SPORTING Lyme continues this July, with beach yoga, a multi-sports day in Uplyme, and a youth football tournament among the events on offer.
The summer-long festival of sport was launched at Anning Road Playing Field in May, when 16 of the participating local sporting organisations came together for an afternoon of demonstrations and taster sessions.
Sporting Lyme is a celebration of the many sporting organisations and opportunities in-and-around Lyme Regis, with special events taking place between May and September, encouraging people to get involved and try something new.
The festival has already seen Seaton-based running club Axe Valley Runners descending on Lyme Regis to host one of their regular club nights in the town.
Dozens of runners set off from Holmbush car park, waved off by the mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans, to take various routes around Lyme Regis and Uplyme, suiting all paces and abilities.
At Lyme Regis Bowls Club, the public were encouraged to have a roll-up at one of the summer open days, which included the mayor and deputy mayor Cllr Adrian Wood.
Club secretary David Flett said: “We have now had 24 new members since the close of last season, around 20% of our membership, which is great growth in participation. Can I call it the fastest growing sport in Lyme?”
Spectators were treated to a weekend of competitive gig rowing when Lyme Regis Gig Club held its Masters Regatta and Open Regatta over a weekend in May, while Fitsteps hosted a free taster session at the Woodmead Halls.
Lyme Regis Sailing Club and Lyme Regis Sea School held open days during the school half term, when young people could have a go at fun, instructor-led sessions.
Coming up in July is a beach yoga session with Maitri Yoga, another bowls taster session, a sea angling session for under 18s, gig club welly racing, a youth football tournament, an open day at Charmouth Tennis Club, a pickleball tournament, a skate jam, an open day at Axminster Gymnastics, and a volleyball tournament.
One of the major events of July is the Uplyme Festival of Sport on Sunday 5 July, when various organisations will come together at the KGV Playing Field to host a multi-sports afternoon.
From midday, activities will include basketball, bowls, croquet, a penalty shoot-out, pétanque, rounders and tennis, as well as demonstrations of maypole dancing, taekwondo, Scottish dancing and Morris dancing.
Entry is free and refreshments will be available.
For more information about Sporting Lyme, the upcoming events and information about the participating organisations, visit www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/sporting-lyme.
