Lyme shortlisted for Plastic Free Award
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Pre-school will now close down in November
Three cheers for Graham! FRIENDS and colleagues of Lyme Regis resident Graham Turner give him a warm welcome as he arrives at a special reception to receive an award for more than 50 years of voluntary service to both the town’s lifeboat crew and coastguards. See page 7 for full report. Photo by Seb Cope
We want action!
ST MICHAEL’S Pre-School in Lyme Regis will close down on November 22 2019. The final decision on the future of the preschool was announced yesterday (Thursday) in a letter to parents from the governors and headteacher of St Michael’s Primary School, which runs the facility. Governors initially announced in July that the pre-school would close down the following week, as it had been running at a loss and was expected to have a £20,000 deficit this year. Following concerns from parents and discussions with Dorset Council, it was then agreed to re-open the pre-school for the new term in September and give further consideration to its long-term future. However, in their letter this week, headteacher Nick Kiddle and the chairman of governors, Betty Wood, confirmed they had taken the “difficult decision” to close. The letter added: “This has not been an easy time for all of those parents with children with pre-school, their families and the staff. We thank you all for your continued support during this time.” Lyme Regis Pre-School Fundraising Committee was set up to try and protect the educational facility’s long-term prospects, with their latest event, a harvest home auction, raising £2,600 last weekend (see page 7). The committee said they had been expecting yesterday’s announcements and are now intending to further investigate possibility of setting up a pre-school as a Charitable Incorpoated Organisation, which funds already raised will be put towards.
RESIDENTS CALL FOR SOLUTION TO LYME’S TRAFFIC CHAOS RESIDENTS of Lyme Regis have urged local councils to take note of their concerns and address the town’s increasing traffic problems.
Lyme Regis Town Council last year commissioned a £25,000 traffic survey by engineering company Hydrock, with hopes it would result in possible solutions to long-running traffic congestion and parking issues.
FRANCESCA EVANS francesca@lyme-online.co.uk But on receiving the report in March, councillors and the town clerk expressed “bitter disappointment” with its results, with one of the main concerns being that it did not include public consultation as promised. In light of this, LymeOnline turned to its readers to ask for their suggestions to Lyme’s traffic woes,
and has been inundated with responses over the past two weeks. Suggestions have included moving traffic lights in Church Street, an option which the highways authority has previously ruled out as unviable; banning large buses and coaches from the town centre; various one-way systems around the town; tighter restrictions on delivery vehicles; improved signage; and even pedestrianising Broad Street. Many residents have called for
the town council and new Dorset Council to take note of their concerns, saying it is now time for action after decades spent debating the issue with no real progress. One response from Margaret McLaren read: “There are solutions if only the powers that be would take definitive action and stop wasting money on surveys, which only told us what we already knew.” SEE ALL RESPONSES ON PAGES 16 & 17
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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 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk Regular Columnists: Sophia Moseley, Marine Theatre Mark Vandeweyer, Citizens Advice Peter Lacey, Tales of Lyme’s Past
Royal British Legion prepares for Remembrance commemorations
THE Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion are preparing for Remembrance weekend next month. Commemorations will begin with wreath-laying services on Saturday, November 9. These short services will include a wreath being laid at the HMS Formidable memorial, as well as crosses on the Commonwealth war graves, in the town’s cemetery, starting at 10am. This will be followed by wreath-laying at the Polish war memorial in Anning Road at 10.30am. The annual Remembrance Sunday parade will be held on November 10, starting at the Pound Street entrance of Langmoor Gardens at 9.30am. Serving members and veterans of the Armed Forces, members of the Royal British Legion and other local organisations are invited to take part. The parade will be led down Broad Street to St Michael’s Parish Church, where a special Remembrance service will be held at 9.45am, with hymns accompanied by the town band. Following the service at 10.30am, the parade will re-form and march past the war memorial in Monmouth Street, before heading along Coombe Street to Cobb Gate, where there will be a two-minute’s silence and the National Anthem will be played. The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, and president of the Royal British Legion Lyme Regis branch, Philip Evans
MBE, will thank organisations taking part in the parade before they are formally dismissed. On Armistice Day – Monday, November 11 – a two-minute’s silence and wreath-laying service will be held at the town’s war memorial in George’s Square, Monmouth Street, starting at 10.45am. n THE Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion are launching their 2019 Poppy Appeal this coming weekend with volunteer collectors at various location in the town. The Lyme branch is one of the most active in Dorset and last year won the trophy for the most money raised for the Poppy Appeal by a small branch. The Poppy Appeal in Lyme Regis is organised by Legion member Jacqui Ward, with help from Ania Driver, and will be based for the next three weekends at the Masonic Hall in Broad Street where other Remembrance insignia and crosses are available for purchase. Mrs Ward is looking for additional volunteers for the weekend November 2/3 and November 8/9 and anyone who is able to help out should report to the Masonic Hall between 9.15 am and 1.45pm on any of the days. Legion chairman Major Ian Marshall commented: “The Lyme Regis branch punches far above its weight when it comes to the Poppy Appeal and we are grateful to all those who give up their time to help out. We are always looking for more volunteers.”
Help needed for bonfire night festivities BONFIRE night celebrations will take place in Lyme Regis on Saturday, November 2. Festivities will include a spectacular fireworks display off the Cobb at 6.30pm, followed by the lighting of the bonfire on the beach and local businesses in the Cobb area are expected to stay open late to enable everyone to enjoy the evening. Organisers are appealing for help in building the bonfire between 9am and 12noon on the day of the event, and with the clearing of the
beach from 8.30am on Sunday, November 3. A collection will be made at the end of the firework display to cover its costs and collectors are also urgently needed. Finally, anyone with any wood for the bonfire (no garden waste) please bring it to the beach on Saturday, November 2 between 9am and 12noon or if you need help with transport you can arrange collection by calling Alan Vian on 01297 442220 or email alan@alanvian.co.uk
LYME RE REGIS, GISS, PUT YO YOUURR
Join us for food, craft beer and cocktails. Music kicks offf around 8.30pm
Marine Parade, Lyme Regi g s, Dorset, DT7 3JH Follow us on social media @swimlyme | 01297 442668 | info@weswim.co.uk
All invited to join flower planting for polio appeal A FLOWERBED in Langmoor Gardens, Lyme Regis, will become a swathe of purple as the town gets behind the ‘Purple4Polio’ campaign to eradicate wild poliovirus worldwide. The town council has agreed that the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis can plant 6,000 purple crocuses in one of the flowerbeds of the seafront gardens. Purple has become a symbolic colour in this campaign as it is the colour of the dye that is painted on the little finger of a child to signify that they have received the polio vaccine. Over a period of 30 years, the incidence of polio has fallen from about 350,000 cases a year in 125 countries to just 33 cases in 2018 - with just two countries reporting cases of wild poliovirus - Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Rotary Club plans to plant the crocuses tomorrow (Saturday, October 26) as it is the closest weekend to World Polio Day, which was yesterday (Thursday). Members are hoping to make this a community event by inviting local groups to take part in planting the crocuses, from 11am. The flower bed is in between the cinema and the mosaic bench and is about 50 feet long so it will be possible to have a number of people planting at the same time. See page 9
Lifeboat crew rescue man being swept out to sea LYME Regis lifeboat was launched on Friday, October 18 to a report of a man in the water in difficulty at Seaton, Devon. The volunteer crew were quick to launch, only eight minutes after being requested by HM Coastguard at 1pm. The lifeboat arrived in Seaton less than 15 minutes later and were able to locate and rescue the man, who was wearing a drysuit and lifejacket with bright colours. Lifeboat helm Murray Saunders said: “We were able to get to Seaton quickly considering the rough seas. It was a good job the man was wearing appropriate protective clothing and a lifejacket. This helped when we began searching and were able to rescue him rapidly.”
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Friday, October 25 2019 3
Lyme shortlisted for plastic free award PLASTIC Free Lyme Regis has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize at the Plastic Free Awards. From 850 entries, Lyme Regis has reached the final three in the Plastic Free Communities category, along with Penzance and Anglesey, and will now go to the finals. The Plastic Free Awards is a new environmental awards event, celebrating innovation and activism tackling avoidable, single-use plastics. The inaugural awards ceremony, organised by
Surfers Against Sewage and Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, will take place on Thursday, November 21 at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Grenville Barr, chairman of Plastic Free Lyme Regis, commented: “We are thrilled to have got this far and it shows how just how far Lyme Regis’s community have come and what it is has achieved.” Plastic Free Lyme Regis is a sub-group of envi-
ronmental organisation Turn Lyme Green and gained Plastic Free Communities status for Lyme Regis from national charity Surfers Against Sewage in June 2018. The group works with the town council, local businesses and residents towards reducing single use plastic and making our community more environmentally sustainable. For more details visit the website www.plasticfreelyme.uk
Join the fight against plastic with Boomerang Bags
A NEW initiative that started in Australia has arrived in Lyme Regis to further advance the town’s commitment to reducing single-use plastic. Lyme Regis is joining more than 1,000 communities around the world, including 25 in the UK, making Boomerang Bags. Boomerang Bags are free; you can borrow one from a shop and then bring it back to any participating businesses. They will be available from several Lyme Regis outlets from today (Friday, October 25). Polly Benfield of Plastic Free Lyme Regis commented: “It has truly been a community project. Call outs for fabric have been really successful and Alice’s Bear Shop kindly took these donations in. “We have had a team of 18 cutting out and sewing bags, some working at home in their own time, others gathering round a dining table to sew each week and the U3A organised two sewins at Hallett Court. “All volunteers were very excited by this community project. It’s been fun sewing together; friendships made, conversations started and a feel-good factor that we are all helping the environment – making bags, not waste.” More bags were supplied by students at the Woodroffe School. Led by textiles teaches Becca Barnes, Year 9 pupils designed and made 26 bags, and they now plan to set up a sew-in lunchtime group as the bags are proving so popular. Logo patches have been screen-printed by volunteers. Pupils from St Michael’s and Mrs Ethelston’s
and the bag makers at the Woodroffe School all took part in designing a poster for the scheme, with the winning entries now displayed in the windows of businesses taking part. Boomerang Bags can be found at and returned to: the Royal Lion, Mariners and Kersbrook hotels, Coombe Street Gallery, Aroma, Sanctuary Bookshop, The Galley Kitchen, Red Panda, Primary Colours, Boylos, Ryder & Hope, Serendip, the Tourist Information Centre and library. B&Bs also taking part include Dorset House, Bay Leaf Cottage, Clovelly, The Albany, Charnwood, Ammonite Cottage and Skerries. Boomerang Bags not only fulfil Plastic Free Lyme Regis’ goals - Refuse, Refill, Recycle and Reuse - but will also be registered by Lyme’s new One Planet Working Group (OPWG) under the UN Sustainable Development Goal to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse by 2030. The One Planet Working Group started working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals after Lyme Regis Town Council officially declared a climate emergency earlier this year, to help tackle to effects of climate changes. Councillor Belinda Bawden, who has been leading the campaign and is vice-chairman of the One Planet Working Group, commented: “The Boomerang Bag scheme will be the first of many community initiatives the OPWG will be registering with the UN to help Lyme Regis work towards our climate and environmental goal to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030.” Boomerang Bags is a global, grassroots move-
ment, connecting and empowering local communities to tackle plastic pollution at its Boomerang source. Bags is about making bags, diverting waste, connecting with each other, fostering sustainable behaviour and having fun! To celebrate all Lyme Regis has been doing to make the community more sustainable, special event POP UP Sustainable Lyme Regis will be taking place this weekend, LADIES from Lyme Regis U3A helped to stitch some of the new Boomerang Bags, opening today at 11am available in local shops from today and running until 4pm on Monday, October 28 at the Town Mill Malt- out how easy it is to make a Boomerang Bag; and ‘Cut Out Plastic in Lunchboxes’ on Monday, Ochouse. This will include exhibitions where visitors can tober 28, with tasty treats and activities run by see of all the posters entered by local schools to Warsup from 11.30am to 1pm, costing £6 per support the Boomerang Bag scheme, as well as adult and free for accompanied under 12s. Grenville Barr, chairman of Plastic Free Lyme the bags made by the Woodroffe School pupils. There will also be an opportunity to find out Regis, commented:“Anyone can come and pick up lots of ideas and easy tips to reduce your plashow local businesses are tackling plastic waste. Workshops will include printing ‘Rethink, tic use.” Booking is necessary for paid workshops - call Reuse, Respect’ T-shirts today (Friday) with 10 by 8 Studio at 11am and 2pm, costing £15 for a 01297 446066 or email info@plasticfreelyme.uk For more information visit www.plas90-minute session; ‘Sew Sustainable’ tomorrow (Saturday), a free workshop where you can find ticfreelyme.uk
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4 Friday, October 25 2019
NEWS ONLINE: Catch up with A round-up of the top stories from our website
Call for change at second ‘Sea What’s There’ event Bus hits Rock Point Inn scaffolding
THE second ‘Sea What’s There’ event in Lyme Regis was described as an evening of “hard information, wonder and hope”, raising awareness of how pollution and climate change is affecting our oceans. Organised by One Girl Productions, in association with Plastic Free Lyme Regis, the event was held at the Marine Theatre with a programme of guest speakers and poignant music from members of local charity B Sharp, who emphasised that even small changes can make a difference.
A BUS smashed its window after crashing into scaffolding in Lyme Regis last Tuesday. The double-decker 9A bus on route to Seaton hit the newly-erected scaffolding outside the Rock Point Inn at the bottom of Broad Street, which is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment. One of the windows on the upper-deck of the bus
was smashed but no one was injured. The incident caused some traffic delays around the Broad Street area, with workmen from Turvey Construction Ltd, working at the Rock Point, helping with traffic control. They eventually let down the tyres on one side of the bus to release it from the scaffolding.
Co-op staff to walk marathon for Mind Council shares climate change ideas All welcome at art society meetings STAFF at the Co-op store in Lyme Regis are raising funds for mental health charity Mind. The Broad Street shop has selected Mind as its charity of the year and staff will be getting behind the campaign as they walk a marathon distance up and down Lyme Regis seafront on Wednesday, November 1. A collection bucket for sponsorship is available in store.
MEMBERS and officers of Dorset Council came together to last week to share ideas on the fight against climate change. Having officially declared a climate emergency, they discussed what Dorset Council is doing now to mitigate climate change and how they could influence others to ‘go green’.
LYME Regis Art Society members enjoyed a demonstration of oil painting by talented artist Geoff Storer last week. The society meets fortnightly between September and March with the next meeting on Tuesday, November 5 when Kit Glaiser demonstrates landscape painting with watercolours.
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Sailing Club fish supper catches £660 for RNLI A FISH supper hosted by Lyme Regis Sailing Club served up a £660 donation for the volunteers of the town’s lifeboat crew. The supper was held on Friday, October 11 and 60 meals were served at the club’s headquarters, thanks to the help of Lyme’s Fish Bar. Former chef and RNLI supporter Petrina Muscroft will host her third annual fish supper at the lifeboat station on Saturday, November 16. Two sittings will be held at 6pm and 8.30pm with a choice of fish and vegetarian dishes.
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Friday, October 25 2019 5
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 Time to go green (and luckily it’s my colour!)
Council makes plans for dog consultation DORSET councillors yesterday (Thursday) started to consider plans to consult the public on dog restrictions on beaches. The new unitary authority will hold a public consultation next year on dogs in public places, including beaches, before deciding whether to make changes to the existing Public Space Protection Orders. Lyme Regis Town Council hope to see fogs banned from the main sandy beach all year round.
1st Lym Valley Scouts learn how to save a life MEMBERS of the 1st Lym Valley Scout Group, based in Uplyme, have received training in CPR and how to use a defibrillator. The group were visited by local organisation Lyme Heartbeat, which raises funds for and installs defibrillators around the Lyme Regis area, and were given a demonstration by Virgil Turner, chief fire officer in Lyme Regis and a member of Lyme Heartbeat.
AS the weeks pass by, more and more environmental and climate change-related news hits the local and national headlines. There’s no ignoring it anymore - the climate crisis is upon us and it’s time to take action. As such an active community, Lyme Regis has placed itself at the forefront of ‘green’ issues; both Lyme Regis and Dorset councils have declared a climate emergency, Lyme won Plastic Free Communities status last year and local organisations such as Turn Lyme Green, Plastic Free Lyme Regis and the new One Planet Working Group have got us all thinking a little more about our impact on the world around us. It was great this week to report that Plastic Free Lyme Regis had even been shortlisted for the new Plastic Free Awards and today (Friday) they launch their new Boomerang Bags scheme (see page 3). Last week The Guardian newspaper declared a climate emergency, pledging to give the climate crisis the attention it demands and to make environmentally-friendly changes within its own organisation. It got me thinking about the changes we could make here at LymeOnline too. A newspaper declaring a climate emergency could be seen as a little hypocritical; the very nature of the business uses so much paper, but there are definitely improvements we can make. Perhaps not world-saving, but as
the guest speakers at the recent ‘Sea What’s There’ event at the Marine Theatre (see page 4) emphasised, even the smallest of changes to our daily habits can start to make a difference. So hopefully over the coming weeks we’ll be introducing a few new initiatives, both for our print and online readers, as well as behind the scenes in our own office. It’s time to get on board! While I may have been thinking green all week, today (Friday) I’ll be going pink instead, as the Lyme Regis branch of Cancer Research UK hosts its annual coffee morning and cake sale to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll be at the Baptist Church Hall from 10am so please pop in and support this great cause! Luckily it turns out both green and pink are my colours, according to Colourflair consultant Jacquie Payne. This week I visited Jacquieat In Harmony beauty salon in Silver Street, where she has just started offering one-to-one consultations on what colours can help you to look your best. I’d never had anything like that done before but it turned out to be a lovely, relaxing couple of hours out of the office - you can read all about it on page 18. Francesca Evans, Editor
N E W LO O K
Lyme Bay Arts to host Austin wins first place watercolour exhibition in reading challenge LYME Bay Arts will be showcasing the popular medium of watercolour at an exhibition at The Gallery in Symondsbury from October 26 to November 6. Members of Lyme Bay Arts and guest artists will be displaying their work created for ‘Watercolour Magic’. For further information, visit www.lymebayarts.co.uk
YOUNG bookworm Austin Rattenbury-Davies has received prizes after winning Lyme Regis Library’s Summer Reading Challenge. He was rewarded are completing six books during the six-week holiday, as part of the UK’s biggest, free reading-for-pleasure event for children, organised by The Reading Agency and public libraries.
LYME RE G I S
Sunday Sequence Every evening 8-10pm Dancing Fitness that’s ‘Strictly’ Fun New dancers welcome
Fun, Fab, Dance Based Fitness Join Sarah on Tuesday mornings from 10-11am for 1st session free Call 07788 946 427 for more information
Tyneside trio Archipelago come to Lyme AWARD-winning genre blending Tyneside trio Archipelago take audiences on a journey from lyrical melodies through more experimental moments and back again with great aplomb. They combine jazz, cinematic improvisation, alt-folk and progressive rock in a compellingly innovative brew which they will be bringing to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Wednesday, October 30. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £12 on the door available by calling 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
Other regular events include Ballet, Yoga, Pilates, Bingo and Short Mat Bowls
To book the Woodmead Halls telephone Michaela Ellis on 07856 630975 Follow us on Twitter @WoodmeadHalls and Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodmeadhalls
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6 Friday, October 25 2019
LYME MATTERS with Philip Evans Essential reading for all those with Lyme at heart
philip@lyme-online.co.uk
Lyme just keeps on giving W
E may have a moan about the town council, take offence of some caustic remark on Facebook, worry about the “non-existent” drug problems in Lyme and get fed up of our crowded streets during the summer months.
Other events were held locally in the Lyme area to boost the find, including a music night at Manor Farm Holiday Centre in Charmouth. The community, especially young parents, have expressed their concern over the possible closure of the pre-school at St Michael’s Primary School due to lack of funding. So the young mothers, helped by former district and town councillor Cheryl Reynolds, launched a fundraising group to try and save the preschool.
But when it comes to giving, the people and businesses in Lyme Regis are remarkably generous. They just keep on giving Let me give you three recent examples of the extreme generosity in this community. The whole community was shocked when they heard about the plight of 28-year-old Matthew Webb, the manager at Boots, who was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of cancer. The response from Lyme and district was instant. The Baptist Church organised a fundraising coffee morning to go towards specialist treatment for Matthew, the father of a two-year-old son Jesse. The chairman of the Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association, former mayor Michaela Ellis, who is a Boots employee, put on an extra bingo night and raised the unbelievable amount of £1,500. I used to be secretary and treasurer of this organisation and bingo never raised that level of money. Nobody has organised more bingo nights than Michaela and she can’t remember ever getting near that figure.
As we were going to press with this issue, we heard that the pre-school is to close down after consultation with parents. So that means the focus will now turn to running a similar facility as a charity by volunteers.
They appealed to local traders to help them out and the response was overwhelming, resulting in more than £2,600 being raised at a harvest auction at Lyme Regis Football Club with Simon Flux, himself a father of two young girls, wielding the auctioneer’s hammer as he does so often and so well. Again, I’ve helped to organised dozens of harvest homes over the years and I can remember only one other occasion when we got to that sum. Another harvest home at the Nag’s Head (again with Simon urging those present to dig deep), raised £1,200 towards Lyme’s fantastic
CURRY SUPPER
Enjoy a
while watching Lyme’s spectacular fireworks and bonfire Saturday November 2nd 5.30pm in the Lister Room on Marine Parade All proceeds in aid of
CANCER RESEARCH UK
Limited number of tickets £10 each to include curry and a glass of wine To book please call 07796 951991
Christmas lights. Very few traders say no when asked to support recognised charities and good causes in Lyme. Many of them take place in the winter when trade is at its lowest and, contrary to popular belief, not all businesses in Lyme make a huge profit, especially in the winter months. But many contribute to their own favourite charities on a regular basis as well as responding to requests for one-off events. In the next few weeks members of the Royal British Legion will be out on our streets selling poppies for Remembrance Sunday. Here again, Lyme punches above its weight; last year the Lyme branch, one of the smallest in Dorset, won the trophy for the best poppy appeal result for small branches in the county. An appeal has gone out for more volunteers to come forward to help with the poppy collections with people being asked to give just an hour of their time (see page 2). As President of the Legion, I will be doing my bit alongside some who have been collecting for many years. And when it comes to collecting for good causes in Lyme, no one does it better or with more regularity than the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis. As well as supporting their own Rotary projects, whenever there is a tragedy in the world, like an earthquake or tsunami, the Rotarians immediately take to the streets with their collecting buckets. I just wonder how much they have collected over the years; it will run into tens of thousands. One of my favourite charities, as regular readers of this column will know, is Cancer Research UK. And this is our busiest time of the year as our little fundraising group which, was formed ten years ago, edges towards our
target of £200,000 by the year 2022. Today (Friday) we are holding a coffee morning and cake stall at the Baptist Church and next Saturday (November 2) we will be hosting a curry night for 50 people at the Lister Room as the town’s fireworks are let off and the beach bonfire lit. At the end of November we have a Christmas bingo. Our major money-spinner, The Big Breakfast, will be held in March next year. Both my daughters have grown up having been dragged into helping all sorts of crazy ideas to raise funds for various charities. Both of them are excellent organisers and I’m really proud of both of them. Francesca plays a big part in our Cancer Research UK events as well as many other causes. My eldest daughter Zoe now lives in Ireland and last year was appointed the Galway Ambassador for the Movember charity, which does so much good funding research into prostate and testicular cancer, for which she raised the incredible sum of €30,000. This week she launched her campaign for 2019. I’m currently walking 4-5 kilometres every day in a bid to lose weight and improve my fitness after a few recently diagnosed health issues. My family has been affected by prostate issues, as I have in recent years, so I’ve decided to seek sponsorship for the Movember campaign by walking a total of 150 kilometres in the month of November. So if you see me struggling along the seafront early in the morning, or late afternoon, and want to shove a fiver in my pocket, I will be very grateful. Actually, I quite enjoy the walk. It’s very special seeing the sun rise, or set, over Lyme Bay.
Out with the old...in with the new AFTER working for 55 years in the newspaper industry, it is expected that I am very much old media. When I started out as a cub reporter on the Express & Echo in Exeter, then a six day a week daily together with a Football Pink on Saturday afternoons, newspapers were set in hot metal, it was a very lengthy and industrial process. There was no such thing as colour printing. Just writing about this, I can still smell the ink in my nostrils when the beast of a print machine started up in the Echo’s Sidwell Street office with the whole building shaking as the presses started to roll. Today, well it’s a bit different. We now make up pages on computer screens, send them to the printers via the internet and expect colour on every page. But I still think it’s exciting after all these years. Local newspapers struggle to make any money with the advance of the digital platforms, which advertisers find more attractive. Here at LymeOnline we have tried to embrace both old media and the new. Hence the launch of our website which is hugely popular and attracts many thousands of hits every week. A good local story will often see 5,000 or more people clicking onto our website. In areas like Lyme where there is a high density of older people, not everyone accesses their news via the web and there are those who still value a paper. That’s why we print the LymeOnline paper ver-
Lights, camera, action...
Lyme Sights & Sounds A new multi-media channel bringing your local news alive! sion every fortnight - and again it’s very popular with a certain section of the community. Every issue has 50 to 60 stories and photos from Lyme, Uplyme and Charmouth. I can’t think of another community of around 4,000 people with better or more comprehensive coverage of local events. But we have to move with the times and whilst we will continue to print and distribute LymeOnline, we are going to embrace the new media in a bid to win more converts and hopefully more advertisers. In the next few weeks you will see announcements about our intention to add a new digital platform to our website called ‘LymeOnline Sights & Sounds’. This will involve more audio and video content, including podcasts (audio interviews) with those making the news and video coverage of news events. Keep your eyes peeled...
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Friday, October 25 2019 7
A special night for Graham after 50 years of service
A LYME Regis resident has received an award for more than 50 years of voluntary service to the town’s lifeboat crew and coastguards. Past and present members of the RNLI crew and HM Coastguard, friends and family got together at Lyme Regis Golf Club last week to celebrate the service and commitment of Graham Turner. It all started with a canoe trip when Graham, then aged 12 ,ventured out from Lyme Regis with a friend. The canoe tipped over and his friend could not swim, so Graham swam ashore to shout for help, and went back out in an RAF launch with Dusty Miller, Geordie Thirlwell and one other.
Graham joined the lifeboat crew in December 1968, invited by helm Albert Hodder. At just 18 years old, he saw the lifeboat called out to a catamaran but the boat tipped over and one of crew members, ‘Nimmer’ Jefford, sadly died. Graham went in and got the another crew member John Chase out of the water and received a bronze lifesaving medal for his rescue. One of his most memorable rescues involved a yacht called ‘White Kitten’ with four people on board, near Seaton. John Hodder was at the helm in a force 10. The yacht was successfully brought back to Lyme and the lifeboat crew – John Hodder, Paul Wason, Colin Jones and Graham Turner – all received bronze medals.
Auction raises £2,600 for pre-school A TRADITIONAL harvest home auction raised a whopping £2,636.50 for Lyme Regis Pre-School Fundraising Committee. The fundraising committee would like to thank everyone that donated or came along and supported the event, especially to auctioneer and Lyme Regis Football Club, which hosted the auction on Saturday evening.
The fundraising committee was set up to secure a long-term future for St Michael’s PreSchool, but it was announced yesterday (Thursday) the facility would be closed next month (see front page). Money raised will now be spent on efforts to set up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation to run a pre-school.
The crew were also rewarded with an invite to a Buckingham Palace garden party, where they received the RNLI Ralph Glister award in recognition of the most memorable rescue of the year for an Atlantic 21 class lifeboat crew. Graham joined the Her Majesty’s Coastguard in 1998 and later became the station officer in Lyme Regis, a role he carried out for 18 years. As the officer in charge for more than 1,000 call outs, he was often the unsung hero, but in the earlier years, Graham did receive a letter of commendation from the chief coastguard for rescuing two boys stuck in the mud, east of Charmouth. Graham, who is now also a town councillor, was presented with a Good Conduct and Long Service Medal last week, specially minted by the Royal Mint together with Valedictory Certificate. Peter Pritchard, who originally invited Graham to join the coastguard and served as Area Commander for the South West, made the well-deserved presentation.
Reports of man scrambling up cliffs COASTGUARDS and the lifeboat crew were called to reports of a man scrambling up cliffs apparently to avoid a high tide last Saturday. Coastguards ashore and the volunteer lifeboat crew searched an area east of Lyme Regis but found no trace of the man. The lifeboat launched at 7.19pm and returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 8.30pm. The incident was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.
GRAHAM Turner (right) is presented with his long service medal by Peter Pritchard. Photo by Seb Cope
WOODMEAD HALLS Lyme Regis Annual General Meeting
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8 Friday, October 25 2019
theuplymepage Modern design for new school unveiled
A STRIKING 21st century design for a new primary school in Uplyme has been submitted to East Devon District Council for approval. Barker Associates, acting as agents for the Ethelston & Bestic School Foundation, submitted the designs and information following the grant of outline planning permission for the construction of a new school building on land adjacent to Lyme Road, adjoining Uplyme Village Hall. The design has been developed by NetZero Buildings, a specialist provider of ‘net zero’ energy buildings for the education sector, in conjunction with the staff and children of Mrs Ethelston’s CE Primary Academy to assure that the current high standards of attainment and positive educational experience are continued. The primary school has occupied its current site in Pound Lane since 1854, and whilst these premises have been extended and altered to adapt to the changing needs in education over the years, it is widely recognised that the increased number of children being accommodated and the requirements of the National Curriculum make it unfeasible to continue operation there indefinitely. Consultation took place with the local community at the time of the initial outline planning application in 2012 with a very positive response, and further consultation took place in 2016 when the outline permission was renewed. The village hall and parish council are both
supportive of the application, as they anticipate that in addition to the enhanced educational facilities the community shall benefit from improved amenity in terms of parking for village events, access to all weather sport facilities and other engagement activities planned within the new school building. One area for concern, however, which has been raised is the approved access arrangements for the site off Lyme Road. The Bestic Trust has undertaken to work with the parish council to attempt to resolve any issues when seeking to finalise the School Travel Plan with East Devon District Council. The striking modern design for the new school has strong green credentials to meet the objective of attaining net zero carbon emissions for both the construction and operation phases. It is anticipated that the highly thermally-efficient materials used will enable the solar panels situated on the roof to heat and light
ITEMS FOR SALE VICTORIAN DOLLHOUSE, old and needs renovating, £150 ono - 01297 560616. DINING TABLE, Ercol circular table measuring 115cm diameter and 165cm semioval when extended, single pedestal, £70 ono, buyer collects from Lyme Regis 01297 444698. MATTRESS TOPPER, double feather, unwanted gift, £25 ono - 01297 442198. SHOES, some designer, some unworn, party shoes (sparkly!), size 5-6, only £3-£5 per pair - 01297 443930. TUB CHAIR, Edwardian carved mahogany, red velvet upholstery, £150 ono 01297 560707. TUMBLE DRYER, vented Siemens, very good condition, £30 - 01297 792957 (buyer to collect). BASKET WEAVE COMMODE CHAIR, cream/beige, very attractive chair, excellent condition, as new, height 31”, width 23”, depth 20”, £99 - 07828 172 375 (Ottery St Mary). DOG CAGE/CRATE, medium/large, ideal for all pets, made from galvanised steel, folds flat, two doors, 21” x 29” x 24”, very good condition, £19 - 07828 172 375 (Ottery St Mary). WHEELCHAIR, ideal to load into the boot of a car and can be ready to use in sec-
onds, easy to fold for storage and transport, lightweight and portable, punctureproof tyres, £35 - 07828 172 375 (Ottery St Mary). HIGH CHAIR, Mamas & Papas Bob Contemporary Highchair (see https://bit.ly/2LV9UlN), sturdy and in excellent condition, detachable table so can be pulled in to sit at dining table, RRP £49 but selling for £20 - 01297 444260. PLANTS, lovely hydrangeas from £2.50, large in flower £5 each - 01297 443930. PICNIC HAMPER, new, £15 - 01297 678536. HAND BASIN & STAND, white, £15 01297 678536. DUVETS, winterweight 13.5 tog and winter 10.5 tog, both for doubles, bedlinen also included - 01297 443930. TENNIS RACQUET, Dunlop Max 27 with cover, unused, £10 - 01297 443930. SQUASH RACQUET, Carlton, £10 01297 443930. ENGRAVING, Lyme Regis SW new limited edition engraving, Maryatt 1819, 63cm x 36cm, £30 - 01297 442627. Please note, items for sale will move down the list each issue as we receive new listings, or will be removed earlier if we are contacted to confirm they have been sold.
To advertise, call 01297 442138 or email edit@lyme-online.co.uk
the school whilst generating surplus power to the grid. Running costs for the school will be reduced and maintenance costs for the future should be predictable with the constructor providing both warranty and maintenance as part of the capital cost for the project. Assembly, dining, outdoor learning and PE are current significant challenges that will be resolved by the new location. An innovative landscape scheme produced by Gyles Morris will provide the children with a stimulating environment for outdoor learning and creative play, whilst the provision of an all weather surface and a multi functional
hall will ensure PE will take place in all seasons. The new single form entry primary school will be able to accommodate 210 children, an increase of 25 on the current role. Martin Whitehead of The Bestic Trust said: “We are very pleased to have reached a point where we can address the reserved matters and work through the final stages of the planning process to secure the site and, once concluded, get on with the business of raising the funds and building the new school. “With the continued help of all concerned we a very hopeful that this will come to pass.”
Pupils donate to foodbank for harvest CHILDREN from Mrs Ethelston’s Primary School in Uplyme recently celebrated their harvest festival with family and friends at the village church. A collection was made for Lyme Regis Food Bank, amounting to £110. The Robins class were then chosen to walk down to Uplyme Stores to select a variety of nonperishable goods to buy with the funds, including pasta, cereal, soap, nappies, biscuits and tinned meat. Neil Pullinger from Uplyme Stores was very welcoming and allowed each child to scan their chosen items, and the shop kindly gave them a discount which allowed them to donate even more to the food bank. A spokesperson for the school said: “Thank you to everyone who supported this worthwhile local charity.”
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LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL We’ll be seeking your views on projects for the next five years
WE’LL soon be asking the local community for its thoughts on our plans and projects over the next five years. The council has a long list of ideas for the five-year life of this administration and would like to ask the public what they think and even make suggestions of their own. Projects already mooted include a small children’s play area in the Lister Gardens, a weekend of events especially for Lyme Regis residents, and urinals on the seafront to help cut down queues at the public toilets.
We also have an ambitious list of environmental projects to support our recent declaration of a climate and environmental emergency. These include installing electric vehicle charging points in our car parks, encouraging more cycling by installing cycle racks and improving access into the town, and installing solar panels on some council buildings. We’ll be consulting with the public in several ways and would encourage everyone in the community to get in-
volved to help shape the next five years. There will be an open day at the Woodmead Halls on Thursday, November 21 from 2.30pm to 6pm, we’ll be asking for views through our local survey group Lyme Voice, and anyone is welcome to email or write to the town clerk with thoughts and suggestions. Once we have idea of which projects are supported locally, we will agree the objectives and include them in the budget for next year and beyond.
Gardens going Purple4Polio Play park refurbishment with help from Rotary Club ready in time for half term
THOUSANDS of crocuses will bloom in Lyme Regis in the spring to create awareness of the worldwide project to eradicate the polio virus. We have given over a flower bed near the ceramic bench in Langmoor Gardens to the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis to plant 6,000 crocus bulbs in support of the Purple4Polio campaign. The campaign has been set up by Rotary around the world with the aim of eradicating the highly-infectious disease, which most commonly affects children under the age of five. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can affect the nervous system and, in some cases, it can lead to paralysis. There is no cure but there is a safe and effective vaccine which has been used to immunise over 2.5 billion children worldwide. Thirty years ago, polio occurred around the world and there were cases reported in every continent; today, there are just two countries that have the polio virus. Richard Main, president elect of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, said: “When a child is immunised, their little finger is painted with a purple dye so it is clear that they have received the vaccine. “The use of this colour dye has led to the Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland having a Purple4Polio campaign that supports this global project. “There is a little-known fact that for every £1 that we raise, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donates an additional £2. “The crocuses that are being planted will give a display of purple in the spring and the aim is that this will create an ongoing awareness of the project.” The Rotary Club is enlisting the help of other local
THE play park at Henry’s Way has been completed just in time for half term in Lyme Regis. Workmen were putting the finishing touches to the park on Thursday by laying the new ground surface around the play equipment. The start of the work was de-
groups to plant the bulbs, including the Guides and Scouts, making it a real community effort. The crocuses are being planted from about 11am on Saturday, October 26, as this is the weekend nearest to World Polio Day on October 24. It will be a big task, so any other volunteers who would like to help will be most welcome – just turn up on the day. The Rotary Club will then carry out the ongoing maintenance of the flower bed. Mr Main said: “We are happy to do this since one of the aims of Rotary is to provide service within local communities. This is in addition to the role that we have in supporting charitable causes. “In many respects, this partnership with the town council to maintain the flower bed whilst promoting the eradication of polio is helping us with both aims, which is why we are glad to be involved.”
Debate on dogs has split opinion THERE has been a lot of discussion locally about whether dogs should be allowed on the main beach at Lyme Regis. We have received many letters, both for and against dogs on the beach, and it’s fair to say the town is split on this issue. Rules are currently in place which prevent dogs being on Front Beach between the beginning of May and the end of September each year, although all other beaches in the town remain open to dogs at all times.
These rules are contained within a dog-related Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which also deals with the removal of dog faeces, the areas where dogs must be on a lead, and other exclusion areas such as Anning Road playing field. The PSPO was introduced by West Dorset District Council, now Dorset Council, in 2017, and town council enforcement officers are authorised to enforce the regulations on the principal council’s behalf. The PSPO expires in August 2020
and Dorset Council will be asking the public for their opinion on the proposed restrictions, when the town council will also give its view. Although the town council owns the sand beach and has expressed an opinion in the past, any decision will be taken by Dorset Council. We understand the public consultation will start in January and we will widely publicise it in this column, on our website and on social media to ensure everyone has the opportunity to respond.
layed because of the weather, but we have met our target of opening in time for half term. The new equipment includes a wok roundabout, a pod swing and a helicopter springer, all of which are accessible, as well as new fencing and a gate at the entrance.
Last call for grant applications A REMINDER that the deadline for applying for funding for a ‘legacy’ project in Lyme Regis is only a few days away. We recently advertised the opportunity for local organisations or charities planning a significant project to apply for a £15,000 grant. The funding was given to the council from Fossil Films as a donation to the town following the filming of Ammonite in Lyme Regis. Ideally, the council would like to fund a single project which will cost at least £15,000, but applications will be considered
for any amount. The deadline for organisations to submit expressions of interest is 5pm on Monday, October 28. Expressions of interest should include a brief description of the organisation, a summary of the proposed project, details of how the funding would be used, and a name and contact details. These should be submitted to Adrianne Mullins, administrative officer, admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk, or Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3BS.
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10 Friday, October 25 2019
Dorset Council branded ‘naive and ridiculous’ after claiming used needle discovery was isolated incident RESIDENTS campaigning for action to be taken on drug issues in Lyme Regis have dismissed Dorset Council’s claims that the discovery of a used needle on a public footpath in the town was an “isolated incident”. Those calling for more action to tackle drug problems have said the recent discovery was not a one-off, with one campaigner describing Dorset Council’s comments as “naive and ridiculous”. Three-year-old Morgan Goldsmith found a used needle on a public footpath in Lyme Regis last month and put it in his mouth. The toddler has since undergone several blood tests and is being treated as if he has been exposed to hepatitis B. The incident sparked Morgan’s mother to launch a petition for sharps bins to be installed in public toilets in Lyme Regis, for the safe disposal of needles. Campaign supporters Cheryl Reynolds and Mark Ellis have also suggested a needle and syringe exchange programme could be beneficial. They recently spoke at a town council meeting, calling on members to accept and address drug problems in Lyme Regis. Following their plea, Dorset Council issued a statement saying that it was already taking action to address drugs in
FRANCESCA EVANS francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
Lyme Regis, and a needle and syringe exchange programme was already operating every Monday from Bethany Chapel in Coombe Street. Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council’s community safety and housing portfolio holder, said: “I am very sorry to hear about this incident and my sincerest sympathies go out to the family. Council officers have met the family and discussed installing boxes for needles in public toilets. However, there have been no incidents of them being found in the town’s public toilets this year. “Records also suggest that less than 10 people in Lyme might need to use this service and needle exchange services already exist in the town to meet their needs. “This was a terrible incident, but it also appears to be an isolated one. After considering it carefully we do not believe that having boxes for needles in public toilets would have prevented it, although it would give local people and visitors the impression that the town has a widespread drug problem, which it does not. Speaking at a further town council meeting last week, Mrs Reynolds commented: “I understand from Dorset Council’s emails that they think this syringe was an isolated incident in a safe town, where sharps bins would alert visitors to thinking we had an unsafe town. “Your [town council] workmen have often picked up needles, so how can they say this is an isolated incident? Don’t tell me I’m wrong because I know I am not.” Referring to the needle and syringe programme at Bethany Chapel, attended weekly by only 10 people, Mrs Reynolds said “no
one has ever heard of the service”, including local medical centres. She added that a church environment was “not conducive” to drug users and it would be better held on a Friday, Saturday or more than once a week in a different location. “Please do not turn down our ideas because Dorset Council say we are a safe town and this was an isolated incident – it was not,” she added. “Use your common sense, we need to do something and you all need to listen.” Dorset councillor Daryl Turner, who was also present at last night’s meeting, encouraged town councillors to listen to the “well qualified and highly experienced” officers at Dorset. He said they were making efforts to increase awareness of the existing programme, and they did not consider Lyme Regis to be a “hotspot” for drug-related litter. Town councillor John Broom said: “It has been a problem in Lyme Regis and I know our workmen have picked up needles in Langmoor and Lister Gardens. We have to go forward but how we go forward, at the moment, I’m a little bemused by.” Councillor Michaela Ellis said incidents in which town council staff find needles should be reported and logged in future, so Dorset Council are given correct and up-to-date data. The council’s operations manager, Matt Adamson-Drage, said as far as he could recall staff had picked up three needles from town council land in the past 12 months; on the beach, at Lepers Well and in the cemetery. It was agreed to add any further discoveries of needles to the council’s regular Complaints & Incidents Summary, and to work with Dorset Public Health on the best way forward to address drug concerns.
Family-run business serving home-cooked food using quality local produce Enjoy lunch or dinner in our restaurant, private beach area or veranda overlooking the bay
Advice on needles from Dorset Council DISCARDED needles can come from a range of sources, whether related to personal medication or illicit drug use. The council has measures in place to ensure that all sources of needles can be disposed of safely, but in the rare instances when needles are discarded in public there are mechanisms to report these, and council waste services will then collect and dispose of them appropriately. National guidance recommends that local authorities should commission a range of needle exchange services to meet local need, and these services are already in place in Lyme Regis. Needle exchange helps combat blood-borne viruses like hepatitis and HIV, as well as reducing drug-related litter by offering people a safe and convenient way to dispose of any used needles. In Dorset, needle exchange is available in many pharmacies and also through REACH, which is the service that provides treatment for people who have issues with alcohol or other drugs. REACH run a satellite service from the Bethany Chapel in Lyme Regis on Mondays 9am to 5pm and this service offers assessment slots, one to one appointments, a UK SMART Recovery workshop and needle exchange services. The REACH team consistently offer personal sharps bins to anyone collecting needle exchange supplies, as well as strongly en-
couraging the safe and responsible disposal of used needles. Needle exchange materials clearly display harm reduction advice including messages regarding the safe disposal of sharps. Government guidance on drugrelated litter (such as discarded needles) suggests that councils should work with other partners to map where particular problems are and develop solutions to address these. In addition to needle exchange services, the guidance notes that public sharps bins may help to reduce drug-related litter. It is recommended that any decision to introduce these bins should only be taken after careful consideration of a range of views, and they should be located in the most appropriate areas. At present we are not aware of any data that suggests Lyme Regis would constitute a ‘hot spot’ in relation to drug-related litter. However, we continue to develop data collection mechanisms and monitor incident locations, and will target interventions accordingly. If needles are found on public land they should be reported immediately so a clean-up can be arranged as soon as possible. Contact the Dorset Waste Partnership on 01305 221040. Our advice is that people should not pick them up unless they pose an immediate danger.
Christmas Party Menu STARTERS Roasted Tomato & Red Onion Soup Garnished with crisped red onion and roasted cherry tomato Confit of Somerset Duck Leg Duck and Sevilla gin sauce, fried orange zest dumpling Portland Crab Griddle Cake Crispy greens and leaves, shellfish mayonniase Toasted Sesame Tempura Battered Vegetables Noodle salad with Goma dressing MAIN COURSES Traditional Roast Dorset Turkey Served with roasted potatoes, chestnut stuffing, bacon rolls, cranberry sauce and roast gravy Slow Roasted Devon Pork Belly Served with a little pork, stuffing and apple pie, cider and juice from the roast gravy Pan Roasted Fillet of Plaice Smoked salmon dauphinoise with a smoked salmon, white wine and cream sauce Butternut Squash Risotto Tower Layered with chargrilled vegetables and smoked artichoke, beetroot coulis
THE Harbour Inn proprietor Sue Steward pictured with cheffing team, led by long-serving head chef Darrol Moss (second from left)
DESSERTS Christmas Pudding Served with white chocolate and brandy sauce Raspberry Crème brûlée With shortbread biscuits Chocolate & Passionfruit Cheesecake Passionfruit coulis in Lyme Regis
£26.50 for three courses. Menu served from December 2nd to 24th.
To book call 01297 442299 - harbourinnlymeregis.co.uk
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Friday, October 25 2019 11
Christmas Festive Menu
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12 Friday, October 25 2019
Successful start to school year for new head THE new headteacher at the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis is coming to the end of a successful first half term.
Dan Watts has been quick to get stuck into school life since taking over as headteacher from Dr Richard Steward in September. Highlights of his first half term have included joining pupils on their annual trip to Carey Camp, as well as successful educational visits and supporting the school’s sports teams at competitive events. There is also lots to look forward to after refreshing over the half term break, such as musical performances and Christmas events, including the school’s annual Christmas carol service at St Michael’s Parish Church, and PTFA fundrasiers including festive movie screenings. Mr Watts has a 22-year career in teaching and this is his second headteacher post, having moved from an academy in Warwickshire. He is now living just across the East Devon border with his wife and two daughters, who are attending Woodroffe. He has thanked the students, staff and parents for the warm welcome and message of support he has received, commenting: “The interest expressed in the direction for the school shows a community that both supports its local school and takes an interest in the education of its young people.” Mr Watts said the students had embraced changes made under new leadership very quickly, adding: “With change comes a degree of anxiety and uncertainty, but we want to ensure stability whole also being mindful of fu-
ture opportunities and continued improvements at Woodroffe.” Keen to uphold the school’s outstanding reputation, he added: “Woodroffe has seen a lot of success in the local area, which is of benefit to the community, but it’s also integral to the wider educational landscape and plays an important role in ensuring education moves in a positive direction. We want to do what’s best for our community, but also the wider educational community. “Maintaining our high standards and the educational success, safeguarding and wellbeing of our students is of primary importance and our main focus.” Commenting on the school’s curriculum, he added: “The curriculum at Woodroffe is broad, balanced and ambitious for our students. Besides promoting equality of access and experience, we are committed to ensuring all students excel whilst they are with us. “The curriculum, in response to the characteristics of our intake, enables students to build knowledge, develop skills and apply their learning across many different contexts, all supported by a robust and consistent approach to assessment. “Students study high quality, nationally recognised qualifications that ensure they are prepared for the next steps in their lives, whether that is further study at college or university, apprenticeships or work. However, our offer seeks to not only provide outstanding academic opportunities but to develop the whole child. “Our curriculum is delivered by professionals with well-developed subject/disciplinary expertise. They use their deep pedagogical
Tales From Lyme’s Past
A glimpse of our history with Peter Lacey ‘For the Socour of Shippes’ - Part II THE continuing story of the Cobb is one of it being repeatedly subject to incursion by the sea. Between 1792 and 1867 gale force storms almost destroyed the structure, walls were breached and piers badly damaged. Part of the problem was that much of the repair and maintenance work undertaken in eighteenth century was “poorly executed and speedily undermined”. If a report of 1805 by William Jessop had been acted upon much of the storm damage in the early years of the nineteenth century could have been avoided. His detailed and extensive recommendations included a major extension of the complete structure and a larger inner harbour. The cost being £16,526 was almost certainly the reason why it was decided not to proceed, with hindsight it was to be a false economy. In January 1817 a gale caused a formidable 190 feet breach in the wall, moored ships sunk as did several that were swept out of the harbour. Such was the ongoing problem that in 1818 the House of Commons set up a Committee of Enquiry, it was to examine the Cobb’s relevance to shipping in Lyme Bay and to consider its preservation. James Kerridge the master of a 120 ton Lyme coasting vessel and a harbour pilot gave evidence on the June 1. He stated that the Cobb was not only important to shipping but as a breakwater for the town. He warned that if it was not repaired “the town was in danger from the sea”. He advised against lowering the height of the wall, stating that “in south-westerly gales the sea breaks over the wall”. Subsequent to storm of 1817 the Board of Ordnance who were responsible for repairs and maintenance (1792- 1864) sent Captain George Fanshaw of the Royal Engineers to survey the damage and make recommendations for its restoration. Fanshaw estimated the repairs would cost £13,224, the project was a disaster, the contractor proved to be incompetent. Matters got
worse when the firm was declared insolvent, as late as 1823 the work had not been completed. The Great Gale of November 1824 was of such a magnitude that it became part of Dorset folklore, it was described as “a marriage of wind and tide that swept the entire Channel coast, causing damage wherever it touched”. Lyme was in its path, on November 23 the tide reached its high water five hours before high tide. The violence of the wind, the height of the tide and tremendous braking waves inundated the lower parts of the town, people escaped the flood with little more than the clothes on their backs. Cobb hamlet was engulfed and many buildings suffered severe damage. In total 232 feet of the Cobb wall was thrown down, vessels were driven out of the harbour, some sank others were reduced to wrecks by the pounding of the sea. George Roberts (town historian) was an eye witness and described the loss of vessels “as truly lamentable and estimated the loss to individuals at £3,000 to £4,000”. Many men had lost their livelihood and some had been drowned, families would suffer great hardship. James Kerridge’s warning of 1818 should not have been ignored. Peter Lacey, Local author and historian
DAN Watts, new headteacher at the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis knowledge to ensure lessons are challenging, relevant and engaging and build in students the same passion for learning that they possess. “Staff are committed to supporting students to develop the basics – reading, writing, oracy and numeracy, they always demand high standards and relentlessly promote the value of enquiry, challenge and application in lessons. “Ultimately our students will leave us as resilient, lifelong learners able to cope with changing contexts and well prepared to move into further education, employment or training. “The impact and influence of Woodroffe students can be tracked far and wide, extending beyond the locality and providing a positive influence across a range of disciplines.”
PRESENTATION FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AS well as maintaining the school’s high education standards, Mr Watts is also keen to see Woodroffe become more integrated with the Lyme Regis community, and is inviting representatives from all local organisations to an open evening and presentation on future engagement with the local community on Friday, November 22. The event will be held in the school hall from 6pm to 7pm and refreshments will be provided. This is a free event but spaces are limited so local organisations interested in attending should reserve a place by November 7 by contact Racheal Rattenbury by calling 01297 446826 or email events@woodroffe.dorset.sch.uk
Lyme backs appeal for young dad’s specialist cancer treatment
LYME Regis residents have thrown themselves into fundraising events for young father Matthew Webb, after he was diagnosed with an extremely rare and incurable form of cancer. In August, the 28-year-old was given the devastating news that he had an incurable form of stage four cancer, known as metastatic adenocarcinoma, suspected of the thymus and which had spread to the lymph nodes. The father-of-one, who lives in Axminster with
his fiancé and two-year-old son, is currently undergoing chemotherapy but his family have launched a fundraising appeal for more specialist treatment not available on the NHS. A coffee morning held at Lyme Regis Baptist Church (pictured above) recently raised £1,000, and a busy bingo night at the Woodmead Halls (pictured below) raised a further £1,500. Chatterbox Maxine Thirlwell, who works in Mulberry Manor in Broad Street, Lyme Regis, will be holding a sponsored silence while she is at work at the popular bakery, from 9am to 3pm on Friday, November 8 to support the appeal. Customers are encouraged to come in and support Maxine, but remember she can’t talk! Donations can also be made at Boots branches in Lyme Regis and Bridport, and online at https://bit.ly/2VogkNd
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Friday, October 25 2019 13
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14 Friday, October 25 2019
timeoutinLyme MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
Murder mayhem at the Marine W
ITH the Marine Theatre enjoying sell-out audiences with its programme of top end entertainment to suit all tastes, it is good to see that the bastion of seaside theatre - amateur dramatics - is still thriving in Lyme Regis.
SISTERS Emily and Monica Tomb (played by Pearl Marsland and Lorraine Knowles), and Fred Humphrey as Hamilton Penworthy
Local audiences of past productions of the former Lyme Regis Dramatic Society, now the Marine Players, have always appreciated the wide range of well known plays - thrillers, dramas, comedies and farce - and their latest offering, ‘A Tomb With A View’, staged at the theatre this week, was certainly no exception This four-act Norman Robbins play was billed as a comedy-thriller. There was plenty of comic moments for the audience to enjoy and, as for thrills, it was difficult to keep up with the storyline as there were more corpses than live members left of the stage. We have come to expect high standards from the Marine Players and Steve Miller, directing his first play for the group, will be well pleased with the manner his cast members kept the action going at a terrific pace with more twists and
THEATRE REVIEW A Tomb With A View The Marine Players by Philip Evans turns than a Brexit agreement. Set in the library of a creepy old manor house, complete with its own crypt, the storyline revolved around the reading of the will of Septimus Tomb whose beady-eyed portrait took pride of place over the mantle shelf. It was there that his five dysfunctional children, with an inbred hatred of each other, gathered to hear what the unloved father had left them as his will was read by their “highly respected” family lawyer, having lined his own pockets for services rendered and prepared to murder for more. The siblings were incandescent with rage when they heard that an unknown person had been invited to the will reading, as decreed by scheming old Septimus to annoy his offspring, an authoress whose books had succeeded in the driving old insomniac to sleep. She got the lion’s share of his fortune, had the inheritance not been turned into cash and conveniently mislaid as well as disappearing in death duties. It turned out she wasn’t the author of the books but was in fact the agent of her companion Peregrine Potter who was travelling with her as a companion. Are you still with me? Fred Humprey has been the driving force behind the dramatic society and the Marine Players in recent years, a seasoned local stage performer. He made a wholly believable Hamilton Penworthy, the family solicitor not adverse to a bit of sculduggery to satisfy his own greed. But he went too far and paid the penalty of death. One of my favourite local stage actors, Brian Rattenbury, was perfectly cast as the unbearably pompous elder son, Lucien Tomb, a scientist whose laboratory was sacred ground for all and sundry. We wondered why. Brian’s comedic timing was spot on as always. Another memorable performance came from Anne King, the lynchpin of so many previous productions at the Marine Theatre. Her experience was used to full force as the batty sister Dora who had a penchant for poisoning callers to the manor with her homemade wine, burying them in her prized garden, including the Avon lady, an insurance man and the village morris
dancers. The role of the butch Emily Tomb fell to Pearl Marsland, a delightful portrayal of the one Tomb sister who had long abandoned the family home and their weird existence. But her insistence on her fair share also ended in a bloody conclusion. The most bizarre character, that of disturbed brother Marcus Tomb, who thought he was Caesar, complete with toga and laurel wreath, was entrusted to the excellent John Gooden, quoting Shakespeare at every opportunity, but he too fell to the murderer’s bullet. “Et tu Brute”. Apparently there was another brother who howled from the family crypt, at least I think that’s what happened as he was incarcerated in a cell, never to be seen. By this time I was pretty confused. So the final member of the Tomb family was man-mad Monica Tomb, who made a beeline for the unfortunate Peregrine. Lorraine Knowles was at her cocquette best. Peregrine was portrayed by Jon Doody who looked as confused as most of the audience by the comings and goings but he grew into the role and ended as an unlikely hero - of sorts. Every country house has a formidable housekeeper and Margaret Morgan, in the role of Agatha Hammond ,who was convinced old Septimus was faking his death, was certainly that. But she knew too much and she too met a violent end. The role of literary agent Freda Mountjoy, the millionairess to be, was portrayed with confidence by Linda Crawford but she too was lying dead in the crypt when the curtain went down. So we are left with just one suspect - the seemly mild-mannered and kind nurse Anne Franklin, played by the wholly believable (at least in then first two acts) Juliet Henman. It transpired it was the nurse what done it, but she was thwarted and stabbed by the streetwise Monica in cohorts with the suddenly assertive Peregrine. Confused? Me too - but an enjoyable evening nonetheless. PRODUCTION TEAM: Steve Miller (director, lighting and sound design); Jo Smith Oliver and Yvonne Marsh (stage management); Ruth Rose (assistant stage manager); Pete Hackett and Autumn Rees (lighting and sound operation); Cherine Hill and Anita Routley (props); John Gooden, members and cast (set painting construction); Jen Humphrey (portrait of Septimus Tomb); Fred Humphrey and John Gooden (publicity and programme design); the cast (wardrobe).
THREE of the Tomb siblings and two unwanted guests - Freda Mountjoy (Linda Crawford), Monica Tomb (Lorraine Knowles), Lucien Tomb (Brian Rattenbury) and Dora Tomb (Anne King), watched by outsider Peregrine Potter (Jon Doody) await their financial future Photos by FRANCESCA EVANS
The Harbour Inn - celebrating 15 years in Lyme!
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Friday, October 25 2019 15
timeoutinLyme MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS
National Theatre debut to be screened live at Marine
What’s on...
Friday, October 25
Cancer Research UK Coffee Morning Lyme Regis Baptist Church, 10am A coffee morning, cake stall and raffle in aid of the Lyme Regis branch of Cancer Research UK. Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome. Children’s Halloween Disco Woodmead Halls, 5.30pm Annual charity Halloween disco for children at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis. Tickets cost £5 including hot dog and drink. See https://bit.ly/2P7lPyL Music: ‘The Organ in Concert’ St Michael’s Parish Church, 7.30pm A programme of classical music celebrating the South Wessex Organ Society’s birthday. Tickets £10 or free for under 18s available from the Penny Black Café or on the door. Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.
Saturday, October 26 THE brand-new political play ‘Hansard’, featuring Olivier award winners Alex Jennings (‘The Crown’ and ‘Lady in the Van’) and Lindsay Duncan (‘Birdman’ and ‘About Time’), will be streamed live from the Lyttleton stage in London to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. Intertwining long-running marital spats and political turmoil, ‘Hansard’ is an authorial debut for Simon Woods. Set on a 1988 summer’s morning, we find Tory politician Robin Hesketh returning home to the oh-so-idyllic Cotswolds home that he shares with his wife of 30 years, Diana. However, all is not as blissful as the cream Aga and matching mantlepiece would have you believe. Diana has the mother of all hangovers, a fox is happily destroying the garden, and deeply buried secrets are being dragged up and thrown all over
the place. As the comforting day wanes, what had begun as familiar marital gentle ribbing quickly undergoes a dark metamorphosis into Robin and Diana’s personal blood-sport. Simon Woods, known for his roles in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Cranford’, and now debuting as a playwright, presents a devastating and witty portrait of the governing class. ‘Hansard’, directed by Simon Godwin (National Theatre Live: ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, ‘Twelfth Night’), is part of the National Theatre Live’s 10th anniversary season. It will be screened at the Marine Theatre on Thursday, November 7th, with the bar opening at 6pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door or £5 for under 18s. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
It’s ‘Yesterday Once More’ this November THEY’RE back again like a long-lost friend, this November The Carpenters Experience’ is coming to The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. Those old melodies still sound so good, revived in this special show by Maggie Nestor and eight top musicians, who encapsulate the haunting sights and sounds of Richard and Karen Carpenter. Repeatedly referred to as the UK’s leading Carpenters show, this is a chance to see the Carpenter siblings in their would-be prime. Karen’s silky contralto is combined with Richard’s seamless harmonies in this big production that relives the soundtrack to the 70s, bringing ‘Close to You’, ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’, ‘Top of the World’, ‘Rainy Days and Mondays’, ‘Solitaire’, ‘Goodbye to Love’, and a litany of classics to the stage once more.
Maggie Nestor uncannily reproduces Karen’s mannerisms and smooth vocals. Masked by the big hair, Brady Bunch-esque wholesome image the siblings projected, the recent re-evaluation of their work and lives - entangled with addiction and mental illness - has shed a new light on well-known and loved lyrics. The performance (aptly called an ‘experience’) is a chance for old fans, and new, to fully immerse themselves the band’s music and world again. The Carpenters Experience will be at the Marine Theatre on Thursday, November 14th with the bar opening at 7pm for an 8pm start. Tickets are £16 early bird, £18 in advance or £20 on the door. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com
Art Workshop: Mad About Owls Lyme Regis Museum, 10am Join Debbie Clarke at Lyme regis Museum to explore textures and create a beautiful owl in clay, inspired by John Gould, who was born in Lyme Regis and went on to become curator of the Natural History Museum and Zoo. Bethany Chapel Coffee Morning Bethany Chapel, 10.30am Free monthly coffee morning at Bethany Chapel, Coombe Street, with donations welcome for the RNLI and Dorset Air Ambulance. Twinning Association Coffee Morning Lyme Regis Baptist Church, 10.30am Coffee morning with cake stall and raffle raising funds for the Lyme Regis/St George’s Twinning Association. All welcome, come along and learn more about the historic links between these two communities.
Sunday, October 27 Sunday Craft Market The Pilot Boat, 10am A weekly Sunday craft market at the Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis. Call 01297 443157 to book a stall. Sunday Afternoon Tea & Poetry Lyme Regis Museum, 2.15pm Explore Lyme Regis Museum up close with poet Sarah Acton and create new work inspired by the collections. No experience necessary for these thoughtprovoking sessions, with refreshments and cake available. Comedy: ‘A Glover Not a Fighter’ Marine Theatre, 7pm Lyme Regis Comedy Club’s resident compere Tom Glover stars in his debut solo show. Tickets £10 in advance/£12 on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start. Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.
Monday, October 28 Art Workshop: Dinosaur Graveyard Lyme Regis Museum, 10am Join artist Darrell Wakelam at Lyme Regis Museum to make fantastic models and artwork inspired by the museums dinosaurs. Theatre: ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Acclaimed poet Zia Ahmed wrote this exciting debut play—a tender and lyrical love story set in contemporary Britain. Tickets £8 adults advance, £5 under 18s advance / £10 adults on the door, £7 under 18s on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start.
Tuesday, October 29 The Old School House Café
The Hub, 9am Community café run by LymeForward, open every Tuesday morning at The Hub in Church Street. Hot drinks, homemade cakes and toast available – just pay what you can, if you can. Screening: ‘Gauguin from the National Gallery, London’, Marine Theatre, 2pm Brand-new documentary about the life and work of one of the world’s most popular and important artists, followed by an exclusive view of the National Gallery exhibition ‘Gauguin Portraits’. Tickets £10 advance (including cake)/£12.00 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 2pm for 3pm screening. Talk: ‘Lyme Regis Mayoral Regalia’ Woodmead Halls, 2.30pm Maurice Liddiard will give a talk and exhibition about the history and design of the Lyme Regis mayoral regalia and ceremonial maces, organised by the Lyme Regis Society. All welcome.
Wednesday, October 30 Cinema: ‘Toy Story 4’ Marine Theatre, 1pm When a new toy called Forky joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy. Tickets £4.50 advance and on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 1pm for 2pm start. Music: Archipelago Marine Theatre, 7pm This award-winning Tyneside jazz trio takes audiences on a journey from lyrical melodies, through more experimental moments and back again with great aplomb. Tickets £8 advance/£12 on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start. LRTC Tourism, Community & Publicity The Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.
Thursday, October 31 Art Workshop: Skele-saurus Lyme Regis Museum, 10am A load of old bones from Lyme Regis Museum’s fossil collections inspire this printing and painting activity with artist Darrell Wakelam in the museum’s education room. Rockpooling Meet at Lyme Regis Museum, 10am Explore the amazing rock pools of Broad Ledge with Lyme Regis Museum expert Chris Andrew. Adults £8, children £4 including museum entry – call 01297 443370 to book. Museums at Night Halloween Party Lyme Regis Museum, 6pm A special late-night opening at Lyme Regis Museum to celebrate the Museums At Night festival, with Jurassic art, face-painting, spooky storytelling and hot chocolate and marshmallows for little trick or treaters! Museum admission and activities free at this event. Cinema/Music: ‘Nosferatu’ Marine Theatre, 7pm The acclaimed Arranz Ensemble is plays a newly composed score live for this silent horror classic. Tickets £10 advance/£12 on the door for adults, £6 under 18s advance/£7 under 18s on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm screening. Live Music @ SWIM Weekly live music night every Thursday at SWIM on Marine Parade, starting at 8pm, this week with The Skalatans. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for
Send your diary dates to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk www.lyme-online.co.uk/events the winner plus £100 jackpot prize!
Friday, November 1 Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome. Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.
Saturday, November 2 Cancer Research UK Curry & Fireworks Lister Room, 6pm Enjoy a curry and drink with spectacular views across to the town’s fireworks display and bonfire on the beach. Tickets cost £10 must be booked in advance by calling Philip Evans on 07796 951 991. Bonfire & Fireworks Night Lyme Regis beach, 6.30pm The town’s annual Guy Fawkes festivities will include a spectacular fireworks display off the Cobb at 6.30pm followed by the lighting of the bonfire on the beach.
Sunday, November 3 Sunday Craft Market The Pilot Boat, 10am A weekly Sunday craft market at the Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis. Call 01297 443157 to book a stall. Sequence Dancing Woodmead Halls, 8pm Lyme Regis Sequence Dancing Club meets every Sunday at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. The friendly, welcoming group enjoys popular sequence dances and visitors are welcome.
Tuesday, November 5 The Old School House Café The Hub, 9am Community café run by LymeForward, open every Tuesday morning at The Hub in Church Street. Hot drinks, homemade cakes and toast available – just pay what you can, if you can.
Wednesday, November 6 Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.
Thursday, November 7 Talk: ‘Sir Noman Lockyer and his Observatories’, Woodmead Halls, 2.30pm A talk by David Strange from the Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, reviewing the observatory’s fascinating history. Entry is £2 for Friends of Lyme Regis Museum and £3 for non-members. Live Music @ SWIM Weekly live music night every Thursday at SWIM on Marine Parade, starting at 8pm, this week with The Skalatans. Lyme Regis Community Bingo Woodmead Halls, 8pm Bingo night every Thursday at the Woodmead Halls, raising funds for local organisations which are members of Lyme Regis Community Bingo Association. Pilot Boat Quiz Night Pilot Boat, 8pm Weekly quiz night at the Pilot Boat for teams of two or more with cash prize for the winner plus £100 jackpot prize!
Friday, November 8 U3A AGM & Talk: ‘Spectacular South Africa its Flora & Fauna’, Woodmead Halls, 9.30am The Lyme Regis U3A AGM at 9.30am followed by a talk by Rosemary Legrand, horticulturalist and former nursery owner, at 11am. Entry is free for members and £2 for non-members. Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome. Pantomime Society Quiz Night Woodmead Halls, 8pm Popular quizmaster Neville Causley hosts this fundraiser for Lyme Regis Pantomime Society. Teams of up to six welcome, £2 per person. Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.
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16 Friday, October 25 2019
Your solutions to Lyme’s traffic chaos We asked you for ideas, and here’s what you came up with... It’s been debated in the council chamber for years on end but no real solution has ever been found to Lyme Regis’ increasing traffic congestion problems. A recent traffic survey was commissioned by Lyme Regis Town Council for £25,000, but its results were widely regarded as having provided no new information or solutions, and did not include any public consultation. So we turned to our readers and asked for your suggestions on how the town’s traffic chaos could be alleviated.
n I AM very pleased to see that you encouraging people to consider possible solutions to the Lyme traffic problem. Your timing is opportune as the problem grows every year and the proposed new pelican crossing is only going to make matters worse. It appears that every time a solution is proposed, it is shot down in flames because it will create traffic hold ups – it’s absurd: the traffic hold ups are already evident and if the council are not careful there will be an accident that will prompt the health and safety executive to impose a less than optimal solution on the town. Solutions have been presented historically and we should recognise that there is not going to be a magical solution that suddenly appears. It’s a great shame that the funds wasted on the recent traffic report were not used to outline each of the potential solutions and to identify any possible legal or highways impediments so that the solutions can be narrowed. Perhaps such a report could be commissioned once you have canvassed the views of your readers. Personally, I think steps can be taken to limit the heavy traffic in town but ultimately there needs to be either a one-way or extended traffic
n FIRST, it has to be said we are lucky to have the problem; most towns would just love so many visitors arriving and the resultant thriving businesses. In truth too, as Philip Evans must know well from his time in London, it is a problem now and then and nothing like a big city traffic chaos that is there 24 hours a day. Broad Street Parking - Let’s start with Broad Street and the “chaos” that will ensue if, God help us, pensioners are allowed to cross Broad Street safely. The most ridiculous thing I ever heard was that some are worried the crossing will spoil the view for photographers when it is snowing once in ten years. What about the potential loss of trade, a more important issue? At present there are 17 spaces where parking is permitted for one hour and one disabled space. That means in a day, if each space is full, perhaps 130 cars can park during a day. In addition, up to another six cars parking illegally outside the Tesco area for a few minutes, and we all know this works just fine! Moving the bus stop back up the hill will help but how long does it take to shop locally? As seen above most do it in five or ten minutes. If the legal parking was reduced to 30 minutes there would be 190 spaces each day even after the five have been lost. It is not unusual in towns to limit parking to n I READ your article in this week’s newspaper with interest. Here are my suggestions. l Put in place a meaningful park and ride that uses appropriate small single deck buses. This has to be done on the east and west of the town. And fund it properly with frequent services at low fares. The service on the west side of the town must be reinstated. l Prohibit through traffic except buses and taxis. Number plate recognition to be used to catch offenders. And place signage to this effect well before Lyme. l Make Cobb Gate car park disabled only l Ban all parking in Broad Street. l Ban coaches in town centre. Make them drop off at Holmbush or Charmouth Road car parks. David Green, View Road, Lyme Regis
MORE SUGGESTIONS ON PAGE 17
light system. I suspect the one-way system will be dogged by the introduction of heavy traffic flows on narrow residential lanes. This just leaves the extended traffic light system and clearly this is limited by the number of access roads on to the road covered by the traffic lights. Logically the upper lights should be extended to just above the old London Inn so that traffic can queue up the main road out of town instead of in the narrow roads leading down to the council offices. If the lights are placed there, the following access roads need to be considered: Coombe Street, Monmouth Street, Pooles Court and Long Entry. I suggest that Coombe and Monmouth Street are made one way with no access on to the road covered by the traffic lights. Long Entry and Pooles Court are sufficiently close to the lights at either end that they must be able to be controlled from those lights. I do hope that someone on the council takes ownership of this issue before another regulator does so. Tim Dean (by email)
fifteen minutes so the current 130 cars would become 380 at a stroke. Traffic Chaos - To be honest I am amazed how well the problems at the bottom of town cope. The traffic lights respond so quickly to let traffic start to pass in turn. As your picture shows two buses can pass on occasion albeit with the judicial use of the pavement. Why everyone uses half empty double deck buses I have no idea but we do need public transport through the town. In peak summer the main issue is cars ignoring the road signs and road markings as they think they must push on through, when a little patience would often solve the problem. Technology could help here. A camera at the ‘Give way’ sign by the London Inn could show traffic approaching hidden from view and flash a sign saying “give way to on coming vehicles” when they were in view of the camera. Then, opposite the Chinese, another sign could flash on to say “Stop” to prevent vehicles entering the yellow boxes when the road down to the lights is full and the lights are on red. The stop sign would only go off when the oncoming vehicles had cleared that point and the traffic lights by that time had turned to green. W.A. Lewis, Broad Street P.S. Many a town has been ruined by one-way streets it is just not the solution.
n FORWARD thinking radical change. Simply pedestrianise it from Anning Road junction all the way to the cinema, or even further up to Cobb Road. Close the car park near the sea and turn the one with the clock into a turning place for delivery vehicles and the car park opposite into a pump track to actually add some interest for younger people. People will start using bikes more. Add a cycle lane along the seafront too. Add hire e-bikes like in London for people to get around on. Folk will adapt and companies will modify how they deliver. Spend less money on gardening and more on modern infrastructure. Send the council on a trip to Copenhagen/London/Brighton and have a research trip looking at forward thinking and cultural diversity. Buses can enter and exit the valley in the same road. Or if it’s a bus/cycle lane only, less traffic. No need to pass through the town. Many Cornish villages don’t allow traffic too close. Richard Tilley (by email)
n YOU asked for solutions to the congestion in Lyme and I offer a few options as, like most residents, I am appalled at the traffic chaos and have been for 30 years since we first came here. We thought it was bad then but we have only seen matters get progressively worse in the ensuing years to the state that it is now positively dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians alike. There are solutions if only the powers that be would take definitive action and stop wasting money on surveys, which only told us what we already knew. One way system - Buses and coaches navigating Woodmead Road and Anning Road would be a disaster waiting to happen. The only possibility of a one way system working would be to extend the boundaries to Haye Lane and Colway Lane but would not be necessary if the following solutions were put into practice. Move the traffic lights - This should at least be tried as a matter of urgency. The argument is that the distance between the lights and adjoining roads would cause unacceptable tailbacks but I am convinced that with my other suggestions, any additional waiting time would be minimal and offset by the fact that once through the lights you would at least be able to get through Church Street without the constant fear of having to mount the pavement, reverse, fold the wing mirrors and pray. Pedestrians would also be safe and able to walk without fear of being run over and drivers would not be faced with expensive bills to repair tyres and tracking from bumping up pavements. Filter lights could be in operation for exiting Pooles Court and Monmouth Street a one way. Coach parties - All coaches should be banned from entering Lyme at all times. Coaches should park at Charmouth Road car park and/or park and ride and Holmbush car park, and a park and ride bus ferry passengers into Lyme. An additional small charge for passengers booking their coach trips would cover the coach operators costs and make it a viable proposition for the park and ride operators. Obviously a time table would need to be agreed to suit the seasons to ensure its profitabil-
ity, and day trippers in private vehicles could also pay a small fee to use this service, thus relieving the town car parks. Public transport - If coaches were banned from the town and the traffic lights moved there would be no problem with public transport. Delivery vans - The restrictions should be enforced so all large delivery vans are out of the town by 10am. If they are aware they will not be able to enter Lyme after that time they will make sure they are in and out within the limitations. Parking in Broad Street - The single most congestion-causing factor is those cars and vans who persistently think parking between the bollards and half on the pavement is acceptable for “just a few minutes”. Last week whilst driving through Lyme I encountered two cars and a van parked between the Three Cups and Volunteer making it effectively one way traffic for the bulk of Broad Street. Once the pedestrian crossing is in operation reducing the parking even more, the situation can only get worse unless the rules are enforced and no traffic is allowed to stop along that side of the road. The penalties should reflect this. All vehicles should also be banned for parking outside Quality Corner and by the bus stop at Cobb Gate, another area of congestion. We have restrictions but they are currently simply not enforced, a factor of which locals are fully aware. Better signage - This is a total no-brainer. There should be signs on all main routes into Lyme making it clear that all vehicles over 7.5 tons will not be permitted to drive through the town. It may be regarded as severe to bring about all these measures but coach companies and private day trippers will quickly find that it is a pleasure to come to Lyme and be able to move comfortably and not experience such nightmares. Towns such as Polperro have a total traffic ban and the visitors just keep coming. They know they can park at the top of the hill and can get local transport to take them to the harbour and surely coach drivers would welcome the relief from the hazards they currently face. Margaret McLaren (by email)
n THIS is a copy of an email I sent to the town clerk probably over a year ago, never cot a reply of course! Having lived in Lyme practically all my life (over 60 years) the traffic problem in Church Street/Bridge Street has been ongoing for all this time and nothing has been done about it. There is a simple solution, although it would take time to organise and for people to adjust, but something like this could be considered: Buses avoid Lyme by going straight along A35 to/from Axminster. The local bus can be timed to pick up/drop off passengers at an appropriate place at Charmouth roundabout and also at Hunters Lodge. All large lorries are banned from using Church Street, and will have to come via Uplyme and return the same way to A35. How many of these large vehicles actually need to go right through Lyme? The local bus would also be put to far better use (it regularly drives around Lyme empty) and provide possible employment for an-
other driver (it may be necessary to have another local bus). In high summer coaches cause big problems in the town centre, especially when there are two parked in the Square – why are coaches not banned from the town centre and made to drop people off at Charmouth Road or Holmbush car parks? Plenty of room for them to turn, and it would do the passengers good to have a walk after a bus journey. Again the local bus can be used to ferry people to the town, and the park and ride bus could call into the car parks to pick up passengers from the coaches and take them to the Cobb. Yes, it looks complicated, but I believe it would work. Things will have to change if we want to avoid endless traffic jams in Broad Street through the summer and it will inconvenience some for a while, but we did get used to not having a train service! Judith Biscoe (by email)
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Friday, October 25 2019 17
MORE OF YOUR SOLUTIONS TO LYME’S TRAFFIC CHAOS
n I HAVE been driving around Lyme Regis for 50 years. I lived in View Road for 30 years until 2012, so am familiar with traffic in Silver Street and Coombe Street areas. For the last seven years I have lived in Fairfield Park and use the Charmouth Road and Church Street sometimes two or three times a day. We operated a fish shop under the Guildhall for a few years and even had a coach crash into the shop. Once you get a holdup in Lyme, traffic backs up to such a degree that no one can move. Unfortunately the layout of the town means a one-way system is not feasible but the bus route via Pound Road seems to work well. We have to accept that we need delivery vehicles and buses. Unfortunately they are getting bigger and causing more congestion. Perhaps the suppliers and shop owners should be contacted and asked to park more sensibly. Even a few meters away would help keep traffic flowing. Shop staff could help unload as at Tesco and I expect most lorries carry sack trucks or trollies. Coaches are getting bigger and come to Lyme more frequently. Unfortunately we lost the coach park at Cloverdale so now they all unload in town. Perhaps they should be contacted. Do we even ban coaches from the town centre in busy periods? It is obvious we need to warn and educate the driver and improved signage would help solve our traffic problems. Church Street / Charmouth Road - Charmouth Road must have the most signage per mile than anywhere, several hidden by undergrowth, some (new road layout) years out of date and some (Colway Lane restricted) meaningless. The car park is littered with signs; the driver cannot possibly read all whilst going even slowly. So a complete review of signs is needed, e.g. combine the Lyme Regis and Jurassic Coast signs into one. The main problem here is that the visitor/new delivery vehicle does not know what lies ahead, and also the locals ignoring the priority sign at the London Inn. Signs are needed to inform the motorist/driver that the road is only 3-plus meters wide and the corner at the lights is a right angle i.e. 90 degrees. We have three ideal positions in Charmouth Road and need larger signs (say 2m x 1.5m) with warnings. 1) Above Fairfield House, by the traffic restriction we need ‘Warning! Narrow streets and
n PROBABLY a big move, but I would stop access to Lyme for buses, coaches and large lorries from Hunters Lodge. The route to lyme from Hunters Lodge is narrow and has many obstacles for the larger vehicles en route. Just look at the route particularly as you go through Uplyme and onwards to Silver Street. The road from Mariners Hotel through to town at Broad street is no place for buses, coaches or trucks, is it? With no access for large vehicles from Hunters Lodge into Lyme, this would leave buses, coaches and lorries to access Lyme via Sidmouth Road and Charmouth Road. That’s no issue provided this is planned for. In fact, tour coaches should only access Lyme via Sidmouth Road only. (This would help to protect the route from the London Inn into town.) There is no reason for tour coaches to negotiate the narrow roads that lead into the square and Broad Street. Sidmouth Road offers easy access to Holmbush car park allowing tourists to walk to town and beach from that drop off point. A bus and coach only traffic light system could be used to assure that there would never be two or more buses in Broad Street at the same time. Buses and coaches could be held by traffic lights at both ends of town with access allowed for one bus in either direction. CCTV could be used to monitor buses through town and trigger a green light in the opposite direction once the outbound bus has passed the access point for buses in the opposite direction. Access for cars and light vans would not need to be restricted in any direction including from Hunters Lodge. On the matter of local commuters that need a local bus service at Lyme? This could be achieved by using small mini buses that could operate a more frequent service in the local area if that is needed. I don’t live in Lyme Regis, but I know the town very well as I was brought up in Lyme. The town really needs to be protected from large vehicles that are not suited to the local roads. Nigel Gullock (by email)
sharp bends ahead’; 2) At the football field we need ‘Warning! Obey road signs and markings ahead’; 3) At Charmouth Road car park we need ‘Narrow Streets Ahead (width xxx feet/xxx metres); ‘Priority Signs Ahead’; 4) At the London Inn we need a larger priority sign with also ‘Oncoming traffic in middle of road’ and broader road markings with possibly rumble strips. This makes a lot of large signs but is the only way to educate the motorist. You see this sort of signage in many places in Cornwall. As I know from personal experience. Broad Street - Everybody knows the bus stop is in the wrong place and needs to be moved back uphill where the pavement can be widened and a parked bus still allows two way traffic. There is no doubt that the proposed crossing is going to mean a loss of parking spaces. Hopefully we will get back the two spaces we lost opposite the Three Cups. Another space could be provided outside the Royal Lion if the no parking area outside Serendip on the Shambles was blocked off permanently. The Square - We need to educate the coach companies about unloading in the Square. Possibly by slightly widening the entrance to Cobb Gate car park and losing two spaces on the eastern seaward side an unloading bay could be found. We should not lose any more spaces. Silver Street - The bus route out of town via Pound Road and into town via Silver Street seems to work well. Any idea of having a permanent one way system for traffic along these streets would cause chaos in Coombe Street, Hill Road and Woodmead Road – they have enough trouble already. We need a priority sign and stop line in Silver Street at and above the Hill Road junction. It would work well for the stretch from the library up to Hill Road as it is a local tradition. We need a ‘Slow - Narrow Streets Ahead’ sign near Kent House. We also need similar signs on the Uplyme Road and Sidmouth Road entrances to Lyme. These are my own views on trying to sort traffic problems in Lyme. I am sure more people can come up with other suggestions. Ken Gollop Fairfield Park, Lyme Regis
n I HAVE written to your paper and its predecessor many tim es on the subject of traffic problems in Lyme Regis. My family has owned a property in Church Street for over 50 years and the only real change in that time has been that there are now even more vehicles and they are larger. The council has avoided the issue (partly, I suspect, for vested commercial reasons) and in recent times spent their time and our money on such things as disposing of the rotunda (totally unnecessary and a great shame), discussing a pedestrian crossing in Broad Street (which will increase the traffic congestion and is it really necessary?), and conjuring up a traffic survey costing £25,000 for East Devon District Council which had already decided not to allow a pard and ride on the west side of the town. The survey, incidentally, told us nothing that we did not already know! Here are some of my suggestions to try and improve the situation: 1) Large vehicles (say over seven and a half ton) should be banned from the town after, say, 10am. Action should be taken against both the driver and company owning the vehicle if they transgress. 2) Day-tripper coaches should not be allowed to discharge their passengers in the town, but in the park and ride car park, where the coaches should remain. This also has the advantage of extra business for the park and ride service. 3) It should not be rocket science to organise the bus timetables so that two large doubledecker buses no not need to pass each other anywhere, but especially in Church Street. I could go on but I am sure that our councillors will find far more important matters to discuss. Jack Hansen, Charmouth
Please note, the views expressed in letters are those of the author and not necessarily of this newspaper
n I WRITE this through sheer frustration about the traffic chaos in Church Street and Bridge Street. I work in the area and only yesterday yet another bus hit the window above the Your World travel agent – the glass from the window showering the street below. I have first-hand knowledge and footage of 12 articulated vehicles over the last 24 months striking the overhanging Guildhall window. Also this week a bus found itself scraping along the scaffolding at the Rock Point Inn. The larger vehicles have to be better controlled in this town. Other areas that need addressing are pedestrian safety on Pound Street and traffic congestion at the top of Woodmead Road and on Silver Street and Coombe Street. We all know the town grew around the horse and cart - indeed Coombe Street was formerly known as Horse Street. The town council is embracing the climate emergency initiatives with electric vehicles amongst other things, but I believe replacing petrol vehicles with electric does not solve the traffic issue and a bold solution to traffic must be found. This is difficult to do in most small seaside towns but here we have the added complications of: a nationally controlled road by Highways England in the A35, and cross county boundary highways organisations, Dorset and Devon to deal with. In addition any solution will inevitably involve, Lyme Regis Town Council and Uplyme Parish Council and will need to consider Axminster Town Council and Musbury Parish Council as well. No wonder this has never been solved! Now to the bold solution – it may not be liked by some and will be painful and frustrating for residents but I offer it as a possible solution to throw into the melting pot. It could be trialled and then used only during the summer or all year round. Pedestrianise Broad Street, control large vehicle delivery times and use smaller local buses. The town should also introduce other measures to support this including traffic calming on Pound Street with safe pedestrian zones and block the rat runs of Horn Bridge and Woodmead Road/Anning Road junction and Coombe
Street. The loss of high street parking must be substituted with more park and ride facilities using small buses or minibuses. However resident access must be provided for those residing in Coombe Street, Pooles Court and Lym Close. This can all be accomplished mostly through a series of six retractable bollards at key locations: Broad Street by the post office, Bridge Street by the Pilot Boat, by the old London pub, at the bottom of Hill Road at the bridge, bottom of Woodmead Road and at Horn Bridge. It would, however, split the town in half - west and east - which will cause some difficulties for residents on the east wishing to travel west and vice versa but I believe this is a small price to pay when the local town bus service, which would have access, could be used. For travelling further afield running up to the A35 first is no great hardship. It would also adversely affect the high street traders unless a suitable parking/park and ride solution and increased frequency town bus service comes with it. The positives are that Broad Street, except for the smaller buses and larger vehicle deliveries, before say 10am, will be a pedestrian zone. People who live in the town can walk or use the more frequent town bus service reducing emissions. Large delivery vehicles will never get down Church Street and Bridge Street again to damage important historic buildings and the town centre would markedly see a reduction in pollution from traffic. In addition good signage will be required at the Boshill/Musbury A358 junction directing through-traffic up to the A35 as Lyme will not be passable. This will avoid traffic coming from the west having to use the Uplyme route to get to the A35. Also good signage at Charmouth roundabout detailing that Lyme is not a through-route. Some of your readers will no doubt think this is a mad suggestion, particularly the traders, but fortune favours the brave and other towns have managed it. We must tackle this issue now. Pedestrianisation is inevitable – embrace it – be bold - we can do it”. Name and address supplied
n This is what I am thinking and I’m sure transport planners could improve this proposal and make it workable. The X51/53 bus would come into the Charmouth Road car park and the 9A bus would come into the Holmbush car park, so they would not go through the town. There would be adequate bus shelters constructed in both car parks. The town bus service would be enhanced and it would be timetabled to serve both these bus stops to provide a connection for both services. This would have include the B3165 through Uplyme to Hunters Lodge. I also have an issue with the X51/53 service with the winter timetable. It no longer provides a service to be able to catch the 7.37am train to Exeter from Axminster station, although if South West Railways (SWR) provided a 8.03am train service to Exeter this would not be an issue. Interestingly, First Group who run the X51/53 bus
service also have 70 per cent of the SWR franchise. Also the last bus leaves Axminster station at 6.22pm, so if you catch the 5.50pm or later train there is no bus service back to Lyme. Maybe the town bus service could provide a connection service to Axminster Station when the X51/53 doesn’t. I also note that the AVMT 885 bus service gives an excellent connection service to Axminster Station from Seaton Beer and Colyton. As for the large lorries that come into Lyme the only suggestion I can think of is to instruct them by adequate signage on the A35 to enter and leave Lyme on a one way basis. That would just leave large lorries coming in from the Seaton road looking for a solution unless the one way flow was west to east. John Francis (by email)
n IF large vehicles could only enter from the A3052 (east bound) or from Hunters Lodge this would remove the major issue of large vehicles trying to turn around or to pass each other, especially in Church Street. All large vehicles would then exit Lyme Regis via Charmouth Road and re-join the A35 at the roundabout. Corkscrew Hill would also need to be made oneway to enable any large vehicle that came into Lyme Regis from the roundabout to re-route back onto the A35 and then enter from Hunters Lodge. Large vehicles heading towards the A3052 west bound from the A35 would need to be diverted via Trinity Hill. The advantages of this are: l Entering Lyme Regis at Hunters Lodge either left (when west bound) or right (when east bound) is a relatively safe manoeuvre. l Exiting Lyme Regis at the roundabout on the A35 is a safe manoeuvre. l Damage to the Guildhall appears to be by traffic coming down Church Street not up. l Delivery vehicles would still have access to Lyme Regis centre. l The park and ride would still ‘capture’ the same visitors as it currently does. l Uplyme vehicles would not be affected l There would be no need for vehicles to turn round at Cobb Gate.
l Reduction in Lyme Regis’ large vehicle journeys through Uplyme, i.e. not both ways l Any caravan or motorhomes mistakenly entering from the west would have any easier route through the town. Non should enter from the A35 roundabout if well sign posted. l Limited impact on passenger vehicles. l No need for local Lyme Regis roads to be made one-way or carry extra traffic. l Any impact from longer journeys would more than be compensated by faster traffic flow, which should in real terms reduce journey times and pollution from stationary vehicles. l Reduce the number of large vehicles from Uplyme turning right at Hunters Lodge. There are some issues with this proposal that could be solved: l Buses only being one way through Lyme Regis and ensuring passengers know which bus to catch. l Local roads becoming ‘rat runs’ (although faster flow through Lyme Regis centre should help negate this). The use of 20mph, or ‘sleeping policemen’ may manage this. l Simple sign posting to explain this to Large Vehicle Drivers. l A ‘village gateway’ near Screw Hill to catch large vehicles. l trust the above provides food for thought. Name and address supplied
www.lyme-online.co.uk
18 Friday, October 25 2019
Are you considering a church wedding?
THESE days there are many different places where it is legally possible to get married, but the magnificent and historic churches in this area continue to prove the choice of many couples when they are planning their wedding ceremony. In many cases people simply want to get married in their own local church. But it can often be possible to marry in a different church, such as one that has a special significance for the couple because of family or other connections. One of the most popular is St Michael’s Parish Church in Lyme Regis, the only grade I listed building in the town with an impressive tower, currently being restored, and sited only a short distance from the seafront. Just along the coast is St Andrew’s Church, which is a major feature of the main street in the delightful village of Charmouth, and Uplyme is served by the church of St Peter and St Paul. Both these churches also make wonderful venues for a wedding. Few can rival what is offered at St Candida and Holy Cross at Whitchurch Canonicorum, a church often known as the Cathedral of the Vale. Couples could also choose to get married among the tranquil surroundings of St Andrew’s
Church at Monkton Wyld, which has one of the most fantastic spires in West Dorset, or in the tiny hamlet of Catherston Leweston there is St Mary’s Church widely regarded as a “little gem.” To get married in church means so much more than legally tying the knot. There are many features of a church wedding that do not exist anywhere else. For many, the most important, is that it will add a spiritual dimension blessed by God to their marriage. The meaningful contemporary wording of the ceremony underpins the loving commitment expressed and witnessed on the day. The beauty and atmosphere of a church full of family and friends is an unforgettable experience for many couples. There is also the opportunity to personalise the service so it is even more memorable. Anyone planning a wedding is most welcome to contact the church administrator at Lyme Regis, Margaret Trafford, at the parish office on 01297 443763. We will be happy to provide advice and support in planning your wedding service. For more information on our churches, visit www.goldencapteamofchurches.org.uk
PROMOTED CONTENT
Brighten your day with a personalised Colourflair consultation at In Harmony LOCAL Colourflair consultant Jacquie Payne has just started offering appointments at In Harmony beauty salon in Lyme Regis, writes Francesca Evans. Jacquie is a colour consultant and offers one-to-one sessions at In Harmony in Silver Street, helping clients to determine what tones of colour make them look well and always at their best. I had never been to a colour consultant before so didn’t really know what to expect when I popped in for my appointment this week, but Jacquie immediately put me at ease with her friendly and calm nature. Coupled with the tranquil atmosphere at In Harmony, it made for a very relaxing morning out of the office. Jacquie’s two-hour sessions are completely personalised to each of her clients and take into account far more than just skin tone. We started with a personality test, which determines whether you’re a confident and outgoing character or more reserved. Jacquie then takes a close look at your eyes, pointing out colours I didn’t even know I had in mine, before moving on to the colour draping process. Jacquie uses fabrics in a wide variety of tones of different colours, helping you to understand which ones enhance your natural skin tone and which to avoid. Having often dressed in black and grey, to my surprise some of the brightest tones were the best fit for me. After picking my favourites, we moved on to
Lyme’s Facebook whiz Joan celebrates 100th birthday LYME Regis resident Joan Cool celebrated her 100th birthday this week - but that doesn’t stop her from keeping up with the latest technology. Joan, a resident of Fairfield House, keeps in touch with her family and stays up to date with the latest news using Facebook, regularly taking part in debates on local issues on the social media platform. She even appeared on television a few years ago for a BBC Spotlight feature on elderly people embracing the digital age. Joan’s family and LYME Regis resident Joan Cool, pictured with her birthday cake and card from friends joined her for the Queen on her 100th birthday this week lunch at Lyme Regis Golf Club to celebrate her special birthday on the Princess Mary RAF Nurses. After the war, Joan worked as an industrial Wednesday, followed by a get-together and nurse and married at 28, later having a son birthday cake at Fairfield House. She received a card from the Queen and her and a daughter. She moved to Lyme Regis in daughter presented her with a book of pho- the 1990s and now has five grandchildren tos outlining her life history. and four great-grandchildren. Born in Huddersfield in 1919, Joan Cool When asked the secret to a long and (nee White) became a nurse at a fever hospi- healthy life, Joan said it wasn’t a glass of tal aged 17, as she was too young to go into sherry or whiskey like many others suggest. general nursing. “I was given a good start by my family, I She later passed her nursing exams aged have always looked after my health and got 20, working at Northampton General Hospi- to the doctors before it’s got me,” she said. tal, and then became a flight officer in the “I had two great aunts who lives to 105 and RAF during the Second World War, joining 102 so I must have got my genes from them.”
Introducing
Colourflair
An advanced and personal consultation of the best colour palette for your skin tone skincare and makeup. Jacquie went through a quick skincare routine using the Elemis range of products and then chose products from the Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup selection to suit my colour palette. We then went through the colour draping again to see what a difference it made and I went home with my personalised colour fan, which I’ll definitely have in my handbag next time I go shopping! Jacquie is now taking appointments at In Harmony every Tuesday, complementing the wide range of other pamper treatments available at the salon - call her directly on 01297 445533 to book. In Harmony will be hosting an open evening to celebrate its second anniversary on Thursday, November 14th from 5pm to 9pm, where you can find out more about the treatments available, buy gift sets and vouchers for Christmas, or indulge a some mini treatments yourself.
(2 hours at In Harmony, Silver Street)
You can learn how to : Look more attractive Feel Younger Feel more confident Save money
For further information please call\ Jacquie Payne, Colour Consultant 01297 445533
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Friday, October 25 2019 19
IT’S ALL HAPPENING AT THE PILOT BOAT
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20 Friday, October 25 2019
FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer
AS the weeks passed I was sent by various newspapers to the Napoli ship-wreck at Branscombe. I was there on a daily basis watching the wreckers come and go with bizarre choices of souvenirs - the larger stuff such as motorbikes were long gone. People were arriving from all over the country and soon the inevitable happened; local houses in the village were being robbed with one farmer loosing all his chainsaws in a night time break-in. ‘Scavengers’ is a good word for some of them. Thankfully the police closed the beach for the official clear-up, which took months. As the dust settled on the wreck of the Napoli, the decision was taken that the ship had to be broken up in order to being removed from the shore. High explosives were to be used, so a date was set, the media informed, and members of the public came along to witness the spectacular event. The media count was high with TV and newspaper representatives, and a number of photographers had hidden themselves in the cliff face hoping for a picture that nobody else had. Unfortunately for them the police had other ideas as to where the safety line should be drawn, and we were all moved so far away you may be forgiven for wondering if they were going to nuke the ship. Eventually someone counted down from 10 and a muffled bang with lots of smoke was witnessed. As the smoke cleared it became obvious it was a total failure, meaning that we would all be back again for another go at splitting the ship.
LymeOnline Letters Send your letters to francesca@lyme-online.co.uk
GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER
Corporate fly-tipping in Uplyme? n UPLYME Parish Council is in full agreement with the letter from Marcus Dixon (LymeOnline, October 11) regarding coils of cables left in the village. Over recent months we have attempted to contact both Gigaclear and Broadband@Devon with no response. Latterly, the parish council has been helped by county councillor Ian Hall in attempting to resolve the issue. Since then a new organisation, Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS), has been in contact with us. The latest email was received today (Tuesday) stating that Gigaclear has informed the Devon Highways enforcement team that actions are being put in place to rectify the issues, which we assume only refers to road damage, such as the subsidence on Lyme Road opposite the Uplyme War memorial. There is no mention of the coils of orange fibreoptic cable left lying around the village, nor of the hazardous holes out of which it appears.
Mr Dixon is quite correct in his assertion that it could be two years until a new contract is in operation. We have therefore written to Neil Parish MP requesting that he assist in resolving this issue. We point out in the letter that the village lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the fact that the unsightly coils may be left for such a length of time is completely unacceptable. The same applies to the health and safety hazard caused by the unfilled holes. In addition, we are given to understand that any new contractor will not utilise the work already done and will start afresh. The letter states that this is a waste of government (taxpayers’) money. Finally, our letter points out that the government made the provision of fibre broadband to country districts a central issue in the Queen’s Speech. We are therefore hoping for a positive response. Councillor Chris James, Chairman, Uplyme Parish Council
Please let us have some dog-free beaches n I, LIKE many other people, like to watch dogs, from a safe distance, on designated beaches having fun. However, I am frail and old and I like to walk on beaches too. Not long ago I was knocked flat by a friendly young labrador. Of course, he meant no harm, he was just bouncy, friendly and having fun, but I have had
n WE at the Lyme Majorettes are looking to fill spaces and encourage new members to join us to promote good health, wellbeing hand fun through dance and exercise and get away from all that technology and talk to people. We train on Tuesday evenings at Kilmington Village Hall from 5pm and would love to meet new members from the age of five years upwards. People can just pop along and have a look
more than one hip replacement and it could have been disastrous for me (luckily it wasn't). I am now petrified of going onto beaches where dogs are running freely. This has nothing to do with dog poo but human safety. Please let us have some dog-free beaches all year round. P.M. Shirley, Charmouth
Majorettes seek new recruits
at what we do and have a chat or get more details by contacting us on Facebook.
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Friday, October 25 2019 21
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22 Friday, October 25 2019
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See page 8 for the usual ‘Items for Sale’ listings
LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL
LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL
Interim Finance Manager
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Lyme Regis Town Council is a major stakeholder in the local tourist economy, managing the seafront, car parks and gardens.
The town council is seeking to appoint an administrative assistant on a temporary fixed-term contract for up to six months to help in the front office and support the council’s administrative function.
Fixed-term contract of up to six months 37 hours per week Salary c.£30,000 pro-rata
Its activities are supported by an extensive property portfolio which generatesan annual income of around £1.5m.
The town council is seeking to appoint a finance manager on a temporary fixed-term contract for up to six months to work alongside an existing member of the finance team to help manage its finances and associated processes. The primary focus of the job will be to assist with budget-setting. The ideal candidate will be AAT qualified or CCAB part (at least)-qualified. They should also be a good communicator with a ‘can do’ attitude.
An application pack can be obtained from the town council’s website www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk or by telephoning 01297 445175.
To find out more about this position, contact Mark Green, deputy town clerk on the number above or deputytc@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 11 November 2019. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 13 November 2019.
Fixed-term contract of up to six months 37 hours per week Salary £18,426 to £19,554, pro-rata
If you are organised, like working with people and genuinely want to deliver an excellent service to the town’s members, residents, visitors and the various organisations we work with, we want to hear from you. An application pack can be obtained from the town council’s website www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/job-vacancies or by telephoning 01297 445175.
To find out more about this position, contact Adrianne Mullins, administrative officer on the number above or email admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 11 November 2019.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 14 November 2019.
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Friday, October 25 2019 23
LymeOnline Sport
email your sports reports to edit@lyme-online.co.uk
football
Golf
Promoted Rovers setting pace in higher division
Kieron second in pro festival
PHILIP EVANS philip@lyme-online.co.uk
HEADING into their Perry Street away game at Dowlish & Donyatt, again with a strong squad, Lyme Rovers were confident they could get a result but started poorly. From the off, Donyatt were quicker to loose balls and worked harder. With five minutes on the clock, Donyatt were fortunate not be down to ten men, as Sam Burke was clearly and deliberately kicked by Donyatt’s last man chasing in on goal, but the ref appeared to miss the incident. The visitors took momentum and the lead after 15 minutes when Callum Taylor scored past his own keeper to give Donyatt the lead. Within five minutes, it was 2-0. Donyatt’s right-winger cut inside expertly and smashed a low drive back across goal into the corner past the stretching Chris Higgs in goal. After a shakey half-hour, the Rovers started getting back into the game with Burke causing problems for the Donyatt back line, hitting the post with a decent effort, and Scott Meyers narrowly shooting wide. On 35 minutes, Meyers took his next chance, hooking a volley over the keeper’s head after a corner was only half cleared. Five minutes before the break, Donyatt grabbed a third, a good header from the rightwinger, making it 3-1 at half-time.
FLASHBACK to May 2018: Lyme Rovers celebrate winning Perry Street League Division Three. Now they are challenging for honours in Division Two
But the Lyme third string thought they could get back into the game and made three subs, bringing on Pete Peacock, Shane Featherstone and Darius Pickering for the second half. Within five minutes of the restart, Peacock pulled one back, cutting in brilliantly from the right before smashing home at the near post. Pickering then scored goal-of-the-day on his birthday, rifling in a 30-yarder over the keeper’s head. On the hour mark, the Rovers took the lead for the first time, Peacock latching on to Higgs’ huge kick to volley home from 15 yards out, and Mey-
The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot but the Lyme second stream got back on terms, also from the penalty spot, converted by Dan Rendell, after good work from Sam Pollard-Jones and Cody Bowditch. Lyme went in at half-time win a 2-1 advantage, their second goal coming from a powerful Wes Holmes’ header. The Seasiders made sure of the points ten minutes into the
skittles EARLY running in the Men’s Division One in the Lyme Regis Skittles League sees Flyers and last season’s champions, No Hopers, fighting it out for the top spot with the Flyers edging ahead with a better Beer leg tally. In the Men’s Division Two, Clueless and Presidents Men are fighting it out for the top spot with the former out in front courtesy of their Beer Leg wins. In the Ladies’ league, Skitso’s have opened up a two-point lead at the top over second placed Hot Gossips. Results week-ending October 19th Ladies Hot Gossips 313 (+BL) v Skittso’s 314; Wootton Wobblers 318 v Generations 277
THE North Devon Links Festival is played at Royal North Devon, Saunton West and Saunton East over three days and includes a professional tournament and a team competition with the addition of three amateurs. Kieron Fowler, professional at Lyme Regis, had three good rounds coming in a gross three under par to secure a prestigious second place. The three amateurs, all from Lyme Regis, Mike Mudford and sons Steve and Ian, joined Fowler and with scores of 85, 86 and 81 totalled 252 to come in third. Both are excellent results in a very strong field played on three tough courses. The seniors’ October stableford
defied the weather to see John Coley improve on the back nine to run out a convincing winner of Division 1 with 35 points while David Fidge secured second place on countback over Peter Colman. With the best score of the day, John Stow’s sparkling back nine in his 38 points secured top place in Division 2 with Rod McNab second on 32 and Tony Slater third on 29. The ladies played a three-person fun competition and Rosie Jackman, Caroline Baker, and Susan Jeffery mastered the tricky conditions best coming in with a very creditable 75 points, three ahead of Jane Broom, Ros Clemmans and Pat Hames, while Judith Williams, Susan Moore and ‘new girl’ Anna Lennon-Smith took third place on 69.
Consistency wins the day for Pitt
ers closed down the Donyatt keeper, who entirely missed his kick, leaving Meyers with an empty net. This was a tough test, with good showings from Burke, skipper Toby Fowler and Will Baines. This victory saw the Rovers, promoted to Division Two this season, move into second place in the table on the same points as leaders Dowlish & Donyatt. This coming Saturday, the Rovers are on Daisy Hutchings Cup duty, at home (Woodroffe School) to Misterton Reserves from Division One (kick-off 2pm).
Holmes’ brace delivers Reserves’ second win LYME Regis Reserves jumped three place in the Devon & Exeter League Division Three with an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Westexe Park on Saturday. It was the Ressies’ only second win of the season, having drawn one and lost three in the opening weeks. But it moved them into seventh place, having taken three points off the fourth placed team in the table.
By Richard Jackman
(+BL);;Pin Pals 313 (+BL) v La Crème 319. High Scores: Terry Holmes 64; Jenni WestBroom 63; Heidi Mildenhall 61 Men’s Skittle Me Timbers 295 v Shakers 313 (+BL);Marksmen 372 (+BL) v British Legion 342;Trappers 320 v Young Guns 345 (+BL); No Hopers 352 v Roadrunners 347 (+BL); Anthill Mob 307 v Flyers 337 (+BL); Rousdon Rebels 398 v Wreckers 329 (+BL); Miscellaneous v President’s Men TBC; Clueless v Alleytwits TBC. High Scores: Fred Parsons 75; Andrew Stevens 71; James Bennett 70. Full league placings on www.lyme-online.co.uk
second half when a Bowditch free-kick was volleyed home by Holmes. Manager Dominic Rowe was pleased that his side adopted well to a 3-5-2 formation in the second half and picked out Rendell and Mark Batey as his star men.
IN the October medal at Lyme Regis Golf Club, Stephen Pitt came through with a thoroughly deserved result of nett 67 to top Division 1 with the best score of the day, as he scored consistently well on both nines. Matthew Watson’s 69 started with a nett two on the first hole as he came second ahead of Rob Clapp on 70. Division 2 was close run thing with Alasdair Maclean taking first place ahead of new vice-captain Patrick , both with nett 71, but Maclean’s back nine saw him through. Simon Wood took third with nett 72. The junior stableford nine-hole competition was won by the new junior captain Casey Gibbons as he put in an impressive performance with 19 points followed by Katie Hampton-Rumbold on 16 points. The Ladies Breast Cancer Support Medal Division 1 witnessed a stoic effort from Caroline Baker as she accumulated a winning score of nett 74 to make the best score of the day while Jenny Scott took second on 76 and Jane Dixon third on 77. Division 2 saw another great victory for Debbie Shinners with a 77.
Only a shot behind was Jane Broom, while Ros Clemmans was only a further shot behind to take bronze on 78. Sadly the captain’s drive-in Texas scramble saw disappointment for the 100 entrants as the rain did not relent, but a good cross section of the club took advantage of a break in the weather to watch outgoing captains Kathy Briggs and Gareth Williams comfortably putt out in two. This made way for the incoming captains to drive in started by junior captain Casey Gibbons as he sent his drive off up the fairway watched by a good supportive crowd. Keen gardner Sandra Barclay was escorted by her ‘gnomes’ and introduced by one of her vice-captains, Debbie Shinners, and didn’t disappoint as she too soared up the fairway. Merlin, aka vice-captain, Patrick Duke, had worked all sorts of spells especially for a dry drive-in to allow incoming captain ‘king’ Arthur Daines, watched by his knights of the round table and club members, to also send his drive off to echoes of ‘God Save the King’!
Swallows lose out in eight-goal cup thriller UPLYME featured in an entertaining high-scoring Perry Street Division One cup tie with plenty of action, losing 5-3 on Saturday at home to Waytown Hounds. With still no recognised keeper available, Tom Fitz again stepped in between the sticks. Toby Barnes, Oscar Sladen and Henry Rudkin were unavailable and replaced by welcome returns of Nial Fifer, James Souttar-Phillips and Harry Robson. Starting down the slope, the game had an end-to-end feel from the off, Waytown taking the lead from a long-range effort after only two minutes with Fitz off his line. This was shortly followed by a second when an unmarked player headed home from a corner. But The Swallows fought back well, Souttar-Phillips’ longrange free kick crashing back off the bar and Dan Huggins going close. Finally, a good pass from Alex Pennington found Marcus Symonds who scored in the corner, making it 1-2 at half.
Second half started brightly with Robson and Symonds cutting in from the wings against a tiring back-four. Waytown forced a good save out of Fitz before a great pirouette turn and finish from Huggins drew Uplyme level. Waytown took the lead again shortly after before a quick throw-in and quick thinking from Souttar-Phillips led to him getting Uplyme back in the game again. Then all the hard work unfurled, first some calamitous defending gifted Waytown and fourth before an injured Fitz in goal could only manage to clear to the home team centre-forward who lobbed into an empty net. Manager Stu Wooster commented after the game: “This was another game in which we competed really well, but we came up short. Positives are the amount of chances we are creating and each game is a new learning experience. We also need a regular settled keeper. Man-of-the-match goes to Dan Huggins for his tireless running up front and a great goal.”
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24 Friday, October 25 2019
LymeOnline Sport October 25 2019
Debut for the new grandstand at Davey Fort SPECTATORS at the Davey Fort on Saturday had the chance to use Lyme Regis Football Club’s new grandstand which seats 63 with three spaces for wheelchair users. The new stand will be officially opened by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, a former Lyme player and brother of club chairman Howard Larcombe, when a concrete path from the clubhouse to the stand is completed next month.
Up for the county cup philip@lyme-online.co.uk
LYME Regis Football Club has a proud record in Dorset county cup competitions, having won the Intermediate Cup on nine occasions and the Dorset Junior Cup six times. These days, the first team have been elevated to competing for the Dorset Senior Trophy as they are considered to be a senior side as they play in the Devon and Exeter Premier Division. This means they are likely to come up against tougher opposition, including the likes of Bridport Reserves, so it will be difficult to replicate the success enjoyed in previous years in the county competitions. With Lyme’s second string now playing in Devon & Exeter Division Three, the Reserves have been elevated to the Intermediate Cup and
Saturday, October 26 Lyme Reserves v Milborne Port Reserves, kick-off 2.30pm
Uplyme in eight goal cup thriller
football
PHILIP EVANS
NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE
the Rovers, Lyme’s third X1 who play in the Perry Street League, compete in the Dorset Minor Cup and got a bye in the first round this season. The first team’s 2019-2020 campaign in the Senior Trophy competition got underway on Saturday with an away tie at Beaminster, old rivals in Dorset football going back to the 1950s, with a bit of spice being added by the fact that the Seasiders’ former manager Robin Townsend is now helping out at Beaminster. After a cracking start to the season, winning six games on the trot, a record for the club, Lyme have been showing indifferent form in recent games which has seen them slip off the top of the Premier division. But they certainly rose to the occasion with an entertaining 3-2 victory on Saturday over their Dorset opponents to win a place in the second round against Shaftesbury Town Reserves from the Dorset Premier
league on November 9. First half goals from a Kingsley Wellman tap-in from a Joe Bond square ball in the 11th minute and a Fred Parsons’ flip past the post, again set-up by Bond, gave Lyme a deserved 2-1 lead at the interval. Lyme dominated the goal action throughout the first half with both Parsons and Bond hitting the bar. Beaminster got back on equal terms from the penalty spot after 70 minutes but the clincher came for Lyme in the 85th minute courtesy of a scorching shot from outside the box from Ben Vine. Lyme manager Gerard Hitchcock thought Lyme were “by far the better team” and had four or five good scoring chances in the first half. He did not think the scoreline reflected Lyme’s domination, pointing out that the Lyme keeper’s only real touches of the ball was picking it out the back of the net on two occasions. Hitchcock was impressed with
Mike Knight’s competitive debut for the first team and also picked out Parsons in midfield and Bond up front for a special mention. Tomorrow (Saturday) Lyme are due return to league action and the long trip to Hatherleigh in North Devon, but there is some doubt about whether the game will go on because, according to social media, Hatherleigh are without a manager which could lead to them withdrawing from the league. The Seasiders’ two other teams also won on Saturday, the Reserves beating Westexe Park 3-1 at home in Devon & Exeter Division 3, and Lyme Rovers moving into second place in Perry Street Division Two with. 5-3 win over Dowlish Wake & Donyatt after going 2-0 down. See match reports on page 23
UPLYME’S youngsters have been impressing all and sundry this season and that was certainly the case in a plucky performance against Waytown Hounds in the Perry Street League Division One Cup last Saturday. The Swallows’ line-up includes a number of 16 year-olds, playing men’s football for the first time, and manager Stuart Wooster is delighted with their attitude and commitment but they are in need of a goalkeeper with outfield players having to stand in at the moment. Although they went down 5-3 at home to Waytown, they competed well for much of the game. See report on page 23. Tomorrow (Saturday) Uplyme will return to league action away to Division One strugglers Shepton Beauchamp, once one of the great sides of Perry Street football. Uplyme and lying in seventh place with four points from five games, but with Shepton still looking for their first win of the season, three points are definitely within their capability which could well see them jump a place or two. Promoted Charmouth are finding life tough in Division One, having won promotion last season. The Cherries are in sixth place with four points from four games after losing 4-0 at home to top of the league Pymore last Saturday. Their next league game is on November 2 away to Forton Rangers. who are looking for their first victory of the season.
Cricket club AGM UPLYME & Lyme Regis Cricket Club were meeting last evening to elect a new chairman at their annual general meeting. Ian Thomas was standing down after a number of years at the helm during which he steered the club through some very stormy financial waters. He also secured a long-term future for the club on the King George V playing field. The club was also looking to appoint a new club captain.
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