LymeOnline Digital Edition - September 27 2019

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FOR LYME REGIS, UPLYME & CHARMOUTH ● FORTNIGHTLY ● SEPTEMBER 27 2019 ● www.lyme-online.co.uk

LOCAL COMEDIAN T O HOST DEBUT SOLO SHOW PA GE 15

Petition launched after toddler finds used needle

A LYME Regis mother has launched a campaign for sharps bins to be installed in public toilets in the town, after her three-year-old son found a used needle on the street.

Child-minder and mother of three, Jayne Mace, launched the petition to ensure needles are disposed of correctly, after her youngest son Morgan picked up a needle and put it in his mouth, having found it on the footpath between Anning Road and Staples Terrace.

The family now face a painstaking threemonth wait to find out if Morgan has been infected with anything from the needle.

REPORT, PAGE 2

Councils in dispute over beach area A SPLASH of colour has been added to Lyme Regis’ seafront gardens, thanks to a successful new lighting scheme launched by the town council. The lights were switched on by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, earlier this month, having been designed by Lymelight - see page 7 for full report.

Photo by Richard Austin

Dog discrimination

PETITION LAUNCHED TO STOP BAN OF DOGS FROM BEACH A PETITION has been launched to stop dogs being banned from Lyme Regis’ main beaches.

The petition, launched by local resident and dog owner Debbie Conibere, says that the town council’s suggestion of banning dogs from the sandy beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach would discriminate against responsible owners and well-behaved animals, and

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk would have a negative effect on tourism.

While no decision has been made yet, Lyme Regis Town Council has repeatedly expressed a desire to see dogs banned from the two beaches all year round.

Following the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order

(PSPO) by the now defunct West Dorset District Council in October 2017, dogs are currently allowed on Lyme’s main sandy beach without a lead between October 1 and May 1.

Lyme Regis Town Council objected to the PSPO when it was first introduced, with members arguing that dogs should be kept on leads, and a number of complaints from the public about dogs defecating, urinating and being out of control

on the sandy beach have also been received.

Following an incident in which a 12-year-old boy was bitten by a dog on the beach in December 2018, further calls for reconsideration of the policy were made.

Councillors have now said on more than one occasion that they would like to see dogs completely banned from both the sandy beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach all

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE Mayor of Lyme Regis has described the relationship between the town council and new Dorset Council as “broken”, in light of an ongoing dispute over land at Monmouth Beach.

The dispute stems from an area of town council-owned land, adjacent to the newlyextended harbourmaster’s office, which has been taken over for additional boat storage and car parking, with a wooden storage facility also built alongside the Cobb wall.

Town councillors have expressed frustration with Dorset Council’s lack of response to their complaint regarding the use of the land, which one member described as a “goldmine”.

REPORT, PAGE 10

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Dog ban will have effect Petition launched after out-of-season tourism three-year-old boy discovers used needle CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE year round.

The suggestion of a complete ban has proved controversial with some dog owners, who have said it is unfair to penalise well-behaved dogs and owners who clean up after their pets.

A petition has now been launched by local resident and dog owner Debbie Conibere, requesting that the beaches remain accessible to dogs during the off peak seasons in winter and spring (October 1 to April 31).

The petition can be signed online at www.change.org/p/lyme-registown-council-don-t-ban-dogsfrom-lyme-regis-s-beaches, or a hard copy is available in the Pug & Puffin shop in Broad Street. The online version has already been supported by more than 750 people.

Debbie commented: “To ban all dogs, and in consequence their loving dog owners, is discrimination against the majority of loving dog owners who do clean up after their dogs, who keep their dogs regularly treated for worms, fleas and ticks, ensure their dog is fit and healthy and well trained.

“Many of Lyme Regis’ businesses rely on tourism, and loving dog owners who come to visit the town in the winter and spring months with their dogs due to the current accessibility to the sandy beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach do so because Lyme Regis is so dog friendly, with many shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants allowing well behaved dogs in their establishments.

“Take away the ability for visitors

with dogs to use the sandy beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach during the winter and spring seasons and the town risks removing Lyme Regis as one of the top destinations for visitors with dogs.

“Many of Lyme Regis’ loving dog owners, residents and visitors, are retired and have limited mobility or are registered disabled which makes access to the further away beaches of Monmouth and Church Beach with their dog either impossible or extremely hard and the risk of tripping or falling on steps or uneven stones is a real hazard.

Increase policing “Banning of dogs on the sandy beach and Cobb Gate shingle beach due to the actions of a minority of dog owners, is discrimination against loving dog owners who do care for the environment and their dogs.

“An increase in policing and upholding of policies by the dog wardens would benefit the whole community by not allowing a minority of dog owners to break the current regulations and ensure Lyme Regis is free of fouling.”

The current PSPO, now enforced by the new Dorset Council, was due to expire and be reconsidered in October 2020, but Dorset Council has now said it plans to extend it for an additional six weeks until December 31 2020 for internal logistical reasons.

Dorset Council is expected to hold a formal public consultation nearer this time before making a decision on whether to change the current PSPO.

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A LYME Regis mother has launched a campaign for sharps bins to be installed in public toilets in the town, after her three-year-old son found a used needle on the street.

Child-minder and mother of three, Jayne Mace, has launched a petition after her youngest son Morgan (pictured) picked up the needle and put it in his mouth, having found it on the footpath between Anning Road and Staples Terrace while he was looking for snails.

Morgan had been walking behind his mother when he picked up the needle. He showed it to his mum, with the needle in one hand and its cap in the other, sparking an instant panic that he may have pricked himself.

After admitting that he had put it in his mouth, Morgan’s father Stuart Goldsmith took him to A&E on doctor’s advice, where they checked the needle and discovered it had been used and had dried blood on it.

Morgan was given a tetanus booster and blood tests and the family now have a painstaking two-week wait for the results, followed by another three months after which the toddler will have to undergo further blood tests, as some infections take longer to show in blood.

Jayne commented: “Three months of stress and worry for our family, all because someone was lazy or careless with their needle. Whether it was illegal drugs or prescription medication we have no idea and, to be honest, either option scares me.”

Jayne described the incident as her “worst fear come true” and has now launched an online petition, calling for sharps bins to be installed in all Lyme Regis public toilets, for the

safe disposal of needles.

“Drugs aren’t just in big cities they are in our towns too,” she added.

The petition can be found online at www.change.org/p/locals-lymeregis-to-install-secure-used-sharpsbins-in-public-toilets Following the incident, Public Health Dorset made the following statement via Dorset councillor Daryl Turner: “This is a terrible thing to have happened, and the family have our sympathy.

“We work in line with the latest evidence and government guidance, and there are safe options for disposal of needles across the county – including in Lyme; we can explore installing public sharps bins in Lyme as we have done in other areas.

“We can also do some specific outreach and education work in Lyme to understand how this happened and raise awareness of how needles should be disposed of.

“We are working with partners to explore how we might reduce drugrelated litter across the county, including discussions of safer injecting facilities / drug consumption rooms.

“We continue to implement and explore broader interventions to reduce injecting drug use in general.”

Friday, September 27 2019 3

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Town council struggles to set objectives for next five years LYME Regis councillors have delayed their objective-setting process for a second time, having struggled to come to an agreement on the best way to create their vision for the next five years.

A protracted discussion at this week’s Strategy & Finance Committee clearly left some members feeling frustrated, with the discussion focussing more on process and no decisions on objectives actually being made.

Having already been deferred once from a previous meeting, the objective setting process has now been pushed back a second time, with councillors asked to submit all their ideas by October 21 and another discussion now set to take place October 29.

The discussion was part of a lengthy agenda and members grew more agitated as they debated how the process for objective setting should work.

In particular, discussion focussed on whether the council should take plans to public consultation before or after agreeing and costing out projects; whether some smaller ideas could be carried out without consultation; and how to include a large number of environmental objectives put forward by new council members Belinda Bawden and Rob Smith.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, said he felt the suggested process of taking a list of objectives to public consultation first was “the wrong way around”.

He commented: “If we do it this way, we could be given a shopping list that we cannot deal with.

“In the previous council administration, a tiny amount of people came to the Woodmead Halls and put little stickers on the ideas they liked, and that somehow bound us for four years.”

However, some members expressed concern

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk that Councillor Larcombe’s approach of deciding on and costing out projects first would prevent the public from putting their own ideas forward.

Councillor Michaela Ellis said: “We were elected by the public to represent their views.

It’s their money we’re spending, they should have the chance to come forward and ask for what they want.”

Councillor Kelsey Ellis said that the public may suggest ideas that the council had not considered before.

The mayor argued that the public could put forward ideas any time of the year but Councillor Kelsey Ellis said many residents might not feel comfortable coming to council meetings or emailing their suggestions.

Councillor Larcombe told her “be careful what you wish for”.

He added: “Most councils plan and cost projects and then go to the public and say ‘what do you think?’ They don’t ask them ‘what do you think we should we do with our time?’”

Councillor Bawden asked for clarity on whether the mayor wanted to consult the public at all. He said he did, but some of the smaller ideas being suggested - such as bike racks on the seafront - did not need to go to consultation and were things that the council could “just get on with”.

Councillor Michaela Ellis added: “We are here for the public and if they have any ideas they should be able to share them with us.”

Councillor Jeff Scowen praised Councillors Bawden and Smith for their environmental suggestions, and encouraged these to be taken to the various committee chairmen to be consid-

ered in the future.

But Councillor Bawden said Councillor Scowen’s comments went against everything they had been discussing for weeks; she argued that the objectives needed to be considered now, so the council could set its vision for the future and a budget for its plans.

After a lengthy discussion on the best way forward, town clerk John Wright suggested delaying the entire process by a month, saying it was no longer the right time to go through the suggested objectives one by one after such a long debate on process.

He asked all members to submit any further ideas by October 21 ahead of another discussion on October 29.

Objectives that have already been suggested include the council becoming debt free by 2023/24; refurbishing Langmoor and Lister Gardens; refurbishing the council offices; building seafront urinals; developing plans for the future of the seafront shelters and Strawberry Fields; organising a residents’ weekend; developing a community engagement strategy; relaunching the residents’ Gateway Card discount scheme; and implementing an asset strategy.

Environmental objectives that have been suggested include replacing all council vehicles with electric over the next five years; installing water points on the seafront; introducing a free town bus service to cut down on traffic; moving to green energy providers and ethical investors; becoming an electronic office; working with Low Carbon Dorset; adding recycling signage to bins; installing solar panels on the former cadet hut behind Anning Road; introducing a carbon car parking levy; an environmental office refurbishment; promoting environmental initiatives over the next five years; introducing electric charging points; and developing a business case for water loss.

Gig club to host masters regatta this weekend LYME Regis Gig Club is hosting its inaugural Masters Regatta this coming weekend (Saturday, September 28).

This is a regatta for those aged 60 and over and is the first fully fledged masters regatta for the local gig rowing community.

There will be ladies’, men’s and mixed races with a trophy for the winners in each category. Lyme is entering teams in all categories, two teams in the mixed and men’s.

There will also be gigs from Cotehele, Brixham, Torridge, Clevedon, Appledore and Bridport taking part, and rowers from a number of clubs across the South West, including Weymouth, Porlock Weir, Mevagissey, Bristol, Ilfracombe, Rame, Flushing and Mylor, Dart, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Port Issac, Rock, Zennor, Mounts Bay and Newquay.

Racing will start at 10am and viewing will be best from the end of the Cobb, where refreshments will also be available.

Man’s body found in Seaton

THE body of a man was found in Seaton on Wednesday, September 25.

Emergency services, including the police and coastguards, attended the scene after the body was found and confirmed the man deceased at the scene.

Formal identification is yet to take place but the family of missing man, William Fowles, have been informed of this update.

An appeal for the 18-year-old, from Exeter, was put out this week after he went missing, having last been seen in the Beer area on Tuesday, September 24. Police, coastguards and Lyme Regis lifeboat crew were involved in a search for Mr Fowles on Tuesday night.

Devon & Cornwall Police said the death is currently being treated as unexplained and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

The search was the 23rd call-out of the year for Lyme Regis lifeboat crew, having Until uptotoassist date with all been alsothen, beenstay called a swimmer thetwo local news at lyme-online.co.uk and paddleboards over the last week.

Look out for our next issue on September 27

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

Dorset’s fight against climate change ‘building momentum’ DORSET Council’s plans to tackle climate change are building momentum, with its Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel having recently met with members of campaign group Extinction Rebellion.

Cllr Ray Bryan, panel chairman and Cabinet member for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “I’m really pleased with the progress being made by both the panel and our technical officers group. Despite the sheer scale of the challenge ahead of us, we’re gathering real momentum and I’m pleased that we’ll be getting some information regarding our progress on the website soon.”

Art society launches new autumn term LYME Regis Art Society started its new autumn term with a demonstration by well-known local artist Lynda White. Calling her demonstration ‘Versatile Acrylics’, Lynda showed members two very different techniques, completing two pieces of work before the end of the session. The next meeting will be a demonstration on October 1 by Susan Hughes and visitors and new members are always welcome.

Line-up announced for ‘Sea What’s There’ event FOUR inspirational speakers are lined up to appear at the second ‘Sea What’s There’ event, to be held at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Wednesday, October 9.

Through film, talks, facts and discussion guest speakers who are turning the tide on the way we treat our oceans will share how they have observed, recorded, advised and broadcast the effects of plastic, climate change, over-fishing and pollution of the sea.

Event organiser Karen Durham-Diggins said: “Last year was such a success we were asked to put on another. There’s a wealth of sea-life and wonders on our doorstep, and people really want to know more and how we can help preserve it for future generations.”

Tom ’The BlowFish’ Hird (pictured above), a Marine Conservation Society Ocean Ambassador, marine biologist, broadcaster, author and science communica-

tor, has signed up to speak.

Tom has appeared as ‘The Blowfish’ on CBBC, ITV, BBC, CITV and Channel 4 as wildlife expert on ‘Sunday Brunch’. He’s presented two series of BBC Worldwide’s production ‘Fishing Impossible’.

He will be joined by much-loved speaker William Thomson - an explorer, paddle boarder, graphic artist, mapmaker and author - who appeared at last year’s event.

Anne Baker, educator and ocean advocate, will also return with findings of her recent eXXpedition sail around Greenland, and Dr Adam Rees, research officer for the Blue Marine Foundation, completes the line-up.

‘Sea What’s There’ is a One Girl Production being held in partnership with Plastic Free Lyme Regis. For tickets call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com

Follow LymeOnline on social media to stay up to date 24/7 facebook.com/ LymeOnlineUK twitter.com/ LymeOnlineUK instagram.com/ lymeonline

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Woodroffe wins award for road safety THE Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis has received an award for its commitment to road safety education. Woodroffe was one of seven schools across the county to receive an award after working with Dorset Road Safe Partnership. An awards ceremony was held at Kingston Maurward College, attended by the High Sheriff Philip Warr, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Julie Fielding and representatives of the Dorset Road Safe Partnership, where Woodroffe picked up the silver award in the secondary schools category.

Friday, September 27 2019 5

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the latest from Lyme Regis

FROM LYME’S OW N COMMUNIT Y WEBSITE

Stay up to date at www.lyme-online.co.uk - 24/7 news | sport | community Marooned on Lucy’s Ledge now that would be a good story!

Council publishes its four-year plan DORSET Council has published its draft Council Plan, outlining its aspirations and priorities for the next four years, which include economic growth, unique environment, staying safe and well, strong and healthy communities, and suitable housing.

The plan, which will be put to public consultation, outlines proposed activity to achieve these priorities, all contributing towards making Dorset “a great place to live, work and visit”.

Artsreach brings dark comedy to Charmouth ARTSREACH, Dorset’s touring arts charity, will bring RedCape Theatre’s dark comedy ‘Thunder Road’ to Charmouth next month. The play will be held at St Andrew’s Community Hall on Thursday, October 24 at 8pm. Tickets costing £9 or £6 for under 18s are available by calling 07967 759 135 or from Charmouth Pharmacy or Fortnam, Smith & Banwell.

IN our last edition I wrote about how summer was well and truly over, but as soon as the paper came out, so did the sunshine! That’s typical in newspaper publishing - not that I have any complaints.

Just in case this was definitely the last of the summer weather, Dad and I made the most of it by hiring a kayak off the beach and heading out into the bay, something we’ve been meaning to do together since Dad’s 70th birthday last summer.

It was something of a comedy; Dad had never been in a kayak before and I’m not exactly an expert, so to say we were un-coordinated is an understatement.

Struggling to get our paddles in time, and with Mum anxiously watching from the shore, we decided not to head out too deep. In fact, at one point we were so shallow that we got stuck on Lucy’s Ledge and I thought I was going to have to jump in to push us off. Dad made it quite clear he was not getting in.

I can imagine our rivals’ headlines now, ‘Lifeboat called to local newspaper editor marooned just metres shore’. I’m sure it would have provided the crew with a few laughs!

Needing refreshment after all that hard work, we topped the day off with a couple of jugs of Pimm’s outside the Harbour Inn. That seems like a long time ago now that we are nearing October. Already, everyone’s thoughts seem to be turning to the ‘C-word’, although I’m not sure I’m ready to think about

it just yet... at least not until Halloween has passed.

But shops and businesses are already gearing up for the festive season, as you will see with some of the advertisements in this week’s issue, including our double-page feature on all the latest news and offers at Colyton Butchers (pages 12 & 13).

Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee’s campaign is also gaining pace (see page 10). Instead of hiring different lights each year, the committee has this year decided to start purchasing its own illuminations, which they plan to expand every Christmas.

Following a successful evening with local, award-winning photographer Richard Austin last week, which made £350 towards the display, the committee’s fundraising efforts continue this weekend, as they host a traditional harvest home auction, 4pm on Sunday, September 29 at the Nag’s Head.

Tickets for their grand raffle are also still available from the Slipway store at the harbour or from the w e b site www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk, with winners to be drawn at the big switch-on on Saturday, November 30.

And you know that’ll be here in a flash!

Francesca Evans, Editor

NE W LOOK

Call for suitable housing Lyme Brownies have a and employment sites go at new footgolf DORSET Council has begun work on a new county-wide Local Plan, which will set out new homes, commercial areas and community facilities, whilst protecting the county’s environment.

It has put out a ‘call for sites’ to identify land for potential development. For details visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/land-availability

LYME Regis Brownies rounded off the summer by trying out the town’s latest attraction – Jurassic Footgolf. The Brownies had a great time trying out the sport as part of the new Guiding programme, which will include a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. For details on joining visit www.go.girlguiding.org.uk

Shakespeare’s magical tale comes to the Marine Theatre SHAKESPEARE’S most-beloved magical romantic comedy will be captured live from the Bridge Theatre in London and streamed to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

This production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ hosts a multitude of stars, including Gwendoline Christie, Oliver Chris, David Moorst and Hammed Animashaun, was built on the success of Hytner’s immersive ‘Julius Caesar’ at the National Theatre last year.

It will be screened at the Marine Theatre on Thursday, October 17.

To book tickets, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

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 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

6 Friday, September 27 2019

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

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philip@lyme-online.co.uk

Lighting up the gardens will be a big attraction for Lyme T

HE public gardens in Lyme Regis have been the most admired of the town’s attractions, a peaceful haven to escape the hustle of bustle of a busy seaside resort.

Successive councils down the years have sought to protect the Langmoor and Lister Gardens from over-commercialisation.

The attractiveness of the area was enhanced significantly when the gardens were remodelled as part of the coast protection works, providing a woodland walk, making them even more popular.

The erection of the gazebo, providing a shaded area to sit with marvellous views over the bay, and the addition of table tennis to supplement the crazy golf course and now-defunct putting green, was as far councillors

have been willing to go in adding to recreational facilities in the gardens.

Ideas for a cafe with toilets and outdoor gym equipment in recent times were given short shrift.

It is true that the current town council took their eye off the ball when they allowed the condition of the gardens to decline, but it would seem that has been corrected and great efforts are being made by the outside staff to return the gardens to the former glory as far as the flowers and fauna are concerned.

Numerous trees have been planted in memory of those who loved Lyme but are no longer with us, and the creation of a sculpture trail has provided an added interest for those going to and from the beach.

But the latest innovation introduced by Lyme Regis Town Council could well turn out

to be a major tourist attraction.

As covered elsewhere in this edition, this month the Mayor, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, officially turned on the new night-time illuminations of the Langmoor Gardens, a lighting scheme similar to the popular attraction at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

I think it’s possibly the best decision the new town council has made so far and is sure to be a big crowd puller if the council get their publicity right.

The lights - 60 in all - will be turned on from dusk to 11pm at key times of the year, including the Christmas holidays.

The mini golf in Lister Gardens continues to be hugely popular, although it could do with a bit of a spruce-up, and hopefully the council can reinstate the putting green as well at some time in the future.

A few years ago I suggested to the council that the piece of vacant land behind the minigolf attendant’s hut in Lister Gardens would be ideal for boules.

My suggestion was that the Cancer Research UK Lyme Regis branch, of which I am chairman, would get sponsorship to cover the cost of installing the necessary facilities at no cost to the council, and that revenue from the attraction could be divided equally between the council and the charity. Basically I was looking for regular income for the branch.

Unfortunately, the idea got lost in the fog of administration that hovers over the council offices and the idea was never progressed.

I have spoken to our new mayor about it, and he has advised me to submit the proposal again for further consideration.

Charmouth - the friendly council Marine Theatre - in my book I RARELY cover public meetings any more because of my increasing deafness, but I do like to get to meetings of Charmouth Parish Council as regularly as I can.

I have reported on hundreds of public meetings throughout my long career in newspapers, from the smallest Devon parish meeting to Tower Hamlets Council when the BNP got their first members elected.

Charmouth Parish Council is, by far, the most friendly council I have ever covered - and also one of the most efficient.

No other newspaper bothers with Charmouth council, and haven’t done so for years. The village deserves better.

I often get offered a cup of coffee when I arrive and they always thank me for my atten-

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dance when the meeting is over.

A far cry from when it was announced that I was being awarded the MBE. As I was leaving a meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council, Councillor Brian Larcombe, who also has an MBE and is now mayor, said he thought they should congratulate me. The silence was deafening, which made me think I was doing my job properly.

Unfortunately, the current parish council in Charmouth operates with just seven members, four less than they should have, but they get on with their work in a no nonsense way with very little, if any, squabbling. How refreshing in these days of political meltdown.

Like all councils, there has been some contentious issues in Charmouth over the years, but under the current chairmanship of Peter Noel, who has a very relaxed manner in controlling meetings, and assistance for their excellent clerk Lisa Tuck, their deliberations are carried out in a workmanlike and friendly fashion.

The full council meets every other month with all matters having previously been discussed fully at committee. When decisions come before the full gathering of councillors, they usually go through on the nod with very little debate with meetings often over well within an hour.

Former chairman Jane Bremner, who also served on the former West Dorset District Council, has rejoined the council and it is to be hoped that others will offer their services to bring the parish council up to strength.

There will always be criticism of councils; even the efficient ones don’t always get it right.

But I think Charmouth is well served by its elected representatives, even though they may be few in number.

Which begs the question - does it really need 14 councillors to run Lyme and isn’t it time some consideration was given to reducing the number of meetings, more than 60 a year, and therefore the amount of administration costs?

There was talk of having less working groups where decisions are often made behind closed doors. I attended one this week to discuss a celebration of VE day next year - but not one councillor turned up!

worth every penny of grant aid

LAST week I sat in on a presentation on how the team at the Marine Theatre is turning around its fortunes by reducing costs and increasing revenue through a bigger footfall.

It was a brilliant presentation by theatre director Gabby Rabbitts - informative, factual, honest, demonstrating that real progress is being made in establishing the Marine as one of the most innovative theatres in the West Country.

Earlier that evening I attended the launch of the new winter programme of events from October to December, where we admired the variety of the forthcoming shows and drank a toast to the Marine’s future, which now looks far more rosey than it did in the recent past.

I have always been a big supporter of the Marine. In fact, back in the 1980s I ran the place for a while as chairman of the Marine Theatre Management Committee.

As the youngest councillor I persuaded by colleagues on the town council to allow me to revive the Marine discos. It did not go well.

Soon we were invaded by hordes of bikers from Chard and others intent on causing trouble, the police were constantly being called and in the end the council got fed up with the bad publicity and pulled the plug. I was glad to get rid of the responsibility.

Eventually, after a local referendum, the running of the theatre was handed to a trust which allowed the council to withdraw from managing it.

It’s fortunes ebbed and flowed for a few years under the guidance of a number of managers and directors, supported by a keen group of volunteers, the Marine Friends, still very much involved today as theatre members.

The council was hopeful that eventually the Marine would become self-supporting, but it’s a fact that no regional theatre can exist without some form of grant funding.

The council has stuck with the Marine through thick and thin, much to the annoyance of some who did not see it as an asset for the town.

GABBY Rabbitts gave a brilliant presentation Now, under the control of Gabby, the theatre is enjoying its most successful period, but it still lost about £11,000 in the past year.

There are still those in town who think the Marine should return to being a public hall. I am not one of those.

Today it promotes a programme which appeals to a wide variety of theatre buffs, including live screenings from the West End, regular films, comedy shows and music gigs.

Gabby was honest to admit that without continued financial support from the town council, the Marine, which does not get Arts Council backing, would struggle to continue.

My hope is that when it comes to handing out grants next year, the council will put the Marine top of their list.

Friday, September 27 2019 7

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Lighting up Lyme’s seafront gardens A SPLASH of colour has been added to Lyme Regis’ seafront gardens, thanks to a new lighting scheme launched by the town council.

The coloured lighting display has been months in the making, and the big switch-on was finally held this month, with the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, doing the ho-

nours.

The effective scheme, made up of more than 60 lights, was designed by Lymelight, the team behind a similar display at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

It has illuminated the tree canopies at the top of Langmoor and Lister Gardens in various colours, making more

of a feature of the Woodland Walk footpaths.

The lights, met with a resounding positive reaction from residents and visitors, will be a permanent feature in the gardens, switched on every night from dusk until 11pm, and the colours can be changed to suit specific times of year and occasions, such as Christmas.

THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE (right), pictured with deputy mayor Jeff Scowen (centre) and John Newton of Lymelight at the switch on of the lights (photo by Richard Austin). Right, a drone photo of the new lighting display in Lister Gardens (photo by Neil Bigwood)

Boating community raises £1,200 for charity

JAMIE McNeil, director of Lyme Bay Boats (far right) and Captain Justin Osmond, chief executive of The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society (second from right) with other harbour users and supporters of the charity at the cheque presentation LYME Bay Boats and the harbour community of Lyme Regis have raised more than £1,500 for The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

The money was raised at Lyme Bay Boats’ annual ‘Jolly Day Out’, which more than 60 people attended despite appalling weather conditions.

The event usually consists of boating, fishing, water skiing and other activities for staff and clients of the Lyme Regisbased boat management company, as well as other harbour users in an effort to bring together the local boating fraternity.

However, due to the poor weather this year, those attending instead enjoyed an afternoon at Lyme Regis Power Boat Club filled with food, drink, games and enjoyable conversation. Following these jovial hours all headed to The Harbour Inn, where a three-course meal was enjoyed followed by the annual charity auction, during which generous donations of prizes

and bids saw the total funds raised surpass £1,500 for The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, providing vital financial support and practical assistance to merchant seafarers, fishermen, and their dependants in need.

Jamie McNeil, director of Lyme Bay Boats, this week handed over a cheque for £1,519.17 to the charity’s chief executive, Captain Justin Osmond RN, at the Harbour Inn. The presentation was attended by many who had helped and taken part in the event, including John Wason, honorary agent for the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, and his wife Claire, who maintain the charity’s iconic red naval mine, used for the collection of donations, on the slipway in Lyme Regis.

Jamie commented: “Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who helped in making the day a true success despite the challenging conditions! The rain thankfully didn’t dampen our spirits and I think I speak on behalf of all of those in attendance when

I say what an enjoyable - and indeed jolly - day it was!

“I’m extremely proud to be able to present a cheque for such a significant amount of money to a very worthwhile cause, knowing it will benefit the lives of those we share a maritime community with.”

Captain Osmond added: “We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from all of those who provide us with vital funds to support our beneficiaries.

“The society appreciates the generosity of everyone at Lyme Bay Boats and those who took part in what sounds like an extremely fun day – despite one of the wettest August days on record – and hope we can work together on further projects in the future.”

To find out more about Lyme Bay Boats, visit www.lymebayboats.com and for more information on the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society see www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

8 Friday, September 27 2019

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RideLondon cyclists boost funds at charity football match

A CHARITY football match held at Lyme Regis Football Club on Sunday helped to boost funds for a group of local residents taking on the RideLondon challenge next year. Roger Smart, Jo and Gavin Fowler and Tracey and Pete West are currently training for the 100-mile cycling challenge next August. They called on friends and family on Sunday to take part in the friendly football match, which along with the sale off hot dogs and burgers, boosted their fundraising efforts by £280. The money raised will be going to the group’s chosen charities for bowel cancer, dementia and Macmillan Cancer Support. Tracey West commented: “We would like to thank everyone who came to watch, all the players and a special thank you to Martyn Wright who helped organise one of the teams. Congratulations to our man of the match Seb Cope. We’re now looking forward to the re-match!”

Lyme Heartbeat hosting defibrillator training session LOCAL organisation Lyme Heartbeat, in association with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, is providing a free defibrillator awareness and training session designed for anyone living or working within the local community.

Lyme's chief fire officer and first responder Virgil Turner will be leading the session

alongside first aid training expert Steve Postles.

A defibrillator is a device used to give an electric shock to help restart a patient’s heart when they are in cardiac arrest.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, the heart stops and blood is no longer being pumped around their body. The longer they

’re u o Y ited inv

go without emergency life support, the harder it is to restart their heart.

Once in cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes a person loses a further 10 per cent chance of survival. If a defibrillator is readily available, patients are six times more likely to survive.

Mr Turner commented: “How confident are you that you would feel empowered to take action if you saw someone struggling with a possible heart condition?

“It’s vitally important for as many people as possible to be trained in lifesaving skills. The next time someone's heart stops it could be your parent, your friend, your neighbour.

That's why we need you to come along.

“The session will provide you with valuable lifesaving skills including how to use a defibrillator and perform CPR.” The local community are invited to attend the training session at the Old Chapel at the Alexandra Hotel, Pound Street, on Tuesday, October 1 at 6.30pm.

Lyme Heartbeat is run by a group of volunteers who share a vision of having a network of publicly accessible defibrillators installed throughout Lyme Regis. They have raised funds and installed several of the devices in locations around the town.

For more details visit the website www.lymeheartbeat.co.uk

COFFEE MORNING AND CAKE STALL raising funds for

Please come and support us!

Friday 25th October 10am - 1pm Baptist Church Hall Silver Street, Lyme Regis A range of Cancer Research UK Christmas Cards will be on sale

LYME’S chief fire officer Virgil Turner at a previous defibrillator training session at the harbour

Rotary Club donates £1,000 to church tower appeal THE Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has donated £1,000 towards the parish church’s tower appeal.

Repair work to address water ingress in the tower of St Michael’s Parish Church has recently got underway. The project is expected to cost £150,000 and the church still needs to raise £30,000 towards the total.

Rotary Club president John Berry commented: "This month the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis donated £1,000 towards the renovation costs of St Michael's church tower. The build-

ing is the only grade I listed building in Lyme Regis which makes it one of our most treasured assets.

“There is still some way to go to fund the entire project but this donation should go some way to help the Parochial Church Council to achieve their objective. Just keep trying everyone and keep giving - we shall get there.

“This is just one of the many causes supported by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and our grateful thanks goes out to all our generous donors."

thecharmouthpage

Friday, September 27 2019 9

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Parish council back to just seven members HAVING secured the services of an experienced former councillor and chairman to boost their declining ranks, Charmouth Parish Council has now lost another valued member.

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

At Tuesday’s meeting of the full council, it was reported that Councillor Judy Fellingham, one of the council’s most active members in recent

years, had tendered her resignation for personal reasons.

Mrs Fellingham served on all the council’s main committees and was also Charmouth’s representative on the Dorset Partnership for Old People Project.

COUNCIL staff in Charmouth are being issued with bodycams after a number of incidents occurred at the foreshore over the summer months.

The decision to spend £320 on four cameras was approved by members of Charmouth Parish Council on Tuesday following a report to the foreshore committee by deputy clerk Melissa Kirkby. The money will come out of the car park maintenance budget.

No details on the incidents were given at the meeting, although members of the foreshore committee were provided with a list at their last meeting when it was agreed that the “continuation of incidents reported was not acceptable”.

It was also reported that the council had received a proposal that a web cam should be erected on the factory at the foreshore, the cost and installation of which would be covered through advertising.

Although the chairman of the committee, Councillor Judith Sheppard, felt this was a good idea, on closer inspection of the website the

proposer would use to display images and gather advertising was very similar to the existing charmouth.org website and would also be out of the control of the council. It was therefore decided to reject the proposal.

It was also reported at the foreshore committee that a complaint had been received from a member of the public that they had purchased a ticket from the car park machine before they saw any sign saying no dogs were allowed on the beach.

A laminated sign had been placed on the ticket machine. A survey was carried out and it was revealed that there were signs at 14 locations along the foreshore about the beach ban on dogs. Members felt this was adequate and no further signs were needed.

A request for permission to film on the foreshore at the end of October/beginning of November for a short educational film on Mary Anning for Key Stage Two students was approved.

Bodycams for council staff

Only seven councillors put their names forward for the 11 council seats in last May’s local election, despite an impassioned plea from chairman Peter Noel at the annual parish meeting urging people to offer their services rather than complaining on the sidelines.

Recently, former councillor Jane Bremner, who previously served as council chairman and on the former West Dorset District Council, rejoined the parish council, but it is now back to just seven members following Mrs Fellingham’s resignation.

‘Keep plugging away’ Councillor Noel paid tribute to Mrs Fellingham’s services and hoped she would be able to rejoin the council at some time in the future.

With regard to getting more people to come forward, Councillor Noel commented: “We just have to keep plugging away.”

■ THE parish council has been considering making a donation to the clock at St Andrew’s Church but, following the controversy about Lyme Regis Town Council making a grant of £40,000 for repairs to their own parish church, the advice of the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils was taken.

Councillors were informed that there was conflict between two pieces of legislation upon which a government ruling was awaited before a final decision could be made.

It was agreed to hold the money for the church clock in abeyance until a final decision was known with a letter being sent to the church explaining the situation ■ THE council is considering a request from Charmouth Gardeners’ Association to plant some memorial roses in the garden at The Elms.

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

When first discussed it was decided not to accept the offer due to setting a precedent, a concern being the number of plaques that could be erected.

Charmouth Gardeners came back to the council saying they would be happy to plant the roses without plaques and it was agreed that Councillor Judith Sheppard would meet with the gardeners to discuss the situation.

■ THE council received a letter from a resident suggesting a wild meadow with fruit trees on part of Charmouth playing field in which it was mentioned that Charmouth Gardeners’ Association were able to contribute to the cost.

Councillor Jane Bremner provided the playing field committee with information on wild meadow flowers, stressing that they needed good planning and maintenance.

Concern was expressed about the maintenance of the meadow and it was decided to go back to the resident asking for more information on whether the gardeners’ club would be able to contribute time to the upkeep.

■ THE council was told that Linda Bearpark was raising money again to have large poppies erected on all the lampposts in The Street and Lower Sea Lane for Remembrance, an initiative which won great praise in the village last year.

So far she had collected £250 towards the £750 target and councillors agreed to make a donation of £250 to be taken from reserves.

Vice-chairman Paul Oatway has agreed to take over the role of road marshal for the village’s Remembrance parade in November and he reported that matters were well in hand.

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

10 Friday, September 27 2019

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Dispute over Monmouth Beach ‘goldmine’ THE Mayor of Lyme Regis has described the relationship between the town council and new Dorset Council as “broken”, in light of an ongoing dispute over land at Monmouth Beach.

The town council has expressed concerns that an area of its land adjacent to the newlyextended harbourmaster’s office has been taken over for additional boat storage and car parking, with a wooden storage facility also built alongside the Cobb wall.

The land is owned by the town council and members have expressed frustration with Dorset Council’s lack of response to their complaints.

Giving an update at this week’s Strategy & Finance Committee meeting, town clerk John Wright said he had met with Dorset Council’s head of environment and wellbeing, Ken Buchan, and new harbourmaster James Radcliffe, to discuss the assets that the town council holds around the Monmouth Beach area, the assets that Dorset Council uses on a lease arrangement from the town council, and the issue of the accreted land.

He also drew their attention to the fact that the wooden storage facility had been built without the town council’s permission and expressed concerns it could cause damage in a severe storm, as its height exceeded that of the Cobb, which is part of the coastal defences.

Mr Wright said he would continue to chase up Dorset Council and reiterate the town council’s position.

“It will be made absolutely clear where this council stands, that we do have an interest in this land and we do have an ability to do things because, at the end of the day, we are the freeholder,” he added.

Councillor Stan Williams said he was very unhappy about the current situation and had hoped for more action after the town council expressed such strong views about it in a re-

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

cent working group meeting.

He described Monmouth Beach as the town’s “goldmine” but said Dorset Council were making thousands of pounds out of the town council’s land by sub-letting it out for car parking and boat storage.

“Our job as councillors, very plainly, is to do what is in the best interests for our council tax payers. They have made a fortune, many thousands of pounds, out of our land,” he said.

The town clerk replied: “If you feel you are not getting adequate responses from Dorset Council there are other things we can do because we own sections of that land.

“I think we’re some way away from that but we could get to the point where we’re frustrated as an organisation by the responses from Dorset Council and we can begin to take matters into our own hands, which we would do with legal advice.”

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, said he was very concerned about the accreted land, adding: “The longer it stays like it is, the more permanent it becomes. I think we’ve got to put our foot on the gas on this one.”

Mr Wright said: “This is quite a sensitive issue with significant ramifications. If you want to instruct me tonight I can just serve notice on Dorset Council. I think we’d end up in a bit of a mess if that’s what happens.

“We have got to do this carefully, we have got to think about what kind of relationship we want with Dorset Council because our actions would determine that relationship. If we start serving notice on parcels of land we own around the town, that relationship will deteriorate quite quickly.”

The mayor replied: “I think that relationship

is already broken because they’re not paying us due respect and I think our patience has been pretty well demonstrated.”

Councillor Michaela Ellis suggested asking Dorset councillor Daryl Turner, who represents Lyme Regis, for his support on the matter but the town clerk said he had already been

informed about the situation.

It was agreed to hold another working group meeting - which are closed to the press and public - to make a decision on the matter, preferably with a representative from Dorset Council present.

Lights fundraising gathering pace AS we head into autumn, Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee is busy with preparations for the town’s festive illuminations.

The voluntary organisation is motivated by the desire to ensure the town shines brightly at Christmas, holding events throughout the year to raise funds.

Last Friday, a sizeable audience attended the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis for a fascinating and entertaining presentation by award winning photographer Richard Austin, which raised more than £350.

This Sunday (September 29) a fundraising auction will be held at the Nag’s Head in Lyme Regis with items up for grabs including hampers, local produce, tickets to sporting events and other goods donated by local businesses.

The auction gets under way at 4pm.

Running alongside the fundraising events is the grand raffle with five great prizes on offer.

First prize is a week in a holiday cottage in Rosedale Abbey, Yorkshire, kindly donated by Sharon and Graeme Baxter of the Slipway shop at the Cobb.

There are also cash prizes of £200 and £100 donated by local financial advice firm Bright Future Financial and Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, and three course meals at the Alexandra Hotel and Harbour Inn. Local resident Andrew Hodder (pictured above), who helps at the Slipway shop, has been very proactive, single-handedly selling

more than 550 tickets.

Christmas lights committee member Rob James commented: “We are dedicated to putting on a display the town can be proud of and we rely on the generosity of the local community in order to raise much of the £12,000 needed. We are very grateful to those who have already purchased raffle tickets and are extremely appreciative of Andrew’s tremendous effort.”

Tickets costing £1 are available from the Christmas Lights Committee website www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk/raffle or from the Slipway shop at the Cobb.

Scouts compete in harbour raft race

PICTURED above and right, Scouting teams from across the local area battle it out on the water in their district raft race and, below, the winning team from Tipton St John

A BRIGHT and sunny Sunday morning saw Scouts from across East Devon, along with invited guests from Charmouth, gather at Victoria Pool, off the Cobb in Lyme Regis, for the District Raft Race.

Teams were set the challenge of building the best raft in the fastest time, and then race it around the harbour course.

Conditions for the race were perfect, with calm seas and a spring tide.

Race organiser Nik McCafferty, from Tipton St John Scouts, commented: “When we were planning the event, this is the ideal day we envisaged”.

Following a safety brief from Chris Seers of Whimple Scouts, drawing on practice sessions, the teams set about

building the rafts, with different designs soon evident.

Colyton won the quickest build in a time of just five minutes and 15 seconds.

The award for best built raft in terms of design and sturdiness went to Whimple.

After a safety inspection, with the harbour walls lined with cheering parents, families and onlookers, the race started.

In an incredibly close finish, Tipton St John narrowly pipped Sid Vale for first place.

Comments from the Scouts in both crews were largely about the barrage of wet sponges that had been thrown by leaders on the armada of safety boats around the course.

When all Scouts were back on dry

land, Alex Spry from Whimple Scouts and his team of helpers served up burgers and hot dogs to the tired crews.

Hugh Salmon, Assistant District Commissioner Scouts for East Devon said: “It was a great day for everyone, with the young people from across the district having fun, adventure and developing team working skills.

“The efforts of all who planned the day are worthwhile when you get Scouts straightaway asking when the next race is going to be. I am sure this will become an annual event.”

If you would like to know more about volunteering for scouting go to scouts.org.uk/get-involved

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Friday, September 27 2019 11

LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL Staff working hard in seafront gardens YOU may have noticed a significant improvement in the seafront gardens in the last couple of months.

Our gardening team has been working hard to bring the Langmoor and Lister Gardens up to scratch following concern from councillors that standards had slipped.

The entire team was deployed in the gardens for several weeks and great progress has been made, including weeding the flower beds, cutting back unruly plants and filling in cracks in the paths.

This project has been no mean feat – there are 25 flower beds in the gardens, which all require replenishment, soil conditioning, weeding and removal of dead plants.

They are now on a rolling programme of restoration, with the first bed in the east of the gardens recently completed, as shown in the picture.

In addition, we have now banned the use of potentially harmful chemicals and all weeding is carried out by hand.

And following our successful and well-received wildflower experiment on the bank outside the football club on Charmouth Road, we’re planning on creating a wildflower bed in the gardens.

The seeds of eight species of wildflower will be sown in the round flower bed below the Alexandra Hotel, and will hopefully flower in July to September next year.

Mayor overwhelmed with Lyme to join national support for chosen charity celebrations for VE Day LYME Regis will be marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day with a weekend of commemorations in May 2020.

Events will take place across the country on the weekend of May 8 to 10 to commemorate the Second World War Victory in Europe Day, and also to celebrate as people did 75 years ago.

The early May Bank Holiday has already been moved to Friday, May 8 2020, in recognition that at 3pm on May 8 1945, prime minister Winston Churchill announced the war in Europe was over.

We have put together a working group of councillors and representatives from local or-

THE mayor has been overwhelmed with the support already given to his chosen charity.

We announced last month that Cllr Brian Larcombe MBE had chosen Children’s Hospice South West as his mayor’s charity for this civic year.

Almost 20 local businesses have already put out collection boxes to encourage the public to give their small change to support the cause.

Cllr Larcombe said: “Many thanks to those who have been willing to take the collection boxes for my chosen charity, Children’s Hospice South West.

“It was heartening to have the 20 Lyme businesses who were happy to so readily take them for such a worthy cause. Hopefully they will be prominently displayed and will attract the small change people may be willing to give to this local south west charity.

“It all helps, no matter how small the sum. Every penny is spent on the direct support given to the children and their families at a such a tragic and important time.

“Thank you again to the local businesses and the public for any support you are able to give.”

New system for beach hut bookings

What do you think of Park and ride used by a Community Lottery? 30,410 during season DORSET Council is considering running a lottery for local good causes and is seeking views from those who could potentially benefit.

Residents, community groups and local charities are being asked to complete a short online survey on the proposed community lottery, which closes at 4pm on Sunday, October 13.

The survey is available online at https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp ?k=156328632851

ganisations, including the Royal British Legion and the Marine Theatre, to coordinate the commemorations in Lyme Regis.

Although yet to be confirmed, the weekend is expected to include the lighting of the town beacon on the North Wall, a cry for peace around the world by town crier Alan Vian, and the church bells ringing out for peace.

Events are expected to include an over 75s tea party and a big band performing at the Marine Theatre.

The commemorations and celebrations will culminate with a Sunday morning service at St Michael’s Parish Church, followed by wreath laying at the town’s war memorial.

THE park and ride undoubtedly did its job in helping to ease traffic congestion in the town this year, carrying over 30,000 passengers.

The service proved to be a huge success, with 30,410 visitors taking advantage of the stressfree parking and reasonable ticket prices.

Having agreed we will no longer run a park and ride from the west of the town in Sidmouth Road, we are intending on continuing the Charmouth Road service in 2020.

We’re now working on getting improved signage from the A35 to encourage visitors to bypass the town and go directly to the park and ride.

The content on this page is promoted and provided by Lyme Regis Town Council

WE’RE introducing a new system which will make booking a beach hut quicker and easier than ever before.

If you’ve tried booking a hut in the past, you probably spent hours trying to get through on the phone or may have even camped outside the council office!

Our new online booking system, which is due to launch in mid-October, will simplify the whole process and save waiting times.

We’re moving from weekly bookings to daily bookings for most of the year to offer more flexibility to hirers but popular weeks, such as Lifeboat Week, will still be weekly

hire only.

We’ll continue to have annual, summer and winter packages, as we know how popular they are, as well as a residents’ priority booking day and a 10 per cent discount for Gateway Card holders.

Bookings can still be taken over the telephone and at the council office, but we’re encouraging people to use the online booking system where possible.

More details about the launch of the new system will be announced on our website and social media in the next couple of weeks.

Crossing delayed Work gets underway WORK to install the puffin crossing in Broad Street, which was due to start at the end of this month, has now been postponed until March 2020.

Dorset Council has informed us this is due to the scaffolding which has been erected in Broad Street, which is likely to be in place for 16 to 24 weeks.

As the road is due for re-surfacing in midOctober, Dorset Council is hoping to carry out the trenching for the underground ducting in the second week of October.

to transform play area

WORK has started on improving the play park at Henry’s Way. New fencing has been installed at the play area, which will safeguard children against a steep drop and give nearby residents more privacy.

Replacement of the play equipment and ground surface will start on October 7, weather permitting, and the park will be re-opened in time for the half term week.

12 Friday, September 27 2019

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Colyton Butchers of Lyme Regis

It’s all change at C Colyton Butchers. Our premises in L Lyme yme R Regis is introducing some new innovative ideas. Following Dan’s win of Britain’s Best Young Young Sausage Maker Mak 2019, and being nominated into the top three Young Young Butchers But in the Country, his Best Pork Sausages

of Champions in London in November with his Pork and Black Pudding Sausage, we are

you can order to b be delivered to your home with one of our day y time or evening e slots with no minimum order, nothing is too much trouble. Christmas is fast approaching and we will

Christmas Day Lunch this year, pop in and see if we can source it for you. As from January you can start saving for for your Christmas Meat for for next year, putting by as little or as much as you want, weekly or monthly y.. The loyalty card scheme will be rolled out in early y Oct October,

save on your orders all year. If you come to the shop in L Lyme yme R Regis and park in the NCP car

parking if you spend over £20. Fancy y trea treating a loved one this year, starting early October

commercial service, so please give us a ring to discuss your requirements. The shop is now

telephone l h t chat to h t about b t your requirements. i t

Did you know w.. . .

Order online or via telephone and we will deliver your order free of charge.

*10 mile radius from shop only y fo or free delivery.

www w.colytonbutchers.co.uk | 01297 445000 55 Broad Street, L Lyme yme Regis, R Dorset

*

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Award

Winning g Butcher h D Dan Bolto B lton

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check out and inventory y reports. www w.a .axevaleinventories.co.uk

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timeoutinLyme

14 Friday, September 27 2019

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

What’s on...

Friday, September 27

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome.

Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm A great value comedy club with four acts on the bill, including headliner Julian Deane. Tickets £8 in advance/£10 on the door – call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com.

Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start.

Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Friday, September 27 Sunday, September 29

Charmouth Folk Festival Various venues, all weekend Charmouth hosts its first folk festival with a packed programme of musical events. See www.charmouthfolkfestival.com for full details.

Saturday, September 28

Bethany Chapel Coffee Morning Bethany Chapel, 10.30am Free monthly coffee morning at Bethany Chapel, Coombe Street, with donations welcome for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Music: A Cat Called Dave Lyme Regis Brewery, 5.30pm Lyme Regis Brewery, based at the Town Mill, hosts regular live music and DJ nights, this week with A Cat Called Dave.

Comedy: Count Arthur Strong Marine Theatre, 7pm The BBC Radio 4 and TV legend brings his new show to the Marine ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ Tickets £22.50 in advance/£26 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start.

Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Resident DJs Tom Juno, James Baker & Friends play every Saturday night at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Charity Disco Night The Hub, 8pm DJ Ayvin plays an eclectic mix of music to suit all tastes, raising funds for Uplyme Community Sponsorship Scheme. Cash bar available. Tickets £8 or £5 for unwaged and under 18s - call 01297 442138.

Sunday, September 29

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.

Encore Screening: ‘Fleabag’ Marine Theatre, 6pm Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series 'Fleabag', broadcast to the Marine Theatre.

Tickets £11 in advance/£13.50 on the door/£5 for under 18s – call 01297 44238 or visit www.marinetheatre.com.Bar opens 6pm for 7pm screening.

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, October 1

Talk: Alan Johnson - In My Life Marine Theatre, 6.30pm The former Home Secretary tells tales from his life and the world of politics. Tickets £16.50 ad-

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

vance/£18 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com.

Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm start.

Wednesday, October 2

Computer Help Lyme Regis Library, 2pm Free weekly drop-in sessions with friendly digital champion volunteers, helping you to use your computer, laptop, tablet, iPad, etc.

Cinema: ‘Trees Are The Key’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm The premiere of environmental documentary from local reforestation charity, The Word Forest Organisation, and narrated by Kate Winslet.

Tickets £7.50 advance/£9 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening.

Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Thursday, October 3

Talk: ‘New Discoveries from Roman Devon’, Woodmead Halls, 2.30pm A talk by Thomas Cadbury, assistant curator of the Royal Albert Museum, Exeter, about recent archaeological evidence relating to 350 years of Roman occupation.

Entry is £2 for Friends of Lyme Regis Museum and £3 for non-members.

Screening: ‘Wise Children’ Marine Theatre, 6pm Multi-award-winning director Emma Rice brings her unique vision to Angela Carter’s great last novel in this new theatre production, filmed at York Theatre Royal. Tickets £11 advance/£13.50 on the door/£5 under 18s - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6pm for 7pm screening.

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, October 4

Talk: ‘New Discoveries from Roman Devon’, Woodmead Halls, 2.30pm A talk by Thomas Cadbury, assistant curator of the Royal Albert Museum, Exeter, about recent archaeological evidence relating to 350 years of Roman occupation.

Entry is £2 for Friends of Lyme Regis Museum and £3 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.

Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Saturday, October 5

Live DJs @ SWIM SWIM, 8pm Resident DJs Tom Juno, James Baker & Friends play every Saturday night at SWIM on Marine Parade.

Sunday, October 6

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.

Monday, October 7

Lyme Regis Museum Research Team Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm Are you interested in local history?

Do you need help with your research? Why not come along and see the museum's research team at their monthly sessions at Lyme Regis Library and let them help you?

Football Club Cash Bingo Lyme Regis Football Club, 7.30pm Cash bingo in aid of Lyme Regis Football Club, held on the first Monday of every month. Eyes down 7.30pm, book of six for 10 games costs £4.20.

Wednesday, October 9

Computer Help Lyme Regis Library, 2pm Free weekly drop-in sessions with friendly digital champion volunteers, helping you to use your computer, laptop, tablet, iPad, etc.

Talk: ‘Sea What’s There’ Marine Theatre, 6pm A panel of guest speakers discuss the effects of plastic, climate change, and overfishing of our seas.

Tickets £10 advance/£12 on the door for adults or £5 advance or £6 for children and students - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6pm for 7pm start.

LRTC Full Council Guildhall, 7pm For agendas see www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk Uplyme Parish Council Uplyme Village Hall, 7.15pm For agenda see https://uplymeparishcouncil.org/ Wednesday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 8.30pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Thursday, October 10

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, October 11

U3A Coffee & Social Morning Woodmead Halls, 10am For new and old members of Lyme Regis University of the Third Age (U3A). Many of the activity group leaders will be present for you to discuss what's on offer and maybe sign up to.

Knit & Knatter Lyme Regis Library, 2.30pm A friendly group who meet weekly to chat and knit over a cup of tea - all welcome.

Cinema: ‘Red Joan’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Starring Judi Dench, this is the story of Joan Stanley, who was exposed as the KGB's longest-serving British spy. Tickets £6 advance/£7.50 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 6.30pm for 7.30pm screening.

Friday @ The Pilot The Pilot Boat, 9pm Weekly live music nights at the Pilot Boat.

Fairytales, Shakespeare and carnivals in live screening A LIVE screening of a new stage-adaptation of Angela Carter’s last novel, ‘Wise Children’, is coming to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

True to Carter’s trademark world of absurd magical realism, disorientation rules as the show follows twin chorus girls, Nora and Dora Chance, who are celebrating their 75th birthday.

They do this, surreally, on the same day as their assumed father Melchior Hazard, the greatest actor of his generation. Melchior’s twin brother, Peregrine, is also celebrating his birthday – if he is even still alive.

Expect sex and scandal, show girls and music, mischief and mistaken identity – and one or two butterflies – for this all encompassing performance.

It’s pure, unadulterated theatre with an airtight company, subject, direction, and production.

Rice not only blind-casts the whole piece, but single-handedly gives a masterclass on how to play with gender – Broadway World.

Emma Rice, the director and former artistic director for Kneehigh and Shakespeare’s Globe, who has just announced a re-imagining of Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’, injects her signature impish and exuberant vision into Carter’s fantastical story – and simultaneously launches her new eponymously named theatre company,

Wise Children.

Filmed live from the York Theatre Royal, ‘Wise Children’ is a loud and bawdy entanglement of theatrical joy and heartbreak, celebrating showbusiness, family, forgiveness, hope, scandal, mischief, with a generous sprinkling of Shakespeare.

Tightly packed with singing, dancing, and carnival vibes, the show takes its audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions Fantastic. Life-enhancing, brilliantly uninhibited, all-singing and dancing… Stars? I’m not sure why you would stop at five – The Observer ‘Wise Children’ will be held at the Marine Theatre on Tuesday, October 3 with the bar opening at 6pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets are £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door or £5 for under 18s with a 10 per cent discount for theatre members. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

THE Marine Players return to the stage next month for their production of dark comedy ‘A Tomb With A View’.

Raising funds for the upkeep of the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, the players have amassed a talented cast for the show, which will be held nightly from Wednesday, October 23 to Saturday, October 26.

‘A Tomb With A View’ was written by Norman Robbins and will be performed with arrangement by Samuel French Ltd. Robbins was an actor, director and author who found his niche in the world of comedy, particularly pantomimes.

Coincidentally, Lyme Regis Pantomime Society is also currently rehearsing one of Robbins’ works, ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’, for their next production in February.

In 1979, Robbins was invited, as a visiting professor, to teach at Iowa State University, where he directed one of his own pantomimes and, as a result, his version of ‘Cin-

derella’ became the first pantomime to be staged in New York for almost 100 years.

He fulfilled a life-long ambition in his later years by writing an account of the evolution of pantomime, entitled ‘Slapstick and Sausages’.

‘A Tomb With A View’ is, however, not a pantomime. Set in a sinister old library, a dusty lawyer reads a will (involving some millions of pounds) to an equally sinister family, one member of which has werewolf tendencies, another wanders around in a toga of Julius Caesar, and a third member is a gentle old lady who plants more than seeds in her flower beds.

The body count piles up as the play twists and turns to its surprising conclusion.

Shows will be held at 7.30pm nightly at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, with the bar opening from 6.30pm. Tickets cost £12 for adults or £6, available by calling 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

Marine Players to stage ‘A Tomb With A View’

The Harbour Inn - celebrating 15 years in Lyme!

timeoutinLyme

Friday, September 27 2019 15

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Local comedian tours with first solo show FRESH from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, local comedian Tom Glover returns to Dorset next month to tour his debut solo show.

Bridport-born comedian, Tom Glover, has been a familiar face on the local circuit for the best part of a decade but this will be the first time to see his award-nominated show, 'A Glover Not A Fighter', in his home county.

Tom hosts the monthly comedy nights at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, the comedy exchange in Blandford and Sunday Night Comedy at Weymouth Pavilion. He is also a regular at the Bridport Lyric Theatre and hosted the Bridport Comedy Cafe for seven years at Bridport Arts Centre.

Tom has appeared in several amateur dramatic shows over the years. He was also well-known as a local reporter and postman before deciding to focus on his comedy career full-time.

His first solo show, which takes a wry look at his life growing up in the West Country with an alpha male father, was nominated for the best new show at the Leicester Comedy Festival and he has been touring it around the festival circuit, visiting Shaftesbury, Reading, Manchester and more before taking it to Edinburgh in August.

In this debut solo performance, Tom will feature a selection of his best routines over the years, as well as treating the audience to some never before heard material as he muses the concept of fatherhood and masculinity in modern Britain.

His hilarious observational quips on the mundane and everyday, combined with tales of fatherhood and country living, bring laughter to every room he plays to.

Tom’s South West tour began earlier this month at the Lord Nelson pub in Norton Sub Hamdon and comes to the Bridport Lyric Theatre on October 9 and the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on October 27.

He will then head on to Blandford and Teignmouth before finishing in Honiton on November 22.

Tom said: “I'm really excited to be doing my first solo show in the South West but particularly to bring it to my local gigs.

“I've hosted gigs here for years but that mainly involves me chatting with the audience rather than telling jokes. My regular crowds often ask when I'll be performing a set and until now I haven't.

“I've been working on this show for a year and it has gone down better than I ever expected at the festivals so I can't wait to do it here and hopefully people will like it.

“For people who see me regularly they would have likely seen parts of it in embryonic form, as I tested bits of it out at my local gigs, but this is the first time to see it all put together as a show.

"It's a fun feel good show that has been going down with people of all ages. I had standing room only at some of my Edinburgh shows and I'd love to have busy rooms like that down here.”

As well as performing his show, each night will also feature a hand-picked support act and a bit of MCing from Tom at the start.

Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door and are available from Bridport and Lyme Regis tourist information centres or from www.tomglovercomedy.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

16 Friday, September 27 2019

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German students explore Lyme during week-long stay at The Hub

Fundraising gets underway to secure pre-school’s future A GROUP of 24 students from Mülheim in north west Germany, along with two teachers, recently enjoyed a week-long visit to Lyme Regis, staying at The Hub. As part of an English language trip, the students, all aged 14, visited major attractions in London, including the Globe Theatre, British Museum and Tower of London, before travelling down to Lyme Regis for a week at the seaside.

During their stay, the school party took part in a fossil-hunting trip along the Jurassic Coast and a milling demonstration at the Town Mill.

They also visited Charmouth, enjoyed the riverside walk between Lyme and Uplyme and attended an Arabian Nightstheme storytelling evening, held at the Masonic Hall in aid of Uplyme Community Sponsorship Scheme, which is hoping to resettle a Syrian refugee family in the local area.

Teachers said their visit to Lyme Regis was made possible

thanks to affordable accommodation facilities at The Hub in Church Street, where they camped in the main hall and made use of the kitchen facilities downstairs.

The Hub was also able to continue its weekly programme of community events during the students’ stay, including youth club nights, classes and activities hosted by local organisations, including musical charity B Sharp, which some of the visiting students enjoyed joining in with.

The visiting party said they received a warm welcome in Lyme Regis and the trip gave them plenty of opportunities to practise their language skills. They are now hoping to make it an annual event.

For more details about hiring The Hub, visit www.hublyme.co.uk/

LIFE DRAWING CLASSES

Tutored and untutored classes available from October 2019 with experienced artist Kat Heueston

Tutored classes every Tuesday from October 1st The Scout Hut, Rhode Lane, Uplyme DT7 3TX £18 per session, £72.50 for five weeks or £145 for 10 weeks

Untutored classes every Friday from October 4th Peek Hall, Rousdon DT7 3XW £14 per session or £120 for 10 weeks (bring own equipment) For full details email katheueston@gmail.com or call 07749 825 009

A CAKE stall and tombola, recently held on Marine Parade in Lyme Regis, raised £350 for St Michael’s Pre-School. Volunteers from Lyme Regis Pre-School Fundraising Committee are putting together a programme of events which they hope will help keep the educational facility open. The pre-school was set for closure at the end of July, having run at a loss since first opening, but school governors later reversed their decision and re-opened it for the new term earlier this month, but its long-term future is still uncertain.

Tales From Lyme’s Past

A glimpse of our history with Peter Lacey

‘For the Socour of Shippes’ - Part I SO worded is a 1544 description of Lyme’s famous Cobb, the first recorded mention can be traced to 1294. For centuries it has dominated the seascape, its design and structure undergoing many changes, from a simple breakwater to a harbour.

However, it is not until 1329 that we get a description of its construction, “Le Cobb built of timber and rocks has been beat down and quiet destroyed by the violence of the sea”.

The cost of repairs and maintenance was beyond the town’s means, so Edward III granted a petition allowing charges to be made for a period of five years on “all goods coming into or sent from the town by land or sea, to be applied to townsmen or not”.

In 1481, a report sent to Edward IV stated that “the port was by tempests (note the plural) destroyed”. Encroachment and destruction being an ongoing problem, the sea has never relented in its efforts to demolish the Cobb.

Over the centuries Lyme has had to appeal to the crown for funds to ensure its survival.

The archives record numerous petitions for financial assistance in order to preserve the town’s vital commercial asset.

Only ‘Bloody Mary’, the Catholic Queen, stopped payments, her reason was that “Lyme is inhabited by heretics”.

A coastal defensive survey of 1539 ordered

by Henry VIII gives a bird’s eye view of the Cobb and the town. The illustration shows the materials used in construction and its extended shape; the oak palisade is infilled with large rounded boulders known as cow-stones or cobble-stones. It is these stones which gave the structure its vernacular name.

In Tudor times a Master of the Cobb supervised a full-time workforce in order to maintain the works. The cobble-stones were floated into position using casks, the rocks being suspended by chains or strong rope. Such was the skill of the workforce that they were seconded to work on Dover pier.

The question often asked is why the Cobb

was built to the west of the town? A geological survey of 1839 suggests that a harder portion of lias forming a blue limestone ledge, motivated the early builders. Even today, anyone walking along the top of the Cobb at low tide can see the validity of the suggestion.

Grants from the crown never provided enough money to maintain the structure, so from circa 1539 until 1612 there was a fundraising event held annually, known as Cobb Ale. It took place over a period of three weeks; feasting and drinking were the main activities, many were held in the Cobb Hall, a building of which little is known.

The organisers of the feast were dignified with the title of ‘Wardens of the Cobb Ale.’ The mayor took on the role of ‘Lord of the Cobb Ale.’ A silver chain and a precursor of a bosun’s pipe was his emblem of authority.

I end this part with the words of Daniel Defoe, the author of ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Writing in circa 1720 he said of the Cobb, “such a one as is not in all Britain, besides if there is such a one in any part of the world”.

Peter Lacey, Local author and historian

Friday, September 27 2019 17

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Built in 1601 as a Coaching Inn, the hotel has been extensively refurbished, yet still ll retains much h off its history h and d un nique charm. h Oak k beams, wood panelling and an open fire help to create a warm, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

The Royal Lion Hotel is a perfect base fro om which to explore the local area, situated less than 100 metres from the seaa. Privately owned and managed, The Royal Lion Hotel has gained an enviable able reputation for its friendly service, first class cuisine and impressive leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and saunaa. There is a private car park and wifi is available in the various lounges throughout roughout the Hotel.

The Royal Lion Hotel prides itself on its dining facilities, offering a variety v of options to suit guest guest’ss requirements irements in The Oak Room Restaurant Restaurant, The Inn or The Monmouth Lounge. ge.

Wee pride ourselves on providing W ding an excellent standard of customer service s , cleanliness and guest satisfaction. ion. In addition, our kitchen brigade has ha a great passion for producing outstanding utstanding quality dishes, whether you are looking for formal dining or tradional t fayre.

Wee have also attained a silverr accreditation with the Green Tourism Board W d for our vast improvement and d awareness of the environment.

Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QF 01297 445622 www.royallionhotel.com enquiries@royallionhotel.com

18 Friday, September 27 2019

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Seaside break for escaped storks TWO white storks sparked a major bird hunt in and around Lyme Regis last week, after flying all the way from WILD Zoological Park in the West Midlands.

Thermal columns - a column of rising air created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface - are thought to have brought the young birds to the south coast.

They are trained free flight birds - meaning the park allows them to fly freely rather than holding them in captivity but it was feared they would not survive in the wild on their own.

Both storks were micro-chipped and had radio trackers on their tails, allowing zoological park staff to track their movements and follow them to the

Devon and Dorset border in an attempt to retrieve them.

One was found in Sidmouth and safely recovered, but no further update has been given on the second stork, pictured here in Lyme Regis. The bird was seen perched on the power boat club, lifeboat station, museum and beach huts before taking off, bringing many keen birdwatchers and photographers to the area.

PHOTOS above and below by Michael Vaughan

ONE of the white storks, perched on top of Lyme Regis lifeboat station (photos above and right by Richard Austin)

OUT NOW!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DORSET’S MOST POPULAR RESORT Coming to life after dark

BONFIRE NIGHT

A SPECTACULAR SIGHT NOT TO BE MISSED!

Making a splash !

BY PHOTOGRAPH ER RICHARD AUSTIN

DOLPHIN visits to Lyme Regis are rare sions. It seems that occaevery few years, including this summer, a single dolphin turns causing waves of excitement among up dents and visitors. resi-

Lord Lister of Gardens, named after The Lister carried adjoining Lister are the latest project pioneer of antiseptic surgery. bank and The new illuminations Lister Gar- Lyme Regis, provide a more open grassy been added to Lyme Regis’ out in an effort to revamp Langmoor and and attractions - Gardens now A SPLASH of colour has mini golf, table tennis to a new lighting scheme dens - one of the town’s main visitor are home to the popular seafront gardens, thanks recreated as part of major council. which were completely 2007.

HIX Oyster & Fish House. launched by the town works in tranquil has been months in the land stabilisation Gardens are a quiet and along, over a century The new Langmoor The coloured lighting display was finally held in Sepgardens were opened of winding paths to wander picnic making, and the big switch-onLyme Regis, Councillor The original having been bought through a bequest space, with plenty sit with a of in and grassed areas and benches to ago, the land tember, with the Mayor Moly of Langmoor Manor, views across the historic doing the honours. to the town from Joseph Brian Larcombe MBE, were named in honour and enjoy the spectacular and the Jurassic Coast.

60 Charmouth, and the gardens Cobb harbour, Lyme Bay made up of more than The effective scheme, the donation. the planting is deLymelight, the team behind of by town council staff, and concrete lights, was designed by Subtropical Gardens. The slopes were known to be unstable movement. Maintained Low shrubs have been Abbotsbury wildlife. at display encourage a similar signed to built to prevent grasses and seed-bearing buttresses had been periodic slippages of mud planted for cover, with canopies at the top of LangIt has illuminated the tree However, there were still century, in various colours, making throughout the 20th plants for food. on to Marine Parade moor and Lister Gardens gardens Woodland Walk footpaths. the lower part of the features several bird feedeventually rendering more of a feature of the The Woodland Walk also bat boxes and tables bird reaction bug hotels, unusable. resounding positive ina ers, nest boxes, The lights, met with a to the area, as well as of these gardens suffered will be a permanent feato encourage more wildlife 1962, land to the west flora and fauna in from residents and visitors, on every night from In following attempted developboards highlighting the This land formation ture in the gardens, switched can be changed to catastrophic landslip colours houses were destroyed. the the area. as ment and several dusk until 11pm, and the by the town, becoming year and occasions, such was eventually taken over suit specific times of Christmas.

On one occasion in the dolphins arrived within early 1990s a pod of and stayed for a couple a mile of the beach erel fishing trips were of weeks. All mackwatching trips and cancelled for dolphin the lucky visitors home with a big smile went on their faces.

In 1994 I was on my got a call from Lyme’sway to Taunton when I assistant harbourmaster, Mike Higgs, telling me there were dolphins everywhere just off the Cobb.

On arrival, local boatman Steve Postles took me out and the first picture I bagged three dolphins jumping was out of the water. The set of pictures were day in the national published the following newspapers, encouraging an onslaught of people coming to the town to get a dolphin were not disappointed. experience - they

2ND 2019 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER

– with residents and a real community affair proposed a plan to It’s wood for the fire, In May 1604 Robert Catesby with the House of businesses donating club and town the country will be from the local football up the King, together OWNS up and down Night this blow on the sand, and of Commons during the volunteers celebrating Guy Fawkes staff helping to build it Lords and the House the can’t be many of Parliament, and later council to clear away the debris ceremonial opening November but there one of King the gig club helping than Lyme Regis to host seize Princess Elizabeth, the only locations better suited be at the next morning. fireworks and a beach James' children who would not a stunning display of display will light up the A spectacular fireworks ceremony. bonfire. the Cobb and the Guy Fawkes was harbour as it’s set off from Brian commemorates the But on November 4th 1605 the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor The annual celebration in the basement of to light the bonfire – Britain’s most notorious caught red-handed capture of Guy Fawkes 36 barrels of gunpowder, Larcombe MBE, is expected to blow up the Houses House of Lords with each traitor – who attempted as they finish. is now commemorated of gunpowder in 1605. and his capture effigies. of Parliament with barrels and grab a front-row ready with bonfires and burning year So get those sparklers of James I’s peace Alan Vian or in Lister Gardens, Disappointed by the failure each year by town crier seat on Marine Parade is always a Spain to improve their Organised illuminations (see pages Lynne, bonfire night treaty negotiations with where the new coloured – this is a show Catholic gentlemen and wife in Lyme Regis, position, a handful of young whom had been highlight of the winter calendar on Saturday, 6 & 7) will add to the spectacle of held year’s events being from the Midlands, some not to be missed! decided to take with this 2nd. involved in previous plotting, November action.

T

There are many memorable events regarding Lyme’s dolphins, popped up alongside especially when one boat and turned over fisherman Harry May’s like a shaggy old to have his belly rubbed, dog to which Harry of course obliged.

Puddleduck Lyme Regis Never Stop Believing!

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LYME REGIS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1 Drakes Way DT7

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2nd 2019

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New autumn edition of the Lyme Life Magazine now available to pick up from various outlets in and around Lyme Regis Or read it online at www.lyme-online.co.uk

Friday, September 27 2019 19

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AT THE

P I L O T B O AT Every Christmas celebration tailored to suit your personal requirements and budget Mix and match from our winter and Christmas menus

CHRISTMAS MENU Available from 29th November until 24th December

Parsnip soup, parsnip & paprika crisps (VG)

£7

Smoked salmon mousse, melba toast £8 Mini rosemary & garlic baked camembert, cranberry sauce, toasted bread £7 Roast turkey, winter roasted vegetables, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, stuffing, gravy 6oz rib-eye steak, winter roasted vegetables, crushed new potatoes, blue cheese sauce Jackurkey, winter roasted vegetables, roast potatoes, stuffing, gravy (VG) Christmas dinner pizza, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pigs in blankets Grilled sea bass and sea bream fillet, chickpea, fennel, chorizo, potato and tomato stew

Set price Christmas menu available No pre orders or deposits required Christmas cocktails and mulled drinks Live music in the bar every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during December CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

£16 £21 £16 £14 £21

Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy custard

£7

Orange and cinnamon pudding, Grand Marnier cream (VG) Belgian chocolate fondant, berry compote

£7 £7

Christmas Eve 8am until late Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day 10am - 9pm New Year’s Eve 8am - Midnight New Year’s Day 9am until late Normal menu available at all time

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

Cocktail Masterclass THE PERFECT ACTIVITY FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

The only way to spend an afternoon with your friends. Let your creative juices flow with a cocktail masterclass led by the Pilot Boat Bar team. Learn how to shake you way to enjoy classic cocktails. Tailor your afternoon with a choice of making 1, 2 or 3 cocktails. Maximum group of 10 people.

Perfect for any group celebration.

PRICED PER COCKTAIL MADE £8 PER COCKTAIL Please advise how many cocktails you would like to make at the time of booking – 1, 2 or 3 cocktails per person ALL CLASSIC COCKTAILS, MOCKTAILS AND AFTER DINNER DRINKS AVAILABLE

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

20 Friday, September 27 2019

FLASHBACKS with Richard Austin

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

FEEDING 600 mute swans is something unique to the staff of the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset. Nowhere else in the world could you see such a sight. Dave Wheeler was the swan herd - that is again a unique title - who began the early morning feed. Photographing swans against the morning light is made easier because of the mass of white feathers allowing the light to bounce off each swan. It truly was a magical experience being in the presence of so many swans and the satisfaction of knowing that you are the only person anywhere photographing such a sight.

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

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNIT Y PAPER

Seagulls ‘one of the chief beauties’ of a seaside town ■ I AM appalled by councillors' suggestions of culling gulls, or otherwise terrorising them (LymeOnline, September 13).

I frankly don't believe stories of “attacks” by gulls. They shy away from you if you wave a hand; they fly away if you take a step in their direction. They have no reason to attack unless you seem to threaten their young.

I’ve lived here 17 years and have never experienced anything worse than a scream and a flyby from a nervous parent. I suspect that most of the supposed attacks are of this kind.

The presence of gulls is one of the chief beauties of a seaside town. It is wonderful to watch how they can stand and glide in the wind above the Bell Cliff, using shapes in the air that they can sense and we cannot.

Gulls have lived on this coast for many thousands of years. We are the invaders. And, as with many other British birds, their population is now in decline. It is illegal to kill them.

If you come and live by the sea, learn to coexist with the creatures of the sea.

Guy Ottewell Broad Street, Lyme Regis

Chapel ‘a wonder to behold’ ■ DURING the recent Heritage Open Days, the little chapel doors in the cemetery were open again.

A lovely sunny morning as I walked inside the building. What a wonder to behold. So much restoration work had been carried out with great love and care for the artwork.

It's dry inside now as well with all the cracks repaired. Great joy and happiness. The little gem now sparkles.

Many thanks to all of those who took part in organising the restoration and getting it carried out.

Jill Davis (by email)

Council drops traditional holiday guide

LYME Regis Town Council has agreed to modernise its marketing strategy and throw out its traditional holiday guide.

In a bid to better promote the town to visitors, councillors have agreed to focus their efforts on a new, interactive map that would be linked to a website and app that could be used on mobile devices.

This would take the place of the traditional holiday guide, produced by the council for many years and posted to potential visitors, last year costing almost £25,000 in total.

Speaking at last week’s Tourism, Community & Publicity Committee meeting, Wes Dowell of the Lyme Regis-based design and marketing agency Coastline Creative, encouraged councillors to embrace a 21st century digital aspect in its marketing strategy.

Putting forward a proposal backed by committee chairman Councillor Jeff Scowen, Mr Dowell suggested that the council produce a fold-out A2 map, as well as maps in key areas of the town, such as car parks, which would feature sections focussing on different parts of the town to create a trail.

The map would be linked to a website and app via QR codes - special barcodes that you can scan with mobile phones.

He said this would help visitors to explore the whole town, promoting key features, events and featuring “fun, quirky videos” to encourage them to step off the usual tourist trail, learn more about its history and engage with local businesses.

Mr Dowell said the project could be “really eyecatching” and “completely different to what other towns are doing”.

The map, website and app would also provide advertising opportunities to cover some of its costs, as does the traditional guide.

Mr Dowell said the cost of the project would be less than the traditional guide, but was prevented from giving specific figures because the council would have to go out to tender for the project.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE, said he was “very much in favour” of the idea and described the traditional guide as “dead”.

“It’s tired, it doesn’t do the job, it’s of the 1970s and we’ve got to move on,” he added. “I don’t believe it produces value for money for this town.”

Councillor Michaela Ellis, however, said she was concerned that the new map would not target people who were still deciding where to book their holiday, like the current guide, which is posted out to potential visitors.

“It’s a supplement to the guide which people can use when they are in the town,” she added.

Councillor David Ruffle said a traditional holiday guide was how people booked their holidays “50 years ago”, adding: “This is the modern age this is how we should be working.”

It was agreed to go forward with the new proposal, and the council will now seek to obtain three quotes for its production with a view to it being introduced prior to the 2020 season.

Friday, September 27 2019 21

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22 Friday, September 27 2019

ITEMS TO SELL?

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

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

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

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Are you a Lyme Regis organisation or charity planning a significant project?

Could your project benefit from £15,000 funding?

If so, Lyme Regis Town Council wants to hear from you.

The council has received a donation from Fossil Films following the filming of the Mary Anning biopic, Ammonite, in Lyme Regis and would like to support a local organisation to create a ‘legacy’ project for the town.

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.

Interested organisations are asked to submit expressions of interest to the council, including 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.

Expressions of interested should be submitted to Adrianne Mullins, administrative officer, by emailing admin@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk or by post Guildhall Cottage, Church Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3BS The deadline for expressions of interest is 5pm on Monday 28 October and all submissions will be acknowledged.

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Friday, September 27 2019 23

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LymeOnline Sport

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

football

Uplyme young guns pull off best result of the weekend UPLYME went into the Perry Street Division One fixture against Forton Rangers, one of the toughest teams in the league, with only 11 outfield players available, no recognised goalkeeper, the manager and his assistant named on the bench and two more 16 year olds making their debuts.

With James Beddows donning the gloves, the Swallows gave league debuts to Nate Gillan at left-back and Henry Rudkin at right-back with Steve Gillan dropping to centre back.

But what a start. Playing down the slope, Uplyme’s first real attack saw Dan Huggins lift the ball over the keeper and tap in after only three minutes.

The Uplyme youngsters showed real pace up front and unsettled their defence, closing them down quickly. A second goal followed when Marcus Symonds fed Oscar Sladen who found the corner of the net from a tight angle.

Forton were threatening up front and Uplyme had to deal with some swift counters and long balls to a big striker, but they more than held their own with Beddows making a great save from an absolute rocket of a shot.

Then another break and run from Symonds ended in a pass to Alex Pennington, who sidestepped the defender and fired into the top corner from 20 yards out for Uplyme’s third.

Forton continued to press and pulled two back, one from a corner and another when Uplyme failed to clear on the edge of the area.

A red card was shown to a Forton player for an elbow towards the end of the half.

Leading 2-3 at the break, Uplyme planned to sit deeper in the second half and to counter when possible. The youngsters held out gallantly for around 15 minutes before Forton drew level with a near-post finish.

LYME Regis 1st team squad pictured before their home match with Upottery when they conducted a training session with members of the club’s youth team section run by Martin Wright (back row, second from the right). The youngsters later acted as mascots and ball-boys and were treated to hotdogs at half-time.

At this point the game became stretched and this suited Uplyme’s young guns up front, with Sladen and and Henry Rudkin down the flanks linking well with Symonds and Dan Huggins.

After a couple of near misses, Rudkin broke down the right, found Symonds who unselfishly fed the unmarked Huggins who finished well.

Uplyme almost had a fifth when a long ball found Huggins, who went one-on-one with the keeper, his shot just clipping the keeper and sailing inches over the bar.

Manager Stu Wooster was delighted with the performance of his young players but making a man-of-the-match decision was difficult, it being such a good all round performance., He told LymeOnline Sport: “All 11 players today were absolute trojans, some playing out of position, seven 16 year olds and one 17 year old making the transition to senior football in their strides. Dan with two goals, Marcus four assists, Alex and Matt superb in midfield, I could go on but ultimately Toby Barnes gets the nod for the man-of-the-match after a sterling centre-back display. Well done him and indeed everyone.”

This victory puts Uplyme into fourth position in the Perry Street Division One and this Saturday (September 28) they are away to Misterton Reserves who have taken just one point from their opening two games.

Reserves find the early going tough LYME Regis Reserves are finding life in the Devon & Exeter League Division Three tough going, having picked up just three points from their first three games.

But new manager Dominic Rowe is far from downhearted as he has seen enough in his squad to compete with the best and finish the season in a respectable position.

The Ressies made the long journey to North Tawton in North Devon but returned home pointless after a 3-1 defeat. Rowe was

well pleased with how his side competed in the first half but they conceded a sloppy goal

to give the home side a 1-0 advantage at halftime.

Lyme came out firing on all cylinders to get back in the game and an excellent free kick from first teamer Robbie Fellingham levelled the scores at 1-1.

Rowe picked out youngster Josh Rawlins who had an impressive game at left-back to win the man-of-the-match accolade.

On Saturday the Reserves were away to high-flying Westexe and picked up a useful point in a 2-2 draw with goals from Dan Rendell and Steve Batey (penalty).

Tough afternoon for Rovers AWAY to Combe St Nicholas Reserves, Lyme Rovers came up against a good young side, losing 1-0.

The home side started well and bossed possession in the early stages, preventing the Rovers getting time on the ball to play. But they hung on until about the half-hour mark when a Combe forward broke the defensive line and slipped the

ball neatly past Chris Higgs.

For all Combe’s possession, the Rovers had a couple of chances; Matt White clipping over the bar from a corner, and Pete Peacock shooting wide after excellently turning a centre back.

Making a couple of changes at half-time and switching from a 4-33 to 4-4-2 formation, the Rovers saw more of the game with substi-

golf

tutes Sam Burke and Fred Thomson instantly adding energy.

Both sides had further chances, and the Rovers arguably had the best, but failed to capitalise with sub Ryan Norman whipping in several good crosses. Ben Bowditch was top performer at right-back.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Rovers are away to Shepton Beauchamp in the Tommy Tabberer Cup.

with Richard Jackman

Poignant memorial to popular golfer

LYME Regis Under 12s are pictured before their home match against Sidmouth on Sunday when they were wearing a new kit sponsored by the Royal Lion Hotel. Also in the picture are manager Martyn Wright and referee Mark Evans

THE Max Thorner Trophy is an annual event in memory of Max who was an influential and very popular member of Lyme Regis Golf Club.

The format of four ball better ball was won by Julian Cox and Peter Mayles who twinned well to come in with 45 points.

This year’s competition was especially poignant because the seniors and members of the Lyme Regis choir were also celebrating the life of Barry Carter, remembering him with a tree planted next to Max’s bell on the 17th fairway. Barry’s family and friends joined club members to say farewell to this kind, friendly golfer, who ‘putted out’ earlier this year.

Brooklyn Wilkins won the junior stableford with 22 points while Katie Hampton-Rumbold finished second on 17 and Casey Gibbons third on 16.

The midweek stableford was a very close run contest as three people tied on 38 points. Matthew Watson won with the superior back nine which included an eagle on the 14th while Dominic Beardwood had two steady nines and James Phillips sadly fell away on the back nine with two blobs.

Ladies President’s Day is always a special day in the calendar, and there was an excellent turnout. The golf was exceptional as Judith Williams, Cyndy Mudford and

WINNERS of the Max Thorner Trophy (from the left): Julian Cox, Neville Thorner, Max’s son, Peter Mayles, club captain Gareth Williams Rosemary Dare, 79 points were presented with their first place prize by club president, David Lock. Second place went to Di Harris, Felicity Horton and Judith Ellard with 77 points. Mary Golding won the nine-hole competition ahead of Maggie Brook in second with Linda Baker in third.

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LymeOnline Sport

24 Friday, September 27 2019

September 27 2019

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE

Lyme Regis 1st X1 v Sidmouth Reserves

Kick-off 3pm

football

ONE for the history books! Lyme Regis Football Club players and officials line up for a full club photo at the Davey Fort on Saturday - their first in 10 years. Featured in the photo are players from the First, Reserves and Rovers teams, managers, coaches and club officials, including president Philip Evans MBE, chairman Howard Larcombe, treasurer Nicky Levan and club manager Gerard Hitchcock Photo by Francesca Evans

Seasiders losing ground at the top after two defeats PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk A SECOND defeat on the trot saw Lyme Regis 1st team’s position as Devon & Exeter Premier Division leaders hanging by a thread after an unusually inept performance, losing 4-3 to Upottery at the Davey Fort on Saturday.

Whilst they retain their top spot, courtesy of having played more games, the closing pack are getting ever closer and unless the Seasiders can rediscover their form after such a storming start to the season quickly, they will soon find themselves in midtable and out of contention.

Elsewhere, this match was described as a “thriller”. But it was only thrilling in the last five minutes of the game in which a sluggish Lyme showed s0me spirit to fight back from 4-1 down as Upottery dominated the second half, exposing the Seasiders’ lack-lustre performance.

Lyme had a number of chances in the first half to have halted the poor form which followed six games without a defeat but were kept in the game

by keeper Brett Garner, playing his first ever game for the Seasiders’ 1st X1, who brought off two fantastic diving saves.

The in-form Fred Parsons was unlucky not to have given Lyme the lead after 21 minutes when his fierce shot was cleared off the line by a defender and a few minutes later he went close with another good effort.

Another good chance went begging when Bradley Rowe, leading Lyme’s attack in the absence of Joe Bond, outstripped the Upttery defence with a penetrating run down the left before firing into the side netting.

But the tide started to turn in the 41st minute when Upottery opened the scoring with a header from a freekick awarded for what seemed an innocuous tackle from centre-back Kingsley Wellman.

The first half was devoid of any creativity from the Lyme midfield with the exception of Parsons who covered every blade of grass in his efforts to get Lyme firing on all cylinders.

The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Ben Vine went on one of his trademark runs down the right, cut in and fired the ball home to level the

FEATURED GAME scoreline. It was classic Vine.

But within four minutes Upottery had regained the initiative as Lyme seemed to go into meltdown, conceding a freekick for a disputed handball decision, the cross being met with an unmarked attacker who forced the ball home.

There followed 20 minutes in which Upottery totally dominated, a free-kick bounced off the Lyme wall only for the ball to be fired into the Lyme net with keeper Garner unsighted.

Lyme seemed hopelessly out of commitment until the final minutes of the game when Parsons was rewarded for another energetic performance when he headed in a Vine corner and, with the last kick of injury time, Rowe powered the ball over the line after good work from Ben Turner.

The Lyme players trudged off the pitch with heads shaking in disbelief that they had not been able to contain Upottery. The fact is there are no poor sides in the Premier division, which is how it should be, and that they will have to lift their game and spirits to

stay in the hunt for Premier honours.

Lyme missed the unavailable centreforward Joe Bond. Rowe worked hard up front against an experienced centre half but had little support and only looked dangerous when he was moved out to the left. Nathan Womersley came on as substitute late in the game and his busy workrate made Lyme look more dangerous.

Lyme are clearly lacking the influence of experienced central defender Gary Knight, who is suffering from a possible blood clot, his organisational skills being woefully missed. The majority of goals scored against Lyme so far this season have come from headers which puts their ability to defend set pieces under scrutiny.

The Seasiders stay on top of the Premier table with 15 points from seven games with Bampton and Feniton in hot pursuit on 12 points from five games and favourites Cronies in fourth place.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Lyme are at home to Sidmouth Reserves and will be looking to do the double over The Vikings (kick-off 3pm), having beaten a strong side 2-1 under lights earlier this season.

Uplyme young guns pull off brilliant win WITH only 11 players, a stand-in goalkeeper and a number of 16 and 17year-olds in the side, Uplyme pulled off the shock result in the Perry Street League on Saturday when they beat one of Division One’s toughest sides, Forton Rangers, 4-3.

Leading 3-2 at the break, with goals from Dan Guggins, Oscar Sladen and Alex Penningtpon, Uplyme defended like trojans in the second half and snatched the winner after the home side had equalised fthrough Huggins.

Manager Stu Woosterv was full 0f praise for his youngsters, naming Toby Barnes as his man-of-the match from a number of candidates.

Full report on page 23

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