LYME Regis Fossil Festival has been saved – and the town council has helped to secure its future.
Fantastic fossils, roarsome dinosaurs and the amazing Mary Anning will return to Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 2023 on 29 and 30 April.
It was announced in January the festival had been cancelled due to lack of funding but Lyme Regis Museum, with support from the council and other partners, has stepped in to save it.
The museum will be planning and co-ordinating the festival and the council has provided a £3,300 grant, as well as free use of venues and spaces and staff support during the weekend.
The free family-friendly fesival will include dinosaurs, talks, walks, science, fossils, storytelling, exhibitions and street performance.
Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, chairman of the council’s Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee said: “The Fossil Festival has become an iconic event in the Lyme Regis calendar and the council is thrilled to give its support and financial backing to ensure it continues.
“Lyme Regis is famous for its unparalleled role in the birth of the earth sciences and of course the home of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning.
“The Fossil Festival belongs here in Lyme Regis and we look forward to welcoming visitors and residents to the 2023 event.”
Lyme Regis Museum director Bridget Houseago said: “We are really delighted to be able to host and co-ordinate the Fossil Festival this year. With the support of the festival’s key partners, we are putting together an amazing programme of exhibitions, talks, demonstrations and activities.
“We look forward to seeing you there.”
Key festival partners have also supported the event, including the Jurassic Coast Trust and the Etches Collection, Dinosaur Isle Museum, the Natural History Museum, and Bristol University, and Chris Gasson from the West Dorset Forager.
Dr Martin Munt, from Dinosaur Isle Museum, said: “The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is the greatest public paleontological event in the UK, and Dinosaur Isle Museum is proud to be part of it.”
Visit www.fossilfestival.com for updates on the event and the festival programme.