A week to remember

CONGRATULATIONS to the Regatta and Carnival Committee for putting together such a successful week of family events.

The committee’s policy of staging traditional seaside events in which all the family can participate is definitely a winning formula and the blogs and Twitter were full of messages saying how nice it is to holiday in a resort where simple family fun was still top of the agenda.

Lyme is lucky to have a dedicated team of volunteers, so energetically led by Alan Vian, who devote their time to organising the week of activities.

I always have great fun photographing all the week’s events, and I think Thursday night’s lantern launch over Lyme Bay was a fantastic sight. It’s great to see some new and original events in the town.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the Grand Carnival Procession on Saturday night as I was away for the weekend in North Devon, but I hear it was one of the best for several years. I’ve missed the carnival for the past three years due to holidays and other family occasions but I’ve decided to make sure I’m here next year as I don’t want to miss out anymore!

Had I been home I would have been part of the View From team who worked hard handing out 500 balloons and nearly 1,000 hats to hundreds of children en route.

Having been regatta secretary for ten years back in the late 1960s/70s, I hear my dad was in his element!

We’re looking forward to this Saturday when we’ll be doing the same at Bridport Carnival.

Now that summer’s main events are over, the town will slowly start to quieten down, and we can all breath a sigh of relief at another hectic but successful season.

But don’t dig out your winter coats quite yet, there’s still a few weeks of sunshine to come (hopefully!) and, knowing Lyme, I’m sure there will be plenty of community events to keep us occupied over the next few weeks.

LYME'S GOT TALENT

THE View team was also on duty at the first Lyme’s Got Talent competition, which was a huge success on Tuesday night.

The demand for tickets was such that over 100 were turned away on the day and dozens of people have asked if a repeat performance could be staged. Watch this space!

I had watched a couple of good auditions during the weeks leading up to the final night, but even I was surprised at the high standard of talent on show.

Winners Lowell Fachau and Ben Hills stole the show and had the audience singing and dancing along to their unusual medley of modern hits.

After being announced the winners, the boys were even booked for two local weddings and I am sure we will be hearing much more of them in the future.

EVENT OF THE WEEK

JUST like last week, there have been so many great events to choose from.

I’ve already mentioned the lantern launch over Lyme Bay on Thursday night. I think Peter Wiles’ photograph on this week’s front page shows just what a spectacular first-time event it was and one that definitely should be repeated next year.

Over 100 people gathered in the grounds of Ware House -the home of Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Minnie Churchill – for a picnic and entertainment from the Three Counties Swing Band in aid of the Organ Appeal.

I went along with my auntie, uncle, mum and dad, who was also launching his new book From Slovenia With Love, which tells the story of the impressive new Skrabl organ at St Michael’s Parish Church.

A great way to spend a summer evening!

5 things to do this weekend

1 Learn about Lyme’s history - The town’s most famous son, Admiral Sir George Somers, has a fascinating story, which you can learn all about at a special exhibition in Lyme Regis Museum. The display is only open until September so you don’t have long left to see it!

2 Improve your photogrpahy skills - Award-winning wildlife photographer Ben Osborne will be hosting photography workshops in Charmouth on Friday and Saturday, suitable for all cameras. For more info visit www.artsreach.co.uk or phone 01297 560948.

3 Visit the Town Mill - The Town Mill always has lots going on and this weeked there are two art exhibitions 'From Here To There' and 'Waterfalls and Footpaths – From Kyoto to Okinawa' open in the mill galleries for you to enjoy.

4 Forget cooking and go out for Sunday lunch - There are plenty places to choose from when it comes to eating out in Lyme. Why not try the Mariners Hotel, the Harbour Inn, By The Bay, the Alexandra Hotel or the Talbot Arms in Uplyme for a traditional Sunday roast? Booking is recommended for all.

5 Try your hand at golf - The Lyme Regis Town Council-run mini golf course in the perfect setting of Lister Gardens is enjoying a record summer this year. Spend an afternoon working your way around the course, or you could try the putting green - also in the gardens - or the pitch and putt course at Strawberry Field.

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