exeter evening paper I also wrote a few bits and pieces for them. The first time I walked into a newspaper office was the year before when I spent the whole of August on work experience at the Bridport News when the paper was based above Frosts in West Street. I loved every minute of it and during this month the office was severly damaged by fire when the editor, Bill ‘Foxy’ Harris, who used to ride around the town on a motor bike with the word ‘Editor’ stuck to his crash helmet, tapped out his pipe into a dustbin on the office landing. When we arrived back from lunch, probably spent on West Bay beach, flames were shooting out of the office window and Foxy was telephoning the story from the
Those were the days... kiosk across the road to the Salisbury head office as it was deadline that afternoon. I was disappointed I could not start my career at the Bridport News. I was offered an apprenticeship at the Salisbury Journal but was pleased to get a job on the Express & Echo. We couldn’t find anyone to take the Echo paper round in Lyme when I started work. I used to travel into Exeter every morning on the six-clock Puffin’ Billy out of Lyme station and then onto Exeter. For a few weeks after starting work, I brought the Lyme papers back with me and delivered them on the way home. Eventually, local footballer Ronny Bastone took over the round. I spent three years on the Echo and my last story I wrote for the paper was the main front page story, one of just three that I had during my three-year apprenticeship. I officially ended my employment with the Echo on a very stormy Fri-
day night and was looking forward to joining the Somerset Gazette Series in Taunton on the Monday to launch the Axminster News. That Friday night was one of the saddest I can remember - the night local lifeboatman Nimmer Jefford lost his life trying to claim salvage rights for a vessel that had broken free from the harbour. He was tossed into the sea and swept towards the seawall at Cobb Gate. Great efforts were made to save him with a rope thrown out to him and a number of locals trying to pull him to safety. But a huge wave smashed him against the seawall and his body was discovered on back beach the following morning. Although I had officially left the Echo, I drove into the office on Saturday morning and wrote my last and most tragic story for a great newspaper. The circulation department sent a man over to Lyme that afternoon to sell copies at the top of the parade - many more copies than the 30 I brought back with me every evening. And now - 53 years later - I am back delivering newspapers. To get the LymeOnline print version established, and to give advertisers the best exposure possible, we decided to deliver the paper to as
many easily accessible letterboxes in Lyme, Uplyme and Charmouth, as well as having copies available at various pick-up points around the area. Lyme is not the easiest of places with its steep hills so it has been a bit of a challenge. We were unable to recruit sufficient deliverers to cover the whole area so there was no alternative but for Francesca and I to cover some of the more difficult rounds ourselves. That’s how we spent most of last weekend. Saturday was a particularly difficult experience. We decided to concentrate on the top of the town towards the Uplyme border - the morning after the official launch of LymeOnline where the wine and gin flowed a little too liberally (thank you Mr Stamp) when the speechifying was finished. Walking up Clappentail Lane on Saturday morning - with a bag full of papers and a thumping headache - seemed like climbing the north face of the Eiger. So my eternal thanks to those kind people, anxious to see Lyme’s only real community newspaper survive, who have volunteered to deliver copies in their road. Any further offers will be gratefully received.
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‘Genius’ musician tipped to make millions
HARMONICA PLAYER RICHARD WOWS INDUSTRY WITH CLEVER INVENTION A LYME Regis musician is set to earn a million after inventing a new gadget which removes every guitarists’ nightmare of the howling feedback which was first created by John Lennon almost half a century ago. Renowned harmonica player Richard Smith has been hailed by the guitar industry as a “genius” for inventing a new system, which means that guitar superstars all around the world will no longer suffer the 40-year fear of the screech of feedback ruining their performance. Although The Beatles were the first to record the distinctive electronic distortion to hit effect at the start of their 1964 chart-topper ‘I Feel Fine’, ever since then the occasional and unintended howling has been the bane of rock stars’ shows. But now top guitarists like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards are tipped to switch to an inexpensive device invented by Richard, which guarantees that all concerts can be feedback-free and quick to set up. Such is the demand for the product that before it was even officially launched sales topped £50,000. Up until now, in order to get a clear and balanced concert sound, electric guitarists have had to rig up a microphone in front of their amplifier, a process that takes hours to find the right ‘sweet spot’ and risks picking up all other stage sounds played through a PA. But the steering wheel-shaped Samsystems IM12 gadget invented by Richard, a long-time member of Lyme’s Guitars On The Beach house band, simply fits a guitar mic inside the amplifier in minutes, so that it is always in the right place and ready to go. Now the guitar industry is raving about the new invention and demand for the product is rushing in from around the world. The musicians’ bible, Guitarist Magazine, has hailed the gadget as “gear of the year” and is calling Richard “a genius”.
GEOFF BAKER
edit@lyme-online.co.uk “It’s an idea which is so clever yet so simple that you wish you’d thought of it yourself, a tidy and effective solution that helps reduce both setup time and feedback problems to boot, genius,” raved the magazine. And as the product only costs about £110, orders are flooding in from around the globe. Richard, a retired Royal Navy engineer who plays harmonica in many West County blues bands, sold 500 of the gadgets before it even officially launched in January, and has seen orders rushing in from Germany, Holland, the US, Australia, Greece and across the UK. “Robbie McIntosh, Paul McCartney’s ex-guitarist who lives at Weymouth, loves the system and he has already bought two,” said Richard. “Guitarists like it because it works. I’m hoping that one day all guitarists will be using it, we’re aiming to make it a piece of industry standard kit. “It only took me 20 minutes at my kitchen table to get the idea but it’s taken five years of development. We took it to guitar trade shows in Nashville and Frankfurt and everybody loved it, and it’s now being manufactured by a company in China.” Following the launch earlier this year, orders for the product are tipped by the music industry to reach tens of thousands as every concert guitarist will want the new product, setting Richard on his way to becoming a millionaire, albeit a humble one. “It’s nice to be called a genius but when I hear that I think they must be talking about somebody else, I was just lucky to get a simple idea. “But I would like to think I could become a millionaire from this, the response has been overwhelming and it’s very exciting,” he said.
The BIG Breakfast NEW VENUE
RICHARD Smith, right, with his “genius” gadget in Nashville with Chris Condon, guitarist with country superstar Billy Ray Cyrus Photo by Lars Mullen
Masked Spring Ball
Saturday, April 21st Woodmead Halls 8pm-12.30 Tickets £25 each or £225 for a table of 10
◆ Cocktail on arrival ◆ Live Music for dancing ◆ Sumptuous Buffet Supper ◆ Special prize for best mask Call 07796 951991 to book tickets
8 Friday, March 9 2018
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Road closure causing Uplyme councillor to take ‘chaos’ in the lanes top spot at East Devon A ROAD closure in Uplyme is causing “chaos” in the country lanes, according to residents. A section of the main B3165 Lyme Road in Uplyme was closed this week while flood prevention works are carried out. Although the closure only affects a short section of the road - between Uplyme Village Hall and the Murco garage - it has completely prevented access along the main road, resulting in “gridlock” in the surrounding narrow lanes. Residents have expressed concern over the safety of children getting to and from Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School, as drivers are using Church Street, Pound Lane and Cooks Mead to avoid the closure. Some have requested that the road be temporarily opened during school drop-off and pick-up times, or traffic lights are used to let one lane of traffic through. The problem was exacerbated on Tuesday morning when an articulated lorry became stuck in Gore Lane for several hours, having been redirected along the narrow road. Uplyme parish clerk Ricky Neave reported the problems to Highway Management Road Closure Administration at Devon County Council on both
Vacancies on Charmouth council
FOLLOWING the recent resignations of several members, Charmouth Parish Council is seeking four new councillors to be co-opted. A statement from the council said: “A parish council has an overall responsibility for the wellbeing of its local community and its works falls into three categories - representing the community, delivering services to meet local needs, and striving to improve quality of life in the parish. “The role is varied, interesting, sometimes frustrating and a great deal of the time, enjoyable!” Anyone over the age of 18 who is an elector in Charmouth parish, or works or lives within three miles of the parish, can apply. For more information contact parish clerk Lisa Tuck by calling 01297 560826 or email charmouth@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
FOSSIL
LYME Road in Uplyme is expected to be closed for two weeks Monday and Tuesday as an urgent matter but said there was “very little else the parish council can do”. A statement from the parish council on social media said: “Once the drainage culvert has been replaced, the road will be open again and the work on the new footpath on the village hall side of the road should not require more than traffic lights at worst. There is as yet no start date confirmed. “HGVs ignore signage unfortunately. Both Gore and Woodhouse lanes have been affected on too many occasions!” Lyme Road is expected to re-open on Sunday, March 18. The car park outside Uplyme Village Hall has also been blocked off to allow for the flood prevention works, but the front of the hall can still be accessed by vehicles and there is parking available at the back of the venue. Devon County Council recently approved the flood improvement schemes for Uplyme and Ivybridge, which are expected to cost more than £500,000in total. A review of the drainage systems in Uplyme had highlighted restrictions and inadequate capacities which created a risk of flooding. More than 14 properties were reported to have been flooded internally during 2012, some on multiple occasions.
FITNESS
For a body that feels ass young as your soul At Fossil Fitness we know that you understand the importance of exercise when it comes to keeping yourself in good shape mentally and physically, we also know that it can be very hard to start a new regime. Some gyms can be intimidating and there are those who feel that personal training can be costly and only suited to younger people. Working out with Fossil Fitness can mean anything from a power walk to more intense cardio with or without weights. What’s important is that we work with you to achieve your goals, whether they be weight loss, greater flexibility, a healthier heart or just the ability to make the most out of your hobbies and time with your friends and family. To learn more and book a free consultation, which will include a 30 minute taster session, contact Alli on 07774 696269 or at allison.mackrell@icloud.com
UPLYME'S district councillor Ian Thomas is set to take the reins at East Devon after being elected new leader of its Conservative group. Councillor Thomas, who lives in Ware, has served as a district councillor for the Trinity ward, which includes Uplyme and Rousdon, since 2009. He is portfolio holder for finance at East Devon and is a director of the Exeter Science Park Company. Councillor Thomas was elected new leader COUNCILLOR Ian Thomas, new leader of East Devon District Council’s Conservative of East Devon District group, and his deputy Councillor Philip Skinner Council’s Conservative group at its annual general meeting, taking over and arts and culture events essential to the from Paul Diviani, who has held the post since health, safety, prosperity and happiness of all we represent”. 2011. “Whilst our new team has taken on leadership Councillor Diviani will remain leader of East Devon District Council until its annual meeting on of the East Devon Conservative Group immediMay 16, when Councillor Thomas will take the ately, Paul will remain in post, as leader of East Devon District Council, until the annual council reins. Philip Skinner, portfolio holder for economy, meeting on May 16.” “Paul, Philip and I will take advantage of this who has represented the Tale Vale since 1999, secured the post of deputy of the Conservative time to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities to our new team, so the complex task of rungroup. Councillor Skinner is a former chairman of the ning a busy and ambitious district council continues, without missing a beat.” Tiverton and Honiton Conservative Association. Councillor Diviani commented: “I’m very Commenting on their election, Councillor Thomas said: “It’s a great privilege to take over pleased to be able to pass the leaders baton of the leadership of our group from Paul, after his this fantastic council to such a talented and experienced team. distinguished time at the helm. "Ian and Philip have already demonstrated a “Our focus will continue on ensuring high quality affordable homes, an economy which works strong ability to work together and, through their for all and delivering the services our residents Conservative principles of trust and respect, to engage their colleagues in setting policy and and businesses value. "We are uniquely fortunate to work within the fighting to get the very best for our wonderful disframework of a natural environment second to trict, to the benefit of our residents, businesses none, supported by a range of leisure facilities and visitors."
Helping you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle PERSONAL trainer Allison Mackrell is hoping to encourage the older generation to maintain active and healthy lifestyles with her new business Fossil Fitness. Having moved to Rousdon from Hertfordshire in September with her husband Graham, Alli is now taking on clients for one-to-one sessions covering flexibility, muscle strengthening and cardio. Alli (pictured right) started her career as a personal trainer 20 years ago, having previously worked as a PA and secretary. After undergoing surgery for a broken neck, she was told by her surgeon that the fitter she was, the better she could deal with the injury, and the advice led to a complete change in lifestyle. For the past 14 years she worked on a self-employed basis at a private gym in Essex and holds a Level 3 YMCA Certificate in Personal Training. Having gone through the rehab process herself following injuries, she knows how challenging it can be, but is still passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle and will be running a half marathon in April. Fossil Fitness offers one-to-one personal training sessions, each tailored to the individual client’s needs, taking into account any injuries or health concerns, as well as offering nutritional advice for an all-round healthy lifestyle. Alli said: “As we get older, we need to keep flexible. It sounds simple but it’s important to be able to stand up, sit down and bend down for everyday tasks. “My career in the fitness industry has been very rewarding. A lot of my clients have been older and it’s great to see people keeping active. “It’s so important to keep living an active lifestyle - not just walking the dog but really getting your heart rate up.” To book your free initial consultation and 30minute taster session with Fossil Fitness, contact Alli by calling 0774 696 269 or email allison.mackrell@icloud.com
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Max hoping his prizewinning pigeons can escape predators ONE of the country’s top ‘pigeon fanciers’ Max Gollop, from Lyme Regis, is looking forward to the coming pigeon racing season but not to the coming two months, which could prove deadly for some of his highly-prized birds. Peregrine falcons and sparrow hawks are at their worst for bringing down racing pigeons during March and April, as the predators fatten up for their own nesting season. Last week Max had a firsthand reminder of a deadly peregrine attack as he looked out of his kitchen window to see one of his race winners taken out of the sky by a hungry peregrine. He said: “I was just watching
my birds circling the loft and witnessed a peregrine sweep in from the side and grab the pigeon in his huge talons. The pigeon kept trying to fly even though it was clasped firmly, it was pitiful to watch as it was taken off into the distance.” Max has been winning top competitions for over 30 years and says he has lost more than 100 birds to the predators, some worth quite a lot of money. Max, who has spent many years witnessing his birds being attacked, pointed out that some of his prize pigeons have white wing feathers and when the birds are flying they act as a beacon and attracts peregrines to attack. Max, who also runs the Marine Aquarium on the Cobb, ad-
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mits there is little he can do about the attacks and has to hope the problem is not too deadly this year.
MAX Gollop, one of the country’s top ‘pigeon fanciers’ with his prizewinning birds. Inset, a baby pigeon preparing for this season and, top left, a peregrine falcon, which can be a deadly predator to pigeons Photos by Richard Austin
New roof above seafront businesses could cost £130k TOWN councillors in Lyme Regis are considering replacing the roof surface at the Marine Parade shelters because water is leaking into the businesses below – but it could cost as much as £130,000. A report from town clerk John Wright revealed that the roof, last replaced about 50 years ago, was coming to the end of its useful life and The Bay restaurant, now being renamed SWiM under new ownership, and the Amusement Arcade had reported problems with water ingress. Mr Wright said that before the council committed money towards renewing the roof, it should consider what it wanted to use the area for in future, which would determine the specification and cost of a new roof. He said options included using the whole of the area as a separate outdoor café or as an additional outdoor seating area for an existing restaurant or café. Commercial use would require a higher specification covering but costs could be recovered through either a rent-free period and/or rental income. Mr Wright said the roof space could also be used as a public viewing area with seating and such a project could attract funding from the Section 106 planning gain monies. The cost of a liquid resin system suitable for commercial and public use would cost £130 per square metre, totalling £130,000. The cost per square metre for stripping and re-asphalting would be £50 (total £50,000). Cllr Cheryl Reynolds said they had talked often about commercial use such as a pop-up cinema and other outside events, and if this was the case the surface would have to be “fit for purpose”. The Mayor, Cllr Michaela Ellis, said the surface had needed repair for quite a while. Grit was put down on the roof many years ago to stop skateboarders
using it and she urged the council to do the job properly now. She said she would like to see a surface that could be used as a viewing platform but also for charity events as it was many years ago.To do this we need to put a skateboarding ban on that area,” she said. “This is something I said we always wanted when we got a skatepark.” Cllr Jeff Scowen said he totally agreed with Cllrs Reynolds and Ellis, adding: “Let’s just go for it. I am sure it will be used and we want to use it because it is such a good platform, so let’s just do it properly.” Cllr Brian Larcombe said there was such a range of things the space could be opened to but the council had not looked at the scope or scale of what they intended to do with the area. If they put a new surface down it was not just skateboarding they had to consider, but also kids kicking balls on the top of the shelters. He said: “Just remember that beneath that we are going to have an extended café. We had problems with stuff falling over last summer and we are going to have to think about the railings as well to present stuff going over the edge.” Deputy Mayor Stephen Miller said that with the unitary authority going ahead the town council were going to have to look at new revenue streams. He wanted to know whether there was a distinctive wear difference and sustainability between the two surfaces suggested. Asphalt now lasted for 40-50 years and there was not much difference between the two and he questioned whether there was enough differential between the two surfaces to sustain another £80,000. The town clerk said it was important for members to tell the officers where to go with this project. One suggestion he had was to have glass panels and if
the area was used as an amenity area he was sure they could tap into the Section 106 money. He added: “We could also go for a complete commercialisation of the area. We need to know what the council wants in a bit more detail.” Mr Wright said they could come back with designs for the council to consider and a recommendation for the best surface to use. Cllr Ellis said she thought they should go down that route and to see whether they could get some Section 106 money for using the top of the shelters as a public viewing area and for use by local organisations. Cllr Richard Doney said he was also in favour of it being public viewing area, adding: “I think it is a great place for people to come and enjoy with occasional use for events like Food Rocks.” Cllr Larcombe said he was impressed by the town clerk’s suggestion for glass screens with attractive railings because it would stop stuff shooting over the edge. He was “dead against” commercialisation of this area, reminding councillors that it was the “last quality seafront area” they had. Cllr Reynolds said: “What they have to appreciate about commercialisation is that lots of events happen in Lyme and more events will happened in the next 20 years when we w all be six feet under so therefore we need to think about what it might be used for in the future.” Cllr Scowen: “Not me Cheryl!” It was agreed to carry out temporary repairs of the roof, to stop the leaking, and to look into a complete refurbishment complete with railings and design options.
10 Friday, March 9 2018
the GEOFF BAKER column
Entertaining, mischievous and thought-provoking
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Dig out the old Clarence Club to end traffic chaos T HERE has been much moaning in the town following the council’s decision to give the go ahead for a pedestrian crossing in the middle of Broad Street and the phrase that most often crops up in the muttered complaints against it is, “it will cause chaos”. The moaners, among whom for a short time I was one, are quite right, it will. Traffic which is already much too heavy in the summer months will bank up and stretch back to the top of Sidmouth Road in the west and to opposite Timber Hill in the east. Motorists’ tempers will fry, car horns will be honked and I should not be in the slightest bit surprised if, on a hot day, it causes road rage among those drivers who display their intelligent response to the inconvenience of the traffic jams, which they are exacerbating, by thumping each other. Many, and again I was one of them for a bit, have also bitterly complained that the installation of the puffin crossing outside Martin Wiscombe’s Pug & Puffin shop will mean that Broad Street loses seven of the parking spaces which are currently only ever empty between the hours of 46am. “Told you so” will be the new phrase of the summer as the “chaos” takes hold and drivers unfamiliar with the Woodmead Road-Anning Road bypass fume at the nuisance of having to wait a while because councillors have unreasonably decided that they want to protect elderly, disabled and barely-sighted residents against get-
ting knocked down and killed. But whilst there may be some who feel that the prospect of blood on the tarmac is a justifiable risk if it allows the smooth and unimpeded flow of the great god which is the motor car, I think the majority of those who live here have more cells in their brains. Most have the wit to realise that as Lyme is a predominantly-elderly town, where 43 per cent of the population are aged over 60, the need for a safe crossing is much greater here. As I say, once the crossing is up and running, most of us locals know our way around the back routes of Woodmead, Anning Road, Haye Lane, Colway Lane, Hill Road and Coombe Street, all of which provide cutthroughs for those in a desperate hurry. Pedestrian underpass But it’s the grockles who will most likely be caught up in the Broad Street slow crawl that will doubtless see Martin’s shop nicknamed ‘Slug & Puffin’. But there are solutions to this. One suggestion, made not entirely seriously, is to forget the crossing and to build a pedestrian underpass instead, digging out the bowels of the old Clarence Club which used to operate beneath the pavement outside 22 Broad Street. Before your time, in the days when there were rozzers stationed in the town and late-night drinking was not as easy as it is now, a bunch of local businessmen including my dad Ron, his brother Lin, Dick Hammett the
REGULARS at the former Clarence Club beneath 22 Broad Street baker, Albert Lane, Fred Aldridge, Brian and Alan Wellman and Charlie Caplin instituted this club as a ruse to get nicely thank-you’d whenever they felt like it. I don’t know if women were encouraged to join – the above photo suggests not – but they would spend many a happy late hour boozing it up, playing snooker and eating chicken which Dick would roast in his ovens up behind what is now The Good Food Store. Anyway, hearsay has it that the cellar which housed Lyme’s forerunner of Liverpool’s Cavern Club still exists and apparently it would be “easy” [using the word in its most elastic
sense] to dig it through under the road and make an underpass for easy crossing of the street. I’m sure it would be much more complicated than that, but it’s an idea. But a better idea, certainly one easier to effect, would be some bog-standard signs. As we all know, much of the traffic that goes up and down Broad Street in the summer is that it is on its way to Dorchester and Exeter and all places in between and beyond. As we all also know, it is not necessary to cut through Lyme for many journeys which would be made more quickly if you stayed on the A35.
But a lot of grockles don’t know that. In these wondrously-advanced days when motorists cannot drive a foot forward without guidance by their Sat Navs, technology often steers them through the route of Lyme and thus Broad Street. As the puffin crossing is as much a certainty as the queues that it will cause, how about we take simple steps to lessen the traffic by putting up signs at Fern Hill, Hunters Lodge and at the bottom of Boss Hill saying “Lyme Regis – Long Delays Guaranteed for Thru Traffic”?
Hats off to the mayor for getting stuck in MY hat is off to our mayor, Michaela Ellis, for organising her husband Alan and a bunch of other Lyme firefighters to help her dig out the entrance to the emergency services station off Hill Road after the blizzard came. I understand that she insisted on it because there may have been a shout to which the fire engine or ambulance could not get out. As it happened, after she and her team had cleared the side road, there was a shout.
I do not know whether the 999 response made somebody’s day or saved their life, but I stand in respect of Michaela and her team, the Eaton brothers who superbly provided crucial aid with their Land Rover to those needing help – including a pregnant woman – and everyone else in the town who wonderfully demonstrated the essential heart of a place that we too often complain does not care.
Place your bets please... Jeff to take on Cheryl for chairmanship ALTHOUGH I am clearly not one to let the cat out of any bag, you ought to know that an almighty clash is coming up at the town council as Jeff Scowen does his damnedest to unseat Cheryl Reynolds as chairman of the Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee. In what stands set to be the biggest battle hereabouts since the women of Lyme manned the ramparts to beat off Prince Maurice during the Siege of Lyme, Jeff is planning a campaign to seize the chair and take control. But Cheryl will give no more of an inch than the town’s women did when they bravely fought alongside their menfolk to defeat Bonnie Prince Incomer in 1644, and so we are assured of a right ruck when the chairmanships of the town council’s committees come up for election in the spring. In fact, this is poised to be such a good fight that I am currently attempting to capitalise on it by trying to persuade Gabby Rabbitts at the Marine Theatre to allow me to stage a boxing match between Jeff and Cheryl’s champion Alan Reynolds. Can’t imagine who might win that one. I like Jeff. I know that his relentless self-publicity is not everybody’s cup of tea, but his shouty, Cillit Bang-style videos, in which he raucously promotes all aspects of the town with the subtlety of a flying mallet, amuse me, and he does bring a bit of a spark to the place. But as Cheryl was the original inventor of the spark, when these two worlds collide it should result in the best explosion since a drunken out-oftowner once walked across the pool table at The Ship Inn and told Richard Austin, who was playing at the time, to eff-off. That was good. Cheryl has done much for the town since she was elected to the council with what I believe still stands as a record majority, and her massive popularity is largely built on the undeniable fact that she cares passionately about the people of Lyme
and fights like a tigress to defend them. Without Cheryl, this Lyme in which many are elderly and where 22 per cent of residents do not own a car would not have a town bus. It was Cheryl who battled to get the bus back when regular service was dropped and scores were seemingly condemned to never being able to easily do, and carry, their shopping again. It was also Cheryl who was largely responsible for our children and grandchildren getting the best-ever play park equipment at ‘The Swings’ on Anning Road and her sterling work as chairman of the town’s residents’ association resulted in the authorities over-turning protests by local misery guts who wanted to prevent the building of muchneeded new homes at Timber Hill. I have no doubt that Jeff would similarly fight on behalf of the town’s needy given half a chance, probably with the same passion that he displayed in his failed attempt to preserve The Rotunda. But that he almost matches Cheryl for civic zeal is not the point of why it is best for the town that he be disappointed in his bid for the chair of the tourism committee. The reason why Cheryl should remain in the chair is because she has the “in” that Jeff doesn’t.
As we know, a lot of what happens in Lyme is decided by West Dorset District Council, which has a long history of knowing better of what is good for us than do the people who actually live here. Many have been the decisions of WDDC which have infuriated the town, the most recent of these being West Dorset’s genius idea to allow dogs to run free on the front beach at Easter when our town councillors knew that won’t work. Cheryl is Lyme’s representative on WDDC, Jeff isn’t. She has also just achieved the never-beforeheard-of distinction of getting elected by WDDC’s Lib Dems to the district council’s powerful Overview and Scrutiny Committee – even though she’s not a Lib Dem, she’s an Independent. Jeff is also not on the Overview Committee and, as a non-district councillor, could not be. Jeff’s time will come Therefore, it is far more effective for the town’s best interests if the chairman of the town’s tourism committee can personally and immediately represent those interests to West Dorset, instead of having to keep on coming back from WDDC to run this and that proposal by another chairman, i.e. Jeff. Personally, I think Jeff’s time will come; he is far too effusive to be ignored for long and I know he has many ideas for how to better the town which he does not yet “get” quite as well as Cheryl. We all have to earn our stripes in Lyme. Jeff has lived here for about seven years, not quite matching Cheryl’s 70, and in that time he has admirably mixed in and got involved in community events. But the time for him to control the shape and manner of those events is not yet; it’ll come, but not yet. However, I have spied a committee which is just crying out for him to take charge of it; the Christmas lights committee. According to the town council’s excellent web-
site, there are only three council members of this committee – Derek Hallett, Owen Lovell and Stan Williams. All of these are excellent gentlemen and committed councillors, but I hope that they will forgive me for noting that, like me, none of them are ever going to be described again as young. But Christmas is a time for the young and judging by the crowds that come from all over the shop to see them, crowds which have become hugely engorged in recent years, Lyme’s Christmas lights have become one of the town’s premier attractions for the young and their parents. That’s good, but as some of us have been saying for some time now, so much, much more could profitably be made of Christmas in Lyme; we could have braziers up and down Broad Street, stalls, strolling minstrels, flaming torches, funfairs, markets, and, here’s a novel idea for traders other than Pug & Puffin, Ammonite Foods, Ginger Beer, Serendip and a very few others, the revolutionary concept of shops being encouraged to stay open for Christmas later than half past four, especially when there are 5,000 potential customers crowded on the pavement outside. Jeff - who lives pretty much on-site anyway, down the posh bit of Teneriffe Path, which his friendly and community-minded neighbours have now organised to forbid access for us local peasants - would be ideal as the town council’s chief lead on the Christmas lights committee. Lyme would profit from his enthusiasm if he was to focus it on making Christmas in the town more imaginative than just being very pretty. As I say, Jeff’s time as tourism guru will come and I’ll have a fiver with anyone that it will come in tandem with the other racing certainty that will happen in not many years from now, when Cheryl is deservedly made mayor.
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Community rallies as Lyme cut off by snow LYME Regis residents pulled together as the town was cut off by one of the heaviest snowfalls in living memory last week. Storm Emma brought Lyme to a standstill on Thursday, with temperatures plunging to -9 degrees, according to forecasts. In places the snow was 20 centimetres deep and, whilst Dorset County Council snow ploughs and gritters did their best to keep the main road open through the town, most side roads were virtually impassable. Freezing rain after the snow left pathways like a skating rink and police were advising people not to travel or venture outside unless it was absolutely necessary. No serious incidents were reported in the Lyme Regis area. Schools, businesses and the town council offices closed their doors on Thursday and Friday, and deliveries were unable to reach shops such as Tesco Express and the Co-operative,
BROAD Street pictured in the snow on Friday
leaving Lyme low on supplies. It was reported that some residents who work outside the town were unable to get home because of gridlock on the A303 and A35, which resulted in many spending the night in their cars. New shopkeeper Taz Sri, who has recently taken over Staples Stores, now renamed Lyme Convenience Store, was unable to get home to Seaton on Thursday and was put up for night by the Simpson family in King’s Way. Several people with 4x4 cars offered to pick up shopping for neighbours or take them to important appointments, including brothers Tom and Sam Eaton, who were out from 7.30am on Friday towing cars and vans. They also helped a pregnant woman get home to Axminster and carried out a medical run for the doctor’s surgery in Charmouth. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, was also among those to get stuck in. Councillor Ellis, whose husband Alan is a firefighter, and several other volunteers cleared the emergency service centre’s access road off Hill Road. Meanwhile, residents made the most of the white stuff, which for many was the biggest snowfall they had ever seen. Dozens trekked out to Middle Mill to sledge down Bumpy Field, a tradition in Lyme Regis, while Queen’s Walk and Hill Road were also popular as toboggan runs. A few experienced skiers had the unusual opportunity of practising their skills in their hometown, one of whom skied down over Broad Street. Another enterprising Coombe Street resident, Scott Parr, built an igloo at the bottom of Mill Green. Unfortunately, it did not last long and was knocked down later in the evening. Heavy rain set in on Friday evening and the town centre was virtually back to normal over the weekend.
A WINTERY scene over Langmoor Gardens and the beach. Below, Scott Parr and Marie Amesbury with their snow igloo in Coombe Street
Taz & Ireen
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Picture perfect: Lyme makes most of rare snowfall BUMPY Field in Middle Mill turned into Lyme’s answer to Peyong Chang on Thursday, as families took to the snowy slopes on sledges. Below, wintery views in Jericho and, looking over the Cobb and at East Cliff
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SNOWY scene at dusk along Marine Parade. Left, icicles on a signpost in Langmoor Gardens and, above left, children sledge down Hill Road. Below left, families play in snow-covered Charmouth and, below right, Uplyme looked picture perfect. Snow photos by Philip Evans, Richard Austin, Rob Coombe, Pete Hackett, Natalie Edmeades and Bill Burn
Marine Parade looked like a winter wonderland and, right, some residents took to unusual methods to get around the town
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14 Friday, March 9 2018
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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | EATING OUT | COMPETITIONS
A taste of Broadway coming to Lyme Regis! LYME Regis Musical Theatre, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, has chosen one of the most successful Broadway hits for this year’s production. It will be the first time that the former operatic society has staged ‘Hello, Dolly!’, originally produced in 1964 with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart. Based on Thornton Wilder's 1938 farce ‘The Merchant of Yonkers’, which Wilder revised and retitled ‘The Matchmaker’ in 1955, the musical follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the miserly “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. In doing so she persuades his niece, his niece’s intended, and Horace’s two clerks to travel to with her to New York City. ‘Hello, Dolly!’ was first produced on Broadway by David Merrick in 1964, winning a recordtying 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a record held for 37 years. The show album ‘Hello, Dolly! An Original Cast Recording’ was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. The album reached number one on the Billboard album chart on June 6 1964 and was replaced the next week by Louis Armstrong’s album ‘Hello, Dolly!’ The show has become one of the most enduring musical theatre hits, with four Broadway revivals and international success. It was also made into the 1969 film of the same name, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning three. The film was directed by Gene Kelly and adapted and produced by Ernest Lehman, and the cast included Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Danny Lockin,
‘Evita’, ‘Sister Act’ and last year ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’. The lead role in this year’s production will be played by the experienced Judi Allan as Dolly with Ian Styles, who local audiences will remember as Juan Peron in LRMT’s production of ‘Evita’, as the gruff Horace Vandergelder. Other leading cast members include some of the most accomplished performers on the local stage – Kelly Apps, Nicole Parkinson-Ward, Joe
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
Friday, March 9
Tommy Tune, Fritz Feld, Marianne McAndrew, E.J. Peaker and Louis Armstrong. The film, although not a box office success, won three Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Score of a Musical Picture, and Best Sound Mixing and was nominated for a further four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. When the musical opened on Broadway the leading role of Dolly Gallagher Levi was played by Carol Channing ,who also starred in the show in the West End in 1979. The musical has been staged in the West End on four occasions – 1965, 1979, 1983 when Danny La Rue took the lead role, and 2009. The show returned to Broadway last year starring Bette Midler. In recent years Lyme Regis Musical Theatre has won critical acclaim for staging some of the most successful musicals, including ‘Mame’,
TV favourite adapted for the stage ALL the characters of the cherished television comedy series ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ will return for a community play in Lyme Regis. They will be brought to life with a local cast from the Marine Players. The chocolate-obsessed vicar, the dim but charming Alice Tinker, her love Hugo, and his disapproving father will all make an appearance in this hilarious adaptation of the TV classic. The Marine Players is a talented local drama group based in Lyme Regis. Formerly the Lyme Regis Dramatic Society, the Marine Players were formed at the beginning of 2016 in order to create a closer relationship with the theatre, and attract a younger and more wide-ranging membership. In exchange for free use of the theatre, profits from productions go towards the upkeep of the theatre. So far the players have staged successful productions including ‘The Tempest of Lyme’,
What’s on... PHILIP EVANS
REHEARSALS for ‘Hello, Dolly!’ are well underway at the Woodmead Halls with Judi Allan as Dolly
‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’, and ‘Monmouth’. The original TV series ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ was produced by Tiger Aspect, with script by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, and has been adapted by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter for the stage. The Marine Players were saddened, like so many others, to hear of the death of Emma Chambers who played Alice in the TV series. A spokesperson said: “Hers was a finely tuned creation showcasing her comedy skills and she will be greatly missed. “Lorraine Knowles, who is playing Alice in our production, will write a short tribute which will be featured in the show’s programme.” The Marine Players’ production will be held at the Marine nightly at 7pm from Wednesday, March 21 to Saturday, March 24. Tickets priced at £12 are available from the Tourist Information Centre by calling 01297 442138.
Binmore, Jack Montague, Tanya Remnant, Ben Malone, Carole Markham, Dan Wilkins and Sarah Causley. The musical director will be Ian Crew with Clare Philbrock the producer and Rachel Worsley as choreographer. ‘Hello, Dolly!’ will be staged at the Woodmead Halls from May 15 to 19. Tickets for the public go on sale at Serendip in Broad Street on March 12.
Village Life: England and India Compared Woodmead Halls, 11am A U3A talk with Raj Adgopul taking a humorous look at the differences and challenges of village life in two hugely dissimilar countries. Tea and coffee from 10am to 10.45am followed by the talk at 11am. Free for U3A members and £2 for visitors. Steve Knightly Marine Theatre, 7.30pm Show of Hands frontman Steve Knightly showcases a set list of classics such as ‘Cousin Jack’, ‘AIG’, and ‘Country Life’. Tickets cost £18 – call 01297 442138.
Saturday, March 10
Lyme Regis Museum Residents’ Open Day Lyme Regis Museum, 10am to 4pm Lyme Regis Museum will be open free of charge on and residents are invited to meet the research team and ask any questions about Lyme's history. Blooming Beautiful Cupcakes Town Mill, 10.30am-12noon & 1pm-2.30pm Join Jane of Kate’s Kitchen and volunteer Nicky in the Town Mill’s Bakehouse Attic and decorate a trio of flower-themed cupcakes. Ingredients and equipment provided, bring your own apron. Workshops cost £4 - call 01297 444042. Jazz Jurassica Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Bandleader and alto saxophonist Duncan Anselm recreates the Blue Note era with swinging American standards, alongside his own compositions, over a two-course supper. Tickets cost £22 - call 01297 442138. Elvis Tribute Night St Andrew’s Church, Charmouth, 7.30pm Tribute act Johnny King will sing three decades of Elvis hits, organised by Changing Spaces. Tickets cost £10 to include first drink available from The Pharmacy, Charmouth - call 01297 560487 or 01297 560070. Live Music Night @ The Nag’s Head The Nag’s Head, 9pm Live music every Saturday night, this week with party band CHILL.
Monday, March 12
Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee AGM Lyme Regis Guildhall, 7pm Annual general meeting of Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Committee - celebrate our past year’s events and help plan our 2018 events. New members to the small committee welcome.
Tuesday, March 13
Coach Trip to Killerton Estate Meet Uplyme Village Hall, 9.15am A coach trip to the National Trust’s Killerton Estate, organised by the Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society. Tickets for National Trust members cost £12.50, £18 for non-members and an additional £3 for non-members of the horticultural society - call 01297 445618 or 34733.
Wednesday, March 14
Lyme Lunches Lyme Regis Baptist Church Hall, 12.30pm Community lunch for the over 50s, held of the second Wednesday of the month and organised by LymeForward. Tickets for a two-course lunch cost £6, available from Penny Black Café, behind
Send your diary dates to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk www.lyme-online.co.uk/events
the post office. Lent Course Uplyme Church, 7.30pm Uplyme Church presents series of talks on our Christian spiritual heritage, Islam and Judaism, this week focusing on Benedictine Spirituality by Rev’d Gerry Reilly.
Thursday, March 15
Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm Tom Glover leads three other wits in a raucous night of laughs. Expect the funniest night in Dorset in a comedy club setting. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door – call 01297 442138.
Friday, March 16
Buster Shuffle Marine Theatre, 7.30pm Cockney ska and pop, with an authentic rock and roll sound is served up by dancefloor favourites Buster Shuffle at the Marine Theatre. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door - call 01297 442138.
Saturday, March 17
Coffee Morning St Michael’s Parish Church Hall, 10am Hosted by the mayor in aid of her charity St Michael’s Parish Church, with a raffle, cakes, book stall and tombola. Live Music Night @ The Nag’s Head The Nag’s Head, 9pm Live music every Saturday night, this week with three-piece rockabilly band Delta 88.
Sunday, March 18
Tales From Under Shady Tree Woodmead Halls, 2pm Nostalgic talk by Lyme Regis historian Ken Gollop, raising funds for Lyme Regis Museum. This popular annual event will feature many old photos of Lyme and familiar faces. Billed as Ken’s last ‘Shady Tree’ talk, it is expected to attract a full house (please note new date after this was postponed due to snow).
Wednesday, March 21
Meet & Remember Lyme Regis Football Club, 2pm Memory Café to provide a supportive, friendly environment for those experiencing memory loss or who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and friends/relatives/carers who support them, organised by LymeForward. ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ by the Marine Players Marine Theatre, 7pm (nightly shows until March 24) All the characters of the cherished comedy return to the stage, brought to life with a wonderful local cast, courtesy of the Marine Players. Tickets cost £12 - call 01297 442138. Lent Course Uplyme Church, 7.30pm Uplyme Church presents series of talks on our Christian spiritual heritage, Islam and Judaism, this week focusing on Judaism by Rev’d Anne Futcher.
Wednesday, March 23
Easter Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Hosted by the mayor in aid of her chosen charity, St Michael’s Parish Church.
timeoutinLyme
Friday, March 9 2018 15
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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | EATING OUT | COMPETITIONS
Musicians to ‘Give a Gig’ for charity MARK your calendars for a Good Friday gig on March 30 in Lyme Regis, when local musicians will come together as part of Youth Music’s flagship fundraising initiative ‘Give a Gig’, in support of music-making projects for children and young people in challenging circumstances. Jon Pogson, local musician and leader with B Sharp, the Lyme Regis-based music charity, and organiser of the gig, commented: “Musicians and promoters have come together for this night with The Hub in Lyme, to host one of the 100 gigs happening across the country in support of this fantastic national charity. “Youth Music have invested in our local area for over 10 years, through a range of music projects led by B Sharp, our very own music charity, helping them to work with young people and changing lives through music. “I am looking forward to hosting what promises to be a music packed night featuring a select number of talented guest performers.” The much-loved local pop, disco and dance band Mr Jèan (pictured right) will be headlining the event, specialising in music from the 1970s to the modern day. They commented: “We are thrilled to be performing as part of Give a Gig. We haven’t played in Lyme Regis for a while, so it will be great to be back with what is sure to be a great night and with audiences who we know like to party!”
Mr Jèan are supported by LaunchPad – B Sharp’s lively, up-and-coming house band, made up of a talented mix of musicians from the local area, performing a selection of original tunes and favourite covers. Well-known for their exciting music, they have been impressing audiences wherever they play. The night will start 7.30pm in The Hub in Church Street and run til late wrapped up with a DJ set from Dom Kirtley, a B Sharp alumnus coming back from London to help support the event. “Music is a common language for us all,” said Jon, “it gives us a place for expression and to come together both as musicians and audiences to have a good time. “We hosted an event last year and this year we are making it even bigger and better.” Rock legend Ian Gillan, frontman of Deep Purple who recently visited the B Sharp music charity, said: “I’m still in touch with many of my early musical mates, and we all remain grateful to those who helped us then and as a consequence music has gone on to being a friend for life to us all.” Advance tickets for Give a Gig are available from Lyme Regis Tourist information Centre by calling 01297 442138. For more information about B Sharp visit www.bsharp.org.uk or to find out more about Youth Music visit www.youthmusic.org.uk
A raucous night of laughs at Lyme Regis Comedy Club
PAUL McCaffrey will headline the latest Lyme Regis Comedy Club on Thursday, March 15. Bridport comedian and MC Tom Glover will introduce Paul and two other wits in a raucous night of laughs at the Marine Theatre. Paul (pictured) has been heard on Russell Kane’s ‘Whistle-Stop Tour’ (BBC Radio 2) and is a regular guest on ‘The Matt Forde Show’ (talkSPORT). He recently filmed the stand-up spot on ‘Russell Howard’s Good News; (BBC3) and is currently making a new show for BBC3. The Evening Standard said: “He has charm, charisma and success written all over him.” Paul will be joined by comedians Suzy Benett and David Arnold on the night. Originally from Devon, Suzy is a dynamo of a comic, with a chatty stage presence. She has been delighting audiences with her saucy comedy since “accidentally” reaching the finals of Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol on her first gig, and being asked by Jimmy to support him on his ‘Gag Reflex’ tour. Since then she has been storming gigs up and down the country, as well as hosting the Playtex Moonwalk in Hyde Park for the last two years entertaining 17,000 people wearing a novelty bra! David is a loveable Welshman who never fails to deliver a well-rounded and polished performance that has his audience laughing throughout. Despite only doing his first gig in late 2012 he is fast developing a reputation as one of the South West’s brightest talents and one not to be
missed. Regularly performing 20 minute sets as well as being an accomplished MC, he has performed everywhere from Jongleurs in Bristol to festivals such as Boardmasters & Volksfest Tickets for Lyme Regis Comedy Club cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and seating is unallocated. To book call 01297 442138 or visit the website www.marinetheatre.com
Lyme School of Ballet Principal:
Mrs Jill Chase (RAD Registered)
Interested in Ballet?
Teacher:
Miss Freya Lovett
(RAD Degree Student with Cert.HE and Dip. Dance Education) For more details call Miss Freya on:
Children and adults of any age always welcome.
01297 445185/ 07535 432379 or email her at
freya.lovett@ btinternet.com Find us on Facebook @lymeballet or visit our website
Classes held
Monday to Friday
www.lymeschoolofballet.com
with a free taster class. Come along to
Woodmead Halls Hill Road Lyme Regis DT7 3PG
to meet our dancers
16 Friday, March 9 2018
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LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL We’re always working behind the scenes WELCOME to the first of the council’s monthly column with LymeOnline. This is a great opportunity for the council to share useful information with the local community, including progress on projects, problems we might be facing, our successes, and updates on issues we know the town is talking about. Although it might sometimes appear the council isn’t doing anything about a major local issue, we’re working hard behind the scenes to get a result. An issue which might seem relatively simple to resolve is often complicated by matters beyond the council’s control, such as tight budgets, rules and regulations, and reliance on other organisations.
The council is just as frustrated as the community that issues such as the park and ride, cash machines and traffic congestion are rumbling on. But rest assured, we haven’t forgotten about these things and are doing all we can to resolve them. The council has a meeting almost every week but the public gallery is usually empty. We would encourage the public to come and see what really goes on, listen to the debate, and even speak in the public forum. So here’s an open invitation to Lyme Regis – check out our calendar of meetings, find something you’re interested in, and come along to a meeting.
Council staff revamp Town Mill footpath
Park and ride is our top priority!
PARK and ride is at the top of our priority list. It’s essential for our town and we are well aware of the need to have it in place by the Easter holidays. Let’s start with the positives. The landowner of the Charmouth Road park and ride has applied for planning permission to extend the period of operation beyond the six weeks of the summer. We know West Dorset District Council is making every effort to deal with the application quickly, so with any luck, park and ride will be in place by Easter. The council has also found a bus company to operate the service, which is ready to go as soon as we give the instruction. Sidmouth Road park and ride is an entirely different matter. As the council is not the landowner, the planning authority, or the local authority where the land is situated,
we’re relying on the support of others to make this work. It’s now clear we will only be able to obtain temporary planning permission for 2018, and any permanent permission in future years will depend on us producing a transport and parking strategy for the whole of the town. We’ll be paying a five-figure sum for this strategy, but the council believes it’s money well spent if it means securing park and ride for the future. When the planning application is submitted, it stands a better chance of being approved if it has the support of the local residents, businesses and visitors. Letters or emails can be sent to East Devon District Council and we would encourage the community to show its support.
THE war on plastic waste is gaining global momentum and the town council is determined to play its part in the fight. We’re joining forces with Turn Lyme Green to try and reduce the amount of plastic materials used in the town, particularly single-use plastic, such as cutlery, straws and cups. Lyme Regis is already playing its part with regular beach cleans, and initiatives like the ReFill scheme providing free tap water to refill water bottles, but more can be done. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits this campaign will bring, it will also help reduce waste, save money, bring about higher quality products, and help promote the town
to an increasingly informed and demanding public. The campaign will include working with local businesses and organisations to reduce single-use plastics, engaging with young people and families, and educating residents and businesses on plastic waste separation. The council has its own part to play in this campaign and is working towards removing single-use plastic items from our premises and operations. See front page for full details on the campaign against plastic waste and Turn Lyme Green’s column on page 19
Joining the fight against plastic waste
Still planning to install cash machines THE cash machine crisis of 2017 is never too far from our minds, with the added worry that we’re approaching the peak season and, seemingly, not much has changed. Although it isn’t the council’s responsibility to provide cash machines, our attitude is generally if we can do something to help, we will. We’ve agreed to pay for a stand-alone machine to be installed at Bell Cliff. Provided by Cash Zone, it will be free to use.
Seafront toilets set for refurbishment THE steps leading from the Town Mill to the Broad Street car park have been revamped by the council’s external works’ team. The wood had rotted out and the uneven ground was becoming hazardous. The team has completely re-built the steps, concreted sections, levelled the slopes, and installed handrails on both sides. Our gardening apprentice has been asked to come up with a planting scheme for the area and work will start soon.
THE public toilets on Marine Parade will undergo major refurbishment over the next few months. Tens of thousands of pounds will be spent on improving the toilets next to the amusement arcade, with work expected to start after the Easter holidays. The new unisex toilets will have an improved ventilation system, ceramic toilets, new sinks with state-of-the-art taps and hand dryers, a bespoke sink and dryer for children, baby changing facilities, floor-to-ceiling cubicles and doors, and a new plumbing system. The disabled toilet will be retained but access will be available from the outside of the building. The new and improved toilets will be reopened by the summer holidays. In the meantime, a luxury toilet trailer will be situated on Marine Parade to help cope with demand.
If all had gone according to plan, the machine would have been installed at the end of January. Problems with the electricity supply have held up progress, but we’re hopeful it can be resolved soon. In the meantime, we understand a cash machine will be installed any day now at Arthur Fordham & Co, the hardware store in Broad Street, which is great news.
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FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin
Friday, March 9 2018 17
Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer ASKING temperamental Ian Botham to put his bat behind his head got me a strange look, but he did it anyway. It was1987, England and Somerset’s cricket sensation Ian Botham had followed Viv Richards and Joel Garner out of Somerset Country Cricket Club, devastating local cricket fans. Botham had been signed by Worcester CC where he played for five seasons. This departure by the West Indian legends Richards and Garner followed by Botham hit the fans for six. So, a week away from Botham returning to Somerset with Worcester, sport reporter Lee Colman and myself were sent chasing an exclusive story with pictures on how he was feeling about returning. We hadn’t arranged any meeting with the man, we just played it by ear using experience and luck. I knew what sort of questions Lee was going to ask so thought it was a good idea to get the pictures done first, just in case Lee touched a nerve with his questions and brought an abrupt end to the interview Worcester is a bloody long way to drive and come back without pictures and no story! I don’t think Botham was altogether happy with parts of the story which published in a few national newspapers but I heard him say in his own words that he was going to play as hard as he could to beat his opposition even if it was Somerset, well that was the printable gist of what he said. A very professional attitude from a very competitive sportsman.
LymeOnline letters Well done, Louise ■ I WOULD like to wish Louise Powell every success with her trek up Mount Kilimanjaro (LymeOnline, February 23). It will obviously be an experience of a lifetime and I hope she raises her target of £3,500 for the mental health charity Mind. It will also be a very emotional trip as she’s doing it in memory of her late father. Frank Allen (by email)
TALK OF THE TOWN
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Somers the most worthy of Lyme’s historic personages ■ IF Geoff Baker takes his information from Wikipedia it is not surprising that all the statements he made about Somers are complete rubbish (LymeOnline, February 23). He was not involved in the slave trade, it started some 40 years after he died. He was not a pirate, he was a privateer operating under Letters of Reprisal issued by the crown. He was born in Lyme, the family lived in Coombe Street, his childhood was spent in the town. He was a captain in the Queen’s navy and served with distinction. He was a founder member of the Virginia Company and played a major role in establishing the first English colony in America and in fact died on Bermuda while attempting to resupply the colony. He was also an effective MP for the Borough and held in high regard. The full facts reveal that he was without doubt the most worthy of Lyme’s historic personages. He was, however, a ‘man of his
times’; Elizabethan England was not the England of today, judgements need to take this into account. I would be happy to give Geoff a free tutorial on Somers, after all I did spend five years of intense research before my biography of his life was published last November. As to Mary Anning, when I was coastguard I was frequently asked the best place to find fossils, when I mentioned her grave there was a complete lack of interest. Instead of statues (including Somers) we should celebrate Lyme’s history from ‘Port to Resort’ with a pictorial display in the Marine Parade shelters. Peter Lacey, Fairfield Park, Lyme Regis EDITOR’S NOTE: Geoff Baker did state in his column that he did not believe George Somers was involved in the slave trade.
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Do we want our beach to be a dog’s toilet?
■ AT half term on a lovely sunny day, my two granddaughters were happily sitting eating their lunch on the pebble beach in Lyme Regis. Many dogs were racing around on the sandy part of the beach, which is exposed at low tide. Suddenly a large golden labrador bounded up the pebbles and, without hesitation, cocked his leg over my nine-year-old granddaughter and weed over her. I yelled at the dog and tried in vain to push it away. The owner just looked at me and casually walked on. How can it possibly be sensible to have dogs loose on our lovely beaches? I have owned dogs all of my adult life and love them, but there is sensible place to exercise dogs - Monmouth Beach for example. On another occasion I watched as a smart young lady kick pebbles over her dog’s excrement. The sea does not reach that part of the beach. Do we want our superb but small, main beach to be a dog’s loo? Okay this is not all the year round but dog poo takes a while to disappear. I hope with all my heart that the powers that be will reconsider their decision regarding dogs off the lead on the main beaches, at any time. Elizabeth Wilson (by email)
communitynews
18 Friday, March 9 2018
New date for last ‘Shady Tree’ talk
A NEW date has been set for the popular ‘Tales From Under Shady Tree’ talk, which was postponed due to the recent snowfall. The talk, by local historian Ken Gollop, will now be held on Sunday, March 18, starting at 2pm in the Woodmead Halls. In what is billed to be the last of his annual nostalgia talks, raising funds for Lyme Regis Museum, Ken will share old photos of Lyme and many familiar faces. The event is expected to attract a full house, so get there early for a good seat.
Mayor to raise funds for church repairs THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, is planning two fundraising events for her chosen charity of the year St Michael’s Parish Church. The first will be a coffee morning on Saturday, March 17 in the church hall from 10am. This will include a raffle and tombola plus cake and book stalls. The second event will be an Easter bingo night at the Woodmead Halls on Friday, March 23 - eyes down at 8pm. Money raised will go towards the church’s fund for essential repairs to the bell tower.
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Town Mill welcomes spring with unique art exhibitions
THE galleries at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis will be full of unique, humourous and infinitely collectible works of art in two up-coming exhibitions timed to welcome the spring. From March 16 to 28, the Courtyard Gallery will host four South West artists exhibiting for the first time together in ‘Earth, Hare, Fur and Water’ - an apt parody of the four elements. These artists take their inspiration from the local landscape and its residents but employ very distinctive styles and different forms, resulting in an exciting and varied mix of work. Lucy Tidbury specializes in oil paintings and is well known for her ‘Moo Selfie’ series that captures curious cows in front of iconic local landmarks. Mark Page works primarily in pencil, creating humourous yet skilled sketches of hares, as well as some stunning, almost photo-realistic landscapes and architecture. Michelle Clements-Davies, from Harbour Wood Design, makes incredibly detailed miniature harbours
from locally sourced driftwood and found objects, and will also be showcasing a series of Pollock-esque (but with a twist) paintings. Watercolour artist Sandi Mower paints British wildlife in a loose style with a bright palette. As a keen bird watcher, she is inspired by local inhabitants but also loves to paint fun and funky creatures from far away lands. Following on last year’s successful first outing, a second annual ‘Contemporary Crafts’ exhibition will be taking over the Malthouse Gallery from March 17 until April 4. A number of established and emerging craft designer-makers like ceramicists Linda Bristow and Caroline Barnes, glass artist Teresa Williams and furniture-makers Peter Lanyon and Alice Blogg will be showing their latest creations, all unique examples of hand-crafted objects at a range of prices to suit everyone. Both exhibitions will be open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm, admission is free, and more details can be found at www.townmillarts.co.uk
Charmouth Stores The village store that has it all Chilled Food Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Freshly Baked Bread Confectionery Cigarettes & Tobacco Soft Drinks Frozen Food Spirits Lottery Open until 9pm Herbs & Spices Household Products Cakes & Biscuits Charcoal Logs and Kindling Wood Groceries Hot Pies and Pasties Chilled Beer, Wine & Cider Local Products Seasonal Products Contactless Payments Friendly Staff Independent Batteries Greetings Cards LOTS OF Bean-to-cup Coffee Machine OFFERS
Craft Beers Baking ingredients Great Wine Selection E-cigarettes Cash Machine Local & National Ales Scratchcards Gluten Free Section Medicines Fresh Flowers Ice Cream Free Delivery Service Crisps, Nuts & Snacks Part of the Nisa Family
Charmouth Stores ● The Street ● Charmouth ● 01297 560304
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM ALBERT JOHN MILLS Sapper, No. 2 Light Railway Operating Company, Royal Engineers Service No. 218933 Service No. WR/355219 Born in 1887 in Lyme Regis and died March 21 1918 in Aisne, France Albert Mills was born in Lyme Regis and worked as a grocer’s errand boy in the town before moving to Topsham. His parents remained in Lyme Regis. In 1911 he lived at Tress Court, Fore Street, Topsham, Devon, and was an assistant butcher for Underhills. He had married Topsham girl Matilda Gertrude Avery in Exeter, on April 11 1912. At the time of his enlistment in the Royal Engineers he was working for London and South West Railways. He enlisted at Exeter on November 25 1915. No. 2 Light Railway Operating Company, was
SELECTED work from the ‘Earth, Hare, Fur and Water’ exhibition and, below, ceramics be Caroline Barnes to be displayed in the ‘Contemporary Crafts’ exhibition
A REGULAR series commemorating the 100th anniversaries of the deaths of all men from Lyme Regis and the surrounding area who died in the First World War. This week, we remember Albert Mills, with thanks to Vernon Rattenbury from the Royal British Legion for the research. raised at Longmoor Camp, Hampshire, and he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on February 4 1917. He was killed in action just over a year later and his wife also died shortly after. On the day of his death, March 21 1918, the enemy launched what was intended to be a decisive offensive, attacking the British Fifth and Third Armies on the Somme in overwhelming strength. In the initial clash, the British faced three enemy divisions and only began to retire on the afternoon of March 22 1918, when ordered to do so in consequence of the enemy's progress at other parts of the line. Albert was killed in action, the son of John and Elizabeth Mills of 6 George’s Court, Lyme Regis and husband of Matilda Gertrude Mills (nee Avery) of Major Field Road, Topsham. He is buried in Foreste Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France, plot I.B.10 and is commemorated on the Topsham War Memorial.
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St Michael’s pupils ‘show great Lyme Regis Brownies teamwork’ at rugby tournament welcoming new recruits
ST Michael’s Primary School tag rugby team pictured at the tournament in Bournemouth
CHILDREN from St Michael's Primary School in Lyme Regis recently took part in this year’s tag rugby tournament in Bournemouth. The school took a group of 12 Year 5 and 6 pupils to Bournemouth Rugby Club, where the team put all their hard training into action and showed great skill and determination, along with fantastic teamwork which was acknowledged by the referees. St Michael’s played six matches in which they won four, drew one and lost one, scoring
a total of 37 tries between the whole team. The team was captained by Leo, Martha and Jasmin with other members including Ella, Amber, Josh, Sophie, Skyla, Isaac, Gustave and Lucien . James Rich sports co-ordinator and deputy head at St Michael’s, said: “What a great opportunity this has been for the children being able to show off their rugby skills and show great teamwork, they should be extremely proud of themselves.”
Woodroffe students volunteer at Lyme’s new memory café
SIXTH form students at the Woodroffe School volunteered at the first Meet & Remember session in Lyme Regis - a new memory café set up to support those suffering memory loss or in the early stages of dementia. The students introduced themselves and chatted to those attending the event and helped serve tea and coffee. Organised by LymeForward, the memory café sessions will be held on the third Wednesday of every month, starting at 2pm at Lyme Regis Football Club.
LYME Regis Brownies are welcoming new members. The group meets every Wednesday at St Michael’s Primary School in King’s Way from 5.30pm, where the girls take part in an assortment of activities to earn their Brownies Adventure Badges, as well as playing fun games, going on walks and meeting lots of new friends. For further information about joining the Brownies, email lrbrownies@icloud.com
Lyme attracts varied wildlife all year round RECENT winter visitors to my garden have been ‘lookalike’ thrushes with very fat tummies. Excitement and a closer look at the birds and the pocket bird book show me that they are fieldfares and redwings, arriving in flocks from Scandinavia. Lyme attracts visitors all the year round! How nice it was to see different birds. Particularly the redwings with a characteristic white stripe along the eye line. They love an apple, and the soft earth under trees. All the more it makes me wonder if they have managed to avoid eating plastic on their way down here. All the more it makes me marvel at the magical world we have right under our very nose. We have a duty to help. With environmental protection in my heart, I have recently been watching a TEdx talk by Natalie Fee, on the importance of being very aware of the non-organic matter that we throw down the loo! It is all too easy to flush away baby wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds, etc. and with a quick push of a button it has gone, with a huge volume of precious water. Cotton buds, for example, although small, can pass through treatment plant filters. This means that they end up directly in the sea, causing pollution to our beaches and being mistaken for food.
I also learnt that sanitary products can be made up of the equivalent of four plastic carrier bags! Hard to believe, isn’t it? Turn Lyme Green is working in conjunction with Transition Town Bridport, Surfers Against Sewage and Dorset Waste Partnership to make West Dorset an even better place to live. Come and join us for our March meeting at the Blue Room in the Royal Lion Hotel on Tuesday, March 10 at 7.15pm for 7.30pm, where we invite you share any thoughts and feelings to help Lyme Regis become plastic free. We will update you on latest developments regarding the project. Look forward to seeing you! Turn Lyme Green welcomes all comments, suggestions and feedback. Do please visit our website, www.turnlymegreen.co.uk or visit our Facebook page. See front page for more information on the plastic free campaign
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Lyme celebrates launch of new paper
THE launch of Lyme Regis’ new community newspaper was celebrated in February. The first edition of LymeOnline, a new community newspaper for the Lyme Regis, Uplyme and Charmouth area was published on February 23 and celebrations were held at an official launch party at the Woodmead Halls. The event was attended by about 60 guests, including councillors, business owners, representatives of various local organisations and friends of Philip, Jackie and Francesca Evans, who launched the project. The printed edition of LymeOnline will run alongside the website www.lyme-online.co.uk, which went live in January, together offering residents the most comprehensive coverage of the Lyme Regis area. The website and newspaper will be edited by Francesca – who previously edited the View From Lyme Regis newspaper before it closed in
the New Year – helped by her father, veteran journalist Philip, who will act as managing director of the business, and mother Jackie who runs the production side of the company. Regular contributions to both the website and printed edition are also being made by former Fleet Street journalist Geoff Baker and top photographer Richard Austin. Speaking at the launch event, Mr Evans spoke about the difficult times the local press has been through and said he hoped the community would support the new venture, as there had been such an overwhelming call for a new newspaper in Lyme Regis. Miss Evans also gave a presentation about the business. She said that she and her family had been delighted with the positive reaction to the LymeOnline website since it launched a month ago. It has now attracted more than 7,600 readers, who have visited the website more than 15,500 times and clicked on the various pages and articles a total of over 40,000 times. The new newspaper will be printed fortnightly with a distribution of about 4,000 and will be delivered door-to-door to as many houses as possible. The paper will also be available to pick up for free at outlets including outside Serendip and Fortnam, Smith & Banwell in Broad Street, Lyme Convenience Stores in Staples Terrace, Uplyme Filling Station and Charmouth Stores. You can also read the newsEAST Devon district councillor Ian Thomas and paper in full by visiting West Dorset district and Dorset county councillor www.lyme-online.co.uk/digiDaryl Turner with the first edition of LymeOnline tal-edition
Unitary authorities given green light IN an historic moment for public services in Dorset, the government has given the green light to plans to create two new unitary councils in Dorset. Local Government Minister, Sajid Javid has announced that he will progress the creation of two new unitary authorities in the county, replacing the existing nine councils. Each authority will deliver all local government services in their respective areas. One will cover Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and the other will serve the rest of the county, including West Dorset. Subject to legislation, the new councils will come into existence in April 2019. Councillor Rebecca Knox, chairman of the Dorset Area Joint Committee and leader of Dorset County Council described the proposal as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remodel local services with our communities and partners to be responsive, innovative and above all else, efficient and effective”. “As a Joint Committee we have already begun the work needed to take this huge step forward to providing better, joined-up services, that make sense for residents across the breadth of the county area. “We are committed to building on our positive collective work to develop a thriving economy, support and encourage aspirations for our young people and deliver services that make a positive difference to people’s lives. “Local government reform offers an opportunity to move to shared and collective delivery, with a democratic mandate that can act quickly as we work even more closely with our communities and partners to make sure Dorset is a great place to live and work. “The way forward for Dorset will focus on investing in our future, good education, a growing economy and good service delivery. It is what our staff strive to deliver, what our residents need, and why councillors carry out the work they do.”
LYMEONLINE editor Francesca Evans with (from left) Tim Dixon, who helped with the design of the first issue, journalists Geoff Baker and Philip Evans, and photographer Richard Austin. Right, managing director Philip Evans with Richard Horobin, press officer for Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, and below, Brian and Margaret McConkey of St Michael’s Parish Church flick through the first issue
Request for ‘war trench’ in gardens turned down TOWN councillors have spoken strongly against a request to build a trench in Lyme Regis’ public gardens in Lyme Regis to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. The town will be hosting a number of events to mark the 100th anniversary later this year and a working group has been set up to move plans forward. The working group put forward a suggestion that a trench could be created in the seafront gardens, to teach children about the conditions soldiers endured during WWI. It was suggested that the trench would be 15 metres in length, 1.5 metres deep and 1.5 metres wide, and could be created near the table tennis area in Lister Gardens. It would be supervised by town crier Alan Vian, who operates a similar trench at educational centre Hooke Court, near Beaminster. However, councillors spoke strongly against the idea, with one saying it would be a “disaster”. Chairman of the Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee, Councillor Cheryl Reynolds,
said: “I have been very concerned about this. I’m concerned about the width, depth and length of it. It’s going to be Heras-fenced at night; we had Heras fencing in the playing fields, that got broken into. The gardens is the wrong place.” Councillor Reynolds said she had taken advice from the council’s geotechnical engineer, Peter Chapman, who had told her it was a “very bad idea” and the stabilisation works in the gardens should be left alone. She also expressed concerns that the trench could not be properly policed at night. “I’m not against any WWI effort or the committee, but I’m just scared it will cause lots of problems. It’s scary,” she added. Councillor Graham Turner commented: “The gardens are moving slightly all over the place now. If you dug a trench like that it would be a disaster.” Councillors unanimously agreed to refuse the request. However, they agreed that Union flags could be displayed in Broad Street for the commemorations.
Uplyme and Charmouth to get Gateway Card LYME Regis Town Council has agreed that its Gateway Card scheme should be expanded to include Uplyme and Charmouth residents. The council launched the Gateway Car a year ago exclusively for Lyme Regis residents, with participating businesses offering discounts for card-holders. On reviewing the first year of the scheme this week, councillors agreed that residents in neighbouring Uplyme and Charmouth should also be able to benefit from the card, and businesses in the two villages would be asked to take part. Councillor Stan Williams said: “We need to get Uplyme and Charmouth on board. We rely on
them for facilities, such as the tennis courts, and we should all be friends working together.” Councillor Sean Larcombe added: “Surely this would encourage more people into the town and it can only be good for the local economy.” There are currently 22 participating businesses in the Gateway Card scheme. No figures have been given to show how well the scheme is used. Councillors agreed that now the scheme has been running for a year, they should have “another push” on the project to encourage more businesses to take part and more residents to use it.
District councils raise tax £5 a year BOTH West Dorset and East Devon district councils have agreed to a £5 annual increase in council tax. In West Dorset, this means the district’s portion of the annual council tax bill for a Band D property will be £144.75 and, in East Devon, it will be £136.78. Councillor Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: ”We understand that no-one wants to see council tax rises at this time. But we believe this to be a modest rise that will help to protect vital local services.” Councillor Paul Diviani, leader of East Devon District Council, commented: “Yet again we see the expected cuts in central government funding but as you have come to expect, we have taken steps to ensure that the impact on our customers is as minimal as possible.”
Town council to pay £4,000 for dredging LYME Regis Town Council is contributing £4,000 towards the cost of dredging the harbour. Members of the Town Management Committee were told that West Dorset District Council had received tenders for the work which were higher than expected due to the need to dredge the pool area where the floating pontoons are located and imposed restrictions on access for plant and equipment along the Cobb. Town clerk John Wright confirmed that WDDC would cover the additional cost.
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LYME REGI S
Lyme’s most popular meeting place The No 1 venue for ◆ WEDDINGS ◆ FAMILY PARTIES ◆ DINNER- DANCES ◆ STAGE SHOWS ◆ COFFEE MORNINGS ◆ MEETINGS
Now available: Bouncy castle for children’s parties for all-inclusive £100 fee
◆ SEMINARS
Look out for the launch of regular Saturday Morning Fun Club events
◆ CONFERENCES ◆ EXHIBITIONS
We now have an enlarged andrefurbished kitchen capable of catering for up to 150 at sit-down functions
To book the Woodmead Halls telephone Michaela Ellis on 07856 630975 Follow us on Twitter @WoodmeadHalls and Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodmeadhalls
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Please note this service is only for private sellers, not for commercial items, tradespeople or vehicles. Please include a brief description of your item, the cost and a telephone number where a buyer may contact you. If you wish to advertise an item over £200 your advertisement will cost 10p per word, please email or phone us to arrange payment. Please also include your name and address, although this will not be published.
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ITEM FOR SALE GENTLEMAN’S high quality, kid leather, three-quarter length, dark green coat, size XXL, brown trimming. Cost approx £325 new, offers around £50. Contact Simon on 07870 603 345.
Lyme Regis Town Council has a vacancy for Gardener/Maintenance person 37 hours’ per week, Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm Salary: SCP 12-17 (£16,123 - £17,772) As part of the busy external works’ team, this role involves the care and maintenance of the council’s gardens, open spaces and properties, and use of machinery and equipment. The successful applicant should have reasonable physical fitness, practical common sense, the willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and good communication skills.
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For further information and an application pack, contact: Franki Heffernan, Lyme Regis Town Council, Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3BS Tel: 01297 445175, email: assistant@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Download a pack from www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk The closing date for applications is 5pm on 19 March 2018 Interviews will be held on 22 March 2018
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LymeOnline Sport Bailey, the fans’ choice to steer Lyme to the Premier
email your sports reports to edit@lyme-online.co.uk
Ressies bid for place in Inter final By Sid Hansford
THERE is little doubt that the decision made by Lyme Regis FC chairman Howard Larcombe to appoint Mark Bailey as caretaker manager following the departure of the current three-man management team, led by Robin Townsend, will be met with the full approval of the Seasiders’ loyal supporters.
tables Devon & Exeter Division One P W Exeter University 2nds 15 11 15 8 Lyme Regis Lapford 13 7 8 7 Colyton Perry Street 12 6 Sidmouth Town 2nds 11 6 Chard Town Reserves 13 6 Cullumpton Rgrs 2nds 13 5 Chagford 14 5 Heavitree United 11 3 12 3 Bickleigh Wellington Reserves 15 2 Alphington 2nds 16 2
D 2 3 2 1 4 1 1 3 1 3 0 3 2
L 2 4 4 0 2 4 6 5 8 5 9 10 12
F 51 37 40 37 33 38 20 38 31 23 30 25 16
A Gd 17 34 28 9 28 12 11 26 17 16 26 12 33 -13 27 11 33 -2 39 -16 60 -30 55 -30 45 -29
Pts 35 27 23 22 22 19 19 18 16 12 9 9 8
Devon & Exeter Division Five Halwill Seconds 14 11 Black Swan Town 13 10 14 10 Lyme Regis Res Elmore Seconds 9 9 Hemyock 14 8 Millwey Rise 13 8 Central 15 7 Awliscombe 14 5 Ilminster Town Res 17 5 Exwick Village 10 5 Culm United 16 5 Dunkeswell Rovers 14 4 Westexe Park Rgrs 14 2 Offwell Rangers 15 0
1 1 1 0 3 1 2 1 2 1 0 0 1 0
2 2 3 0 3 4 6 8 10 4 11 10 11 15
46 70 40 36 41 36 51 29 34 37 44 22 31 7
23 23 24 36 15 25 6 30 28 13 26 20 32 19 35 -6 51 -17 17 20 49 -5 65 -43 72 -41 91 -84
34 31 31 27 27 25 23 16 16* 15* 15 12 7 -1*
Perry Street Division One P Farway United 9 Halstock 7 Ilminster Colts 9 Waytown Hounds 8 Forton Rangers 7 Hawkchurch 9 Uplyme 8 Perry Street Reserves 9 Shepton Reserves 9 Chard Rangers 11
D 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
L 1 0 2 2 2 4 5 6 6 10
Gd 19 35 11 6 6 0 -10 -14 -14 -39
Pts 20 19 19 16 15 13 7 7 7 1
W 6 6 6 5 5 4 2 2 2 0
Perry Street Division Two Thorncombe 12 10 Charmouth 11 7 Misterton Reserves 9 7 Forton Rangers Res 11 7 Dowlish & Donyatt 11 5 Crewkerne Rangers 7 3 Combe A 11 4 Kingsbury 12 2 Chard Utd Reserves 12 2 Winsham Reserves 14 2 South Petherton Res 10 2
2 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 0
0 2 1 3 4 1 5 8 8 11 8
35 8 24 18 4 4 -16 -9 -20 -42 -6
32 23 22 22 17 12 9* 8 8 7 6
Perry Street Division Three Donyatt United 13 10 Ilminster Town A 11 10 Merriott Dynamos 8 6 Crewkerne Rgrs Res 10 6 Lyme Rovers 10 5 Farway Reserves 10 4 Thorncombe Reserves 12 3 Netherbury Reserves 11 3 Chard Rangers Res 11 2 Chard United Allstars 12 0
2 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 1 1
1 1 2 4 3 5 7 7 8 11
32 30 6 4 14 -4 -25 6 -27 -36
32 30 18 18 17 13 11 10 7 1
The clever midfielder has long been a favourite with the Davey Fort crowd, not only for his silky skills but for his commitment to the Seasiders when he could have played at a much higher standard. I’m one of those admirers, having watched Bailey progress through all the years I was chairman of the club. I would certainly put him in my list of Lyme’s top ten players of all time. Bailey has agreed to take on the caretaker role until the end of the season that’s another nine games - with a helping hand coming from club secretary and former first team manager Robert Thom and Reserves boss Gerard Hitchcock, who looks like he may well be steering Lyme’s second string into Devon & Exeter Division Four. Whether Bailey stays in the role remains to be seen but there are many at the club who believe he has the motivational capabilities of taking Lyme into the D & E Premier division next season, the club’s ultimate goal. There was no doubt that Towner & Co brought a new level of professionalism to the club, especially in training, but after a good start to the season, especially at home, the side seemed to lack focus. After speaking to Townsend last Monday morning, Mr Larcombe issued the following statement: “On behalf of the club I’d like to thank Robin, Steve and Mark for their efforts over the past season and a half. They brought a wealth of
pool POT Nots have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Lyme Regis Pool League after nine games, with Dyer Dallical in second place. Recent results: Dyer Dallical (2-1) – (7-5) Pot Nots, Nags Head Trotters (1-1) – (8-5) Bye bye Nev, Real Talbot (4-3) – (5-3) Drunken Sailors The Collective (7-5)- (2-1) RNLI + One Table
Pld
Beer
Pot Nots Dyer Dallical Bye bye Nev RNLI +One Nags Trotters Real Talbot Drunken Sailors The Collective
9 9 7 8 9 9 8 9
32 30 6 22 24 23 26 21
Pts 21 18 15 15 9 9 9 6
MARK Bailey demonstrating those silky skills that have won him many admirers at the Davey Fort
By PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk experience of tactics, passion and camaraderie both at training and on match days. “An awful lot of work goes on behind the scenes in putting a team together and their willingness to increase the professionalism in the club was evident from day one. “I’m sure the players have learned far more than they are aware of and it has been interesting to see the development of some of the younger ones over the past 18 months. I know they were very keen to take the team up in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division. “The home form has been good, we are unbeaten in six at the Davey Fort during this heavily disjointed season, but I know they were frustrated by some indifferent away displays which has made promotion look unlikely now and maybe feel
they have taken the team as far as they can. “We certainly wish Robin, Steve and Mark well and look forward to seeing them back at the club in the future. “We’ll begin the process of finding a permanent replacement and will be looking to have somebody in place once the current season draws to a close.” Townsend told LymeOnline Sport: “We offered our resignation to the club which has been accepted. There were many factors which led us to this decision but we feel we are at a crossroads and would like to thank all the committee, managers, players for helping us and wish Mark and Rob all the best for the rest of the season. “On a personal note thanks go to Locky and Crabby for the effort which I believe has made some great improvements to the club on a playing level.”
LYME Regis Reserves will be bidding to reach their first ever Dorset Intermediate Cup final when they head off to take on Wareham Rangers Reserves on Saturday. This marks a significant moment for the club's second string who have never been this far in the competition before after their enforced step up from the Junior Cup competition following the first team’s move up to senior football in the Devon & Exeter League's upper divisions. The route to the semi-final saw manager Gerard Hitchcock and his team awarded a walkover in round one when Okeford United pulled out of the competition. Round two brought a tricky tie at Canford United when two own goals, added to strikes from Julien Simier (2) and Ally Rattenbury helped clinch a nervy 5-4 win. The last eight tie at Maiden Newton & Cattistock proved less of a challenge as goals from Harvey Brimicombe (2), Steve Batey, Ben Vine and Jake Bearpark saw the Seasiders cruise to a 5-0 win. Wareham currently sit eighth in the Dorset League Division One table and have lost four of their last five home league matches. Lyme is currently third in the Devon & Exeter League Division Five and have won their last two matches, including an 11-2 annihilation of Westexe Rovers last time out when Steve Batey scored five times. But form appears to have gone out of the window in this season which has of course been heavily disjointed by the weather.
darts WITH 12 games played the Rousdon Club have opened up a sixpoint lead over second laced Nags Z, who have a game in hand. Recent results: Rousdon Club 7 Royal Standard 1, Half an Octopus 0 Rousdon Club 8, Royal Standard 2 Hunters Lodge 6, Talbot Arms 5 Sticky Bandits 3.
skittles Lyme Regis Skittles League results for the weekend ending February 24 Ladies Bob Sweetland Cup (semi final): Wootton Wobblers bt Rollercoasters Generations 291 v Hot Gossips 325 High Score: T Holmes 59 Men’s Cornish Cup: British Legion 334 v Roadrunners 347 Alleytwits 313 v Young Guns310 Marksmen bt Shakers (game given) Rousdon Rebels 363 v Flyers 362 Anthill Mob - bye Wreckers 282 v No Hopers 286 (Lifeboat call out, hence low scores) President’s Men 333 v Trappers 343 Clueless 357 v Tornadoes 367 High Scores this week: Mark Bartlett 74;
G Kent 74; R Moore 72; A Churchill 68 Forthcoming fixtures Friday, March 2 2018 Flyers v Shakers (at Wootton Club) Alleytwits v Skittso’s (at the Rock Point) Fixture No. 6 Playing on Wednesday Young Guns 309 v Tornadoes 342 – Game already played 03/11/17, Tornadoes won. Roadrunners v Anthill Mob (at the George) Friday, March 2 2018 Rearranged Men’s Div 1 League Fixture (from 9th Feb 2018): Trappers v Clueless (at the Ship Inn) Monday, March 12 2018 Ladies Doug Clark Cup (semi-final): La Crème v Wootton Wobblers (at the George)
Hot Gossips v Rollercoasters (at the Ship Inn) Wednesday, March 14 2018 Cornish Cup (quarter-final): Roadrunners v Alleytwits (at the George) Friday, March 16 2018 Cornish Cup (quarter-final): Marksmen v Rousdon Rebels (at the George) Anthill Mob v No Hopers (at Wootton Club) Trappers v Tornadoes (at the Ship Inn) Monday, March 19 2018 Ladies George Nomination Cup (semifinal): Smashers v Skittso’s (at Wootton Club) La Crème v Hot Gossips (at the George)
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LymeOnline Sport
24 Friday, March 9 2018
March 9 2018
Seasiders quick to act as Towner steps down PHILIP EVANS
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
CARETAKER manager Mark Bailey (left) pictured with influential first teamer Rob Fellingham
THE rumour mill had been working overtime at the Davey Fort during the long period that local football was washed out over Christmas and New Year, with rumblings that Lyme Regis FC’s first team management trio of Robin Townsend, Steve Crabb and Mark Lock were unlikely to stay a the club for another season. And so it has transpired. Following the disappointing 1-1 draw at Devon and Exeter League Division Five bottom club Alphington 2nds - a result which marked the end of any faint hopes the Seasiders had of winning promotion to the Premier Division, the club’s ultimate ambition - Towner informed chairman Howard Larcombe that the threesome would be standing down. Townsend did not give a reason for their decision, but Lyme’s indifferent away form must have played a part
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and they probably thought they had taken the current squad as far as they could. To be fair to them, Towner told Mr Larcombe that they did not want their decision to cause any problems for the club and that they would be happy to see out the rest of this season of nine league games to give the committee time to find a successor. However, the chairman thought that if there was going to be a parting of the waves, it would be in the club’s interest to do so immediately, but there has been no animosity between the parties. Long-serving Mark Bailey, one of Lyme’s most talented performers over the years, has agreed to take over as caretaker manager until the end of the season with help from cub secretary Rob Thom and Reserve team manager Gerard Hitchcock. What now for Lyme? See page 23
Seasiders return to bottom club for East Devon cup tie IN their first match under the supervision of new caretaker manager Mark Bailey, Lyme Regis 1st team will be going out to make amends for their most recent away disappointment when they return to Alphington 2nds in the East Devon Senior Cup writes Philip Evans. Lyme all but kissed goodbye to any chance they had of gaining promotion this season when they drew 1-1 in their last game at Devon & Exeter League Division side basement-boys Alphington 2nds. It was another disappointing away result for the Seasiders and Bailey will be looking for a much better performance. Despite their indifferent form, Lyme is still in second place in Division One, due only to the number of games they have played, and they have a number of clubs
below them who could overtake when they catch up on their games. But the backlog of fixtures caused by the weather conditions from early December could help them in the last 10 weeks of the season. Lyme Reserves have a break from Devon & Exeter football with a trip to Wareham Rangers in the semifinal of the Dorset Intermediate Cup, a trophy they have won no fewer than nine times in the past. Lyme Rovers, holding their own in Perry Street Division Three, travel to bottom club Chard United All Stars. Uplyme are at home to Ilminster Colts in Division One and Charmouth, doing well in Division Two, meet Netherbury Reserves in the Kenny Hodges Cup at the Woodroffe School pitch.
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Come on you Seasiders! Support your local team
Enjoy a drink in the bar after every game at the Davey Fort
sports shorts Captain Caddy and the Doctor steal the show GOLF: LYME Regis Ladies played their flag competition a format where players start their round of golf with an allocation of shots, usually par plus their handicap, and play until that shot allocation runs out, placing a flag or marker indicating how far into the course they went). On the 16-hole layout, Ronny Turner putted her last shot on the last hole to see it run agonisingly past. Jane Dixon had played some consistent golf, mastering the conditions very well and had already secured the putt, so won by the narrowest of margins. Back on the 18-hole layout the men played a four-ball better ball competition and but for a point, Phil Webb could have had a hat-trick of victories. However it was club captain Lee Caddy and partner Graham Paterson who stole the show accumulating a good 42 points, playing especially well on the back nine to push Nathan Turner and Steve Kitcher into second place but only on countback, also on 42 points. Webb and partner Steve Piper took third place with a creditable 41 points.
Pot Nots on top
POOL: POT Nots have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Lyme Regis Pool League after nine games, with Dyer Dallical in second place. Full league table on page 23
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