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FOR LYME REGIS, UPLYME, CHARMOUTH & AXMINSTER ● FORTNIGHTLY ● MAY 14 2021
Lyme rower completes Atlantic crossing
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Call for action at Regent Cinema THE Cinema Theatre Association, which promotes interest in all aspects of heritage cinema buildings, has called for action to be taken on the rebuild of Lyme Regis’ firestricken Regent Cinema. The association said it is “gravely concerned” about the future of the grade II listed Regent, which has remained closed and partially demolished since a major fire in 2016. REPORT, PAGE 3
Lack of parking puts off shoppers
LYME Regis is unlikely to see any additional parking spaces created in Broad Street, despite concerns that a lack of parking is driving shoppers elsewhere. Questions were raised on the recent loss of on-street parking spaces at a virtual version of the annual town meeting. REPORT, PAGE 10 Artisan Florist Providing seasonal, wild and English grown blooms for all occasions or just because! Daily deliveries, order online or self-serve flower shed at 18 Woodmead Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3AD
■ FORMER Lyme Regis lifeboatman Ian Kentfield has just completed a row across the Atlantic, raising more than £10,000 for the Ellen MacArthur Sailing Trust. Mr Kentfield and his 11 team mates completed the voyage from the Canary Islands to Antigua, in the Caribbean, in 42 days, two hours and 30 minutes. See page 24 for full story and more photos.
COVID cost town £300k
TOWN COUNCIL REVEALS FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
THE town council has reported that the coronavirus pandemic cost the town a total of £310,000.
Councillors met in person for the first time in over a year on Wednesday evening, as virtual meetings no longer have legal status following a government ruling. The council met socially-distanced in the
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Marine Theatre, where they heard the financial impact of COVID-19. A report by finance officer Mark Russell said that lost income caused by coronavirus in 2020/21 totalled £322,000, with a staggering £191,000 coming from lost car parking rev-
enue alone. A further £57,000 was lost from chalet lease fees at Monmouth Beach, with owners offered a 20 per cent reduction as the park had to remain closed for several months. A total of £30,000 was lost on amenities such as the mini golf, £34,000 on beach hut CONTINUED ON 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 Managing Director: Philip Evans MBE philip@lyme-online.co.uk Contributors Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk
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Council’s financial outlook more positive after initial COVID scare CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE hire, £18,000 on al fresco dining after the government reduced the amount the council could charge businesses with outside eating areas, £9,000 on concessions such as the beach trampolines and deckchairs, and £3,000 on holiday parking permits. On top of reduced income, COVID-19 also resulted in £37,000 additional expenditure for the council, including £15,000 on additional toilet cleaning and £10,000 on security guards to patrol the seafront amid an increase in antisocial behaviour, which has been put down to a lack of other facilities and entertainment being open. A further £4,000 was spent on personal protective equipment, £3,000 on a phone system to allow council staff to work from home, £3,000 on legal fees, £1,000 on fogging equipment and £1,000 on other cleaning. The council was able to recover £54,000 from the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and received two small grants totalling £5,400 from Dorset Council, meaning the total cost of the coronavirus pandemic to the town stands at £310,000. In June 2020, there were concerns that the pandemic would “wipe out” the council’s finances, with reserves having already dropped from £969,794 to £581,674 in the first few months of the first national lockdown. Town clerk John Wright warned that reserves could drop as low as £67,000 by the end of the financial year, but following a successful late summer period after restrictions began to
ease, the financial outlook is now far more positive. Mr Wright said this week that if summer went to plan the council was likely to have a surplus to spend on objectives or to pay off a long-standing loan with Dorset Council, making it debt free. However, he warned councillors to act cautiously and prudently for the time being. Mr Wright said the council was able to take some other positives from the pandemic. The council had demonstrated it could respond quickly and make effective decisions outside the normal committee structure and eworking had improved customer-facing transactions, such as issuing parking permits and beach hut bookings. Improved working relationships New technology and virtual meetings could also be used to support other aspects of business in the future. Mr Wright said that the need to co-ordinate decision-making and activities had improved the town council’s working relationship with Dorset Council and there was now a much stronger dialogue between the two authorities. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, said they had also held several positive meetings with West Dorset MP Chris Loder and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset. One of the main successes from working under COVID restrictions was the ‘zoning’ arrangements introduced to the council’s outside workforce. Staff were given specific areas of the
town to work on, such as the cemetery or seafront gardens, to limit the amount they came into contact with one another. Mr Wright said this had created a “sense of pride over specific locations” and they would be continuing this way of working in the future. The mayor said the success of this scheme was evident from positive comments from the public. On a less positive note, the town clerk said the pandemic had also resulted in an increase in anti-social behaviour due to a lack of facilities and entertainment available to the public. The mayor said this was an ongoing issue from 2018/19 that had been exacerbated by the pandemic, with many more complaints from residents in the seafront area received last year. The council is now preparing to employ security guards for a second year to patrol the seafront during summer, although this year this will be paid for by government funding via Dorset Council. It was announced on Wednesday night that the council had been successful in a £22,680 bid to pay for the security guards. They are now expected to patrol the seafront and gardens every night until the first week of September. The council may also receive a further £27,000 in funding to help pay for additional toilet cleaning and litter collections, although this is still under discussion with Dorset Council.
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‘Enough is enough’ - Cinema Theatre Association calls for action to be taken at fire-stricken Regent AN organisation which promotes interest in all aspects of heritage cinema buildings has called for action to be taken on the rebuild of Lyme Regis’ fire-stricken Regent Cinema.
The Cinema Theatre Association (CTA), which has a proven track record for saving former cinemas as well as advising on their continued use, says it is “gravely concerned” about the future of the grade II listed Regent, which has remained closed and partially demolished since a major fire in 2016. A statement from the CTA said: “The owners of the Regent, WTW-Scott Cinemas, pledged they would rebuild this iconic single screen cinema once the insurance claim had been settled. “Five years on and with the insurance payout finally confirmed, there is still no sign of a rebuild. “Conflicting rumours on the cinema’s future abound and the residents of Lyme Regis, desperate for the return of a full-time cinema, are feeling distressed at the lack of action. “Enough is enough,” said Richard Gray, CTA casework chairperson. “We appreciate rebuilding is a huge task, both technically and financially, but promises were made and this project should now be underway. “Not only was the cinema a local landmark but it provided entertainment for locals as well as playing an important role in the local tourist industry, which this area of West Dorset relies upon. “The saga of whether the cinema will be rebuilt or not has gone on for too long.” The CTA’s main concern are the “conflicting
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rumours” that are circulating around the possible rebuild. Their statement added: “WTW-Scott Cinemas have continually remained tight-lipped about what they are doing which doesn't make for clarity. “They even remained reticent when local media recently reported an unsubstantial rumour that the site was going to be sold off for luxury flats. “We are talking about the rebuild of a cinema, not about state secrets. “If there are problems in financing a rebuild, or if the owners wish to incorporate a couple of luxury flats to help finance the build, they need to be open and transparent. “It would also help if they responded to enquiries either from the press or ourselves. “WTW-Scott Cinemas have recently caused local concern by questioning if a rebuild of a single screen cinema would be economically viable. “This is despite the fact that, even though five years have passed since the devastating fire, the local community are still passionate for a full time cinema to return to Lyme Regis. “Add the additional fact that in a post pandemic world the 'staycation' will only increase further the popularity of Lyme as a tourist hot-spot, and a newly rebuilt cinema has an excellent chance to be economically viable. “It should also be pointed out that the cinema is perfectly situated. Not only is it located at the top of the high street, next to the north entrance to Langmoor Gardens, which literally attracts tens of thousands of visitors a
Holmbush Cafe
THE auditorium of the Regent Cinema was completely destroyed by fire in 2016
year for the unsurpassed view of the Cobb, but it's also sited opposite the Uplyme Road which gives easy access to Honiton and Exeter. “Few cinemas in the land are so well positioned in their local environment. “These are just some of the points that WTW-Scott Cinemas, local authorities and Historic England need to consider when discussing the rebuild. “The Grade II listed frontage and foyer, which remains relatively undamaged, tantalisingly suggests what an asset this building can be to Lyme Regis, its community and visitors. “Before the fire, the Regent operated profitably for 80 years.
PAU L S
“A rebuild, using modern materials and technology, would allow the Regent to entertain patrons for another 80 years. “We request the owners bring the magic of cinema back to Lyme Regis.” After LymeOnline recently raised questions over the future of the Regent, WTW Scott Cinemas said they were waiting to hear back from the town council, although they did not disclose what the council’s involvement - if any entailed. A statement from WTW Scott Cinemas said: “As soon as we have news we’ll make it public as we understand the upset this has caused for the town of Lyme Regis to have lost its cinema.”
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NEWS ONLINE: Catch up with A round-up of the top MP calls out Highways England for stories from our website ‘incompetent’ management of A35
Young Lyme Regis musician joins renowned Salisbury Cathedral choir LYME Regis youngster Cecilia Davies was one of three girls to be admitted to Salisbury Cathedral’s renowned choir during the first in-person Choral Evensong since Christmas. Cecelia (left) lives in Lyme Regis, where her parents Alison and Alex Davies run the Kersbrook Hotel Bed & Breakfast. She has music in the genes, as dad Alex is the organist at St Michael’s Parish Church and mum Ali is a saxophonist and music teacher. Cecilia also plays the oboe and piano.
Jurassic Coast among landmarks Brits most want to visit as lockdown eases THE Jurassic Coast has been listed among the top landmarks Brits are most keen to visit post-pandemic. New data from Parkdean Resorts has revealed the top 50 UK landmarks that Brits are most looking forward to visit as lockdown restrictions are eased, with the 95-mile Jurassic Coast listed in eighth place, along with the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Buckingham Palace in London, and Glastonbury Tor.
WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder has challenged Highways England about the dangers of the A35 at a meeting of the Transport Select Committee in Westminster. Mr Loder recently launched an A-Roads Taskforce to address urgent and long-term issues with Dorset’s main roads, including the A35 which has become notorious for accidents and hold-ups. Speaking to the Strategy and Planning Executive Director of Highways England this week, Mr Loder said: “Five years ago, Highways England had an external consultant tell them that safety [on the A35] was a considerable issue, but the plan to finish work is at least another four years away.” Mr Loder said he considered this amount of time
to wait for safety measures to be “unacceptable”. He told Highways England: “I don’t know how many people have got to die on that road before you sort yourselves out, and to be told that safety inspections are carried out weekly on the A35 when the cats eyes and white lines are so bad, is utter nonsense. Highways England are either lying or are incompetent.” The statement comes after Highways England became embroiled in controversy over its safety management of smart motorways and after it was given £27.4billion pounds of taxpayers money for roadworks. Mr Loder demanded that Highways England commit to a complete overhaul.
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Lyme Bay Fish Shack nominated for two awards FAMILY business Lyme Bay Fish Shack has been nominated twice in the Fishing News Awards 2021, including for Independent Retailer of the Year. Lyme Bay Fish Shack is run by husband and wife team Nigel and Corinne Birt, who started the business in 2012. They have a boat in Lyme Regis harbour and expanded to a new shop and prep room at Millers Farm Shop, in Kilmington, in 2019. Their son Sam was also nominated in the Trainee Fisherman of the Year category. You can vote for both to win at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BL6VVBV
Friday, May 14 2020 5
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the latest from Lyme Regis
FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE
Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community Today marks a great achievement for LymeOnline
Prepare for weather Lyme a Japanese at vaccine clinics knotweed hotspot PATIENTS attending vaccination clinics at Bridport Medical Centre are being asked to prepare for the weather, as they may have to queue outside. Parking in the field behind the centre has been offered but this will only be available if weather conditions are favourable. Free parking is no longer available at West Street car park.
LYME Regis has been revealed as the Japanese knotweed hotspot of Dorset, with 29 infestations recorded within a 4km radius of the town. Known as the UK’s most invasive plant, Japanese knotweed is now in its spring growth phase and homeowners are encouraged to have it treated as soon as possible if spotted.
IT is mid-May and finally I can say happy new year to all my readers, as the LymeOnline newspaper returns to print for the first time of 2021. We have now made it through three national lockdowns, during which we have had to put the printed newspaper on hiatus due to lost advertising revenue, as other businesses were forced to close doors. This time we have been out of print for four and a half months – since Christmas – but with the pandemic easing nationally, hopefully we are now back for good. During lockdown we have tried to keep our readers up to date with the latest local news via our website, social media channels and a digital version of this newspaper which could be read on screen. But I know for many of you there’s nothing quite like holding a printed newspaper in your hands and flicking through the week’s headlines over breakfast or a morning coffee. I have to agree; I have very much missed my fortnightly paper round, the smell of newsprint, watching people’s reactions as they read my headlines in the street, and getting out and about to meet you all at local events. Thankfully we have made it through the complete unknown and that is in no small part down to the support of our readers and advertisers, who have continued to back us while going through the most challenging of years themselves. You can see from today’s issue just how well we have been supported by local businesses. Today marks a great achievement for LymeOnline and I’m sure there will be celebrations aplenty when the newspaper deliveries are fin-
ished this afternoon! There’s plenty for the town to celebrate together, too. As of Monday, many more businesses will be opening their doors, including our hotels; pubs and restaurants will be able to open indoors (thank goodness, the spring weather seems more unpredictable than ever!); and we will be able to visit friends and family in their own homes – you can even hug! So many will be keen to get together and celebrate all those special occasions we have missed, some of which we have highlighted in our ‘Good News You May Have Missed in Lockdown’ feature on pages 12 and 13. The town has already seen its first flurry of visitors over Easter and the early May Bank Holiday weekend, and is now gearing up for what could be a record-breaking summer with the ‘staycation’ still being favoured over international travel. In just a couple of weeks, Lyme’s busy events calendar will be back in full flow with Jazz Jurassica. This will be one of the first – if not the first – live music festival to be held in the country following lockdown and will this year be based at the Marine Theatre and Theatre Square, allowing for social distancing. If you haven’t got your tickets, don’t worry, there is also a whole programme of free outdoor music to enjoy over the long Bank Holiday weekend - see page 11 for full details. It’s good to be back. Francesca Evans, Editor
The
Woodmead Halls YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY HALL
Golf club to erect fence to protect walkers A SAFETY fence is to be added to the edge of Lyme Regis golf course, to protect coast path walkers from the danger of flying balls. The 106-metre section of green chain link fence will be put up two metres from the north east boundary of the course, alongside a new section of public footpath to comply with health and safety regulations. It is expected to be almost 2.5 metres tall.
Celebrant nominated for Rising Star award LYME Regis celebrant Juliette Williams has been nominated for the Rising Star category in The Celebrant Industry Awards 2021. The awards are being hosted by The Celebrant Directory, an online hub full of inspiration for those in search of celebrant-led ceremonies and celebrants, and will recognise those delivering excellence, as nominated by fellow celebrant colleagues, industry suppliers, couples and families. Juliette, nominated for the Rising Star category, is a wedding and funeral celebrant covering Dorset and Devon, based in Lyme Regis.
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LYME MATTERS with Philip Evans Essential reading for all those with Lyme at heart
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We must keep shelters for the community T
HERE has been discussions among councillors, I am reliably informed, about the possibility of letting out areas of the Marine Parade shelters for commercial purposes.
These discussions took place at a time when the town council was fearful of losing tens of thousands of pounds in income during lockdown. At one time the council was facing a doomsday estimate of its £1million-plus reserves slumping to £67,000 and councillors were looking at various ways of boosting their income. As we report on page one, the actual sum in lost revenues during lockdown was £310,000, a big sum for a small town. But thanks to some astute accounting and keeping a close watch on ex-
penditure by the Mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, and the town clerk John Wright, aided by a very busy summer in Lyme, the council reserves have recovered to a much healthier position. And with an even busier summer predicted for this year, these could well recover to a six figure level. I am not suggesting that any proposals to let out the community rooms at the Marine Parade shelters are now likely. It’s a council’s duty to look at all revenue producing ideas, but if my predictions are right, Lyme will be in a very enviable financial position come September. I am strongly opposed to the shelters being commercialised and I think many others are as well, especially the pavilion section. The original pavilion was built in the early part of the 20th century as a public space and was used as that for many years and, more latterly,
It’s nice to be back...
DURING lockdown we continued publishing LymeOnline as a digital version on our website, but we were conscious, of course, that many of our readers like their news in a printed format. So it’s great to be back today with your favourite free newspaper. One thing we know after being in lockdown for so long, many of you missed your fortnightly update on what’s happening in and around the town. LymeOnline is a community, notfor-profit enterprise and we are
eternally grateful to those of you who have supported us during the long months of lockdown, particularly one lady who wanted to be anonymous for her very generous donation. As a regular reader, she will know who we are talking about. This week’s return issue is 32 pages and crammed with some great stories and features. Thanks also to our sponsors and advertisers for without them LymeOnline would not survive.
after a local building firm were employed to extend the shelters, to house deckchairs in the summer. When the shelters were redeveloped in a £1million project, the pavilion became a much-needed information point and exhibition centre. Some of the most sophisticated wi-fi equipment on the market was also installed - thanks to Chris Boothroyd who virtually raised £200,000 single-handedly to equip the facility. Mr Boothroyd then recruited a team of volunteers - including myself and my daughter Francesca - to man the information point. This was in the early days of the View From Lyme Regis, for which I wrote most of the editorial copy on my laptop in the shelters on a Sunday morning. The Information Point played a useful role in answering a myriad of questions about Lyme and the surrounding area, although the most asked question was “where’s the toilets?” Mr Boothroyd was subsequently treated in an appalling manner by a previous council and all the volunteers stepped down. The two community rooms, each end of the construction, are perhaps a little more difficult to defend. Neither one has been overused since they came into being but have never really been marketed by the council with any real enthusiasm. I think I was the first person to book the Lister Room (the one nearer to the Cobb) for Cancer Research UK fundraising. Since then, I’ve booked it many times and we
THE Jubilee Pavilion on Marine Parade - the subject of discussion in recent weeks by town councillors concerning its future have raised thousands of pounds by holding events with such glorious views over Lyme Bay. The Langmoor Room at the other end of the shelters (next to the old Bay Hotel) has been used rather less. I’m sure both of them would be snapped up for commercial use if they go on the market, mainly because of their wonderful location, although the lack of customers in the winter months might impact on their popularity. I think Lyme’s seafront is more than adequately commercialised as it does not need more seaside-type kiss-me-quick emporiums. Some people come to Lyme just for a
stroll along the prom. The answer to the dilemma of what to do with the Jubilee Pavilion is easy to solve. Following the closure of Lyme’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC), there is certainly a need for a summer-long information point which could be manned by one council employee, supplemented by volunteers at weekends. The closure of the TIC, run by Dorset Council, was met with strong opposition when the plug was pulled and using the pavilion for this purpose would help to ease tension between the town council and the trading community, which is fairly toxic at this present time.
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TO quote the late and great Daily Mirror columnist, Bill Connor, who wrote under the pseudonym of ‘Casandra’, when he returned to the post after the war: "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, it is a powerful hard thing to please all of the people all of the time.” Don’t I know it. In my column last week I expressed the view that I thought it was a mistake for Lyme Regis Town Council to allow a food festival to take place as we come out of lockdown. There were two reasons: firstly, COVID restrictions with regard to social-distancing were still in place; and secondly, I thought that such an event, which could well have been detrimental to local traders, should not have been sanctioned when local businesses had been hit so hard during the pandemic. Some traders were clearly upset by the event and I understand a letter of complaint was sent to all councillors, although there is some conjecture over whether they all received it. One
trader told me that his businesses was down by 50 per cent on the day that eat:Lyme Regis was staged with about 60 stalls along the seafront. The organisers were not best pleased with my comments and have asked for a right to reply. In the cause of fairness, we have agreed to do so, but at the time of going to press no communication had been forthcoming I am not opposed to food festivals per se. In fact, I helped out with the compering at the first couple of Food Rocks, run by the Mark Hix organisation. The big difference between Food Rocks and the other food events which have taken place in the town is that Mark’s events have raised thousands of pounds for two charities - the RNLI and the Fisherman’s Mission. I appreciate that the festival organisers offered pitches to local traders, but that means to participate they would have to employ additional staff and after the last 18 months when very little has gone through their tills, this was not the time to do it.
When councillors gave their approval, the view was that such an event would bring people into the town which would provide some spin-off to local shops and hospitality outlets. I’m not sure many local traders agree with that view. In last week’s column I also wrote about the future of ambitious plans by Palmer’s Brewery for the redevelopment of the Three Cups site in Broad Street. Just before lockdown, the brewery announced they would be starting work on the £5million project. A spokesman for the brewery informed me this week that, understandably, they had to shelve the plans for the time being whilst concentrating on helping their publicans through these difficult times, but there was still every intention to proceed with the plans when the time was right. That’s good to hear but it could take a while for the recovery to enable such investment to proceed. Lyme will be watching closely.
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COVID-19: The latest on local coronavirus figures Coronavirus case numbers remain low across Dorset CORONAVIRUS case numbers across Dorset remain, with about 10-20 cases per 100,000 of the population. In the latest update on May 7, there were 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Dorset Council area, compared with 46 the previous week, and 65 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council area, a slight increase from 56. This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 9.0 in the Dorset Council area, compared to 12.2 the previous week, and 16.4 in the BCP area, compared to 14.2. There were nine COVID-19 patients in Dorset hospitals, compared to six in the previous update on April 30, and there were no coronavirus-related deaths in the county over the previous seven days. Up to May 2, 689,469 COVID vaccination doses had been administered to people in Dorset.
A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “Local seven-day case rates across the Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas remain stable again this week, with around 10-20 cases per 100,000 of the population in both council areas. “Our data shows that the number of people in Dorset hospitals with COVID-19 has remained in single figures over the past few weeks, and COVID-related deaths in both council areas are at zero. Thank you to everyone who has played their part in keeping case rates low. “The lockdown has helped to bring our cases, hospitalisations and deaths down in Dorset, but we do need to keep following the rules and guidelines and keep following the hands, face, space measures to keep yourself and others safe, and to prevent a further surge locally. For now, you can only
meet up to groups of six or two households outdoors. “We are continuing to encourage all adults in Dorset to take part in twice weekly rapid lateral flow testing, which you can order online, collect at a pharmacy or a local test site.” The latest update from Public Health England is expected to be issued today (Friday) so check the LymeOnline website for the latest figures over the weekend. COVID case numbers in the local area continue to remain very low, with fewer than three cases recorded across Lyme Regis, Charmouth and the Marshwood Vale in the seven-day period up until May 7. In small areas where there are fewer three cases, full data is not given as to protect the
identity of individuals. Case numbers have remained ‘fewer than three’ for several weeks now. There were also fewer than three cases in every surrounding area as of May 7, including Uplyme, Kilmington & Colyton; Axminster; Seaton; Burton Bradstock & Chideock; Bridport North; and Bridport South & West Bay. In fact, the closest areas where more cases were recorded were Cranbrook, Broadclyst & Stoke Canon in the west (3 cases), Taunton Halcon & Monkton Heathfield to the north (3), and Poole Town to the east (9). You can find out more details on COVID case numbers in your local area at https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/
Tara Webb elected to fill town council vacancy TARA Webb has been elected to fill a vacancy on Lyme Regis Town Council. In a closely fought contest, Tara – who listed no political affiliation – polled 328 votes, followed by Green Party candidate Vicki Elcoate with 317 and Liberal Democrat Caroline Aldridge with 305. Independent candidate Christopher Service came fourth with 159 votes. The turnout was 37.3 per cent and 33 ballot papers were rejected for either voting for more than one candidate or being unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty. Tara, the niece of existing town councillor Cheryl Reynolds, was born and raised in Lyme Regis and educated at The Woodroffe School. She has worked in the care and hospitality industries and has been heavily involved in the Lyme Garden Growers and Lyme Regis Community Support group in recent months. In her election address she said: “I believe that local people should be allowed to sort out local issues and that Lyme’s agenda must be based on a sound set of policies with a clear vision for the future. “I would like the opportunity to put forward the view of the town’s people and will always represent your views.” ■ CONSERVATIVE candidate David Sidwick has been elected the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Dorset. Mr Sidwick won last Thursday’s election with 70,353 votes, followed by Independent candidate Daniel Hardy – who had the backing of outgoing Independent PCC Martyn Underhill – with 43,427 votes. Mr Underhill has served as Dorset’s PCC since the role was first created in 2012 but chose not to stand for re-election. PCCs are elected using the supplementary vote system, with people making a first and second choice. The Green Party’s Claire Seymour (21,283), Liberal Democrat Mark Robson (17,837) and Labour candidate Patrick Canavan (16,379) were eliminated after counting the first votes.
PICTURED above, Tara Webb was elected to Lyme Regis Town Council and, below, David Sidwick was elected as Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
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Gig capsizes after ‘freak wave’ hits LYME Regis lifeboat was launched on Sunday morning after a mayday alert when seven rowers were throw into the sea from a capsizing gig. The incident happened just outside the town’s harbour. The seven men, members of Lyme Regis Gig Club, were rowing the ten metre gig Black Ven when it was struck by two large waves. All seven were thrown out of the boat. The cox, Tony Colston, received a head injury, and after first aid from RNLI volunteers at the lifeboat station he was taken to hospital for checks. The other six were cold, wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt. The rowers all reached shore safely. Two members of the lifeboat crew jumped into the water to help the rowers ashore. One of the gig’s crew, Nick Bale, said: “We were at 90 degrees to the waves when we were hit from behind.” Another rower, Chris Bailey said: “We were hit by freak waves, and it could have happened to anybody.” The gig club released the following statement after the incident: “Lyme Regis Gig Club would like to thank everyone who responded to Sunday morning’s incident. “With particular thanks to the group of surfers and boarders who were first on scene and assisted in getting several of the rowers to shore. We don’t know your names, but we would like to offer our sincere thanks. “Similarly to the coastguard team and lifeboat crew who arrived when all persons were safely out of the water, and assisted with first aid and providing much appreciated hot showers, hot drinks, chocolate at the lifeboat station. “You know you live in a tight knit local community when so many people burst into action to help out at a moments notice, bringing support, reassurance and even hot coffee (thank you, Kiosk). “With all persons safe and accounted for the gig was successfully recovered without damage.”
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Police reveal 566 crimes were reported in Lyme Regis last year POLICE have revealed that 566 crimes were reported in Lyme Regis last year and have thanked residents for their efforts in adhering to lockdown rules. PC Kirsti Frecknall and PCSO Amanda King submitted a written report to the recent Lyme Regis annual town meeting, which reported on the 566 incidents recorded between January 2020 and February 2021. The incidents were broken down as follows: 128 anti-social behaviour incidents, 57 violence and sexual offences, 25 criminal damage and arson, 23 theft, 14 public order, 8 shoplifting, 8 vehicle crime, 2 theft from a person, 1 drugs, 1 bicycle theft, 1 possession of a weapon, 1 ‘other crime’. The highest number of incidents occurred in or near Broad Street, which included Broad Street car park, with 43 incidents occurring in this area. The second highest number of incidents was 39, which incurred in or around the Monmouth Beach and Ozone Terrace area, and a total of 21 incidents occurred in or around Cobb Gate and Marine Parade. Most of the incidents occurred in July 2020 with 38 recorded. Police said this was “surprisingly” very similar to July 2019 when 31 incidents were recorded, despite a perceived upturn in anti-social behaviour and high visitor numbers. It was also a surprise that April 2020 saw 29 incidents, an increase from just nine during the same month in 2019, despite the national lockdown. The incidents recorded in May and June
WE’RE LOOKING TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS! To find out how you can support our town’s wonderful museum, please email director@lymeregismuseum.co.uk Lyme Regis Museum ‐ Where Mary Anning Lived
FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
2020 were also higher than the previous year but after September and October 2020, the incident numbers were similar to those seen in 2019. The police statement said: “It was a difficult policing year with the lockdown and the volume of visitors during the summer months. “However, the people of Lyme Regis made this easier with most residents adhering to the government regulations during lockdown and some great community work was undertaken by many ensuring that those vulnerable and shielding were given help with their shopping and obtaining prescriptions, etc. and the food bank also did some sterling work. “Policing wise we had some good results with some successful convictions. A big thank you to those who assisted us with our enquiries and helped us in what has been a difficult year for everyone.” The latest monthly crime figures released by police show there were 22 reported crimes in the Lyme Regis area during March
2021. This includes incidents in Uplyme which come under Devon & Cornwall Police. These figures compared to 13 the previous month and 33 during the same month last year. From the 22 recorded incidents in March 2021, 16 took place in Lyme Regis, two in Charmouth, one in Monkton Wyld and three in Uplyme. In Lyme Regis, crimes included seven incidents of violence and sexual offences, six incidents of anti-social behaviour, one burglary and two incidents listed as ‘other crime’. In Charmouth, there was one incident of criminal damage and arson, and one ‘other theft’, and in Monkton Wyld there was one incident of violence and sexual offences. In Uplyme there were three incidents of violence and sexual offences. Crime figures for April 2021 have not yet been released. For more details on the latest figures, visit www.police.uk where you can use the Crime Map tool to search incidents by individual towns and streets.
EXPLORING 100 YEARS AT LYME REGIS MUSEUM
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story! A FEW years ago a popular survey identified that museums and universities were regarded by the public as the nation’s two most trusted bodies. If memory serves, journalists came bottom. Sorry, Miss Evans. At Lyme Regis Museum, we take great pride in getting things right: in telling the truth. Well, we hope we do… Until a few years ago, the museum displayed a peculiar wooden mallet with a metal casing that was described as ‘Mary Anning’s Hammer’. Most geologists that saw it were dubious; it wasn’t hardy enough for the tough task of cracking open blue lias nodules. And then, in 2012, a visitor from another museum identified it as the handle-end of a British Army entrenching tool from the 1880s – produced over 30 years after Mary had died. It’s still on display – but with the correct identification. In our ground floor gallery the museum displays the Jefferies bed board. This is supposedly part of the bed in which Baron Jeffries, the Lord Chief Justice, slept when carrying out his ‘Bloody Assizes’ which resulted in the grisly execution of 12 Lyme men found guilty of supporting the Duke of Monmouth in his attempt to take the throne of England. But what’s the evidence for this? The identification of the bed board was made in the 19th century – and by who knows? Might this too be poetic licence? A few years back, local legend, the late Diana Shervington, presented the museum with a red
feather cockade, which she and her family were sure belonged to their famous ancestor ‘Aunt Jane’, author Jane Austen. The egret-feather cockade is said to have been worn by the 22-year-old Jane Austen in 1798 to celebrate victory over Napoleonic France’s fleet at the Battle of the Nile. It would be churlish indeed to doubt the authenticity of the generous gift. Jane Austen had two brothers in the Navy and Diana was a respected expert on the writings of her great, great aunt. But we don’t have any actual evidence to prove this. It would be possible to have both the feather and the type of dye used on it identified, which would give us evidence of its rough age, but even this wouldn’t prove that it specifically belonged to Jane. But of course, our museum, like other accredited museums is packed full of true stories. For example, one of our most important fossils that of a small dinosaur called scelidosaurus. Ours is the second ever discovered (in Charmouth) and is displayed next identical drawings in a book by Richard Owen, founder of the Natural History Museum. It is very obvious that it is exactly what it says it is! One has to expect that any 100 year old institution has developed a few myths. But as it says in the old Western “when the legend becomes fact, print the legend”. David Tucker Director, Lyme Regis Museum
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Welcoming new and existing customers Exciting new restaurant menu served until 9.30pm
Open for breakfast from 9 to 11.30am Reopening for indoor dining from 17th May and now taking online table reservations for up to six people. For parties of more than six please email us.
Stunning sun terrace Open all day
Booking essential at www.thepilotboat.co.uk
Our main priority is the safety of our customers and staff with all current COVID-19 regulations strictly adhered to
1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA – 01297 443157
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Shoppers ‘travelling out of Much loved music teacher town’ due to lack of parking is mourned in Lyme Regis FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk LYME Regis is unlikely to see any additional parking spaces created in Broad Street, according to Dorset councillor Daryl Turner, despite concerns that lack of parking is driving shoppers elsewhere. Questions were raised about the possibility of creating new on-street parking spaces at the recent annual town meeting, held virtually via video conferencing app Zoom. Former town councillor Ken Gollop, who regularly raises parking and highways issues, asked if this would be possible after Lyme Regis lost several of its town centre parking spaces with the creation of the new pedestrian crossing in Broad Street. He commented: “Now that we have lost half of our parking in upper Broad Street, it’s very difficult for some of us who have limited mobility to get a good parking space to go shopping in Lyme. “Nowadays it’s easier for me to shop out of town, to go round Lyme Regis - Pound Street Silver Street and Pound Road - twice looking for a parking space. “If I’ve got to park down in Cobb Gate and I want to go to the post office, by the time I’ve walked up there I’m knackered and there are several people like me, in my age group. “Is there any chance of getting a public consultation with Dorset Council to look at parking in Broad Street? I think we could get another three or four spaces in Broad Street if people look at it properly.” Mr Gollop said he believed there was space for one or two cars near Sherborne Lane, one more outside the Royal Lion Hotel if illegal parking outside the bookshop opposite was stopped, and possible one near the crossing depending on regulations regarding the zig-zag lines either side of the crossing.
OBITUARY by Philip Evans LYME Regis was saddened to hear of the death of former music teacher Brian Manners, who died, aged 87, at the Shire House care home on Wednesday evening after a long illness.
BROAD Street lost several on-street parking spaces with the creation of a new pedestrian crossing in December “If we could get at least one more car near the crossing it would help us no end,” he added. “I know now that several people don’t even bother to go to Broad Street to park, they go out of town and within five minutes they can park directly outside the shop they want.” In response, Dorset Council’s representative for Lyme Regis, Cllr Daryl Turner, said that highways officers had already looks at Mr Gollop’s suggestions. He commented: “The initial report on the crossing highlighted the parking impact on Broad Street and I remember that meeting decided the safety benefits outweighed the disadvantages. “So we have actually had the highways people here, they did look at things like moving the bus stop and putting spaces in above it but none of that was found to be possible. “I personally don’t think there is a way of getting more spaces there now within the legislative distances for crossings, bus stops and junctions. “I can’t see the highways officers determining anymore parking spaces in Broad Street, I’m afraid.”
As Mr Manners passed peacefully away, the iconic Woodroffe School song was played. Dozens of former pupils of the Woodroffe School took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Manners, who was much admired and loved by those he taught. They simply revered him. It was appropriate that the school song was played as he passed away, as he had played it on hundreds of occasions, including at school reunions. Mr Manners was hugely influential as head of music at the Woodroffe School, the former Lyme Regis Grammar School, and was responsible for the formation of the school’s Madrigal Group, which earned an international reputation with many trips abroad. Being a member of the Madrigal Group was seen as a badge of honour, representing all that was good about Woodroffe. Messages on Facebook spoke of how inspirational he was and described him as a legend. Outside of school, Mr Manners was a key member of the Lyme Regis Operatic Society. He was musical director form many years and served also as chairman and president. Together with fellow English teacher, Roy Deasey, he wrote ‘The Golden Revenge’ to mark the 5oth anniversary of the society in 1970 and the following year it was performed
MUSIC teacher Brian Manners - revered by his pupils at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter and again at the Marine Theatre in 1988 to celebrate the Armada 400th anniversary. He and Mr Deasey also wrote ‘Love In The Mist’ as the society’s contribution to the Lyme 1200 celebrations in 1974. Mr Manners engendered the same loyalty and passion, leading the Operatic Society to many successes. Mr Manners is survived by a son David, who was also a teacher at the Woodroffe School, and two daughters - Judy and Heather.
ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Lyme Regis Bookshop under new ownership
LYME REGIS BOOKSHOP It’s great to be open again and we are full of great new books! Upcoming Events:
May 24 – Our window is being painted by Adam Beer, illustrator of new children’s book Mammoth – come and see the result, it will be stunning June 24 – Dorset author Rosanna Ley will be signing The Orange Grove June 26, 6pm – Lyme Crime presents Dancing With Danger Authors Erin Kelly and Sarah Hilary discuss crime motives in the bookshop garden. Tickets £5 from lymebookshop.com/events
9.30am - 5.30pm Mon to Sat, 10am - 4pm Sun 11 Broad Street, DT7 3QD | www.lymebookshop.com
LYME Regis’ long-established, independent bookshop, Serendip, has entered a new chapter in its history, with Kevin and Jayne Ramage from Bristol delighted to have acquired the business at the end of last year. This couple have a proven track record in book retail and a liking for beautiful locations. At the other end of the country, in Highland Perthshire, they set up an award-winning bookshop, The Watermill in Aberfeldy, in 2005, where they lived for several years. Now back to Jayne’s West Country roots, they recently reopened following a full refurbishment carried out during lockdown and having strengthened the shop’s offering of books, focussing more on this rather than gifts and other products. Kevin said: “We decided to see lockdown, coming so soon after we were handed the keys, as an opportunity, albeit enforced. We have used the time to organise new carpets, lighting and a full repaint, inside and out. “In the process, given the shop’s new direction, we felt it right to have a new name, so Serendip will be the Lyme Regis Bookshop. “The key part of refurbishment has been to create more space for books and book displays. Books are our background and passion, both fiction and non-fiction. We are inspired by the town’s literary profile and cultural scientific heritage. “It has been challenging taking over a shop in the present situation, but we are looking to the future. “As well as physical changes, we will also be de-
veloping the shop’s outreach, with local reading groups and participating in literary events, such as Lyme Crime. “We want to build an online conversation with our community under lockdown, and beyond. Keeping loyal and new customers ‘in the loop’ with new titles and reviews. “Above all, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the bookshop just as soon as we can open again.” Kevin and Jayne are now looking forward to what is set to be a busy summer, and will be opening seven days a week – 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. You can find out more at lymebookshop.com or follow Lyme Regis Bookshop on Facebook, and you can also sign up to the shop’s regular newsletter by sending an email to info@lymebookshop.com
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Live music returns with Jazz Jurassica JAZZ Jurassica, the four-day jazz and blues festival in Lyme Regis, will go ahead in just two weeks’ time over the Bank Holiday weekend. As one of the first live music festivals to be held in the country following lockdown, Jazz Jurassica kicks off the summer season with a bumper line up. Julie Sheppard, festival organiser, said: “All our events are social distanced this year. And we’ve moved bigger events from inside Marine Theatre onto Theatre Square outdoors. Funding from the Arts Council means we’re still financially viable even with smaller audiences”. Some events have already sold out but organisers say it’s best to check the festival website to see what’s still available. This year Jazz Jurassica has teamed up with local internet radio station, Lyme Bay Radio, to bring events to an even wider audience. The station will anchor its weekend programming from the festival, taking a live feed from its two stages, at Marine Theatre and Theatre Square. There will be local street food stalls on both Marine Parade and on Gun Cliff Walk to feed hungry festival-goers and visitors. “We wanted to take pressure off the local facilities on what will be a very busy weekend and provide audiences with a range of exciting food,” said Julie. Free spirits on Theatre Square The music programme features a mix of ticketed and free events but this year, it’s the free events that steal the limelight. Local bluesman Adam Sweet kicks off Saturday afternoon with his Blues Bender session featuring his own band, Adam Sweet Band; Vince Lee, with his fabulous high energy blues; Zoe Schwarz, a Dorchester-based blues singer with a national reputation
and finally Ian Briggs, one of the country’s finest harmonica players. Ollie Harris has also gathered some of the South West’s finest for his Sunday Soulfest. It includes Phoebe Jane, multi-talented soul singer and Aretha super fan; Gary Alesbrook, a Bristol-based trumpeter with a love of groove; local songstress Joanna Cooke with soulful renditions of her own compositions and sassy covers. Jonah Hitchens, the blue-eyed soul boy and all round wild child, will round off the session in his own explosive and unpredictable style. Bank Holiday Monday sees local B Sharp music leader, Harvey Causley, lead from the front backed by WeFunk, to showcase local singer-songwriters Annabel Davis, Luke Pemberton and Ellie Kirtley. This is a great opportunity to hear and support local young stars in the making. This year’s free events play an important role at the festival. “After 12 months of virtually no live music in the town, we want everyone to come and enjoy the real thing for free. That’ll be happening every afternoon over the weekend,” said Julie. “It’s on Theatre Square - rather than on the seafront - where social distancing can be more easily managed. We’ll be providing everyone with a seat so you can comfortably spend a sunny afternoon listening to some of the best local music around. And yes, it’s all free. “All we ask is you observe social distancing rules. And download the NHS Track & Trace App to scan the QR code on entry. See you there”. Jazz Jurassica will be held from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31 and more details are available at www.jazzjurassica.co.uk
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ZOE Schwarz will appear in Saturday’s Blues Bender May 29 (photo by Paul Dubbelman)
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GOOD NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN LOCKDOWN The printed LymeOnline newspaper has been on hiatus since December due to the national lockdown. We’ve done our best to keep you up to date with the latest local news via our website and by publishing a digital version of the newspaper throughout, but here’s a few good news stories you may have missed from the last few months. ▲
CHARMOUTH youngster Billy and his mum Torie Perry raised £735 for The Fire Fighters Charity after challenging themselves to walk three kilometres a day during January. Four-year-old Billy has four generations of firefighters in his family and is the nephew of a current member of the Charmouth fire crew. He walked three kilometres a day during January with mum Torie, who has gave up all her favourite chocolate treats and sweets for the month to boost funds.
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DORSET House owners Lyn and Jason Martin celebrated winning the B&B and Guesthouse of the Year category in the Dorset Tourism Awards. The successful bed and breakfast was previously named Winner of Winners in the 2018 Dorset Tourism Awards, and also won gold in the Taste of the West awards 2018/19, as well as several accolades for its breakfasts and hospitality. The Tunnel Tree Tops in Charmouth was also commended for the New Tourism Business Award.
▲ THE Mary Anning Rocks campaign successfully raised £100,000 in just four months for a statue of the famous fossil hunter to be erected in Lyme Regis. Initial sketches of how the statue will look were released by artist Denise Dutton. The sketches show Mary in her full working clothes carrying the accoutrements of her trade, basket, bonnet, hammer and is accompanied by her dog Tray (see page 27) ▲
LYME Regis couple Esme Hopkins and Duncan Weaver finally tied the knot after setting five wedding dates over the past year. They were one of the first couples in the UK to make the most of the relaxation of lockdown rules in April, which allowed two households to come together for the first time in months. Esme and Duncan married at Dorchester Registry Office followed by a picnic with immediate family on Lyme Regis beach.
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PINHAY House Care Home near Lyme Regis celebrated the 100th birthday of resident Hettie Unwin. Hettie, who has been at Pinhay since 2016, loves chocolate so the staff sourced a chocolate fountain for her and the other residents to enjoy on her special day. FRAN Cassidy, a resident of Bymead House in Charmouth, was overwhelmed with good wishes from the local community as she celebrated her 100th birthday. With the care home under lockdown restrictions, staff wanted to make Fran’s birthday as special as possible so they put out a request on Facebook asking people to send cards and were overwhelmed with 150 arriving from all over the country. ▲
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LOCAL Scout leader Josh Yelland was awarded the Queen’s Scout Award – the highest award in Scouting for young people. Josh has been involved in Scouting since he was six years old and is currently a leader at the Uplymebased 1st Lym Valley Scout Group. He has been working towards his Queen’s Scout Award and said it was a “real privilege” to receive it, adding: “To have worked towards it over a number of years and then to finally receive it – that’s certainly a special feeling.”
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GOOD NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN LOCKDOWN
▲ WEST Dorset has been regularly listed among the top areas of the country for its COVID vaccination rate. Vaccinations for the Bridport, Beaminster, Charmouth and Lyme Regis area have been administered at Bridport Medical Centre, with staff and an army of volunteers regularly praised for their efficiency. ▲
UPLYME Stores & Filling Station handed over a total of £1,000 to two good causes after holding fundraising activities and collections last year. The Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion and the NHS each received donations of £500. This followed a cakebaking competition hosted by the village shop to mark VE Day back in May 2020, as well as the sale of face masks and collections in store. ▲
LYME Regis couple Jack and Sally Caddy celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in March. It was a quiet celebration for the couple in the middle of the third national lockdown, but they were delighted to receive a congratulatory card from Her Majesty The Queen.
THIS stunning sailing ship is expected to arrive in Lyme Regis this summer as part of a cruise around the South West peninsula. The Golden Horizon is expected to stop in Lyme Regis on August 1 during an 11-day tour around the South West. The ship is the world’s largest square-rigged sailing vessel and a near-replica of the 1913 ocean vessel, France II.
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The Litter Free Dorset Challenge – sign up today! FRUSTRATED with seeing littered plastics and concerned about plastic entering your local environment? Fancy a new way to improve your fitness? Or simply want to spend more time in nature? The Litter Free Dorset Challenge could be for you! This June, Litter Free Dorset is asking people across the county to take part in a challenge to clean up the county. Litter Free Dorset wants to give everyone the chance to improve their local area at a time that suits them. This initiative is supported by Queen Mary University of London and co-financed by the Interreg France (Channel) England programme through the Preventing Plastic Pollution project. You have until Monday, May 17 to sign up to take part in the Litter Free Dorset Challenge which will run for the duration of June. Not only will people be able to sign up to a challenge of their choosing and be provided with a litter picker, T-shirt and weighing
scales, they will also be able to contribute their litter picking data to Prevent Plastic Pollution’s citizen science project. By taking part individuals will benefit local wildlife by reducing the impacts of plastic pollution as well as have the opportunity to provide data about amount and/or types of litter collected to help inform solutions to tackle plastic pollution long term. Dr Iwan Jones, Preventing Plastic Pollution project leader at Queen Mary University of London, said: “Joining in the challenge can help to clear up your local environment, but providing us with your data can help us to develop solutions to the problem of plastic pollution, which can then be utilised across the channel region as well as further afield.” Alongside the challenge, Litter Free Dorset has created a Facebook group for participants to share their progress with their individual challenges and receive support from each other as well as the public. Sophie Colley, co-ordinator for Litter Free Dorset, commented: “Litter picking is proven
to increase your fitness and wellbeing. This is due to being outdoors, exploring new places and meeting new people along the way!” As part of your challenge you can also fundraise for Litter Free Dorset – a community campaign to reduce litter in Dorset hosted by Dorset Council. If you would like to fundraise or donate funds to help the organisation achieve its goals to reduce the social, economic, and environmental impacts of litter, visit app.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/payments/templates/litter-fre e-dorset/form To get involved with the Litter Free Dorset Challenge: Sign up to the Litter Free Dorset Challenge by Monday, May 17 at www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/the-litter-freedorset-challenge Record the amounts and/or types of litter found on your litter picks Share your litter finds on social media by using the hashtag #LFDChallenge and tagging in @litterfreedrst and @Plastic_EU
Join the challenge Facebook group to share your stories with other people taking on the challenge For more information and to follow the challenge, visit the Litter Free Dorset Challenge webpage www.litterfreedorset.co.uk/ or see the Litter Free Dorset social media channels.
Book your places for the New campaign calls for shops to Great Dorset Beach Clean LITTER Free Coast and Sea will be staging its 31st annual Great Dorset Beach Clean over the weekend of May 22 and 23. This year’s event is being hosted in partnership with Clean Jurassic Coast and will consist of 21 beach cleans from Lyme Regis to Christchurch, hosted by organisations and community groups, including Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Leave Only Footprints. As a result of the pandemic, places will be limited for each event so book onto your chosen event in advance to guarantee your place. The pandemic saw last year’s event cancelled, but in 2019 more than 700 volunteers across the Dorset coast work together to clear 214 bags of rubbish from Dorset’s beaches. Litter collected included singleuse items such as plastic bottles and aluminium cans, polystyrene pieces, bottle caps and lids, cotton bud sticks, plastic bags, fishing lines and various items of marine litter that had been washed up onto the shoreline. Matilda Manley, Litter Free Coast & Sea project co-ordinator, said: “We are excited to be running the Great Dorset Beach
Clean again this year. It is obviously going to be a bit different and a little scaled back. “However, we know that all the volunteers who help to lead the events and those who sign up to join in will make a big difference to our beautiful coastline. Look forward to seeing you on the beaches!” By working to ensure our beaches are litter free prior to the May half term holidays, it is hoped that both residents and visitors alike will be encouraged to respect and protect Dorset’s coastline this summer, and collect and responsibly dispose of any litter they may produce during their coastal visits. Roy Beal, founder of Clean Jurassic Coast, commented: “There is strength in numbers. Only by working together can we keep our fabulous beaches clean and the more awareness we can raise as a volunteer collaborative network, the better chance we have of getting the message across to try to prevent littering in the first place.” Full details of the beaches involved and booking details for each clean can be found at www.litterfreecoastandsea.co.uk
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stop selling disposable barbecues
FOLLOWING its campaign last year raising awareness of the environmental risks posed by use of disposable barbecues, Litter Free Dorset is going one step further this summer and calling for shops to stop selling the items. More than one million disposable barbecues were sold in the UK last year and, in May 2021, it only took a couple of these to burn down an area the size of over 200 football pitches in Wareham Forest in Dorset. Disposable barbecues are often disposed of inappropriately, sometimes without being put out properly, which frequently results in wildfire, with devastating environmental impacts. In Dorset, we average 400 outdoor grass related fires on heathlands and forests every year, including two recent major incidents in St Leonards & St Ives and Verwood. Fires on heathland destroys wildlife, are a risk to the surrounding community and contribute to climate change. Litter Free Dorset’s #ChooseToRemoveDisposableBBQs campaign is part of Dorset Council’s efforts to reduce wildfire across the county. Dorset Council is planning to ban disposable barbecues and campfires from high fire risk areas across Dorset. A joint campaign with other local authorities, organisations and landowners is being developed to communicate to visitors and residents where they are not allowed to have barbecues and campfires this summer. Litter Free Dorset is working with a large number of local communities and businesses to ensure the success of this campaign. They have already
had conversations with local shops as well as large supermarket chains such as Tesco, Co-operative, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Sophie Colley from Litter Free Dorset said: “A huge Thank you goes to the businesses that have already taken it upon themselves to stop selling disposable barbecues altogether. “If you are still selling disposable barbecues please reconsider removing them and displaying safety messaging next to any other barbecue related items.” If you are a business that is choosing to not sell disposable barbecues this year, email litterfreedorset@gmail.com to let them know and download a poster from www.litterfreedorset.co.uk to display in your shop.
Your business will be added to a growing list of local businesses choosing to remove disposable BBQs from sale in Dorset. If you are selling other barbecue related items such as charcoal, Litter Free Dorset also has posters and flyers with safety advice for customers. If you are a member of the Dorset community and have spotted a shop selling disposable barbecues, you can find handy resources, including a template letter to businesses, a Wareham Forest Fire infographic and poster to share with your local shops to encourage them to #ChooseToRemoveDisposableBBQs. For more information and to follow the campaign’s progress, visit www.litterfreedorset.co.uk
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‘Seaside Store’ to help those struggling to make ends meet A NEW initiative is to be launched by Coastal Community Cupboard, the health and well-being branch of Lyme Regis Development Trust, to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Coastal Community Cupboard aims to help and support people in the community through food and friendship. Its first initiative, ‘Soup & Soul’, has proved very successful - a free weekly soup delivery in the Charmouth area, aimed at the lonely, isolated, elderly or those who simply want to see a smiling face. The initiative was backed by Charmouth Parish Council, Char Valley Parish Council, Charmouth Senior Citizens group and Bank House Café and saw the delivery of up to 70 portions of soup per week. The soup was very much appreciated but more important was the doorstep chat, as many of the people had been isolated during this past year. The new initiative, the ‘Seaside Store’, is based on the Social Supermarket idea which is rapidly becoming a popular model across the country. Indeed, Dorset Council are already fully supportive of this initiative. The Social Supermarket brings a new and different answer to the whole issue of food insecurity and enables people to access healthy and affordable food.
It is more of a food store with two major benefits; it removes the stigma attached to services such as the emergency food supplied by traditional food banks, which may still be required and it utilises supermarket food surpluses which would otherwise end up as waste. Requiring no referral, the Seaside Store will enable individuals and families to top-up their weekly shop with a full variety of items ranging from fresh fruit, vegetables and bakery items to the usual tinned or packaged foods and toiletries. This is an inclusive process giving people a choice and involvement, helping to make it feel more like a normal shopping experience rather than a handout of random food. Much of the stock will come from the environmental charity FareShare together with local supermarkets that offer surplus, in-date and perfectly good food. In addition, local food retail outlets, local residents, gardeners and local community allotments can donate store cupboard staples and fresh produce. This approach gives people in need access to nutritious and affordable food. Lisa Charleton and Mary Ward, from Coastal Community Cupboard, explained how it operates: “In order to use the service, people need to register as members and they can then access the Seaside Store once a
week. “The Seaside Store is open to members, who are individuals or families, with limited disposable income. “Members pay £3.50 and choose 10 items from the store. Households with three or more people in them have the option to pay £5 for any 15 items. “Bread, vegetables, and fruit are totally free, so are not counted as one of the items. “We will provide good quality, nutritious food to individuals and families who have limited disposable income, at greatly reduced prices.” Lyme Regis Development Trust CEO Chris Tipping added: “I was really inspired by Lisa and Mary during their time working at LymeForward, and was absolutely delighted when they approached me to see if we could help with this new initiative, as it is firmly aimed at local people, and especially those with families” The initiative is planned to be launched on Tuesday, June 8 when people will be able to register, and will then be open every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm. The Seaside Store will be based at The Hub in Church Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3BS. Watch out for posters, flyers and Facebook posts. For further information contact Lisa or Mary by emailing Community@lrdt.co.uk or phone 01297 255002.
LISA Charleton and Mary Ward of the new Seaside Store
THE OYSTER
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Tributes paid to parish councillor Brian Mason
UPLYME Parish Council has paid tribute to one of its members, Cllr Brian Mason, who died last Saturday. Cllr Brian Mason, who served as a navigator on Vulcan bombers during the Cold War, was a member of Uplyme Parish Council for more than 30 years and previously served as chairman. Announcing the news on its website and social media, the council wrote: “It is with regret that we have been informed that a very long standing member of Uplyme Parish Council, Cllr Brian Mason, sadly passed away on Saturday evening. “Over the many years Cllr Brian Mason served on Uplyme Parish Council he dedicated his time to help and support the Community of Uplyme. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace Cllr Brian Mason.” The parish council now has two vacancies following the death of Brian Mason and the recent resignation of Becky Turner due to work commitments. It has just filled another vacancy, caused by the resignation of John Duffin, by co-opting Paul Oakley. If you would be interested in becoming a parish councillor, you can find out more about the role by contacting parish clerk Anne-Marie Bates on clerk@uplymeparishcouncil.org, or call 07413 947 067.
Residents asked to complete housing survey
UPLYME residents are being encouraged to fill out a housing needs survey which will help to inform how many new developments and affordable houses are needed in future. Uplyme Parish Council are working with the Devon Rural Housing Partnership on the survey. A previous housing needs survey was carried out by Uplyme’s Neighbourhood Plan group, but this expires after five years and a new survey is needed to inform housing associations of the housing needs in the parish. At least one new housing development is currently planned for Uplyme, at Venlake, which will be a mixture of affordable rental and private homes. Every household in the parish should have received the survey and is being encouraged to complete it by the deadline of May 16.
Conservative Ian Hall holds Devon County Council seat
CONSERVATIVE candidate Ian Hall has been returned as the Devon county councillor for the Axminster ward - which includes Uplyme - with a majority vote of 1,672. He beat Independent East Devon Alliance candidate and East Devon district councillor Paul Hayward, who came second place with 1,439, in last week’s election. Labour candidate and Axminster town councillor Oliver Tucker - who was standing at just 18 years old - received 498 votes, while Liberal Democrat candidate Anthony 'Jules' Hoyles polled 209. The turnout was 38.7 per cent and 14 ballot papers were rejected for a mark by which voter could be identified or being unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty.
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District councillor says he will ‘no longer have formal dealings’ with Uplyme Parish Council EAST Devon district councillor Ian Thomas has said he will no longer have formal dealings with Uplyme Parish Council, following what was described as a “strongly worded statement” made by a parish councillor. Cllr Thomas (pictured) represents the Trinity ward at East Devon District Council, which includes Uplyme, Rousdon and Axmouth. He has said he will no longer attend meetings of Uplyme Parish Council but will continue to support residents
of the parish individually as he has done for over a decade. It is understood the “strongly worded statement” was made by parish councillor Colin Pratt with regards to the proposed new village primary school during a virtual meeting in December. The matter was raised publicly at last week’s annual parish meeting, with Uplyme Parish Council chairman Chris James saying: “Sadly, our district councillor Ian Thomas has stated that he will not have any formal deal-
ings with the parish council, following a strongly worded statement from a councillor at an online council meeting. “He was unable to accept an apology for any offence caused, which was written by me and supported by the clerk. “Cllr Thomas has, however, confirmed that he will continue to support individual Uplyme constituents.” Cllr Thomas declined to make a further statement on the matter.
News from Uplyme Parish Council... UPLYME Parish Council consists of 10 members who volunteer their time for the benefit of the community. Members attend and make decisions at our monthly full council meetings, committee meetings and various working groups, which all together assists in the efficient smooth running of the Council. Members are representatives on outside bodies and are also supervisors to oversee health and safety in the village. The clerk to the council provides full administration for the day to day running of the parish council, including financial matters and makes sure the council is working legally and within their remit. Parish councillors and the clerk provide a service to the community delivering information to residents and answering an array of queries. The parish council owns and manages the Millennium Copse, cemetery, village play area and Stafford Mount Garden. The Parish Council represents you the residents of Uplyme. Annual Report by the chairman of Uplyme Parish Council, Chris James The last 12 months have been a difficult time for the parish council due to the restrictions placed upon us by the pandemic and the need to hold meetings online. There was no formal election for council officers last year because we were advised that the same personnel should continue in office for the following 12 months. Some events may not have been fully reported previously and I would like to formally report the following events from 2019-2020. The night-time air ambulance landing site has now been fully operational for 18 months. After a campaign which included Cllr Andy Turner being interviewed on BBC Spotlight, Gigaclear contractors removed all the debris left in situ from the installation of fibre-optic cables and repaired the trenches which remained. Sadly, despite writing to Neil Parish MP and receiving assurances via him from Gigaclear that matters would be progressed, no further work has been undertaken and information on further progress has not been forthcoming from Connecting Devon and Somerset. We need to make further representations on behalf of the community during the coming year. I have heard nothing since 2020 concerning the establishment of a Dorset National Park, which we formally opposed. During the last year we have again kept within our precept but have had limited success in progressing any major issue, mostly due to the pandemic. We have sadly had two resignations from the council with John Duffin resigning for personal reasons a couple of months ago and, due to pressure of work, Becky Turner resigning only last week. I have already thanked them both for their
service and I would now wish to place on record our thanks for all that they have done for the parish. John will be remaining on the Millennium Copse committee and Becky will be remaining as chair of the village hall committee, so they are not totally lost to the parish. I would also like to record my appreciation to David Sole who has resigned as tree warden and given much time to the parish for many years in various roles. We now have an excellent relationship with Cllr Ian Hall, our county councillor, and hold a formal quarterly meeting, which includes the area highways officer. Ian has been working hard on our behalf and I am hopeful that we will be able to progress road safety in the area of Crogg Lane. I have had some very positive emails from Devon Highways. We recently lost our clerk, Ricky Neave, who had done a sterling job from a standing start for more than five years and we have been very lucky to be able to recruit Anne-Marie Bates, who is very experienced in the role. Cllr Bill Trundley investigated the interest in setting up a Community Land Trust for Uplyme, which was unfortunately met with almost zero interest. Nevertheless, we have commissioned a new Housing Needs Survey from Devon Rural Housing Partnership, which should report in the next couple of months. I would like to thank all committee members for their work during the year, particularly the members of the Planning Committee, whose workload borders on the onerous at times. I would also wish to express my thanks to other parishioners, such as James Booth and John Fowler, who undertake so many tasks around the parish that would otherwise not be done or would result in large expenditure. Particular thanks are due to Cllr Dave Ostler for clearing the flood prevention watercourses, Cllr Andy Turner and his team for salt spreading and for snow clearing, and Cllr Colin Pratt who is always the first to offer to repair or repaint council property. Highways/footpaths issues Issues can be reported directly to Devon County Council online via their ‘Report It’ page at www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-aproblem/ Parish precept and finances Uplyme Parish Council’s budget for 2021/22 is £44,482.85, which equates to £51.30 for an average Band D property per year; only £0.986 per week. The parish council strives to achieve best value for all its expenditure; whilst abiding by our financial regulations ensuring we get good value for money and obtain the most competitive prices. Our budget for 2020/2021 was £40,664.49 and this was spent on a number of responsibilities, looking after and maintaining our assets and
This content is provided by Uplyme Parish Council general maintenance of the village, but also providing grants to a number of groups in the village. Our income and expenditure accounts for 2019/20 are ratified and the breakdown can be found on our website. Electors have an opportunity to view the accounts for 2020/21 around July; dates will be on our website and notice board. Litter/dog fouling Please help keep Uplyme tidy and use litter bins and dog bins which are throughout the village. Please note that doggy bags can be put in normal rubbish bins. Parish defibrillator The parish council has provided funding for a defibrillator located at the village hall. Affordable Housing Survey The parish council wished to establish the need of housing in Uplyme and commissioned Devon Communities Together (DCT) to carry out a Housing Needs Survey. The closing date is May 16. Please can you spare a few minutes to return the questionnaire and we will publish the results in due course. Parish council meetings Full council meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month (excluding August) at 7.30pm. Planning meetings are usually held on the last Wednesday in the month. Other ad hoc planning meetings might be called depending on volume of applications. During the COVID pandemic all meetings have been conducted virtually, but the recent High Court judgment in relation to the virtual meeting provision has been dismissed, resulting with face to face physical meetings resuming. Government COVID restrictions must still be adhered too. We will notify residents of any changes as this situation is fluid and being updated regularly. Residents are welcome to attend our parish council meetings which are held at the village hall. Our agenda and minutes for all our meetings can be found on our website at www.uplymeparishcouncil.org. This includes the Planning Committees decisions. Contacting the council You can contact the council by writing to the clerk, Anne-Marie Bates, at Uplyme Parish Council, PO Box 259, Exmouth, Devon EX8 9A, email clerk@uplymeparishcouncil.org, or call 07413 947067. Would you like to represent your community? Have you thought about becoming a parish councillor, discussing and making decisions for the good of the village and its residents? If yes, please contact the parish clerk for more information. The parish council is also looking for a tree warden due to the current holder retiring.
thecharmouthpage
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Mystery of the dismantled bridge A NEW footbridge constructed by Dorset Council over a stream in Whitchurch Canonicorum, near Charmouth, was dismantled and removed the very next day. The timber bridge was constructued over a stream on the Millenium Way public footpath in Whitchurch Canonicorum on Friday, May 7, but by Saturday morning it had been completely dismantled, with the timber neatly stakced in an adjacent field along with a bag of bolts and screws. The footbridge had been much-awaited by local walkers, after a railway sleeper which was previously used to cross the stream was carried away when the River Char flooded excessively in 2019. It is understood that Dorset Council had intended to construct a more permanent bridge for some time, but this had been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. It has also been reported that a previous temporary striucture over the stream was also removed in a similar way. Cllr Simon Christopher, Dorset Council member for the Marshwood Vale ward, said:
FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
“The dismantling of this new footbridge has both shocked and disappointed local residents. “It’s not a controversial project; it’s on the existing line of an established footpath and directly replaces a previous bridge. “This is a very popular route for the many visitors to the area as well as local walkers and we’ll be reinstalling the bridge to facilitate continued access to our Rights of Way in the area, which everyone should be able to enjoy. “This seems to be a calculated act which has caused additional cost to the council, and we’ll be working with Dorset Police to find the person, or people, responsible.” The incident was reported on BBC Spotlight news this week. PICTURED RIGHT, the components of the new bridge, which was constructed over the stream on the Millenium Way in Whitchurch Canonicorum, only to be dismantled and left in a tidy pile the day after
Young couple take over village pub
TOM West and Chloe Givans pictured behind the bar at the Royal Oak
MONDAY can’t come quick enough for young publicans Tom West and Chloe Givans. They took over The Royal Oak in Charmouth, a Palmer’s Brewery pub, in November but have not been able to open fully because of the COVID19 restrictions. During lockdown, Tom, 26, and Chloe, 24 – the youngest tenants in the Palmer’s estate – have operated a takeaway and delivery service in Charmouth, Lyme Regis and Axminster with their Munch Box and Sunday roast dinners being particularly popular. Tom and Chloe have both worked in the hospitality trade, but this is the first pub of their own and they are
looking forward to welcoming back customers on Monday when pubs are allowed to open indoors again. Tom and Chloe are both well known in the village. Tom is the son of Jenni West, stalwart of the Lyme Regis Skittle League, and grandson of the late Dave Smith who was well known in Charmouth and Lyme Regis as a barman. Chloe’s mum and stepdad, Maria and Al Tritton, run the Nisa Stores in Charmouth. The Royal Oak will be opening seven days a week from 11am to 11pm as of Monday and will be serving food from 12noon to 8pm. Tom and Chloe are employing a new chef, Josh Chestney, from Lyme
Regis, with a new menu featuring local caugh fish and local produce. They will be staging an official opening on July 3 with music by The Twerzles and popular local duo Guilty Pleasure, made up of singer and guitarist Harvey Causley and drummer Tom Stroud. Tom and Chloe have been together for seven years are are planning to get married next September. They are looking forward to opening their doors on Monday and have been amazed by the support they have received from the village during lockdown. “We never expected to be so busy!” said Tom.
Charmouth Football Club back in action CHARMOUTH Football Club is back in business. The village team dropped out of the Perry Street League last season, but they are back with new managers and a committee. There was good support at the club’s recent annual meeting when it was announced that Kevin Pratt was standing down after five years as manager, but has taken on the role of chairman, following in the footsteps of his father Steve (pictured) who died after a long fight with cancer in February. Steve had been the lynch-pin of the club for 30 years. Kevin announced at the AGM a new management team of John Vaughan and Simon Mason, adding: “They are keen to get up and running and the club will back them with everything they envisage for the team.”
John has been playing men's football locally for 19 years in the Perry Street and District League and the Devon & Exeter League. He played for Charmouth FC in 2009 and says the club has always been close to his heart. Simon Mason has been playing football since he was16, having turned out for Chard United, Thorncombe, and more recently with Donyatt, as a goalkeeper. He said: “I am looking forward to the new season and meeting all the new players. Together with my co-manager we can build a
strong team to be proud of.” Training takes place every Wednesday at Charmouth playing fields at 6.30pm. The club is local for a sponsor and any business interested should contact Kevin Pratt on 07519 718 453.
In memory of grandad Steve
STEVE Pratt’s grandchildren, Archie and Rosie (pictured right) are raising funds in memory of their grandad by climbing Stonebarrow 65 times before September, when Steve would have been celebrating his 65th birthday. They will share the money raised between the Weldmar cancer charity and Charmouth FC. Those who would like to support their efforts can do so via the website www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stonebarrow65
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Feathers and fur spotted on river and at sea WILDLIFE FEATURE By Richard Austin
‘TALES of the Riverbank’ was a children’s television programme featuring real animals such as Hammy Hamster and Roderick Rat, along with some expert editing. It was aimed at five year olds and it was all about living on the river, and the kids loved it. Here in Lyme Regis, on our ever-flowing River Lim, we have an abundance of bird and animal wildlife living right under our noses. Visiting otters are more common than people may think and it’s always satisfying when other people have shared an encounter. Personally, I have had several encounters with otters all after dark. Credit must go to the people who keep our river clean – a polluted river normally means no wildlife. Just in the past few weeks a family of dippers have yet again nested and reared young fledglings. We are so lucky we have these birds on our river; they attract several birdwatchers to Lyme just for a glimpse of the white-fronted little bird. Unfortunately for the dippers, several deadly sparrow hawk visits have been seen along the river making it plainly obvious that young dippers are on the hawk’s menu. Robins, grey wagtails, Jenny wrens, and the scarcely seen kingfishers all can be seen on our river. The River Lim trundles onwards along its descending journey, eventually mixing fresh water with the salty sea. It’s around our shore line that other species of bird life and animals show up; birds such as stonechats, gannets, common terns, eider ducks, pockpipits, purple sandpipers and
A GANNET spreads its wings on Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis
turnstones. Lyme has been a refuge for sea birds and animals; even a welcome number of common seals have dropped in for comfort during rough weather. Every now and then an individual dolphin will drop by for some human TLC. Local boatman Harry May would scratch the dolphin’s
belly as he came alongside the boat turning over and laying on his back. Basking sharks as well as dolphins have been seen just off the Cobb and fishermen tell of their super encounter with giant tuna fish leaping out of the water. Lyme has been adopted as home by a male eider duck; he has been floating around the
harbour for three or four years but nobody knows why. All in all, a pretty good mixture of feather and fur for a small seaside town, and I haven’t mentioned the woodland birds inside our town wood owned by the Woodland Trust and adjacent to the river. It’s all there if you keep your eyes open.
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PICTURED clockwise from top left – the male eider duck which has adopted Lye Regis harbour as its home; local fisherman Harry May with a visiting dolphin; a sparrow hawk at the Town Mill, and below at the Cobb; a common male seal basks in the sunshine on pontoons in the harbour; and left, a sparrow hawk stuck in a lobster pot on the Cobb
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ARTS | MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
Marine to host top comedians A TELEVISION household name, in the past year Ed Byrne has appeared on ‘Live At The Apollo’, ‘Mock The Week’, ‘Top Gear’ and ‘QI’. Now the Marine Theatre has announced he will perform in Lyme Regis as part of a brand new season of comedy events, starting this autumn. The Marine is bringing bigger headline comedians to the town, including Geoff Norcott, Suzi Ruffell, Tez Illyas, Dom Joly, and Rob Newman. Geoff Norcott, who sets himself apart from liberal comedians as a firm traditionalist, will be visiting in October, following appearances on ‘BBC Question Time’, ‘Politics Live’, and the Jeremy Vine show, and the publication of his book 'Where Did I Go Right'. Best known as the creator of ‘Trigger Happy TV’, Dom Joly will be visiting for one
Cornish highway-woman to visit Lyme
of his first shows in ten years, and Tez Illyas - star of ‘Man Like Mobeen’ - is performing in November. Full details, dates and tickets are available from marinetheatre.com
A PLAY about a Cornish highway-woman is one highlight of the Marine Theatre's gradual reopening plan. Bec Applebee, well known for her work with internationally acclaimed company Kneehigh Theatre, is bringing her show ‘Oh Mary!’ to Lyme Regis. It is based on the incredible life story of Mary Bryant - a Cornish highway-woman, convict and maritime adventurer. Bec Applebee said: “Mary Bryant’s story is one of incredible endurance and indomitable spirit. She is a young woman from Fowey who, as a convict, is sent away to the other side of the
world to Botany Bay, Australia. “She is at the heart of one of maritime’s greatest escapes with her young family and a band of fellow prisoners.” The show features unique, specially-commissioned music by Neil Davey. Until the end of June, the arts venue is planning outside events and reduced-capacity inside events with a planned return to more regular events in the summer and autumn. ‘Oh Mary!’ will be held on Friday, May 21 starting at 7pm and advance tickets cost £12.50. For details visit www.marinetheatre.com
Football club to celebrate lockdown easing with Sausage & Cider Festival
Saturday, July 3rd 2021, 2pm - 11pm Lyme Regis Football Club, Charmouth Road Wide Selection of Local Ciders Bars & Pimm’s Tent ● Award-Winning Lyme Regis Butchers Sausages on the BBQ ● Live Music & Entertainment All Day ● Bouncy Castle & Ice Cream Truck ●
● Fully-Stocked
No tickets needed - entry by purchase of £2 reusable festival cup on the gate All proceeds in aid of Lyme Regis Football Club... come and support the Sea-Ciders!
LYME Regis Football Club has announced it will be going ahead with its popular Sausage & Cider Festival on Saturday, July 3. The festival, backed by main sponsors Advantage Digital Print based in Dorchester, has quickly grown in popularity having been launched in 2016, but was called off last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organisers are now hoping to bring the event back bigger and better than ever to raise some much-needed funds for Lyme Regis Football Club, which has had to keep its clubhouse closed for the best part of a year. The festival will be held from 2pm to 11pm and entry is by purchase of £2 reusable festival cup, sponsored by Litter Free Dorset, which you can then use at the outdoor bars, where a wide selection of local ciders will be available. The event will also include fully-stocked indoor and outdoor bars, a Pimm’s tent sponsored by LymeOnline, award-winning sausages from Lyme Regis Butchers on the barbecue and vegetarian options and other snacks from the kitchen. A full programme of live music will be held throughout the day on the RBS Scaffolding stage, including performances from, Lyme Morris, Dorset Phil, Guilty Pleasure and culminating with headliners Dark Matter – back by popular demand having won over crowds when the festival was last held in 2019. There will also be an ice cream truck and bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained. Festival organiser Francesca Evans said: “We’re really excited to welcome everyone back to the Davey Fort football ground for a
big celebration after what has been a hugely challenging year for everyone. “As well as bring a great day out, the festival is Lyme Regis Football Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This is more needed than ever as our clubhouse has been largely closed during a year when we have near-completed a major programme of improvements to the pitch and social facilities. “While we hope that social contact restrictions will be lifted in time for the festival, as per the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, we will be doing everything we can to ensure the festival is run safely and in line with any COVID regulations at the time.” Many local businesses have already offered their backing to the event by signing up as sponsors. The festival offers several sponsorship opportunities to local businesses, with boxes of cider available for £50 and larger sponsorship deals available to cover costs of the PA and live music. Sponsors will be widely publicised in the festival programme, around the ground on the day of the event, on a new festival website soon to be launched thanks to Sonder Digital, on social media and in the local press. Anyone interested in sponsorship can email lrfcsausageandcider@gmail.com or call Francesca on 07810 221 420. You can get regular updates on the festival on the Facebook page Lyme Regis AFC Sausage & Cider Festival or follow the festival on Instagram.
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MARINE THEATRE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK
SCOTT MATTHEWS THURSDAY 20 MAY £16 advance
L AID BL AK FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER £14 advance
OH MARY FRIDAY 21 MAY £12.50 advance
BIRD ON THE WIRE - THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN O FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER £21 advance
THE HAUNTING OF HILL HO OUSE 9 -12 JUNE £12 advance
ED BYRNE THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER £25 advance
TICKETS: MARINETHEATRE.COM OR 0333 666 3366. Booking fee applies. 10% of f for members.
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Former Lyme Regis lifeboatman completes Atlantic row for charity FORMER Lyme Regis lifeboatman Ian Kentfield has completed a charity row across the Atlantic at the age of 59. Ian has so far raised more than £10,000 for the Ellen MacArthur Sailing Trust (EMCT), which takes young people aged between 8-24 years old on sailing trips to help rebuild their confidence after cancer treatment. Leaving the Canary Islands on March 22, the row took Ian and his 11 team mates 42 days, two hours and 30 minutes to complete, landing in Antigua in the Caribbean on May 3. Now back at home in quarantine, Ian has reflected on this IAN Kentfield, who served on Lyme Regis lifeboat crew in the late 1990s, has comhuge physical and pleted a charity row across the Atlantic mental challenge, “One of the lessons I have taken from that telling LymeOnline “nothing can prepare you for it”. experience, is that life is for living, you do not “It was an extreme physical challenge but I know what is around the corner, so don’t delay had done the training and was prepared for in reaching for your goals. that, but it was more mentally challenging that “Combined with this I firmly believe that I had expected,” he said. sailing can deliver a huge positive boost to a “The first five days were the hardest; the person’s wellbeing and self-belief. weather was not good and you are adjusting “I’m a lifelong sailor and I had the privilege from normal life. After about five to seven of crewing one of their trips last year. During days you start to get used to it and adapt.” it I saw first-hand the massive positive impact Ian and his team mates rowed three hours a trip with EMCT had on children and youngon, three hours off throughout the voyage, sters who are facing the ordeal of being a canwhich he said was particularly strenuous s the cer patient.” wind was not in their favour. Ian and his team mates self-funded the voyCommenting before the row on his reasons age, which they completed in a new boat defor choosing EMCT as his charity, he said: sign from Rannoch Adventures, named Roxy. “Over the last five years my family and I have He has now raised just over £10,000 and personally experienced the trauma and heartache cancer causes when it comes visit- you can still sponsor him online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-kentfield ing.
IAN, pictured right, with two of his team mates aboard ‘Roxy’, new boat designed by Rannoch Adventures
Lyme Bay Arts exhibitions to resume as museum opens CELEBRATING its one hundredth anniversary year, Lyme regis Museum will be reopening on May 19 when visitors will be able to see ‘Telling Tales’, the third in a delayed series of exhibitions by Lyme Bay Arts members in the museum’s Rotunda Gallery. It is comprised of pictures, words and whimsy created by author and illustrator Caroline King for three of her children’s books - ‘About a Bee’, ‘Along Came a Seag-
ull’, and ‘The Fish Lizard of Lyme’. These three nooks were inspired by Lyme Regis and made using the traditional mediums of egg tempura and pencil. To see these original works and meet the animals and people Caroline depicts, visit the museum between May 19 and June 19, Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm. For further details and advance booking, visit www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE CITIZENS Advice has found quarter of young people making Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) repayments haven’t been able to pay for food, rent or bills as a result. New research from Citizens Advice shows 45 per cent of 18 to 34 year olds in the UK have used Buy Now Pay Later in the last 12 months. Alarmingly, half of these did it without realising they were signing up for credit and one in three went on to regret it. The UK’s top BNPL providers include Klarna, Clear Pay and Laybuy. Buy Now Pay Later is often advertised at online checkouts of popular retailers such as Boohoo as an easy way of splitting or delaying payments on items such as clothing or electronics, with incentives like it being ‘interestfree’. But Citizens Advice fears for many people it can be a slippery slope into debt. Overall, 27 per cent of UK adults have used these firms in the last 12 months. The charity is warning that four in ten of those who’ve used Buy Now Pay Later are struggling to repay. It found a quarter of consumers regretted paying using these platforms, with the most common reasons being spending more than they can afford, and paying more than they expected. And repayments are not the only problem, with three in ten BNPL users saying they’ve been charged a fee they didn’t expect. Sharonjit, 32, bought £600 worth of clothes and used a Buy Now Pay Later firm to pay in instalments. She didn’t receive the goods and so cancelled her payment to the BNPL firm while she waited for the issue to be resolved by the retailer. She said: “The whole thing has been so stressful. I’m constantly on edge. I’ve just been barraged with calls, emails and letters from a debt collector. “The BNPL firm said they were referring me on to someone and I had no idea it was a debt collector. I had no idea Buy Now Pay Later
could impact my credit score. “I’ve never had issues shopping this way before. But this time it’s like as soon as something went wrong they’ve washed their hands of me.” Citizens Advice believes Buy Now Pay Later firms must overhaul their checkout processes to ensure shoppers aren’t encouraged to spend more than they can afford. Customers must also be treated fairly if they are struggling to repay, and be able to escalate problems to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Currently the Buy Now Pay Later sector is not regulated and typically does not run affordability checks but the Financial Conduct Authority announced in February that BNPL services face stricter rules in future. Citizens Advice will share its research with the Financial Conduct Authority, as it decides how BNPL firms will be regulated. Alistair Cromwell, acting chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Buy Now Pay Later borrowing can be like quicksand - easy to unwittingly slip into and much more difficult to get out of. “It shouldn’t be possible for people to sign up for credit without realising, and the fact this is happening so often signals that a drastic overhaul is needed. “This industry more than trebled in 2020, and while these products work for many shoppers, the regulator has rightly recognised the potential for harm. It must ensure robust consumer protection keeps pace with changes in how we shop.” During COVID restrictions, Bridport & District Citizens Advice offers comprehensive advice on debt, benefits and other issues. Telephone Freephone 0800 144 8848 or send an email using the contact form on the website www.bridportca.org.uk or leave a message on 01308 456594.
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COVID-19 has cost Cancer Research UK £50 million in lost revenue from donations and fundraising by local committees. Despite that, CRUK has managed to achieve so much through innovative fundraising and research breakthroughs. Here in Lyme Regis, we had earmarked 2020 as the year we would strive to raise £10,000 to get us somewhere near the £200,000 mark raised since our branch was formed in 2008, a huge achievement for such a small town. We had put a programme together with a different event every month and we made a good start with raising £1,500 with a soup and sweet lunch and a pizza night at the Pilot Boat. And then came lockdown and all our plans went out of the window, as happened in every community throughout the country. In the end we have managed to raise £4,000, thanks mainly to the ingenuity of our treasurer, Anita Routley, who refused to allow the pandemic to put paid to unique fundraising ideas, and the generosity of the people of Lyme Regis. Between now and the end of 2021 we have put together a programme of six events and whatever we raise will be a bonus. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, The Big Breakfast will be held on September 24th and we hope to finish the Philip Evans MBE - Branch Chairman year by letting our hair down at a Gatsby Christmas Ball on December 17th.
PROGRAMME OF FUNDRAISING EVENTS Sunday 18 July
Sunday 22 August
SUNDAY LUNCH
THE BIG CREAM TEA
The Welcome Back Community Traditional Woodmead Halls
Coffee Morning & Cake Stall Baptist Church Hall
The BIG Breakfast
Lister Room, Marine Parade Tickets £4
Woodmead Halls Full English £7 Bacon Rolls £3
Saturday 6 November
Friday 3 December
Tickets £8.50 (children up to 16 £6)
Friday 22 October
Friday 24 September
Fireworks Curry Night
Lister Room, Marine Parade Tickets £10 including homemade curry and glass of wine
Christmas BINGO Woodmead Halls 8pm
Friday 17 December
THE GATSBY CHRISTMAS BALL Woodmead Halls featuring The Gatsby Gang Band (pictured) Tickets £25 including superb buffet
To book tickets for all events, contact Philip Evans on 07796 951 991 Please note: all events will be subject to any COVID-19 restrictions at the time and are subject to change.
axminsternews
26 Friday, May 14 2021
Wreath laying to mark Royal British Legion's 100th anniversary
THE Royal British Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary to be celebrated in Axminster with the laying of a wreath on Saturday. The ceremony will take place at the town's War Memorial on the Minster Green and the wreath will be laid by the chairman of the Axminster branch, former mayor Mervyn Symes. A spokesperson for the Legion said: "The RBL’s 100th birthday falls on May 15. On this day in 1921, representatives of the four national organisations of ex-serviceman came together at The Cenotaph in London to create the British Legion. "Born in the aftermath of the First World War, the charity’s founding mission was to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little. "Today, the RBL continues to stand with the Armed Forces community and challenge injustices to ensure all those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf get the fair treatment and recognition they deserve." The Axminster branch will be celebrating their own 100th anniversary with a special parade through the town on July 17 followed by a community party on the Minster Green.
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Micro-pub to open at railway station A NEW micro-pub will be opening at Axminster Railway Station next weekend, offering a wide selection of local ales, beers and ciders. Teresa Heggs, landlady at The Ale Way, is promising a warm and welcoming environment for people to get together and relax as COVID restrictions are eased next week. The opening of the new micropub has been much anticipated in Axminster. Having been inspired by micro-pubs and breweries they had visited over the years, Teresa and her husband first approached South Western Railway about the former office premises, next to the ticket office, in June 2019 and were granted permission to convert it to a pub. They had originally planned to open in April 2020, and then in October, but national lockdowns have delayed their plans. Now they are ready to welcome patrons from Saturday, May 22 for table service only until restrictions are hopefully further eased on June 21. The micro-pub has space for about 30 seated customers over two floors, and there will be extra space in a small outdoor area. The former office building has
been given a complete makeover, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere for drinkers that compliments the history of the Victorian station building. Teresa hopes to improve links between the station area and the local community, encouraging non-rail users to the station and create an environment where customers can relax with friends and enjoy a carefully-crafted, artisan beer or a glass of wine with a newspaper, whilst maybe waiting for a train or loved one. There will be an emphasis on bringing people together where they can create and maintain friendships and networks. The micro-pub will offer a wide variety of locally-sourced cask conditioned ales, new and exciting key beers, traditional ciders and few other options for those not yet a fan of beer. No hot food will be provided at the micro-pub, but there will be snacks and an opportunity to taste the occasional wood-fired pizza from local food trucks in the outdoor area. To find out more about The Ale Way as it prepares to open on May 22, follow the micro-pub on Facebook or visit www.thealeway.co.uk
THE new Ale Way micro-pub has undergone a complete transformation from empty office space at Axminster Station
Young Farmers plough for 24 hours for charity
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MEMBERS of Axminster Young Farmers organised a 24-hour ploughing marathon over the weekend to raise funds for a brain charity. The marathon was started by their chairman Jon Turner on Saturday morning and the young farmers continued throughout the night to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of Richard Lambert, who died in August last year. Mr Lambert was a huge supporter of Axminster YFC. A spokesperson for Axminster Young Farmers said: "This weekend 24 members have completed a 24-hour ploughathon, each ploughing an hour slot. "We were faced with challenges from both the weather and mechanical issues but this did not stop us from completing the challenge. "We would like to say a huge thank you ev-
eryone who has supported this event and enabled it to go ahead and also to everyone who has donated so far. "We have been raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of Richard Lambert who was a huge support to the club. "If you haven’t yet sponsored and are able to support this very worthy charity we would be very grateful, we have already raised more than £3,000 so thank you all so much!" Those who would like to contribute can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/axminster-young-farmers-club Special thanks go to Hamblys, Lemon, Tolley Contractors, Will Bright Contracting, Chris Bailey Engineering, Dean Canniford, Mark Hoare, Dan Olive and Fred Eames for their support. The young farmers also organised a car treasure hunt on May Bank Holiday Monday in aid of Children's Hospice South West.
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Colourful new vicar appointed LymeOnline Letters at St Michael’s Parish Church Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk THE new vicar is set to bring some colour to St Michael’s Parish Church in Lyme Regis. The Bishop of Sherborne and the Reverend Chris Martin, team rector of the Golden Cap Team, are pleased to announced the appointment of the Reverend Virginia Luckett as the new, half-time team vicar. She replaced the Reverend Jane Skinner, who moved to a new parish in north Devon in 2019. The Reverend Martin said: “Anyone who knows Virginia will recognise how fortunate we are that she is taking up this post in the Golden Cap Team. “She brings enthusiasm, creativity, passion, great organisational skills and a big heart with her and this marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our life together here. “She is already known to many for her unique clergy shirts and love of all things bling.” Virginia, 53, also known as Ginny, lives with her husband Tim in a small hamlet between Whitchurch Canonicorum and Wootton Fitzpaine. She moved into the area three years ago and has been a voluntary member of the Golden Cap leadership team alongside her busy full time job based in London, working across the UK as the Churches Director for the Christian international relief and development charity, Tearfund. Virginia left Tearfund in October and was licenced over zoom on December 15 2020 but is now looking forward to getting to know the wider community as lockdown restrictions are eased. The Reverend Luckett said: “Having lived for the first 50 years of my life in West London, close to the M4 flyover, under the flight
‘Sickening’ to see bluebells destroyed
path to Heathrow I am still blown away by how God has called me to such an extraordinary and beautiful place. “Leaving Tearfund has enabled me to take up this post, which secretly has always been my dream job. I am looking forward to working with Chris, the team and many in our local community, as together we explore what God has in store for our area.” Ginny combines this ministry with her other professional interests – fundraising and communications, leadership coaching and spiritual direction, broadcasting, speaking and writing. You can follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/revdvirginia
■ YESTERDAY I walked amongst the bluebells in beautiful Timber Hill and was horrified to find two teenage boys deliberately destroying the flowers in order to make a path down a slope for their bikes. They had come prepared with a spade. There were three boys but only one actually scraping and digging with a straight-edge garden spade. All three boys had their bikes lying in the bluebells. One boy had his bike ready. A third boy was watching on an opposite bank. It was near the entrance to the road.
months over late 2020 and early 2021. The appeal was given the backing of high-profile supporters such as Sir David Attenborough and author Tracey Chevalier, who wrote ‘Remarkable Creatures’ based on Mary Anning’s life. For more details on the project, visit the website www.maryanningrocks.co.uk
I kept stopping and looking but was afraid to say anything or even take a video as I am 72 years old. It was sickening. Name and address supplied
Fish House deck an ‘artistic addition to gardens’ ■ WE have had a holiday cottage in Lyme Regis for the past 32 years a take a great interest in the town and regularly support the local businesses. We were pleased to see that Lyme Regis Town Council agreed to temporary decking on the steeply sloping unused area of grass adjoining The Oyster and Fish House. The inventive way that Mark Hix has decked
Mary Anning maquette to go on display A MAQUETTE of the Mary Anning statue to be erected in Lyme Regis will go on display at the Marine Theatre later this month. The maquette, created by artist Denise Dutton, depicts Mary in her full working clothes, carrying the accoutrements of her trade, basket, bonnet and hammer, and accompanied by her dog Tray, a sneak peek of which is pictured right. It will be on display at the theatre on Saturday, May 22 from 11am to 2pm. Denise and the Mary Anning Rocks committee will be available to answer any questions, and a complimentary coffee and doughnut will be available for all DT7 residents. This will be a socially-distanced event and those attending should wear a face mask unless exempt. The Mary Anning Rocks campaign successfully raised £100,000 through a crowdfunding appeal in just four
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the area, with the nautical sails covering the tables, is an artistic addition entirely in keeping with the harbour and Cobb area. This is also a very useful seagull deterrent! We feel that this should become a permanent feature of the site. David and Jenny Boggon (by email)
Who will be Lyme’s Business of the Year? ENTRIES for the first Lyme Regis Business Awards are now in and we are delighted with the response. Lyme’s vibrant trading community is to be celebrated following a hugely challenging 12 months at an awards ceremony in July. LymeOnline has joined forces with Marketing West, the West Dorset marketing and events company, to help organise the awards. Marketing West has great experience in organising business awards, having hosted similar successful events in Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne. Managing director Nigel Reeve, said: “We are committed to helping business to start to thrive again. “The Lyme Regis Business Awards will focus on promoting the range and quality of local businesses operating within a threemile radius of the town which will include Uplyme and Charmouth.” Having been officially launched with the backing of the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, in February, the awards have since been expanded to 17 categories (listed below). The winner of each category will receive a trophy and framed certificate and an overall winner will also be chosen as Lyme’s Business of The Year.
A panel of independent judges will be selected to choose the winners of each category and the overall Business of The Year which, as well as a trophy and certificate, will receive a free full-page advertisement (value £125) in LymeOnline for their own business or preferred charity. The awards ceremony will now take place on July 1 at the Woodmead Halls – not in June as previously advertised – to meet COVID-19 restrictions with the winners and sponsors in attendance. The ceremony will also be broadcast online and on the LymeOnline website. LYME REGIS BUSINESS AWARDS CATEGORIES: Best Community Support; Best Customer/Client Service; Arts, Crafts & Artisans; Mental Wellbeing & Awareness; Best Use of Digital; Green Business of The Year; New Business of The Year; Health, Beauty & Fitness; Independent Business; Retail Business; Service Provider; Cafe/Pub and Hospitality; Tourism Business of the Year; Restaurant of The Year; Accommodation Provider; Rising Star of 2021; Local Business Leader 2021; Overall Lyme Regis Business of The Year.
28 Friday, May 14 2021
FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin
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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer
It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago a highly-decorated, international sailor unvailed his unique giant catamaran. Team Philips was a catamaran sailing vessel built to try to take Pete Goss around the world in record time. The design consisted of two thin, wave piercing hulls, each with its own sail, connected by high-placed bridges between the hulls to minimise wave drag. This was a five-year project that ended with the sad loss of the boat - but thankfully not the crew - in a freak mid-Atlantic storm in December 2000. As a news photographer it was exciting times indeed. Pictured is the first hoisting of one of the massive sails on the dock at Totnes.
You can view all of award-winning photographer Richard Austin’s previous ‘Flashbacks’ columns on the Blogs section of the LymeOnline website at www.lyme-online.co.uk/blogs/ CONTINUING our series commemorating the anniversaries of the deaths of all Lyme Regis those who gave their lives in the Second World War, this week we remember Sidney Furzey and Peter Godfrey Marsh. With thanks to Vernon Rattenbury of the Royal British Legion for the research.
PETER GODFREY MARSH
Sergeant, 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Service Service No. 759111 Born January 15 1921 in Bristol and died May 23 1941 in the Mediterranean On leaving King’s College, Taunton in December 1937, Peter joined the staff on the
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Cleveland Oil Company at Avonmouth. He had joined the Auxiliary Air Force at school and was called up on the outbreak of war. He joined 37 Squadron, a Wellington bomber squadron, which was in action within seven hours of the outbreak of the war. In November 1940, the squadron transferred to the Middle East Command in Egypt via Malta, from where it carried out a number of sorties.
In March 1941 the squadron went to Egypt and took part in the western desert campaign. It also took part in the suppression of the Iraqi revolt and also sent a detachment to Greece. Sergeant Marsh was reported missing in action, his aircraft failing to return from a bombing raid on Crete. Reports indicate that the aircraft may have ditched in the Mediterranean having run out of fuel due to the long distance to and from the target. Nothing was heard from the aircraft other than a signal received giving an ETA of 06:40 on May 24 1941. Peter was recorded as having lost his life at sea. The eldest son of Mrs James, Silver Street, Lyme Regis, he is commemorated on the Ale-
mein Memorial, Egypt, Column 243 and is also commemorated on the Lyme Regis war memorials in the parish church and in the town, as well as on the memorial at King’s College, Taunton.
SIDNEY FURZEY
Chief Petty Officer, HMS Gloucester, Royal Navy Service No. D/M 39094 Born 1906 in Axmouth and died May 22 1914 aboard HMS Gloucester Sidney was killed when HMS Gloucester was sunk during the Battle of Crete with the loss of 722 men out of a crew of 807. He is commemorated on the Uplyme war memorial and also on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 55, column 2.
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classifieds&jobs ITEMS FOR SALE HAND BASIN, white, £12 ono - 01297 678536.
Waiting and Kitchen Staff V Va a c a n c i es Full and Part Time This is your opportunity to join a new, friendly and supportive team at the highly successful T To om’s L Ly yme Regis, where we enjoy one of the most spectacular sea-front working locations you will find. We opened in December 2020 as a new family run business, and the feedback on the quality of our food and the standards of our customer service have been amazing. As a result, we are now heavily booked out and are looking to expand our team and are especially looking forward to the chance to resume inside dining. Under the leadership of our talented head Chef and Owner T To om Robinson we showcase stunning seafood and great local produce with a selection of premium fish, vegetarian and meat dishes. We will never compromise on quality or sustainability so our menus will change with the seasons. We love to recreate classical dishes with a creative twist. Whether customers are looking for a relaxed breakfast with coffee and a croissant, a light fish lunch with a crisp white wine and a stunning sea view, or a special refined dinner experience with a glass of Castlewood sparkling wine, we have it covered. As an employer we pride ourselves on supporting our team to be exceptional. We pay to recruit the best, provide individual training and development, and expect the high standards that our customers demand. We are a registered training establishment, with links and apprenticeship placements through Exeter catering college, and already four of our team have been promoted to reflect their individual development and contribution. One of our real strengths as a family business is the extent to which we engage all of our team in exploring ideas to improve and grow. We are as interested in your development as we are in the growth of the business. As a member of our team you will receive: ● Individual training and development ● A f r e e m e a l o n sh i f t ● Free staff uniform ● 28 days holiday a year, plus and extra 5 days during our Christmas shutdown ● The opportunity to work with family friendly rotas where necessary We would love you to join us, so do check us out on our website www.tomslymeregis.com and then get in touch by CV to jobs@tomslymeregis.com
LOOKING FOR PART-TIME FLEXIBLE WORK? Self-employed housekeepers required for cleaning of self-catering holiday properties in and around the following areas:
Lyme Regis Uplyme Morcombelake Charmouth West Bay Rousdon Seaton Beer ●
● ● ●
●
Cleaning will be mainly on Fridays and/or Saturdays but other days will be available throughout the week. Hours usually between 10am and 5pm. Excellent rates of pay. Full intstruction given to ensure our high cleaning standards and Covid-19 cleaning procedures are adhered to. Previous experience preferred but not required.
If you would like more information or would like to apply, please contact Lauren by: Phone: 07872 908 394 Email: housekeeping@lymebayholidays.co.uk Lyme Bay Holidays Wessex House, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LP
PICNIC SET, navy blue, new, £12 ono 01297 678536. MINCER SET, new, £12 ono - 01297 678536.
DE-HUMIDIFIER, Meaco DD8L, £100 07840 938 374. HEADBOARD, Antique, pine, solid-wood headboard for double 4’ 6” bed, excellent conditions, £30 ono - 01297 442198.
CARNIVAL PUNCH BOWL SET, £15 ono 01297 678536.
SETTEE, leather, dark green, three-seater, very good condition, £50 - 01297 443419.
DOG CRATE, Ellie-Bo medium, H23.5” x L30” x W21”, black folding with steel nonchew removable tray, £20, buyer collects 07790 336 396.
DVDs, Wildfowling Shooting Adventures by Chris Green, five DVDs, £30 for all - 01297 443419.
DOG CRATE, Ellie-Bo extra large deluxe, H31” x L42” x W28”, black folding with steel non-chew removable tray, £35, buyer collects - 07790 336 396.
TENNIS RAQUET, Dunlop Max 27 with cover, £10 - 01297 443930.
STAIR GATE, very good condition, £20 07926 601 520. TRAVEL COT, with travel bag, very good condition, £20 - 07926 601 520. BUGGY, Mamas & Papas Tour Buggy with cushion and rain cover, suitable from birth, very good condition, £30 - 07926 601 520. BOOK SHELVES, solid white, H59” x 21” to corner 30” out of corner, six shelves, photo available on request, £15 for The Stroke Association - 01297 560611. DRESSING TABLE, small white table with freestanding mirror and stool, £10 - 01297 678536. CARPET, new, hessian-backed, 1.5m x 4m, beige, still wrapped, £10 - 07789 537 011.
SQUASH RAQUET, with cover, £10 - 01297 443930. HOSTESS TROLLEY, Ekco ‘Royal’ heated hostess trolley, hardly used, with instruction book, £25 - 01297 443930. SOFA, black faux leather, two seater, raiseable leg rest, good conditions, free 01297 443930. TOY SCHOOL BUS, Fisher Price 192 with seven people in very good condition, £28 01297 442627. TOY CAMPER VAN, Fisher Price, complete with extras, boat and seven people, very good condition, £30 - 01297 442627.
BOWLS, two sets of bowling woods, £65 each ONO - 07889 019 587.
TOY CIRCUS TRAIN, Fisher Price 991, with seven people, three wagons and five animals, very good condition, £35 - 01297 442627
GREENHOUSE, 6ft x 8ft, free, complete, no damage - 01297 32703 (evenings only).
SINDY dune buggy and caravan, very good condition, £38 - 01297 442627.
Submit your Items for Sale listings - free for any item up to £200 - by emailing edit@lyme-online.co.uk or post them to LymeOnline,Unit 5 Uplyme Business Centre, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS PART-TIME CHURCH TREASURER Do you have book-keeping / accountancy skills? The Minster Church in Axminster is looking for a Treasurer. Could you help? Straight forward book-keeping entries and preparation of a monthly set of accounts are required. You would work with, and have the support of, the PCC Finance Committee in this role. Approximately 2 hours paid work per week, timings to suit. If you are interested, please contact: axevalleymc@hotmail.co.uk or 01297 441986 Closing Date: 12noon on Thursday 20th May 2021 St Mary the Virgin, Axminster is a charity registered with the Charity Commission and if you would like to view its Annual Accounts and Returns for 2020 you can do this here: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/ charity-search/-/charity-details/5001427
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Seasiders dominate but pay penalty for missed chances LYME Regis 1sts started well at Dawlish United, carving out numerous chances with Joe Bond, Ben Vine and Brad Rowe all missing guilt-edged chances and a seemingly blatant foul on Fred Parsons in the area ignored by the referee. It wasn’t until the 30th minute that Rowe side-footed home from 10 yards to break the deadlock. Lyme continued to push with the front three looking very dangerous but not able to apply the finishing touch. On the stroke of half-time disaster struck for the Seasiders as Dawlish won a corner with their first meaningful attack. The resulting corner was bundled home, leaving the game finely poised at 1-1 at the break. The second controversial moment occurred shortly after halftime with Dawlish being awarded a penalty when stand-in goal-
keeper Dan Rendall was adjudged to have caught a striker as he punched the ball clear. The penalty was scored to give the home side a 2-1 advantage. This promoted a chaotic tenminute spell as Dawlish went ahead with their next attack as a miss-hit shot looped over Rendall for Dawlish’s third goal. Even worst was to come as an obvious handball was missed and then, as the Dawlish player cleared the ball downfield, it completely surprised Rendall and bounced over his head into an empty net. Lyme attempted to rally as Parsons cooly slotted home from inside the area moments after the re-start. This sparked another spell of domination with Ben Vine and Rowe blazing over from close range and another one-on-one was well saved by the Dawlish
glove man. Lyme were caught again as they pushed with a long ball over the top dispatched by the pacey Dawlish frontman. Lyme immediately gave themselves hope once more as Kieran Daniels forced an own goal to make it 53. The remaining ten minutes were once again one-way traffic with Lyme creating and missing chances as the ref waved away another big Lyme penalty shout for handball. Bizarrely, Lyme will feel that they defended well and limited Dawlish to two or three chances throughout the game while missing countless opportunities themselves and the big decisions going against them. After-match comment from managers: “It’s odd to completely dominate a game yet be on the wrong end of the result. Dan
Rendall came in and helped out in goal so no blame can be laid at his feet, we were just incredibly wasteful in front of goal and that cost us.”
Superb football
LYME Regis 1sts closed the gap with their nearest opponents at the top of the Devon and Exeter League Premier East division with an impressive 3-0 win over Chard Town Reserves. Feniton still top of the reset table with 14 points, but the Seasiders are trailing by just one point but with a game in hand. Lyme’s goals came from Joe Bond (penalty), Brad Rowe and Fred Parsons. Manager Julien Simier described the Seasiders’ performance as “a superb win – resilient first half against the slope and superb football in the second half”.
Uplyme complete season unbeaten Perry Street Spring Series 2020-21 Netherbury 1, Uplyme 2 COMING into their last fixture of the season, and aiming to complete the Spring Series unbeaten, Uplyme were again forced into a few changes in line up with injuries and the start of the cricket season impacting on
team selection. With skipper Jonnie Harris moving to a centre-back role alongside George Symonds and a midfield trio of Fin McLean, Ben Prosser and Jonny Day, a welcome return for Dan Prendeville in attack paid dividends when he cut in from the left to put the Swallows in front midway through the first half. Dominating play, Uplyme
pressed hard but didn’t get the rewards they deserved. An injury to Nate Gillan led to manager Steve Gillan coming on as a sub and it was from his direct free-kick that Prosser followed in to make it 2-0. Netherbury pressed a bit harder after the break and managed to pull one back with a speculative lob over a stranded James Beddows.
Unfazed, Uplyme saw out the rest of the half comfortably, and really should have at least doubled their tally, missing many chances. This was a great way for the Firsts to finish the season. As always the commitment, attitude and style of play was excellent, epitomised by Jonnie Harris who got the man-of-thematch vote.
cricket
Uplyme off to a flying start
UPLYME’S new signing - Louis Strong
LAST season’s mini-league champions Uplyme and Lyme Regis sent out a strong message to Devon Cricket League D Division East opponents with a commanding eightwicket victory over Sidmouth 3rds, played at Newton Poppleford. With several new players in their line-up, Uplyme won the toss and put Sidmouth 3rds into bat and skittled them out for just 66 in 23 overs. The only batsmen to put up and real resistance was Tom Clay who made 44. Newcomer Andrew Harrison
looked the most dangerous with the ball for Uplyme, finishing with figures of 3 for 7 off four overs. Another new signing, Gareth Stoneman, along with Tyler Wellman and Steve Batey all took two apiece. Uplyme knocked off the required runs in 15 overs with Batey (23) and Wellman (15) top scoring. Before the game, Uplyme received a video “good luck” message for the new season from England test cricketer Dom Bess. It was arranged by new signing
Louis Strong, an actor, who fronts a podcast which recently featured the England players. Louis, a leftarm quick bowler, recently moved to the area. In his message, Bess wished the Uplyme club “all the best for today” but quickly added “but not too much because you are playing Sidmouth, my home club Sidmouth”. Last Saturday’s home match against Clyst Hydon was rained off and tomorrow (Saturday) they are away to Chardstock.
RESERVES ROUND-UP
Meech shines in return from injury WINDY conditions at Dunkeswell caused problems for both teams when Lyme Regis Reserves continued their vein of good form on May Bank Holiday Monday afternoon with a 2-1 victory. Will Meech had a great game returning in goal for his first match post-lockdown and was unlucky to concede late on. Cody Bowditch, with his second good performance in three days, put Lyme ahead with a really tidy finish with some close control in the box after good work from Brin Seward. Brad Rowe got Lyme’s second, described by joint manager Dec Ellis as “special”. Joint manager Matt Preece said afterwards: “All the players had to really battle their way through the conditions and both teams put a huge amount of effort in, but once again we managed to come out on top in a competitive game. That’s 13 points from the last five games, and I know there’s a lot more to come from the lads.”
Fifer penalty his 50th Lyme goal A PENALTY in the 90th minute delivered a 3-2 victory for Lyme Regis Reserves against high-flying East Budleigh. In a stiffly competitive game, the Seasiders opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Cody Bowditch latched onto a throughball down the left and cooly slotted it home. With Rob Harp injured, Robbie Fowler took over the goalkeeping gloves and was soon in action, winning a one-on-one . Bowditch extended Lyme’s lead in the 18th minute with a looping shot from the left which gave the visiting keeper little chance. East Budleigh looked dangerous in attack and Fowler was forced to clear his line to keep the score at 2-1. But the visitors weren’t to be denied and pulled one back from the penalty spot after a clumsy sliding tackle in the box from Wallace Blackmore. East Budleigh started strongly after the break and were unlucky not to have drawn levelled when a spectacular overhead kick ricocheted off the bar. But the equaliser did not come until the 83rd minute with a second penalty for a handball offence after a scuffle in the box which resulted in four payers, two from each side, being yellow carded by referee Brian Perryman, a former Lyme manager. Brothers Robbie and Toby Fowler were the Lyme offenders. The winner came in the very last minute of the game, again from a penalty, converted with ease by Ryan Fifer, his 50th goal for the club. Despite this result, East Budleigh retained their second place in the Devon and Exeter League Division One East whilst Lyme moved up a place to sixth, having taken ten points from their last four games.
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LymeOnline Sport
32 Friday, May 14 2021
May 14 2021
football
Seasiders need just one point to top table LYME Regis 1sts need just one point from their last game of this COVID-interrupted season to top the Devon and Exeter Premier East mini-league after beating Kentisbeare 6-2. Feniton retain their onepoint lead after a 1-0 win over Dawlish United to complete their season, but the Seasiders have one game in hand, home
JOE Bond who scored his 26th hattrick for the Seasiders against Kentisbeare on Saturday
FEATURED GAME By PHILIP EVANS to Chard Reserves tomorrow (Saturday), when a point will see them clinch the top spot on goal average. A win will give them a two-point advantage. With recreational football having been suspended due to COVID, only five teams decided to complete the season when the league gave all clubs the option to do so. Nevertheless, Lyme have shown they will be real Premier East contenders next season. The game against Kentisbeare was another impressive Lyme performance after beating Chard Town Reserves 3-0 in midweek (see page 31). Their opening goal came after just six minutes when Cameron Vere drove the ball home with pin-point accuracy. Kentisbeare looked dangerous up front and were back on equal terms within 13 minutes when the Lyme defenders failed to clear a header. Tom Bastin, working hard in midfield, blazed the ball over the bar before Joe Bond restored Lyme’s lead when he took full advantage of a
goalkeeper error which resulted in him slotting the ball into an empty net. It was all Lyme at this juncture with Fred Parsons controlling the midfield action. Running at the visiting defence, he unleashed a fierce drive in the 31st minute which was parried by the Kentisbeare keeper, allowing Bond to nip in to score his second to make it 3-1. Lyme increased their lead before half-time when Brad Rowe waltzed around the keeper to slot the ball home. Kentisbeare came out fighting after the break with a period of pressure on the Lyme defence and reduced the deficit with across-cum-shot into the far corner of the net, leaving keeper Brett Garner little chance. Garner, who was not greatly troubled by the Devon side, protected Lyme’s lead when he made a great save with his feet to thwart one of Kentisbeare’s best chances. Lyme soon settled down and dominated the second period with subs Ben Vine and teenager Josh Daines adding to the visitors’ problems with their strong running up front, forcing the visiting defence to scramble away a number of scoring opportunities.
But the pressure paid off in the end when determined running down the left saw Rowe square the ball for Joe Bond to make it 5-1 and complete his 26th hat-trick for the Seasiders. Lyme’s final goal came when Tyler Wellman rifled the ball home from a good cross to complete the 6-2 scoreline. It should have been seven, but a Ben Vine goal late in the game was ruled offside. The Lyme squad included Tyler Wellman, Cameron Vere, Kieran Daniels and Ben Vine, who have all played at a higher standard. If Lyme are able to keep players of such quality, next season could be very special at the Davey Fort. Parsons was hugely influential in this match, marshalling the midfield action. Bond looked very sharp and was rewarded with his 26th hat-trick for the club, a great achievement, and young Josh Daines came on for his first team debut and gave good account of himself. One for the future, for sure. Squad: Brett Garner; Rikki Sargent, Cameron Vere, Kingsley Wellman, Kieran Daniels; Sam Pollard Jones, Fred Parsons, Robbie Fellingham, Tom Bastin; Joe Bond, Brad Rowe. Subs: Dan Rendall, Tyler Wellman, Josh Daines, Ben Vine.
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cricket
Uplyme off to a flying start UPLYME and Lyme Regis got their season off to a corking start with an eight-wicket victory over Sidmouth 3rds. Uplyme skittled out Sidmouth for just 66 runs and then knocked off the required runs for a 20-point haul in just 15 overs. Weather washed out the second week and Uplyme were disappointed not to have got any overs at home to Clyst Hydon. Clyst travelled but refused to start the game before the rain came because they felt the bowlers’ run up was too wet. Tomorrow, Uplyme are away to Chardstock (1pm start). With a number of new signings and after their successful season last year when they won the tier minileague, Uplyme have high hopes of doing well in the Devon Cricket League D Division East. This season Uplyme will also be competing in the first East Devon Bash T-20 league which starts in June. Match report on page 31
Lyme Reserves’ unbeaten run comes to an end LYME Regis Reserves’ winning streak which produced 12 points from five games was halted in a 32 defeat against Devon and Exeter Division One East basement boys Lympstone. Weather conditions proved to be difficult and the Seasiders had to rotate players again due to injury and availability. Lyme did not start the game with anywhere near the right intention or intensity and kept giving possession straight back to Lympstone who deserved to take a lead at 1-0.
One player who always shows the right application and energy is Cam Fowler and he opened Lyme’s account with determination and bravery, pouncing on a lose ball in the box to level the score. The home team regained the lead before the break during which joint managers Matt Preece and Dec Ellis made a few tweaks and the Lyme players all agreed that they needed to up the effort and energy. Lyme spent the majority of the second half camped in the Lympstone half, creating a lot of dangerous moments, without really
testing the Lympstone keeper. Lympstone’s final goal of the day came from a long ball down the pitch which was contested well by Jake Sargent, but the ref decided he was too aggressive in his clash with the Lympstone forward and awarded a free-kick 25-yards out, which the player placed right into the top corner. After that, Cody Bowditch, who was tremendous on the ball in the second half, playing from a deeper midfield position, took the game by the scruff of the neck and kept constant pressure on them.
This eventually told when, camped in Lympstone box, Ben Bowditch was upended and Jake Bearpark cooley slotted home from the spot. Lyme continued to pile on the pressure for an equaliser and in the last moments of the game a great ball into the box from Will Meech was narrowly volleyed wide by Robbie Fowler. That goal would have been deserved, with Lyme believing a would have been a fair result. Squad: Will Meech; Robbie Fowler, Rob Larcombe, Jake Sargent, Ben Bowditch, Cam Fowler,
Harvey Brimicombe, Darius Pickering, Ryan Fifer, Cody Bowditch, Jack Handy. Subs: Toby Fowler, Brin Seward, Jake Bearpark. This defeat leaves Lyme’s second string in fifth place in the eightteam division, but with games in hand over the top teams, they have the opportunity to move up the table. On Wednesday they were away to Otterton, losing 4-2, their goals coming from Josh Daines and Tom Bastin. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Reserves are at home to Teignmouth (kick-off 3.15pm).
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