PHEW! What a summer. By far the most enjoyable thing about being the mayor is being invited to all the events which makes Lyme such a popular holiday destination.
From May right through to September, Lyme plays host to thousands of visitors who enjoy the many attractions which makes our town such an ideal holiday destination for family entertainment.
The season kicks off with the Fossil Festival which highlights our resort as a must for the earth sciences aficionados, made possible by grant funding from the town council.
Next comes the Somers Day event when we can welcome our friends from Bermuda which was discovered by former Lyme mayor, Admiral Sir George Somers.
Early July sees the ever-popular Sausage and Cider Festival at Lyme Regis Football Club, followed by the Lyme Morris Day when hundreds of Morris dancers from all over the country descend on Lyme for a weekend of dancing merriment.
With the schools on holiday, Lyme sees a massive increase in the number of visitors descending on our town for the two big events of the summer – the Regatta and Carnival and Lifeboat week. The season finishes with the folk festival which attracts musicians from far and wide.
So much effort goes into these summer events and on behalf of the town council I would like to pay tribute to those who put in hundreds of hours to make Lyme a must for those who want a traditional season holiday.
I CAN’T let this blog pass without commenting on another wonderful summer season of concerts on the Marine Parade by Lyme Regis Town Band.
I am a great fan of the Town Band, having served as their President for most of the 1980s. I was also a junior member of the old band, learning to play the cornet under the tutelage of bandmaster Will Toms when I was growing up alongside my great pal Stuart Broom whose father Gordon Broom was an accomplished tuba player.
Unfortunately, the band folded not long after I joined and that was the end of my musical life.
The band was reformed in the 1980s with new instruments being purchased with the money paid to the town by the film company that made the French Lieutenant’s Woman to compensate for all the upheaval they caused. Popular landlord Joe O’Donnell, a former Army musician, became the new bandmaster.
Today the band is led by Ellis Holt, a real entertainer in his own right whose enthusiasm has boosted the band’s popularity. During the summer months the Tuesday night concerts on the parade have attracted hundreds of followers.
The Mayoress and I had the privilege of being invited to the last concert of the season which gave me the chance of congratulating the band members on their increasing popularity and for turning out for all the civic events in our town.
The band is now busy preparing for their very popular annual Christmas concert, and they will also be playing at the Carols Around The Tree event, organised by the Rotary Club, and in the town centre on Christmas Eve.
This year I am planning a Civic carol service before Christmas in St Michael’s Parish Church, to be conducted by our new vicar, the Reverend Fi Budden, and I am hoping the Town Band will be joining us on this occasion. Full details of this will be included in the November issue of the council’s magazine, Lyme Living.
DON’T forget that if there are any council issues you would to speak to me about you can meet me at my monthly surgery in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall. The next one will be on Saturday, October 18th 10 am to 12 noon. To book an appointment, contact the Mayor’s Secretary, Anne-Marie Shepherd at annemarie.shepherd@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk
Photograph by Rob James: Travelling in style, the mayor and mayoress lead the carnival procession