LymeOnline September 7 2018

Lyme Folk Weekend deemed ‘the best yet’

SEE FOLK FESTIVAL PHOTO SPREAD ON PAGE 15

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A NEW detachment of the Army Cadet Force is to be formed in Lyme Regis following the controversial demise of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at the Woodroffe School.

A public meeting, chaired by Councillor Cheryl Reynolds, was held last week, where MP Oliver Letwin, mayor Michaela Ellis, district and county councillor Daryl Turner and County Commandant Colonel Richard Taylor gave their support.

REPORT, PAGE 3

Record year for Lyme Splash swim event

THE third Lyme Splash Lyme Regis to Charmouth Sea Swim Challenge was a resounding success, with a record 168 swimmers completing the 3.15k course on Sunday.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis started each of the six groups of competitors as local boats and kayaks provided safety support for the swimmers.

The event raised funds for B Sharp, Two Minute Beach Clean, Plastic Free Lyme Regis and Water Aid. REPORT, PAGE 11

KEEN photographers delighted as tall ship ‘Tenacious’ moored just off Lyme Regis for two days last week. The three masted Barque was built for the British Jubilee Sailing Trust in 2000 for sail-training. She stopped in Lyme Regis during a voyage from Dartmouth to Portsmouth Photo by Richard Austin

A waste of money?

COUNCIL TO SPEND £330K ON NEW SEAFRONT AMENITIES AREA

Councillor Derek Hallett said plans for the flat roof area above SWIM, Lyme Regis Antiques & Craft Centre and the Amusement Arcade on Marine Parade were

FRANCESCA EVANS

francesca@lyme-online.co.uk

“miles over the top”.

The area urgently needs to be reroofed as it is currently leaking water into the businesses below – all of which are tenants of the town council – with work estimated to cost between £150,000 and 180,000.

But councillors are now plan-

AGE 11

Support for new Army Cadet Force

Setting sail in the bay

A LYME Regis councillor told fellow members to “stop wasting ratepayers’ money”, as they discussed a major project which could cost a total of £330,000.

COLYTON BUTCHERS W IN AWARDS FO S BEST BANGE R RS P

ning to spend £200,000 on the project, with hopes of securing a further £130,000 from the Dorset LEADER Programme, to create an amenities area on the currently under-used site.

The project will create a new, allweather, accessible venue, which could accommodate 2,500 people for year-round events, festivals and activities.

In its initial application to the Dorset LEADER Programme, the

council said it would benefit all ages, interests and abilities, and would be available for use by residents and visitors alike.

The application added: “It will support the local and rural economy by helping to extend the tourism offer and season, provide opportunities for employment, business activity and regular performance use of a fabulous, natuCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Cricket club facing crucial team decision

UPLYME and Lyme Regis Cricket Club completed a troubled season last Saturday with a victory - only their third - at home to Countess Wear.

Both Uplyme teams finished bottom of their tables and now the club faces a big decision on whether or not they should drop to just one league team next season.

REPORT, PAGE 23

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Published by Lyme Regis Media Limited Hyper-local website and fortnightly newspaper serving the communities of Lyme Regis, Uplyme & Charmouth.

Unit 5 Uplyme Business Park, Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3LS www.lyme-online.co.uk edit@lyme-online.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/LymeOnlineUK Twitter: twitter.com/LymeOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/lymeonline Editor: Francesca Evans francesca@lyme-online.co.uk 07810 221 420 Contributors: Philip Evans philip@lyme-online.co.uk Richard Austin edit@lyme-online.co.uk Production: Jackie Evans jackie@lyme-online.co.uk Regular Columnists: Sophia Moseley, Marine Theatre Mark Vandeweyer, Citizens Advice Peter Lacey, Tales of Lyme’s Past

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Grant funding would help create enhanced space for community CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE ral, seafront amphitheatre.

“In addition, it will promote health and wellbeing through opportunities for outdoor leisure, recreation, relaxation and exercise. It will also increase appreciation of the natural environment of the Jurassic Coast and landmark features such as the Cobb and Golden Cap from an accessible viewing area with new interpretation material…

“It will support local traders by offering a bookable trading outlet and compliment other local year-round facilities such as the Marine Parade shelters.”

At this week’s Strategy & Finance Committee meeting, councillors were asked to approve a budget of up to £200,000 from the council’s reserves – which stood at £1.5million at the end of March - and to submit a full application to the Dorset LEADER Programme by December 6 with John Stark Crickmay Partnership carrying out the initial design before going out to tender.

Councillor Hallett said: “I think this is miles over the top and we’re talking about ratepayers’ money here. We have got a bit in reserves but we should wait for a disaster before we spend that.

“We have got a roof that leaks; the obvious answer is to repair it to make sure it doesn’t leak, and make it safe for people to walk on.

That’s all that needs doing. Now we’re looking at something like £330,000, that’s ludicrous!

“All we’ve got is a roof that leaks that needs repairing and people can walk on it, no more than that. You cannot go on wasting ratepayers’ money like you are, you just keep wasting ratepayers’ money.”

Councillor Brian Larcombe also expressed concerns about some of the estimated costs, including professional fees of £40,000, and suggested money could be saved on some design features, such as engraved glass balustrades being replaced with plain glass.

“I’m absolutely behind the need to replace the roof, my concern is we don’t make this into something more expensive than it needs to be,” he added.

Town clerk John Wright said this was “not an insignificant project” and the roof had to be replaced as it had been there for 50 years.

“Gone are the days when we can do temporary repairs,” he said.

The Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis, agreed, adding: “The roof needs doing, we have tenants below that and if we keep patching it’s going to end up costing us this amount in the long run.

“If we can get some kind of grant funding to add to what we’ve got that will enhance things for our residents and visitors, we should be trying to do it.”

Councillor Stan Williams was also concerned about the costs and suggested the council look around more when choosing who should carry out the work.

He commented: “It’s quite frightening what we pay outside people to do jobs for this council. We’re spending a fortune on high-paid officers who really are just looking out for themselves and making sure they take home lots of money.”

He added that £40,000 for professional fees was “surely a joke”.

Councillor Hallett also suggested that cheaper quotes could be found, using the recently-erected deer fencing at the Charmouth

Road allotments as an example; it was originally expected to cost £25,000 and ended up costing £2,500.

“Perhaps we ought to have a couple of senior, sensible councillors look into it a bit deeper and find any reasonable estimates,” he added.

Councillor Owen Lovell commented: “The only reason it’s £330,000 now is because Lyme Regis Town Council has perpetually put it off.

It could have been done for £150,000 the last time it was seriously looked at. The cost is down to the council’s prevarication.”

Councillor Cheryl Reynolds added: “It was a problem and we left it last time when it would have cost £150,000. If we leave it again how much more is it going to cost in the future? We need to deal with this now.”

Councillor John Broom said the figures were just estimates and “not set in stone”.

“Let’s get on with it, please,” he added.

Councillor Sean Larcombe also agreed, saying “the time to mend and make-do is over, it’s now time to renew and put some new stuff there”.

It was agreed to allocate a budget of up to £200,000 out of the town council’s reserves for the project, and to submit a full grant application to the Dorset LEADER Programme by December 6, with hopes of work beginning in February.

In the meantime, patch repairs are being carried out to the roof to ensure businesses underneath are protected during the winter season.

A WASTE OF MONEY OR A GREAT IDEA?

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Positive response to plans to form new cadet detachment A NEW detachment of the Army Cadet Force is to be formed in Lyme Regis following the controversial demise of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at the Woodroffe School.

The CCF at the school included detachments for the Army, Navy and Air Force but the organisation was disbanded because they did not have enough

volunteers to run it, much to the annoyance of parents who staged protests in a bid to get the school to keep the CCF going.

A public meeting, chaired by Councillor Cheryl Reynolds at the Guildhall last Friday, and attended by MP Sir Oliver Letwin, was told there was no point trying to persuade the school to

PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk change its mind.

Mr Letwin gave his full backing to efforts to set up a new detachment in the town.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, whose daughter Kelsey was a member of the CCF, is also supporting the initiative.

District and county councillor Daryl Turner, who served in the Army, was also present and supportive.

The meeting was attended by Colonel Richard Taylor, the County Commandant, who pledged to keep the Army Cadet Force alive in Lyme Regis.

Slow progress on bowling club lease A TOWN councillor has expressed concerns over slow progress in negotiating a new lease for Lyme Regis Bowls Club’s parking area at Monmouth Beach.

Controversial discussions regarding the lease have been ongoing for some time, with bowls club members previously saying they would be forced to close down the facility by 2021 if the town council did not lower its initial “outrageous” proposal of charging £24,000 for the car parking

area, more than three times the amount currently paid.

Town councillors Brian Larcombe and Graham Turner were nominated to hold private negotiations with bowls club members, but Councillor Owen Lovell complained this week that members had not received a report on their meetings.

“This has run and run and run. We are not where we should be,” he commented.

See full story at www.lyme-online.co.uk

It was expected that about 60 members of the CCF at the Woodroffe School would be interested in joining a new detachment and if that was the case five volunteers would be required to run the group who would have to go through full training over the next eight months.

It is hoped that The Hub will be able to accommodate the detachment two evenings a week, on a Monday and Thursday, as well as provide office accommodation.

After the meeting, Councillor Reynolds issued the following statement: “I think the meeting I arranged with the help of Sir Oliver Letwin and Colonel Taylor from the Army Cadet Force was a very positive.

“Everyone who attended was supportive and enthusiastic and I am very grateful to them all.

“We are looking at a local venue for the headquarters which I also think will be a practical place and for what the building was intended.

“We now need volunteers to come forward to train to run this Army Cadet Force. The training is six weekends over eight months and maybe less for anyone with Forces’ experience. Please do contact me for further information.

“We are so lucky in Lyme to have so many people that are willing to give up their time to good causes and I think this will give so much confidence to our young people and help tremendously with their development.”

Pilot Boat plans programme of events for winter LYME’S new trendy pub and restaurant, the Pilot Boat, is launching weekly quiz nights, starting from Thursday, September 27, to run throughout the winter months.

The quiz will be for teams of two and more with free entry and a £100 jackpot prize every week.

There will also be a cash prize for the winning team and a booby prize for the team that comes bottom on the night.

The Pilot is also looking for a quiz master to take ownership of the initiative and other volunteers who would like to help with compiling the quizzes, etc. Anyone interested should pop into the Pilot Boat to discuss their possible involvement.

The Palmers-owned pub and restaurant, with a 95-seater air conditioned restaurant, bar and terrace, opened its doors after a £1 million-plus refurbishment in June and has proved extremely popular, especially with visitors. The pub also has three well-appointed letting rooms.

With the season drawing to a close, the Pilot is introducing a full programme of promotions and live music nights.

Popular singers Grace Gillan and Jake Miller and Adam Sweet will appear on alternate Wednesday evenings, 8.30pm to 10.30pm, with two cocktails for £10 between 8pm and 10pm.

The quiz nights with the £100 jackpot prize will take place on Thursdays and there will also be

Man injured after falling from scaffolding into river

Photo by Richard Austin

live music on ‘Fizzy Fridays’ (9pm to 11.30pm) when a bottles of prosecco will be on offer for £15 between 5pm and 7pm.

Sunday evenings have been designated as ‘Cheesy Sunday’ with a bottle of wine and cheese platter available for £25 between 7pm and 10pm.

Other events throughout the winter are being planned, the details of which will be announced in LymeOnline in future additions.

If anyone has any ideas for events, they are welcome to call into the Pilot Boat to discuss with licensee Robin Collyns, who runs with pub with his wife Angela and son Ben.

EMERGENCY services were called to Lyme Regis town centre after a man fell from scaffolding into the River Lim on Wednesday, August 29.

The man was said to have fallen from scaffolding erected for work to be carried out at Buddle Bridge, near the traffic lights on Bridge Street, and suffered a suspected broken ankle.

Devon Air Ambulance was called to the scene and landed on Cobb Gate beach, as well as two road ambulances, police, coastguards and two fire engines.

Originally thought to be a man working on repairs to the bridge, Dorset County Council has since reported that the work had been completed and the scaffolding - due to be taken down that day - had been tampered with.

A statement from the council said: “Dorset County Council has been repairing the medieval Buddle Bridge in Lyme Regis since June 11. The work has been completed and following an inspection from English Heritage, the scaffolding was due to be dismantled on Wednesday [August 29].

“The access hatch to the scaffolding had been secured with thick rope and two planks which appears to have been removed by an individual to gain entry to the scaffolding without permission.”

Councillor Daryl Turner, the council’s Cabinet member for the natural and built environment, added: “We take the health and safety of our employees and the public very seriously. Construction sites can be dangerous places and security measures are put in place to prevent incidents.”

Friday, September 7 2018 3

Pressing for good health and social care CHANGES are looming early next year in the way primary health care and community health services are provided locally.

LymeForward's Health & Wellbeing Group is seeing what residents can do together to influence the service providers as soon as they are known from Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Data and shared experiences are important to support local suggestions. So one way everyone can help greatly is by sparing about 10 minutes to complete an online survey of previous and present experiences with our health and care services.

The survey can be found online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LymeForward/ and the deadline for completion is September 30.

Chris Boothroyd, chairman of the Health & Wellbeing Group, said: “The survey is important for two reasons. First, it will provide useful facts. Second, it's what the CCG and providers would be expecting of anybody trying to influence their ideas: ‘But do you have any data to back up what you're saying?’ is what they will ask, so it's better to reply ‘Yes, we do’ instead of ‘No, but we'll try to collect some if you like’.

“Please do help. This isn't one of those consultations from the authorities, but our own local survey to help strengthen residents' own influence on the authorities.| Any residents who would like to discuss issues more thoroughly with a member of the Health & Wellbeing Group is invited to email Chris on chris@caboothroyd.net.

The group will be organising a public open meeting later in the autumn, and is happy to visit any existing Lyme Regis, Charmouth or Uplyme groups that would like to know more.

This survey is being hosted on a goodwill basis by a professional market research company, 'Closer to Customers', based in the area. They have been managing an almost-identical survey in the Axminster area, so results from the two together should be doubly valuable given the number of shared cross-border health and care issues.

No data that can identify individual respondents will be kept after the survey is complete.

Police helicopter called to Lyme twice in 24 hours A POLICE helicopter was called to Lyme Regis two nights in a row this week for separate incidents.

The NPAS Bournemouth helicopter was first called to Lyme Regis at 4.30am on Tuesday, September 4 to help search for a suspect in a “domestic related incident”. No arrests were made.

The helicopter returned again that night, at about 10pm, following a car crash in Clappentail Lane.

Police reported that the driver abandoned a silver Astra estate after hitting a wall and fled the scene.

At a similar time, an air ambulance also landed in the Anning Road playing field for a separate incident, in which an elderly man suffered a heart attack.

LOOK OUR FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE ON SEPTEMBER 21

Until then you can catch up with all the latest at www.lyme-online.co.uk

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

Former Uplyme resident sailing around the world Fairfield raises record total for RNLI A YOUNG woman from Uplyme and her Australian partner have set off on the adventure of a lifetime, sailing around the world from Croatia back to their home in Australia. Xanthe Hayes-Yapp, who lived in Uplyme with her parents while studying at Exeter University, and her partner Jackson Cranfield, recently spent all their savings on sailing boat ‘Finding Avalon’ in Croatia and are now “taking the long route home” to Sydney.

Have your say on county’s waste plan A NEW Waste Plan, which includes sites for future waste and recycling facilities, is nearing completion and the county council is now asking for residents' views. The plan has been worked on by Dorset County Council and covers Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. It considers what kind of waste is being produced in Dorset, how it is currently being managed and how this might change.

STAFF from a Lyme Regis care home broke their fundraising record at local agricultural show.

The team from Fairfield House in Lyme Regis raised a record amount of money this year, as part of their annual fundraising campaign at the Melplash Show, recently held in Bridport.

April Robinson, receptionist at Fairfield House,

has been raising money for charities every year, contacting local business for their support with a big tombola and raffle. This year’s chosen charity was the RNLI. A cheque for £1,150 was recently presented to lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks and crew member Seb Cope.

Prints go on display at museum Search for ‘missing swimmer’ LYME Regis Museum is thrilled to be opening a new exhibition showcasing the work of Uplyme artist Michael Blooman. ‘Fossil Foreshore Triptych’ consists of three large linocut limited edition prints produced on an Albion Press dating from about 1850, and will be open from September 8 to October 31.

LYME Regis lifeboat and coastguard teams were launched on Saturday, August 25 to a report of a missing swimmer near Burton Bradstock. A man and woman had set off from Freshwater and were swimming to Burton Bradstock but the woman did not arrive. She was later found safe by coastguards.

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Raising questions about hearing loss FORMER Bellowhead musician Pete Flood will present a concert with a difference at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on September 21. Having created a five-piece band with Platform 4 theatre company, they will present ‘Invisible Music’, inspired by a series of interviews with members of Winchester’s lip reading group with the aim of asking questions about hearing loss.

Friday, September 7 2018 5

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Young organists to star in concert programme THE annual series of autumn concerts at St Michael’s Parish Church in Lyme Regis will start on Sunday, September 16. The focus this year is on young organists, some of whom have developed their talents through the Diocese of Salisbury’s PipeUp scheme. Four of the performers are still in their teens and experienced musicians will also feature on the programme. All concerts will start at 3pm and entry is free with a retiring collection.

Artists open joint ‘Edge’ exhibition at Town Mill FOUR artists have teamed up to display their various skills inspired by landscapes and seascapes. Martin Collins, Celia Goodman, Jasper Jacobs and Kathy Collins opened their exhibition ‘Edge’ at the Town Mill’s Courtyard Gallery in Lyme Regis last Friday evening.

The exhibition is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily until September 12. Entrance is free.

Legion members Funding available for return from Belgium community projects DORSET County Council has re-opened its Community Innovation fund to back inventive community projects that can help improve local people’s lives. There is a total of £75,000 available for community organisations that can show how their project would help achieve the outcomes for local people.

TWO members of the Royal British Legion have returned to Lyme Regis, having been among 2,200 to lay wreaths in Ypres, Belgium, to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. Standard bearer Jon Hunt and wreath layer Daniel Buckley joined thousands of Armed Forces veterans and supporters from across the world in a pilgrimage of remembrance to some of WW1’s most poignant sites, which they described as an honour they’d never forget.

Reality TV meets the Bard for screening THE only way is Windsor in a new production of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, which will be broadcast to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on September 12 live from Stratford.

Tickets cost £11 in advance or £13.50 on the door with a 10 per cent discount for Theatre Friends. See full details on the website www.marinetheatre.c om

THEY say September brings new starts and that’s definitely the case for me, as I’ve just moved into my own flat.

While I’ve been pre-occupied with the big move for the last few weeks of summer, it was officially ‘back to school’ on Wednesday, not just for Lyme’s youngsters but for the town council, which returned to the Guildhall for the first meeting following the summer break.

It was only a quick meeting to cover, but I still felt I had drawn the short straw as Dad bragged that he was off to cover pie tasting at The Volunteer for the popular pub’s menu re-launch (see the next edition of LymeOnline on September 21).

Never mind, there will be plenty of fine fayre on offer this weekend, as top chef and restaurateur Mark Hix hosts his sixth Food Rocks festival - the last major event before we bid a final farewell to a record-breaking summer.

Food Rocks is one of the few events that makes the most of the flat roof space above SWIM, the Antiques & Craft Centre and Amusement Arcade on Marine Parade, which could undergo a £330,000 refurbishment in the New Year, if the town council manages to secure grant funding.

As reported on our front page, some councillors have their reservations about spending this kind of money on the project. It does seem a bit steep, but I’d welcome the new amenities area, which will provide an all-weather, accessible venue, accommodating up to 2,500 people for year-round events, festivals and activities.

I’ve always thought the underused and unattractive, gritted roof looks out of place at the bottom of Lyme’s pretty seafront gardens, especially since the nearby Marine Parade shelters were given a facelift a few years ago - so why not finish the whole job, especially if grant funding is forthcoming?

As well as covering this weekend’s events at Food Rocks (and of course trying as many dishes as possible!) we’ll be running our own LymeOnline stand, handing out free newspapers - including our recent four-page feature on Mark Hix’s 10th anniversary in Lyme Regis - and our popular Lyme Life magazines.

We love to meet our readers, so please come along and say hello!

Francesca Evans, Editor

N E W LO O K

LYM E R E G I S

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To book the Woodmead Halls telephone Michaela Ellis on 07856 630975 Follow us on Twitter @WoodmeadHalls and Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodmeadhalls

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

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Right decision over Candles W

ITH just four hours to go before it was time to light the candles and kick-start one of Lyme’s most impressive attractions, it was lashing down with rain.

the first time, some having travelled many miles.

Having organised a number of big events in Lyme over the years, I’ve always been a believer in going to the wire when it comes to dealing with inclement weather.

I remember only too well when I was secretary of the regatta and carnival. For the first four years it rained almost constantly through the week of events and I started to think I was jinxed. And so did some of the other committee members!

But for the next six years we had glorious weather and we built it into one of the biggest events of its kind on the south coast.

Another man used to taking whatever weather comes his way is the current regatta secretary Alan Vian, who has done the job for 15 years and has endured many soakings.

And whilst talking about Alan, the voice of Lyme, I thought his commentary for Candles On The Cobb was spot on. Having compered all the other Candles On The Cobb events, I know how difficult a job it is. The words he carefully chose just before the period of silence, which the crowd respected, were brilliantly scripted.

Well done to all the members of Rotary and their helpers for having the guts to take it on and for sticking to the old adage - “the show must go on”.

BELATED congratulations to one of Lyme’s most popular landladies. Margaret Vincent, wife of Jack Vincent, who ran the Pilot Boat, one of the town’s most frequented hostelries (at least by me) for many years, recently celebrated her 90th year.

When I was growing up Lyme had 11 pubs and we all had our favourites. Mine was definitely the Pilot Boat where in his early days in Lyme Jack also ran a garage at the back, converted to the Inn Plaice function suite when Bill and Caroline Wiscombe took over the pub.

Margaret was the epitome of the glamorous pub landlady. Most nights she would make an entrance - and I mean an entrance - in the lounge bar (back bar to us locals), at around 9pm, immaculate make-up and dressed to the nines.

This was in the days of the pub lock-in and Jack would ensure that non-locals emptied their glasses by 11.10pm and all the locals were ushered into the back bar where the real fun would begin. Nobody expected to leave before 2am and I can remember on one occasion leaving the Pilot with another regular, John Lloyd, at five in the morning!

Although Jack detested juke boxes, Margaret loved to dance and would take a twirl with all us regulars.

Jack and Margaret were big supporters of the regatta and carnival during my years as secretary and always put great effort into the fancy dress nights that were staged in all the pubs. Invariably they won the cup for the best decorated bar.

There were two other permanent fixtures at the Pilot pot man F-F-Fred and Jack and Margaret’s much loved dog Azul.

Things occasionally got out of hand, especially if Axminster farmer Martin Bright was in town. He would invariably strip down to his underpants and run from the Pilot Boat to Cobb Gate and back just for the hell of it, his modesty often protected by two dinner plates, back and font.

Jack and Margaret would often take a winter break to Majorca and I joined them on a couple of occasions. On one late night in Palma I can remember we all winced when Margaret grabbed an armed policeman in the street and started dancing with him.

Happy days, Margaret.

There were few who thought it would be possible to stage the hugely popular and emotional Candles On The Cobb event.

The brainchild of innovative fundraisers Phil Street and Mike Higgs, the staging of this impressive spectacle was revived and taken over by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis with 50 per cent of proceeds going to the Royal British Legion’s poppy fund, as this year sees the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The weather forecast was awful but the forecasters did say the rain would stop and the clouds would lift early evening. And for once they were right.

Rotary organisers were under pressure as the day progressed to call the event off and to restage at a later date. But they steadfastly refused to do so - and that was the right decision.

It was not possible to position the candles on the high wall because the sea was still washing over the Cobb as the task of lighting 5,000 candles began.

But it was still a hugely impressive showing especially for the many who were seeing it for

Silent Soldier stands guard at Poppy flower bed PLANS are well in hand to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in Lyme Regis with the high point being a visit to the town on September 22 by The Rifles regiment, the successor to the Devon & Dorsets.

Lyme Regis was the first town in Dorset to grant the Freedom of the Borough to the old Dorset regiment towards the end of the last war in 1944 and The Rifles will exercise their right to march through the town with fixed bayonets.

The Rifles will take part in a ceremony to rededicate the war memorial in George’s Square, which has been updated with names of those with local connections who gave their lives in the two world wars which were left off the original memorial.

Lyme Regis Town Council has met the bill for this work to be carried out and the Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis, will host a reception

for the regiment and civic guests at the Woodmead Halls afterwards.

Research to ensure all those from Lyme who made the supreme sacrifice are included on the war memorial has been carried out by Royal British Legion members Vernon Rattenbury and David Humphrey, who both served in the Royal Navy.

The new-look memorial will be unveiled by Sandra Jones, the daughter of Flying Officer Hay, whose name was ommitted from the original.

Other events are also being organised by a special committee set up by the town council who have also purchased a number of Silent Soldiers showing a silhouette of a serviceman, head bowed, for various positions around the town.

One of these is in Langmoor Gardens where the soldier is appropriately standing guard over the poppy flower bed (see above).

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HERE has still been no public announcement on whether Lyme Regis Town Council will be taking over some of the amenities currently run by the soon-to-be defunct district council.

Come May of next year local government in Dorset will be going through the biggest change since 1974 when borough councils were abolished in favour of district authorities.

It is generally accepted that Lyme came out of that reorganisation much better than neighbouring authorities, thanks in no small measure to the town clerk of the time, Harry Williams, who sacrificed his local government career to fight tooth and nail for Lyme to keep its seafront undertakings and some car parking. So

will Lyme benefit again when West Dorset District Council disappears, along with Dorset County Council, to be formed into one unitary authority, to be known just as Dorset Council? How long did they take to come to that decision?

Negotiations between Lyme and West Dorset have been going on for months over what assets Lyme may end up with when WDDC is no more and what will be retained by the new Dorset Council.

One job the district council has made a complete horlicks of has been the running of the public toilets in the town, once described by a visitor in the View from Lyme Regis newspaper as “the dirtiest in Europe”.

The town council wrestled the seafront toilets away from the district council and have since refurbished them as a unisex facility, which seems to be working well.

It was thought that Lyme might get the other toilets in town but that has not been confirmed as discussions continue. It would seem that the only other asset the town is most likely to get is the Tourist Information Centre, which makes total sense to me.

And that brings me to another matter. I have spent more time in and around the seafront this summer and it appalls me that the Jubilee Pavilion information service has been abandoned.

Many will recall that the fitting out of the pavilion was organised

by Chris Boothroyd who almost single-handedly raised £200,000 to make it fit for purpose. Then he organised a group of volunteers to man the facility throughout the summer months until he was treated so appallingly by the previous council that he and most of the volunteers, me included, withdrew our services.

We can’t blame the current council for this. It was their predecessors. A new town council will be elected in May and they can put this shocking waste of public money to rights.

One way this could be achieved is by making the shelters information point an outreach of the TIC, especially during the summer months, or move it to the seafront completely.

Friday, September 7 2018 7

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Lyme battles Bridport in annual gig regatta

LYME Regis gig teams compete in their annual regatta, which they narrowly won by one point over neighbouring rivals Bridport

IN our regular series commemorating the 100th anniversaries of the deaths of all men from Lyme Regis and the surrounding area who died in the First World War, this week we remember Arthur Pidgeon and William John Sansom. With thanks to Vernon Rattenbury from the Royal British Legion for the research.

ARTHUR PIDGEON

Corporal, 15th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment, Service No. 47482 Born in 1884 in Charmouth and died September 18 1918 in France Arthur Pidgeon enlisted Aberavon, Wales where he was living at the time. His battalion landed at Le Havre on December 5 1915, having sailed from Folkestone the same day.

They took part in the following actions: Battle of Albert, July 1 to 13 1916; Battle of Pilkem, July 31 to August 2 1917; Battle of Langermarck, August 16 to 18 1917; Third Battle of Albert, August 21 to 23 1918; Second Battle of Bapaume, August 31 to September 3 1918; Battle of Havrincourt, September 12 1918; and Battle of Epehy, September 18 1918.

Arthur was killed in action at the Battle of Epehy. Son of George and Georgina Pidgeon of Charmouth, and husband of Mary E. Pidgeon, of 1 Pump Street, Holyhead, Anglesey, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France, panel 7, and also on the Charmouth war memorial.

THE August Bank Holiday Saturday saw Lyme Regis Gig Club host its annual rowing regatta with 10 clubs from along the coast competing for the honours.

Luckily, as the weather cleared, the Saturday turned out to be sunny with a light wind from the north west, which strengthened as the day progressed and the tide was high in the morning, low over lunchtime and high again in the evening.

Lyme Regis Gig Club’s regatta is considered one of the best on the gig rowing circuit. The Cobb makes a fantastic base for the event with crews able to change on the pontoon and in Victoria Pool, and the sea wall makes an ideal grandstand from which to watch competitors on the 1.4 mile-course.

The day included 13 races for juniors, ladies, men and finally a mixed race, with each winning team receiving a prize and a trophy for the regatta’s most successful club.

Lyme Regis’ three wooden gigs ‘Rebel’, ‘Black Ven’ and ‘Tempest’ fought it out with visiting gig clubs including Barnstaple in ‘Lady Freda’, Weymouth in ‘Isolda’, Bristol in ‘Isambard’, Poole in ‘Isabella’, Appledore in ‘Verbina’, Exmouth in ‘Shelly Maid’, Portland in ‘Pulpit Rock’, Langston Cutters in ‘Star of Orthney’ Swanage in ‘Winspit’ and Lyme’s local rivals, Bridport, in their new gig ‘Brydian’.

The racing started with the Ladies Vets, for crews over 40 years of age, which was won by Bridport with Lyme coming fifth. This was followed by the Men’s Vets won by Lyme with Bridport coming second.

The junior races started with the U14s, in which Lyme Regis came first and second. The

U16s race was next and Lyme Regis again won the race.

The town’s juniors are amongst the best in the 80 clubs in the Cornish Pilot Gig Association with the U14s coming third in the Cornish Championships earlier in the summer.

Next up were the ladies races with the A Race being won by Bridport’s superb crew, and Lyme coming third. The B Race was taken

by Bridport with Lyme coming fourth and the C Race was very narrowly won again by Bridport, with Lyme coming a close second.

After lunch the men’s races kicked off with Lyme Regis winning the C Race and Bridport fourth. In the Men’s B, Lyme again won with Bridport fifth and the home team took the A Race too with Bridport third.

All hung in the balance between Lyme Regis and neighbouring Bridport as the Super Vets for over 50s took to the water. Again Bridport’s strong ladies team came first with Lyme fifth. In the men's Super Vets, Lyme came second and fourth, beating Bridport into fifth.

Finally, the day ended with a mixed race with crews of three ladies and three men in each. The race was won by Bridport and Lyme coming third, which was enough by one point for the home team to win the day.

The rowing regatta was originally intended to be held earlier in August as part of Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week but had to be rescheduled due to poor weather.

However, the Bank Holiday made for a great day made possible by the hard work of the club’s members and the support of the community at the Cobb, Lyme Regis Sailing Club and Lyme Regis harbourmaster and his team.

Lyme Regis Gig Club is a charity that gives local people the opportunity to participate in the healthy sport of sea rowing, to keep fit, have fun and compete in the South West’s fastest growing sport.

Visit the website www.lymeregisgigclub.com for further information.

Lyme Regis Branch WE WILL REMEMBER THEM WILLIAM JOHN SANSOM

Private, 9th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Service No. 25662 Born September 1881 in Combpyne, Devon, and died September 19 1918 in Macedonia William Sansom was a carter at Charton Farm and enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment at Axminster on December 12 1915.

Transferring to the 9th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, he went overseas with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, sailing from Southampton on November 3 1916 via Marseilles and disembarking in Salonika on November 12 1916.

Whilst in Salonika he contracted malaria and was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station there on September 28 1917. After recovering, he went back to his battalion in the field.

He was first reported as wounded in action on September 9 1918 and then missing on September 19. His body was found on October 23 1918 by members of the Shropshire Light Infantry.

The son of the late John Sansom and Elizabeth Sansom, later Mrs E. Hill of School Lane, Rousdon, William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece, and on the Rousdon and Axmouth war memorials.

Don’t miss our forthcoming events:

Friday September 21st Join us for a

Soup and Sweet Lunch

at the Woodmead Halls 12 noon to 2pm - All welcome Friday October 26th Coffee Morning and Cake Stall Baptist Church Hall, Silver Street 10am-12 noon

Saturday November 3rd Bonfire Curry Night

Lister Room on Marine ParadeWatch the fireworks while enjoying a delicious curry Phone 07796 951991 to book

Friday November 30th Christmas Bingo at the Woodmead Halls, eyes down 8pm - all welcome

thecharmouthpage

8 Friday, September 7 2018

Thieves target store three times in a day STAFF at Charmouth Stores reported continuous incidents of theft from the convenience shop on Sunday, August 26.

In a post on social media, Maria Tritton, manager of the family-run store, said they were “completely devastated” after having “so much stuff stolen from us”.

She said the village centre shop had been targeted by a group of people three times during the day, who had “helped themselves to whatever they wanted”, including cases of beer and food.

Mrs Tritton said the group worked together and distracted staff at the till while others stole items, and they had also tried to pay with a fake £20 note.

Police have asked shopkeepers in the Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Bridport areas to be vigilant, as there have been several incidents of counterfeit notes being used in recent weeks.

After posting about the incident on social media, Charmouth Stores received an outpouring of support from the local community with some even offering to camp outside the shop to prevent the thieves returning again, as staff were “scared”.

Mrs Tritton later reported receiving threats after the group were confronted when they tried to return to the shop again. The incidents were reported to the police.

www.lyme-online.co.uk

A return to the land and nature A

S I turn into the drive I always slow my vehicle to an unnecessarily cautious speed, not just the let the rabbits and squirrels scatter but simply to drink it all in.

By the time I have driven reluctantly past the nature reserve, the first meadow, the lily pond and the newly-seeded wildflower verges, I am in another world entirely. The lorries and life and hustle are far further behind me than the 300 yards I have travelled to escape them.

The grazing meadows on Hogchester have been in low input, low intensity for many years now. But what man has abandoned, nature has taken up with full zeal. The margins now deeply encroach with thickets of bramble, bracken and gorse leading the way. The wildlife ponds have an exquisite aged beauty – an ‘Enid Blyton’ feel – as one guest put it. Deprived of fish they are replete with dragonfly, damsel and many a winged wonder, the names of which, as yet, I know not.

These prehistoric creatures imbue a timelessness completely in keeping with our local Jurassic heritage.

Yes, it feels quite extraordinary to have ‘landed’ at Hogchester, I want to say ‘crash landed’ as moving a

Hogchester is either a very large smallholding or a very small farm but 75 acres of rough grazing is, sadly, not an economically functional farm in these times.

It is nestled on the north side of a small valley overlooking Charmouth, bordering The Tunnel and sandwiched between the A35 and Westover Hill. It is so secluded that many local people do not even know it is there. The A35 can be clearly heard as a distant hum but, surprisingly, this does not seem to penetrate the tangible peacefulness that cloaks Hogchester. family with kids into two schools and taking up a farm has felt like complete chaos these first two years – mostly due to my complete lack of experience on the land.

I guess this is also the moment to say thank you to everybody who has welcomed us into the community and especially all the Johns (Calder, White, Snook) and to Brian Lugg, who has kindly returned my escapee sheep to me on more than one occasion. The welcome has been warm and we are very grateful for that.

I imagine that in an article like this one would expect the writer to lay out a project in full swing with aims and ambitions in full flight but we are taking this slowly. There are plans afoot but we are anchoring them in the land and in the idea of giving Hogchester more completely over to nature. We are looking to see what will emerge and unfold over time and nature never seems to be

in a hurry. That is the foundation of all that could happen here – an authentic conservation project with nature and its preservation at the heart of it.

In keeping with that aim we have already worked closely with Nick Gray of Dorset Wildlife Trust to reseed ten acres of wildflower meadows with seed kindly donated by the National Trust’s Stonebarrow site and seed from the beautiful SSSI meadows at Thorn Farm.

On top of that layer we hope to find uses within Hogchester for people that will be edifying and uplifting. Those people currently include our holiday cottage guests and visiting contemporary artists responding to the land during short residencies. That is Chantal’s initiative as part of her contemporary art practice. The old dairy barn in now an art studio!

There is one plan for Hogchester

that is not only of local interest but will require extensive local involvement to be in any way successful.

We are interested in supporting local growers on a six acre field by Charmouth Cemetery to grow organic vegetables for local consumption. We could also, perhaps, host a community orchard on the same site if there was interest in returning to the land. Small-scale market gardens teeter on the edge of commercial viability so every running it as a not-for-profit venture will require a small army of local volunteers!

We are planning to model this on the community-supported agricultural approach (CSA) which is good for people and the environment.

This has the flexibility to produce anything that we might want to do together, including vegetables, chickens and meat. It could end up as a kind of community smallholding. We would be pleased to hear from anybody who would be interested in co-creating our own local food story in Charmouth and who would welcome a return to the land and to nature.

Rob Powell (courtesy of Shoreline Magazine)

SHOP LOCAL: SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE SHOPS AND BUSINESSES

Lyme Bay Ear Clinic A clean and safe solution ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

for ears blocked with wax

Ear Wax Microsuction Removal

Tel: 07392 793 472

For more information log onto our website: www.lymebayearclinic.co.uk or email: admin@lymebayearclinic.co.uk John Collins GN, OH, MHN, BSC Over 35 years of nursing experience

EXCESSIVE and impacted ear wax can cause pain, reduce hearing and affect balance. Many hearing-aid wearers experience 'whistling' and reduced hearing-aid function due to excessive ear wax.

Microsuction ear wax removal is a clean and safe solution. A small, thin, low-pressure suction device is used to remove the wax gently and comfortably. The process is also less messy than irrigation because no water is involved, cutting down on the risk of infection.

The treatment is offered by Lyme Bay Ear Clinic, based in Bridport and Axminster, making it convenient for clients from the surrounding towns of Honiton, Crewkerne, Chard, Seaton, Charmouth and Lyme Regis.

The clinic is run by John Collins GN, ON, MHN, BSc, who has more than 35 years of nursing experience. He has completed specialised training in ear care, ear wax removal and microsuctioning. The treatment that you will receive at the Lyme Bay Ear Clinic follows the safety measures within the Ear Wax Removal Clinic's Aural Microsuction Procedures Manual.

Lyme Bay Ear Clinic will carefully examine your ears before starting your treatment using an otoscope attached to a mobile phone that can show you a live video of the inside of your ear canal. This allows you to see the 'before' and 'after' effects of your treatment.

Clean and comfortable ear wax removal

costs £40 for one or both ears. Please allow up to 45 minutes for your first treatment, although subsequent treatments will typically be quicker.

For full details of the services available at Lyme Bay Ear Clinic or to book an appointment, visit the website www.lymebayearclinic.co.uk or call 07392 793 472.

theuplymepage

Friday, September 7 2018 9

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Croquet club holds annual competition MEMBERS of Lym Valley Croquet Club took part in an annual competition in memory of their late president, Bill Simpson, on Monday, September 4.

Mr Simpson was one of the club’s founders when it was started in 1988 by a small group of Uplyme residents. It has been taking part in a number of inter-club competitions as well as regular club games since then.

The recent competition was a lighthearted social gathering with teams combining experienced players and new members in five onehour matches played throughout the day.

The team of Ken Wilcox, Peter Briault and Marilyn Lewis won the day and were presented with the Bill Simpson Plate and partner trophies to mark their success.

At the end of the games the members enjoyed a celebratory afternoon tea provided by the chairman’s wife, Sue Cousins.

Croquet is one of the very few sports where male and female players compete on an equal basis at all levels of the game, and Lym Valley Croquet Club is pleased to have many ladies among its ranks.

Although the season ends when the clocks change, the club is always happy

to welcome new members at any time and we are sure that they will enjoy playing this interesting game amongst the friendly atmosphere of this local club.

For more details, contact Richard Cousins on 01297 444166 or visit the club’s website at lymvalleycroquet.uk

A REUNION dinner to raise funds for Uplyme & Lyme Regis Cricket Club was staged at Lyme Regis Football Club, organised by former players Martin Rowe and Philip Evans. Club member Steve Batey cooked a delicious paella and entertainment was provided by Yeovilbased comedian Jimmy Quinn. The evening raised around £1,300 for the club’s 132 Not Out fund.

SHOP LOCAL: SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE SHOPS AND BUSINESSES Saturday

Sunday

11.30am

11.30am

Michael Caines

Jesse Dunford Wood

Lympstone Manor 12.30pm

Richard Bertinet The Bertinet Kitchen 1.30pm

James Golding The Pig Hotels 2.30pm

Claudio Sarfati De Luca Mozzarella 3.30pm

Naomi Devlin

Author, fermenter, gut health expert River Cottage tutor

HIX Oyster & Fish House Hotel Alexandra Open Sesame Somerset Hog Roast Crab House Café Sally’s Fish Camp Uprising Bakehouse Cakes by Alana The Arctic Cow Street Food South West Elises Farm Red Panda The Cheese Press

Food Stands

De Luca Mozzarella The Chillees/Bumblees Tracklements Chesil Smokery Dorset Shellfish

Belazu Fussels Fine Foods Cornish Sea Salt The Pig Cheese & Somerset Membrillo

Drinks Just Gin Salcombe Gin Somerset Cider Brandy Co Conker Gin Nags Head Palmers Amid Giants & Idols

Hullabaloo Castlewood Lyme Bay Winery Furleigh Estate Dorset Nectar Dorset Orchards Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka

Suppliers

4.30pm

Flint & Flame Classic Cottages

River Cottage

Fishermen’s Mission

Steven Lamb

Parlour

Food Stalls

Vulkanas

Beefer Original Mobile Massage

Charities/Organisations

RNLI

12.30pm

Mark Hix with Ashley Wheeler Trill Farm

Oliver Rampley Altana On fishing 1.30pm

James Whetlor Cabrito Goat 2.30pm

Rose Prince

Rose Prince Cookery School 3.30pm

Mark Hix with Paul Archard Black Cow Vodka

10 Friday, September 7 2018

www.lyme-online.co.uk

Sausage & Cider Festival raises £4,700 THE second Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival has been hailed a huge success after raising £4,708 for the town’s football club.

The event was held at the Davey Fort football ground in Charmouth Road on Saturday, and attracted hundreds of revellers keen to try the selection of locally-made ciders on offer, which completely sold out, as well as a variety of sausages from the award-winning Colyton Butchers on the barbecue.

Attractions also included live music all day, including the Lyme Luggers ukulele group, young local singer Phoebe Holmes-Simeon, rock band The Reverent and headliners DeltaTango7.

Kids were kept entertained by giant inflatables and fairground rides run by Edward W Danter’s Fun Fair from Gloucester, while adults were able to try their luck to win a wheelbarrow of booze on the raffle.

Money raised will go towards the club’s ongoing ‘Project Fortify’ development scheme, with the next phase – a grandstand for supporters – expected to receive planning permission in the coming weeks. It will also help towards buying a new sit-on mower for the football pitch, as the previous one was destroyed in a recent shed fire.

Francesca Evans, one of the members of the organising committee, said: “Once again we were absolutely overwhelmed by the popularity of the festival, which has become a firm favourite in the football club’s fundraising calendar.

“Thanks to all who came along and supported the event, all of our organisers and vol-

unteers, cider sponsors, the bands and musicians, bar staff and the fair ground.

“We hope to host the Sausage & Cider Festival again next year and will be looking at how best to organise it as it becomes an even bigger and better event each year!”

LOCAL band DeltaTango7 headlined the event. Left, live music from The Reverent and, pictured top and below, crowds soak up the sunshine at the popular festival Photos by Ed Mills

Friday, September 7 2018 11

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Making a splash!

THE third Lyme Splash Lyme Regis to Charmouth Sea Swim Challenge was a resounding success, with a record 168 swimmers completing the 3.15k course on Sunday.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her consort Alan Ellis started each of the six groups of competitors as boats - co-ordinated by harbourmaster Grahame Foreshaw and his team from Lyme Regis Sailing Club, gig club, power boat club and Rob Perry Marine - provided safety support.

Local kayakers from Lyme Regis and Charmouth, including a whole family, together with some from Seaton, Chard, Axminster, Uplyme, Bridport and Weymouth were also allotted to each wave of swimmer to guide and support them in the water.

All those taking part received a medal on reaching Charmouth and warmed up with hot chocolate, provided by Dorset chocolatiers Chococo, and biscuits from Moores Biscuits.

They were then whizzed back to Lyme Regis by Lyme Rib Rides.

“Whether they lent us equipment, sponsored, provided prizes, bought raffle tickets, gave us permissions or volunteered to help on the beach or in the water, everyone pulled together as a community to make this event such a resounding success,” said Karen Durham-Diggins, chairman of Lyme Splash.

“In less than an hour after the event we were receiving thanks from swimmers and their supporters on how the enjoyed the event and how friendly, safe and helpful everyone was. We

couldn’t really ask for anymore than that!”

B Sharp, Two Minute Beach Clean, Plastic Free Lyme Regis and Water Aid were this year’s chosen charities and Lyme Splash will announce how much was raised for each organisation at a later date.

After the swim, prizes from Chococo were awarded and the raffle drawn, with the top prize of a five-day woodworking course at Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy worth £625 going to Peter McGarian, from Somerset.

Other raffle prizes were donated from River Cottage, The Harbour Inn, Lyme Rib Rides, Lyme Kayak Hire, The Marine Aquarium, Herbies Dino Bar, The Fisherman’s Wife and Chococo.

Young butcher takes title for best bangers!

DANIEL Bolton is following the family tradition having won prizes for the best sausages at the recent Melplash Show, in Bridport.

Daniel qualified as a butcher last year having completed an apprenticeship at the family business, Colyton Butchers, learning everything he knows from uncle Anton.

At the Melplash Show he took home prizes for best speciality sausage for his pork and black pudding, best traditional pork sausage and overall winner.

His award-winning sausage are available in Colyton Butchers’ two branches, in Colyton and Lyme Regis.

Colyton Butchers of Lyme Regis

CHAMPION BEST PORK £8.85 per kg CHAMPION BEST PORK & BLACK PUDDING £9.49 per kg

55 Broad Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QR

12 Friday, September 7 2018

www.lyme-online.co.uk

THE spectacular event lit up the Cobb harbour and attracted huge crowds despite the poor weather Photo by Ben Kapur

Candles On The Cobb wows the crowds despite wet weather THE spectacular fundraising event Candles On The Cobb returned to Lyme Regis on Sunday, August 26 despite wet and windy weather.

Continuous rain and high winds for most of Sunday left many in doubt that the event would go ahead, but conditions improved just in time for the candles to be lit around Lyme’s historic harbour.

Candles On The Cobb was last held in 2015, after which the organising committee stood down and it was thought the unique event would not be held again.

However, the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis took on the organisation this year, holding the event as part of 100th anniversary commemorations of the and of the First World War, and raising funds for the Royal British Legion and local youth organisations.

Peter Fortnam, president of the Rotary Club, said: “We weren’t able to put candles on the top wall.

The huge swell added to the high tide meant that the waves were coming over the top in places and so the safety of some of our 150 lighters would have been compromised. However, we did put an additional row of candles on the lower level and relayed that over the loud speakers prior to the event.

“We did the best we could in difficult circumstances, thanks to up to 250 people who helped sponsor, organise and run the event.

Wow! 250 volunteers from a town the size of Lyme Regis, what community spirit!

“It was a beautiful sight and the period of silent reflection once all the candles had been lit was very emotional indeed, once again surely one of the south west’s most spectacular and moving events.

“We don’t yet know how much the event raised for our chosen charities but probably in excess of £7000, which is a tremendous result given the weather on the day.

This will be divided equally between the Royal British Legion and local youth projects.”

The spectacular display also included candles on the beach in the shape of a poppy, with the dates ‘1918-2018’. These were the first to be lit by a party of invited guests, including the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and her consort Alan Ellis; deputy harbourmaster Mike Higgs, one of the founding members of Candles On The Cobb, and Dawn Street representing her husband Phil Street, the other founding member now living in France.

The Quinnell family from Quinnell Candles, which provided the 5,000 candles, were also among the lighting party, as well as other sponsors and members of the Royal British Legion.

Volunteer teams lit the rest of the candles around the Cobb and North Wall.

Many members of the public brought candles in memory of loved ones. Moving music was played along the seafront as they were lit, followed by a minute’s silence.

THE Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and assistant harbourmaster Mike Higgs - one of the founders of Candles on the Cobb - were among the first to light candles

Friday, September 7 2018 13

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VOLUNTEER teams helped to light candles on the beach and, below, around the harbour (photos by Tom Stroud). Below left, a programme of musical entertainment was held throughout the day, including a performance by Uplyme Morris (photo by Brian Eastmond)

ROYAL British Legion Lyme Regis branch chairman Ian Marshal (left) and president Philip Evans MBE help to light candles in the shape of a poppy on the beach. Below, former professional rugby player Scott Quinnell, of main sponsor Quinnell Candles, was also among the first to light candles

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ITH more than 12 years of experience working in the property and security sectors, Nigel Ward and his team have brought Portcullis Alarms to Lyme Regis.

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All the equipment that Nigel and his team provide is sourced from UK suppliers and meets the strictest official standards – you can be confident of having the highest quality system installed.

Nigel offers a truly local service and is therefore focusing his business on West Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon.

Nigel says: “Being able to offer a truly personal service is crucial to us. Each of our clients receives such a tailored, individual service that they think they are our only client! We pride ourselves on providing this level of personal service to all our customers.”

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Nigel has a solution for this with a clever GSM and GPS medical pendant.

Customers compliment the device for its ease of use and low running cost, allowing them to secure their independence whilst giving family members the

reassurance of knowing that in the event of an emergency, help is just the press of a button away. Again, personal service is paramount.

“We ensure that every customer meets their engineer personally and develops a relationship with the team who will monitor their alarm and respond to any emergency,” says Nigel.

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NIGEL Ward of Portcullis Alarms has presented a personal GSM panic button and tracking device to Lyme Forward as a prize to those attending the monthly community lunch and memory café.

The device was received by Heather Prior, who runs the memory café, and volunteer Caroline Powley (see above).

The personal panic button and tracking device is the ideal solution

for people who travel alone, work late at night, are older and need to maintain their independence or who have a condition such as dementia and who may become confused or disorientated when they are out and about.

Each person attending the community lunches and memory café at Lyme Regis Football Club will receive a raffle ticket and the winner will be drawn at the Christmas lunch.

timeoutinLyme

14 Friday, September 7 2018

www.lyme-online.co.uk

MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Musical comic to headline ‘Only Fools and Marine’s stand up night Horses’ star ANDY Askins is a talented musician with a captivating voice, who rewrites popular songs to give them a perverse twist to great comic effect.

With a wickedly dry sense of humour, Andy’s darker material is sweetened by his impish demeanour which leaves audiences in the palm of his hand.

He performs alongside three other comedians at Lyme Regis Comedy Club on Saturday, September 15.

Andy has appeared on television many times, including on ‘The John Bishop Show’ at the Hackney Empire on BBC One. He has also performed on ‘The Comedy Store’ for Comedy Central, and on two series of ‘The World Stands Up’.

Andy has entertained across the globe in Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Dubai, Mumbai, and the

Caribbean. He is also a firm favourite with the Armed Forces, performing several tours on Naval ships in ports around the world, as well as I r a q , Afghanistan, and the Falkland Islands.

He even received the Afghanistan campaign medal from General Sir David Richards Chief of Defence staff in 2012 for his contributions which included several tours to soldiers operating on the frontline.

Steve Day and Richard James will support at the Comedy Club, to be held at the Marine Theatre, alongside resident compere Tom Glover, from Bridport.

Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door with a 10 per cent discount for Theatre Friends. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com.

Doors will open at 7pm for an 8pm start.

coming to Lyme

THE actor John Challis, best known for his role as Boycie in cult British comedy ‘Only Fools And Horses’, will host an intimate evening at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

In this one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set of the BBC series, with stories and anecdotes from his career.

Having worked with some of the biggest names in show business, John will be spilling the beans about ‘Only Fools and Horses’ costars, including Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

There will also be tales about friends and fellow performers, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed and George Best, and John will recall stories from his time in ‘Dr Who’, ‘Coronation Street’ and other TV classics.

He will meet fans after the show to sign autographs and pose for pictures, while signing copies of his autobiography, ‘Being Boycie’, and novel, ‘Reggie: A Stag At Bay’.

The event will be held on Wednesday, October 24 with doors opening at 7pm for an 8pm start. Tickets cost £17 in advance or £19 on the door, with a 10 per cent discount to Theatre Friends. To book, call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com

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

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Friday, September 7 2018 15

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Folk festival dubbed ‘the best yet’ LYME Folk Weekend 2018 was declared “the best ever” by organisers after a brilliant three days of music, dancing and other activities all around the town.

The festival included three sell-out headline shows at the Marine Theatre, along with three full days of free entertainment on the seafront and in other venues around the town.

Festival director Jeremy Hayes was in no doubt that this was the best Lyme Folk Weekend in the event’s six-year history, and was thankful that the sun shone nearly all weekend.

“We were so lucky with the weather,” he said. “It made all the difference with the outdoor events on Marine Parade, and it was great to see people in such large numbers enjoying the entertainment.

“There was so much talent on show - some amazing local people, and also some hugely talented visitors, including our newest friends, The Lost Quays, who came all the way from Fremantle, Australia, and were such a big hit with the audience on the seafront.

“It’s lovely to see groups like The Lost Quays, who have a huge reputation in Australia, performing alongside our own singers like Harbour Voices. There seemed to be a real connection between the two groups which I hope will last a long time.

“We are grateful to the people of Lyme Regis who gave our visiting acts such a warm welcome, and also to the council, who this year gave us a little help with the financing of the free events.”

NO Strings Attached perform on Marine Parade. Below, The Lost Quays from Australia and, pictured bottom, Axbridge Singers with the Story Boat on Theatre Square

BRADNINCH Millers Morris entertain on the seafront. Above left, Show of Hands headline at the Marine Theatre and, above right Claire Ji and the Homeward Band Photos supplied by Lyme Folk Weekend

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MUSIC | THEATRE | WHAT’S ON | COMPETITIONS

Contemporary artist to What’s on... exhibit ‘Galleries’ at mill Saturday, September 8 - Sunday 9

ENGLISH artist Valerie Barden will host a unique and apposite exhibition of paintings – themselves portraits of people visiting public spaces like art galleries – at the Town Mill’s Malthouse Gallery in Lyme Regis, from September 8 to 25.

People in galleries is a subject that has been treated by various artists in the past, but Valerie came to the subject simply by sitting for long periods in art galleries and shopping centres, and thinking of pictures she could make of people standing or sitting fairly still in front of static paintings and objects, of the correspondence between viewer and exhibits, or simply figures as contrasting shapes against interesting architecture. These shapes are her main interest, together with the ever-present challenge of making colour “work”.

Contemporary painter Valerie is now in her eighth decade but showing the skill and vibrancy of an artist half her age. Her work fits

into the genre known as paintings of ‘Modern Life’ first explored at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century.

Although painted in a figurative manner, her work is imbued with the qualities of abstraction and flatness that are hallmarks of modern art.

This style, as well as the subject matter, gives them a very contemporary feel.

Born in Buckinghamshire in 1938, Valerie studied Yeovil College of Art and later read Art History with the Open University. She has been exhibiting professionally since 1994 and a number of her paintings are held in the Bridgeman Art Library.

This exhibition, named ‘Galleries’, has been curated by Deborah Wood of The Art Room. It will be open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm and is free to visit.

Further details can be found on the websites www.townmillarts.co.uk or www.theartroomtopsham.co.uk

This month at the Marine Catch up with Lyme’s Little Theatre by the Sea

WE had more uniform-crush confessions this month, not from me I hasten to add.

No, it was whilst the Marine Dream Team of volunteers were having a welldeserved break at the Cobb Arms, having laid out several rows of tealight candles along stretches of the harbour for the very moving Candles on the Cobb that one of our vols told me about one night out they remembered when, a little worse for wear, they couldn’t face the walk home so persuaded two police officers to give them a lift back in their squad car. Then there was another story about being invited back for lunch at the fire station by the local fireman.

I’m sure there are plenty more tales to come, but don’t worry Linda and Jenny, your secrets are safe with me.

Talking of our boys and girls in blue, we had quite a week of it with the emergency services. There was the big event on the bridge involving every rescue team available to help a poor man who broke his ankle and then there was the other one that happened just below the Marine Theatre windows.

A dear old couple were on a day trip from their home town of Salisbury when the husband passed out. The seamless and slick operation that followed is testament to the well-oiled machine that exists in Lyme, from the point I went down with the recently-installed Marine defibrillator to the moment the ambulance arrived, they were well looked after and, when it was discovered it was in fact a reaction to his medication and not a heart attack, after a cup of tea and chocolate biscuit in the cool theatre foyer, they were relieved to be heading back on their coach rather than to Dorchester Hospital.

Have any of you heard of a Bridport cure-all called Fudge’s Cough Syrup, aka Fudge’s Fire Water? According to Garry the builder who’s been suffering from a dry throat, it cured every ailment but it is sadly no longer available. Seems it was eventually banned much to the annoyance of many; the opium content was likely the cause of its demise.

But dry throat or not, our loo refurbishment is nearly complete. I’m irrationally excited at the prospect!

We had another wedding tour and the mother of the bride-to-be told me she had performed here as a child so it seemed only right to start a new chapter of her family’s life at the Marine. Within two hours of looking round they had booked their date and paid their deposit, such is the magic of our little theatre.

Did you come along to our Abba Forever night? Even Philip Evans said he would have been up doing his thing had he been sitting on an aisle seat! Then a week later, following another great prosecco night with the TIC ladies, the vote was taken to head back to the Marine where we enjoyed the second half of the Cuban Bros performance. I haven’t danced so much since my disco days.

I’ve been trying to think if I have any tales from my clubbing days of going for a ride in an emergency vehicle. I’ll save those up for the next Candles on the Cobb Marine Dream Team drink.

Sophia Moseley,

Theatre Manager

Food Rocks Marine Parade Mark Hix’s food festival returns for the sixth year, bringing top chefs to Lyme Regis for live demonstrations, talks and tastings, plus stalls offering the finest produce from around the South West. In aid of the RNLI and Fishermen’s Mission.

Belmont Open Weekend Belmont, Pound Street, 10am-4pm The 18th century maritime villa, which once belonged to businesswoman Eleanor Coade, creator of Coade stone, will open to the public for free all weekend having undergone an extensive refurbishment by the Landmark Trust.

Saturday, September 8

Live Music Night @ The Nag’s Head The Nag’s Head, 9pm Regular live music nights at the Nag’s Head, this week with acoustic covers duo Gut & Steel.

Sunday, September 9

The Sunday Sessions Marine Theatre, 3pm A relaxed Sunday afternoon with the best in local musical talent, hosted by acoustic duo Street & Matthews. Entry is free, please note this event is upstairs with limited seating.

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.

Wednesday, September 12

Talk: ‘The Musical Heritage of Thomas Hardy’ Woodmead Halls, 11am A presentation by Bonny Sartin, organised by the Heritage Coast Branch of the U3A, exploring Thomas Hardy’s lesser-known skills as a fiddleplayer. Entry is free for U3A members and £2 for non-members.

Live Screening: ‘The Merry Wives on Windsor’ Marine Theatre, 6pm The only way is Windsor in this new production of Shakespeare’s merry comedy, presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and screened live.

Tickets £11 in advance or £13.50 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com.

Doors open at 6pm for screening at 7pm.

Thursday, September 13

Flying Solo Uplyme Church, 3.30pm A friendly, supportive, open group for anyone who has been a single parent and their children to chat, discover resources and build friendships with others who understand the complexities of single parenthood.

Talk and Screening: ‘The Man From Mo’Wax’ Marine Theatre, 6.30pm A South West exclusive as the new British Film Institute film is screened, with talk and questions from its star, DJ icon James Lavelle. Tickets £6 in advance or £8 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 6.30pm for 7.30pm start.

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.

Friday, September 14 - Saturday 15

Cemetery Chapel Open Weekend Lyme Regis Cemetery, 10am-4pm A rare opportunity to look inside the highly-decorated Victorian chapel in Lyme Regis cemetery, off Charmouth Road, built in 1856.

Friday, September 14

Music: Duotone Marine Theatre, 7pm Duotone weaves a plethora of instruments with orchestral power – including his pioneering cello playing and vocal loops. Tickets £10 in advance or £12 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 7pm for 8pm start.

Saturday, September 15

Christmas Lights Coffee Morning The Driftwood Café, Lyme Regis Baptist Church, 10am Refreshments, cake stall, bric-a-brac and raffle in aid of Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee.

Scouts Jumble Sale Uplyme Village Hall, 2pm

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

Bric-a-brac, books, linen, clothes, toys, raffle and refreshments in aid of the 1st Lym Valley Scouts. Entry costs 50p.

Lyme Regis Comedy Club Marine Theatre, 7pm Star of ‘The John Bishop Show’ Andy Askins headlines with support from Steve Day, Richard James and resident MC Tom Glover. Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 7pm for 8pm.

Live Music Night @ The Nag’s Head The Nag’s Head, 9pm Regular live music nights at the Nag’s Head, this week with pop/rock four-piece Silver Bullet.

Sunday, September 16

Jazz in the Bar with Jade Gall Marine Theatre, 7pm Regular jazz nights in the Marine Theatre’s bar overlooking Lyme Bay, this week with Jade Gall playing Blue Note’s Stanley Turrentine. Tickets £8 in advance or £12 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Bar opens 7pm for 8pm start, please note this event is upstairs with limited seating.

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, September 18

Music: Chantel McGregor Marine Theatre, 7pm A guitar prodigy who became the first student at the Leeds College of Music to achieve a 100% pass mark with 18 distinctions. Tickets £14 in advance or £16 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 7pm for 8pm.

Wednesday, September 19 - Thursday 20

Jethro: The Count of Cornwall Marine Theatre, 6.30pm Not for the faint-hearted, the legendary Cornish comic visits Lyme Regis for two nights. Tickets cost £21 in advance or £25 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 6.30pm both nights for 7.30pm start.

Wednesday, September 19

Lyme Lunches Lyme Regis Football Club, 12.30pm Community lunch for the over 50s held of the third Wednesday of the month at Lyme Regis Football Club, organised by LymeForward. Tickets for twocourse lunch cost £6, available from Penny Black Café, behind the post office - booking essential.

Meet & Remember Lyme Regis Football Club, 2pm Memory Café to provide a supportive, friendly environment for those experiencing memory loss or who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and friends/relatives/carers who support them. Held on the third Wednesday of every month, organised by LymeForward.

Thursday, September 20

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.

Friday, September 21

Invisible Music Marine Theatre, 7pm Bellowhead musician Pete Flood presents a music and theatre show about hearing loss. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door - call 01297 442138 or visit www.marinetheatre.com. Doors open 7pm for an 8pm start.

Saturday, September 22

Great War Centenary Commemorations From 11.45am The Rifled Regiment will march through the town at 11.45am followed by the re-dedication of the war memorial in George’s Square at 12noon, followed by march to Marine Parade and salute at 12.30pm. See lyme-online.co.uk for full details.

The Nag’s Head, 9pm Regular live music nights at the Nag’s Head, this week with three-piece rock band Extractor.

Friday, September 7 2018 17

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1 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA 01297 443157

It’s all happening at the Pilot Boat WEDNESDAYS

8.30pm to 10.30pm Grace Gillan and Jake Miller and Adam Sweet on alternate Wednesdays Two cocktails for £10 8pm to 10pm

THURSDAYS

QUIZ NIGHT from 8pm for teams of two and more.

Cash prize for winning team plus £100 JACKPOT PRIZE from Thursday September 27

FIZZY FRIDAYS

Bottle of Prosecco for £15 LIVE MUSIC 9pm to 11.30pm between 5pm and 7pm from Friday September 28

SUNDAYS

CHEESY SUNDAYS - bottle of wine and cheese platter for £25, 7pm to 10pm LOOK OUT FOR MORE LIVE MUSIC NIGHTS AND OTHER PROMOTIONS

communitynews

18 Friday, September 7 2018

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Ecologist wins prize for wildlife friendly garden

LYME Regis resident Simon Beadles recently won a prize for his garden, having completely transformed it with native trees and plants to encourage local wildlife.

Simon, an ecologist who lives in Staples Terrace, won third prize in the sustainable wildlife category of Magna Housing Association’s annual gardening competition, in which three Lyme Regis gardeners won awards from a total of 67 competitors across Dorset and Somerset.

Simon’s garden consists of purely native trees, shrubs, roses and wild flowers. Since it was last photographed in July 2016, it now has in excess of 30 different species of wild flora, complimented by rustic-style decorations.

Amongst the collection, Simon (pictured in his garden) has recently acquired a very rare native soft shield fern, a subspecies called ploystichum setiferum (plumosum).

The ancestor of this lime green fern, with a damson coloured stem, disappeared from a lane bank at Hawkchurch on the Devon/Dorset border in 1876, in order to pass into the hands of a local fern enthusiast, a Dr Willis.

THERE will be a rare opportunity to visit Lyme Regis cemetery chapel on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 as part of Dorset Architectural Week. The highly decorated Victorian Church of England chapel, built in 1856, is not normally open to the public. It is still used occasionally by local families for small funeral services and contains a fine example of a Victorian bier. There will also the opportunity to visit the nearby grave of the crew of HMS Formidable, lost in 1915. The chapel will be open from 10am to 4pm both days.

NEWS FROM CITIZENS ADVICE CITIZENS Advice has raised concerns about aggressive tactics being used by bailiffs and wants to see better regulation of their activities.

It has also highlighted the unfair practice of tenants in the private rented sector being subjected to revenge evictions as a result of raising a complaint.

In 2014, the government introduced reforms which were meant to protect people from unfair tactics used by bailiffs. But since they were introduced the number of people consulting Citizens Advice about problems with bailiffs has risen by 24 per cent.

People who fall behind on household bills, such as utility bills, typically face more severe consequences than those missing other repayments, like overdrafts and personal loans.

Their essential services are often cut off, they can be kicked out of their home due to rent arrears or face being taken to court if they get behind with their council tax.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Families are living in fear of a visit from the bailiffs, and small missed bills can skyrocket through excessive enforcement fees.

"Our evidence shows aggressive tactics by bailiffs cause huge distress and can even push people further into debt. Families are going without essentials like food or electricity to meet their payments.

"The Ministry of Justice has already announced a call for evidence into aggressive collection practices by bailiffs. They must use this to take strong action and introduce an independent bailiff regulator to fix this broken system."

Household debt has now overtaken consumer credit as the key money problem people bring to Citizens Advice and research it has undertaken show that UK households owe £18.9 billion to government departments, local authorities and essential service providers. This includes tax credit overpayments of almost £7.5 billion, £2.84 billion of council tax arrears and £2.20 billion owed to water companies.

Another piece of research from Citizens Advice has discovered that tenants in the private rented sector who complain about problems such as damp and mould in their home significantly increases their chances of being evicted by their landlords. It estimates that since legislation was introduced in 2015 which attempted to ban revenge evictions about 141,000 tenants have been affected.

Ms Guy commented: “Those living in substandard properties must have greater protection against eviction when they complain. Our report shows that well-intentioned laws created to put an end to revenge evictions have not worked, and a new fix is needed.

“There are serious question marks over the existence of a power that allows landlords to unilaterally evict tenants without reason – known as Section 21. While government plans for minimum three year tenancies are a step in the right direction, these changes must be strong enough to genuinely prevent revenge evictions once and for all.”

Anyone is welcome to seek advice from any session of Citizens Advice even if they do not have an appointment. The advice given will always be free, confidential and impartial.

In Lyme Regis a regular weekly advice session is held every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm at St Michael's Business Centre, DT7 3DB, in the centre of the town and at least until December sessions are also being held on Mondays between 10am and 12nppm at Lyme Regis Medical Centre in Uplyme Road, DT7 3LS. If these times are inconvenient anyone can instead go to the Citizens Advice offices at South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NY which holds a session every weekday between 10am and 3pm. In addition you can contact Citizens Advice by email on advice@bridport-cab.org.uk or telephone 0344 245 1291, which will get you through to the Dorset AdviceLine.

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Legion members create moving window display TWO committee members of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion have created a moving poppy display in the window of The Old Forge Fossil Shop, in Broad Street.

The owners of the shop have agreed for the special display to stay in place until the end of September, meaning it will greet The Rifles when they exercise their Freedom of Lyme Regis by marching through the town on Saturday, September 22.

This display is one of many activities the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion is undertaking in support of Lyme Regis Town Council’s commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. This display comprises a central cross upon which several paintings have been incorporated to depict key events which took place during the Great War. Surrounding the central cross are pebble stones decorated by committee member Ania Driver, each of which is inscribed with the name of one of the great battles of that conflict.

The knitted poppies were produced by members of the stitch and sew group of the Heritage Coast branch of the University of the Third Age, based in Lyme Regis. Particularly poignant are the poppies knitted by the late Irene Roper, who ensured they were completed and handed to Royal British Legion branch chairman, Ian Marshall, a few weeks before she recently passed away.

Mr Marshall said: “They are very special to us and will always feature as part of our future displays.”

Finally, poems composed by the children of St

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Michael’s Primary School also feature in this fine display.

Mr Marshall added: “We are indebted to the owners of the Old Forge Fossil Shop, Helen

Matthews and Diane Reilly for supporting us in this venture and to Tracey Moody for assisting us in setting up the display.”

For more information on how the Royal British Legion is supporting Armed Forces service personal visit www.britishlegion.org.uk or contact Ian Marshall, chairman of Lyme Regis branch on 07584 993 955 or email to lymeregis.chairman@rbl.community

Foodbank donations welcome DEMAND for Lyme Regis Foodbank continues and donations of food and money would be very welcome.

Non perishable food items can be donated in the blue boxes at the following locations: Uplyme Post Office and Stores; St Michael and St George’s Roman Catholic Church in Silver Street; Lyme Regis Baptist Church; St Michael’s Parish Church; Uplyme Parish Church; and St Michael’s Primary School during term time only).

You can also donate money, which allows foodbank organisers to purchase whatever they are short of.

For further details, contact Heather Prior on 01297 441224 or email heather@lymeforward.co.uk

ROYAL British Legion members Ania Driver, Jacqui and Pete Ward with Old Forge Fossil Shop co-owner, Helen Matthews

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Tales from behind the lens of our award-winning photographer

“MR Benn could you put your pipe in your mouth for me?” He didn’t say anything, he just did it, giving me a very typical image of Tony Benn on the 2003 anti-war demo on the streets of central London. Mr Benn was president of the Stop The War Coalition from 2001 until his death in 2014. Previous to that he held some pretty high-up positions as a hard-left Labour politician. I photographed him a few times over the years; love him or hate him he was the best orator I have ever seen or heard. That particular ‘Stop The War’ demo attracted more than half a million people from all corners of the country and further afield, including the USA politician Jessi Jackson, another great orator. It seems that marching in great numbers in London was the thing to do in the early 2000s; The Countryside Demo was reputed to have had one million people on the streets of London. Ironically the war wasn’t stopped and hunting with dogs was banned.

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What is being done to stop town being over-run by seagulls?

■ AN open letter also sent to Lyme Regis Town Council: I READ with interest your articles in LymeOnline, and like the title ‘Lyme Matters’ for Philip Evans’ column, but if Lyme really ‘matters' what is being done to stop it being over-run by seagulls?

As a family we have owned property in Lyme for the last 40 years and have been visiting it for many more, but for the last few years it has become a nightmare.

Apart from the noise, interrupted sleep, damage to property and bird droppings, this month my family has been constantly dive-bombed by seagulls

and, on different attacks within a five day period, lost two icecreams, a biscuit and a sandwich to their them - snatched from child hands without warning.

One bombing-snatch was on my four-year-old grandson, which left him with scratches to the arm. Only adult intervention has stopped further beach attacks. It is only a matter of time before someone is really injured by them.

When is someone going to take the problem in hand - do we have to wait for a serious injury or can we count on Lyme Regis Town Council to take action?

Marcia Williams (by email)

■ RESPONSE received from Lyme Regis Town Council: MANY thanks for your email concerning problems with seagulls in Lyme.

Problems with attacks by seagulls is by no means limited to Lyme. Other west Dorset and East Devon seaside towns are experiencing identical problems and some schools, even in inland locations, have banned children from eating outside during school lunch breaks due to gull attacks.

We have recently launched an educational campaign aimed at visitors to the town and local suppliers of ice cream and food. There are numerous signs along the seafront area and all food and ice cream sellers have been given information leaflets to hand out to customers.

This is part of a concerted effort along the entire coastal area to try and prevent the feeding of gulls and to encourage bet-

ter packaging of food.

We will also be replacing bins with those of a more appropriate 'seagull resistant' design and the first phase of new bins has already been installed.

Some resorts are also now employing people with birds of prey to act as a further deterrent. We are currently looking at how effective this is; but initial feedback suggests that any effect is only very temporary.

It is something we take very seriously and are doing all we reasonably and lawfully can ( Herring Gulls are a protected species) to address the problem. There is no doubt that the problem has worsened in recent years. There are various theories as to why this should be the case; including changes to food packaging, changes to fishing practices at sea leading to more gulls foraging along the coast and inland, etc.

There is also a problem with some people choosing to actively feed the gulls as though they were ducks or pigeons. Unfortunately, this just encourages the gulls to look on humans as sources of food. To discourage this, West Dorset District Council has introduced a new legal order making it an offence to deliberately feed Herring Gulls in most of Lyme Regis, including all of the seafront areas.

I am also investigating other legal measures which can be taken, including egg replacement. This has been tried in one or two other locations and makes the gulls sit longer on the nest and limits their time spent foraging for food.

We are certainly committed to doing all we reasonably and lawfully can to minimise the problem.

Mark Green Deputy Town Clerk, Lyme Regis

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PLASTIC FREE LYME REGIS CONTINUING our series of interviews looking at businesses and organisations around Lyme Regis that are planning to become single-use plastic free, Karen Durham-Diggins of Plastic Free Lyme Regis speaks to Sean Smith, general manager at The Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant. ● WHAT do you think are the benefits of being Plastic Free as a business?

For the Alexandra, being plastic free is very important to us. Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to protect our environment and the reduction in plastic is a major factor in this. We feel that guests appreciate businesses that can clearly demonstrate their commitment to green issues.

As a coastal destination hotel, a cleaner plastic free sea, ocean and beach can only benefit us all and future generations of the community. ● WHAT has been the hardest challenge on working to be Plastic Free?

As a business we reply upon suppliers for many different products within the hotel and restaurant. In most cases such products come packaged with some element of plastic on delivery. Being able to source companies who in turn do not use plastic themselves can be very challenging although we do see progress in this area and believe things will become better in the near future as momentum gathers on this very important issue. ● WHAT do you hope to achieve in the future?

We have long had a commitment to the environment as this has been close to the heart of our director who has worked in environmentally fragile places in the world including

Africa and the Caribbean and taken part in environmental projects during her time in these areas.

It is therefore very important to keep pushing boundaries and improving in any way to make our impact less and continue with our strong commitment towards taking better care of our environment.

The aim, of course, is to eventually become completely plastic free as a business. Many plant based biodegradable alternatives to plastic are now becoming increasingly available in the market place and we want to utilise as many as is realistically possible. We feel this goal is achievable with continued product development, new government initiatives and the support of local and national communities. Our main focus needs to be on encouraging our suppliers to use plastic free packaging.

Public invited to learn vital lifesaving skills THE local community is being offered the opportunity to learn vital lifesaving skills during Lyme Heartbeat Day, a defibrillator fundraising event to be held in the Marine Parade shelters on Sunday, September 16.

Lyme’s chief fire officer and first responder Virgil Turner will be leading demonstrations on how to use a defibrillator and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The training is one of the key priorities of the organisers behind the defibrillator fundraising campaign, ensuring the local community is ready and equipped to deal with someone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

Mr Turner (pictured) commented: “The more access we have to defibrillators in public places the better. It’s also 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.”

Demonstrations will take place at 11am, 12.45pm and 2.45pm.

Through a combination of crowdfunding, a 'How Many Hearts?' competition, entertainment and stalls, organisers are hoping to raise enough funds for the purchase and installation of additional public access defibrillators, while supporting maintenance of existing units in the town.

Full details can be found online at www.lymeheartbeat.co.uk and you can donate directly to the crowdfunding campaign via the website www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/l ymeheartbeat

999 Ambulance calls: What’s the procedure?

S

OME residents have asked how the Ambulance Service deals with emergency calls. Here’s some information from discussion with ambulance officials.

Who responds to a call? Ambulance crews, and First Responders when available. The latter are community-based, so can generally reach an emergency quickly, to provide reassurance and make assessments before the ambulance arrives, sometimes saving a life in the process. Two types of First Responder serve our area.

1) Fire Service Co-Responders. Retained fire fighters trained by the Ambulance Service to attend emergency calls as part of their role with the fire and rescue service. They are called out only for emergencies judged to be immediately life-threatening. Fire Service Co- Responders are paid an honorarium for being ‘on call’ and for attending at an emergency.

2) Community First Responders. Trained volunteer members of the public called out to any category of emergency. They receive no financial reward. Their availability depends on work and family commitments. Community First Responders are not called to drug or alcohol incidents, to any incident where there are safety concerns, or to road traffic collisions.

Sometimes a known Fire Service Co-Responder may be nearby to an incident and will offer or be asked for help. In these cases the Responder is acting independently as a (very knowledgeable) citizen outside the official callhandling system.

The Lyme fire crew includes several Co-Responders. Currently the nearest volunteer Community First Responders are in Chideock and Bridport. Axminster and Seaton have Fire

Service Co-Responders; Honiton has a Community First Responder team. The South West Ambulance Service will be recruiting for Community First Responders towards the end of this year or early next year, with Lyme Regis a targeted area. In the meantime, anybody interested in becoming a Community First Responder can contact david.toman@swast.nhs.uk.

David can explain the role and let you know when recruiting opens.

What happens to a 999 call?

Ambulance crews and First Responders are allocated to incidents by the 999 Control Room, or ‘Clinical Hub’.

The call handler asks essential questions to quickly assess the clinical need and categorise the incident, then activates the response by calling on the nearest Responders and ambulance crew. Priority goes to the most time-critical patients, so the sickest patient will receive help before someone less sick who may have been waiting longer. County boundaries are irrelevant when the system identifies the nearest units.

Ambulance resources may be diverted from one incident to a higher priority emergency.

This means that when answering a 999 call, the call handler cannot know for certain how long the response will take.

The call handlers are also trained to provide medical advice over the telephone where nec-

essary, and are supported by Clinical Supervisors with oversight of all incidents.

The categories of 999 incidents ● Category 1: immediately life-threatening, eg heart failure / not breathing (about eight per cent of calls). The target response time is 15 minutes or less on at least 90 per cent of occasions, with an average response time of seven minutes. ● Category 2: potentially life-threatening, eg heart attack, stroke, major burns (about 50 per cent of calls). Target time is 40 minutes or less on at least 90 per cent of occasions with an average of 18 minutes. ● Category 3: urgent but not life-threatening, needing clinical attention, eg burns, fractures, abdominal pain. Target time is 120 minutes or less on at least 90 per cent of occasions with an average of 60 minutes.

The ambulance service responds to all category 1, 2 and 3 incidents using blue lights and sirens to arrive as soon as possible. ● Category 4: non-urgent but needing clinical attention, eg a fall. Target time is 180 minutes or less on at least 90 per cent of occasions. ● Category 5: requires clinical assessment but not ambulance attendance. Advice from one of the Clinical Supervisors, or referral to alternative suitable assistance, is given.

The Lyme Regis ‘patch’, relatively distant from main centres of population, would generally expect ambulance response times to be somewhat below the average for the whole south- west. So the role of First Responders is particularly important for us. Since 92 per cent of incidents fall into categories not covered by

Fire Service Co-Responders, it is worrying that we have no Community First Responders based locally. Who will put up their hands and contact David Toman?

Like so much in health and care, the ambulance service has limited resources. We’re all liable to an emergency; if it happens we’d prefer not to suffer because an unnecessary call has taken trained help to distant parts. One of my ambulance service contacts says: “If people used 999 only for the right reasons, we might have enough resources to go round. Too often people don’t take the correct measures for selfcare or self-presentation to hospital. It’s a myth that arriving by ambulance bumps you to the front of the queue: that’s not necessarily the case.”

999 is for emergencies and urgent need – essentially, Categories 1, 2 & 3. Minor injuries, by definition non-urgent, can be treated by the Minor Injuries Unit at Lyme Regis Medical Centre. More complex minor injuries (eg requiring an X-ray) can be dealt with at Bridport MIU. Other non-urgent symptoms such as aches and pains, stomach upsets, headaches etc can be handled by a pharmacist, or the GP surgery, or the 111 phone line for out-of- hours GP assistance. And many common ailments (coughs, sore throats, grazes – “and hangovers”, notes my contact) are a matter of selfcare.

Being responsible also means not hesitating to dial 999 when that’s the best option. If you think someone is having a stroke or heart attack, for example, 999 is what you call – not the GP surgery or 111.

Chris Boothroyd Health & Wellbeing Group, LymeForward

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LymeOnline Sport

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

sailing SIXTY-THREE Merlin Rocket dinghies arrived in Lyme Regis last week to compete in the national championships, among them many of the best dinghy sailors in the country, 23 already being champions in this or other classes, some holding several or multiple titles at international level.

Lyme’s race team, based at the sailing club on Marine Parade, had to be on their toes and succeeded in hosting a very successful week.

Chairman Dan Alsop said: “A huge effort, everyone pulled together and ran an excellent competition for the Merlins with a full social programme. We’re delighted and have had

appreciative feedback from the sailors.

“Lyme’s waters provide an envied location for competition, and we had an ideal mix of winds and seas to test crews’ skills. Another accolade for Lyme on the national sailing scene.

“Thanks to our race officer Nigel Denchfield and his wife Fiona, and to international judge David Battye, our harbourmaster and staff, other harbour users and to our Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis, for welcoming the visitors to Lyme.”

LOCAL winners Fraser Earle and Katie Full report and photos on www.lyme-online.co.uk Frost

bowls

cricket

Lyme Ladies avoid relegation Last game victory for Uplyme

By Paul Moffitt

LYME Regis Bowling Club ladies have probably done enough to keep themselves up in the first division after a nail-biting 6-4 home win against Dorchester.

Despite losing on two rinks, a fine five shots on the last end by Sue Rowe’s rink saved the day with the home team scraping home by a single shot.

On Sunday, club members who have not won a singles competition took part in the Henry Broom Rose Bowl event. On a straight knockout basis, Lorna Young and Chris Pomeroy will contest the final during finals weekend. The two ladies were able to overcome several male league players on their way to the final.

Just two friendlies this week, both against touring sides. On both occasions Lyme came second.

Results: Dorset Ladies Div 1.

Lyme 48; A Dorchester 47.

H Dowling, C Pomeroy, L Broom, C Barber 1617; A N Driscoll, J Moon, A Rattenbury, P Weech 13-18; A V Henson, N Stephens, J Moffitt, S Rowe 19-12.

Friendlies: Lyme 99; A Balsham Tour 128.

N Driscoll, D Courtenay-Smith, B Parsons, P Weech 14-13; A J Sherring, J Hare, S Dowling, P Knigt 21-31; A J Moon, P Stephens, N Benson, H Dowling 16-25; A L Young, A Darvill, A Nabarro, B Rattenbury 17-21; A E Sarson, T Young, A Sherring, C Barber 15-21; A M Knight, J Kesterton, B Driscoll, A Weech 16-17.

Lyme A 64; Abington Tour 104.

J Moon, N Solomon, A Rattenbury, P Moffitt 1023;Â E Sarson, B Driscoll, P Edmonds, P Weech 11-13; A B Smith, J Hare, B Moon, C Barber 622; A Darvill, A Nabarro, H Dowling, B Rattenbury 11-16; A D Sarson, G Clode, J Moffitt, N Stephens 17-10;A J Sherring, S Dowling, B Parsons, A Weech 8-19

UPLYME & Lyme Regis Cricket Club’s troubled season ended last Saturday with a home victory over Countess Wear, just their third of the current campaign.

The visitors, who fielded just nine men, elected to bat after winning the toss and were bowled out for 174 runs.

Skipper Laurie Thomas returned the best bowling figures for Uplyme, taking three wickets for the loss of 27 runs off his allotted nine overs. Neil Price and Charlie Moss each claimed two wickets.

The skipper also starred with the bat hitting 41 runs. Top scorer was Tyler Wellman, who is off to Australia to play cricket in the autumn with help from the Uplyme and Lyme Regis Sports Trust, scoring 43. Other useful scores came from Steve Batey (39), Charlie Moss (29) and Mark Brimicombe (26).

Uplyme finish bottom of the Devon Cricket League Division D East with 100 points.

Uplyme & Lyme Regis 2nd X1 also finished

bottom of their league with 61 points from their 14 games. They completed their season on Saturday away to Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Uplyme were bowled out for 106 runs and the home team knocked off the required runs for the loss of two wickets in 17 overs.

The good news for Uplyme is that their financial difficulties have been solved following players. ex-players and the community rallying round to ensure the club is in a sound position to continue.

The club will be holding their awards night at the Talbot Arms on September 14th.

Club members now face the decision of how to proceed, having struggled to field two league sides this season, when they meet for their annual meeting.

It would seem that most regular players are in favour of dropping down to one league team and playing more friendlies on a Sunday.

First final for Lyme seniors

By Richard Jackman

LYME Regis Golf Club seniors had a thrilling yo-yo match with Isle of Purbeck in the semi- final of the Knighton Heath knock-out competition. Fortunately the tail wagged and Lyme won through to their first final with a 6.5 to 3.5 win and will be play against Bramshaw at Knighton Heath on September 13.

The midweek stableford produced a deserved win for an in-form Keith Gibson, as he produced two gross birdies in a front nine scoring 21 points.

Although he couldn’t keep up the same high standard on the back nine, he gritted his way through to score 17 and achieve the top spot with 38 points.

Hard on his heels was Neil Smith who scored on every hole as he battled his way round, improving on the back nine to come second with 37 points.

Mark Scott upped his game on the back nine, especially on holes 16 and 17 where he scored birdies to finish a worthy third on 36 points.

The ladies Par Cup provided keen competition as the leaderboard changed frequently.

Karen Nicholson was the person who mastered the conditions as she carefully played her way round the course cautiously, but sensibly consolidating her position to win with a good score of plus two.

One time leader Gilly Madill came second having had an electrifying start, and sadly could not maintain the momentum, but still finished one better than par on +1, while Cyndy Mudford and Judith Ellard came in on zero to tie for third place.

football

Richards brothers sink the Seasiders PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

THREE goals from three brothers provided Lyme Regis 1st X1 with a stern test in a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Devon & Exeter League Premier division leaders Colyton at the Davey Fort.

Lyme were missing influential central defender Dominic Rowe (on honeymoon) and in-form striker Julien Simier (on holiday) and also lost defender Keiren White with an ankle injury in the warm-up. This meant that Mark Bailey had to play in the centre of defence with Kingsley Wellman.

Colyton started the game as leaders of the Premier Division, having already taken two points off favourites Cronies, and straight from the kick-off they demonstrated they had no intention of relinquishing that top spot.

They started at a tremendous pace and soon forced the Lyme keeper Will Meech into action, pulling off a early diving save, and shooting over the bar.

The Seasiders weathered the storm but struggled to contain Colyton’s pace up front.

The sides went in at 0-0 at half-time but Lyme never really tested the visiting keeper in the first 45 minutes.

Lyme came out of the traps slowly after the break and conceded the first goal within three-minutes of the re-start when Will Richards slotted the ball home after the Lyme defence failed to clear a cross, shortly after hitting the bar from a free-kick.

Raids on the Colyton goal were few and far between, although Ben Turner had a good chance but was unable to control a cross with just the keeper to beat.

The Lyme manager Gerard Hitchcock changed things around in a bid to stem Colyton’s dominance, bringing on substitutes Sam Pollard-Jones and Lee Cleal to replace Ben Vine, carrying an injury, and Sam Beviss.

In a rare Lyme attack Fred Parsons rattled the woodwork and Clear added some much needed pace to the Seasiders’ front line.

As the game progressed Colyton looked like future champions, quick in the tackle and attacking with real pace, and it was only a matter of time before they increased the score with Jake Richards beating the Lyme keeper Will Meech to a through ball before slotting the ball home to make it 2-0.

With the light fading fast in this the last of the midweek games, Colyton sealed a convincing display when the third Richards brother, Will, slotted the ball home from wide on the left.

Lyme did put up a fight in the closing minutes with the Colyton keeper pulling off a fantastic finger-tip save, deflecting the ball onto the bar from a Jacob Rowe scorcher and Cleal went close when he kneed the ball over the bar from close range.

For Lyme marauding wing-back Cody Bowditch continued his good form, firing in cross after cross, but Lyme lacked penetration in attack.

Rovers retain unique Bass Bottle LYME Regis Rovers, the clubs third X1, retained the Bass Bottle with a 3-0 win over neighbouring villagers Uplyme (writes Philip Evans).

The silver bottle was donated by brewers Bass Charrington in the 1970s when their South West public relations officer Nigel Fortnam lived in Lyme.

It was put up for an annual match between the two local football clubs and has been

played for many times over the years. The Rovers dominated the first half and went in at half-time with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Pete Peacock goal.

Uplyme came more into the game after the break but the Rovers made the most of two breakaway goals, both scored

by Ollie Alner.

It could have been 4-0 but Guy Bryant missed a penalty with the last kick of the game.

After the game joint manager Rob Larcombe said: “Immensely proud of our performance tonight. All the players worked their butts off and we bettered them all over the pitch.”

The Rovers, who fielded a squad of 14 for this game, start their Perry Street League Division Three campaign on Saturday, September 8th with home fixture against Netherbury.

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LymeOnline Sport

24 Friday, September 7 2018

September 7 2018

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NOW IN THE DEVON & EXETER PREMIER LEAGUE

Saturday, September 8 Lyme Regis 1st X1 v Alphington, kick-off 2 pm

Luke to compete in sports shorts Euro championships County cup tie

LUKE Reed crosses the finish line in the St Neots Triathlon to qualify for the European championships in Holland next year Photo by Wayne Wixstead

RAPIDLY making a name for himself in the world of triathlon, Lyme Regis-born Luke Reed has qualified to compete in the European championships in Holland next year.

The former Lyme Regis footballer has been competing in triathlon events for ten years but coming fourth in his age group (35-39) at the St Neots Triathlon last Sunday was his best performance to date as it was an Olympic distance qualifier for the 2019 European championships

next June, finishing the standard distance in his best ever time of 2 hours, 13 minutes, 16 seconds to win a place in Team GB. Luke, who won the South West qualifying round in Weymouth recently, was competing against some of the top triathletes in the country and was placed 20th out of a field of 400, as well as qualifying in his age group.

The standard distance consists of 1,500 metre swim, 25-mile cycle and a 10k road race.

Depleted Seasiders do the double over Seaton PHILIP EVANS

philip@lyme-online.co.uk

LYME Regis 1st team chalked up an early season double at the Davey Fort last Saturday when they beat near rivals Seaton Town in a comprehensive 5-1 victory.

Lyme and Seaton met in the first week of the season when the Seasiders ran out 3-1 winners at the East Devon club.

Lyme were without seven first team squad members, due to holidays, injuries and unavailability, resulting in the cancellation of their Reserves’ game at Black Swan Town and on occasions are notorious slow starters. This was one of those occasions and Seaton had the better of the chances early in the game and opened the scoring with a Josh French penalty in the 17th minute, awarded for a trip by Kingsley Wellman.

The Seasiders, lacking penetration up front, slowly got themselves into the game with Fred Parsons and Cody Bowditch both having efforts kicked off the goal line.

Lyme got back on equal terms when Ben Turner converted a perfect Sam Beviss cross with a header to level the scores at 1-1 after good work down the left by Cody Bowditch.

Cam Fowler was booked for a trip on

the edge of the box but the free-kick was blasted over the bar.

Lyme took the lead in the 37th minute and again it was Turner who headed home a penetrating cross from Jake Bearpark to make it 2-1.

Turner was clearly looking for his hat-trick but was booked for a deliberate handball as he threw himself at the ball from another Beviss cross.

Manager Gerard Hitchcock changed things around at half-time and put Jake Bearpark (pictured) upfront to lead the attack. It was a move that changed the game and inspired Lyme to lift their game with three more second half goals and numerous near misses.

Bearpark had never played in such a forward role before but his pace caused the Seaton defence major problems and delivered two more goals for the home team, the first when Bearpark latched onto a perfect through ball from midfield maestro Mark Bailey and placed the ball wide of the keeper to put the Seasiders in a commanding 3-1 lead.

Ben Turner, already on a yellow card, was substituted in the 62nd minute after being spoken to the referee and was replaced by new signing Joe Urquart, a former Axminster Town player, who will shortly be taking up a place at Glasgow University.

Urquart added some much-needed

for confident Seasiders

AFTER last Saturday’s 5-1 victory over close neighbours Seaton Town, despite fielding a weakened side, Lyme Regis 1st team go into tomorrow’s East Devon Senior Cup clash at home to Alphington in confident form.

The Seasiders have made a good start to their first campaign in Premier football, winning three of their first four games and are lying in fifth place.

They chalked up an early-season double over Seaton and also beat Beer Albion, but they came unstuck against league leaders Colyton.

The home cup tie against Alphington 2nds should not unduly test Lyme with the visitors having made a poor start in Division One, losing their opening two games and sitting at the bottom of the table.

As well as the first team’s game at home Alphington in the East Devon Cup, Lyme Reserves travel to Hemyock in Devon & Exeter Division Four.

Lyme Rovers start their fixtures in Perry Street Division Three with a home game at the Woodroffe School against Netherbury.

Uplyme, who lost 5-0 in their opening game against Hawkchurch on Saturday, are away to Broadclyst tomorrow) in the Devon Intermediate Cup. Charmouth also lost their first game of the season in Division Two of the Perry Street League, losing 2-1 Petherton Reserves. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are at home to Waytown Hounds in the Daisy Hutchings Cup.

Last day victory BEN Turner heads Lyme into a 2-1 lead against Seaton pace to the Lyme attack but, alas, will not be available all season for Lyme.

Bearpark had the ball in the net again after 65 minutes but was ruled offside and shortly afterwards Mark Bailey hit the bar with a fierce free kick from just outside the box.

In a rare second half attack from Seaton, Kingsley Wellman, who had another immense game in the back four alongside the experienced Gary Knight, whose presence always stimulates the younger players, cleared the ball of the line.

Bearpark went close with another penetrating run and Cody Bowditch hit the post after some good work down the right by Spanish signing Jaime Roderiguez.

Bearpark was rewarded for his endeavour when he latched onto a long

throw-in from Bowditch and halfvolleyed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-1 in the 84th minute.

Lyme completed the 5-1 scoreline when Fred Parsons was teed up by Jaime Roderiguez to lash the ball into the corner of the net with just five minutes remaining.

Manager Hitchcock was delighted with his side’s second-half performance and has set his sights on a top five place in Lyme’s first ever season in Premier football.

Bearpark’s second-half performance gave him the man-of-the match accolade but Wellman can also feel well satisfied with his performance as he gains in stature every game he plays for Lyme.

UPLYME & Lyme Regis Cricket Club finished a troubled season in which they had to cancel three games due to a lack of players with a victory over Countess Wear.

Both first Uplyme teams finished bottom of their prospective leagues and are now expected to drop down to just one league team with more friendlies on a Sunday.

Full report on page 23

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