THE Red Arrows are returning to Lyme Regis this summer for their first appearance over the town in nine years.
Lyme Regis Town Council is bringing the RAF aerobatic display team back to the town to mark the 200th anniversary of a lifeboat in Lyme Regis.
The display will officially open this year’s Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week on Saturday 15 August, getting the event off to a flying start.
The public are urged to get to the seafront early to secure a good spot for the start of the display in the early afternoon.
The precise time is yet to be confirmed but will be announced soon.
The team last performed over the skies of Lyme Regis in 2017 but the anniversary of the town’s lifeboat was the perfect opportunity to secure their return.
The Red Arrows displayed in Lyme Regis for over 40 years in recognition of the search and rescue work undertaken by the RNLI, and those historic links will be honoured with this year’s display.
The town council made the application to the RAF in September 2025, agreeing to contribute up to £10,000 towards the cost of the event.
The mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans said: “I am delighted that the Red Arrows will be performing their fabulous aerobatics over Lyme again as part of the 200th anniversary of the Lyme Regis lifeboat.
“There is no other day that matches Red Arrows Day in Lyme and we are expecting the display will attract many thousands of visitors to the town, providing a considerable boost to the local economy.”
Cllr Evans brought the arrows to Lyme Regis for the first time in the early 1970s, when he was secretary of the Regatta and Carnival.
When a display fee was introduced in 2015, Cllr Evans launched the Lyme Regis Red Arrows 100 Club to help raise the funds, and through membership fees and sponsorship, the Red Arrows returned to Lyme in 2016 and 2017.
“Sadly, however, we have not been able to see them over the skies of Lyme Bay since then”, said Cllr Evans.
“However, it was confirmed this week that an application made by the town council has been accepted and the arrows will be performing their fantastic manoeuvres over Lyme on Saturday 15 August, the first day of Lifeboat Week.”
Cllr Evans will now be relaunching the 100 Club to help meet the costs of the display.
Membership will be £100 and there will be a 20% discount for former members and for couples, with all members receiving a special Red Arrows tie or silk scarf, as well as an exclusive lapel badge.
Members will also be invited to attend a VIP champagne reception to watch the Red Arrows from a vantage point on the seafront.
Petrina Muscroft, chairman of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Management Group, said: “We are delighted that the Red Arrows are returning to Lifeboat Week in our 200th anniversary year and are very grateful to Lyme Regis Town Council for making it happen.
“There is no doubt that Red Arrows Day is the highlight of our fundraising week and brings many thousands of people to the town.”
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week is scheduled for 15 to 23 August 2026. A full programme of events will be publicised nearer the date.