May marked a special milestone for LymeLiving as the magazine celebrated its first anniversary.
We’ve seen a whole year of storytelling and celebrating our community through a shared pride in the town we all call home.
What began as a modest 16-page first edition has grown into a vibrant community publication now approaching 50 pages each month, filled with local news, inspiring stories, historical features, community achievements and upcoming events.
But more importantly, LymeLiving has become a platform for the people and organisations that make Lyme Regis such a remarkable place to live, work and visit.
Over the past year, this magazine has proudly featured more than 60 local groups and organisations, shining a spotlight on the volunteers, charities, clubs and community leaders whose dedication helps our town to thrive.
From sports clubs and creative groups to environmental organisations, emergency services and community initiatives, LymeLiving has worked to ensure their voices are heard and their contributions are recognised.
At its heart, this magazine has always been about connection, bringing residents together, especially those most isolated in our community and sharing information alongside celebrating the rich culture and heritage of Lyme Regis.
Nick Bale, chairman Lyme Regis Gig Club said: “LymeLiving is an accurate and positive reflection of life in the town. The magazine does a great job capturing what’s going on locally and feels very much in tune with Lyme Regis. It’s clearly put together by people who care about the town and, as a club, we are always pleased to be included.”
This publication has also become an important communication tool for organisations looking to engage with the wider community.
Eleanor Wentzell from Lyme Regis Museum, who writes our ‘Time and Tide’ feature said: “Contributing to LymeLiving has helped us to reach a wider audience and to share the stories, science and heritage of Lyme Regis. It has supported our mission to inspire curiosity, engage the community and bring the wonders of the Jurassic Coast to life for visitors of all ages.”
The magazine is one of the many ways in which the council partners with The Woodroffe School.
Headteacher Dan Watts said: “Our school has truly valued the chance to share our work, our achievements, and our ethos with the local community. Being part of this magazine has allowed us to open our doors a little wider and celebrate everything that makes our school such a vibrant place to learn and grow. From creative classroom projects to whole‑school events, each contribution has been an opportunity to highlight the enthusiasm, talent, and dedication of our pupils and staff.
“This connection with the community has meant a great deal to us. It has helped our students see that their efforts reach beyond the school gates and that their voices and ideas matter. It has also strengthened the sense of partnership we feel with families, neighbours, and local organisations who support us in so many ways.
“We are proud of what we have shared so far, and even prouder of the relationships that have grown from it. As we look ahead, we hope to continue contributing, celebrating, and learning together.”
For many community groups, the magazine provides something increasingly rare – a trusted local platform to share news, celebrate achievements and connect with residents.
Turn Lyme Green, a group dedicated to promoting sustainability in the town, said: “LymeLiving has helped publicise the work of the River Lim Action Group and its efforts to clean up the river and beaches. Public information articles, like the one on sewage misconnections, are really useful to raise public awareness.”
The impact of LymeLiving can also be seen in the way this magazine supports local organisations to grow participation and engagement.
David Flett from Lyme Regis Bowls Club said: “From a residents’ perspective, the magazine has highlighted the breadth of activities and events within our community, showing how active the town is. As part of a local organisation, it has been fabulous to have LymeLiving showcasing and promoting what we do and how residents and visitors alike can participate in our sport.”
This magazine has become a familiar and welcome sight across the town, picked up in cafés, shared between neighbours and read by visitors discovering Lyme Regis for the first time.
Ruth Wright of Waffle Lyme Regis said: “It is a great resource, not only in keeping the community informed about initiatives and events but also in providing an amazing opportunity for us to share what we do with the wider community. Customers often come in and ask when the next edition is available, and you’ll catch many a local or visitor reading it while enjoying a coffee.”
Life-saving charities have also recognised the value of the magazine as an additional way to tell important stories and connect with the public.
Nick Marks of RNLI Lyme Regis said: “LymeLiving provides an additional channel for us to tell our charity’s story, allowing us to delve deeper into the history of our lifeboat station and highlight the many characters who have shaped RNLI Lyme Regis over two centuries.”
Alongside organisational support for this magazine, the response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Many readers have praised LymeLiving for bringing the community together, celebrating local achievements and promoting the town.
One resident described it as “a fabulous promotion for the town, a lovely way of bringing the community together.”
Another added: “I love LymeLiving magazine. It’s such a treat to get a copy, informative, beautifully presented and something I look forward to reading with a cup of tea.”
As LymeLiving enters its second year, the focus remains firmly on the community. This magazine will continue to celebrate local stories, support organisations, share important information and provide a platform for residents to stay connected.
It has been a real privilege for LymeLiving to share the fascinating stories that have been submitted over the past year. Here’s to the next chapter.