LymeOnline Digital Edition - November 13 2020

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Travel agents to permanently close down LYME Regis’ only travel agents, Your World Travel, will close down permanently later this month.

Owner Sue Langdon, who has had a 40year career in the travel industry, had planned to retire in a few years’ time but she said COVID-19 had “immensely impacted” the travel industry and it was now financially unviable to continue.

REPORT, PAGE 2

Lyme charity joins campaign for support

Lest we forget SCALED-BACK Remembrance commemorations went ahead amid lockdown restrictions last weekend, and on Wednesday to mark Armistice Day, including wreath laying services at the town’s war memorial with limited civic dignitaries and members of the Royal British Legion attending. Pictured above, chairman of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, Ian Marshal, at the memorial. See pages 12 and 13 for full report and more photos.

Christmas is still on!

LYME Regis charity, The Word Forest Organisation, has announced that it is standing up to be counted alongside thousands of other small, international development charities across the UK, in their call for a £50million government support package to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

REPORT, PAGE 3

Foodbank in demand

LYME Regis Foodbank has thanked the community for its continued support as demand for its services continue to increase through the coronavirus pandemic. Find out more about how you can support this worthy cause inside.

REPORT, PAGE 8

SPECIAL EFFORTS TO BRING FESTIVE SPIRIT TO TOWN AMID PANDEMIC THE country may currently be in lockdown but Lyme Regis residents can still look forward to the festive season, with special efforts being made to bring some Christmas joy to the town following an unprecedented and challenging year.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Major events have been cancelled throughout the year and some Christmas events have already been called off, including the Christmas Day swim in Charmouth and Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day. But there was a glimmer of hope as the town’s 30-foot Christmas

tree, donated by Penn Farm, was erected at the bottom of Broad Street on Sunday by a team of volunteers from Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee and the harbourmaster.

Work has also started on putting up this year’s Christmas lights display and LymeOnline understands that there has also been a good re-

sponse from local traders for small Christmas trees to be fitted to shop frontages.

Chairman of the Christmas Lights Committee, Rob James, said they hope to make this year’s display bigger and better than ever, to bring “some much needed joy amid the gloom of the past few months”.

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Lyme’s travel agents to permanently close doors LYME Regis’ only travel agents, Your World Travel, will close down permanently later this month.

Owner Sue Langdon has worked in the travel industry for more than 40 years and in the Lyme office in Bridge Street for 35 years.

She announced last week that she had intended to retire in a few years’ time but COVID-19 had “immensely impacted” the travel industry and it was now financially unviable to continue, with travel unlikely to return to normality anytime soon.

Sue now plans to close the Lyme Regis office on November 20 and transfer all existing bookings to the Hays Travel office in Sidmouth.

Hays will be sending out a communication to all existing customers the week commencing November 23.

Sue commented: “I have worked with Hays Travel Independence Group for several years and have had an excellent relationship with them and am fully confident that they will

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Controlled explosion after grenade found on beach A CONTROLLED explosion was carried out on a Lyme Regis beach last Friday after a grenade was found.

Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked, alongside Dorset Police, to possible ordnance found on the beach at Black Venn, Lyme Regis, at 1.24pm.

On arrival at the scene, the coastguard team located the first informant and liaised with the police to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Photos of the object were sent to the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team in Plymouth and an immediate 150m exclusion zone was set up.

On their arrival, the EOD officers carried out a visual inspection and set up the necessary equipment to carry out a controlled explosion.

Once the grenade and the charge had been detonated, the area was rechecked, and the beach reopened.

Major power outage after car collides with electricity sub-station

look after you.

“Travel has been my life. I will surely miss it and all our wonderful customers but I’m not getting any younger and feel this is the right decision to take now in order that customers bookings can be protected.

“I really do appreciate all your support and loyalty over the years.”

The Your World Travel are continuing to work from home until November 20 and the Bridge Street office is currently closed due to lockdown restrictions.

ABOUT 100 homes in Lyme Regis were left without power on Tuesday night after a car collided with an electricity sub-station.

Police and fire crews were called to the scene in Clappentail Lane at 8.49pm on Tuesday, with the sub-station at the junction with Sidmouth Road, known locally as Morgan’s Grave, reportedly severely damaged.

One nearby neighbour said they heard a “massive bang” as the collision took place and all power went out immediately.

Police said there were no injuries and there was fluid on the road.

Western Power Distribution worked through the night. Power was restored in the early hours of Wednesday and repairs to the sub-station continued throughout the day.

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Lyme Regis charity joins Small But Mighty campaign to ensure good causes stay afloat through COVID-19 LYME Regis charity, The Word Forest Organisation, has announced that it is standing up to be counted alongside thousands of other small, international development charities across the UK, in their call for government support.

This comes following the announcement that, due to lack of financial support, nearly half (45 per cent) of the UK’s small charities working with the world’s poorest people are expected to close due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Surveys from the Small International Development Charities Network show that 89 per cent of these charities are on the frontline responding to COVID-19. The crisis has had a disproportionate effect on the sector, which is seeing a 27 per cent increase in demand and a 33 per cent loss in income.

The Word Forest Organisation typifies the position many international UK charities are in and they’re a case study for the Small But Mighty campaign. The campaign is calling on the UK government to commit to a £50million package of support over two years, funded from the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget. It will ensure the survival of these charities, including The Word Forest Organisation.

Small, international development charities support millions of people across the globe and employ tens of thousands of people in the UK. The Word Forest Organisation has one member of staff, co-founder Tracey West, plus a solid handful of skilled volunteers.

It was founded in 2017 and was set up to plant trees, build schools, facilitate education and support women’s empowerment in rural Kenya.

Aside from the building, they do much the same in the UK but on a smaller scale.

The charity moved into St Michael’s Business Centre in Lyme Regis at the beginning of the year and was hoping they’d be scaling up their operation by increasing their reforestation activities, providing a raft of humanitarian support

for the communities who tend the forest and doing more planting in the UK too, having last year planted almost 1,000 trees in and around Lyme Regis.

Instead, they’ve had to dramatically pivot to secure urgentlyneeded new income streams to stay open.

If the charity closed, it would have an enormous impact in Kenya but also for its UK team and the planet, as the trees they plant in the tropics clean the air that blows all over the world.

COVID-19 is a global crisis, which requires a global response. Since lockdown was first announced back in March 2020, The Word Forest Organisation has sharply refocused and continues their shift to a 100 per cent digital fundraising strategy. They had to seek out innovative ways to adapt to coronavirus and keep a lifeline extended to their communities to keep their operation going.

The Word Forest Organisation’s normal operations are mostly on hold and instead of sending money for tree planting and building projects, they’ve been sending vital food aid. This has helped more than 1,500 members of the treeplanting communities in Kenya, keeping starvation at bay.

Chairman of trustees, Simon West explains: “We’ve done a fair amount of planting throughout COVID, but it has been sporadic as our resilient beneficiaries are also struggling with curfews and lockdown too.

“These amazing people are only ever a handful of meals away from starvation anyway and yet, they are some of the most important people on the planet right now.

“We must continue to mitigate climate chaos by supporting them - our team will continue to work flat out to ensure we survive too.”

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.

“Since March, we’ve been providing critical food aid to 1,600 members of tree planting communities, including very elderly, the disabled and many who are completely marginalised with no ability to earn money to survive.

“We simply cannot close. The existential threat of climate change hasn’t gone anywhere and we will continue to fight it for as long as we can.”

In the South West, the charity had planned for a summer filled with #TreeMendUs education events and workshops, with practical advice on how to take care of trees in our own neighbourhoods and also raising awareness of the global value of trees in the tropics too, showing how we can all be better environmentalists to take care of our world. All of the events were cancelled and countless thousands of pounds were lost.

Tracey West, CEO and co-founder of The Word Forest Organisation, said: “If we don’t continue to take care of the people who tend the forests, when we come out of this pandemic, we won’t have healthy communities able to plant trees.

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

Love you Grandma.

I LOW MA

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DIT ACCR E

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PROFESSIONAL

I N S TA L L AT I O N

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

Jazz Jurassica organisers look ahead to 2021 event

ORGANISERS of Jazz Jurassica – one of the first major Lyme Regis events to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic back in May – are now looking ahead to next year’s event. The annual festival had to be called off in May due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it is hoped the programme can be rescheduled for May 2021 with very few changes, with a ‘Plan B’ in place in case the pandemic is still affecting large events.

Fire crews called to help man after falling through roof

BRIDPORT and Charmouth fire crews were called to a building site in Morcombelake on Tuesday, after a man fell through a roof. The crews said the man was suffering pelvic and lower back pain and sat astride a roof beam, which was part of a new roof construction.

MP removes ‘disrespectful’ Extinction Rebellion wreath from The Cenotaph WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder has removed the Extinction Rebellion wreath depicting the words ‘climate change means war’ from The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

Mr Loder said the wreath was a “political stunt” by the environmental campaign group, which uses protest to raise awareness of climate change.

The Conservative MP, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph or Armistice Day (Wednesday) on behalf of his constituents, who were restricted from attending Whitehall over the last few days due to COVID-19, said: “There are many ways to protest and it is one of the freedoms we enjoy in this country. But Armistice Day, the anniversary of peace, when we remember those who died for our freedom, is not the day to do it.”

“I could not stand by and watch our Remembrance Day for those who died in war, and to whom we owe so much, be hijacked for a political stunt

by this far-left outfit. This was totally wrong, and I believed the wreath should be removed.”

This year is the centenary of The Cenotaph, built from Dorset stone, which stands as the lasting memorial to those who sacrificed their lives in conflicts.

Mr Loder concluded: “This week, thousands of veterans and members of the armed forces have stayed away from The Cenotaph in our national effort to control coronavirus.

“For political protestors to take advantage of this situation is disrespectful to our servicemen and women, past and present. I want them to know that I am on their side and will support them all the way.”

Mr Loder’s actions come just days after he was praised for supporting an environmental bill to tackle plastic pollution.

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Car parks and public toilets remain open

CAR parks, public toilets and other key council services will remain open in Lyme Regis during the second national lockdown. Both Lyme Regis Town Council and Dorset Council has decided to keep its car parks and toilets open during this lockdown period. Beach huts can also be used but Monmouth Beach chalet and caravan park is closed in line with government guidelines banning overnight stays. The mini golf and table tennis in Lister Gardens is also closed but children’s play parks remain open.

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the latest from Lyme Regis

FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE

Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community RNLI shop raises £48,000 despite COVID closure

Giant crab to set up Rotary raises funds home at aquarium to eradicate polio A GIANT brown crab weighing more than 7lbs is the latest sea creature to set up temporary home at Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium. The crab was hauled up from the deep off Lyme Regis in the net of a local fisherman and has now been named Hercules. He weighs over 7lbs (3.2kg), has a body measuring 27cm wide and boasts huge claws.

THE generosity of the public and the hard work of volunteers have resulted in a successful spell in difficult times for the RNLI’s tiny shop in Lyme Regis. The shop has been closed for the second time this year due to lockdown restrictions but reported that it raised £48,230 between January and October, with £21,966 taken in October alone.

Libraries closed but still offering services

IN line with government regulations, libraries across the county are now closed until Wednesday, December 2. Many services will still be provided during the lockdown period, including the Order & Collect book service which allow all library members to order up to 10 items per library card from your selected preference, chosen by Dorset Libraries.

THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has raised a further £1,000 for the continued fight to eradicate polio worldwide. The club marked World Polio Day last month by selling purple crocus bulbs – the flower being used as a symbol of the polio immunisations, as each child that is vaccinated has their little finger painted with a purple dye.

The

Woodmead Halls YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY HALL

Dorset Police reveal drop in recorded crime DORSET Police has seen a 5.1 per cent drop in recorded crime, according to new figures. The reduction was recorded during the 12 months to the end of June 2020 and gives the force the tenth lowest crime rate in England and Wales, with the total number of crimes reduced from 54,677 to 51,908 over 12 months, a reduction of 3.6 crimes per 1,000 population.

Climate and community spoken word event Wedding Venue | Corporate Events Clubs & Organisations | Children’s Parties Fitness Classes | Concerts & Shows

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AN online spoken word workshops discussing the Lyme Regis community and climate change will be held on Wednesday, November 25. Landance and project partners Dorset Library Service are organising this free online event with poet Vanessa Kissule. To book your free place, visit https://bit.ly/3kp9nX9 or phone 01305 225000.

For further details or to get in touch, vist woodmeadhalls.co.uk

6 Friday, November 13 2020

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

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philip@lyme-online.co.

My pride in the Legion O

F all the organisations in Lyme that I have been involved in over the years, the Royal British Legion is the one in which I have most pride.

Although my grandfather was a career soldier, I don’t come from a military family. Neither my brother nor I served the forces.

I got involved in the Legion when I was asked to compere the Festival of Remembrance organised every year by the Lyme branch.

As a thank you my wife and I were invited to the Albert Hall a few years back to watch the national Festival of Remembrance. It was an unforgettable event, one which I watch every year on television.

I thought this year’s festival, with no audience and social distancing being observed rigidly, was brilliantly staged - a classic example that even a pandemic will not put an end to our nation coming together to honour this country’s war dead.

When former chairman David Manners asked me to become president of the Lyme branch of the Legion to succeed his late father-in-law Cecil Quick, I was really taken aback.

The role of president is not an onerous one but it has opened my eyes to what good work the Royal British Legion does, much of it behind closed doors and without public recognition.

One of the roles as president is to read the Roll of Honour containing the names of all the men of Lyme who made the supreme sacrifice at the Remembrance service in the parish church.

But there’s more to this than reading out a list of names. I knew none of those whose names appear on the war memorial but as I was reading the names to a packed church for the first time, I suddenly realised I had grown up with the sons and daughters of these brave

men, members of some of Lyme’s most respected families, many of them friends.

Sat in church were representatives of those families and it dawned on me how important it was to deliver those names every year.

This has been a most difficult year for the Royal British Legion, as it has for all charities.

The Lyme branch has a splendid record in collecting for the Poppy Appeal which finances much of the Legion’s wonderful work in looking after those suffering the trauma of war.

But COVID will have decimated those takings all over the country which could impact greatly on the Legion’s ability to continue their good work.

This year’s Remembrance service at Lyme had to be held at the war memorial and not in church for obvious reasons.

Unfortunately, due to recurring health issues, I was unable to attend but did manage to make it to the Armistice service on Wednesday where the names of Lyme’s fallen were read by the chairman, Major Ian Marshall, who conducted proceedings in his usual efficient manner. It enabled me to fulfill my obligation as president to lay a wreath on behalf of the Legion.

The staging of the town’s Remembrance commemorations is a joint arrangement between the town council and the Lyme branch.

The two services at the war memorial observed social distancing with members of the public attending having to stand outside George’s Square with council staff on site to ensure the restrictions were respected.

My term of office as president will come to a close next November, the year when the Legion will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The Lyme branch was formed ten years later.

It has been a huge privilege to have been associated with an organisation which ensures that those who made the supreme sacrifice in two world wars and subsequent conflicts will never be forgotten.

Time for councillors to pull together ANYONE who listened in to the latest meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council will come to the conclusion that it’s impossible to conduct meaningful debate via video conferencing.

Council meetings are difficult enough to chair in those (seemingly) far off days when councils sat around the table in the Guildhall and swapped verbal blows.

We shouldn’t pretend that things are all sweetness and light in the Guildhall - but when were they?

When the council first went into lockdown and public meetings were suspended, the mayor and town clerk were given delegated powers to make decisions and sanction expenditure up to £150,000, previously £10,000.

Inevitably, councillors started to get frustrated about not being able to have their say, although I understand they were kept informed on all decisions made by email.

Eventually, it was agreed that monthly full council meetings should resume by Zoom so members had

a forum to express their views. Members of the public are also able to have their say by speaking in the public forum or submitting their questions in writing to the council.

During the first lockdown period, during which we had to cease the printed version of LymeOnline, we dedicated a page entitled ‘Ask The Mayor’ where residents were able to put a question to Councillor Brian Larcombe.

It was obvious listening to the recent council meeting that the patience of some councillors is being severely tested and chairing such meetings is clearly quite a challenge.

It is understandable that councillors want to have their say, but there cannot have been a more difficult time to conduct the affairs of the council.

It is important that councillors recognise this and, despite their varying opinions, they all get behind the mayor and town clerk to see Lyme through these most difficult times.

The cut and thrust of local politics can resume in earnest when this virus is beaten.

MINNIE Churchill and Simon Bird - remembered with fondness in Lyme Regis

Minnie lays a wreath at The Cenotaph for brave pilots ■

HOW great to see former Lyme Regis resident Minnie Churchill laying a wreath at the Remembrance service at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday.

Minnie, a former Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, took part in the ceremony, much scaled down due to lockdown restrictions, and laid a wreath as honorary president of the Air Transport Auxiliary Association (ATAA).

She was among members of the Royal Family, politicians, service organisations and Commonwealth leaders who laid wreaths at The Cenotaph.

The Air Transport Auxiliary, founded at the outbreak of World War II, was a civilian organisation which made an enormous contribution to victory by taking over from service pilots the task of ferrying RAF and RN warplanes between factories, maintenance units and frontline squadrons.

During the war, 1,250 men and women from 25 countries ferried a total of 309,000 aircraft of 147 different types, without radios, with no instrument flying instruction and at the mercy of the British weather. Often they were presented with a type of plane they had never seen before.

Minnie was the granddaughter-in-law of the late Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, formerly married to the Prime Minister’s grandson, also called Winston, who was a Member of Parliament for 25 years.

With her partner, Simon Bird, she lived at Ware House, one of Lyme’s most

grand homes, where they hosted many local events. During her time in the town they made many friends and supported numerous community events, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

They also opened their garden on several occasions for popular outdoor concerts in aid of the organ appeal at St Michael’s Parish Church.

Minnie Churchill is the director of Churchill Heritage and co-author, with art historian David Coombs, of ‘Sir Winston Churchill His Life and His Paintings’.

Sally Holman was the Mayor of Lyme Regis during the time Minnie and Simon were living in Lyme Regis.

She told LymeOnline: “It was lovely to see Minnie laying the wreath at such an important event. She was a great friend of Lyme Regis and couldn’t do enough for the town, joining in all the civic occasions. She has been greatly missed.”

I have cause to be very grateful to Minnie. She arranged for my wife and I and our two daughters to go to a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2011. At that time it was the best day of our lives; a joint celebration with Francesca graduating with a first class honours degree in journalism with lunch at The Savoy.

I say “at that time” because we had no idea we would be returning to Buckingham Palace in October 2018 for me to receive an national Festival from Prince William, an occasion never to be forgotten. Two years later I still can’t believe that happened.

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Cancer charity’s ‘haven of solace’ named Beach Hut of the Year THE Mary Anning Beach Hut in Lyme Regis - available solely for those affected by cancer and their families - has been named Beach Hut of the Year.

In conjunction with Millie’s Beach Huts, judges at Ipswich-based Ryan’s insurance brokers recognised Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support, which runs the beach hut, for bringing invaluable joy and lasting memories to hundreds of people living with cancer in the local area.

The idea for Mary Anning’s Beach Hut was first put forward by Lyme Regis couple Nigel and Karen Ball. With Karen going through treatment for breast cancer, they thought of the idea when they saw famous fossil hunter Mary Anning’s grave on leaving St Michael’s Parish Church after the funeral of a friend.

The 18th century palaeontologist died of breast cancer, aged 47, in 1847, and Mr and Mrs Ball thought it would be a fitting tribute to name a beach hut in her memory which could be used to provide comfort and solace for those who had been affected by cancer.

The idea coincided with a donation of £15,000 to the town of Lyme Regis from Fossil Films Ltd, which had been filming scenes locally for the movie ‘Ammonite’, based on the life of Mary Anning and starring Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet.

Lyme Regis Town Council invited local organisations to apply for the funding and it was agreed to split the £15,000 equally between three projects relating to Mary Anning - a campaign to erect a statue of the palaeontologist, a bursary scheme to encourage more women into the sciences, and the beach hut for Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support.

Having opened in July on Marine Parade, the hut beat dozens of entrants spanning the width and breadth of the UK’s coastlines to scoop the inaugural

Beach Hut of the Year award, which unlike more traditional beach hut competitions, is judged on purpose and importance to individuals rather than simply décor.

Judges from Ryan’s Insurance, working in partnership with Millie’s Beach Huts, selected Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support’s entry as the overall winner based on its “incredible devotion” to providing hundreds of people and families in the local community living with cancer with the dedicated beauty spot, providing a place for cancer sufferers to seek solace and refuge, either alone of with their friends and family.

Speaking for Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support, Mary Kahn said: “We are delighted that our ‘little shed by the sea’ has won the best beach hut award from Ryan’s Insurance.

“Our beach hut is more than a wooden shed by the sea. It is a refuge for the anxious, the sick, the bereaved and those who want to spend valuable time with family before the opportunity is gone – a chance of solace and relief, time to say what needs to be said or not say anything at all but listen as the waves gently sigh across the shingle. It is wonderful to have what we do recognised.”

In the absence of a cancer care centre in the West Dorset and East Devon, Macmillan-backed Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support was set up in 2018 to provide a wide variety of services to the local community. These include creative activities, holistic therapies, relevant diet and lifestyle information, and mutual support to help people cope with the fear, anxiety, isolation or stress that cancer can bring.

Commenting on awarding Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support as winner, Tracy Healey of Ryan’s, specialists in beach hut insurance in the UK, said: “We loved reading this entry and the

continuing work Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support do for their local community.

“We received a great number of entries, including stories that have made us laugh, cry, and reminisce. We really are in awe of the amazing uses people put their beach huts to, and especially this year, which has been especially challenging for everyone.

“We have had stories about huts that have been in families for generations, others that have been lifelong dreams realised and those that offer a haven away from the stresses and strains of life” Prizes for the competition totalled more than £1000, including £300 plus one year’s free insurance, a luxury hamper, as well as a winner’s plaque for the winner, while runners up have also been celebrated with a second prize of £200 plus plaque and a third prize of £100 plus plaque.

Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support decided to offer their luxury hamper prize to Mr and Mrs Ball, as a thank you the initial idea and support in getting the project up and running, as well as their fundraising efforts for the charity with Mr Ball and his son Ashley having recently shaved their heads to boost coffers.

Mrs Kahn from Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support presented the hamper to them at a socially-distanced gathering outside their home last week.

Ms Healy of Ryan’s added: “A huge thank you to everyone who has entered our Ryan’s Beach Hut of the Year competition, sharing their special stories with us this year and special congratulations from our whole team to Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support and we feel privileged to be able to further support this great cause with the prize including a year of free beach hut insurance.”

MARY Kahn of Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support pictured at the Mary Anning Beach Hut and, below, presenting the luxury hamper prize to Nigel and Karen Ball

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Community continues to support foodbank through COVID LYME Regis Foodbank has thanked staff and children from Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School in Uplyme for making much-needed donations as part of their harvest festival.

Despite the current COVID-19 regulations, the school managed to hold a virtual version of its usual harvest festival at Uplyme Church.

Children from Robins Class brought in items of food while the rest of the school donated small amounts of change.

The class carefully selected items they thought would be needed by the foodbank and then spent £35 in the village shop on additional items.

The remaining £100 collected was donated directly to Lyme Regis Foodbank, run by LymeForward.

Volunteers have also thanked local photographer Rob Coombe, who is selling a book of local portraits taken during the first lockdown period in aid of the foodbank.

The photographs were taken under socially distanced conditions and capture local people as

they coped with the challenges the lockdown brought to their everyday life.

Rob commented: “I had visions of a project of lots of people essentially trapped in their homes it evolved into a testament to the people of Lyme Regis and how they rallied to help each other.”

The portraits show everything from people in their homes to Zoom dance classes, and free dinners being delivered to NHS workers.

Printer Adrian Wood and his Dorchester-based company Advantage Digital Print provided all the typesetting and initial publicity copies free of charge and all profits from sales will go to support the foodbank.

The book is available to order by emailing Rob at info@robcoombe.co.uk priced at £10 or £12.50 for a personalised copy for those who feature in the book.

Finally, LymeForward would like to thank members of Turn Lyme Green for their generous support which has enabled the foodbank to reduce its reliance on plastic bags and use purposemade recyclable bags on a weekly basis to provide and deliver food to residents in the local community.

A spokesperson said: “We very much appreciate the support of Polly Benfield and Liz Davies in setting up the initiative and wish to say a special thank you to Rose May who hand made so many bags specially designed for the foodbank.

“The bags are a vibrant green colour made from hard-wearing fabric donated by CHILDREN from Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School in Uplyme with their donations for Cameron Balloons Lyme Regis Foodbank LTD in Bristol.”

LymeForward chairman Sue Davies recently took delivery of the bags from Rose May. The spokesperson added: “They have already been put to good use with the advantages very evident and ultimately, they make a big difference for our volunteers and clients in doing their bit to reduce single use plastic.”

As an essential service, the foodbank continues to operate through the current lockdown restrictions, open every Wednesday to those who need help at The Hub in Church Street from 10am to 12noon.

Throughout the crisis, volunteers have already seen an increase in numbers needing help and they expect this trend to continue for the forseeable future.

A spokesperson for the foodbank said: “As ever the local communities are continuing to demonstrate their immense generosity with donations

of both food and cash for which we cannot say thank you enough.”

The foodbank is always in need of the following items: tinned spaghetti, tinned cold meat, custard, rice pudding, sweet spreads (jam, etc.), savour spreads (Shiphams paste, etc.), shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, soap, washing up liquid and washing power/tablets.

Food donations can be made at the Coop in Lyme Regis or at The Hub on Monday or Tuesday mornings. Cash donations can also be made in person at The Hub on these mornings or cheques can be posted to LymeForward, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3BS. For more information, contact manager@lymeforward.com or call 07955 772 314 or 01297 441224.

LymeOnline Letters

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

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Town council staff have worked beyond the call of duty this year ■ LYME Regis Town Council staff have worked exceptionally hard all 2020 and particularly this summer - both the ones in the office, those working from home and the ones out on the ground.

I have witnessed the abuse and problems the car parking staff have had to deal with and the rubbish the garden department have been faced with daily as well as incredibly difficult members of the public.

The toilet attendant did a superb job on the Marine Parade with queues 40 deep.

I can only imagine the overload the staff have been faced with whilst working from home.

They have always been exceptionally polite and helpful and do their best at all times.

I hope a bonus for each and everyone of them at Christmas is the very least Lyme Regis Town Council can offer in the light of their working above and beyond the call of duty.

Joy Raymond, Raymonds Hill, nr Lyme Regis

Please note, the views expressed in letters are those of the author and not necessarily of this newspaper

NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE

ANYONE struggling to pay their bills or worried about money is urged to get help straight away.

Dorset Citizens Advice has a team of advisers ready to talk through the options available for managing debt and unpaid bills.

Citizens Advice said: “It’s important you get help straight away if you are already in debt or worried about your unpaid bills.

The first bill you’re not able to pay is the time to make that call. Don’t wait for the final reminders as it’s often much harder to resolve once it gets to that stage.

“Our team of advisers are waiting to help you now. They can talk you through contacting the organisations you owe money to and the possible options, such as paying smaller amounts or taking extended payment breaks.

“They’ll also explain which bills can cause you more problems if you don’t pay them, the potential consequences and extra support that may be available.”

If you are struggling to pay your bills, Citizens Advice can provide free, confidential advice on a wide range of financial issues including: ● Council tax payments ● Managing bill payments ● Loans and overdrafts ● Unauthorised lenders (loan sharks) ● Claiming benefits ● Managing living costs Dorset Council is working closely with

Citizens Advice through its Reaching Out campaign which signposts to the support available for residents who are struggling.

Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “Whether your working hours have reduced, you’ve lost your job or your business is struggling, not having the same money coming in is hard right now.

“But it’s important to get help straight away if you’re worried about money. Organisations like Citizens Advice have a raft of knowledge.

“There are many ways to manage your bills and they can talk you through all the options in complete confidence.

“Please pick up the phone and talk to Citizens Advice now”.

Telephone Citizens Advice on Dorset Advice Line Freephone 0800 144 8848.

During the new lockdown Bridport & District Citizens Advice have suspended their face-to-face drop-in service for the moment but they can be reached locally if you use the contact form on their website www.bridportca.org.uk to send an email, or if a brief message is left on 01308-456594. You will be called back to help you find a way forward.

Further information is available on www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out and www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debtand-money/help-with-debt/ .

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Spreading some festive joy after difficult year CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE While the annual switch-on event, which usually attracts crowds of hundreds to Broad Street, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the committee are now planning a virtual version of the Christmas Lantern Parade - following a similar concept to the virtual Easter Bonnet Parade held in April.

To enter the virtual parade, make a lantern at home and send in a photo by messaging the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Facebook page or emailing info@lymechristmaslights.co.uk, remembering to include the name and age of the entrant, plus where they’re from.

A selfie style photo featuring the entrant holding the lantern and a close up shot of the lantern would be ideal.

Use your imagination and be creative to be in with a chance of winning prizes for the best entries in each age category: 0-5, 6-10, 11-16 and adults.

Use a jar, a plastic bottle or container to build your own lantern which can be lit with LED battery powered lights then decorated as you desire.

The ‘parade’ will take place at 6pm on December 12 via the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Facebook page with a video featuring all the entrants. It will also appear on the website lymechristmaslights.co.uk You can still contribute to this year’s Christmas lights display by purchasing tickets for a grand raffle to be drawn at 4pm on November 28.

Tickets cost just £1 each and prizes include a week in a holiday cottage in Yorkshire, donated

by The Slipway, cash prizes totalling £300 donated by Bright Future Financial and Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, a three-course meal for two at the Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant and a £100 meal voucher for The Harbour Inn. You can purchase tickets at lymechrist-

maslights.co.uk/raffle or at The Slipway at the Cobb.

Neville and Sarah Causley, from Uplyme, and their family are also hoping to spread some festive cheer this year and have confirmed they will be touring the town with Santa’s Sleigh as usual, raising funds for good causes.

This will be the nineteenth year the family has organised the charity Santa Sleigh, touring the residental streets of Lyme and Uplyme and brining joy to children and grown ups alike.

They are currently building a new sleigh ready for this year’s event using funds raised by holding weekly virtual quiz nights during the first lockdown. The sleigh is likely to go on tour around Lyme in the second week of December with full details to be announced.

Sarah is also hoping to organise some kind of community carolling event in December, depending on COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

Sarah commented: “I do think it is so important, this year more than ever, to try and do something to lift the spirits of the community.”

For the latest updates on Christmas events in Lyme Regis, check the LymeOnline website www.lyme-online.co.uk

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Friday, November 13 2020 9

newsfromwestminster

A monthly column by West Dorset MP Chris Loder

ACTS of Remembrance have been very different this year. It has been so sad that our traditional services have been curtailed.

On Sunday, Lyme Regis’ town crier kindly laid my wreath at the town’s war memorial, whilst I was in Beaminster, but I was pleased to join the mayor and others to lay wreaths at the HMS Formidable grave and at the Polish Airforce memorial on Saturday, November 7 - the first time an MP has taken part for a very long time, I believe.

This year it is the 100 years anniversary of The Cenotaph in London and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

On Armistice Day I laid a wreath at The Cenotaph, as the MP for West Dorset, and privately attended the grave of the Unknown Warrior later that evening.

I felt an enormous sense of duty in doing so and hope that I will have expressed your will, especially given there are so many from West Dorset who would have liked to travel to London for this occasion but were unable to because of the lockdown.

I was disgusted by Extinction Rebellion’s opportunistic hijack of The Cenotaph on Armistice Day (see page 4). However, I was proud to restore solemn dignity to the memory of our fallen soldiers later that evening by personally removing Extinction Rebellion’s political ‘wreath’ from our nation’s great symbol of Remembrance.

This week, the government has announced important new wraparound support schemes for children and families.

Nearly £1million in ring-fenced funding has been allocated to Dorset Council, especially to help with food and essentials this winter.

It is the council which is best placed, with its existing network and connections, to reach those in the most need.

Schools will focus their budgets on educating, while continuing to provide termtime meals for children who need them, so there is no reason why any child should go hungry at home or at school, in West Dorset nor anywhere else in the UK. The government will also extend help through a separate scheme, including activities, to run during school holidays throughout 2021 - plus an increase in the level of Healthy Start support from April next year.

Despite opposition claims, this is not a Uturn. And this is not the short-term scheme that the Labour Party was calling for. This is a comprehensive, effective and longer-term solution to provide for, and enrich, the lives of disadvantaged children.

For full details visit the website www.chrisloder.co.uk/families

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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JENNIE and Adrian Pearson are the partners behind “On The Edge” Framing. They are gearing up to provide their usual service for Christmas gift giving.

“We are always impressed by the creative or quirky, thoughtful or nostalgic items people decide to frame for their loved ones,” Jennie says.

“We had some really interesting pieces to frame after the spring lockdown, when people had evidently tidied and decorated their houses and sorted their attics and brought us their treasured artwork.

“Fortunately, when rules relaxed, some artists were able to exhibit again this summer and some art is being sold online – so our

work with professional artists returned.”

‘On The Edge’ invites you to plan a consultation to see what is possible for that image you love, whether it be a family photo, child’s art, old letter or certificate, poster or embroidery, treasured landscape or ‘divine inspiration’.

Jennie and Adrian work in their garden studio at The Haven, Harcombe. If you prefer they will visit your home – regulations permitting – for collection and delivery, with all masks and distancing rules observed.

Please telephone 01297 444999 or email ontheedgeoflyme@btinternet.com for advice or an estimate.

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12 Friday, November 13 2020

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Town pays respects on Remembrance SCALED-back Remembrance commemorations have been held in Lyme Regis over the past week.

The usual Remembrance Sunday parade and church service were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but a short ceremony still went ahead to honour the town’s war dead.

The ceremony was attended by limited civic dignitaries and members of the Royal British Legion, although some members gathered outside of the George’s Square park.

The chairman of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, Major Ian Marshall, opened the ceremony by reading the Roll of Honour – the names of all Lyme Regis men who died in the two World Wars – which is usually read every year in church.

He then delivered the Exhortation and Tilly Jardine played the Last Post on the trumpet, followed by a twominute’s silence at 11am and the Reveille.

Royal British Legion branch member Daniel Buckley then delivered the Kohima Epitaph and wreaths were laid at the memorial by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, town crier Alan Vian on behalf of West Dorset MP Chris Loder, and Mr Marshall.

Prayers were then led by the Reverend Chris Martin to close the ceremony.

Local organisations which would usually take part in Remembrance Sunday events were invited to lay wreaths at the memorial separately later that afternoon.

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk Socially-distanced wreath laying services were also held on Saturday at the HMS Formidable grave in Lyme Regis cemetery and at the Polish Airforce memorial in Anning Road, where the Polish national anthem was sung by Legion branch member Ania Driver, with both events attended by West Dorset MP Chris Loder.

Crosses were also placed on all Commonwealth war graves in the cemetery by the Legion branch’s parade marshal Kevin Taylor and his young children Freddie and Daisy.

On Wednesday, members of the Royal British Legion and civic dignitaries gathered at the town war memorial again to mark Armistice Day, with wreaths laid by the mayor and Philip Evans MBE, president of the Royal British Legion Lyme Regis branch.

Branch chairman Mr Marshall commented: “All events were conducted under COVID-19 guidelines. The Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion would like to thank Lyme Regis Town Council ground staff for preparing all the town war memorials this year and to the Reverend Chris Martin for his ministry at these events.

“We would also like to thank all those Lyme Regis organisations and members of the public who kindly laid their wreaths and other commemorative tokens at the town war memorial after the Remembrance Day service.

“We are hopeful that we will all be in a better place in 2021, which inciden-

tally will the Royal British Legion’s 100th birthday although our local branch will also be celebrating its 90th birthday.”

Commenting on this year’s Poppy Appeal, fundraising for which was disrupted by the pandemic, Mr Marshall added: “To say that Poppy Appeal 2020 has been unorthodox this year is perhaps the greatest understatement in living memory due to COVID-19.

“Our traditional poppy collecting activities this year have been limited but we have managed to man a couple of table stalls in the Baptist Hall driveway and the Marine Parade shelters on a number of days in ‘poppy weeks’.

Sadly, many of the planned days had to be cancelled again due to bad weather.

“However, we are extremely indebted to all those who kindly made donations to the Poppy Appeal, both to our stalls but also online. Thank you to organisers Jacqui Ward in Lyme Regis and Judith Howells in Charmouth for all their hard work this year under difficult circumstances.

“As is our tradition, Ania Driver and Jacqui Ward have made yet another wonderful window display at the Old Forge Fossil Shop in Broad Street. We are also indebted to John Williams of Uplyme for making the two boards and stands for us this year. This year’s theme being the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Days.

“Our sincere thanks to Heather Matthews and Dianne Reilly for their continued support.”

ROYAL British Legion chairman Ian Marshall lays a wreath at the town war memorial on Remembrance Sunday; Below, the Mayor, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, takes part in the Saturday service at the HMS Formidable grave in the cemetery

ROYAL British Legion standard bearer Jon Hunt at the service in Lyme Regis cemetery on Saturday

WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder lays a wreath at the Polish Airforce memorial in Anning Road on Saturday. Below, president of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, Philip Evans MBE, lays a wreath at the war memorial on Armistice Day (photo by Jackie Evans)

Friday, November 13 2020 13

www.lyme-online.co.uk

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PICTURED top left, members of the Royal British Legion and civic dignitaries, including Chris Loder MP and the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE, gather at the Polish Airforce Memorial in Anning Road. Inset, Ania Driver sings the Polish national anthem.

Top right, Legion chairman Ian Marshall and Poppy Appeal organiser Jacqui Ward on their seafront stall. Above, Legion members and civic dignitaries at the war memorial for a socially-distanced service on Remembrance Sunday. Left, the VE and VJ Day theme window display at the Old Forge Fossil Shop in Broad Street and, bottom left, Freddie and Daisy Taylor lay crosses on the Commonwealth war graves in the cemetery with their father, parade marshal Kevin Taylor

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Free home deliveries made between 3pm and 6pm. Orders made after 2pm will be delivered the next day that we are open (Tuesday to Saturday) Tuesday - Saturday: Lyme Regis, Uplyme, Charmouth, Morcombelake Wednesday: Axminster, Kilmington and surrounding areas Thursday: Bridport and surrounding areas Friday: Seaton, Colyton, Rousdon and surrounding areas

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axminsternews

14 Friday, November 13 2020

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Break-in at Tick Tocks Nursery

A CROWD gathers around the war memorial for its dedication in 1921 and, right, today having been refurbished by Andy and Alfie Brooker

Refurbishment of war memorial wins warm approval AXMINSTER war memorial on the Minster Green next year celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Recently, the memorial which contains the names of the 68 men of Axminster who lost their lives in two world wars, has been cleaned.

The work has been undertaken by two Axminster monumental masons Andy and

Alfie Brooker with the work being paid for

by Axminster Town Council.

The new-look memorial won many complimentary comments when the Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion held their Remembrance service on the Minster Green on Wednesday.

Next year the memorial shares its 100th anniversary with the centenary of the Royal

British Legion. It is hoped a full programme of commemorations will be held for both occasions.

The town council has also commissioned a refurbishment of the Jubilee Fountain in Trinity Square, Axminster's most famous landmark. The fountain was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Pulling out all the stops for a special Christmas A national network of h hyperlocal news websites, now covering the Axminster & Seatton areas With editorial content provided by the team from Ly Lym meOnline

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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

EVERY effort is being made to make Axminster look as festive as possible this Christmas, despite the coronavirus restrictions which have curtailed fundraising events this year.

All businesses in the town have been sent a letter from Cindy Furse, the driving force behind the Light Up Axminster organisation, giving details of all the arrangements being made.

The usual switch-on event will not take place this year. The celebrations were due to be held in Silver Street and Church Street and Cindy has told the traders in this area that they have "not been forgotten" and hopefully they will be able to "celebrate in style" next year.

Cindy has confirmed the Christmas trees above the various shops will go up in the week commencing November 23rd and they are hoping to raise some funds to keep the cost to the minimum.

The Christmas illuminations will also be going up similar to last year with the exception. of the crossstreet lights in the town centre. Unfortunately, it had not been possible to raise funds to hire and install these lights this year. The lights will be going up on November 27/28.

Funds have been secured, however, for the Christmas window competition and information will be sent out to all traders in the coming weeks with the theme "Finding Alight In The Darkness".

Cindy said: "It was felt this can be interpreted in many ways and brings us all a little glimmer of hope throughout the strange times we are living in."

Alongside the Christmas window competition Lighting Up Axminster is supporting the Minster Church team's ‘Walking Advent Calendar’. They are looking of 23 shops to host an advent window that will be opened on their dedicated day with a final big reveal on The Minster Green on Christmas Eve. Those who would like a window should contact the Reverend Tracey Voysey via email: revdtracey@gmail.com

Tick Tocks Nursery on the Millwey Industrial Estate in Axminster was broken into overnight on Monday.

The children's nursery on Weycroft Avenue was targeted sometime overnight between Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10.

Entry was forced causing damage to the premises and it is understood other buildings on the industrial estate were also targeted.

Tick Tocks have reported that money from a recent fundraiser to purchase recourses for the children was stolen.

Alison Coleman of Tick Tocks said: "As a nursery suffering financially from COVID-19 the staff had organised a fundraiser for the children for resources needed and this was stolen.

"The owners of the nursery have been impacted greatly financially and had to make the difficult decision to make a few staff redundant. With very little financial support from government, this has been a testing time.

"It’s had an impact on the parents and children as we had to close the nursery for two days for a mass clean up of broken glass, etc. Most of our parents are working parents so it’s been difficult for all involved."

Staff at Tick Tocks have now launched an online crowdfunding appeal with the aim of raising £1,000 to cover the costs of the resources needed and to make the children's Christmas "more magical than ever".

You can support the fundraising campaign at https://bit.ly/2UfcshN Anyone with any information on the breakin - for example noticed suspicious activity or vehicles in the area in the days prior - or anyone with relevant CCTV is asked to contact police on 101 or by emailing 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference, CR/094873/20.

Axminster Arts disbands after 21 years of music making AXMINSTER Arts has been dissolved – exactly 21 years after it was founded in November 1999.

Axminster Arts promoted arts and music in the town giving many artists the opportunity to appear in public.

Their regular “Music in the Garden” sessions at the Arts Café in the Old Courthouse were hugely popular.

All assets have been transferred to the Guildhall Management Committee, including the bandstand and garden effects, as per Axminster Arts constitution.

Axminster Arts was not part of the Arts Café Bar which was recently severely damaged by fire.

The closing down of the organisation was announced on the Axminster Notice Board this afternoon by Pat Ayers who thanked all those who supported “Music In The Garden” events and the “great musicians” who played for them.

She concluded by saying: “May music play on in our souls.”

Friday, November 13 2020 15

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Shops/businesses classed as essential that will remain open throughout lockdown: The Monmouth Pantry Ammonite Fine Foods Co-operative Tesco Express Lyme Regis Post Office Boots Lloyds Pharmacy Lyme Regis Butchers Seriously Good Wine Company Mulberry Manor Arthur Fordham & Co Quality Corner The Slipway Lyme Launderette The Wet Fish Shop WH Smith

Please check businesses’ individual webites or social media accounts for opening hours and takeaway and delivery details

Food/drink outlets offering takeaway/delivery service: Taste of India The Galley Cafe Lal Qilla The Whole Hog Red Panda Tierra Kitchen Dom’s Table Town Mill Bakery Lyme Regis Brewery The Millside Restaurant Italia Pizza Steak House Hong Kong Chinese Takeaway The Pop-Up Kitchen Kiosk HIX Oyster & Fish Truck Fossil On The Road Chariot of Fire Pukkha Thai Spongbakes Cakes Nan’s Family Kitchen Just Fine Wines

Other services still operating: Causley Cabs Go Eco Cabs Julian Hill Electrical House of Flowers Bottleman Recycling Shops/businesses closed but offering alternative services: Persuasion – order by emailing info@persuasion-lyme.co.uk for collection/delivery Lisa Galvani Makeup and Beauty – order products or gift vouchers by calling 01297 445138 Coombe Street Gallery – email coombestreetgaller@hotmail.com for click and collect service

Lots of other local shops are also offering online services so please check their websites!

To be added to LymeOnline’s ‘Shop Local’ list, which is regularly updated on our website and promoted via social media, email edit@lyme-onine.co.uk

16 Friday, November 13 2020

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Symmetrical beauty beside the sea

SEARCHING FOR SECRETS BENEATH THE SYMMETRIES OF LYME REGIS

A town.

walk around Lyme Regis reveals some beautiful buildings forming the unique character of the

One of the common features is the use of symmetry to make the design pleasing on the eye. Take the Dinsosaurland Fossil Museum in Coombe Street. This is a building which has matching, arched windows to the left and right of the door. The central circular window on the upper floor is split into ten sectors displaying an additional touch of rotational symmetry. The net effect is something which is rather attractive and appealing.

The Royal Lion Hotel in Broad Street is another attractive building featuring symmetric bay windows. The Prince of Wales motto - Ich Dien - and his emblem of three ostrich feathers is even repeated three times to emphasise the design.

Many other beautiful buildings make good use of symmetry. Next time you are in town, look at the precise placing of the elegant arched, sash windows of the Post Office. The stonework, columns and carvings on the Jubilee Pavilion in Marine Parade are also reflected on both sides of the entrance.

The pink symmetrical façade of Belmont is another prime example with its well-spaced urns and repeated Coade stone carvings.

Symmetry is not confined to buildings. Aristotle long ago argued that symmetry was one of the chief forms of beauty and it has been suggested that the reason we find certain people attractive is because their faces are symmetric.

SCIENCE FEATURE

by Professor Glenn Patrick

Professor Glenn Patrick is a particle physicist and science communicator who explores the quantum world of sub-atomic particles (including at the Large Hadron Collider) and now lives in Lyme Regis

Think of your favourite film star – Brad Pitt or Catherine Zeta Jones say – and it becomes clear that there is a certain Hollywood look that succeeds in the movie world.

As can be seen in buildings like the Parthenon and the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, symmetry has a long history. In fact, it was the Ancient Greeks who first came up with the idea of a “golden ratio” used to proportion a design to give an aesthetically pleasing result …. or even an attractive face.

Yet, there are also counterexamples which break this convention. Sometimes, quirky features interrupt the symmetry and introduce extra character. The Guildhall, with its turret, pretty cottages with thatched features on the roof, a crooked chimney and fake windows are good examples.

My boss once said that he was short, fat but interesting, making the point that good proportions are not everything in humans and our idiosyncrasies help define us!

What about symmetry in the natural world?

The distinctive lamp posts of Lyme Regis incorporate ammonites into their design with one ammonite spiralling clockwise (like a left-handed screw) and the other ammonite curling anticlockwise (like a right-handed screw).

This appears symmetric, but if we stand on the other side of the post, the left-handed ammonite becomes right-handed and vice-versa. The ammonite is not identical to its mirror image – there is an asymmetry.

Gastropods – or snails – are more obviously asymmetric.

When viewed from THE symmetric façade of the Royal Lion Hotel and, below, the symmetric exterior above, their spiralling of the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum in Coombe Street shells can wind clockwise or anti-clockwise. Oddly though, each species of snail is usually entirely composed of only one type. In fact, 90 per cent of gastropods have right-handed (or dextral) shells.

From the outside, the human body is also an example of left-right symmetry.

Our eyes, ears, arms, legs, etc. are duplicated on either side of our mid-line giving a well-balanced image.

But there are again

THE distinctive lamp posts of Lyme Regis featuring left and right-handed ammonites and, above, the beautiful symmetric façade of Belmont with Coade sculptures

hidden asymmetries.

I am left-handed which puts me very much in the minority along with 10 per cent of the population. Hidden inside the body, the major organs have a specific location with the heart and stomach normally on the left and the liver, gall bladder and appendix on the right. In just 0.01 per cent of people these positions are reversed – a condition called situs invertus.

Deep inside our molecules, the DNA double helix always has a right-handed spiral and the twenty amino acids - the building blocks of proteins – found in our living cells are all lefthanded. The surface symmetry of the body is again broken by these hidden asymmetries.

Symmetry breaking may well explain why we are even here! We all know from sci-fi movies, that antimatter has the opposite properties of matter and when the two meet they wipe each other out producing a burst of energy.

When we collide particles in laboratories like CERN, we create equal amounts of matter and anti-matter – there is a sort of democracy between the two. Puzzlingly though, when we look for antimatter in the Universe, we find very little of it. The International Space Station - regularly seen in the skies over Lyme Regis – hosts an experiment which has detected over 166 billion cosmic rays from deep

space and found no evidence for primordial antimatter.

We would have expected equal amounts of matter and anti-matter to have been produced in the Big Bang – just like at CERN – so where has it all gone? The answer seems to be that there are very small differences – or asymmetries – in the properties of matter and antimatter, which mean that matter has a slight advantage. Some of these asymmetries have been measured in experiments since the 1960s and I was recently part of a project detecting more at the Large Hadron Collider.

Amazingly, this seems to be part of the reason that we exist. If matter and anti-matter were created in equal amounts in the Big Bang with exactly opposite and symmetric properties, then it would all have annihilated within a microsecond. We would not exist the Universe would just be filled with radiation.

In fact, this is almost the case - for each proton in the Universe there are 10 billion particles of radiation (photons). We owe our very existence to a lack of perfect symmetry. The only fly in the ointment is that the asymmetries found so far are not strong enough to explain where all the anti-matter has gone.

The splendid buildings in Lyme surely hold many fascinating secrets behind their beautiful symmetric facades – just like the Universe.

Friday, November 13 2020 17

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FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

■ SOME people wouldn’t look twice at what appeared to be just another seagull.

But one passer-by on the beach at Burnham-on-sea, in Somerset, recognised the ‘large gull’ as an albatross, leaving British birders somewhat in shock with the news, because it was the first ever recorded albatross in British and European waters and they didn’t get to see it. That left me

Those were the days...

DARTS has not been played in the Lyme Regis pubs for some time due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

But here’s a blast from the past featuring some of the town’s best players pictured at The Ship.

From the left: Arthur Larcombe, Richard Austin, Mick Wantling, John.

Stamp, Gordon Hall, Peter Kirkman and Alan Reynolds.

the honour of being the first photographer to photograph said bird, which turned out to be a sub adult yellow nosed albatross.

The bird spent the night at Secret World Animal Rescue and was released the next morning.

It was quite obvious the bird had never encountered a human before and he showed no fear of people at all.

Albatrosses need height to get airborne so he was released from the top of Brean Head.

Simon Kidner held the bird skywards and let him go when he spread those eight foot wings. He glided off into the sky without once flapping his wings.

The seagulls in the vicinity went crazy, even they hadn’t seen a yellow nosed albatross before.

Latest crime figures in Lyme DURING September 2020 there were 34 recorded crimes in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth area.

These included 12 incidents of anti-social behaviour, 11 incidents of violence and sexual offences, three public order offences and eight incidents listed as ‘other’.

This compares with 33 recorded crimes in the same area the previous month, and 25 in September 2019.

Figures for October 2020 have not yet been released.

To find out more about crime in your area, visit the website www.police.uk, which allows you to zoom in on specific areas and find crimes committed on individual streets month by month.

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

18 Friday, November 13 2020

Local Services

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ITEMS FOR SALE

GOLF BUGGY, Powakaddy Discovery, charger, lithium battery, ramps, £300 - 0297 442134 / 07761 258 115.

ELECTRIC FIRE, Dimplex Cheriton, 2kw convected heat output, virtually unused, £70 - 07840 938 374.

MAKING CHUTNEY? Cooking apples picked daily, supermarkets charge £2 per kilo, mine are just £1 per kilo, free windfalls 01297 443930.

CHEST OF DRAWERS, blonde oak, veneered with three drawers, 33” or 84cm wide x 29” or 72cm height x 20” or 50cm deep, only £25 - 01297 443930.

HEATED HOSTESS TROLLEY, Elko, four lidded, Pyrex containers, instruction book included, as new - 01297 443930.

BEDROOM SET, Sarah Kay bedroom set for girls, 2 duvet covers, pillow slips, matching curtains 66” wide x 54” drop, £30 - 01297 443930.

COFFEE TABLE, light oak, parquet style, very good condition, L48"(1220mm) x W24" (610mm) x H15" (390mm), £25 - 01297 678584.

ROLL TOP DESK, pine, very good condition, L42" (1070mm) x W20" (510mm) x L42" (1070mm), £40 - 01297 678584.

HOSTESS HEATED TROLLEY, very good condition, L29" (750mm) x W16" (400mm) x H27" (700mm), £20 - 01297 678584.

DOOR - EXTERIOR HARDWOOD, six panel, H77" (1960mm) x W30" (760mm), thickness 1 3/4" (44mm), £40 - 01297 678584.

DOOR - INTERIOR, 15 panel glazed, H77" (1960mm) x W 29 1/2" (750mm), thickness 1 3/4" (44mm), £30 - 01297 6789584.

TIFFANY OPEN LOVE HEART PENDANT, 21mm wide with silver-16" chain, engraved Elsa Peretti, with pouch, box and bag, from Tiffany in New York, unworn, £100 - 01297 678584.

TILES, bathroom/kitchen, handmade, 60x30cm, underwater scene dark blue, £50 for 3 - 07397 206 365.

COFFEE TABLES, pine, pair 1x1m and 60x60cm, also console table 120x45cm, offers welcome - 07397 206 365.

WATERCOLOUR FLOWER PORTRAITS, book by Billy Showell, first edition, 2006, ISBN: 9781844480661, as new condition, £14 - 01297 442627.

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ITEMS TO SELL?

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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.

01217 051483 or 07980 729 551 case included, as new, unwanted gift, originally cost £95 now asking for £65 - 01297 33745.

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

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WALKING STICK BLANKS, 30 in total, mixture of hazel and ash, £50 for the lot - 01297 443419.

BOOK, ‘Down by the Sea with Brush and Pen’, first edition 2009, book on drawing by Claudia Nice, as new, £30 - 01297 442627.

BOOK, ‘Painting Nature in Pen and Ink with Watercolour’ by Claudia Nice, first edition 1998, as new, £15 - 01297 442627.

BOOK, ‘Westcountry Animal Magic’ by Richard Austin, first edition signed book, as new, £5 - 01297 442627.

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CAR SEAT, Britax Prince child’s car seat, 9 to 18kg, little used, £40 or near offer - 01297 444062.

Trainee Dental Nurse Brookvale Dental Practice in Honiton and Merrifield Dental Practice in Sidmouth are looking for a Trainee Dental Nurse to join their team.

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LymeOnline Sport

20 Friday, November 13 2020

November 13 2020

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER LEAGUE

CLUBHOUSE CLOSED DURING LOCKDOWN

The Seasiders’ seven years in Devon football IT may seem incongruous that Lyme Regis Football Club, formed in 1885 and affiliated to the Dorset FA for all those years since, play in the Devon & Exeter League.

Apart from a short period in the Dorset League in the 1950s, the Seasiders have played most of their football in the Perry Street League, of which they are founder members.

The club considered rejoining the Dorset League when some of the more talented sides in the Perry Street League joined the Somerset League.

But the strict pitch criteria in Dorset meant that the Lyme club, with its narrow pitch, would never be able to progress to senior football. They would always be considered a junior club.

Lyme made the decision to enter the Devon & Exeter League seven years ago, starting in Division Three in the 2014/15 season, working their way up to the Premer Division, the highest standard at which they have played, finishing in fifth in the last full season.

Lyme Reserves joined the Devon

By

PHILIP EVANS & Exeter League Division Seven in the 2015/16 season and have worked their way up to Division Three.

Lyme has retained its long association with the Perry Street League with the Rovers now playing in Division One. Here’s Lyme’s statistics for their seven years in Devon football, compiled by club chairman Howard Larcombe: Lyme 1st team ■ This is our seventh season (including COVID reduced 2019/2020 ■ Started in 2014/15 finishing 2nd in Div 3, followed by 2nd in D2, 6th in D1, 3rd in D1, 5th in Premier and 5th in Premier (incomplete COVID season).

■ First ever goal was scored by Dom Rowe in 1-1 home draw with Woodbury (Chris Higgs scored the first team's last ever PSL goal!)

■ Most goals: Joe Bond 89 (he was-

LYME’S very first match in the Devon & Exeter League against Woodbury in August 2014, led by skipper Matt Laing n't here for three of the 6 seasons!), followed by Fred Parsons and Ben Vine (both 37).

■ Biggest home win was 11-1 v Culm Utd in March 2016 when Joe Bond, Dec Ellis and Julien Simier all netted hat-tricks. Bond also scored a hat-trick in the 9-2 win in the reverse fixture two weeks later which is the biggest ever away win.

■ Longest unbeaten run is 10 games at the end of the 2017/18 season which culminated in Brad Rowe and Spaniard Ruben Rogel scoring the goals in a 2-1 win over Heavitree United Reserves, which clinched a first ever trophy as the Grandisson Cup was hoisted at Ottery St Mary.

Lyme Reserves ■ Currently in sixth season.

■ Started in 2015/16 finishing 6th in Div 7 followed by 3rd in D6, 4th in D5, 5th in D4 and 6th in D3 (COVID).

■ First ever goal was scored by Ben Strong in 3-1 defeat away at Tivvy Park Rangers.

■ Most goals: Steve Batey (49) followed by Julien Simier (19).

■ Biggest win was 11-0 at Offwell Rangers during a best-ever eightgame unbeaten run in April 2018 with Batey and Jake Bearpark both scoring four.

This was followed three days later by the team's biggest home win - a

9-0 hammering of Dunkeswell Rovers. Batey also netted five in a noteable 11-2 victory at Westexe Rangers in February 2018.

■ The Ressies have also tasted success in the league's cup competition's with back-to-back successes in the Football Express Cup. Dec Ellis scored the winner in a 10 victory over North Tawton at Elmore FC in May 2017 while a 5-3 penalty shootout triumph finally saw off the challenge of Elmore Reserves at Budleigh Salterton FC 12 months later after Bearpark had netted in a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Dementia – a sad legacy of the beautiful game W

ITH a second lockdown and the early onset of the dark winter nights, the lack of opportunities outdoors has given me more time on my hands.

Unable to play my weekly walking football where a bunch of old codgers relive the “glory days” between threading a few passes past the opposition and occasionally finding the net, it started me thinking again about football and the way things have changed since I was playing.

There have been many changes to the game over the past 40 years since I finished playing; some good, some bad, but one serious legacy that has surfaced over the past few years is the number of former footballers suffering from dementia due to heading the ball.

This has been highlighted by the news that several household names who played in the 50s, 60s and 70s, have been diagnosed by this horrible disease.

By STUART BROOM Former captain of Lyme Regis FC It was first highlighted back in 2002 when West Bromwich and England centre forward Jeff Astley died, aged 59, from dementia brought on by repeatedly heading the ball.

Just recently, it was announced that Sir Bobby Charlton is living with the disease, and his Manchester United teammate and World Cup colleague Nobby Stiles MBE, who died aged 78, suffered severe dementia.

I recall my playing days and clearly remember how heavy those balls were, particularly on a wet day as the ball grew increasingly heavy as the leather soaked up large amounts of liquid.

The effect of heading a ball back in those days was akin to those cartoons where someone is hit in the face and they stand rooted to

the spot as their upper body shudders violently from the force of it.

I guess we knew no different in those days, but on reflection when you see how powerfully players like John Charles, Dixie Dean and Jack Charlton headed a ball, it is no wonder modern science is telling us it is dangerous.

Of course, improvements in the design of ball, and the restrictions on younger children heading the ball until they are older will help this in the future, but it is a sobering thought for all of us of a certain age.

Over the decades there have been many changes to the rules of the game as well as improvements in equipment.

For instance, my first pair of boots were second hand leather ones that came up over the ankle with a patch on the side to protect a painful kick on the bone. The studs were attached to the soles using three small nails, which after a while came through the bottom and into the sole of your foot – very painful.

Whilst I guess I was grateful to my parents for buying them for me, I was jealous of my great pal Philip Evans who not only had a new pair as a present on his birthday in August, but were of the latest design with the cutaway under the ankle like a pair of slippers!

I won’t go any further in my thoughts with regards to “modern” changes in the game as I could fill a paper with my rantings, but I do wonder who thought up the latest rules regarding the VAR system which has gone way past what it was originally designed to do, and “cheating”.

Unfortunately, this is something that has appeared since the introduction of foreign players, where I understand it is the norm in their countries to gain an advantage if they can, regardless if it is legal. The sad thing is you hear British players and pundits agreeing that is acceptable.

I’m afraid that it is not the beautiful sport it was - it is now a business.

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