LymeOnline Digital Edition - November 12 2021

The latest news, sport & events in Lyme Regis

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LYME’S OWN ‘MISS MARPLE’ A THE MARIN T E PA GE 24

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Residents launch campaign to save shop and garage RESIDENTS of Uplyme have come together to launch a campaign in hope that one of the main village facilities - the filling station, shop and post office will not be closed down next year.

A public meeting was held on Sunday night with residents now planning a petition.

REPORT, PAGE 12

We will remember THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, and the president of the Royal British Legion Lyme Regis branch, Philip Evans MBE, pay their respects at the town’s war memorial after laying wreaths on Armistice Day (yesterday). The short service was well attended by residents, town council staff and Royal British Legion representatives. Remembrance commemorations continue on Sunday with a procession through the town at 10.30am full coverage in the next issue of LymeOnline.

The time for action is now

CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE AS COP26 COMES TO A CLOSE AS the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow comes to an end, local leaders and campaigners in Lyme Regis and across Dorset are calling for immediate action to tackle climate change to prevent “catastrophic” effects on our coastal communities.

A contingent from Lyme Regis-based refor-

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

estation charity The Word Forest Organisation has been in attendance at the international conference for the past two weeks, delivering jargon-free daily updates, talks and interviews to help supporters and the general public understand the importance and ur-

gency of climate issues.

Lyme Regis town councillor and climate activist Belinda Bawden has also attended this week to report back on Carbon Literacy Training she led with members of Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Seaton councils to improve their knowledge on environmental concerns.

Dorset Council has sent letters to key memCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

COVID-19 cases decline

COVID-19 case rates across Dorset and in Lyme Regis decreased for the first time in several weeks according to the latest figures, with 30 confirmed cases Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale as of November 4.

REPORT, PAGE 7

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LymeOnline 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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Local leaders and campaigners Police appeal for witnesses look to COP26 for more support fatal crash on the A35 to tackle climate change issues after POLICE are appealing for wit- the manner of driving of the silCONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE bers of the government during COP26, calling for further help in tackling climate change.

Despite recently receiving criticism for not acting quickly enough after declaring a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019, Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said the council had “already made remarkable progress in reducing our carbon footprint”.

However, he added: “But there’s an uncomfortable truth that I need to bring to your attention; it won’t be enough.

“Dorset Council’s services account for only one per cent of the county’s carbon emissions. And yet, to achieve carbon neutrality as quickly as possible, we – as in the people of Dorset – need more money and better support from central government in dealing with the climate and ecological emergency, especially in the wake of the financial challenges caused by the pandemic.”

He said that councils needed to be provided with “significant new powers, responsibilities, and funding to deliver an inclusive and green recovery in their local area”.

The Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) has also issued a statement to the COP26 delegation this week, saying the county is “ready to back the urgent need

to cut carbon emissions”.

DCAN is a network of community groups and individuals working together for a shared vision of a clean, green, sustainable Dorset.

It has called on leaders at COP26 for “bold, collective leadership at this critical juncture in the history of human civilisation”, asking them to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phase out fossil fuels, expand renewable energy production, turn towards the sustainable and regenerative use of the world’s resources and reverse the disastrous loss of the world’s wildlife.

Local churches have also got involved, holding an event on Lyme Regis seafront ahead of the conference to pray and commit to climate action.

Turn Lyme Green has taken the opportunity of COP26 to call out the government on the current controversial topic of sewage being dumped in rivers and coastal waters around the country, saying the conference will have little effect on Lyme Regis if action is not taken to stop this.

See our special ‘Green Pages’ on 10 & 11 for full reports, statements and local reaction to the COP26 conference

nesses following a fatal singlecar crash on the A35, near Lyme Regis, early on Sunday, October 31.

Dorset Police received a report at 5.46am of a single vehicle collision involving a silver Vauxhall Astra that had left the carriageway west of Charmouth, near to Monkton Wyld, and collided with a tree.

Officers attended along with the fire and ambulance services and one of the occupants of the vehicle – a man aged in his 20s from Plymouth in Devon – was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family has been informed.

Another man, aged in his 30s and from London, was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for treatment to injuries that were believed to be serious but not life-threatening.

Road closures were put in place to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and for a detailed examination of the scene to be carried out.

The road was reopened shortly after 1pm.

Sergeant Rhys Griffiths, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and we owe it to them to carry out a full investigation into the circumstances of this collision.

“I would ask any witnesses to

ver Astra prior to the collision to please contact us. From our enquiries we understand the vehicle had travelled west from Bridport along the A35 and has distinctive Isle of Man number plates.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who was driving on the A35 between Lyme Regis and Raymond’s Hill from around 5.30am to 6am on the morning of the collision who has dash cam footage of their journey, as it may assist our investigation.

“Finally, I appreciate this collision resulted in the closure of a major route for a significant period of time and I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.

“The closure is absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and for an examination of the scene to be conducted.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 31:203.

Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppersuk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.

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Lifeboat crew issues rough weather warning after weekend of incidents WITH high winds and choppy seas expected over the winter period, Lyme Regis lifeboat crew has urged visitors to the coast to take extra care in and near the water.

The warning follows two calls for help to the lifeboat volunteers on Sunday, October 31 and an incident on Friday, October 29 which saw a kite surfer seriously injured.

Emergency services were called to Lyme Regis beach on Friday, October 29 when a kite surfer was caught by a heavy gust of wind and dragged along the shingle.

The surfer was said to have been thrown up several feet in the air and then dragged along Cobb Gate shingle beach after being caught by the wind before he entered the water.

The surfer’s parachute-style kite then became tangled on the roofs of houses on Marine Parade.

Several water sports enthusiasts had been making the most of the gusty conditions when the incident unfolded at about 5pm.

Coastguards and the ambulance service were called to the scene, along with Devon Air Ambulance who airlifted the man to hospital.

Lyme Regis fire crew were also called to release the kite sail from the roofs.

Lyme Regis lifeboat crew were then called to two incidents in the water on Sunday, including reports of someone being swept off the high wall of the Cobb.

The first incident followed a re-

port at 9.30am that a surfer was missing in strong winds and rough conditions after entering the water from Monmouth Beach. The 24year-old man had not been seen for 30 minutes when the alarm was raised.

The lifeboat crew were already at sea on a training exercise and searched east and west of the harbour but found no trace of the man.

RNLI shore crew and coastguards also searched the beaches.

The surfer was eventually found on town beach and taken to hospital for observation.

Later in the day, at 3pm, the lifeboat was launched to a report that two people had been swept off the Cobb high wall. In conjunction with coastguards ashore the lifeboat crew searched around the Cobb area but no-one was found and the search was called off at 3.40pm.

The RNLI’s volunteer operations manager in Lyme Regis, Nick Marks, said: “Conditions were rough all day and these two calls demonstrate the need for people to be alert to the dangers and to take great care in and around the water at this time of year.

“Only minutes after our second shout people were seen walking on the Cobb wall in high winds and with the sea breaking over it. They seemed oblivious to the danger they were in.”

See page 14 for more news from Lyme Regis lifeboat crew and the RNLI

Friday, November 12 2021 3

Auction of promises for cancer support charity

AN Auction of Promises will be held in aid of Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support tonight (Friday).

The event will be held from 6.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall, with guest auctioneer Graham Barton of Symonds and Sampson, know for his many appearances on ‘Homes under the Hammer’.

Lots will include a weekend in Padstow, a signed Exeter Chiefs Rugby Ball, a sailing trip around Lyme Bay for two people and many other incredible experiences.

Tickets cost £12.50 and are now available to book via the website axminsterandlymecancersupport.co.uk or call 07512 279663.

Craft fayre at heritage coast centre

The kite surfer’s sail tangled on the roofs on seafront cottages (photo by Judith Cottis).

Below, Lyme Regis lifeboat crew out in rough seas at the end of October (photo by John Cable)

THE Jurassic Art and Craft Fayre will return to Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre on Saturday, November 20, open from 10am to 4pm.

This is a great opportunity to buy unique Christmas gifts by local artists and makers amid the fascinating displays of the familyfriendly centre.

Admission is free and stalls will include glass, jewellery, knitted and stitched items, seaside gifts, paintings and cards, pottery, wood, homemade cakes and preserves.

All profits will support the heritage coast centre which is run as a small educational charity.

Tickets available for Over 70s lunch

TICKETS are still available for the annual Over 70s Christmas Lunch at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis on Saturday, December 18.

Tickets cost just £5 for a traditional twocourse Christmas lunch. For more information contact Michaela Ellis on 443942 by no later than Monday, November 29.

FROM SUNRISE

TO SUNSET

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

4 Friday, November 12 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Dorset Council finances improving but budget gap of £4.7million still expected FINANCES at Dorset Council are improving – although the authority could still be facing a budget gap of £4.77million at the end of the financial year.

At the end of the first quarter the predicted short-fall was just under £4m.

Brief holder Cllr Gary Suttle says there has been an improvement in income in some areas, including business rate collection, as many companies are now trading again at something like normal levels.

They are also seeing increased savings from the transformation from six councils into one although, partially because of COVID-19 there remained high spending in social services.

Executive director of corporate development, Aidan Dunn, said it remained difficult for the authority to work out how much of the continuing budget pressure is driven purely, or principally, by the pandemic.

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

Lyme Regis student on ‘University Challenge’

LYME Regis resident Louis George is currently competing on ‘University Challenge’.

Louis makes up one quarter of the team competing on behalf of St John’s College, Cambridge, where he is currently studying Human, Social & Political Sciences.

The team appeared in the first match of the second round last Monday evening, in which they beat rivals from Queen Mary University of London with 220 points to 45.

They now head to the quarter finals.

Plans to split Charmouth manor house into five

Local crews called to Thorncombe bar fire

A “LANDMARK” building in Charmouth is to be converted into five homes with a new property built in the grounds.

The planning consent for Stonebarrow Manor also allows for the release from a condition which ties Stonebarrow Barn, in the grounds, to only be used by an employee working at the manor.

Until now the manor has been used for holidaymakers but is now said to be no longer viable, with its big group bookings undermined by the pandemic restrictions.

LYME Regis and Charmouth fire crews were among those from across Devon, Dorset and Somerset to tackle a major barn fire near Thorncombe on Tuesday, November 2.

Other crews in attendance included Axminster, Colyton, Chard, Crewkerne and water carriers in Yeovil and Bridport.

The barn contained 60 bales of hay which had to be removed. The fire caused 100 per cent fire and smoke damage to the contents of the barn but, fortunately, the barn building itself only suffered damaged to four plastic skylights.

Have your say on future of Dorset libraries

Lyme Bay Chorale concert for Remembrance Sunday

DORSET Council has launched a public consultation to help inform how it develops and delivers its library service in the future.

Library users and non-users are being asked to share their views up until January 7 2022 online at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lets-talk-libraries There are 23 council-run and eight community-managed libraries in the Dorset Council area, including a council-run facility in Lyme Regis.

The current library strategy is 11 years old.

Over those 11 years, there have been signifi-

LYME Bay Chorale will give a performance of Fauré’s well–known Requiem to mark Remembrance Sunday on November 14.

The concert will be held at 4.30pm in St Michael’s Parish Church in Lyme Regis, and is free with a retiring collection in aid of the Royal British Legion.

The choir’s musical director, Alex Davies, will play the organ, and local musician Nick Brown will conduct.

Plan to make Dorset England’s safest county POLICE and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has unveiled his Police and Crime Plan aimed to make Dorset the safest county in England and Wales.

The plans includes the following six priorities: Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour; Make Policing More Visible and Connected; Fight Violent Crime and High Harm; Fight Rural Crime; Put Victims and Communities First; and to Make Every Penny Count.

Mr Sidwick said: “Each of the priorities are underpinned by the manifesto commitments I made during the PCC campaign.

Council proposes changes to doorstep bin collections

“I have an unashamedly ambitious vision for Dorset and much of the plan will only be achieved through bold and transformative activity.”

The plan was unveiled as it was announced that Dorset currently has the ninth lowest crime rate in England & Wales.

Dorset Police has seen a six per cent drop in recorded crime, according to new figures released last week.

This is the sixth consecutive quarter the force has seen a drop in crime and covers the 12 months to the end of June 2021.

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cant changes in public behaviour and digital technology, and the impacts of the COVID pandemic have been felt.

During the council’s last review of libraries in 2011, campaigners fought hard to save Lyme Regis Library from closure. Charmouth lost its council-run service and now runs a community library.

The current consultation seeks to look to the future of Dorset’s libraries – how can they best meet the needs of local residents and communities, now and over the next ten years.

ABOUT 500 Dorset homes could see their doorstep bin collections coming to an end.

Most likely to be affected are those in rural areas which have long private drives where refuse collectors have traditionally driven to the house to collect recycling and waste.

Dorset Council has decided to cut back on the properties where it offers the service in an attempt to reduce collection times and costs.

Those likely to be affected by the proposed changes will be contacted by Dorset Council to discuss the new arrangements, including identifying new collection points.

Charity hosts service to remember loved ones WELDMAR Hospicecare’s Light up a Life service returns in-person to Lyme Regis this year.

Light up a Life is an opportunity to remember those closest to us, whether they were cared for

by Weldmar or not.

You can dedicate a light to be placed on a tree at St Michael’s Parish Church. Your loved one’s name will also be included in Weldmar’s 2021 Book of Remembrance and you’ll receive a wooden star to keep at home, or to hang on the tree at the service.

A service will be held at the church on Sunday, December 19 at 4pm.

Friday, November 12 2021 5

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ALL OVER THE TOWN

with LymeOnline

editor Francesca Evans

Print journalism is far from dead here in Lyme Regis THIS week has been a mad rush in the LymeOnline office as we worked to complete this bumper 32-page issue a day early, allowing us to head off to London on Thursday afternoon for the national Newsawards, where we have been nominated in two categories.

The LymeOnline website has been nominated for Community Website of the Year for the second year running, and I have been shortlisted as Print Production Achiever of the Year.

I’d like to thank everyone who has offered to help us get the paper out this week or called or written with kind words of support and best wishes.

I’m so thrilled that we have been recognised in both print and online categories, as embracing both traditional and modern forms of

journalism is at the heart of everything LymeOnline does, with the aim of reaching all sectors of our community.

In our eyes print journalism is certainly far from dead; we believe it still has a place in small communities like Lyme Regis and it’s always great to hear our readers tell us how much they value the newspaper.

It seems more and more businesses are recognising that too, taking the opportunity to reach our loyal readership as they bounce back from COVID-19 and look ahead to Christmas.

Today’s issue is our most financially successful since the pandemic first struck in March 2020, which is why we have increased the pagination from the usual 24 to 32.

And October was the busiest month on the

LymeOnline website since in was launched in January 2018, with more than 44,000 visiting the site, thanks partly to our coverage of the ‘Wonka’ filming.

So win or lose at the Newsawards – we definitely have something to celebrate!

Amid the manic dash to complete this edition and catch the train to London, I did find a little time to chill out. Instructor Ann Yates invited me along to one of her Tai Chi classes for a feature you can find on page 15. It’s something I had never tried before but it certainly left me feeling a lot calmer and recognising it’s always important to take some time out for yourself, no matter how busy you are.

That’s why, after the awards ceremony (which by the time you read this column will have already taken place), I will be spending the rest

THE PLACE TO BE:

EVENT YOU CAN’T MISS:

IF YOU READ ONE THING:

CURRY Club has returned to The Oyster & Fish House every Wednesday through the colder season, with Mark Hix offering up a feast menu of locally-sourced ingredients inspired by Indian flavours. Warm up with a spicy curry with panoramic views of the waves crash over the Cobb – £30 for a set menu (see page 7).

JONI Mitchell fans are in for a special treat from the Sara Colman Band at Jazz Jurassica’s forthcoming event on Thursday, November 18 at the Marine Theatre, the 50th anniversary of Mitchell’s iconic album, ‘Blue’, first released in 1971.

IT’S dominated headlines for the past two weeks and COP26 comes to a close today – but will it really have any effect on the climate crisis? Take a look at our special COP26 double page spread on pages 10 and 11 for local reaction and how Lyme Regis was represented at the conference.

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of the weekend with family in London ahead of the busy festive season.

It will be the first time in ten years that I have not been at home to cover Remembrance weekend in Lyme Regis or the surrounding towns and villages.

When I was training as a reporter I was told there was no point ever booking a holiday in early November – you wouldn’t be allowed to go as it’s always all hands on deck to cover events across the local area. But after ten years, I think I will allow myself this one exception.

Fortunately we have photographer Richard Austin on hand to capture Sunday’s procession, so you can expect the usual unrivalled photo coverage of events in the next issue of LymeOnline and on our website www.lymeonline.co.uk The procession gets underway at 10.30am on Sunday, November 14 followed by a service at the war memorial in Monmouth Street.

There will be no church service this year due to COVID-19.

Our absence this weekend also means there may be some delays in the usual delivery of the LymeOnline newspaper, so apologies if you have had to wait an extra day to two to pick up this copy.

All will return to normal for our next issue, including a look ahead at all the upcoming Christmas events, on Friday, November 26.

In the meantime you can always find the latest local news on our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or sign up to our weekly email newsletter to get the headlines sent straight to your inbox.

6 Friday, November 12 2021

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

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philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Another bumper night for Lyme L

YME has got used to extreme traffic conditions during the summer months, especially when hosting attractions like the Red Arrows.

The number of vehicles coming into the town for such events brings Lyme to a standstill, with every possible car park space and roadside verge being occupied.

But to date this has been a summer phenomenon.

Not any more. The annual fireworks and bonfire night at Lyme always attracts a decent crowd, a few thousand perhaps.

But Saturday night’s display - one of the best I have seen - attracted colossal crowds which must have been close to the level expected on Red Arrows Day. I’ve never been much good at estimating the size of crowds. When applying for an appearance, we usually state that the RAF’s crack aerobatic team attracts 25,000 people.

Saturday night’s crowd was conservatively estimated at about 8,000 by fireworks organiser Alan Vian, but many will think it was far more than that.

Apparently, parking was a nightmare. I am told the queue of traffic trying to get into Lyme went all the way up to Yawl.

Cars were double parked in many places in town and I hate to think what the outcome might have been had the fire brigade been called out for an emergency as often happens on firework night.

My wife and I drove down to the seafront just before 5pm to prepare for the curry night we always organise in the Lister Room in aid of Cancer Research UK on this occasion.

I remember commenting on how many were already making their way to the seafront, despite the fact that the fireworks display was

not scheduled to start before 6.30pm. When we got to the seafront, it was bedlam.

We had sold all 50 tickets for the curry night but we had a number turn up and ask if they could buy a ticket. We have never experienced that before.

Many I have spoken to think the crowd was at least as big as that for Red Arrows Day and I heard that one person who now lives in the town and has experience of organising large events estimated it to be about 40,000. Surely not?

The firework night has been organised by Alan and Lynn Vian for many years now, assisted by members of Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival and a number of volunteers who act as stewards and collectors.

I understand that the collection totalled about £5,000 which will guarantee the event will take place again next year.

There were some town council staff on duty that night but if this event is to attract so many in future much consideration will have to be given to crowd control. It should not be left to Alan and Lynn to take on such a responsibility.

So why such a jump for an event which essentially was for the people of Lyme? It seems that whatever Lyme does, people from miles around want to be part of it.

This has certainly been the case with our curry night, with good support coming from Axminster and Bridport. And tickets for our next event, a Gatsby-themed Christmas Ball on December 17 sold out within days.

I am wondering whether this is all part of getting on with our lives after COVID. Clearly, the epidemic is still with us, although I understand the number of cases locally have started to drop again.

Perhaps the rise in numbers for such events is down to people being determined to get out again to enjoy themselves after the restrictions of the past two years.

Saturday’s firework display at Lyme was considered to be the best ever.

Photo by ASHLEY BALL

Is it Lym with a Y or Lim with an I? IT’S an argument that has raged in Lyme for years. Is it the River Lym (spelt with a Y ) or is it the River Lim (spelt with an I)?

As it flows through the Lym Valley, many locals think it’s spelt with a Y. But the powers that be, Dorset Council and the river authority especially, always spell it Lim. Local historian Ken Gollop says it is

definitely spelt with an I and is included as such on all Ordnance Survey maps.

He told me: “I don’t mind people spelling with a Y, but I use it the right way - with an I.” One person who has a different view is Diana Hunt, a close observer of local affairs. She’s written a charming poem about the dilemma.

See page 27.

The days when Lyme rolled out the barrel

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IN this column a few weeks back I wrote about the loss of some of Lyme’s traditional seaside activities in these days of political correctness.

It followed the news that the popular yard of ale competition would no longer take place during Lifeboat Week following complaints about encouraging drunken behaviour.

It was a story that was followed up by virtually every national newspaper.

The story got a good response on social media, especially from Lyme-born families who bemoaned the loss of some of the fun events that used to be held during the annual Regatta and Carnival Week.

As a former secretary of the regatta committee for ten years when I was a young man, I expressed my sympathy for those who now run Lyme’s two main summer events as they have to jump through hoops to get road closures and insurance

cover. Events such as conger cuddling, the pram derby, tug-of-war on the beach and across the harbour, have disappeared and are unlikely to be revived again. It makes you wonder what will be next to fall foul of the health and safety police. The bathtub race, perhaps?

Back in the day, we were not troubled by such administrative restraints. I’m not sure we even asked permission of the town council when we erected a huge standalone marquee on the top of the shelters after the Marine Theatre became unavailable.

I finished the story by referring to the flaming tar barrels in Ottery St Mary, the most dangerous event I have covered as a reporter, still going ahead.

I had no idea that rolling flaming tar barrels down Broad Street in Lyme Regis was a popular event at the beginning of the 20th century. They were not carried, as

happens in Ottery, but rolled and controlled with sticks as the barrels careered down Lyme’s steep main street.

Apparently, the spectacle was stopped when a flaming barrel rolled into the doorway of the butchers’s shop at the bottom of the town which was situated next to Van Allen’s car park.

I am told that the butchers was owned by a borough councillor, Sam Harris, and that some damage was caused to his premises, but not severely so. But it was the end of barrel rolling in Lyme.

Sam Harris was a very prominent councillor who lived in Colway Lane. When plans were drawn up for the building of social housing in Colway Mead in 1927, he pushed for a public inquiry to stop the development but lost the fight.

Apparently, the owners of posh houses in Colway Lane didn’t want to look out on the rows of council houses.

Friday, November 12 2021 7

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COVID-19: The latest on local coronavirus figures Case rates drop across Dorset for first time in weeks COVID-19 case rates across Dorset and in Lyme Regis decreased for the first time in several weeks according to the latest figures.

The latest data released on November 5 showed that there were 2,181 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Dorset Council area, compared to 2,301 the previous week, and 2,018 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) area, a decrease from 2,085.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 574.3 in the Dorset Council area, down from 605.9 on October 29, and 508.3 in the BCP area, compared to 525.2.

These figures are still both above the national average, which has now dropped to 379 per 100,000 people.

Despite a drop in case numbers, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Dorset increased from 52 to 69 last week.

The latest figures for Dorset are set to be released later today (Friday) – see the LymeOnline website’s ‘Coronvairus: Live Updates’ section for the most up to date information at lyme-online.co.uk/category/news/coronavirus A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “Case rates across both Dorset Council and BCP Council areas have decreased since last week, but we have seen a small increase in rates over the past couple of days.

“After a steep rise in cases during October, infection levels across the county remain high.

“Following this rise, the number of people in Dorset hospitals with COVID-19 has in-

creased to 69 – this is the highest number since March 2021.

“The number of deaths related to COVID-19 has remained relatively stable over the past few weeks.

“With high case rates and wider pressure on our local health and care system, we continue to ask everyone to remember that we are still living with COVID-19 and act with caution.”

Public Health Dorset offer the following advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19: ● Get plenty of fresh air by meeting outdoors or opening doors and windows. This reduces your chances of catching or spreading COVID-19. ● Take twice weekly lateral flow tests. They are free, quick and easy and will help you check you’re not unknowingly passing the virus to others. ● Get vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s not too late if you haven’t had your first or second dose yet, and if you’re eligible for a booster jab please take up the offer.

Invitation letters are being sent to those eligible for booster jabs asking them to book an appointment at least six months after their second dose via the national booking system website or by calling 119.

If you’ve not been contacted and it’s been 6 months and 1 week (190 days) since your second dose, you can still try to book an appointment online or by phone.

You may also be contacted by your GP and invited to book an appointment.

You can also use the national NHS online walk-in finder to see if there are sites available to get your booster without an appointment.

Pre-booking an appointment is the best way to ensure you get your vaccine at a time and place that works for you.

For more details on getting your booster jab, visit the website www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations COVID-19 case rates in the Lyme Regis area have also dropped, according to the latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until November 4, there were 30 recorded cases of COVID-19 in the Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale area, a decrease of 21 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people

THE OYSTER

was 413.6 – now below the Dorset Council area figure of 574.3 but still above the national average of 379.

Figures for neighbouring areas as of November 4 were as follows: Uplyme, Kilmington & Colyton – 37 (decrease of 8); Seaton – 38 (decrease of 11); Axminster – 58 (decrease of 29); Burton Bradstock & Chideock – 16 (decrease of 26); Bridport South & West Bay – 27 (decrease of 7); Bridport North – 22 (increase of 2); Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock – 47 (decrease of 24).

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

Sample Curry Club Menu Crab keema with parathas,

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Poppadums with mango chutney

HOUSE

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curry andoori John Dory Steamed basmati rice and ed onion pakora Blood orange sorbet £30.00 per person

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theoysterandfishhouse.co.uk | @theoysterandfishhouse The Oyster & Fish House, Cobb Rd, Lyme Regis DT7 3JP

8 Friday, November 12 2021

Learn more local history and architecture with the Lyme Regis Society SITTING on the promenade by Tom's restaurant, near Sundial House and Library Cottage, how many times do you hear people point and say “Oh look, it’s got a sundial on it, how weird!’ or ‘That place must be really old, look at the dates on that lead trough”.

Sundial House on Marine Parade is an Arts and Crafts house built in 1901 and Library Cottage had all those lead downpipes and troughs fitted in 1936/37 from another much older house.

It’s simple when you know a bit about the history of the town and finding out is easy if you get the regular newsletter from the Lyme Regis Society.

If you live in Lyme Regis or visit on a regular basis, you can discover all

about the history, architecture and events that have shaped the town and its people.

Lyme retains its own unique character and charm, and yet many changes happen to the town and its buildings over the years. Businesses come and go, new buildings and additions spring up.

To keep track of what’s going on in Lyme Regis, the Lyme Regis Society newsletter ‘All Over The Town’ keeps you up to date on key changes and developments.

As shops change hands you can see who’s taking over and what they bring to the town. For example, the last issue talks about The Baby Boutique and Salt Rock both opening up in the past few months.

The newsletter also covers key plan-

The Lyme Regis Society keeps members updated on local planning applications, including current plans for a derelict house behind Coombe Street

ning proposals such as major builds and renovations – the derelict house behind Coombe Street, plans for redevelopment and the refurbishment of the Guildhall and smaller changes such as the introduction of rubber matting on the beaches to allow easier access.

The society wants to protect Lyme’s heritage and its architectural beauty as the town evolves over the years.

Additionally, there are articles on local artists, famous residents and visitors, historic buildings and local history both recent and past.

The society also hosts varied afternoon talks covering topics such as historic buildings, local organisations and residents of Lyme and joint talks with the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Upcoming talks including the following: ‘The Marine Theatre: Her Long Life & Generosity’ by Gabby Rabbitts on Tuesday, November 16; ‘Sun, Sea and Sooties’ by Roger Dickey – a joint event with Dorset Wildlife Trust with the talk about Sooty Terns in the South Atlantic – on Tuesday, December 14.

All talks are held at 2pm in the Woodmead Halls. Admission is free for Lyme Regis Society members or £3 for non-members (£2 for the joint Lyme Regis Society and Dorset Wildlife Trust meeting).

To join the Lyme Regis Society, visit www.lymeregissociety.org.uk or go along to a talk. Membership is just £7 for single membership and £11 for a family, which includes all society talks and three issues of our newsletter per year.

The Lyme Regis Society’s ‘All Over The Town’ newsletter includes features on local artists, famous residents and

visitors, historic buildings and local history both recent and past

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Sundial Cottage on Marine Parade in Lyme Regis was built in 1901 and, below, Library Cottage next door, noticeable for its historic lead downpipes and troughs

The society also keep members up to date on changes to local shops, including one of the town’s newest additions, The Baby Boutique

Friday, November 12 2021 9

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Exciting new Winter Menu INDIVIDUAL NIBBLES

OLIVES £3 | VG

CHARMOUTH BAKERY MINI LOAF £4 | VG Rapeseed oil, balsamic vinegar or salted butter/vegan spread

GARLIC PIZZA BREAD £6 | VG Add cheese or plant based cheese

SMALL OR LARGE PLATES STICKY BARBECUE CHICKEN WINGS £7 | £14

WE LOVE LOCAL

ROAST SQUASH, CHICORY, HAZELNUT & BLUE CHEESE SALAD £7 | £14 | VG

Winter slaw

Chive dressing

CHILLI & SOY SQUID £7 | £14

Coriander and lime mayonnaise, mixed leaves

BREADED WHOLE TAILED SCAMPI £8 / £15

SOUP OF THE DAY £5 | £9 Charmouth bakery bread

Tartare sauce, mixed leaves Large portion with thick cut chips

CHARCUTERIE PLATE £10 | £18 Chorizo, salami, prosciutto, cornichons, olives, sun dried tomatoes, winter slaw, Charmouth bakery bread

MINI PIZZA PIE £8 I VG Stuffed with caramelised red onion, goat's cheese and chives or spiced chicken, bocconcini, sundried tomato pesto, spring onions

FISH GRILLED FILLET OF HAKE £18 Buttered new potatoes, seasonal greens, lemon butter CRISPY FISH & CHIPS £8 | £16

Crispy fish of the day in a gluten free batter, thick cut chips, minted mushy peas, tartare sauce

PASTA

Charmouth Bakery - Charmouth Kingfisher - Brixham West Country Catch - Weymouth Complete Meats - Axminster Foots Eggs - Sherbourne RD Johns - Newton Abbot Last Course Patisserie - Cullompton West Country Veg - Newton Abbot Crab Man - Beer

GRILLS

PILOT BOAT BURGER £14

ALL SERVED WITH RIGATONI

Brioche bun, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries

PUTTANESCA £13 | VG

MOVING MOUNTAINS® PLANT BURGER £14 | VG

Pomodoro sauce, olives, capers, chilli

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE £15 | VG Butternut, sage, pumpkin seed crumb

MONKFISH CURRY £19

Basmati rice, chutney, raita, garlic flatbread

SEAFOOD PASTA £18 Shallots, white wine, garlic, chilli, butter, lemon, cream

CATCH OF THE DAY £19

SAUSAGE AND CHORIZO £16

Please ask for today’s choice

BABA GANOUSH & FLAT BREAD £7 | VG Mixed leaves

Tomato, fennel, thyme, red wine

PLEASE BE PATIENT - ALL OUR FOOD IS COOKED FRESH TO ORDER

Brioche bun, plant based patty, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries CAJUN CHICKEN BURGER £14 Brioche bun, burger sauce, sweet gherkin, gem lettuce, skinny fries Add to your burger cheddar, Dorset blue, goats, plant based cheese, bacon, plant-based bacon, caramelised onions £1.50 each MOVING MOUNTAINS® HOT DOG £14 | VG Caramelised red onions, winter slaw and American mustard mayo, skinny fries WEST COUNTRY 8oz SIRLOIN STEAK £24 Thick cut chips, peppercorn sauce, rocket & pickled red onion salad

12” PIZZAS MARGHERITA £11 | V

Mozarella, basil, tomato sauce PEPPERONI £13 Mozarella, tomato sauce SEAFOOD £15 Mozzarella, mussels, prawns, squid, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, tomato sauce BBQ PULLED PORK £14 Mozzarella, tomato sauce, fresh chillis, spring onions, creme fraiche

SIDES THICK CUT CHIPS £4 SKINNY FRIES £4 BABY MIXED LEAVES £4 BUTTERED NEW POTATOES £4 WINTER SLAW £4 SEASONAL GREENS £4 ROAST SQUASH SALAD £4

PLANT BASED CHEESE AND GLUTEN FREE BASES AVAILABLE MEDITERRANEAN £14 | V

Mozarella, tomato sauce, olives, capers, red onion, sun-dried tomato, artichoke

ROAST BUTTERNUT SQUASH & GOATS' CHEESE £14 | V Mozzarella, tomato sauce, toasted pumpkin seeds, oregano

TODAY’S SPECIAL PIZZA Please ask for today’s choice

ADD EXTRA TOPPINGS £1.75

DORSET HAM £7

ADD DIPS 75p

SANDWICHES

SMOKED CHICKEN, BRIE & CRANBERRY £16 Mozarella, tomato sauce

DORSET HAM & MUSHROOM £13

Mozzarella, tomato sauce CRAB £16 Mozarella, garlic butter base, local crab, parmesan, chillis, spring onions, rocket SEITAN £14 | V Mozarella, tomato sauce, capers, red onion

Tomato chutney, Charmouth Bakery bread

BABA GANOUSH £8 | VG Rocket, pickled red onion, Charmouth bakery bread

SOMERSET CHEDDAR CHEESE £7 | V

HANDPICKED LOCAL CRAB £12

Tomato chutney, Charmouth Bakery bread

Charmouth Bakery bread

SMOKED CHICKEN £10

SMOKED SALMON £8

Brie and cranberry, Charmouth bakery bread

Creme fraiche, lemon, chives, Charmouth bakery bread

A DISCRETIONARY OPTIONAL SERVICE CHARGE OF 12.5% WILL BE ADDED TO TABLES OF 6 OR MORE. ALL OF THE ABOVE PRICES ARE INCLUSIVE OF VAT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES OR REQUIRE INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS USED IN OUR DISHES/DRINKS. ALL BURGERS ARE COOKED TO MEDIUM.

Book at www.thepilotboat.co.uk or email reservations@thepilotboat.co.uk

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

thegreenpage

10 Friday, November 12 2021

www.lyme-online.co.uk

More support needed to tackle climate emergency AS the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow comes to a close today (Friday), Dorset Council has sent letters to key members of central government calling for further help in tackling the climate and ecological emergency.

The following summarises the key points within the correspondence: Back in May 2019, at our very first full council meeting, Dorset Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE). Supported by councillors from across the political spectrum, we have spent the last two years putting together a strategy for how we will play our part in tackling the greatest existential crisis ever faced by mankind.

We’ve done the research, looked at the available data and set out how we can achieve our goals at a local level.

We’ve already made remarkable progress in reducing our carbon footprint via energy efficiencies in our buildings, developing and transforming active travel with our partners at BCP Council, and celebrated the continued success of our waste recycling services, which are amongst the best in the country, to name just three examples.

But there’s an uncomfortable truth that I need to bring to your attention; it won’t be enough.

Dorset Council’s services account for only 1 per cent of the county’s carbon emissions.

And yet, to achieve carbon neutrality as

quickly as possible, we – as in the people of Dorset – need more money and better support from central government in dealing with the CEE, especially in the wake of the financial challenges caused by the pandemic.

As a coastal county and predominantly rural, the dangers of increased flooding incidents and other extreme weather events alone caused by climate change could be catastrophic for our communities.

We are doing everything we can to address the council’s carbon footprint, but the remaining 99 per cent of emissions can only be tackled by everyone – central government, businesses, councils and, most importantly, the public – if we work together. And you can help us to make this happen.

With post-pandemic recovery well underway, there has never been a better opportunity to demonstrate how ‘Building Back Better’ can mean making the most of this extraordinary chance to invest in infrastructure that will help prevent and address the worst consequences of man-made climate change.

It’s also the perfect time to make some big changes to national standards, legislation, and procedures to ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction.

We feel that councils need to be provided with significant new powers, responsibilities, and funding to deliver an inclusive and green recovery in their local area.

Lyme Regis environmental charity represented at COP26

Here are some of the things we’d like to see the government address: ● Remove hurdles for renewable energy deployment. It’s unnecessarily difficult to set up solar arrays, wind farms, and tidal power generation in terms of bureaucracy, funding, and physical infrastructure.

The economics of subsidy free renewable energy is extremely challenging with a high degree of uncertainty, with network constraints in Dorset increasing these risks and cost, driving up the scale of development and planning issues.

In addition, the planning system is unsupportive of on-shore wind, largely ruling out this technology – this needs to change immediately. ● The latest National Planning Policy Framework doesn’t go far enough when looking at climate change prevention. We want increased enforceable standards for building insulation and energy efficiency (as have been introduced in Scotland), implemented nationally so developers can’t just choose to build elsewhere.

We want to see massive investment to bring all existing homes up to the highest possible energy efficient standard by 2030.

Councils should also have greater powers to refuse planning permission for developments that negatively impact their local environment and are energy inefficient. ● We need more investment in sustainable public transport infrastructure and active travel, especially in rural areas.

Over the past few decades, local councils have been forced to cut subsidies for bus services and, as a rural county, Dorset was impacted more than most. We cannot expect people to get out of their cars and onto public and active transport if the service provision just isn’t there.

The reduction in emissions from private transport would be significant, and the health benefits of increased walking and cycling are huge too, helping take pressure off the NHS. ● We want stronger support for digital infras-

tructure and flexible working. Enabling employees to work from home during the pandemic has maintained productivity and lowered travel-related emissions.

However, some still struggle with connectivity issues, while tacit support from government for “get back to the office” messages is both insulting and counter-productive for those who have worked harder than ever over the past 18 months from their homes.

Digital infrastructure investment will allow for this change in working to continue, helps businesses – especially those in rural areas – and is significantly better for the environment as commuting is greatly reduced.

For too long, many people have seen the potential adoption of greener policies and the transformation of our economy, both at a national and local level, as a negative; that by addressing the CEE and putting environmental and ecological benefits ahead of all else, it will mean a level of sacrifice and compromise that some people are not willing to accept.

It does not need to be this way. We just need to change our focus to building prosperity around a sustainable economy, rather than slip back into old habits and traditional areas of development that can harm our environment.

If the UK government can demonstrate bold leadership and use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower local councils, businesses, and communities to build a better Britain that recognises the Climate and Ecological Emergency and its scientifically predicted consequences, we can ensure that future generations reap the benefits of a healthier planet and strong economy.

I have faith that our leaders will take the urgent action necessary to invest in a cleaner, greener future for our country and remove the obstacles we face as we all work together to do what is necessary to address this crisis.

Cllr Ray Bryan Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Dorset Council

Dorset is ‘ready to back urgent action’

A CONTINGENT from Lyme Regis, representing international reforestation charity The Word Forest, has been in Glasgow for the COP26 conference.

Tracey and Simon West, who run the Lyme Regis based charity, have been delivering jargon-free daily updates from the conference and fringe events, to help their supporters and the general public understand the importance of the international

climate conference.

They have also been holding interviews with some key players at the conference and Simon was interviewed himself for a feature on the BBC. You can find out more about what the Word Forest Organisation team have been up to on their special COP26 newsfeed at www.wordforest.org/cop26

TO mark COP26, Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) is issuing an important statement to the delegation last week.

The statement is aimed at world leaders who have been making crucial decisions about tackling the climate emergency, calls for urgent action and says its network in Dorset is ready to back the urgent need to cut carbon emissions.

Michael Dower, of DCAN’s Advocacy Team said: “It’s a very important time for the world and for climate change. We’ve been told that this is our ‘last best chance’ to get this right by US Envoy on Climate Change, John Kerry.

“DCAN wants to put both the planet and the people of Dorset at the forefront of everything it does.”

DCAN’s statement sent to world leaders at COP26 read as follows: On behalf of the many hundreds of people and the local organisations that we represent in Dorset, we send greetings to the assembled governments at COP 26.

We look to you for bold, collective leadership at this critical juncture in the history of human civilisation. We therefore ask you to set a clear and detailed pathway for urgent action to: ● Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions ● Phase out fossil fuels

Expand renewable energy production Turn towards the sustainable – and then regenerative – use of the world’s resources ● Reverse the disastrous loss of the world’s wildlife.

We know this process will make severe demands on the courage of political leaders, the resourcefulness of commerce and industry, the world’s financial resources and the adaptability and collective endeavour of people everywhere.

Living in a climatically favoured region in a wealthy country which has contributed heavily to the causes of climate change, we recognise that we have an obligation to contribute to this great global transition.

We believe the transition must be guided by the principles of fairness and justice, in order to alleviate the suffering of disadvantaged people everywhere, to sustain communities on the land where they currently live and to avoid the need for mass dislocation and migration.

We are ready to ‘live more lightly on the land’, to make the personal and collective changes which are needed to meet the global challenge, and to stand in solidarity with others around the world.

We look to you to seize the moment. ● ●

thegreenpage

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Lyme Regis councillors broaden understanding of climate issues AS national leaders meet in Glasgow for the COP26 conference, councillors from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Seaton have been offered Carbon Literacy training to help improve their understanding of the climate and ecological emergency.

The first workshop was held last Thursday, led by Lyme Regis councillor and climate activist Belinda Bawden, as part of a national pilot for the toolkit for town and parish councillors.

Yesterday (Thursday), the Carbon Literacy team, including Cllr Bawden, presented feedback from the trial at the COP26 Local Authority Day in Glasgow.

Lyme Regis is one of several local authorities to have already declared a climate and ecological emergency.

It aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and has recently established an Environment Committee to help achieve this aim.

Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, an Amazonia and climate change expert from Lyme Regis,

has expressed his support for the council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Lyme Regis Town Council has taken climate change so seriously.

“As someone who is speaking about climate change in many places around the world I am pleased that I can say that my hometown is taking it seriously.

“As a biologist who has studied plants all over the world I am so aware of the effects of climate change on the natural world.

“In Lyme Regis rising sea levels will be a problem if we do not halt climate change.

“We are approaching the tipping point when we will no longer be able to reverse things so the COP26 meeting in Glasgow is vital to the future of our planet, for all humankind and for the plants and animals that I study.

“There must be action from Glasgow not just words this time. Local action will be an essential part of it and so Lyme Regis Town Council please continue to do your part.”

Local churches commit to climate action

ON Sunday, October 17, more than 60 people from local churches around Lyme Regis and Uplyme gathered on the seafront for a caféstyle event to pray and commit to climate action ahead of the COP26 conference.

The Reverend Sarah Godfrey, Golden Cap Team Vicar, said: "It was a chance for young and old to come together to pray and commit to climate justice ahead of COP26.

“We were blessed with glorious sunshine and many passing holiday makers stopped to join in too.

"We were inspired by Jake Causley, who is a young, passionate environmentalist engaged in sustainability, wildlife and the natural world.

“Also with us was the Reverend Hilary Bond, pioneer priest and Christian climate activist, helping us to think about how we can join in with gentle activism.

"There were displays from local charities including The World Forest Organisation, Turn Lyme Green and Plastic Free Lyme Regis. There were opportunities for all the take part, educate ourselves, and write to our MPs. "We began by thanking God for our wonderful

world, we said sorry for not taking care of creation and we committed ourselves to action by placing pebbles from the beach into a pool of water, watching the ripple effect.

"The children had craft-based activity packs of recycled materials and they made prayer boats to send to the COP26 conference.

“Prayers were said for our world leaders that they will have compassion and determination to make difficult decisions that will protect the future of our planet.

"What a great afternoon for young and old to come together to worship God, meet others from churches around Lyme Regis and pray for the world!

“We had members of all denominations from Anglicans, Baptist, Roman Catholics and free churches, and even those that don’t identify with any church taking an active part in the service.

"Huge thanks to Jo and Rob Smith and the Reverend Nicky Davies from Uplyme Church for encouraging us all to join in as we rise up for concern for creation."

Friday, November 12 2021 11

Will anything change in Lyme Regis after COP26?

OVER a year ago I wrote about the chronic sewage pollution that is being dumped into our seas and rivers in and around Lyme Regis by our water companies.

Some of you downloaded the Safer Seas app from Surfers Against Sewage and got real-time updates on when sewage was being dumped into the sea.

Others thought the government needed to make changes in legislation to force water companies to better purify our sewage so it doesn't have such a damaging effect on the natural environment and our health.

Earlier this year some of us felt optimistic as the Environment Bill made its passage through parliament. Finally an obligation would be put on the water companies to stop the foul practice of dumping raw sewage into the sea.

Coupled with the eyes of the world being on the UK because of the COP26 conference we thought this government would oblige water companies to divert some of their profits to improve their performance.

Optimism was further enhanced when the House of Lords proposed an amendment that obliged water companies to reduce the amount of pollution incidences and invest in improving their infrastructure.

Who could argue that isn’t a good idea?

1) Give less money to shareholders 2) Spend it on improving capacity 3) Stop polluting our rivers and sea Well, the Environment Secretary for one – you couldn't make it up! The Environment Secretary instructed conservative MPs to vote against the amendment that would force water companies to protect the environment.

The excuse used was that they were worried people's water bills might increase if they forced water companies to improve their performance – water companies that over the years pay billions of pounds to shareholders.

They weren't worried that shareholders' dividends and directors' pay might be reduced to afford improvements to our sewage

system.

As COP26 debates how we might globally stop temperatures rising and destroying the natural environment, various excuses are trotted out that things cannot move quicker.

What could have been an easy win for our government, at no cost to taxpayers has been turned down and, instead, it decides and directs that water companies should not be made responsible so sewage pollution will continue to plague our rivers and ocean.

Oceans that absorb carbon.

To remind you of what’s coming: In 2020 there were over 400,000 discharges of untreated sewage into English waters adding up to over 3.1 million hours; 1,195 of these discharges were straight into UK coastal bathing waters during the MaySeptember bathing season.

The sheer volume of sewage and run-off entering the water means the UK is ranked last in EU countries for bathing water quality and only 14 per cent of rivers meet good ecological status.

Entering water that has raw sewage in it, there is risk of gastroenteritis, ear, nose and throat infections, skin infections, and even hepatitis and e-coli.

Research shows that water users in the UK remain likely to become ill from seawater as they were in the 1990s. Poor water quality harms river and ocean wildlife, reduces biodiversity and damages delicate ecosystems.

COP26 will have little effect on Lyme Regis because our water companies are allowed to continue putting shareholder profit over the destruction of our natural environment.

For all the big speeches the reality is simple; national tangible steps will not be made to protect our country's environment, let alone the worlds.

Shame on you government, shame on you South West Water.

Grenville Barr, treasurer of Turn Lyme Green and chairman of Plastic Free Lyme Regis

New Multiple Sclerosis Group to cover Dorset

F O O R P

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

Local helpline: 07554 882414

12 Friday, November 12 2021

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Plans to convert Residents launch campaign to save Uplyme former hotel into garage, shop and post office from closure eight holiday lets

PLANS have been submitted to split the former Victoria Hotel in Lyme Regis into seven separate holiday lets, and build additional visitor accommodation within the grounds.

The former hotel in Uplyme Road is currently let as a single 11-bed holiday home for large parties but is said to be outdated and in need of repair.

The new owner is proposing that two separate holiday lets be created on each of the lower ground, ground and first floors, with a single let on the top floor and a new twobedroom, single-storey holiday let built in the side garden – eight units in total.

The existing building will not change much in appearance from the front street scene, other than restoring the existing basement windows along the footpath.

Some existing doors will be replaced, blocked up and terraces added.

Three existing chimney breasts will be removed; these are non-working and have already been partly removed within the lower floors of the building mainly.

The new proposed detached let will only be visible from the car park and will not impact on any of the surrounding existing dwellings.

Each holiday let will have their own parking spaces within the existing rear car park.

Most of the proposed holiday lets will have their own personal garden or decking area to relax and others will have full access to the existing communal courtyard garden area which will be altered to suit.

It is also proposed to erect an external bin and secure cycle store within the car park area.

RESIDENTS of Uplyme have come together to launch a campaign in hope that one of the main village facilities will not be closed down.

It was confirmed at a meeting of Uplyme Parish Council last month that the post office based at Uplyme Filling Station would cease to operate when the postmaster’s current lease comes to an end on January 14 2022, and it was implied that the owner Dave Ostler may also close the entire garage and shop facility.

Mr Ostler said that proposed changes to Uplyme Road, to provide access for a new primary school on land behind the village hall, had been an ongoing concern for several years and could pose a health and safety hazard for his business with increased traffic queueing outside of the business, making it unviable in the long-term.

The news was met with huge concern from residents across the local area, but particularly in Uplyme where the filling station, shop and post office serves as one of the village’s last remaining facilities.

Resident Will Thomson quickly launched a Facebook group named ‘SOS Save Our Shop’ to campaign against the closure, and hosted a public meeting attended by about 80 residents on Sunday evening.

Mr Ostler was not present at the meeting to confirm any details or address concerns, but Mr Thomson said as far as he understood, the entire facility was due to close on January 14 unless an amendment was made to the access on the planning application for the new school.

It was understood that, although the school was not likely to be built for several years, the

Countdown to the big switch on!

LYME Regis Christmas Lights Committee have been busy with final preparations for the town’s festive illuminations, with the lights starting to be put in place over the coming days in time for the big switch-on on Saturday, November 27.

The lighting up of Lyme never fails to draw crowds and gasps of wonder from onlookers soaking up the magical seasonal atmosphere and this year the festive extravaganza is set to be bigger and better with an illuminated carnival at 5pm preceding the Lyme Regis Christmas lights display 2020 (photo by Richard Austin) switch on at 5.30pm.

“The committee are dedicated to putting on a The afternoon celebrations commence with the Christmas lantern making workshop at Pine Hall, display the town can be proud of, and we are very grateful to our primary sponsors Lyme Bay HoliLyme Regis Baptist Church at 2pm. This is a free event with all materials provided and is great fun days and SWIM for their support along with many other local businesses, the Town Council, Rotary for kids and all the family. Prizes will be awarded Club, and members of the local community who for the best lanterns in each age category with have generously contributed to our fundraising judging taking place at 4pm. Lanterns made at efforts. home are welcome to enter the competition.

“There’s still time for local businesses to become Those with lanterns will join the illuminated sponsors or supporters. carnival procession which will feature Lyme Regis “You can also enter our grand fundraising raffle Majorettes who will be adding a bit of extra en- with three cash prizes of £300, £200 and £100 up ergy and sparkle to the proceedings. Santa will be for grabs plus meal vouchers for the Alexandra arriving in town on his sleigh to turn on the lights. Hotel and Harbour Inn. Lyme Morris will be entertaining the crowds “You can get your raffle tickets via our website after the switch on and Santa will mingle to chat lymechristmaslights.co.uk, from the Slipway shop and have photos. by the Cobb or from local fundraisers Joshua and Christmas Lights Committee Chairman Rob Annette Denning or Andrew Hodder.”

James commented: “We’re hoping as many peoThe lights will continue to sparkle until the first ple as possible join us to celebrate the beginning week of January, taking the town into a bright of the festive season in town.

New Year.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

garage business required investment and the owner was reluctant to invest further if the business was not viable in the long term.

Mr Thomson emphasised that he wanted to village to positively work together to put pressure on all parties involved to appease Mr Ostler’s request to change the access, so the facility was not lost.

“A new school would be a wonderful thing to have, but not at the cost of all other amenities in the village,” he added.

Mr Thomson explained that initial plans for the new school included a separate entrance and exit, but Devon Highways advised this was unlikely to be approved and should be changed to a single access point before the application was submitted to East Devon District Council.

Their objection to the separate entrance and exit was based on the exit on to Master Close being “too steep” and too close to a mini roundabout.

A revised application was eventually submitted by The Bestic Trust – responsible for the development of the school – with a single entrance and exit point closer to the garage, which was approved by East Devon in October 2020 despite strong objection from Uplyme Parish Council and Mr Ostler.

Many questions and speculation about the proposed closure of the garage, shop and post officer were raised at the meeting, but with Mr Ostler not present, Mr Thomson asked those attending to focus on what action can now be taken.

He said the only way to move forward was to get the plans changed, and this would be

safer for both the school and garage, and would not cause so many traffic issues.

Mr Thomson said he had spoken with The Bestic Trust and they were now hoping to revisit their initial plans with the separate entrance and exit to see if there was any alternative way to move forward.

A safety audit may also be carried out on the mini roundabout to see if the exit on to Masters Close would be viable.

Mr Thomson suggested that the village launch a petition calling for all parties involved, including East Devon District Council as the planning authority and Devon County Council’s Highways department, to reconsider the plans.

He also asked residents to write personal letters on how the closure of the garage, shop and post office would affect them. These letters can be addressed to ‘SOS Save Our Shop’ and dropped through the letter box at Uplyme Village Hall.

Mr Thomson commented: “We hope that Mr Ostler will hold on for a bit longer if he sees that some action is being taken.”

It was also collectively agreed to write a letter to Mr Ostler asking for him for further clarity on the current situation.

Other suggestions arising from the meeting included lobbying local MP Neil Parish, county and district councillors, as well as working with the school directly.

Other suggested that local fundraising events could be held to cover the cost of making changes to the already approved planning application, or to cover the costs of training for a new postmaster.

newsfromwestminster

A monthly column by West Dorset MP Chris Loder

LAST week, I voted to put a duty on water companies to monitor water quality upstream and downstream of storm overflow which they don’t do today, as part of the Environment Bill.

This will also give the government the power to direct water companies who fail to provide or adhere to management plans designed to reduce the release of raw sewage in storm overflows. It’s a major step forward and a huge improvement on what is in place today.

But why can’t we just ban this practice straightaway?... Sewage discharge into our water courses has occurred for many years. I despise it, but it is important for us to understand what would happen if we completely banned it with no emergency outlet.

Such discharge typically occurs when existing infrastructure isn’t sufficient to cope with surface water run-off during periods of heavy rain. The whole reason the emergency system of storm outflows exist is to prevent dirty water from entering properties or contaminating drinking water supplies, which when we have a Victorian water system built for a much smaller population, we have a pressure point.

If the vote went through as it was, this amendment would have likely forced complete renewal, costing billions of pounds which would have forced many water companies into bankruptcy, with a considerable cost to each of us.

My vote in the House of Commons was to improve the accountability of water companies to the British people, and to improve water quality for the benefit of everyone through forcing careful planning and long-term improve-

ment to our sewage infrastructure.

But I do agree that more could have been done which is one of the reasons I hope that MPs lobbying behind the scenes will go to clamp down very hard, especially if it is found that water companies are discharging unnecessarily.

It is also worth everyone noting that Parliament is doing its work and this Environment Bill has not completed its legislative path through parliament yet and it will likely have further improvements as it completes its legislative process and becomes law.

As ever, if I can help with constituency issue, please get in touch at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or online: www.chrisloder.co.uk

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

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Lyme rower takes on Atlantic challenge LYME Regis resident Neil Wittridge will be taking on the adventure of a lifetime next month, rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for the RNLI. Neil is one of a team of 12 to take on the Roxy Atlantic Expedition, leaving Teneriffe in the Canary Islands in early December and heading to the finishing line in Antigua.

The row will cover 3,000 nautical miles and is expected to take 35 to 40 days in challenging conditions.

Each member of the team will be rowing for 12 hours per day, broken into two-hour slots.

As well as the physical challenge, living in close quarters with 11 other recently befriended rowers in a small vessel and unable to see land can also be emotionally challenging.

Organisers say: “On the way, you will overcome many challenges, both physically, mentally and socially, but the memories and friendships made along the way will hopefully last a lifetime.”

Neil is hoping to raise funds for the lifesaving charity, the RNLI, and has already had more than £400 pledged on his online fundraising page.

You can sponsor him by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-wittridge1

Neil Wittridge from Lyme Regis (pictured third from left) with his rowing team mates

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week raises more than £36,000 LYME Regis Lifeboat Week raised a total of £36,213 for the RNLI. The event was considered a great financial success despite the COVID-19 restrictions, which was the key message given to members of the Lyme Regis & Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters Group at their extraordinary general meeting this week.

The meeting heard from treasurer Brian Cursley that the return of Lifeboat Week in July had been a success and after expenses a total of £36,213 was raised and sent to RNLI headquarters in Poole.

And the manager of the tiny RNLI shop next to the lifeboat station, Krys Lavery, reported that it had recently been the most successful such RNLI outlet in the country.

Volunteer lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks said that, since the last annual meeting of the supporters in 2019, the lifeboat had been launched 93 times, assisting 52 people and saving two lives.

In addition the lifeboat had launched 75 times on training exercises with the crew

spending a total of 1,500 hours at sea.

Mr Marks reported that not once had the crew lost the ability to provide a rescue service during the COVID crisis.

Supporters group chairman Ken Lavery, reporting on the success of Lifeboat Week, praised the involvement of all volunteers including the lifeboat crew and the introduction of innovative measures such as a special app and a live streaming of the duck race.

He said that many people had appreciated the fact that a ‘normal’ lifeboat week had been possible.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Jim Thomas, former geography teacher at The Woodroffe School, who served for many years with the lifeboat crew from 1980 and later with local coastguards.

He spoke of many incidents he dealt with and how one, in particular, the deaths of four young canoeists in 1993, had “a real impact” on him.

Mr Thomas said he had now retired after 42 years responding to his pager.

■ A SPONSORED 50-mile march by some 200 ex-servicemen and women raised £1,200 for the RNLI in Lyme Regis.

The march, held in September, started at Lulworth Cove and finished at Lyme Regis lifeboat station.

It was held in aid of Rifles Regimental Trust’s Care for Casualties and it’s hoped the final total for this charity will reach

£100,000.

Those taking part also carried collection buckets to raise additional funds for the RNLI. One of the organisers of the march, Richard Davey, presented a cheque for £1,271 to Lyme Regis lifeboat operations manager Nick Mark last week (pictured above).

RNLI looking to recruit new water safety volunteers

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is looking for 50 new volunteers to join the charity’s Water Safety team that help shape and implement water safety education in their local communities.

The RNLI has always had volunteers at the heart of everything it does and everyone involved is part of one crew that helps to save lives at sea.

Steve Instance, Head of Water Safety in the South West, said: “Volunteers make up 95% of our organisation – ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The Water Safety team play a vital role in shaping and delivering water safety education to their local communities, that they know better than anyone.

“It’s that local knowledge, combined with a variety of expe-

rience, skills and expertise, that make this a dynamic and exciting team to be a part of.

‘In this recruitment push we want to reach out to anyone that has an interest or passion for the coast, water sports, water safety or education.

“We want to continue expanding our current team of volunteers and we always champion diversity to help us identify and reach new audiences with a greater impact.”

Tom Bolt is 27 years old and lives down in St Ives, Cornwall.

Having come from a competitive swimming and surf-lifesaving background, Tom joined the Water Safety team wanting to make a real difference.

He said: “I decided to join as a volunteer for a number of reasons. I felt like I wanted to give something back to the

place and community where I’d enjoyed so much time in and around water.

“But I also saw it as an opportunity to improve and develop my skills and experience, that I could use for future job opportunities.”

The lifesaving charity rely on their dedicated volunteers who all play a part in saving lives at sea. If you would like to join as a volunteer, but don’t think the Water Safety team is for you, there is always opportunity to get involved in other ways from retail and fundraising to station tours and lifeboat crew.

The current Water Safety roles, as well as other volunteering opportunities with the RNLI, can be found by visiting the website https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer

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Relax and improve your health with Tai Chi

Members of Lym Tai Chi, including instructor Ann Yates pictured front left

IF you’re looking to try a low impact exercise class, to increase flexibility, balance and co-ordination while reducing stress and anxiety – Tai Chi may be just the answer.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition, originally developed for self-defence in the 13th century. Often described as “meditation in motion”, it has since has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health benefits.

The exercise involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing. It can be done by anyone at any age, helping to strengthen your physical health, improve your balance and create a sense of wellbeing.

Lym Tai Chi is currently offering two classes a week at St Michael’s Parish Church Hall and the Masonic Hall in Lyme Regis, led by Ann Yates, a registered instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain who has been practising for nearly 10 years.

Ann invited me along to try out one of her classes last week. I had never experienced Tai Chi before so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was met with a warm welcome from both Ann and her friendly class, with members – some of whom had been practising Tai Chi for years – keen to tell me more about the exercise and its benefits.

The slow pace of Tai Chi may give some the impression that it is not all that challenging, but as Ann told me, sometimes doing things slowly can be more difficult than you think.

I began to understand what she meant as we started the class with a long warm-up; slowing everything down when you’re used to modern, fast-paced living does take a certain level of focus but Ann encouraged us to be mindful and focus our attention on the here and now.

After the warm up, Ann led us through several Qi Gong movements and I was able to mirror her actions to make it easier as a beginner.

The more advanced members of the class then

LymeOnline editor Francesca Evans joins Lym Tai Chi to discover the health benefits of the exercise showed me ‘the form’ – a series of movements they practise in unison. Ann took me through the first few movements, which demonstrated just how much precision is needed for each one.

She said it can take up to a year to learn the entire sequence, but even after this there is always more to learn or improve upon with Tai Chi. I found the entire class incredibly calming. I had arrived after an early start at work and with a busy schedule ahead of me, but after just a few minutes, the stresses and worries of everyday life seemed to dissipate as I put all my focus into following the specific movements.

It also felt great to get up and be active, rather than just sitting at my desk, but without having to push myself to extreme limits. I left feeling energised and focussed, rather than exhausted.

If you want to give Tai Chi a go or find out more about its health benefits, call Ann on 07840 004 014 or email lymtaichi@gmail.com No experience is required and everyone is welcome.

Lym Tai Chi A friendly group who meet for gentle exercise of both body and mind New classes in Lyme on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings with registered TCUGB instructor No experience necessary, all welcome Call Ann on 07840 004 014 or email lymtaichi@gmail.com

Local Lib Dems enjoy a game of skittles

Christmas

■ THE Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Marshwood Vale branch of the Liberal Democrats met at the Clock Inn, in Chideock, last Sunday. Some members who were unable to join in person took part in the meeting via video conferencing app Zoom. Jane Gregory, pictured above centre, was elected branch chair. Following the business of the meeting, those in attendance enjoyed a buffet lunch followed by a game of skittles.

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

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Woodmead Halls,, L Wo Lyme ym me Regis, eyes down 8pm m Great ffestiv estive prizes up ffor or grabs!

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Dictionaries presented to local schoolchildren by Rotary Club

THE promotion of literacy among young people is a key objective of Rotary International.

To this end, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has once again presented copies of the Usborne Illustrated Dictionary to every Year 6 pupil at local schools, including St Michael’s in Lyme Regis, Mrs Ethelston’s in Uplyme, Marshwood Primary School and Char- President of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, Chris Buckingham, and past president mouth Primary Richard Main present dictionaries to Marshwood Primary School pupils, with acting School – about 90 dic- headteacher Peter Beare tionaries in total. help the young of our community and hope the “This dictionary is superbly written and illus- books will be well dog-eared and thumbed by trated and is a very high quality production, an the time the children leave their next school.” excellent tool for all ages, including adults,” The club first presented dictionaries to local said club president Chris Buckingham. schools in 2010. Teachers work with Year 6 “In this age when the use of computers and pupils during their final year in the school to other electronic technology seems to be engulf- ensure they know just how to use the dictionary ing every aspect of life it is still true that there correctly and that they use it regularly throughis nothing so crucial to the development and out the year so that when they progress to Year advancement of young people as literacy.

7, in a different school, they are totally familiar “This dictionary will help these young people with this valuable educational aid. Parents are learn and understand. A strong command of also encouraged to promote their use at home. our language, underpinned by a good dictioA total of almost 1,000 dictionaries have now nary, will open up new worlds for our children been presented.

Each pupil’s name has been inscribed by calas they explore books and find the magic worlds within them and will also make them more ligrapher Pam Moseley in a special insert page in the front with a message from the Rotary competitive in today’s job’s market.

“We are really pleased at this opportunity to Club.

Face-to-face events return to library

Photo by Ashley Ball

Spectacular fireworks and bonfire attract record crowd A SPECTACULAR firework display and bonfire held in Lyme Regis for Guy Fawkes Night attracted record crowds.

The town was packed last Saturday evening, with an estimated crowd of 8,000 watching the firework display from the end of the Cobb, followed by the lighting on a bonfire on the beach.

The bonfire had been built by volunteers during the day, including a team from Lyme Regis Football Club, and was lit by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE. The event was free of charge with visitors from across the region flocking to the town, resulting in some parking and traffic issues on the night.

Collection buckets raised just under £5,000, which organisers said is enough to stage the event again in 2022.

One of the organisers, Lyme Regis town crier Alan Vian, said: “It was great to see so

many people enjoying themselves as a family.

Many had travelled a long way to come to Lyme and some had even booked accommodation for the weekend so that they could enjoy the evening.

“The bonfire was built by the football club and cleared up by the gig club who once again showed their commitment to community events. Local business were inundated by the hungry and thirsty on-lookers.

“We are very grateful to the staff at Travis Perkins for letting us use their fence panels free of charge, to Matt Adamson-Drage for driving the lorry to collect wood for the bonfire and to Matt and Darren who worked tirelessly to ensure that the seafront was kept clear of rubbish.

“Finally a big thank you to our safety stewards and intrepid collectors who collected just under £5,000.

“It was another great night in Lyme.”

LYME Regis Library is returning to face-toface events and activities following the coronavirus pandemic.

Current regular events include visits from Lyme Regis’ Digital Champion every Monday, offering free digital support to anyone who needs it.

If you would like help to use your PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet, advice is available.

You may want to know how to upload photos, apply for a parking permit, organise your files, shop online or set up an email address.

Or you may be worried about online security.

With so many services going online, it is easy to feel left behind.

Andy, Lyme Regis Library’s Digital Champion, will be in the library every Monday between 2pm and 4pm for pre-booked appointments.

This is a free service, open to all. To find out more and to book an appointment, call the li-

brary during opening hours 01297 443151.

Shared Reading is another regular event that recently restarted, offering the opportunity to meet new people and listen to a short story or poem.

This is a small group, led by a volunteer leader, who has trained with The Reader charity. It provides the opportunity to discover new literature and talk with others, in a relaxed setting.

Sessions are held every Wednesday from 2pm to 3.30pm at Lyme Regis Library and this is free and open to all.

Booking in advance is essential, as places are limited. To book, call Lyme Regis Library, during opening hours 01297 443151.

The library is currently open during the following hours: Monday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm; Wednesday 2pm to 5pm; Friday 2pm to 6.30pm; Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Horticultural society to host talk on British owls UPLYME and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society will host a talk on British owls on Wednesday, November 24 at Uplyme Village Hall.

The talk will be given by Chris Sperring MBE, who is conservation officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, aided by a live owl.

Chris will look at the natural history and practical conservation of the UK's owl population and cover topics from basic biology to ecology and practical measures to conserve owls.

Owls are an indicator species, acting as a barometer of the health of the natural world they live in.

Chris will expand upon this topic by looking at the recent decrease of nature

throughout the UK and the world.

This year, Chris celebrates 30 years in his post and brings a lifetime of knowledge and passion for the natural world.

He received the MBE in 2001 for services to nature conservation and dedicates much of his time towards helping local wildlife community groups.

In his sparse spare time Chris writes and records his own music.

The talk starts at 8pm and will be preceded by the society’s annual general meeting at 7.30pm.

Doors open at 7pm, when refreshments will be available. Entry is free for society members and £3 for guests.

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Local design businesses join forces to help others in wake of the coronavirus pandemic TWO local entrepreneurs who first met at school have joined forces to help other businesses as they continue to rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic.

Genevieve Wells and Chris Outlaw met as students at The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis and have both gone on to launch successful businesses in the design industry.

Genevieve is director of architectural and interior design firm Inside Out Your Space, which opened a branch at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis in 2020 after she returned to her hometown, and Chris is the founder of Elements Brand Management, based in Axminster.

Genevieve has wide-ranging experience of architecture and interior design in both the residential sector and retail and commercial industry, having worked on projects ranging from Peter Stringfellows’ clubs to Pizza Express.

She wanted to use this experience to help other businesses in the Lyme Regis area as they reopened following lockdown, so she has teamed up with old friend Chris for their first project together – redesigning and rebranding local hair salon Along Came Polly.

With help from her colleague Elena Breeze, who recently graduated from the Manchester School of Art, Genevieve has designed a brand new look for the hair salon in Drakes Way, off Broad Street.

The design gives the salon a flavour of Lyme Regis and the seaside without the obvious maritime colours of blue and turquoise. Instead, she has built on Along Came Polly’s recognisable purple branding, giving it a sophisticated upgrade with complimentary copper tones, a burnt wood palette and a light industrial edge, with the hope this will further appeal to unisex clients.

The design is also COVID compliant, with each station divided, which will also work well with salon owner Polly Coates’ future plans to rent out stations to freelance hair-

PICTURED above, a modern and sophisticated new interior for Along Came Polly in Lyme Regis, designed by Inside Out Your Space. Meanwhile, Elements Brand Management in Axminster has created new logo and branding options for the hair salon, pictured left and right

dressers.

The interior is completed with a graphic wall and mirrored hanging ceiling structure, with planting around the edges, giving the salon more natural vibrancy.

Alongside the new interior, Chris has designed a slick new logo and branding for Along Came Polly, working with the same colour scheme and inspirations.

Founded by Chris in 2018, Elements Branding Management helps businesses unlock their brand’s full potential, so they can stand out from the competition and grow their business.

They use a strategy-first approach, looking at each client’s missions, values and purpose before putting together an external brand that can help them achieve their aspirations.

Both Genevieve and Chris have carried out this work free of charge to launch a new partnership that they hope will help fellow local businesses after the challenges of the past 18 months.

They are also keen to help new businesses get off the ground and are currently working on their second project with East Kitchen, which will see Natalie McCarthy of Red Panda and Keian Gillet of The Galley Cafe combine their talents to open a new Asian restaurant in Lyme Regis.

Look out for further updates in future editions of LymeOnline...

READER OFFERS Inside Out Your Space is currently offering two free tickets to the Somerset Homebuilding & Renovating Show on November 20 and 21 and Elements Brand Management is offering a free brand review. For full details visit the websites below: ● Inside Out Your Space insideout-yourspace.co.uk ● Elements Branding Management elementsbrandmanagement.co.uk ● Along Came Polly alongcamepollyhair.com

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

Marine Theatre looks forward to bringing community back together for Christmas AFTER a difficult year for getting together, Lyme Regis’ theatre by the sea has released welcome details about its festive events for the community.

A particular highlight will be ‘The Little Match Girl’, to be held at the Marine Theatre on Thursday, December 16 – a very special family Christmas theatre show for all, filled with live music, puppetry and multimedia.

The hugely popular comic duo Living Spit take to the Marine Theatre stage on Friday, December 10 for a hilarious interpretation of the nativity.

With the usual mix of songs, puppetry and general silliness, their version of the Christmas story promises to be unforgettable.

Lyme Regis’ annual free community film returns on Wednesday, December 15 with a screening of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, Frank

Capra's classic heart-warmer starring James Stewart.

There’s also a special double-bill of two family classics: Raymond Briggs' ‘The Snowman’ and ‘Father Christmas’ will be played back-toback on Wednesday, December 22.

The Marine Theatre’s director Gabby Rabbitts said: “I am joyful to be sharing details of our Christmas programme today, after a challenging year for Lyme.

“We’ve had a successful autumn with many sell out events, but if you haven’t visited us again, we’d love to welcome you back for festive frolics.

“There’s plenty here for all, including our free film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. It never fails to bring a tear to my eye.”

Details and tickets for all events are available at marinetheatre.com

A free community screening of Christmas classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is on the festive programme

A performance of ‘The Little Match Girl’ is set to be one of the highlights of the festive season at the Marine Theatre

Living Spit will return with their comical take on the traditional nativity story

BBC Three comedy star coming to Lyme Regis

‘The Little Match Girl’ will feature live music, puppetry and multimedia

A BRAND new stand-up show from the star of the multiaward-winning ‘Man Like Mobeen’ on BBC Three is coming to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis next week.

In 2015 Tez Ilyas achieved fame with his debut stand up hour TEZ Talks. A sell-out run at the Soho Theatre and his own Radio 4 series based on the show followed.

He also stars in ‘The Tez O’Clock Show’ on Channel 4 and is widely regarded as a big star of British comedy.

His debut novel ‘The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4’, a teenage memoir, was quickly a bestseller.

He will perform at the Marine Theatre on Saturday, November 13. Tickets are now available at marinetheatre.com

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MARINE THEATRE B OOK N O W F OR C HRIS TMAS EVENT S

CARA DILLON FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER £21 advance

LIVING SPIT’S S NATIVIT Y FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER £13 advance

LYME REGIS COMEDY CLUB U WITH JESS FOSTEKEW SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER £10 advance

IT’S A WONDE ERFUL LIFE! WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER Free

MUNGO’S HIFI SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER £14 advance

THE LITTLE MA ATCH GIRL THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER From £10 advan nce

TICKETS: MARINETHEATRE.COM OR 0333 666 3366.

Booking fee applies. applies 10% off foor members.

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

Lyme Regis’ very own Miss Marple impresses audiences as Marine Players return to the stage

Anne King, who took on the lead role of the Miss Marple-esque Joanna Parfait (photos by Nick Ivins)

What’s on Friday, November 12

Jonah Hitchens Band Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Jonah Hitchens blends soul, funk, psychedelia and jazz into a single exhilarating mash up. He will front his eight-piece band with soulful vocals, swirling guitar riffs and bucketloads of charisma.

Join him to celebrate his 25th birthday and the completion of his new album ‘Sunset Circus’. Tickets £12 from marinetheatre.com Auction of Promises Uplyme Village Hall, 6.30pm An Auction of Promises held in aid of Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support, with guest auctioneer Graham Barton of Symonds and Sampson, know for his many appearances on ‘Homes under the Hammer’.

Saturday, November 13

Tez Ilyas: ‘The Vicked Tour’ Marine Theatre, 7pm The brand-new stand-up show from the star of The Tez O’Clock Show on Channel 4, TEZ Talks on BBC Radio 4, and the multi-award-winning Man Like Mobeen on BBC Three. Tickets for £16 are available from marinetheatre.com

Sunday, November 14

Remembrance Sunday Procession Broad Street, 10.30am A Remembrance Sunday Parade will be held in Lyme Regis on Sunday, November 14, leaving the Pound Street entrance to Langmoor Gardens at 10.30am and marching down Broad Street and along Church Street and Monmouth Street to the town’s war memorial where a short service will be held.

Remembrance Sunday Concert St Michael’s Parish Church, 4.30pm Lyme Bay Chorale will give a

HAVING developed a penchant for spooky and thrilling productions in recent years, the Marine Players returned to the stage with the premiere of their very own murder mystery ‘Died in the Wool’ last week.

Juliet Henham, who usually joins the Marine Players on stage, made her first foray into directing for many years after writing the play especially for the group, based on ideas first suggested by her brother and father.

She said she wrote ‘Died in the Wool’ for a “bit of fun and silliness in what has been a very difficult 18 months for everyone” and she captured the light-hearted style of an Agatha Christie mystery perfectly.

Experienced local performer Anne King was

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

performance of Fauré’s well– known Requiem to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Entrance free with a retiring collection in aid of the Royal British Legion.

Stalls to include glass, jewellery, knitted and stitched items, seaside gifts, paintings and cards, pottery, wood, homemade cakes and preserves. Admission is free.

Tuesday, November 16

Sunday, November 21

Talk: 'The Marine Theatre: Her Long Life and Generosity' Woodmead Halls, 2pm Marine Theatre director Gabby Rabbitts will give this talk for the Lyme Regis Society. Entry is free for members and £3 for non-members.

Thursday, November 18

Celebrating Joni Mitchell The Sara Colman Band Marine Theatre, 6.30pm 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s iconic album, Blue. So Sara Colman and her 10 piece band come together to celebrate Mitchell’s music and songs with the launch of her own CD, Ink on a Pin. Tickets from £18 available at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.

Friday, November 19

Cara Dillon Marine Theatre, 7pm Cara Dillon occupies an enviable position at the very top of her genre. This extraordinary Irish singer has been captivating audiences and achieving exceptional acclaim for over 20 years. Tickets from £21 available at marinetheatre.com

Saturday, November 20

Jurassic Art & Craft Fayre, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, 10am-4pm

THEATRE REVIEW

by Francesca Evans

DIED IN THE WOOL The Marine Players

hugely likeable as Joanna Parfait – the Miss Marple style character – keen to solve the dramatic incidents unfolding around her as more and more guests arrived to visit the Holyroods in Plumstead Bagnall.

An explosion in the vicarage, stonework falling from the church roof, arsenic in the sherry, a car almost running off the road and the foundations of the neighbouring house collapsing – it was almost like a game of Cluedo!

It seemed Miss Parfait was being taught a lesson for always meddling in mysteries, with her hosts eventually revealing it was all just a joke.

But when a gun was suddenly fired in the sitting room, it seemed everyone wasn’t so innocent after all and the unsuspecting professor Henry Holy-

rood, played by Brian Rattenbury, was eventually outed as the villain.

A clever story that had audiences guessing ‘who dunnit’ til the very end.

Cast: Joanna Parfait - Anne King; Maggie Holyrood - Elaine Taylor; Professor Henry Holyrood Brian Rattenbury; Mrs Turner - Anita Routley; Stubbs - Ruth Rose; Susan Worthington - Claudia Marshall; Gabriel Pateman - Harry Ford; Major John Worthington - Fred Humphrey; Claire Worthington - Margaret Morgan; The Reverend Vernon Verey Campbell - John Gooden; Aubrey Bryce - John Simpson; Chief Inspector Haddock - David Ruffle; Detective Inspector Phillips Linda Crawford.

Crew: Joint stage managers - Jo Smith-Oliver and Kath Gigg; Assistant stage managers - Karen Hull and Yvonne Marsh; Sound effects and lighting - Steve Miller; Graphic design - John Gooden; Set design, erection and painting - members of the cast and society; Programme - Fred Humphrey, Elaine Taylor and John Gooden; Acknowledgements - The Marine Players would like to thank Sue and David Woodruff and the staff and volunteers of the Marine Theatre.

Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm Jess Fostekew, of BBC’s Motherland, The Hoovering Podcast and The Guilty Feminist headlines this month’s comedy club, with Matt Rees, Matt Bragg and resident compere Tom Glover. Tickets from £10 available at marinetheatre.com

Wednesday, November 24

Uplyme Horticultural Society AGM & Talk, Uplyme Village Hall, 7pm Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society host their AGM followed by a talk on british owls by Chris Sperring MBE, conservation officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, aided by a live owl.Doors open at 7pm for AGM at 7.30pm and talk at 8pm. Entrance free for members, £3 for guests, refreshments available.

The cast of the Marine Players’ ‘Died in the Wool’

Thursday, November 25

Rachel Sermanni Marine Theatre, 7pm Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish singer-songwriter whose beautiful, fluent sound is a perfect match for eloquent lyrics and a captivating stage presence. Tickets from £14 available at marinetheatre.com Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Doors open 7.30pm, eyes down 8pm.

Fred Humphrey as major John Worthington

Harry Ford as Gabriel Pateman

Friday, November 12 2021 25

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Abbeyfield Lyme Regis The heart of an Abbeyfield house is the community generated by its residents who no longer want to live alone in isolation or become dependent on their family’s support in later life.

We encourage our residents to keep connected to the wider community in Lyme, to remain independent and active.

Our amazing team of friendly housekeepers provide delicious home-cooked lunches and suppers. They will get to know you and always have time to offer a listening ear or a word of encouragement.

Our house is situated amid lovely gardens, which offer outstanding views across the town and around the iconic Jurassic Coast.

We currently have vacancies on the ground and first floor for en-suite studio apartments.

The monthly fees include rental, food, all utility charges and the maintenance charges for the communal areas and gardens.

This charge varies according to the apartment size. (Please note that we accept Housing Benefit, for those that are eligible, as part of these fees).

Why then live a solo existence, when being part of this community will allow you the time to live a fuller, richer life?

Come and see our house for yourself by contacting David Lawrence (01297) 442140

or 07715 050083

Abbeyfield Lyme Regis and District) Society Ltd.Westhill, Silver Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HS T: 01297 443783 E: abbeyfieldlymeregis@hotmail.co.uk We are a member of The Abbeyfield Society whose Royal Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales Registered Charity No. 261463; NAROSH No. H2698; Company No. 00977174 Registered Office: The Abbeyfield House, Westhill, Silver Street. Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HS Registered in England and Wales

axminsternews

26 Friday, November 12 2021

■ THE Axminster community has rallied around after a new business was targeted by vandals just days after opening.

Susan Barney opened Big Sue's Café in West Street, Axminster, on Tuesday, November 2 but on Thursday night vandals smashed the large front windows by throwing rocks through them.

A online fundraising page has since been set up and has already raised £400 of the £2,000 target to help replace the windows.

Commenting on the fundraising page, Susan said: "My self and help of friends have worked and worked to get this off the ground. I did it alongside my children nearly daily until this café was ready to go.

"I've borrowed money, I've borrowed equipment, I've done everything to make this a success.

"To say we are truly devastated is an understatement. Let's get Big Sue's open again."

The café reopened on Saturday, November 6 and Susan has thanked all those who have offered support.

■ THE Axminster Photography Group are holding their first exhibition in two years at The Minster Church, commencing on Thursday, November 18 and concluding on Saturday, November 20.

The church will be open for viewing to the general public, fellow photographers and potential new members from 10am to 4pm on the Thursday and Friday and from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm on the Saturday.

The exhibition will display photographs taken by members during 2020 and 2021, reflecting either conditions that were imposed by the lockdown period or subjects of their choice whilst confined by the national conditions relevant to these two years.

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Town council welcomes five new members

AXMINSTER Town Council this week co-opted five new members to fill vacancies that had existed for some time.

The council held an extraordinary meeting on last Monday, in which Sarah Birnie and Alfie Brooker were co-opted to represent the Raymond's Hill ward, and Sue Brooker, Elizabeth Paice and Bernie Steadman were co-opted for the Town ward.

This means that, for the first time in its history, the town council now has more female members than male, including a female mayor and deputy mayor.

The Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, welcomed the new members onto the council, saying: “I am delighted that the vacancies have been filled, and look forward to working with the new councillors as soon as possible at a time when the council is experiencing significant change and increasing demands from residents for services and amenities."

The mayor also noted with regret the recent resignation of Ollie Tucker, who joined the council in March of this year as the authority’s youngest ever councillor, but who has found the time commitments of the role to be incompatible with his studies.

Cllr Farrow thanked Ollie for his service, enthusiasm and insight and said he would be greatly missed.

Mr Tucker's resignation leaves another casual vacancy on the council. If no petition for a byelection has been received by East Devon District Council by November 12, then the town council will be asked to fill the vacancy by co-option again.

A national network of h hyperlocal news websites, now covering the Ax Axminster & Seatton areas With editorial content provided by the team from Ly Lym meOnline

Visit our new websites at

axminsterr..nub.news and seaton.nub.news And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & T Tw witter to keep up to date with all the latest local news

Cllrs Charles Hall, Sara Leat, Andrea Sedgewick, Elizabeth Paice, Sarah Birnie, Bernie Steadman, Jeremy Walden, Martin Spurway, Alfie Brooker, Jill Farrow and Sue Brooker with interim deputy town clerk Paul Hayward and town clerk Hilary Kirkcaldie

Volunteers get transformation of Jubilee Field underway with daffodil planting

Almost 30 volunteers turned out on Sunday morning to plant daffodil bulbs at Jubilee Field

RESIDENTS and town councillors got the transformation of Jubilee Field in Axminster underway last Sunday morning.

Almost 30 volunteers turned out to plat daffodil bulbs on the field between Dukes Way and the Foxhill area.

Axminster Town Council is currently awaiting the final transfer of ownership of the field from East Devon District Council, but was given permission to plant the bulbs before the weather got too cold, which will hopefully brighten up the field next year in time for the

Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The project is being led by town councillor Steve Holt with greater plans for planting trees, shrubs and wild flowers, plus benches and tables for relaxation areas.

The town council bought 400 daffodil bulbs for Sunday's planting and were given a further 400 by East Devon.

The ground was prepared by volunteers and the bulbs were all planted in three areas around the filed in about 45 minutes.

Trains continue to be affected by Salisbury incident TRAINS through Axminster are likely to remain affected until at least the end of the day on Monday, November 15 following a serious collision between two trains near Salisbury at the end of October.

The incident saw one train derail in a tunnel which led to a signalling failure, with another train then colliding with it minutes later. About 100 people had to be rescued from the trains, with some injured but no fatalities.

The incident has been affecting trains running through Axminster.

There is currently no service to London Waterloo, but trains are running between Gillingham and Exeter St David’s, where the normal service is running to London Paddington.

Shuttle services are also in operation between Salisbury and Exeter St David’s.

For more information, visit southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey

Friday, November 12 2021 27

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Park and ride needs to be LymeOnline Letters opened for bonfire night Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk ■ LYME Regis’ firework display and bonfire has become a victim of its own success.

The car parks can't handle the volume of vehicles and people literally park anywhere they can, in the full knowledge that they will not be booked.

Cobb Road was in total chaos with some drivers parking at the top of the path to the park to watch the display. Other traffic couldn't get up or down the hill.

There was not a single police officer around to monitor the situation and if an emergency had occurred, neither ambulance fire engine or lifeboat crew could have descended Cobb Road to assist.

Additionally, the fumes from hundreds of vehicles – both from exhausts and 'burning' clutches – must have been causing a serious increase in toxic chemicals that the crowd, consisting of many children, as well

as adults, will have been breathing in.

What needs to happen is for park and ride to be provided for the event from around 4pm, and for this service to be made known well in advance of the event date. It should be stated that there will be severely reduced parking in Lyme, itself.

Maybe LymeOnline can do some campaigning in this area to save spoiling what is otherwise an enjoyable event for the town and its visitors.

I'm sure you'll be made aware from other people that the traffic situation on this night is getting worse every year.

Paul Starck (by email)

Uplyme garage, shop and post office an ‘invaluable experience’ ■ YOUR article on the rather confused situation at the Uplyme garage and post office (LymeOnline, October 29) does not read well for the many, many customers who go there.

It is not at all clear why the post office will not continue from mid January next.

The present team who run it are a pleasure to deal with. Please tell us why the post office is finishing?

The overall success of the very cramped shop serving fuel, and many other grocery items make the whole experience invaluable.

This is not just an Uplyme matter – it covers the whole local area!

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Powers that be should ‘look at the bigger picture’ before hiking car parking charges ■ I HAVE been coming to Lyme Regis for over 50 years, virtually every year, often two or three times.

It has been amazingly unspoilt in the main over the years, despite the changing disposition of the world around us, but the evidence of anti-social behaviour is a concern.

For Lyme to be the attractive sea town it is, a significant issue for us now, however, is the unbelievable hike in car parking prices, which have gone from £2 a day in Holmbush car park, to £8, with a likely increase to £10 next year!

All the car parks are increasing, and the very

I don’t see Y ■ DO I need permission To start a petition To change the spelling of “Lim”?

When I went to school It was always the rule To use Y not I in Lym, Surely it’s better To use the right letter I know it doesn’t matter a lot Nothing irritates me more when seeing “Lym” written Is that line with the dot at the top.

Paul Mellor (by email)

Diana Hunt (by email)

little car parking, for a short period, in Broad Street, has been mostly stopped.

I won’t be on my own in thinking twice about coming to Lyme in the future if the parking adds, not £14 to a break, but £70 to our stay.

Is it making us all pay even more for the effect of COVID-19 on our economy?

I can’t believe that the powers that be, aren’t embarrassed, or can’t see the bigger picture on this matter.

Alan Young (by email) The views expressed in letters published are those of the author and not necessarily of LymeOnline

IN MEMORY CASE, Helen 16/07/1943 - 15/11/2016 In loving memory, always in our hearts and thoughts, so sadly missed and never forgotten, loved forever.

Love John, Jacki, Gary, Kev, Marie and all the grandchildren.

Love you Grandma.

The LymeOnline website is always on the up!

Bringing you the latest local news, sport, events, entertainment, video, podcasts and lots more 24/7

2018: 118,978 website users 2019: 228,219 website users 2020: 334,770 website users Call Francesca Evans on 07810 221 420 email francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Reach our growing online audience withor web advertising starting from just £5, find out more or get a to free online advertabout whenour youonline bookadvertising space in ouropportunities printed newspaper!

C

28 Friday, November 12 2021

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

■ ON a deserted beach or in the country’s capital city (above), poppies will forever be the symbol of remembrance. In years gone by and to the present day, people of all denomination everywhere will spare a thought for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In Lyme Regis, poppies that adorn Langmoor Gardens (below left) remind us all of the names of Lyme’s very own who died in combat, the fallen all named on the anchor at the Monmouth Street memorial. The town’s annual Remembrance Sunday parade (below right) will be held this weekend on Sunday 14 from 10.30am.

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

Friday, November 12 2021 29

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THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS! To advertise on our Local Services page for as little as £8 per issue, call Francesca on 07810 221 420 or email edit@lyme-online.co.uk

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

Follow LymeOnline on social media Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for to stay up to date 24/7

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classifieds&jobs

30 Friday, November 12 2021

ITEMS TO SELL?

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

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

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

www.lyme-online.co.uk

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

CHAINSAW, petrol, Sacs Dolmar, good condition, spare chain, £50 - 01297 442134.

HEDGE TRIMMER, petrol, Stihl, 24 inch, £25 01297 442134.

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

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

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BOWLS, size 2, £25 - 07889 019 587.

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

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

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

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

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LOOKING FOR STAFF? Looking for a local business?

Search for Lyme Regis shops, restaurants, businesses, tradesmen and more on the LymeOnline Local Directory To ensure your business is listed, call Francesca Evans on 07810 221 420 or email edit@lyme-online.co.uk

Visit: www.lyme-online.co.uk/local-directory

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

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

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

Friday, November 12 2021 31

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LymeOnline Sport football

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

Late goals an ‘unwelcome’ habit for the Seasiders FROM PAGE 32 bench, they dominated large parts of the game and had a number of scoring chances.

It was a pretty even start but as the game wore on Lyme grew stronger and in the 20th minute got their noses in front.

Callum Garrett crossed for Rendall who got was clattered as he set himself to slot home and a penalty was given. Rob Fellingham blasted the resulting spot kick into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

On 45 minutes Corfe were given a dubious penalty as the ball seemed to strike Tom Kilcoyne in the stomach.

But the referee thought otherwise and the home side duly converted, leaving the score at 11 at half-time.

On the 60th minute the Seasiders conceded a second from a quick counter attack but this prompted a Lyme rally and they equalised within minutes.

Gary Knight (pictured) got on the end of a long Rikki Sargent throw to flick home.

Corfe looked ready to fold and Lyme took the lead deservedly as Harvey Brimicombe bundled home a Mark Bailey free-kick.

The next ten minutes the home keeper saved

superbly from another Bailey free-kick, a oneon-one with Brimicombe and Sargent and another Bailey drive was parried to Fellingham to tap home only to be ruled out by the linesman flag.

Lyme were rampant at this point but on 80 minutes conceded a soft free-kick which was flicked on at the front post and finished with a close range header, to make 3-3.

On 85 minutes worse was to come for Lyme as Corfe took the lead countering quickly from a Lyme corner.

Lyme were left scratching their heads as to how they have lost but, as Bailey, who stood in for manager Julien Simier said: “It’s becoming an unwelcome habit.”

Squad: Rob Harp; Kingsley Wellman, Ben Turner, Gary Knight; Tom Kilcoyne, Rikki Sargent, Rob Fellingham, Callum Garrett; Mark Bailey, Harvey Brimicombe, Danny Rendall. Subs not used: Stef Taylor, Zak Harrison, Rob Thom.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Seasiders return to league duty with an away game at fifth placed Kentisbeare where a clean sheet will be the order of the day.

Reserves move into second place LYME Regis Reserves moved into second place in the Devon and Exeter Division Three with a 2-0 win away to Hemyock despite fielding a bare 11 and no recognised goalkeeper Once again the condition of the pitch did not suit Lyme’s possession-based tactics, but in the end they created enough chances to run away with the game.

As always, the Seasiders started on the front foot, keeping possession and moving the ball well. The side worked hard and created good moments of attacking play, but nothing clear cut, which has been the pattern for a few weeks now.

Lyme had a few half-chances and some dangerous set-pieces and eventually one of these paid off when Ryan Fifer attempted to catch the keeper off-guard, placing a free-kick into the bottom corner, which produced a good save from the Hemyock keeper.

But skipper Alex Rowe was following in well and headed in the ball from the keeper’s save to open up a 1-0 lead.

The half-time talk revolved around exploiting the spaces wide of the back three and switching the ball quickly to stretch them.

Lyme started the second half with a lot more purpose and really worked the Hemyock defence, creating chance after chance.

Eventually the pressure told when Louis Rinaldi picked up the ball on the edge of the box

and fired it past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Although the game became stretched after the break and Lyme’s team-play declined, they soon regained control but failed to extend their lead.

It was great to see Fred Parsons back in a Lyme shirt and one run in particular in the second half, when he controlled a ball cleared

by Robbie Fowler from goal, ran the entire Hemyock team into their box, only to see his shot saved by the Hemyock keeper.

It wasn’t a vintage performance by the Reserves but stand-in keeper Robbie Fowler had little to do all game as Lyme controlled play until the final whistle.

A special mention goes to Fowler for taking the keeper’s gloves again, a role he’s taken many times for both the Reserves and the first team never letting them down.

The two full-backs, Ben Bowditch and Darius Pickering, were brilliant and Alex Rowe in centre midfield was again dominant throughout.

Squad: Robbie Fowler; Ben Bowditch, Toby Fowler, Wallace Blackmore, Darius Pickering; Alex Rowe, Cam Fowler, Fred Parsons; Ryan Fifer, Louis Rinaldi, Josh Daines.

This coming Saturday the Reserves are drawn at home to Allendale 1sts from Dorset Division One in the Dorset Intermediate Cup.

The Lyme Regis Gig Club Veterans Men’s A Team who competed at Swanage

Veterans end rowing season on a high LYME Regis Gig Club Veterans Men’s A Team recently finished the season by taking part in the Swanage SuperVets Championships, finishing in second place.

Veteran rowers have to be over 50 years old to cut the mustard and Lyme Regis Gig Club has a great track record, particularly for its men’s squad.

In the last Cornish Pilot Gig World Championships, held in the Isles of Scilly in 2019, the Lyme Men’s A SuperVets Team came second. This was doubly important result as it enabled the club to take two gigs to next year’s championships, rather than one, which is the case for most clubs who did less well.

In Swanage, out of a field of 22 competing gigs, Lyme Men’s B Team came 13th and

the Men’s A Team came second, beaten narrowly by Caradon Rowing Club.

In the fiercely contested women’s races, which saw 19 gigs competing, the Lyme Ladies B Team came 17th and the Ladies A team came a good ninth.

Club chairman Marcus Dixon commented: “And so the 2021 competitive season drew to a close and Lyme Regis Gig Club’s focus shifts, over the coming winter months and out to March next year, to prepare ourselves for what is going to be an amazingly exciting and successful 2022.”

Launched in 2007, Lyme Regis Gig Club is a charity that enables people to participate in the health sport of sea rowing and sailing.

For more information visit www.lymeregisgigclub.com

football

Uplyme lose at ‘intimidating’ St Thomas UPLYME 1sts travelled to Exeter to face St Thomas Social FC, the last unbeaten team in Devon and Exeter Division Six. Other teams had already mentioned what a physical, unpleasant challenge they would face, but the young Swallows set out trying to play their usual brand of football on a very tricky pitch.

Uplyme took the lead through a Wes Holmes penalty, which the home team refuted to the point where players were sinbinned and spectators were loudly abusing the ref.

St Thomas scored two goals to take the lead into the second half, but Uplyme stuck to their principles and equalised through a brilliant Wes Holmes’ volley, the skipper watching the high ball before smashing it into the bottom corner.

Sadly, the Swallows didn’t take their chances and St Thomas broke upfield and scored a good goal to take all three points.

The management team both agreed in their post-match assessment: “The home team were all older players, all played a physical game made to intimidate and force teams into errors or confrontation.

“They had three excellent players who kept us very busy and had clearly played higher standards when a little younger but can still do a good job at this level. We worked hard and deserved a point, but luck wasn’t with us.

Credit to our young lads for standing up to some sad intimidation from the sidelines.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) Uplyme are at home to Kenn Valley United who occupy third place in the table (kick-off 2.15pm).

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November 12 2021

Friday, November 12 2021 32

AT THE DAVEY FORT THIS SATURDAY

Reserves home to Allendale in the Dorset Intermediate Cup Kick-off 1.30pm

gig racing

Rowers learn new skills under sail

LYME Regis FC Youth Section Under 13s have been presented with a new set of shirts by Cameron Vere, who runs his own firm CV Plumbing. Back row (from the left): Cameron Vere (sponsor), Sam Merigaux, Evan Hill, Daniel Dalloway, Isaac Simms, Issy Wiscombe, Henry Green, Maya Doan, Darren Wiscombe (coach), Josie Smith, Georgina McNally.

Front row (from the left): George Creed, Jacob Denning, Toby Legg-Wilde, Ben Major. Cameron is one of the area’s most talented footballers and currently plays for Wincanton in the Western League. He has also signed forms for Lyme.

Photo by Annette Denning

Another late horror show for Seasiders IN recent past seasons, Lyme Regis first team’s defence was always the rock on which the Seasiders built their rise to Premier football in the Devon and Exeter League and numerous cup successes in Dorset.

This season, however, the Lyme back four have had more leaks than Liza’s bucket and a Conservative government put together.

Last Saturday was no exception.

Leading 3-2 with ten minutes to go against Corfe in the first round of the Dorset Senior Cup, the

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk Seasiders capitulated once more and conceded two late goals to lose 4-3.

A couple of weeks ago, Lyme gave away three goals in the last two minutes against Thorverton, finally losing 4-3 before an astonished crowd.

In that week’s match report I recorded that the players were angry to have chucked away three goals, saying: “Thats good because it means they care.”

But like many clubs in local foot-

ball, the commitment of players is nowhere near the level it used to be before the COVID lockdowns.

Several teams have withdrawn from the local leagues.

Lyme has around 70 players signed on, more than enough to run three senior teams. But last Saturday they found it difficult raising 22 players for the first team and Reserves. The third XI, the Rovers, did not have a game.

Lyme are not alone in dealing with what is rapidly becoming a crisis.

Many local teams are in the same boat, some of them sinking fast.

The frustrating point about Lyme’s situation to date - they are seventh in the Devon and Exeter Premier division with 11 points from nine games - is that they have played some brilliant football, especially against some of the top teams, taking points off the likes of Lapford who are looking like favourites for the Premiership title.

Saturday’s away tie with Corfe was a classic example. Although not fielding their strongest side, with club secretary Rob Thom coming out of retirement to sit on the sub’s

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

LYME Regis Gig Club members have recently been able to try their hand at sailing, after a sail was fitted to their lugger ‘Daring’.

The club has been raising funds, with a major contribution from Lyme Regis Town Council, for a sail to be fitted to ‘Daring’ for the past three years.

This work has included fitting special rigging mounts aboard the GRP gig, masts, spars and the design and making of a stunning set of tan sails.

On what couldn’t have been a finer morning, with blue sky’s and slight breeze, gig club members rowed ‘Daring’ tentatively out to a visitor’s mooring for a briefing, followed by what was the most exhilarating sail.

‘Daring’ is rigged with a mizzen mast at the stern and a lug sail on the main mast. Referred to as a lugger, this rig was widely used from the middle of the 18th century.

For over two centuries Cornish pilot gigs rowed and sailed to land pilots on the decks of the square riggers entering the western approaches.

These gigs also made handy lifeboats and were used for smuggling, their fast hulls and powerful rigs allowed them to out pace and revenue vessels in service.

Sailing and rowing ‘Daring’ opens new opportunities for gig club members to learn new seafaring skills, through being part of a team and living the excitement and challenge that comes through being at sea.

Club chairman Marcus Dixon said: “Next season we will look to have more sailing adventure in’ Daring’, including rowing to West Bay for breakfast and then high tailing it back to The Cobb under sail.”

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Follow local sport 24/7 on our website www.lyme-online.co.uk